by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com VEX Robotics students at Kennedy Community School have been busy gearing up for competition. Robotics students competed Jan. 5 at the Sartell Sabres VEX Turning Point Tournament in Sartell. Two Kennedy teams won two awards presented by VEX judges after judges’ interviews. The sixth-grade girls team won the VEX Robotics Energy Award and the sixth-grade boys
A sweet deal: Donations match lemonade sales to raise $2,600
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Sartell fourth-graders Lila Meyer and Taylor Drexel-Gainsforth and fifth-grader Violet Meyer recently sold lemonade to raise funds for hungry children. They, along with parents Nicole and Kenny Meyer and Sara and Curt Draxler-Gainsforth, are members of Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. After Lila, Taylor and Violet raised a total of $36.50, Nicole suggested they donate the
Area school students spread Christmas cheer during the holidays
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Students at Kennedy Community School, St. John’s Prep and St. Joseph Catholic School donated their time and talent to help fill area needs this holiday season. Kennedy Community School WE ACT students, co-advised by teachers Mike Stuber and Kelli Maurer, organized a toy drive to collect toys for the local Toys for Tots. Students from all
McIntyre chosen as a runner-up in ‘Live United’ essay contest
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Kennedy Community School fifth-grader Lane McIntyre strives to make a positive impact for other people around him. He recently took time to write his thoughts about how he does so on paper when he entered the United Way “Live United” Essay Contest. Because McIntyre’s ideas were a positive example of how to “Live United,” he was
St. John’s Prep Middle School to add fifth-grade
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com The St. John’s Prep Board of Regents recently announced that it would be adding a fifth-grade pilot program for the 2019-20 school year. The program plans to continue to include hands-on, project-based and outdoor rich experiences. The new pilot program will integrate fifth- and sixth-grade to expand student learning experiences for students to further develop strong
‘Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story’ returns to the History Theatre
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com “Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story,” a musical about the life of Bobby Vee, has returned now through Dec. 16 at the History Theatre in St. Paul. The musical, which premiered in Ocober. 2016, was written by Bob Beverage in collaboration with Vee’s sons, Jeff and Tommy Vee, and is directed by Ron Peluso. George Maurer
Second annual ‘Country Lights Festival’ Dec. 1-31
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Once again, the lights around Lake Francis will sparkle and glimmer to delight young and old alike during the holiday season. The second annual Country Lights Festival will begin Saturday, Dec. 1, and continue throughout the rest of the month. About 75,000-100,000 lights, many more than were used last year, will be on every evening during
Angel of Hope Vigil to be Dec. 6
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com An Angel of Hope Vigil will be Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Angel of Hope statue by Lake Francis in Sartell. The event will begin with a small indoor program at 6:30 p.m. at the Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S., and a vigil will take place at the base of the Angel around 7