According to the CDC, nearly one-third, or 29% of students struggle with mental health.
Three SBHS students involved in FCCLA have chosen to speak up and inform teens about mental health, why it matters and solutions to aid their struggles.
“Mental health is a topic that is highly overlooked. It is looked at as more of a problem rather than a reality,” Avery Fogelman (11) said. “Each person deserves to be educated and supported throughout the time they may be struggling.”
Taylor Keyes (10), Nellie Wetsit (10), and Fogelman are promoting awareness about mental health. They have spent the past several months educating and presenting to eighth grade students about mental health and the transition from middle school to high school. The presentations took place at Sturgis Williams Middle School from January and into April.
Members focused on educating eighth graders, because they know about and have already experienced stress that occurs due to the transition from middle school to high school.
“Mental health is a very important topic. I think transitioning from middle school to high school can be a very scary experience and middle schoolers need all the support and care they can get,” Wetsit said.
The members took numerous hours to create a slideshow, talking about what mental health is, different kinds of stress, how stress can be handled, signs of weak mental health and why exactly mental health matters.
“I knew immediately that I wanted to do a project focusing on mental health,” Keyes said. “I feel a lot of eighth grade students are stressed about going into high school and it is important for them to know they are cared for and not alone.”
When the presentation was completed, the team felt as if they made a difference and have hope that students will use information from this presentation to their benefit.
“Doing this project really showed me how a few students can tremendously affect younger individuals’ high school experiences,” Keyes said. “It is important to talk about mental health in order to address the problem and help students understand they aren’t the only ones that might be feeling that way.”
FCCLA members collected surveys from the eighth grade students after each presentation to evaluate the effectiveness of their program. The information gathered will be included in their portfolio, which they will take to the FCCLA state convention on April 23.
“Completing this project showed me why we started it in the first place. It showed the importance of talking about emotions and stress,” Fogelman said.
The efforts of these FCCLA members are commendable as mental health is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed more often in schools and in communities. It is essential to raise awareness and provide support for individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues.
By educating the 8th-grade students, these FCCLA members are making a difference in their community and helping to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
“After this project, I had a better understanding of the number of students who feel stressed about going to high school. It showed me how important it is to promote mental health awareness,” Wetsit said.
On Jan. 17 in math instructor Dan Skinner’s classroom at Sturgis Williams Middle School, FCCLA members Avery Fogelman (11), Nellie Wetsit (10) and Taylor Keyes (10) talk with eighth graders about mental health. Creation and implementation of this project was to inform, help and promote open communication about the topic. photo by Dan Skinner
As students look toward their futures, becoming instructors may be on the books.
STURGIS, S.D. — On, October 21 at Black Hills State University, 15 students from SBHS attended the first annual West River Educators Rising Expo cosponsored by BHSU and the South Dakota Department of Education.
The purpose of Educators Rising is to provide encouragement for high school learners who may be interested in the field of education as a profession.
“They listened to presentations from Dr. Laurie Nichols, BHSU President; retired Spearfish Superintendent David Peters, and Harrisburg School District Innovative Programs Director Travis Lape,” Assistant Principal Coleen Keffeler said. “Breakout sessions included Make Your Mark – Teach Special Education, Careers in Education, Teaching Math, Engaging with Literature, Teaching with Sketch Notes and Internships & Careers in Education.”
A BHSU panel consisting of six individuals preparing to student teach in the spring semester answered questions from the audience. They also shared their own experiences at BHSU and why they chose to go into education.
After the panel discussion, students toured the campus and talked to BHSU staff during the Resource Expo.
The Educators Rising State Conference will be held Feb. 28, 2023, on the BHSU campus. Lape, also Educators Rising State Coordinator, encouraged all participating students to attend.
“He is available to help schools start a local chapter,” Keffeler said. “There is no cost associated with the organization. Chapters are required to hold monthly meetings.”
BHSU recommended careers@bhsu.edu as a resource for teaching careers as well as careers related to education.
Individuals attending the West River Educators Rising Expo on October 21 include back: Zoe Kirkland (10), Kennedi Nacey (11), Rheanna Page (11), Jessie Schummer (11), Wapiya Doud (11), Heather Nudd (12), Leah Johnson-Landoll (11), Jenna Burke (11); front: Gabi Isburg (11), Audrey Barksdale (11), Madison Snyder (11), Skylar Williamson (11), Zabree Bush (11), Annie Henderson (11) and Timber Inhofer (11). photo by Coleen Keffeler
STURGIS, S.D.– There was a crispness to the early summer morning air on July 30 welcoming 29 walkers and 19 runners who were preparing to participate in the 8th annual Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K.
Event organizers, workers and family members of Brandon Delzer come together as the 5K walk/run draws to a close. Pictured were Anita Brenneman, Megan Andersen, Sandy Buchholz, Glenn Delzer, Cheryl Delzer, Vonda Andersen, Brittany Delzer and Stephanie Kaufman. photo by Tim Potts
Starting at SBHS, the course crossed Hwy. 34, wound through Ft. Meade, returning on the bike path back to where it began. This memorial walk/run has been an event held yearly since 2014 after the loss of Delzer in 2013.
“For many years, the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K was organized by an SBHS student runner as a part of his or her senior project. This year many of the SBHS runners were participating in a camp at BHSU and were unable to help host the event,” Sandy Buchholz said.
Vonda Andersen, Buchholz and Meade County Extension Leader Jenny Voigt decided to make sure the Brandon Delzer Legacy 5K continued to be part of the Meade County Fair in 2022.
Activities for which he became well-known in the community included 4-H, rodeo, cross country and wrestling. According to the organizers, Delzer was an all-around athlete who was loved by the Sturgis community.
“We believe it is important to continue this event to honor Brandon’s life,” Buchholz said. “He was a kind, charismatic young man. Brandon’s smile was infectious and he drew people in. Brandon had an immense amount of talent, succeeding in most of his endeavors, but more importantly, he always worked to lift others up.”
Delzer sought to win, Buchholz said, by helping to encourage everyone else at the same time.
“He did what he could to help everybody become the best they could. He was a mentor and a role model, even as a freshman in high school,” Buchholz said. “Brandon had a positive impact on all who were lucky enough to cross his path or walk beside him.”
Before participants gathered at the starting line, Jarett Keffeler, former SBHS student and runner, started the 5K with a few stories about Brandon and a prayer.
Sponsors included Richter’s Tire and Exhaust, Liberty Chevrolet, County Drug, Pioneer State Bank, Jacob’s Auto Repair, HomeSlice Media Group, Loud American, Black Hills Gunstocks and Engraving, Fowler Insurance Agency, Sturgis Chiropractic, Northern Hills Veterinary Clinic, Sabers Agency, Emma’s Ice Cream, Lynn’s Dakotamart, Grocery Mart, Kick Start Travel Center, Sturgis Coffee Company, Black Hills Rally and Gold, Hotel Sturgis, Sunshine Sweets Bakery and INita Bag etc.
Medals were awarded for the top three participating runners in each of the five age divisions. The overall prize, a $50 gift card to Texas Roadhouse was received by Ty Petrocco who also took first place in his category, 13-18 year-old-males.
In the 13-18 category for females, sisters Josie Reedy and Emily Reedy tied for first place. Second place was captured by Berley Gill.
In the 19-29 male category, Jarrett Keffeler took first place followed by his brother Alec Keffeler. Gavin West landed third place. Females in the 19-29 category were Josie Kaufman in first place, Amanda Froelich second place and Jaelyn Lardy third place.
Winners in the 30-49 male category were Trev Fiedler with first place and Blake Proefrock in second place. Female winners were Erin Fiedler taking first place, Jennifer Johnson in second place and Kari Bates with third place.
Robert Haivala took first place and Marv Linn second place in the category of males over 50.
Proceeds benefited the Brandon Delzer Memorial Scholarship and Meade County 4-H.
STURGIS, S.D. – On Sept. 28, 41 high school students traveled to Rapid City for the opportunity to learn and connect with leading industry experts.
Promoted by Associated General Contractors of S.D. (AGC), this year’s construction career camp offered hands-on experience in heavy equipment, carpentry, concrete, surveying, HVAC/plumbing/electrical and virtual reality. The camp was made possible with cooperation from S.D. School of Mines and Technology and Western Dakota Technical College.
Before schooling is complete and students graduate, the need to explore possible career paths has been a key focus for individuals within CTE programs.
Taking his turn at the oculus, a virtual reality training tool, Tadlee Opstedahl (12) searches for safety hazards to repair in a underground mine. photo by Korbin Jensen
“It opened a bigger door to all of these similar trades,” Tadlee Opstedahl (12) said. “Instead of construction, there are other options, such as concrete, carpentry and HVAC.”
Although Opstedahl plans to focus on a future career in ranching, he plans to use construction knowledge to potentially build a side business.
Currently working with water and sewer lines as well as dirt work, Korbin Jensen (12), saw the camp as a way to gain insights.
“There are a lot of different opportunities that I learned about in the construction industry,” he said.
Jensen plans to become a welding and generator mechanic.
“There is going to be a lot more work in construction in the future, more opportunities. It may be hard work but it’s a living,” he said.
Kash Krogman (12) plans to attend Mitchell Tech to become a lineman. His goal is to fly helicopters for a lineman company while still participating in the PRCA.
Even though he is in his fourth year working with concrete, Krogman said the camp gave him many back up plans to consider.
Participants from Cyle Miller’s Machining III, Tate Dewey’s Welding and Marco Marolt’s Building Trades classes were bussed to the event.
Sharing insights about electricity, Derek the pole bender watches as Korbin Jensen (12), Tadlee Opstedahl (12) in the background manipulate materials. To the right, Kydn Mahaffy (11) and Broady Moore (11) waited to try. photo by Cyle Miller
