By Doug Berg
The 22nd year of the Mini-School Program is coming to a close. We definitely have a history and a tradition. Old students call us weekly, checking up on the program, letting us know how they are doing, asking for advice. Just the other day Marine Corps. Lt. Corporal Don (Howdy) Doty stopped in to say hi from sunny California. Mike Berglund (early 80’s) told me that he, Tom Streeter, and Don Streeter, Tom’s dad, among others, took a canoe/fishing trip up in the Little Saq-Gabimichigami area in mid-May, the same time I had a Mini-School group up there. Too bad we didn’t connect up. Mike’s sister, Amy Berglund, also an old Mini-Schooler, is getting married June 13th. Mike Roufs, 1987, called the other night. He’d seen his little sister’s yearbook and was upset about lack of coverage of Mini-School. Jeff Kinzer, “Witty,” calls regularly to talk about backpacking and canoeing and to reminisce about old Mini-School trips and people. Sherry Cutler of the class of 72, called Randy the other day from her home in New Jersey, just to check on the program. Chuck Fletcher, of the original class of Mini-School, stops by from time to time to tell us of his life, his sobriety, and how the values he learned in Mini-School came together for him a few years later down the road.
The past is connected to the present in many ways. Jim Jensen, JJ (1974 alum.) was my assistant leader on the 3 week study/travel trip to the Southwest and the Grand Canyon. He hit it off well with all the current Mini-Schoolers on the trip. The fact that he had done the same trip with me when he was a student in 1974 helped give a strong sense of that tradition. Another face from the past is Sue Ruffenach (81). Sue recently shared her life story with the Women’s Issues group. She talked about so many aspects of growing up, parents, work, men, etc. Name a women’s issue and Sue probably covered it. It was very insightful for the girls in the program. Thanks again, Sue. Throughout the community, former Mini-Schoolers turn up as employers, supervisors, co-workers, and old friends of the current crop of students. And, of course, we have students whose parents (Brian Nelson, Jason Paulson) or aunts and uncles were in the program. While all this makes me feel older, it’s a neat connection, and gives me a lot of pride that Mini-School has served so many students for so long and continues to do so.
One thing that has not changed in 22 years of Mini-School is seniors scrambling around like crazy the last few weeks of school, trying to put all the pieces together in order to aquire the necessary credits for
graduation. Big time scramblers this spring include Karlene Knacke, Chris Thompson, Mike Davis, Merton Clark, Joe Verner, Heather Hanily, Jeremy Meyer, Travis Harper, Nikki Namik, and Bill Tews. Somehow, I’m sure they’ll all get it done, although some may have to do it this summer or next fall. Ahhh–if they had only listened to the Mini-School staff back in their junior year or early in their senior year.
Mini-School has had many exciting classroom activities going on this spring. Dawn’s had science blocks on sex ed., the environment, and how to get acquainted with other students of the world via computer modem hook-up. Lester’s had many students making beautiful tie dyes. They’ve even had a little fundraiser going, tie dyeing shirts leftover from MHS’ Violence Free Week and selling them to MHS students. Lynette and LC Para Julie Warren have been a great help to students in the dyeing process. Randy and Doug have had blocks on values, ethics, and sports in America. Mike continues to give a number of our students the practical math skills they need. Randy’s had a small group working on a Mini-School scrapbook for the year. Elliot Tan has been the driving force behind this effort.
I briefly mentioned the Mini-School Grand Canyon trip. More mention is merited. The participants – Karlene Knacke, Mike Heuerman, Jesse Carlson, Terry Vincent, Matt Richard, Josh Rockstad, Chad Zaback, and Chris Bagdons – did an excellent job in all respects. They cooperated well, they participated fully in all aspects of the trip, they were excited to learn new things and have new experiences, and they did a superb hike. Also, from May 13th to May 22nd, I led a group of students on a BWCA canoe trip. The participants were Mike Davis, Heather Hanily, Joe Verner, Chris Nelson, Chris Thompson, David Watts, Merton Clark, Karen Leighton, and Jesse Walker. They were an extremely strong group and handled the rigors of canoeing and portaging very well, passing by an Outward Bound group like they were standing still. Randy has also had a couple of bike trips out and some of his super bikers include Jeremy Meyer, Artie McLain, Pat Cretan, Josh Hendrickson, and Ryan Putt. Mini-School alumnus Terry Smith (1978?) assisted Randy on the first trip.
It should also be noted, regarding trips, that da Barge, my infamous 1979 Maxi-van which I use for trips, has been running extremely well. All of the credit for this must go to Duane Bagdons, father of Mini-Schooler Chris Bagdons. Da Barge resided at the Bagdons’ for most of the month of March as Duane and Chris worked on it, fixed it, healed it, talked nicely to it, and occasionally cursed it. When all was said and done, Da Barge ran better than it has since I bought it.
We have many fine kids in Mini-School, most of whom have never received much school recognition. Because of that, it makes it even more special when they do. I’m proud to announce that Brian Batdorf is the recipient of Minnetonka’s Phoenix Award, an award given to a student who has overcome a great deal of adversity. Both of Brian’s parents died within the last five years, leaving him literally on his own to manage his education, his finances, and his household. He’s done so, and he’s hung in there and graduated, fulfilling a promise he made to his mother before she died last year. I can think of no more deserving student than Brian. Also, Brian was a Minnetonka Student of Recognition 3rd quarter. A Student of Recognition earlier this year, Karlene Knacke, has been named a Minnetonka honor student for service and leadership. Congratulations, Brian and Karlene. Another senior to recognize is Bill Tews. He received an Achievement Award in Culinary Arts from Hennepin Technical College. As a result of this award, Bill will be competing at the VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) Nationals, June 22-27 in Louisville, Kentucky. Good luck Bill, we’re all proud of you! And last but not least, Junior Matt McCrady also received an award from Hennepin Tech for the most improved student in Commercial Arts. Way to go, McCrady!
One more person to mention is former student Zach Benway who stopped by several weeks ago to inform us that he passed his G.E.D. through the 70,001 program. Zach now has plans to be Oregon bound. Congratulations, Zach.
One thing that has changed this year is the terrific involvement of Mini-School parents in the program. The lion’s share of the credit for this must go to Pam Larson, mother of Josh Rockstad, who has been primarily responsible for contacting parents, organizing them, and getting them together all year on a monthly basis. The Mini-School parents have given each other support and have given the staff support. They’ve been involved in fundraising, in discussions of Mini-School curriculum, in the recent school board campaign, and Purgatory Park Clean-Up day. I believe this group will grow and will become an even stronger part of the Mini-School Program.
By the time you receive this, we will have had our 10th Annual Recognition Night. Our guest speaker this year was parent Duane Bagdons. I know I can speak in the future and report that Duane did a fantastic job. Thanks so much to all of you who attended our special night June 9.
To end, we’d like to thank some of the folks that have helped out in their own special ways over the year. Thanks to Jane Garneau, Etta Hines, Bob Conklin, Jay Campbell, Bud Boberg, Marlene Berg, Duane Bagdons, J.J. Jensen, and all of our wonderful parents.