Watertown School Board Honors High-Achieving Interp and Football Students

Northeast Radio SD News The Watertown School Board took time during its Monday night meeting to celebrate a wave of recent successes in both fine arts and athletics, recognizing students who earned state-level honors in oral interpretation and football.

Oral Interp Team Earns “Excellence” on Home Turf

The Watertown High School (WHS) Interp Team was celebrated for earning the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) Team Excellence Award. The achievement is particularly notable as Watertown served as the host city for the state festival. To receive this award, a team must earn four or more “Superior” ratings during the competition.

Individual and group “Superior” ratings were awarded to the following students:

·        Reader’s Theater: Abby Kruger, Chloe Ofstehage, Sonny Rader, Emily Kallemeyn, Tysen Canfield, and Silas Masar.

·        Duo Interpretation: Tysen Canfield and Silas Masar.

·        Poetry: Cash Hoppe.

·        Storytelling: Sonny Rader.

Other team members recognized for their contributions to the team’s overall excellence included Taryn Kane and Marley Greenfield. Head Coach Karine Kallemeyn and Assistant Coach Chelsea Brink lead the team.

Gridiron Greats Recognized for All-State Honors

The board also turned its attention to the football field, honoring athletes for their performance during the fall season. Several Arrows were named to the Class 11AA All-State teams, reflecting their status as some of the top players in the state.

·        All-State First Team: Hunter Peterson and Kaden Decker.

·        All-State Honorable Mention: Keslar Swenson, Lincoln Schutt, and Markus Pitkin.

Academic Excellence

In addition to their physical performance, five football players were lauded for their dedication in the classroom. The following students earned Academic All-State honors, a distinction reserved for senior athletes who maintain a high grade-point average while participating in varsity sports:

·        Cole Hanson

·        Keslar Swenson

·        Markus Pitkin

·        Brayden Kleinsasser

·        Owen Petersen