bvhs november echo

Volume 50 Number 3 Brandon Valley High School - Brandon, SD 57005 Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

The Poetry Club in motion/p. 4

Top 20 Teens: Talcott teaches during TEAM time

Photos by Cylie Svartoien

Students listen as Dr. Talcott explains how to be a Top 20 Teen. Top 20 outlines how to be the best while giving your best. The program shows that the top 20 percent of people thrive.

Principal Gregg Talcott explains Top 20 success formulas. He talked to students during TEAM.

By Sara NadenicekCirculation Manager

Senior Nick Tieszen follows the mantra “Less talk, more walk,” and his group ARK, Acts of Random Kindness, is proof.

“I believe in second chances,” he said. “And even the smallest acts can impact lives and make differences.”

A neighbor in debt moved Tieszen to create ARK. Its plan is to reshingle the neighbor’s roof before Christmas.

“I was thinking people in the world take too much and don’t give back,” Tieszen said. “He needed something good for the Christmas season.”

Tieszen said people tend to become discouraged and withdrawn from others because of what they see happen around them or what they view on the news. He hopes his group encourages people instead.

“We’re trying to change people’s lives and give them hope,” he said. “People need that nowadays.”

ARK’s projects include working on snow removal

in the winter and helping others who need assistance in Brandon and the surrounding areas.

“Some of the other projects would just purely be random acts of kindness,” he said, “from simple things like helping a lady with her groceries to finding kids that are neglected and being their friend or other projects we can find.”

For now, ARK just wants to be recognized as a legitimate organization.

“I want to see the motto published so others will do these random acts, too, and then there will be a chain effect,” Tieszen said.

Besides Tieszen, ARK includes seniors Zach Fontenille and Ben Nelson. They are currently looking for new members.

“The more people we have, the more we can do to spread the theme of giving and acts of random kindness to the community,” Tieszen said.

Anyone who would like to join should contact Tieszen on Facebook.

Tieszen, others form volunteer group ARK

Photo by Nicole Andrews

During SALSA senior Austin Hogie signs up volunteers for the Citywide Chili and Dessert Cook-off, which is Sunday from 5-8 p.m.

Hogie receives $500 grant

By Cylie SvartoienNews Editor

Principal Gregg Talcott is training students during TEAM to be a part of the Top 20 program.

The program outlines how to be the best, while giving your best.

When a challenge is presented, 20 percent succeed and go above and beyond, Talcott said. When an organization hosts a fundraiser, 20 percent give the most. Top 20 points out that a mere 20 percent of the population outshines the rest.

“There’s lots of ways to be smart,” he said.

Talcott explained how there are different types of intelligence while presenting various success equations.

In one equation, good results

plus a good ride equals success.

“That’s the biggest piece: a good ride,” Talcott said.

A n o t h e r equation stated that people skills are just as, if not more, important than intelligence.

Talcott also outlined the three stages one can be in.

In the first stage, negativity and false beliefs

result in accomplishing far less than a person’s capabilities.

The second stage includes people who are merely meeting expectations and just getting through life.

The third stage consists of people who are developing their potential. Their relationships and experiences allow them to achieve far more than other stages.

Overall, becoming a Top 20 requires improvement in thinking, learning and communication.

Through Talcott’s daily

instruction, students are learning how to be Top 20 teens.

“I think it’s very inspirational,” junior Caitlin Hammond said,

“and it’s a great way to create a positive environment in our school.”

By Brittany LunstraPhoto Editor

Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been a tra-dition at the high school, but now with the help of FCA members, a new tradition started at the middle school.

FCA members vol-unteered to help the middle school students learn more about Christ through sports.

“Middle school FCA is going to be like the high school FCA,” senior Ian McClanahan said. “FCA incorporates sports and Christ together. The kids bring me closer to Christ, just by being there and having fun every month.”

The members have fun activities the first and third Monday of every month. They play dodge ball, have ice cream socials and pool parties at Activities Director Randy Marso’s house.

Instructor Jeffrey Lockner is in charge of the middle school FCA. He wants to fill a bus this summer to take athletes to an all-sports FCA camp in the Black Hills.

“My goal is to give high school Christian athletes the opportunity to impact middle school students in a positive way for Jesus Christ,” he said. “This year we are meeting

once a month at the middle school. On an average night we play some games, have a lesson that involves skits/videos/speakers and then the high school students lead a small group discussion.”

FCA is not just for athletes, said junior Valerie Peltier, who has been involved with FCA since freshman year.

“It’s a time for students to talk about our similar views on living a Christian lifestyle,” she said. “We also relate our athletics to stories or testimonies to famous athletes.”

Senior Austin Hogie, who is involved with FCA and SALSA, started a new tradition. He initiated a Citywide Chili and Dessert Cook-off, which is Sunday from 5-8 p.m. in the Commons and Activities Center.

“I am excited for a good turn out,” he said. “It’s a great way for high schoolers to get involved as well.”

Hogie received a $500 grant through Sodexo and Youth Service America to sponsor the event.

The cost of the event is $5 or four nonperishable food items. The event includes food, prizes, entertainment, games and activities for kids. All proceeds will go to the

Brandon Area Food Pantry.“Setting up this event has been

a fun challenge for me and I am excited to see how it will turn out,” Hogie said. “All that matters is helping out the local food pantry, especially with Thanksgiving around the corner, and engaging and informing students about the need in our community.”

Brandon Valley Echo Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Top 20 teaches life-long lessons

What do you think you

will be thankful for on

Thanksgiving Day?

Black Friday ARK groupThanksgiving

Voters make right decision

The Echo is published monthly by the publications students of the Brandon Valley High School, 301 S. Splitrock, Brandon, S.D. 57005. Telephone number is 582-3211. It is a state and national award-winning publication affiliated with the South Dakota High School Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association. News Editors ...................................Cylie Svartoien and Stephanie MeeterVoices Editor ...................................................................... Libby HoffmanA&E Editors ............................................ Chris Klein and Nicole AndrewsSports Editors .........................................Kyle Rokeh and Ian McClanahanUpdate Editors ................................Marissa Nelson and Meghan GorsuchPhoto Editors .............................................Brit Hicks and Brittany Lunstra Ad Manager ................................................................Amber BroekemeierCirculation Manager .......................................................... Sara NadenicekStaff Writers .................................Mason Bender, Victoria Berkner, Shaun Fendrich, Alison Kirby, Kenzie Pietz, Zach VandenHoek and Devin ZahnAdviser ........................................................................Debra RothenbergerBrandon Valley Echo is a public forum. The editorial content of the Echo expresses the views of the newspaper and not necessarily of the administration, faculty or school board of the Brandon Valley School District. Bylined editorial content is the writer’s opinion and not necessarily of the staff, adviser or school administration. Signed letters to the editor are encouraged, but they may be rejected or edited for grammar, condensation, good taste and/or libel.

To all the students:I would like to thank you

for all the awesome gifts and inspiring letters you sent to me.

I actually graduated from Brandon Valley in 2010. My name is Cole Smykle. Some of you may or may not know me. I am currently serving in Kunduz, Afghanistan, and I’m also stationed in Baumholder, Germany. I am an infantryman with the United States Army.

And for all you young men or women, if you thought or are considering about joining the Army, it is a great thing to do for yourself and for your country. It will change you into a better person because that is what it did for me.

Once again thank you guys and girls so much for your prayers, and keep all of us soldiers in your thoughts.

PFC Cole Smykle

Smykle thanks students

“I will be thankful for my family, friends and education.”

-Senior Rachel Christensen

“I will be thankful for my friends and family.”

-Senior Marissa South

“I will be thankful for my friends and family, also for getting to see everybody.”

-JuniorJacob Rosenbaum

“I’m thankful for gui-tars, recording studios and my band. I’m also thankful for God.”

-JuniorRyan Shawd

“I will be thankful for my friends and family.”

-SophomoreTaylor Murtha

“I am thankful for all the food I get, and I’m also thankful for cod.”

-FreshmanAnthony Meyerink

Thumbs up to celebrating Thanksgiving. The first

celebration was in 1621 to give thanks to the Wampanoag for helping show

the Pilgrims how to use fish as fertilizer when planting corn. The Pilgrims celebrated the harvest with games and a three-day feast with their guests.

Thumbs up to Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. It’s the day

of sleeping in lines outside of stores, getting up early for great deals and just

having fun. According to english.peopledaily.com, the average shopper last year spent $365.34, an increase of 6.4 percent from the year before.

Thumbs up to seniors Zach Fontenille, Ben

Nelson and Nick Tieszen for creating ARK, Acts of Random Kindness. It is a

group doing random acts to help others such as with snow removal in the winter. They plan to help people in Brandon and the surrounding areas.

By Stephanie MeeterNews Editor

When the Sioux Falls voters voted “yes” last Tuesday for the construction of a new events center, they made the right decision and provided opportunities for the Sioux Falls area.

In the past, Sioux Falls missed out on big name concerts and events all the time, causing people to drive out of town, rent hotels and spend even more money than they would just seeing it in Sioux Falls.

According to Keloland News, a few years ago the band The Black Eyed Peas wanted to come and have a show in Sioux Falls, but the Arena wasn’t large enough. Seating wasn’t the

problem, though; it was the size of their stage. The ceilings in the Arena weren’t tall enough to accommodate for the band’s stage. The Arena is so out-of-date that of the top 50 shows in the United States, the Arena couldn’t consider even the top 19.

According to the City of Sioux Falls website, by building a new events center, it could benefit the Sioux Falls area. Thousands of dollars go out of state when people attend concerts at other centers such as in Omaha or Minneapolis. Now with the new events center, Sioux Falls residents’ and surrounding towns’ dollars would be going into Sioux Fall’s economy, not out of state.

“I think the events center

will bring in even more tourism to Sioux Falls and give our economy a jump start,” senior Ellen Dawley said. “It’ll help Sioux Falls be seen as an up-and-coming city, encouraging people to move here.”

Building this new events center would allow twice the seating as the current Arena, 1,500 new jobs and an estimated $38 million a year in income. Construction alone on this project would create many jobs, let alone those created by the events center itself.

The construction for the events center is set to begin Aug. 1, 2012. I personally can’t wait for it to be finished and to attend my first concert there.

Instead of students sitting in a classroom reading a book during TEAM, Dr. Gregg Talcott took time away from his crazy schedule to teach students how to be a Top 20 Teen.

Top 20 is a valuable program that outlines how to be the best, while giving your best. It helps students by teaching them ways they can do and/or see something.

One of the Top 20 points is the 80/20 rule. It states that 80 percent of what gets done is done by 20 percent of the people who participate.

Another Top 20 concept is someone with a high IQ may not have a high EQ, social skills. Likewise, someone with a high EQ may not have a high IQ. Still, everyone has a high IQ on a certain subject whether it is knowing how to take pictures or putting a car back together. Everyone is smart at something. EQ is important to have because if people lack EQ, they lack social skills and social skills are important because people need them to go far in life.

Talcott also taught about how people react differently to situations. The system is called the frame. The frame is a series of four continuous steps. It’s how people see things that impact how they feel, which impacts what they do, and then what they do impacts what they get out of the situation.

The students will benefit from the Top 20 program because it relates to everyday life.


By Mason BenderStaff Writer

Wrestlers will compete in the Roosevelt Invite, Dec. 3.

Sophomore Adam Presler, a two-time letterwinner who led the team in wins and take downs last year, looks to improve on his fourth-place state finish last year.

“My goal is to win state,” he said. “The Roosevelt Invite will be a perfect chance for me to see where I stand among other wrestlers in the state.”

The other state placer is senior Josh Miller, eighth. Returning state qualifiers are junior Mason Bender and freshman Wyatt Winter. The other letterwinners are seniors Braden Heidbrink, Collin Wible; junior Gabe Langner and sophomore Britton

Hausman. “Many of our wrestlers

have made significant gains in the off season in strength and experience,” Coach Kraig Presler said. “I am confident that their efforts will be rewarded.”

This will be the first year of the new weight class system. This changes several weight classes and replaces the 135 weight class with the new 195 weight class.

“Although I am not excited about the weight class adjust-ments, I do feel it could become an advantage for us if we keep healthy during the season,” Coach Presler said. “It is unfortunate that the new rules have added a weight class that many teams will have problems filling.”

Wrestling team set for Roosevelt Invite

Volleyball season ends in districts

Photo by Brittany Lunstra

Junior Sam Batzler spikes the ball against the Lincoln Patriots. The Lynx lost 3-0.


Senior Trevor Crow catches a pass in the quarterfinal game against Roosevelt. Lynx lost 38-37 in the final seconds.

Eight Lynx receive ESD All-Conference

Boys to prepare for Golden Eagles

Cheer, dance finish strong at state

Lady Lynx set to defend state title

Bowling teams to face Harrisburg

By Marissa NelsonUpdate Editor

Boys basketball team will open its season against Aberdeen Central Dec. 9.

The Lynx placed seventh in the state tournament last season.

Coach Brent Deckert was pleased with how the team played at the end of the last season.

“We knew we had to play

great in order to get into the state tourney, and we did,” he said.

The returning letterwinners are seniors Ben Schultz, Brock Wickett, Trevor Crow, Ben Richard, Dylan Rock; and junior Chase Marso.

“I believe that the team will be very strong this season,” Richard said, “but the competition will also be very strong as well.”

Based on the players returning, Deckert predicts the competition will be Mitchell, Brookings and Pierre for the Eastern South Dakota Conference teams.

“We expect the same thing every year,” Deckert said. “Every time we take the floor, we practice and play with the technique, intensity, toughness and togetherness of a state champion.”

By Ian McClanahanSports Editor

Eight football players received Eastern South Dakota All-Conference honors.

First Team members include seniors Trevor Crow, Kyle Petersen, John Klumpp, Leland Murren; juniors Tony Tripp and Matt Vandeberg. Honorable mentions are senior Brock Wickett and junior Chase Marso.

“It’s going out with a bang,” Murren said. “It’s a great end to a long football career.”

For the second straight year, the Lynx lost in the playoffs on a field goal in the final seconds. This year the loss came from the State AA champions, the Roosevelt Rough Riders, 38-37.

After trailing 14-0 early in the first quarter, Roosevelt was in the red zone again until junior linebacker Adam Guthmiller stripped the quarterback and recovered the fumble. The Lynx found their rhythm as they narrowed the deficit to 21-19 at half.

The Lynx kept the momentum going as they scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to lead 37-28 in the fourth quarter. But the Riders pulled within two points late in the game and kicked a field goal to go up 38-37 with four seconds left and notched the victory.

“We outplayed them,” senior lineman Nick Lysne said. “It hurts to know that it could have been us in the dome.”

The cheer team performs the

dance portion of their routine at

state last Saturday. The

team placed sixth overall.

Dance team also competed at

state, placing fifth overall.

Mitchell will host state cheer and

dance next year.


By Kyle RokehSports Editor

Volleyball team ended its season in Yankton with a 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 last Tuesday.

The Lynx held tough in the first game, going shot for shot with the fourth-ranked Gazelles, but Yankton pulled away at the end winning the first set 25-18.

In the second game, Yankton trotted to a 15-5 lead, coasting to a 25-13 win. More of the same came in the third game as the Gazelles daggered the Lynx, ending their season.

“It was a tough way to end the year,” senior Amanda Nelson said. “We improved a lot by the end of the season, but it wasn’t enough.”

In a match that was intended to be one-sided, the Lynx marched into Lincoln to face the top-ranked Patriots Nov. 3.

The girls held tough in the first game, but lost 25-18. In the second game the Lynx pulled within two at 18-16, but Erin Radke and the Patriots were too much and ended up winning the game 25-18.

Late in the third game, the Lady Lynx clawed their way to an 18-17 lead, but the Patriots once again remained resilient and went on a 7-1 run, beating the Lynx in the game and the match 25-18, 25-18, 25-19.

Senior Heidi Hoff led the effort with nine kills and senior Charissa Etrheim tallied 16 digs.

By Kyle RokehSports Editor

Lady Lynx basketball team will begin defending its State AA title in Aberdeen Dec. 8.

“Aberdeen has a lot of talent,” senior Briana Roegiers said. “We need to bring our A-game if we want to beat a good team like

them.”Returning letterwinners from

the state championship team are juniors Allison Koehn, Valerie Peltier; seniors Kelsi Bailey, Rebecca Dykstra, Charissa Etrheim, Heidi Hoff and Briana Roegiers.

With no player being six-

feet tall, the Lynx come into the season as one of the shortest team in AA girls basketball.

“We may not be the biggest team, but I think we showed last year that it didn’t matter,” Hoff said. “If we play good defense like we did at the end of last season, we should have a good year.”

By Libby HoffmanVoices Editor

Cheer placed sixth and dance, fifth, Saturday here at the state competition.

Prior to the state competition, the cheer team made changes to assure the team a strong ending to the season.

“I feel the girls had some struggles with injuries this year but still kept a positive attitude throughout the whole season,” Coach Kim Krueger said.

Dance placed fifth at state beating 13 other dance teams.

Dancers placed third in pom, second in jazz and first in kick.

“I’d been looking forward to being on the dance team before this year,” freshman Karly Neuberger said. “Being a part of the team when we placed that high at state makes me excited for next year.”

Cheer and dance competed in the Eastern South Dakota Conference competition Nov. 4 in

Mitchell.Cheer placed third overall at

the competition.“We had an amazing amount of

energy,” senior Shaina Sorensen said. “We performed the best we had all year.”

Dance placed second overall, just six points behind Yankton.

“The cheer and dance girls improved with each competition,” dance manager Katie Peterson said, “and their scores showed that as the season came to an end.”

By Kenzie PietzStaff Writer

Bowling teams will compete against Harrisburg today at Victory Lanes in Brandon.

“I’m really excited about this

year,” senior Haley Rubin said. “We all work together really well, and the energy we have at all of the matches is really positive.”

In their first match of the season, the girls team won 43.5

to 6.5 and the boys lost 24 to 26 against Vermillion last Friday.

Rubin scored a 588 series for the girls and sophomore Richard Blue V shot a 570 series. Sophomore Emily Steinhouse bowled a 497.


Oral interpers prepare for state competition

Did you know...?

Quiz Bowl to compete

Science Bowl team prepares for meet

Science Bowl team’s only competition will be Jan. 21 in Huron.

The team members are juniors Sean Rollag, Dillon Waldera, Long Pham, Zach Van Ede and senior Nick Tieszen.

During competitions members answer science questions ranging from earth science and anatomy to chemistry and physics.

“I think we will do very well this year,” instructor Lisa Atkinson said. “One of our teams last year made it to the final round of competition and several of those members are back with us again this year. Sometimes, just one more year of experience and knowledge can make all the difference.”

n Dig Pink Night raised $2,271.42. The money will be donated to the Avera McKennan Foundation.n November students of the month are seniors Kyle Rokeh and Brittany Hicks, junior Cole Hensley, sophomore Adam Presler and freshman Eden Burch.n Anyone who would like to sponsor a child for the Angel Tree should contact Guidance Counselor Amy Lupkes. All Angel Tree gifts must be turned in by Dec. 15.n Early dismissal is on Wednesday for Thanksgiving break Nov. 24-25.n Yearbook pictures for seniors are due Dec. 1.n East Central Honor Band at South Dakota State University is Dec. 5.n Chorus and Orchestra Concert is Dec. 6.n ACT test is Dec. 10 at BVHS.n Symphonic Band Concert is Dec. 16.

SALSA provides opportunities

Photo by Zach VandenHoek

During a Poetry Club meeting, junior Meggin Robertson examines a gorilla skull for details about what the its life may have been like. Afterwards, Robertson composed a poem.

Boint forms Poetry Club for writers

Photo by Brit Hicks

Senior soloist Mark Brown plays his euphonium at the

beginning of the second movement during the Indoor

Marching Concert Nov. 1. The Marching Lynx performed

a stationary field show along with the parade tune,

“American Spectacular.” The concert’s song selection

included Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” Taio Cruz’s

“Dynamite,” “Cupid’s Shuffle,” Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not

Gonna Take It.”

In concert

By Nicole AndrewsEntertainment Editor

Serve and Learn Student Association (SALSA) provides students volunteer non-profit organization opportunities in the community.

“Student involvement in SALSA has gone up and beyond my expectations,” adviser Joli Bruggeman said. “It just shows how much Brandon Valley students are willing to help others.”

Brenda Stevens, who is in charge of volunteers at Veterans Affairs, was the monthly speaker last Tuesday. She talked about the importance of volunteering and how students can volunteer.

Every month students sign up to volunteer to help out the community like helping out at Avera McKennan’s Christmas with Santa event Dec. 3 and packing commodity food/senior boxes at Feeding South Dakota Food Bank this Saturday.

To help fight and raise awareness of childhood hunger, senior Austin Hogie initiated the Brandon Citywide Chili and Dessert Cook-Off in the commons and Activities Center with all proceeds going to the local food pantry. The cost is $5 or four nonperishable food items. Any child under 12 is free. It is set for Sunday from 5-8 p.m.

The next SALSA meeting is Dec. 13 at 7 a.m. in the library.

By Zach VandenHoekStaff Writer

Poetry Club members meet every Thursday to learn about poetry and to write new poems.

To teach poetry, adviser Steve Boint finds different types of poems from all over the world, from a simple free verse to a tanka, a five-line stanza of five to seven syllables.

“Poetry is a great method of communication,” he said. “It lets a person express concepts which may not be easily expressed in the more rigid styles of literature.”

On some days, Boint gives his students a subject to write about. He’ll ask them to write about how they feel, what they’re thinking, or what they see. One day they wrote a four-line stanza about a gorilla skull.

Along with the subject, Boint asks students to discuss what they wrote and why. Everyone has their own opinion on what they write.

“The first, and in some ways most difficult, step in developing a unique voice is to learn to recognize and avoid clichés and standard ways of saying things,” he said.

Oral interpers will compete at the State Interp Festival in Pierre, Dec. 2.

Senior Marissa Vivens, sopho-mores Kara Polasky, Annika Hindbjorgen, Bailey Quanbeck; and freshman Summer Rogers will be competing.

“Five girls to do seven events,” coach Gina Koehn said, “makes my life easier.”

At O’Gorman Nov. 4, Quanbeck placed fourth in prose, and the team placed second in AA.

Quiz Bowl teams will compete at Huron Dec. 5.

Two teams placed fifth and seventh at Tri-Valley Monday.

At the West Central meet Nov. 8, one team tied for third against Brookings. The members were juniors Long Pham, Sean Rollag and senior Bryan Jackson.

The other teams placed ninth and 18th.

Middle school instructor Jessica Simmons coaches the Quiz Bowl teams.