By Doug Berg
I have run a couple of marathons, skied quite a few Birkebeiners and Vasaloppets, and paddled in a good many long distance canoe races. In each case, I feel a bit of anxiety before the event, then after the gun goes off, an adrenaline rush and a lot of physical and emotional turbulence as the field sorts itself out. The middle part of the race, from the 1st quarter mark to the 3rd quarter mark, if things are going well, is kind of a cruise, smooth and mellow. In the last quarter, though dealing with fatigue, I try to reach down for something extra and finish as strongly as I can.
A year in Mini-School, and this is the 29th year of the Mini-School marathon, goes kind of like a long distance event. This year is no exception. Before the school year was a week old, Ramona and I took eleven students to the upper peninsula of Michigan for a very successful backpacking trip on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Trail. Two weeks later, 23 students participated in Mini-School’s 12th annual Mark Warren trip up on the St. Croix River near Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Right after that we kicked off Mini-School’s annual Minnesota Weatherguide Calendar fundraiser (see the articles on these trips and fundraiser in this issue). As I write this, the kids have sold 300 calendars, netting the program over $1300.00. Also, as I write this, Randy and I are preparing to take 15 students on the 16th annual “Granstburg hike” of the Sunrise Ferry hiking trail along the St. Croix River. In addition to all this, we’ve had some terrific blocks and classes 1st quarter, men’s, women’s, and social issues groups are going very well, and the program has taken in about 35 new kids since the beginning of the year.
From Thanksgiving until 4th quarter, the program will slip into the cruise mode. Fewer trips will go out, stronger focus will be given to internal program issues and classes, and the program will gear up for the finish of the marathon. During 4th quarter a trip will be out almost continuously, big plans will be made for Recognition Night, and seniors will be tying up loose ends. A strong finish.
This year does have a bit of a different feel to it. First, it’s Mini-School’s first full year in its new area (see Lacey Landt’s “Is it Home Yet?” article). The program is adjusting, still figuring out the best uses for all this space, and, except for having no windows, almost everyone who was involved in part or all (Randy & I) of Mini-School’s 27 3/4 years upstairs agrees that the new digs are far superior.
Second, the spectre of the new graduation standards and the Basic Standard testing in reading, math and composition are becoming more prominent. Randy and I spent a week this summer writing curriculum in an attempt to bring Mini-School trips in line with the graduation standards. Pauline and Ramona were involved in countless meetings on this matter. It’s a big concern, not just for Mini-School, but for all who are involved in the education of Minnesota youth. Mini-School has faced many challenges in its 29 year history and has always adjusted and adapted successfully. With Ramona’s leadership, I’m sure it will once again.
The third reason this year feels a bit different is that soon the old folks on the staff will move on and the leadership of Mini-School will fall on the capable shoulders of Ramona and Pauline. This is not the time to discuss this matter, but everyone knows that a transition is not far away. Small, subtle adjustments are already being made. The topic will, I’m sure, be covered more extensively in issues of Com-Mini-Cations which come out later this year.
So, that’s about it for this Meander. The marathon is well underway and while it’s still a long way until the end of the race, we’re at the point where it feels good, we’re not too tired yet and we’re glad to be running. Some things we’ve noticed along the way:
-Jesse Ventura is the governor of Minnesota!
-Todd McCormick, MHS principal, came up for the naming ceremony on the Mark Warren trip. This is the first time in 28+ years of Mini-School that an administrator has ever involved himself in a Mini-School trip.
-Pauline Von Ruden has become Pauline Engelby.
-Ramona’s conversation is dominated by words which begin with the letter “Z”.
-Randy’s varsity MHS soccer team has had 2 outstanding seasons in a row.
-I’ve done more canoe racing and raced more successfully that I ever have in my life.
-Pauline is getting big.
-Joanne is more conscientious about weight training than any of the Mini-School guys.
-Leah Shoberg is bucking for the best dressed girl at MHS.
-Matt Evans is getting more like Lynott every day- at least as far as selling calendars goes.
-Lacey Landt’s contributions to Com-Mini-Cations and calendars sales are outstanding.
-Jon Schmidt is ready to recycle.
-Joe Juranitch, with his own sports radio show, is acting more like Sid Hartman every day.
-Young Kim is about to have a #7 day.
-Jamie Rasmussen, new Mini-School student, thinks she’s died and gone to heaven.
-Laura Huberty is becoming organized.
-Charlie Urbia stayed around for a 4th hour.
-Craig Shrupp’s personality has changed now that Halloween’s over.
-Matt Thompson is more like his old man that his old man is.
Bye for now. Have a good run.