Senior Issue

Impact Awards

Kellie Jordahl

Female Impact Student
Giving advice and correcting drafts is just a part of her life that has become a routine. Staff members always fear that an enormous amount of blue pen will end up being written all across their papers, with the blue pen that has become her trademark. She tries to make the paper the best it can be and wants everything to run smoothly, it’s paying off and getting her recognized by peers.
Senior Leah Lohse was chosen as the female impact award winner and is honored to receive this award.
“In my mind I am surprised people know my name,” Lohse said. “To be voted for, that is a really big honor.”
Lohse hopes to make an impact herself by attending the University of Missouri, Columbia and majoring in journalism.
“People say to do something you love and not to waste your life doing something for the money, which obviously there isn’t a lot of money in journalism,” Lohse said. “But I guess that’s why I want to do it because it’s something I love and it’s something I think I would enjoy for the rest of my life.”
During her years at ALHS, she has been involved in numerous activities. Lohse is the president of National Honor Society (NHS), a member of the Student Advisory Group to the School Board and the co-editor of the Ahlahasa.
“The activities I have done my senior year have been the biggest ones,” Lohse said. “I’ve taken on a lot of leadership positions.”
Lohse said many people and activities have had an influence on who she has become. But she admits the people that have made the biggest impact on her was her parents.
“My parents have always given me a lot of support,” Lohse said. “My mom always tells me to slow down because I am going to make myself sick, she’s probably right in that regard.”
Lohse has also been shown a lot of inspiration from teachers and different members of the community. “Paul Goodnature is a great inspiration to me, I hope that when I am that old, I am as enthusiastic about life as he is,” Lohse said.
Lohse has had great experiences in high school, including speaking at the induction ceremony for the NHS and getting to know her peers. But most of all she’s proud to have been the co-editor of the Ahlahasa. It has been a personal triumph for her.
“When I started high school I was really shy and I never thought that I would be the president of the NHS and the editor of my school newspaper,” Lohse said. “When I was in here [Ahlahasa] last year I didn’t say much, so I guess that’s been a personal triumph for me and a good memory.”

Male Impact Student

Laura Haatvedt

Senior John Mattson never thought he was making much of an impact when he first began helping out with the blood drive in tenth grade. He just wanted to help, but his peers voted him 2002 Impact Student.
“I personally didn’t think I made much impact, so I was very surprised,” Mattson said. “But I think it’s pretty cool that others think I made an impact.”
Mattson has always enjoyed being involved in many extracurricular activities. Throughout high school he has been involved in music, theater and tennis.
“I try to be in as many things as possible,” Mattson said. “I try my hardest to always be the best I can be and be happy.”
Mattson always tries to be positive no matter what, hoping it would help his peers always stay positive too.
“I believe that a smile is contagious,” Mattson said. “I try to live by that.”
Mattson has many influences that make him who he is. He credits everyone from his mom and his friends to Gandhi and Jesus.
Mattson’s words of wisdom: “Don’t worry, be happy and be yourself.”

Female Impact Athlete

Laura Haatvedt

Senior Beth Kolling has been involved in volleyball, basketball and track ever since she was in seventh grade. This year she was a captain for both basketball and track. And she is also the 2002 Impact Female Athlete as voted on by her peers.
“I was surprised and honored,” Kolling said. “It didn’t register at first.”
Kolling has always worked hard at each sport and she feels hard work is a big part of what makes a good athlete.
“I have always tried to work hard and be a good role model,” Kolling said. “I think that practice really does make perfect.”
Working hard is something that Kolling will use for the rest of her life. But there are many other qualities that Kolling learned on the court which will transfer over into real life.
“I learned that it takes a team to win, no matter what. I learned to work with others,” Kolling said. “I learned perseverance, leadership and commitment too.”
Kolling has always been happy playing sports. She has no regrets, partly because her parents have been very supportive of her athletics and all her decisions.
“I don’t think my parents ever missed a game, even if it was away,” Kolling said.
Kolling is so happy with sports that she plans to attend the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire to study sports medicine.
“I couldn’t see my life without sports playing some kind of role,” Kolling said.

Impact Male Athlete

Kellie Jordahl

Standing at the free-throw line, he bounces the ball once, raises it into the air and lets it roll off his fingertips. The basketball feels as if it is 40 pounds. Focused on the square on the backboard, he shoots, swish. To his surprise the ball goes in and the team takes a two-point lead with eight seconds left to go. In these last few seconds all of his hard work, dedication and talent show in this self-defining moment.
Josh Kasper is this year’s Male Athlete Impact Award Winner. The student body chose him because of his ability for the game. Kasper participates in soccer and basketball both on the field and the court. He was surprised to win and also honored to know how his classmates feel.
“I am honored, it just shows that hard work and practice doesn’t go unrecognized,” said Kasper.
Kasper admits that his father has been the biggest impact on him with sports and in his everyday life.
“My dad kept me motivated,” said Kasper. “I look up to him to achieve great things.”
While in high school Kasper has been involved in soccer, basketball and golf. During his career in high school Kasper has set many goals for himself to succeed in whatever he chooses to do.
“Set goals for yourself and try to be the best you can be, but at the same time do what’s best for the team,” said Kasper.
Besides setting goals and being serious about the sports he plays, Kasper remembers good times with friends.
“My best memory was when on the last day of school my sophomore year when Scott Tuchtenhagen and Luke Behrends took me out of school and threw me in the back of a truck full of water,” said Kasper.

Impact Teacher

Monica Mueller

His school day may not actually start until 2nd block but his teaching, guidance and work begins as students come one by one into his room in search of help on their math assignments. Bob Rowe devotes a lot of his time to working with his students and guiding them. “He’s willing to come in at seven a.m. to help students. Its not just his own students he helps, he is always helping students that aren’t even in his classes,” senior Laura Grund said.
Rowe attended undergraduate school at Mankato State; he had loved math in high school and after 2 years in college he decided he would find a career in it. He wasn’t sure what yet, so he explored the options he had, and by his third year decided to go into education. He attended Western Michigan University for graduate school.
Rowe has been teaching in Albert Lea for the last 33 years. He taught seventh grade math and algebra at Southwest Junior High in Albert Lea for 14 years. Rowe has taught all of the math classes at the high school except for Geometry over the last 19 years.
Besides being busy with all the classes he teaches, Rowe, also takes part on many of committees in the school. He used to coach the ALHS wrestling, football, and track teams. Rowe spends a lot of time working on revising and writing the profile of learning, a grad standard package that students are required to do. Rowe stays busy with all of the committees he has volunteered or become a member of.
“After you’ve been around a while you get involved in the things you want changed instead of just complaining. It makes a difference,” Rowe said.
Rowe also has six grandchildren that he likes to spend a lot of time with. In his free time he likes to fish, hunt and golf. Rowe finds his job to be a very rewarding experience.
“The wonderful kids I become friends with are rewarding,” Rowe said.

Impact Citizen

Monica Mueller

Once again the impact citizenship award goes to former school liason officer Bill Villarreal. After winning this award several times we decided that the award will be named after him. It’s now the Bill Villarreal Citizenship award.
It’s 2:50 p.m. and school has just let out. He’s parked across from the high school waiting for the students to clear out. Kids pass and give a friendly wave that he returns or gives a honk. After a few minutes he passes through the parking lot and stops to talk with a couple of students before leaving to patrol the streets of Albert Lea.
Villarreal’s care and guidance to the student body is easy to see. Exspecially since students have named him as the 2002 Impact Citizen award winner.
Villarreal resigned this year as the school laison officer so he could go back to the police force. Villarreal had many reasons for leaving, but he mostly wanted to do something different.
“I miss the school and students, but I needed a change,” Villarreal said.
Villarreal still stays in touch with a lot of the students but doesn’t really get the chance to do as much hands on mentoring as he did when he was at the high school. Almost everyday he could be found in the halls talking with the students. Between classes he was always there to interact with the students. He also put together the annual safe and sober programs. On homecoming he could found helping out the students decorate the school with toilet paper while watching to make sure thigns didn’t get to out of hand.
“He wasn’t just an adult figure to the students he was more of a personal friend to everyone. If he had to discipline someone, it wasn’t that he was just disciplining them, but he was looking out for them, and helping them be the best they can be, ” senior Kelly Anderson said.
Villarreal doesn’t just affect ALHS students, but he’s been volunteering at the YMCA for the last 23 years. He teaches a lot of fitness classes and he does life guarding.
“ [Volunteering at the YMCA] is probably my biggest contribution because I’ve helped out there so much,” Villarreal said.
Villarreal feels he gets this award year after year because he puts the extra effort to become friends and help out the students. He wishes that there was someone else in the community who could get recognized for their work with the students and younger kids in Albert Lea. Villarreal feels he gets this award because he interacts and supports the student body.
“I’m a supporter of different events from sports, to plays, and show choir,” Villarreal said.

Making the Grade

Kelly Cook & Jenna Lindeman

Running from activity to activity, their daily schedules are booked from the moment they wake up in the morning to practices and rehearsals late at night. Exhausted, they fall asleep as they complete their tremendous amounts of homework, from calculus to physics. They suddenly jolt awake, to the buzzing of their alarm clocks, and repeat their busy schedules all over again.
These students are the valedictorians of the class of 2002. Matt Entorf, Leah Lohse, Jena Lombardi, Stuart Ness, and Sarah Schleck are the top students of this year’s senior class. All five award-winners achieved a 4.0 grade point average throughout their years at the high school. One student is honored to be placed as a role model, alongside her fellow classmates that she admires so much.
“The others are really deserving,” Lohse said, “I look up to them.”
Other students receiving the award feel they are not role models, but normal people, with no exceptional, secret study habits.
“My study habit’s are just like everyone else’s,” Lombardi said.
These five people are normal with traditional studying habits, and the occasional studying throughout the long night hours.
“I have spent lots of times studying and not getting much sleep,” Ness said.
However, the lack of sleep has finally paid off. These students will be recognized during graduation in front of their friends and family for their achievements in the classroom. Entorf feels that the valedictorian being acknowledged for their hard work is a great opportunity.
“It’s a great honor that our hard work will be recognized,” Entorf said, “We work just as hard in the classroom as [athletes] do on the field.”
And the recognition will be shard among five classmates. Entorf feels that sharing the honor is more special than recognizing any one individual.
“[Having five valedictorians] makes it more special,” Entorf said, “I get to share the privilege with others striving to do their best.”
This privilege is one these students say has taken a lot of determination and patience.
“[Being a valedictorian] took hard work, dedication, and patience,” Schleck said.
But the students’ hard work and dedication has paid off. The valedictorians feel that not only a person earning the award not only completes ordinary tasks, but goes above and beyond, setting the standards for their classmates.
“A valedictorian is more than a 4.0,” Lohse said, “They set the standard [for other students].”

The Few. The Proud.

Dana Seadlund

Last call to board flight 587 to San Diego, California,” says a flight attendant as it echoes through the airport
terminal. A young man hugs his mother and says good-bye to a few friends that have come to see him off. He shifts his green cloth bag over his shoulder and boards the airplane. He is about to embark on a 13 week journey of strenuous training and learning to become one of the few, the proud, the Marines.
Upon arriving at the base in San Diego, senior Alan Christensen will be put in a barber chair and watch in the mirror as his head is being shaved. This action is done by the Marines as a symbol of stripping away one’s selfishness and becoming part of team.
“I’m ok with the idea that my head will be shaved. They’re going to do it anyway, so that’s why I’m growing my hair out now,” said Christensen.
Getting your head shaved isn’t the only thing that is required to become a Marine. Christensen had to participate in taking a military exam called the MEPS and a basic knowledge test called the ASBAPTH in order to be considered for entry into the Marines. He also had to perform physical tests such as 50 sit-ups in one minute, 50 push-ups in one minute and a minimum of 2 pull-ups. Passing the physical tests for Christensen was a breeze, as he accomplished 11 pull-ups.
What makes someone want to go through this vigorous training? Christensen found out he will reap many benefits from the government for joining the Marines. They will be paying for three fourths of his college tuition in exchange for his services. This seemed like the best choice for Christensen when planning his post-graduate plans.
“I really wanted to leave Albert Lea, and joining [the Marines] will keep me out of trouble,” said Christensen.
“It’s also a great way to get money for college and the recruiters wouldn’t leave me alone,” said Christensen.
After finishing his training, Christensen is considering entering a Computer Data Systems program, where he will learn how to program computers. He is also thinking of staying in the military and joining the infantry. The infantry’s job is to enter an area that is in war or under attack and make sure the area is prepared for the Army to come in and perform their duties.
Christensen’s family is very supportive of his decision to enter the Marines, but some of his friends aren’t so certain.
“They ask me, ‘Why are you joining?’ or ‘What do you want to do that for’, said Christensen. “They tease me about it, I’m still going.”
While others from the class of 2002 are sitting in a college class or working, Christensen will be learning how to become a Marine. In the back of America’s mind sits the idea of a possible war or attack on terrorists, and that same notion lies in Christensen’s head. His thoughts won’t be consist of algebra, freshman English or chemistry, but the possibility of a war and protecting a nation.
“Knowing that I am going to be a Marine means a possibility of going into combat. When I joined, Sept.11 was in my mind. I don’t know how it couldn’t be.”

The Right Choice for Right Now

Frances O’Donnell

A college education has always been one of senior Crystal Kast’s goals, but right now she doesn’t feel like going straight to college is the right choice for her. She’s decided that goal can wait. Kast plans to join the workforce after she receives her diploma and attend college later in her life. There are several reasons she decided to wait to continue her education.
“I’ve been sick the last couple of years. It was more logical financially and personally, not knowing what I’m going to do,” she said.
Kast is planning to enter the Mayo Clinic medical secretary training program. The program begins with 14 weeks of free training in the skills necessary to be a secretary in the medical field. After training, everyone in the program is guaranteed a job at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Kast is glad she’ll be working in the hospital environment.
“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do,” Kast said. “I’d always been interested in the medical field, and this will be an interesting and beneficial way to see jobs in that field.”
She has prepared for a job in the medical field by taking extra science classes, such as genetics, in high school. Kast feels prepared for her job and is looking forward to getting the chance to work at Mayo. “[I’m looking forward to] moving to Rochester, meeting new people, experiencing a new job and living life,” she said.
Kast isn’t sure how long she’ll spend as a medical secretary. No matter where life takes her, she plans to continue her education at some point in her life. The Mayo Clinic offers scholarships to employees who want to go back to school, something Kast might take advantage of.
“I definitely think eventually I’ll go back to school,” she said. “I’d like to go into a higher medical administrative position or even something like nursing.”

Truesdell Takes Two

Frances O’Donnell

ALHS senior Tiffany Truesdell wanted to continue her education after high school, but she didn’t like the four-year college price tag. She decided to earn a two-year degree from Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC). The lower cost and staying close to her friends from high school were major factors in her decision.
“It was cheaper and my friends are going there,” Truesdell said.
Staying close to her friends is important to her. She plans to share an apartment with ALHS graduates Alyssa Schultz and Amanda Arendt. Besides being close to her friends, Truesdell chose RCTC because of its strong program in child development, her intended major.
“I want to go into [child development] because I like children,” she said. “I want to work with them for the rest of my life.”
Truesdell feels comfortable around children. She has prepared to go into this field while in high school through work and community service that give her a chance to work with them.
“I’ve volunteered at the community child care center for three or four years and I baby-sit,” she said.
Truesdell plans to pursue a career in human or social services or run her own daycare after she graduates from RCTC. She wants to live and work in the Twin Cities area.
“There’s more business and better jobs there,” she said. “There’s more opportunity for real life.”

From a Hobby to a Future

Leah Lohse

First hour, Advanced Drawing. Second hour, Painting II. Third hour, Advanced Photography. Fourth hour, Ceramics. As illustrated by his schedule, art is important to senior Josh Wasson. This fall, Wasson plans to attend the University of Wisconsin–Stout to major in art education.
“I love art and I’ve always gotten a kick out of teaching people things. Like if I know how to do something and my sister is kind of blah about it, I love to show her how to do it,” he said. “I love to see people learning how to do things. I’ve watched kids who couldn’t draw a single thing at the beginning of the class make something really nice in the end. I like to watch people learn, so I want to be a teacher.”
In fact, he said one of his biggest inspirations was a teacher. A television art teacher.
“I don’t know if I really have one single artist that I want to be like…this sounds funny, but Bob Ross [is an inspiration] because people make fun of him, but he was actually an extremely good artist. He made a modest living and all he did was teach people how to paint, which I thought was rather neat because he taught them on T.V,” he said. “He worked with pastels, which is a thick paint, almost like pudding, and he used brushes and knives to cut it on there. I’ve actually taken some of his techniques and used them in my achrilic paintings in art class. I’m inspired by that because he actually shows you how to do it and I actually learned from him and my paintings are getting better.”
Personally, Wasson has learned much more from art than painting techniques. Art has taught him a form of self-expression.
“I can’t really explain it. I haven’t really done anything that I would consider magnificent pieces…I do it because it lets me express myself and it kind of relaxes me,” he said. “It’s like music, it’s expressive, it’s something I just love to do. I love music and I love art and to me they go hand in hand. If you look at a lot of my art, it’s drawings, paintings, and sculptures that deal with the bands or music I like or the feeling music gives me.”
Although Wasson believes art is a different experience for every person, he hopes to teach students the fundamentals of art. A degree from a four-year college will give him that opportunity.
He chose a public college because he wanted to live off campus during his junior and senior years. And part of the reason he picked Stout was because, and he’s a little embarrassed to admit it, his girlfriend attends there.
“Half the reason is because my girlfriend is going there and the other half is because I cannot afford to get into an actual art college…Stout, I hear they have a wonderful art program and it’s a small school with excellent courses,” he said. “It’s a really high tech school…the art students will be getting Apple laptops because they have the best art and design programs. Like what I’m taking, they were only accepting 14 or 18 people and I was accepted.”

Where are They Going

Minnesota
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MN Kelsey Boyd-Undecided Jamie Erickson-Business/Finance Laura Grund-Business Jeff Hanson-Philosophy Scott Hoeg-Mass Communications Bob Moseley IV-Astrophysics Kyle Schrad-Pre-Med. Matt Wulff-Film Crown College-St. Bonifacius, MN Ashley Olson-Youth Ministry University of Minnesota-Duluth, MN Brian Johnson-Communications/Political Science Augsburg College-Minneapolis, MN Nyla Anderson-Undecided Dunwoody Institutes-Minneapolis, MN Matt Blake-Architectual Drafting Matt Bracker-Construction Vermillion Community College-Ely, MN Brady Peterson-Natural Resources Winona State University- Winona, MN Amie Attig-Nursing Joy Chamberlain-Cytotechnology Matt Dugstad-Undecided Shannon Lehman-International Business Brooke McDaniel-Art Kari Nelson-Pre-Med. Katie Nelson-Nursing Patricia Salisbury-Mass Comm-Advertising Dana Seadlund-Nursing Nicole Serrano-Dental Hygiene Hayley Westney-Forensic Science Minnesota Army National Guard Laura Howard RCTC-Rochester,MN Amanda Arendt-Undecided Naomi Gregerson-Dental Hygiene Anton Grove-Undecided Shawna Mummert-Medical Hector Ortiz-Undecided Brooke Plantage-Undecided Niccole Rentz-Nursing Erica Root-Nursing Alyssa Schultz-Elementary Education Katie Thompson-Social Work Tiffany Truesdell-Child Development Bemiji State, Bemiji, MN Travis Miller-Business/Criminal Justice St. Scholastica-Duluth, MN Angie Wagner University of Minnesota-Morris, MN Tristan Larson-Pre-Veterinarian Carly Matheson-Elementary Education Kelly Anderson-Special Education Sarah Bena-Photography/History Ahne Ordalen-Nursing Angie Schuhmacher-Health/Education Mandy Wangen-Undecided Minnesota State University-Mankato, MN Brooke Abben-Undecided Logan Beenken-Computer Information Science Jake Jerdee-Automaotive Engineering Jessica Juveland-Business Chelsea Olchefske-Undecided Ashley Rankin-Business Brandon Smith-Law Enforcement Riverland-Albert Lea and Austin, MN Roberto Babastro-Medical Translation Tim Benesch-Law Enforcement Heather Bennett-Undecided Ben Blecker-Carpentry Corey Bowman-Accounting Zack Bowman-Undecided Amy Casebolt-Teaching Brian David-Undecided Jeff Gold-Nursing Randy Gulbranson-Undecided Theresa Hage-Cosmotology Angela Hall-Social Work Hallie Hammer-Undecided Jennifer Harriman-Secondary Education Sarah Herfendal-Business Micah Hrdalo-Automotive Wes Jacobs-Construction/Electrician Joseph Johnson-Electrician Paul Kelly-Construction/Electrician Tony Keopraseuth-Undecided Dustin Klujow-Residential Wiring Steve Lenz-Auto Body Jay Link-Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice Laura Luna-Cosmotology Tommy Martinez-Undecided Marc May-Electrician Adam McKane-Undecided Brian Mellang-Auto Tech Barbara Mosser-Nursing Adam Muilenburg-Education Aubree Page-Cosmetology Daniel Pham-Spanish Aaron Raatz-Heavy MAchinery Jim Rambo-Undecided Heather Rehdantz-Vet Science Kari Sipple-Undecided Jacob Stenseth-Electrician Nicole Storvick-Health Unit Coordinator Kristy Swanson-Counseling/Oversees Missions Tamerra Tang-Veterinary Medicine Brad Toenges-Auto Body Mechanics Elias Tovar-Undecided Nick Trainer-Business Ashley Underdahl-Child Psychology Gabeielle Valdez-Social Work Mike Webber-Journalism Calvin Minnesota College of Art & Design-St. Paul, MN Matt Nesse-Art University of St. Thomas-St. Paul, MN Josh A. Johnson-Business/Pre-Law Jennifer Lombardi-Undecided Minesota Bible College-Rochester, MN Chris Borge-Undecided Melody Gerhardt-Music Ministry MCTC- Minneapolis, MN Blaine Swenson-Business Bethel College-St. Paul, MN Abby Berg-Business Laura Linnes-Secondary Education Maria Wichmann-Education Northwestern College-St. Paul, MN Bryce Allard-Youth Ministry/Education Noah Langseth-Mathmatics/Engineering Gerrit Plantage-Math Education Gustavus Adolphus-St. Peter, MN Peter Hillman-Business Mike Raleigh-Genetics Bethany Lutheran College-Mankato, MN Josh Kasper-Business South Central Technical College- Mankato, MN Melissa Andrews-Culinary Arts Northwestern Tech Institute-Eden Prarie, MN Matt Polis-Computer Aided Drafting Concordia College-Moorhead, MN Jennifer Bartholmey-Biology Aveda Institute-Minneapolis, MN Hannah Upchurch-Cosmetology College of St. Benedicts-St. Joseph, MN Elizabeth Berg-Pre-Chiropracting Amie Hartman-Nursing Dakotas Noth Dakota State University-Fargo, ND Stephanie Thisius-Landscape Architecture South Dakota State University-Brookings, SD Laura Haavedt-Journalsim Maggie Veldman-Nursing Amy Madsen-Ag Business Augustana College-Sioux Falls, SD Danielle Jacobs-Athletic Training Stuart Ness-Computer Science Wisconsin Viterbo University-La Crosse, WI Tara Stadheim-Pre-Med University of Wisconsin-Menomenie, WI John Wasson-Art Education University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, WI Heather Westland-Accounting/Business University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI Joseph Gonzalez-Business Mgt/Spanish University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI Beth Kolling-Sports Medicine University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI Amber Watney-Biomedical Engineering Iowa NIACC-Mason City, IA Candy Gulbranson-Undecided Jusitn Kruger-Ag Business Waldorf College-Forest City, IA Adam Evans-Business John Mattson-Music Education/Theater Jackie Montag-Accounting University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls, IA Matt Peterson-Human Resource Mgt Simpson College-Indianola, IA Laura Dillavou-Psychology Alexandria Tech-Alexandria, IA Andy Drenth-Law Enforcement Luther College-Decorah, IA Jenika Beers-Undecided Mandy Blenka-Nursing Mariah Levisen-Elementary Education Megan Levisen-Nursing/Pediatrics Dordt College-Sioux Center, IA David Rietsema-Spanish/Political Science Stacy Vanderploeg-Animal Science La James-Mason City, IA Heather Tews-MAssage Therapy Out Of the Midwest Boston College-Chestnut Hill, MA Ben Lindeman Colby College-Waterville, Maine Sarah Schleck-Political Science Vincennes University-Vicennes, IN Steve Barrett-Bowling Management Calvin College-Grand Rapids, MI Jenny vanderploeg-Accounting University of Missouri- Columbia, MO Leah Lohse- Journalism Ottawa University-Ottawa, KS Melanie Balsley-Undecided University of Las Vegas-Las Vegas, NV Laura Weseman-Haristyling California Lutheran University-Thousand Oaks, CA Brooke Rafdal-Undecided Other Military Dustin Cline Victor Rattnsithy-Army Aaron sargent-Army Navy Casey Servton Marines Travis Benson Where they’re going Sanya Alispahic-Criminal Justice Dustin Anderson- Nate Baldwin-Work Nathan Baseman-Job core, Heavy Equipment Operator Brett Boss-Firefighter Lina Gomez-Economics Jill Groeneweg- Ryan Henry- Marc Horan- Joshua K. Johnson- Crystal Kast- Josh Kuphal-Work at Dept. of Natural Resources Matt Larson-Work Anthony Minehart- Brock Moyer-Work Ashley Nordass-English Randy Peterson- Erin Quinn-College, Undecided Emily Schlarbaum-Nursing Racehl Tue-Education Direct, Interior Decorating Isaac Walton-College, Undecided Jason Weitzel-Work Mary Wittmer-Law Enforecement Jeremy Wynn-Work

Senior Memories

Jake Jerdee
“When I snow plowed in Tim Benesch’s car after a basketball game, and couldn’t get out.”
Laura Dillavou
“The dance at the senior banquet was fun, when everyone was dancing.”
Peter Hillman
“Homecoming was a lot of fun. And being Homecoming King was cool.”
Travis Miller
“At the homecoming game, we had a great time even though we were losing.”
Nicole Storvick
“At Senior Prom, this year’s prom was a lot of fun. More than last years.”

Friends Defeat Distance

Gerrit Plantage

Changing schools is always tough on friendships, especially when you’ve just completed your sophomore year in high school. It is even harder when your new school is 1100 miles away from your closest friends. Senior Chelsea Olchefske moved to Albert Lea December 28, 2000 and has adjusted very well, but she still misses her old friends in Georgia.
“Living in Georgia for almost five years, I made a lot of close friends,” Olchefske said. Her dad was associated with a company through his employer and when that company’s president retired he asked Olchefske’s father to replace him, or to change jobs. With the consent of her parents, Olchefske traveled back to her old school to see her friends’ graduation. She left May 23 and flew to Atlanta where her friend picked her up to take her to Douglasville. “[Going back] was an agreement both my parents and I made before we moved,” Olchefske said. “ I was allowed to go back spring break of 2001, the Disney marching band trip, and for graduation.”
Olchefske never broke contact with her friends in Georgia.
“E-mail, instant messaging, phone and snail mail have helped me stay in touch with everyone,” Olchefske said. No matter how much she misses her friends, she never regrets moving.
“In Albert Lea, most people have been with this class from K-12 and they will graduate with the people they grew up with. I am jealous of all these people but I would not trade one day or change one move I have been through,” Olchefske said.
Olchefske’s main reason for going backis obviously seeing her friends but moreover she feels that she is part of that class in Douglasville and she needs to see them graduate.
“I feel partially like this is my graduation, but I was taken off the R. S. Alexander High School student list one and a half years ago, so Albert Lea is my real graduation,” Olchefske said. “In order for me to really feel complete when I graduate, I need to watch my class graduate.
Olchefske is happy with the fact that she found friends to finish high school with, even though it was hard at first.
“Breaking into groups in high school is not easy but I’ve made a lot of friends. It’s another experience for me,” she said. “I am glad to be graduating with my friends at ALHS. I am also glad that I have the opportunity to support my friends as they graduate.”

Making It Without Mom

Megan Levisen

Tired of listening to parent’s telling you where to go, what to do, who to be and how to live. Well, college is your chance to break free, it offers the independence and freedom you’ve always wanted, but that freedom comes with more responsiblitiy and work. This fall many of you will be entering college with little or no idea on how to handle being away from home, family and friends. Here is some advise by students for students on handling college life and living on your own.
Have desire or save your money:
If you want to make it through school:
Attend the classes. It’s not hard, try to schedule the time according to your schedule. Find the hours and times of day that click with your learning style. So, if you’re not a morning person look into evening classes, or vise-versa. These classes are on your time and money. Make it worth it.“If you want to be somebody, if you want to get somewhere… you have to wake up and pay attention.
Get a life-A Social Life:
So, you have the homework and studying done, it’s social hour. College is a time to break free and discover who you are and where you belong. It’s healthy to just drop the books and make new friends by going to a party, sporting event, student lead activity or class. It’s your life so take advantage of it. Remember college is a clean slate, nobody knows who you are; it’s a perfect chance for you to discover where you belong and who to become. You define who you are by the friends you choose, don’t hold back and be timid, be yourself. College is all about new experiences. So, don’t lock yourself in a room and be sheltered; experience what you can.
“The Freshman 15”, how to keep it off:
Okay, so maybe listening to your mom about eating your vegetables wasn’t something you wanted to hear, but healthy eating, will help you from gaining that freshman 15. By eating fruits, vegetables, meats, breads and drinking milk; instead of dining on pizza, pop, chips and chocolate you won’t feel any or as much extra poundage. With healthy eating comes some don’ts. Eating healthy is not in just what food you eat, but how much of what you eat that matters. Try to watch how many carbohydrates, sugars and unneeded calories you consume. For example bagels are great and healthy, but they pack quite a few calories and many carbohydrates, that you don’t need. You can get a healthy snack or meal with just a slice of bread or a muffin.
Well, if you can’t handle the health freaks idea, try eating popcorn, rice cakes, low fat cookies, cakes or ice cream. You’ll get the taste and still control those pounds. All college campuses have a cafeteria which will resemble something like Golden Choral, you’ll have the option of health, fried, cooked or sautéed food. No matter what, just make sure you eat 3 “healthy” or nutritious meals a day, skipping meals will only hurt you. If you find it difficult to follow any sort of nutritious meal plan you notice a few of those “freshmen 15” adding to your waistline.
Freedom hits the fan:
You’re on your own and nobody can tell you what to do where to be when to sleep and all those other at home restrictions. Yes, that’s the sound of freedom, the moment from when your parent’s drop you off and wave good bye is amazing. You feel relieved, free and ready to be on your own. But for some, those first few week are tough one’s. Missing your dog, bed, brothers, sisters and parents can be too much, but remember they are only a phone call away. They have email, they have a mail box just take sometime to keep in touch, that little bit of time will help you realize just how important those things are to you and how Thanksgiving and Christmas break will look even more enjoyable.