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In Photos: New Learning Experiences

Student News

Taking Center Stage

High school students are bringing a world of magic and music to the stage during the production of Cinderella - the first fall musical to be performed in the Performing Arts Center. Get a sneak peek at rehearsals in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" as students perfect their lines and work through their choreography. You can see their hard work come to life November 14th and 15th, and November 20th through the 22nd. Find ticket information here.

Speaking of the fall musical, four members of the cast visited first graders at Willow Lane for a special performance! The elementary students are learning about fairy tales and princesses. To help bring their lessons to life, the actresses who play Cinderella, the step-sisters and Cinderella’s step-mother performed a scene from the musical and answered fairy tale related questions.

Oneka Elementary students watched a production from CLIMB Theater centered around recycling. During the play, students learned about the three different types of recycling and garbage bins in their school and what types of waste goes into each one. CLIMB Theater's mission is to inspire and propel young people towards acts that benefit their community.

WBLAHS senior Holly Flood was recently highlighted as an emerging artist in the Arts and Culture section of the White Bear Press. Mentioned in the article are her successes on the stage with the WBLAHS Theatre Department and her participation in the trio "The Mothers Band."

Exciting Experiences

Central Middle School choir students were visited by a special guest musician from the organization North Hope in Uganda. Okello Kello Sam taught students how to play the ngoma drum, introduced them to exciting interactive games and dances, and played several songs and melodies on instruments native to Africa. Watch the excitement in this recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

High School students in the Aviation and Aerospace class stepped outside the classroom for a hands-on learning experience which was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". They visited the Commemorative Air Force Museum in South St. Paul. During the tour, students and staff listened to the tour guide explain aviation history during World War Two - viewing different artifacts and discovering the role Minnesota and the military played during the war. They also explored various military planes and learned about the technology used to build them.

Students in Transition Education programs gathered with their families and staff for a Family Fun Night! Attendees shared a meal, enjoyed various fall-themed crafts and the chance to connect through meaningful conversations. Snippets of the evening can be seen in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Students across the district enjoyed a special menu item on October 28 from the Nutrition Services Department. They could choose to try Little Smokies from Ferndale Farms in Cannon Falls, MN, Pine Tree Apples from White Bear Lake, MN, and roasted Minnesota grown potatoes! The lunch items were a big hit for so many students!

Inspiring Others

Mariner middle school orchestra students were captured in a recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds" working on their bow techniques. This lesson is especially exciting for one student, Layla, who recently received a device that helps her play the violin, thanks to building staff who got creative to build her a 3D printed device! After the sixth grader expressed interest in playing the violin, school nurse Vanessa House and orchestra teacher Todd Weinhold began researching how to get a device that would assist her in holding the bow. They found specs from an article laying out how to build a 3D printed device. They asked for help from science teacher Matt Skogen who is a hobbyist 3D printer. Following several prototypes and design and computer editing from Tech Ed teacher & CAD specialist Dan Rossiter, they were able to fit Layla with two devices. 

Student Council members at Lakeaires Elementary wrapped up their school-wide food drive initiative this week. As seen in this recent video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds", students collected various non-perishable food items and everyday use items to donate to the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf.

The Oneka Elementary Student Council collected food for the Hugo Good Neighbors' Food Shelf and ended up donating 624 pounds of food to the food shelf! The food shelf was impressed at the number of items the school was able to collect and donate, and the students were impressed that they hit the magic number (624, as in ISD624) perfectly!

The Bear Buddies Program was recently highlighted in Hugo Magazine! The unified program, which was formed at the high school in 2024, focuses on creating a safe, welcoming environment where all students feel included, valued, and empowered to be themselves through meaningful connections and friendships.

Students in the Women’s Literature Class at Area Learning Center are embracing self-discovery and empowerment. The class, which was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds", are writing their own poems centered around personal experiences and students created a “Wall of Phenomenal Women” to honor inspiring women from their own lives. 

Outstanding Accomplishments

The White Bear Lake Area High School Girls' Swim and Dive Team had a successful end to their team's season. At the Section 4AA prelims meet, team members reached new personal and season best times. Eight swimmers made it to finals, divers placed 9th and 15th and sophomore Charlotte McIntyre qualified for State in the 100 Fly. To top off the accolades, Coach Tia Walters was named the Section 4AA Coach of the Year. The Girls' State Swim & Dive meet runs Nov. 13-15 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatics Center at the University of Minnesota.

WBLAHS student Tatum Drusch recently verbally committed to Louisiana State University on a full athletic scholarship. She is a four-star recruit and ranked in a tie for the 10th-best prospect nationally according to College Gym News. Read more about her gymnastics career so far here. In other activities news, WBLAHS volleyball coach Mackenzie Leverty was named Section 4AAAA Coach of the Year. The Bears wrapped up their season with a record of 17-12. 

For the second year in a row, the WBLAHS Varsity Cheer Team earned the Regional Championship title. They also clinched a bid to the National Cheer Championship in Flordia. The team also took home the title of Grand Champions after placing first at the Lakeville Invite. 

White Bear grad Joel Reichow placed 6th overall at the New York City Marathon on November 1. He was also the top American male to cross the finish line with a time of . Find full details about his race in this article by Runners World.

WBLAHS grad Mike Servatka was recently sworn in as a Commander with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, a department he started in when he was just 15 years old as an Explorer. Other roles he's held in the Sheriff's Office include Reserve Deputy, part-time Deputy, full-time Deputy and most recently Sergeant leading the Water Patrol Unit.

 Activities Updates

WBLAHS Girls' Volleyball Coach Mackenzie Leverty was named Section 4AAAA Coach of the Year. The Girls' Cross Country Team finished 14th overall at the State Meet. Find details here. The Girls' Swim and Dive Team had a successful section prelims meet with new personal and season best times, eight swimmers making it to finals, divers placing 9th and 15th, a State qualifier in the 100 Fly and Coach Tia Quirk receiving the Section 4AA Coach of the Year. Tickets for the Fall Musical production of "Cinderella" can be purchased online here. WBLAHS Winter Sports teams are entering season play! Find schedules on the individual team pages of the Activities website. 

Hudl Ticketing is the exclusive provider of online tickets for all of our White Bear Lake Area High School home regular season athletic ticketing needs. Find games and purchase tickets 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

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