05/25/23: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Rieck graduates from MSU

Minnesota State University in Mankato awarded 2,494 degrees to 2,247 students at the end of the spring 2023 semester.

Undergraduate students receiving recognition included 471 students graduating summa cum laude (3.8 grade point average and higher), 298 students graduating magna cum laude (grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79) and 317 students graduating cum laude (grade point averages of 3.4 to 3.59).

Among the graduates was Kyler Rieck, BS, Management, Cum Laude, of Hartley.

Spring dean’s list at Buena Vista

More than 550 students were named to the spring dean’s list at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. The dean’s list recognizes full-time students achieving a 3.5 grade point average or higher for the semester.

Students from this area included on the dean’s list are: Hartley – Brittney Ponte; Royal – Brea Bendlin; Everly – Christian Voss; Sanborn – Olivia Grooters, Delmer Lode and Natasha Schirmer.

Spring honor list announced at NCC

Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon has announced the honor list for the spring semester. Students on the honor list are full-time and have achieved an average grade point of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Local students earning accolades include:

Hartley: Cherryenne Hibbing, Associate of Arts; Brieann Van Sloten, Pharmacy Technician; and Nathan Westphal, Business.

Sanborn: Alan Abonce, Business; Addison Douma, Associate of Arts; Taylan Elwood, Agriculture; Daniel Nyanchoga, Practical Nursing; Jordan Ortega, Associate of Arts; and Nicole Wesselink, Medical Coding.

Man drowns on West Okoboji Lake

The Iowa DNR is investigating a drowning Saturday afternoon on West Okoboji Lake, after Alexander Glover, 21, of Cedar Rapids, jumped off a pontoon and into the water in Miller’s Bay.

According to reports, the pontoon began to drift away and while attempting to swim to the boat, Glover became fatigued and slipped under the surface. His fellow passengers tried to throw him a rope but he was unable to get to it.

Three of his fellow passengers jumped in but were unable to recover him. A kayaker paddling nearby entered the water and pulled him to the pontoon where they began CPR. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. He was not wearing a lifejacket.

Boats from the Dickinson County Fire and Rescue and the Iowa DNR responded to the scene. Glover was transported to Lakes Regional Healthcare, in Spirit Lake, where he was pronounced dead. Alcohol was not a factor in the drowning.

While the air temperature on Saturday was in the low 70s, the water temperature in West Okoboji Lake was 55 degrees. DNR officials suspect the temperature played a factor.

The incident remains under investigation.

Graduating 4-H’ers reflect on years in program

O’Brien County is home to 14 graduating senior 4-H members. As the three seniors from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn graduate and enter their post high school endeavors, these graduates look back upon their years in 4-H and recall what they enjoyed most and share advice for younger 4-H members.

Joseph Billings is a nine-year member of the O & O Kids 4-H Club. He is the son of Kent and Jamie Billings, of Hartley.

“My favorite 4-H memory is winning beef of merit with my steer off of my first heifer,” Billings said. “My favorite part of 4-H is watching new members get involved and work with livestock. Some advice I have for younger 4-H’ers is don’t be afraid to ask questions and be involved. Find a good mentor; it can be a family member, a friend or a neighbor.”

Bryce Dodge is a nine-year member of the G & W Feeders 4-H Club. He is the son of Mark and Sara Dodge, of Hartley.

“My favorite 4-H memory is bringing in a couch table for a woods project to the county fair and it went on to the State Fair,” Dodge said. “My favorite part of 4-H is making friends with new people and learning new skills. Some advice I have for younger 4-Hers is to try everything you can. New experiences aren’t always bad. They will lead to new memories and possibly unlock new skills.”

Morgan Grooters is also a nine-year member of the O & O Kids 4-H Club. She is the daughter of David and April Grooters, of Sanborn.

“My favorite 4-H memory is staying at the fairgrounds during fair,” Grooters said. “My favorite part of 4-H is doing well in the ring and seeing the little 4-H kids showing for the first time. Some advice I have for younger 4-H’ers is don’t be afraid to try a new animal to show.”

The memories made, fun had and lessons learned in 4-H will remain with these graduates for years to come. They all see the benefit in trying many new things and developing life skills, a key component of the 4-H program.