Alex Anderson
Hi! My name is Alex Anderson, and I am the daughter of Chris and Terri Anderson. The plan for my future after I graduate from Osakis is to attend the University of Minnesota Morris where I will major in elementary education and psychology. Throughout high school I was involved in tennis, softball, the one-act play, student council, FCCLA, P4T, and choir. Being active in these programs allowed me opportunities to meet and work with so many amazing people and make memories that I know I won’t forget.
I was honored with many awards throughout my high school years including being named Academic All State for tennis (2011) as well as Conference Honorable Mention (2011), and I was given the Silverstreak award (2011) and Most Improved Player (2010); I was awarded All Conference (2010), All Section (2011), Golden Glove (2010), and Athlete of the Week (2010) titles in softball; two national honors in FCCLA; and multiple excellent or superior rankings in choir solo/ensemble.
Looking back on these past years, my favorite memories are all the little moments that happened during class, at practice, in the middle of study hall or while we were eating lunch. Of course, the big things like going to the state tournaments in tennis and softball were absolutely fantastic, but the day-to-day memories are the moments that added up to equal a great six years at Osakis High School.
I think that the biggest challenge my classmates and I are going to face after graduation will be overcoming our fears of the unknown. We’ve been preparing to enter the “real world” for a long time, but it’s scary because we aren’t sure what to expect yet. We’re anxiously waiting to put everything we’ve learned to use and to prove to the world that we’re ready to start creating our legacy. The biggest piece of advice I want to give the underclassmen is to never give up. It can be really easy to stop trying when things aren’t going how you want them to, but nothing is ever gained by quitting. The best things in life are achieved when you work at them every single day and never give up. Once you’ve put in all the time and effort, though, the feeling of reaching your goal is unbeatable.
Haley Anderson
My name is Haley Anderson, daughter of Gregg and Judi Anderson. OHS and St. Agnes have been wonderful; they’ve given me lifelong friends, and with those friends come countless numbers of memories that we will share forever. I think my most memorable moment was when we were in forensics class having a fire lab. Craig Waldvogel and I started some tissue paper on fire (believe me, we were supposed to!) and before we knew it, the burning tissue paper had flown into the air and hit the ceiling, starting that on fire. Now while we were all standing around wondering what to do, Mrs. Dammann was shouting for someone to put it out. She finally did with a spray bottle, but not two seconds later, Wayde Hoium tossed a burning match into a sink full of alcohol, which then also proceeded to start on fire, causing Mrs. Dammann to scream again. I don’t think I could forget that day if I tried. I’m guessing Mrs. Dammann couldn’t either.
I could never forget all the wonderful activities I took part in, either. I was on Student Council and FCCLA for five years. I was an FCCLA officer for the past two years, and every year I have gone to State and earned five Gold awards. I have been in Knowledge Bowl for six years, Project 4 Teens my junior year, and Select Choir my junior and senior years. I have been in choir since seventh grade, and I have received many Superior and Excellent awards for large group and solo/ensemble contests. I have been in the One Act Play since eighth grade, and I have been on the tennis and softball teams since seventh grade. Instead of playing softball my senior year, however, I became the assistant coach for junior varsity. In summer softball, we took first place in our league in 2009 and 2010. I was lucky enough to go to State with my tennis team this year, and it was an honor just to be able to go. This year I chose to also take part in Starry Night as an actress and student director. Outside of school, I have taken piano lessons for the last 11 years, and I have been a dancer at Dancin’ Off Broadway in Alexandria for 10 years, where I have earned eight Gold awards, two High Gold awards, and one Platinum award at various competitions. I am so blessed to have been able to take part in all of these experiences at such an early stage of my life.
I plan to attend Concordia College in Moorhead this fall, and I will major in biochemistry with a minor in studio art. I plan to eventually attend medical school and become a doctor like my oldest sister Jesi, a 1997 OHS graduate. I’m very thankful to Osakis for all the college credit opportunities that I’ve had in high school; I know they’ve already saved me over a year of college tuition.
My fellow classmates and I will be entering a whole new stage of our lives, and there will be challenges awaiting us every step of the way. Things will be very different for those of us who are moving away. We won’t know anyone at our new schools, we may be far away from home, and we will be living on our own for the first time. I know that I’ll get homesick sometime my freshman year, and it may take me a while to adjust.
My advice to underclassmen is to challenge yourself and live your life to the fullest. Join that sport. Take that college class. Act in that play. Don’t hold back because the only things in life you regret are the things you didn’t do. What I’m saying is, be yourself and don’t let anyone change that. Do what you want to do, not what your friends think you should do. It’s a big world out there – there’s a lot to experience!
Austin Collins
My name is Austin Collins, and my parents are Patrick and Anita Collins. This fall I will attend Concordia College, possibly majoring in biology to become a physical therapist. I also plan on doing something in the ministry. While I was a student at OHS, I participated in football and wrestling, FCA, and P4T. I lettered in wrestling and football, had “most escapes” in wrestling my junior year, and I have been on the A Honor Roll.
My best school memory is when our class won the Spirit Award like EVERY year! The biggest challenge facing my classmates and me will be completing college. My advice to underclassmen: Never hesitate when it comes to standing up for someone else.
Heather Gilsrud
My name is Heather Gilsrud, daughter of Tim and Karen Gilsrud. I plan to go to Alexandria Technical College to finish my generals and then go to a university to study nutrition. I was involved in FCCLA during my junior and senior years. It was a great experience to be a regional judge and be involved with many community service projects. I was also a member of choir throughout my high school years. The sports I participated in include tennis for four years and softball during my sophomore year.
There were many amazing memories made during high school, but I would have to say the best one was participating in the 30-hour Famine for two years. It was a rewarding experience to know I played a part in helping to end world hunger, and we also had a lot of fun doing it. I think the greatest challenge my peers and I will face after graduation is simply becoming more independent. This is going to be a difficult feat to accomplish because we live in a tightly knit community where we all support and rely on each other. Going out into the real world means that we will have to make new friends and build an entirely new support system, something that can be quite difficult. My advice to underclassmen is not to take things too seriously and to make the most out of high school because it goes by faster than you think.
Grace Guyette
My name is Grace Guyette, daughter of Joe and Bev Guyette. Next year I am planning to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College to major in nursing. From there, I hope to go to the University of Minnesota, Rochester, to obtain my bachelor of science in nursing or begin my work as a pre-med student. Through 10th – 12th grades I have participated in choir, solo/ensemble, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and am an active member of 4-H and my church youth group. I have also helped to coordinate and have participated in retreats and camps provided through school, church, and 4-H. I have helped teach at vacation Bible school through my church as well. I have been an officer in 4-H for many years and was elected vice president this year. In addition to that, I have won a few excellent and superior awards singing with the OHS senior high choir. I have been an honor student throughout high school and on the Dean’s List at Alex Tech since my junior year (as I am a PSEO student).
I think my best high school memory is participating in choir. It must have been hard for Mrs. Silbernick to get close to 100 of us to work together. But, when we did, we were virtually unstoppable. I had many memories and friendships that were built through choir and all of them made high school so fun.
I think the greatest challenge that my classmates and I will face is remaining true to who we are in a world of incessant change. I pray that no matter where this wild world takes us, we will always remain in each other’s minds and hope to someday see each other again. My advice to underclassman is to make good choices. The choices you make now will affect you in the future. The better your choices are, the better you will be. Don’t forget to believe in yourself!
Mitch Herzog
My name is Mitch Herzog and I am the son of Dave and Teri Herzog. I plan to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College and pursue a degree in mechatronics. In my past three years of high school I have been a part of the high school choir, the football team, the basketball team, and the baseball team. I have been lucky enough to play sports throughout high school and in doing so, I won MVP in football my senior year, the Silverstreak award in basketball my senior year, and the Triple “A” award this past winter. I have also been a letter winner in all three of my varsity sports in grades 10 through 12.
The thing I will remember from high school that will stick with me for the rest of my life will probably be the pep fest before our homecoming game our senior year. There was so much energy in the gym and I believe it really helped us get ready to win our homecoming football game. In today’s economy I feel that the biggest challenge my classmates and I will encounter is going to be getting into the work force. My advice to the younger classmen is to cherish the time you have left in high school because those things will be over before you know it. Work hard in everything you do so you don’t have any regrets.
Tonya Hetland
My name is Tonya Leigh Hetland, daughter of Dana and Ginger Hetland. My future goals and plans include attending Concordia University, Moorhead in the fall for education counseling. Throughout high school I have been an active member of both the tennis and fast-pitch softball teams. I was also in FCCLA, a football statistician, student council, select choir, Project 4 Teens, and student representative on the school board. I was the AAA award winner and section 22 advancer. I was the student council president and senior class president, senior choir president, FCCLA annual state advancer, FCCLA national advancer. In softball, I won these awards: Most Improved, Silverstreak award, Prairie All-Conference, Section All-State, Academic All-State, state participant, captain. I also won these tennis awards: Most Improved, Silverstreak award, Prairie All-Conference, Academic All-State, state participant, captain.
Some of the most unforgettable high school memories include watching Cody Rupert shave Mr. Hunter’s head in class after a dare to win the state archery competition, the random, in-depth, hilarious daily conversations with Mrs. Leuthner, and lastly, the unforgettable memories of playing with my teammates at both the softball and tennis state tournaments.
I think the greatest challenge my classmates and I will face after graduation is outshining everyone else…hooray class of 2012! Underclassmen, my advice to you is to challenge yourself. Never leave the house without a smile, and above all else, remember respect.“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” - C.S. Lewis
Alida Hovey
I am Alida Hovey, and I am the daughter of Lori and Ryan. I have a younger sister named Taharah. I plan to go to the College of Saint Benedict and double major in math and computer science. Eventually, I hope to own my own business.
Softball has been one of my favorite extra-curricular activities; especially when we made it to state last year for the first time in school history. I was in volleyball in 10th grade and was one of the statisticians this year. I am in math league and we’ve done really well these last few years. In 10th grade, our team was in the top 10 in the state. Last year, we were again in the top 10 in the state and individually I was in the top 15 in the state. Science Olympiad was a lot of fun except for the fact that we had to get up at 4 in the morning. I am in P4T and I have really enjoyed being part of that program.
I have so many great memories with friends and family, but my favorite high school memory is going on the Close Up trip to Washington, D.C. I think the greatest challenge my classmates and I will face in the future is the social, culture, and political change due to the rate of technological change. My advice to the underclassmen is “believe in yourself” and “never give up.”
Benjamin Larson
My name is Benjamin Larson and my parents are John and Bonnie. I plan to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College for diesel mechanics. I have been in concert band and FFA from 10th grade through 12th grade. I have lettered in band in 10th through 12th grade. My best high school memory is playing cards in the lounge and trying not to get caught. The greatest challenge that my classmates and I will face will be finding a job that will pay for our college. My advice to underclassmen is to apply for colleges as soon as possible so that you have the best chance of attending the school of your choice.
Sydney Larson
My name is Sydney Larson. My parents’ names are Rodger and Karen Larson. My future plans include attending North Dakota State University to major in nursing. Starting my sophomore year, I participated in Select Choir. I also participated in volleyball in 11th grade. Throughout the years, I have received many excellent and superior ratings in Solo Ensemble for choir; I was a Junior Honor Marshall, and I earned the honor of being a Homecoming queen candidate. My best high school memory, out of the many to choose from, was going on the Washington, D.C. Close-Up trip. It was a wonderful experience, and I definitely recommend going on the trip. It was a great opportunity to meet new people, learn more about our country’s history and government, and do a lot of things most people don’t get the chance to do.
The greatest challenge my classmates and I will face after graduation is finding out who we are and what our purpose is in life. Just when we think we have everything figured out, we get thrown into a harsh and cruel world that isn’t as perfect as it seemed to be. My advice to the underclassmen is to do your best academically. Don’t get caught up in having the most expensive clothes, the nicest car, or having the most friends. At the end of the day, the most important thing to be remembered for is your intellect, not your popularity.
Monica Maus
Hi! My name is Monica Maus. Dennis and Rita Maus are my parents, and they have been very supportive and encouraging throughout my high school years. After I graduate, I plan to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead to earn a bachelor’s degree in high school education. While I’m not sure what I want to minor in yet, I know I want to major in mathematics education.
During high school, I was involved in volleyball as a player up until 12th grade when I took stats for the team instead. I have also been a part of the Select Choir since 11th grade, have been a part of the Minnesota Math League team since 10th grade, and have been involved in FFA since 9th grade. I have also been the president of the Osakis FFA chapter for the past two years.
The Minnesota Math League that I am a part of has done well the past couple of years. Last year all of our members were ranked within the top 35 with the team finishing 7th, and as an individual, I finished in the top 15. I have also finished first in the district in 10th and 11th grade. I have been awarded many excellent and superior ratings for the solo/ensemble competition, and was a Junior Honor Marshal last year and had the honor of being nominated as a homecoming candidate this year.
I would have to say my best high school memory was everything because every day spent in high school was special in itself. I believe the greatest challenge my classmates and I will face after graduation is learning to balance everything. We’ll have to learn how to balance school, work, friends, family, and everything else. My advice to underclassmen is to keep track of everything you are involved in and what you receive awards and honors in. It will make your life a lot easier when it comes time to apply for scholarships, jobs, colleges, or even for writing an article such as this.
Kale Remmers
My name is Kale Forrest Remmers, son of Shane David Remmers and Michelle Marie Remmers. My plans for the future are to attend Alexandria Technical College to complete my general education courses, and then move on to the University of Minnesota Duluth to study general medicine. During the course of my high school career, I participated in Knowledge Bowl from eighth grade until my junior year. It was quite an experience, and I learned a lot during that time. I also participated in cheerleading for about three months during my junior year. My best high school memory is probably my first day back after I left the school for a brief period. It was wonderful to see all of the friends, teachers, and even the garish red lockers that I had left behind again.
I think that the greatest challenge that my classmates and I will face after graduation is both simple and complicated: the real world. We come from a small town, and we’re a bit sheltered way out here in the country. Facing the real world and forcing ourselves to grow up is going to be quite the arduous task, but I have confidence that each and every one of us will be able to persevere and come out on top. Finally, my advice to the underclassmen is simply this: Be who you really are in high school, and don’t change yourself just to be like everyone else. The fact of the matter is that the people you know in high school may be wonderful and shape who you are a great deal, but it is the people you meet afterward that become your true friends.
Seth Strelow
Greetings; my name is Seth Strelow, son of Brad and Julie Strelow. Following my graduation from Osakis Public High School, I will attend Valparaiso University (Indiana) with the intention of majoring in civil engineering. During my tenure at Osakis, I participated in theater, Science Olympiad, Knowledge Bowl, and golf. I don’t recall what awards I won in those activities, but rest assured that there exists a collection of letters and place awards that lie scattered somewhere in my home. I was never one for saving ribbons, medals and trophies anyway.
One single memory does not stand out to me as my best. Instead, a number of humorous moments in time and inside jokes best define my high school career. Slowly falling off lunchroom tables, tripping up stairs, surviving physics with good friends, and other shenanigans provide me with plenty of good stories to tell. Upon leaving this building, the greatest obstacle we will face as a class will be to find our own identities and make names for ourselves beyond this building. These past six years have been great, but the time has come for us to take our leave, lest we overstay our welcome. To the underclassmen I say this: Don’t walk down the middle of the street, and keep your options open.
Katie Thielen
My name is Katie Thielen, daughter of Bob and Val Thielen. I plan on attending NDSU for nursing and then furthering my education to receive my family nurse practitioner’s license or attending U of M Duluth for pre-med. I participated in volleyball, choir, band, and select choir. I was a Junior Honor Marshal and was class president in band and class treasurer in choir. My best high school memory would be traveling to Washington, D.C. with Mr. Stroup! I would definitely recommend going on this trip; you will never forget it!
The greatest challenge my classmates and I will face after graduation is finding a new group of friends that we belong with. It’s different when you know everybody in your school. You just connect with someone right away, but when you go to a new school, you have to be outgoing and try to find the group you fit with. My advice to underclassmen: don’t be a follower, be a leader. Life is too short to follow someone else’s footsteps. Be adventurous and make your own mistakes; you learn better from them. As Elbert Hubbard once said, “The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.”
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