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Westonka prom takes students to the ‘bayou’
Mound Westonka High School Student Senate worked diligently to pull off another incredible prom for senior and junior students on May 4. “Down on the Bayou” was the theme, complete with decorations and backdrops that created a New Orleans vibe throughout the event. “The junior cabinet of the Student Senate spent months planning every detail - from the venue to the theme, dinner, decorations, and grand march - they truly thought of it all!” said advisors Jamie Harms and Dale Kimball. “It is always so...
Westonka names Yost-Haddorff-Leopold Award winner
Mound Westonka High School is proud to name senior Jack Nelson as the 2024 male recipient of the Yost-Haddorff-Leopold Award. Other nominees for the annual outstanding male athlete award were Brett Bartkowicz, Connor Esposito, Jack Markstrom, Lucas Markstrom, Mikey Oftedahl, Charlie Paul and Carter Reinbold. The award began as the Yost Award in 1953, honoring the late Frank Yost, a local pharmacist and ardent community sports supporter who died in 1952. In 1994, the award became the Yost-Haddorff-Leopold Award to also honor the memories of...
Tonkabots team wrapping up ‘amazing year’
The Mound Westonka Tonkabots FIRST Robotics Team competed in the world competition in Houston, Texas in April for the first time ever. The team earned the opportunity to compete by earning a first-place finish at the 2024 Northern Lights Regional Competition. The Tonkabots competed in the “Galileo” division at the FIRST Championship, where they finished 22nd of 75 teams. Over 600 teams from 16 countries and 48 states were represented in the competition. Tonkabots were also chosen to receive a special peer award, the “Stellar...
Students’ artwork featured at festival
Mound Westonka High School art students competed in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Visual Arts Festival, the largest regional art competition in the state, April 26 in Shakopee. Out of 18 entries, students earned 11 Superior awards and five Awards of Excellence. “We had a fantastic showing at the festival!” said art teacher Jana Pare. “All the students who participated submitted outstanding work!” Earning Superior awards for their...
MPCA seeks water monitors locally, statewide
While Minnesota is often celebrated as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes,’ the reality far exceeds this iconic title with over 12,000 lakes and an extensive network of more than 92,000 miles of streams. Monitoring these abundant water resources is a monumental task, one that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) volunteer water monitoring program supports by providing critically important water clarity data. Volunteers are particularly sought after in the Westonka area due to its proximity to Lake Minnetonka and many nearby bodies of water including...
Westonka inducts new honor society members
A total of 56 Mound Westonka High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) at a special ceremony for students and their families on May 1. Another 54 seniors, who were inducted into the program last year, were also on hand for special recognition. Senior President Samantha Krahl welcomed the visitors to the Westonka Performing Arts Center (PAC) and thanked the parents for their support and hard work. The NHS chapter is under new leadership this year, as advisor Jana Paré brought...
Association to host free rain garden planting, design workshop
The Harrisons Bay Association (HBA) has a mission to educate the community on ways that residents can impact the water quality of our bay. One way to do this is through landscaping practices that filter stormwater pollutants and keep that water out of our lake. HBA and the University of Minnesota Extension Education Office will be hosting a free hands-on rain garden planting and design workshop on May 18 at 9 am. Attendees will receive training on plant selection and placement and each participant will...
White Hawks golfers tee up busy week on links
The Mound Westonka boys golf team had a busy week with four meets in four days. The rainy forecast made it look doubtful that they’d get to compete in all four, but mother nature cooperated, and the meets went on as planned. Temperatures were in the 40s - 50s for most of the rounds with some wind and rain, but the White Hawks were ready for it. Monday, April 29 kicked off with the team hosting nineteen schools at the Mound Westonka Invitational at Burl...
Westonka tennis team off to strong start
The Mound Westonka boys tennis team is off to a strong 6-1 start this season. Led by senior captains Sam Gaylord (No. 1 doubles), Adam Kahmeyer (No. 4 singles), Charlie Paul (No. 2 singles) and Carter Reinbold (No. 1 singles), the team is undefeated in the conference with their only loss against Chanhassen High School. The White Hawks varsity team is filled with seniors. In addition to the four captains, senior team members include Colter Applegate, Robbie Davis, Clark Hanson, Johnny Range and Ian Santoski....
Association honors Mackenthun’s for Minnesota-grown, hunger initiatives
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods of Waconia was among the honorees at the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) Champions Luncheon held on Tuesday, April 16 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan. This event showcases from, farm to fork, the Minnesota food industry’s positive impact on our communities. The afternoon highlighted the accomplishments of those engaged in all aspects of the Minnesota food industry. Mackenthun’s took regional honors in the Minnesota Grown program recognizing grocers that bring local products to market. The Waconia family grocer also was recognized with a Bag Hunger Campaign “Silver Plate Award” for community hunger support. The MGA’s 2023 campaign donated more than 1.5 million meals across the state, and in the last 15 years has provided over 44 million meals to hungry families in Minnesota.
Minnetrista preps for Trista Day
Trista Day will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 11a.m. - 2 p.m. Trista Day started in 2001 as an attempt to get safety information to kids in our community. Organizers quickly learned that helicopters and food draw a lot of kids and adults as well. This proved to be a great opportunity to educate the community on issues like seat belt use, air bag safety, gun safety, fire prevention, theft prevention, first aid, water safety, park and trail safety, victim services, DWI prevention...
Orono’s Dore caps speech career with honors
Madeleine Dore, a senior at Orono High School, capped a stellar high school speech career by earning 2024 All-State Speech Honors. To qualify for All-State, speakers must attain a set of milestones established by the Minnesota Speech Coaches Association. Those qualifications include being a senior in high school and excelling in competition, including at least one appearance at the MSHSL State Speech Tournament. Students are also expected to utilize their speech skills in other activities and to be engaged with the community through service. Dore,...
Earth Day event promotes conservation, education
On April 22, over 70 Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, and adults from the Orono and Westonka areas came together for education and conservation work at the ninth annual Unite for Earth Day held at the Orono Nature Center. The global theme for Earth Day 2024 was “Planet vs. Plastics.” Stations with activities were offered to earn a free Cabot Creamery’s Sustainability patch. This patch program encourages making small changes toward a more sustainable home and community. ...
Orono schools hire new business services director
At its April 22 regular meeting, the Orono school board approved the appointment of Nickolas Taintor as Orono Schools’ next Director of Business Services. According to the district, Taintor brings a wealth of expertise in school financial management and strategic planning, making him an outstanding addition to the district leadership team. Since 2020, Taintor has held the role of director of the School Services group at Creative Planning Business Services. Prior to assuming the director role, Taintor served as a senior advisor for 11 years...
DNR slates fishing challenge for Mother’s Day weekend
Moms who live in Minnesota are invited to join a free virtual fishing challenge Saturday, May 11, through Sunday, May 12, during Take a Mom Fishing Weekend, when all Minnesota moms can fish without purchasing a fishing license. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the Student Angler Organization and Women Anglers of Minnesota to host the challenge. To participate in the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge, moms...
Water worries loom large over Minnetrista
As Minnetrista’s population continues to grow, its water infrastructure needs an estimated $22 million in upgrades over the next two years. Aaron Vollmer with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S), the city’s water engineering consulting firm, outlined recommended improvements at the Minnetrista City Council meeting on April 15. The city’s current water supply consists of two water treatment plants and several groundwater wells within the city limits, which supply...
North Shore gymnasts head to Arizona
Several of the North Shore level 7 and 9 boys headed to Arizona to represent Region 4 at the Westerns National Championships. And boy did they represent! The three level 9 boys all competed within different age groups, but each of them did great. Marek Dykoski (Minnetrista, 15) flipped his vault and landed himself in 7th place for his highest vault score this year of 11.550. Tobin Dykoski (Minnetrista, 13), also earned himself a medal for his 9th place vault with a whopping 11.650! Owen...
Spring spruce-up: Mound parks, website get facelift
The city of Mound is welcoming the arrival of spring by giving the green light to a park beautification project spearheaded by a resident who resides near Belmont Park. Tyler Pieper presented his proposal to the Mound City Council during its April 23 meeting, seeking to expand the current sections of native plants. Pieper explained that, besides enhancing the park’s appeal for visitors, the project will also contribute to boosting critical pollinator habitats and creating a natural barrier to keep children away from traffic. The...
White Hawks golf hosts invitational at Burl Oaks
The Mound Westonka boys golf team hosted their invitational at Burl Oaks on Monday, April 29. Nineteen teams from around the area participated, with over one hundred boys competing. Wayzata earned first place with a score of 313. It was a gray day with temperatures in the low 40s. Periodic light rain added to the already wet course, providing very different conditions than the wind of the last couple weeks. Sophomore Luke Sunnarborg led the way for the White Hawks shooting 42 on the front and back for a final score of 84. Senior Michael Proulx and freshman Hudson Pundsack each shot 92, while sophomore Wes Foley turned in a 95. The team has a busy week ahead with a conference meet Tuesday at Pioneer Creek, an invitational Wednesday at Annandale, and their section preview Thursday at Pebble Creek in Becker.
Westonka records fall as track season heats up
The start of the 2024 track and field season has been rainy and cold, but that hasn’t stopped the White Hawk track and field team from having some great performances. So far this season, four school records have been broken. At the Jordan Invitational, freshman Sami Christensen broke her own school record in the triple jump, jumping 35’4.75”. Her previous record was from 2023 and was 34’11”. Jack Markstrom broke...
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Laker Pioneer serves the Mound, Minnetrista, Spring Park, Navarre, Long Lake, Orono, Maple Plain, Independence and Minnetonka Beach communities. Published Saturdays by APG of East Central Minnesota since 1974. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.lakerpioneer.com
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