Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Area schools invited to matinee performances at Saint Mary’s

WINONA, Minn. — The Performance Center of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is pleased to announce the 2011-2012 school-only matinees. This year’s matinee performances provide inexpensive opportunities for area students in kindergarten through grade 12 to experience the best in performing arts.

Two events are especially suitable for students in upper middle and high schools: Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience on Sept. 16 and the “Letters Home” production by Griffin Theatre on Nov. 1.

Interested schools should contact Tove Wiggs at (507) 457-1716 or twiggs@smumn.edu to reserve seating for their school groups. If e-mailing, include “SCHOOL MATINEE” in the subject line and include the following information:

• Name of School
• Contact name, phone number, and email address
• Number of students expected to attend
• Grade level or age range of students (whichever is applicable)
• Number of expected chaperones
• Any needed accessibility services

All seats cost $2 per person (for students and chaperones) and payment is due upon arrival. Schools are asked to limit chaperones to one adult per 10 students, when possible. You will be contacted to confirm your school’s participation.

Groups should plan to arrive between 20 and 30 minutes prior to the performance. Those who arrive earliest are seated first. Most events last 50 to 60 minutes and offer study guides with pre- and post-performance activities and discussion topics.

Go to www.pagetheatre.org to find more information about the artists, study guides and links to artist websites. Click on the “School Matinee” link to find more information.

School matinees 2011-12

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
FRIDAY • SEPT. 16, 2011 • 10 a.m.
Grammy winner from Louisiana
The Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco program is centered on the indigenous zydeco music of the French speaking Creoles of south Louisiana and is accompanied by a six-page study guide used to help prepare students in advance for the performance.
Terrance Simien, an eighth-generation Louisiana Creole, has been playing his indigenous Creole Zydeco music for two decades. His music has been heard around the world. In 2009, Disney Pictures released “The Princess & The Frog,” features the music of Simien, Terence Blanchard and Dr. John.
* Recommended for grades K-12

Griffin Theatre
“Letters Home”
TUESDAY • NOV. 1, 2011 • 10 a.m.
Present day soldiers and families connect
“Letters Home” puts the current war in Iraq front and center by bringing to life actual letters written by soldiers serving in the Middle East. The production is inspired by the New York Times op-ed article, “The Things They Wrote” and the subsequent HBO documentary, “Last Letters Home” and additionally uses letters and correspondences from Frank Schaeffer’s books, “Voices From the Front,” “Letters Home From America’s Military Family,” “Faith of Our Sons,” and “Keeping Faith.” The play-without-politicizing gives audiences a powerful portrait of the soldier experience in the ongoing war. Please note there is a short post-production question-and-answer session. Overall, schools should plan for 90 minutes.
* Recommended for grades 9-12

Theatreworks USA
“Duck For President” and Other Stories
WEDNESDAY • FEB. 29, 2012 • 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
6 stories for the silly season
This all-new musical revue features mini-musicals based on best-selling children’s books including: “Duck For President,” “Fancy Nancy,” “Pirates Don’t Change Diapers,” “Babymouse: The Musical,” “Leonardo the Terrible Monster,” and “I Have To Go!” Since 1961, Theatreworks USA has enlightened, entertained, and instructed over 68 million people in 49 states and Canada, now performing for about 4 million people annually. They were at the Page last year with “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.”
* Recommended for grades K-4

Pushcart Players
“Peter and the Wolf”
Tuesday • APRIL 17, 2012 • 10 a.m.
Classic tale brought to the stage
“Peter and the Wolf” is an adaptation of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. While providing a charming introduction to the world of music and musical instruments, this enchanting tale is all about the adventure of growing up. Danger becomes reality and creative innovation becomes essential as young Peter meets the challenge of survival in the outside world. Pushcart is now in its 38th season of producing theatre and arts-in-education programming for young viewers. Recent credits include highly successful performance tours of the former Soviet Union and the Czech Republic, several performances at The White House, and both public and peer recognition through numerous awards for outstanding work in children’s theatre.
* Recommended for grades K-6

Dance Repertory Company
“Le Corsaire”
THURSDAY • APRIL 26, 2012 • 10 a.m.
Exciting dance by area dancers
The ballet “Le Corsaire,” loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron, follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues — all culminating in a happy ending.
* Recommended for grades 3 and older

Support for the educational programming comes in part from the Xcel Energy Foundation, and the Winona Foundation in support of “Letters Home.”

Monday, May 23, 2011

Saint Mary’s awards honorary degrees to Jack and Mary Ann Remick


WINONA, Minn. — John “Jack” and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester have demonstrated lifelong support and leadership to Catholic schools and universities at all levels. On May 14, they were awarded honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees by Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota at its undergraduate commencement ceremony.

The Remicks were recognized for their commitment to Catholic education programs including the Countdown to College and First-Generation programs at Saint Mary’s University, and teacher education and formation programs at both SMU and the University of Notre Dame.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

2011 Bachelor of Arts graduates

The following students received their bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota on May 14 in Winona. Saint Mary's conferred 209 bachelor degrees at its 86th commencement exercises.

Adair, Andrew Lewis Maplewood MN
Allen, Marie Elizabeth Wausau WI
Anderson, Kelsey Megan Rochester MN
Anderson, Ryan David Mapleton MN
Angst, Paula Marie Winona MN
Anthaney, Eric Virgil Berwyn IL
Ayotte, Abigail Mary Mendota Hgts MN
Badowich, Jillian Christine Maplewood MN
Beckel, Jacob Noah Austin MN
Bedford, Patrick Allen Saint Paul MN
Berg, Michael Wesley Owatonna MN
Bias, Shane Patrick Orland Park IL
Biebel, Maria Bernadette Winona MN
Bjelland, Ryan Timothy Mauston WI
Bonk, Michael Joseph Hampshire IL
Boussie, Steven Michael Troy MI
Breault, Theresa Ann Houston MN
Brueggen, Andrew Patrick Holmen WI
Burton, Jennifer Kristine Chula Vista CA
Cachey, Katherine Jean Orland Park IL
Castillo, Quinten Christian Chicago IL
Clammer, Nicole Lyn West Concord MN
Coffou, Bridget Mae Sturgeon Bay WI
Connolly, Patrick John Chicago IL
Conover, Alex Robert Winona MN
Cooper, Emily Ann Winona MN
Cullen, Michelle Marie Roseville MN
Cummins, Ann Marie Birchwood MN
Daugherty, Elizabeth Margaret Robbinsdale MN
Deering, Chelsea Lynn Wisconsin Dells WI
DeHut, Hazel Ann Oconto WI
DeMarais, Elizabeth Ashley Minneapolis MN
Delmundo, John Reyes Rochester MN
Dobihal, Katelyn Marie Lino Lakes MN
Dory, Matthew Roman Chicago IL
Eirikson, Benjamin Milo Austin MN
Empanger, Kristina Joy Chaska MN
Engesser, Christopher Michael Luverne MN
Enstad, Laura Marie Austin MN
Ernst, Amber June Luverne MN
Ethen, Hilary Jean White Bear Lake MN
Faber, Joseph Raymond Houston MN
Fangel, Andrew John West St Paul MN
Ferk, Joachim Paul Plainview MN
Fetcko, Jordan Christopher Crown Point IN
Frainey, Heather Leigh Mundelein IL
Frechette, Rachel Ann Prior Lake MN
Friedl, Emily Marie La Crescent MN
Galvez, Edith Westchester IL
Garcia, Grecia Guadalupe Chicago IL
Gardner, Sarah Ann Rochester MN
Gernetzke, Christopher Edward Evansville WI
Glaesmer, Michael Aaron Traverse City MI
Glorvigen, Erin Riley Rochester MN
Gonnella, Luke Joseph Eagan MN
Gossen, Michelle Lynn Ogilvie MN
Gullickson, Christine Baker Chanhassen MN
Hansen, Meredith Grace Edina MN
Harstad, Sara Lynn Chatfield MN
Harvey, Cody Timothy North Pole AK
Heintz, Jackie Ann Caledonia MN
Heinzen, Teresa Lynn Marshfield WI
Hill, Alison Michelle Skokie IL
Hobbs, Andrew John Eden Prairie MN
Hoffman, Dustan Lee Winona MN
Holland, Lukas Waid La Crosse WI
Horn, Mark Edward Burke SD
Hu, Yue Xi'an China
Jarrett, Benjamin Charles Saint Charles IL
Jean Charles, Michelet Fort Atkinson WI
Johnsen, Kayli Ann Stillwater MN
Johnson-Buscemi, Erin Leigh Long Lake MN
Kaminski, Kimberly Ann Milwaukee WI
Kang, Weijie Xi'an China
Kasel, Brian Joseph Minneapolis MN
Kehoe, Samuel Peter Rosemount MN
Keilen, Billie Jo Faribault MN
Kennedy, Sarah Kate Lake City MN
Khoshnevis, Nakisa Ashley Dayton MN
Kilpatrick, Andrew Terry Rosemount MN
Kimlicka, Steven Robert Bartlett IL
Kirchoefer, Neil Alexander Metamora IL
Kirsch, JoAnn Emily Wesley IA
Kitzmiller, Benjamin Steven Lambertville MI
Klockars, Ingrid Anna Wheaton IL
Klug, Ellen Elizabeth Caledonia MN
Knudson, Caitlyn Michelle Plymouth MN
Kobs, Isabela Sofia Arkdale WI
Kodet, Benton Joseph Northfield MN
Koezly, Jennifer Rose Ham Lake MN
Krawiecki, Emily Carolyn Red Wing MN
Kremer, Alison Mary Iona MN
Krystosek, Nicole Anne Royalton MN
Kubik, Brittany Marie Chicago IL
Kuehn, Brittany Lynn Sauk Rapids MN
Kujawa, Bryan Lee Crookston MN
Kulig, Cherie Lynn Independence WI
Kuo, Hsiao-Jung Sinying City Taiwan
Kusek, Brian Louis Spring Valley IL
Lechner, Jacob William White Bear Twp. MN
Legatt, Lindsey Anna Sartell MN
Lemancik, Daniel Bart Stevens Point WI
Levisen, Samuel Paul Rochester MN
Lochen, Steven Phillip Kimball MN
Lopis, Cierra Lynn Macomb MI
Mahoney, Robert Blevins Richfield MN
Malewicki, Tara Lynn Winona MN
Martin, Kathryn Joy Plymouth MN
Mate, Jessica Lynn St. Charles IL
Mazzuca, Joseph Frank St. Michael MN
McCaffery, Patrick Brandon South Bend IN
McDonough, Sarah Patrice Des Plaines IL
Mellske, Morgan Charles Chicago IL
Meraz, Roque Calumet City IL
Mileykovsky, Ashley Isabel Northbrook IL
Miller, Danielle Elizabeth Inver Grove MN
Miller, Jessica Paige Carver MN
Mino, Steven James Austin MN
Monterastelli, Rachel Claire Wonder Lake IL
Moore, Gregory Michael Winona MN
Morgan, Erin Jean Appleton WI
Mueller, Adam Tyler Eyota MN
Munoz, Eric Rapid City SD
Munson, Brandy Rae Blooming Prairie MN
Murphy, Matthew Patrick Woodbury MN
Neitzke, Michelle Ann Missouri City TX
Newbold, Meagan Jo Rochester MN
Newstrom, Caitlin Elise Elk River MN
Norton, Jonathan Blake Fort Wayne IN
Norwell, Colleen Therese Orland Park IL
Noyes, Andrew Charles Eden Prairie MN
Nye, John Kurt Hobart IN
Ohl, Sean Albert Bloomington MN
Olson, Alexis Jean Altura MN
Pace, Joanna Emily Minocqua WI
Papaconstandinou, Jason Alexander Winona MN
Pape, Jonica Rae De Pere WI
Pearson, Amy Suzanne Buffalo City WI
Perkins, Elizabeth Dee Bloomington MN
Perkins, Kayla Elizabeth Red Wing MN
Perri, Maxwell James Arlington Hgts IL
Peyton, Kelsey Lucinda Arlene Shorewood MN
Pieterick, Amy Lynn Arcadia WI
Plantenberg, Daniel Burnsville MN
Powers, Nicholas Andrew Downers Grove IL
Price, Brittany Ann Rochester MN
Pusateri, Sarah Marie Chicago IL
Quinn, Michelle Mary Onalaska WI
Quinn, Thomas Kevin Cannon Falls MN
Richmond, Charles Jacob Wisconsin Rapids WI
Rothering, Lauren Mary Rockton IL
Rubenzer, Erica Marie Jim Falls WI
Ruf, Andrew Richard Chippewa Falls WI
Ryan, Kyle Robert Saint Paul MN
Salmon, Madeline Christine Woodbury MN
Sandager, Rebecca Jo Hills MN
Sassetti, Robert Francis Elmwood Park IL
Scannell, Margaret Anne Evergreen Park IL
Scholz, Janel Linda Upsala MN
Schurhammer, Jennifer Jill Kellogg MN
Seifert, Gary Allen Prescott WI
Sharpe, Jessica Ann Ottawa IL
Shewmon, Elizabeth Ann Arlington Hgts IL
Sibik, Amy Leigh Onalaska WI
Sienko, Madison Lea Mendota Hgts MN
Sievers, Rachel Amy Saint Paul MN
Simons, Kellie Marie Richfield MN
Snell, Peter Michael Lino Lakes MN
Spray, Molly Marie Chicago IL
Stage, Jocelyn May Barnesville MN
Stewart, Dy-anna Merriam Eden Prairie MN
Streefland, Daniel James Webster MN
Stremlau, Kory Jerome Mendota IL
Such, William Sennett Broomfield CO
Suchla, Patrick Michael Racine WI
Sullivan, Jack Lucke Chicago IL
Sweeney, Nicholas John St. Louis Park MN
Szczepkowski, Pawel Jan Kluczbork Poland
Tenvoorde, Eric Michael St. Cloud MN
Timmons, David Lawrence Rochester MN
Toliver, Jacob Wayne Rantoul IL
Trask, John Paul Wasta SD
Traxler, Samantha Jo Le Sueur MN
Treptow, Melisse Anne Wells MN
Twardowski, Casey Patrick St. Louis Park MN
Valdez, Jesse Nicklaus Houston TX
Valentine, Stephanie Lynn Omaha NE
Valle, Jacob Charles Woodstock IL
Van Winkle, Laura Elizabeth Brookfield WI
Vaselaar, Samantha Lynne Adrian MN
Wagner, Kelly Marie Woodbury MN
Wallerich, Lukas Roseman Inver Grove Hgts MN
Wang, Yiyun Xi'an China
Ward, Daniel William Dubuque IA
Warnke, Kasey Lynn Winona MN
Warren, Andrew Neal Stillwater MN
Welhaven, Emily Margaret Rochester MN
Wermerskirchen, Kaitlin Marie Shakopee MN
Wirkus, Taryn Kristine La Crosse WI
Wockenfus, Ryan Jeffrey New London WI
Wolfe, Anthony Martin Inver Grove Hts MN
Wright, Colette Denise Longville MN
Wright, William Vincent Chicago IL
Wulff, Jennifer Lynn Rochester MN
Xie, Dongyang Xi'an China
Yao, Hanfei Xi'an China
Ye, Xin Xi'an China
Zemaitis, Blake Stephen Mt. Prospect IL
Zou, Fei Xi'an China

Thursday, May 12, 2011

SMU Cardinal Corner raises $800 for SMU groups, Polish orphanage

WINONA, Minn. — The Cardinal Corner, under the management of the Spring 2011 Saint Mary’s University entrepreneurship class, earned more than $800 in profit during the Spring 2011 semester. The Cardinal Corner is a non-profit retail store located in the lower level of the SMU Toner Student Center.

Sixty percent of the total profits were earned through the sale of products from SMU clubs, teams, departments, or organizations that placed their items for sale in the store. The remaining 40 percent will be donated to Dom Dziecka, a Polish orphanage for children, the class’s charity of choice for the semester.

Dom Dziecka (house of children) is a Polish Orphanage for children between the ages of 3-18 located in Chotomow, Poland. Chotomow is a small town one hour north of Warsaw with a population less than 5,000. Dom Dziecka aims to ensure home care for children who are deprived of family care on their own. The facility is based on Christian values and ran by the Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.

The Spring 2011 students honored the tradition of helping one of their own by choosing the Dom Dziecka orphanage. A fellow classmate, Ania McNamara, was adopted, along with her three sisters, from the orphanage. She has continued to help the orphanage as an SMU student by raising money each year for Christmas presents to be sent to the children. The money raised by the Cardinal Corner will be used to help buy blankets and school supplies.

The Cardinal Corner officially opened in fall 2010; however, the goal of giving entrepreneurship students a hands-on experience in running a business started with the establishment of the Movie Nest in 2003. The demand for on-campus DVD rental diminished by 2008, prompting the SMU Business Department to investigate building an actual store on campus. During the 2009-2010 academic year, entrepreneurship professor Jana Craft changed the focus of the project from profit-driven to non-profit, highlighting the importance of social entrepreneurship.

Each semester the students choose a charity that is of special significance to a classmate. Past beneficiaries include:
• Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance - Fall 2010
• Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin - Spring 2010
• Winona Area Humane Society - Fall 2009

If you would like a 2011 Cardinal Pride T-shirt or a limited edition Father Fabian T-shirt, contact Craft, at (507) 457-1491 or jcraft@smumn.edu. Become a fan and receive the latest updates at www.facebook.com/cardinalcorner. If you would like to support the Dom Dziecka orphanage, or would like more information, contact McNamara at AIMCNA07@smumn.edu.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

MIAC honors Donny Nadeau, Saint Mary’s sports information director

MIAC honors Donny Nadeau, Saint Mary’s sports information director

The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has selected Donny Nadeau to receive this year’s Mike Augustin Award.

The annual award — chosen by MIAC sports information directors — recognizes outstanding contributions to the conference’s athletic programs and student athletes.

Nadeau has served as sports information director at Saint Mary’s University since 1994. SMU athletic department colleagues and his SID peers lauded Nadeau for his energy, enthusiasm, creativity in writing, innovations in technology, and quality of work.

The award is named for the late Mike Augustin, a longtime sportswriter at the Pioneer Press who was a follower and advocate of the MIAC and Division III institutions, student-athletes and coaches.

AWARD PRESS RELEASE:

http://miac-online.org/news/2011/5/9/MIAC_0509111328.aspx

Monday, May 09, 2011

Students recognized at the Saint Mary's University Academic Honors Banquet

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized outstanding senior students Wednesday, April 27, at the annual Senior Academic Honors Banquet. Highlights of the evening included the announcement of graduate and professional school acceptances, grants and fellowships, and the awarding of the following special honors:

American Institute of Chemists Award (chemistry award) — Xin Ye from Xi’an, China.

American Chemical Society Award (chemistry award) — Sara Harstad, daughter of Charles and Lynn Harstad of Chatfield, Minn.

ACS Outstanding Senior Award — Jennifer Koezly, daughter of Edwin and Monica Koezly of Ham Lake, Minn.

Kevin Martineau Award (business award) — Dongyang Xie from Xi’an China.

Outstanding Accounting Student (business award) — Dongyang Xie from Xi’an China.

Outstanding International Business Student (business award) — Fei Zou from Xi’an China.

Outstanding Entrepreneurship Student (business award) — Erin Glovigen, son of Gene and Nancy Glovigen of Rochester, Minn.

Outstanding Human Resource Management Student (business award) — Steve Kimlicka, son of Robert and Debra Kimlicka of Bartlett, Ill.

Outstanding Sport Management Student (business award) — Laura Enstad, daughter of Steven and Linda Enstad of Austin, Minn., and Andrew Ruf, son of Richard and Jennifer Ruf of Chippewa Falls, Wis.

Outstanding Marketing Student (business award) — Kelly Wagner, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Wagner of Woobury, Minn.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence (philosophy award) — Maxwell Perri, son of Jeffery and Jeanne Perri of Arlington Heights, Ill.

Gerald Sullivan Outstanding Theatre Major Award (theatre award) — Lindsay Christensen, daughter of Dawn Christensen of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Brother Leo Northam Award (math award) — Ann Cummins, daughter of Robert and Mary Cummins of Birchwood, Minn.

Future Alumni Committee Scholarship – Steven Lochen, son of David and Jayne Lochen of Kimball, Minn., and Kristina Empanger, daughter of Jon and Carol Empanger of Chaska, Minn.

Lasallian Honors Program Outstanding Senior Award — Rebecca Sandager, daughter of Michael and Nancy Sandager of Luverne, Minn., and Lukas Wallerich, son of Randall and Peggy Wallerich of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.

Delta Epsilon Sigma – Maria Biebel, daughter of Robert and Mary Biebel of Winona, received the National Delta Epsilon Sigma Undergraduate Student Award; and Nakisa Khoshnevis, daughter of Hamid and Shirly Khoshnevis of Dayton, Minn., received the National DES Fellowship for Graduate Study Award.

History Department Distinction Award — Benjamin Eirikson, son of Philip and Debra Eirikson of Austin, Minn.

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 14

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, May 14, the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The Winona campus undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors, Sean Ohl of Bloomington and Hilary Ethen of White Bear Lake. In addition, the university will recognize long-time supporters John and Mary Ann Remick of Rochester with honorary degrees.

The Winona campus Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Leah Hover-Preiss, M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning, from Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; and Kevin Mahoney, M.A. in Instruction, from Tujunga, Calif.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus hosted its commencement ceremony on April 30. The Twin Cities campus will conduct its summer commencement ceremonies on June 5.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Laws of Life essay contest winners awarded April 20

Platinum winner, Sadie Doering, Hope Lutheran High School


Gold winner, Molly Berlin-Burns, Winona Senior High School


Silver winners, Jung Yeon Lim, left, Cotter High School; and Emily Mastenbrook, Winona Senior High. Not pictured is Dakota Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran.


The English class award winners from the Laws of Life Essay Contest are, from left: back, Nicole Haedtke, Amanda Schwerzler and Shaina Laska from Hope Lutheran and Emilio Taiveaho from Cotter; front, Michaela Peplinski, Eia Shina Lor, Tracy Yim and McKenna Marg from Cotter. Not pictured are Jeffrey Sia and Zhihua Chang from Cotter and Mike Hang from Winona Senior High.

Hope Lutheran blue ribbon award winners: Abbey Nelson, Jedidiah Cranor, Jordan Gahnz and Cadence Klemp.


Cotter blue ribbon winners: Ding Hua Cui, Mari Min, Fei Shen and Hannah Kosel.


Winona Senior High blue ribbon winners: Claire Smart, Rudi Ramirez, Marité Olmstead.

WINONA, Minn. — Each year students at Winona schools submit essays that reflect on the values, ideals and principles that mean the most to them in the annual Laws of Life essay contest, organized by Saint Mary’s University and sponsored by Winona-area businesses and organizations.

Winners of individual categories — announced April 20 — receive cash and or varying-level renewable scholarships to Saint Mary’s.

The Laws of Life Essay Contest was founded in 1987 by Sir John Templeton of the John Templeton Foundation. This foundation is committed to advancing a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications that promote the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

In 1996, William Schuler approached Saint Mary’s University to begin this contest at Winona Senior High and Cotter High School, with Hope Lutheran joining in 2008. This event is made possible with his help, and the help of many other generous supporters — including Merchants Bank, William and Barbara Schuler, Junto Club, Dr. Thomas and Leone Mauszycki, Dr. Roger and Peggy Zehren, Fred Fletcher and Shelly Smith-Fletcher, Zehren Dental (Dr. Peter and Kimberly Zehren), Tony and Kathy Piscitiello, Dan and Sandy Hall, Mayor Jerry and Susan

Miller, Dr. Mark and Melissa Martin, Paul and Lori Ness, Neil and Ann Sawyer, the Winona Area Retired Educators Association, Fred and Marilyn Foss, Green Mill Restaurant and Bar and other anonymous donations.

This year’s Laws of Life essay contest winners, their schools and their awards are:

• Platinum — Sadie Doering, Hope Lutheran High School ($1,000 cash and a $3,000 scholarship).

• Gold — Molly Berlin-Burns, Winona Senior High School ($400 cash and a $2,000 scholarship).

• Silver — Jung Yeon Lim, Cotter High School; Emily Mastenbrook, WSHS; and Dakota Ellinghuysen, Hope Lutheran ($200 cash and a $1,000 scholarship).

• Blue ribbon award winners — Marité Olmstead, Claire Smart and Rudi Ramirez, WSHS; Jedidiah Cranor, Jordan Gahnz, Abbey Nelson and Cadence Klemp, Hope Lutheran; and Fei Shen, Hannah Kosel, Ding Hua Cui and Mari Min, Cotter ($100 cash prize).

• English class awards —Tracy Yim, Zhihua Chang, Jeffery Sia, McKenna Marg, Emilio Taiveaho, Shina Lor and Michaela Peplinski, Cotter; Mike Hang, WSHS; and Amanda Schwerzler, Nicole Haedtke and Shaina Laska, Hope Lutheran ($50 savings bond from Merchants National Bank).

Judges for this year’s event included: Maxine Aldinger, Dr. James Armstrong, Jerome Christenson, Dr. William Davis, Cynthya Porter, Dan Hall, Dr. Peggy Johnson, Louis Kluesener, Allison Babler, Kevin Mahoney and Grace Hudlik.