Speech and Debate team reports to school board

by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman

HURON – The Huron High School Speech and Debate team gave the high school report to the Huron School Board at Monday evening’s meeting.

Senior Mylie Byrd, sophomores Emmersyn McGillvrey, Michelle Le and Aubrey Zaw, and freshman Mara Pell presented to the board. Byrd discussed her experiences in various categories and how it allowed her to positively use her natural desire to talk. McGillvrey expressed that having the confidence to use her voice and speak with confidence in front of crowds is something that she gained from her experience in speech and debate.

Board members praised their work and thanked them for showing the confidence they have in speaking.

Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff congratulated Ellie Puterbaugh for recording her personal best at the recent state gymnastics meet, gymnastics coach Jonna Zurbrigen for her induction into the South Dakota Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Chalie Sah and Moo Say for earning all-ESD wrestling honors, Blake Ellwein for breaking the huron boys’ basketball career scoring record, state wrestling qualifiers, and Emmersyn McGillvrey finishing as first alternate to the national speech and debate tournament in dramatic.

Lona Moser, a para educator in the high school library was recognized as the classified employee of the month for March. She was described as “an integral member of the library, and the high school in general.”

High school principal Rodney Mittelstadt read multiple comments from students about Moser, calling her “an incredible asset to Huron High School” and someone who “always has a smile on her face.”

Tom Oster of Dakota Educational Consulting presented findings from the strategic plan survey. He highlighted the areas of opportunity for the district, such as top-down communication from administration to staff, better parent involvement, and student behavior and student support. He noted that the response to the survey was above-average, especially in parent response.

Sonia Malley presented the good news report, highlighting the Jobs for America’s Graduates, or JAG, program in the high school. She brought two students to discuss their experiences. Malley highlighted the activities that students in JAG have participated in this year.

Board president Tim Van Berkum presented his LAN report, highlighting a handful of bills that would be considered before crossover day on Tuesday.

The board also:

• Approved the hire of Tatyanna Strand as administrative assistant in the activities office.
• Approved the resignation of kindergarten teacher Breanne Allum.
• Approved the contract of Laney Titze, SPED teacher at Madison 2-3 Center for the 2026-2027 school year.
• Approved a grant funding application by Callee Bauman Wachter for Destination Imagination from United Way.
  

The next school board meeting is Monday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the IPC room on the second floor of the Huron Arena.