School news you’ll love: World-class color guard, sowing seeds of science

Amazing things happen in our schools every day — if you know where to look! Do you know some school news others would love? Let us know at [email protected].

Wow, that’s how to start strong. Congratulations to the Lincoln High School winter guard: The first winter guard in the history of Lincoln, the first guard in Sioux Falls and the state to make the WGI world semifinals and the world finals in their class.

Every middle school and high school student in the Sioux Falls School District will have a little extra growing to do thanks to a grant from the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation. More than $6,000 was awarded to Desiree Burggraaf from Ben Reifel Middle School, Sarah Henrichs from McGovern Middle School, Carol Beldin from IPC and Jane Eckstaine from Lincoln High School.

Their project, “Sowing Seeds of Science,” will purchase AeroGardens and seed pot kits for every middle and high school in the district. Students will learn about photosynthesis, climate, food production and sustainability. The AeroGardens use hydroponics rather than dirt, which helps seeds germinate within a few days, allowing students to monitor and conduct experiments regularly. Students in RISE classrooms will use the harvest for cooking and baking.

This fun special visitor appeared at Fred Assam Elementary this week.

Check out these future professionals. A dozen SFSD Academy of Finance students brought their ready-to-work-and-learn attitudes to Internship Interview Day with the hope of being matched with a local business for a summer work experience. AOF Sponsors agree to provide on-the-job experiences for students studying business and accounting principles. Students earn 17 college credits even before they graduate from high school.

And finally, these O’Gorman High School students and staff raised nearly $5,000 for the Bailey Lauret Memorial Scholarship Fund this week, in memory of the O’Gorman graduate who died earlier this year at age 24.  They wore flannel shirts and chaco sandals to remember Bailey’s favorite outfit.