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In Photos: Exciting Adventures

Student News

Names in the News

The WBLAHS Girls' Basketball team wrapped up their season with a trip to the State tournament. The White Bear Press highlighted their game against Maple Grove in the quarterfinals of the tournament where the Bears played in front of enthusiastic fans at Williams Arena, home to the University of Minnesota Men's and Women's basketball teams. The WBP also highlighted their matchup against Brainerd in the consolation bracket. The Bears finished with a 20-11 record and were the Section 4AAAA champions.

White Bear Lake Area High School Boys' Hockey Team goalie Leo Gabriel was named the winner of the 2025 Frank Brimsek Award, an honor given to the top senior goalie in the state. The announcement was made at the Mr. Hockey Banquet held at the St. Paul RiverCentre following the conclusion of the State Hockey tournament. During his career as a Bear, Leo secured 49 wins and 18 shutouts. Learn more about the award here. Leo was also invited to the Minnesota Wild game on March 17 to give the celebratory "Let's Play Hockey" chant to open the game. 

WBLAHS sophomore Tatum Drusch has qualified for the U.S. Senior National Gymnastics Team! At the Elite Winter Cup held February 21-22 in Louisville, Kentucky, Drusch, who trains at Flips Gymnastics, placed first on balance beam and fourth all-around. Tatum told the White Bear Press, “Making the National Team fulfills a lifelong goal and is my top achievement in gymnastics so far.” Tatum will now attend a selection camp in April in hopes of representing the U.S. at the Jesolo Games in Italy happening that same month. She will also compete in the U.S. Championships, for the third time, in New Orleans in August. 

Two White Bear Lake Area High Schools students were recently highlighted in the White Bear Press for their impressive accomplishments. Senior Ryan Lentsch and sophomore Toby Hagen both earned the Eagle Scout Award, the highest achievement in Scouting. To receive this honor, scouts complete a service project and must earn 21 merit badges.  

The White Bear Lake Area High School Speech Team hosted their first tournament this past weekend. Over 900 entries from 33 high schools competed at the WBLAHS Bear Claw Speech Invite. Students performed in various spaces around the high school. The team spent months preparing for the Invitational and some of those preparations were highlighted in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Here are the top finishers in their respective categories:

• Freshman Aryanna Charles was the Varsity Champion in Original Oratory
• Sophomore Mayar Musa placed second in Next-In Original Oratory
• Sophomore Elodie Dikeman placed fourth in Next-In Extemporaneous Reading
• Senior Praise Oyekunle placed fifth in Varsity Prose
• Sophomore Valina Gatzke placed sixth in Next-In Discussion
• Sophomore Ethan Kinsella placed sixth in Varsity U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking
• Senior Evelyn Lynch placed seventh in Varsity Prose

Exciting Opportunities

Elementary students in the district’s Extended Day program enjoyed a special visit from an animal expert with Sustainable Safari. They learned fun facts about five different animals: snakes, alligators, kangaroos, tenrecs, and fennec foxes. Students were also given the opportunity to pet each of the animals and ask questions!

On March 21, staff and students at Transition Education Center (TEC) celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by participating in "Rock Your Socks" day! They proudly wore brightly colored, mismatched socks to honor the uniqueness of individuals with Down syndrome and promote awareness and inclusion. Meanwhile, TEC students Ann and Emie Shervheim were featured on a World Down Syndrome Day billboard displayed on University Avenue in St. Paul, just east of Regions Hospital and 35E, at the corner of Olive and University. At Oneka Elementary, fifth graders also wore mismatch socks as they celebrated the day! Mrs. Thomas, a first grade teacher at Oneka, stopped by the fifth grade classrooms to share her story about her son Sammy Flash and the importance of including everyone!

 

Love of Learning

 

At Willow Lane, fifth graders worked with members of the community to write resumes and cover letters in preparation for their Donatelli’s “takeover”. This activity was highlighted in a video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". Students will interview to work as cooks, servers and hosts over the lunch hour. Their first shift at the restaurant begins on April 29 at 11 a.m. and continues every Tuesday through May 20.

Central Middle School eighth graders learned about the mathematical constant Pi in their math classes. They created irrational and rational bracelets that represent the mathematical symbol, held a memorization competition and enjoyed a slice of pie! They also played games to determine if numbers are rational or irrational. See their lesson come to life in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

 

Youth Enrichment Classes

The belief of Mayer Arts about teaching is not only providing training for those who are serious about learning but also to just have fun! We teach proper technique, terminology, body awareness, and an appreciation for the arts. Our goal is that students will not only find a love for the arts but also build healthy habits and self-esteem. Skills that will be helpful to them for the rest of their lives!

In our musical theater classes students choose their own characters and work as a team to create a story. Then we learn songs and choreography and put everything together to create a show! Each day we work on character development, performance techniques and play creative games. On the last day of class we perform our show for our families! Learn more about the program and find registration information here. 

 Activities Updates

High school students are raising money for the Special Olympics and Unified Sports through the Cool School Polar Plunge event! On April 10 students will participate in a mobile polar plunge activity during school. You can support their case and donate today! Learn more here and for any questions, please contact Shannon Riebow, Shannon.Riebow@isd624.org. The WBL Football Boosters, along with Coach Bartlett, are excited to host their first annual Signing Day for all incoming ninth graders planning to play football this fall. The event will take place on at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 7 in the Student Union at White Bear Lake Area High School. The Girls Basketball Team competed in the State tournament earlier this month. Find highlights here. 

Senior community members (age 65+) who live in the District are invited to participate in the Senior Activities Pass program and enjoy complimentary admission to most school activities. Find out how to receive your free pass here.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications. 

The Week in 62.4 Seconds

Enjoy The Week in 62.4 Seconds videos highlighting weekly district activities throughout the school year.

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