Feb. 13

BankVista in Sartell was recently recognized by the Minnesota Bankers Association for its community involvement. BankVista was one of 21 banks honored. These banks work with organizations in their communities, providing funding, volunteers, materials, supplies or food for their neighbors. Recipients were recognized with a certificate and recognition at the MBA “Bank Day at the Capitol” event held recently in St. Paul.

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Brianna Pilarski, St. Stephen, recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bemidji (Minn.) State University.

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Christopher Genberg, Sartell, recently graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences from Rochester (Minn.) Community and Technical College.

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A Sartell brother and sister were both recently named to the fall dean’s list at Bethel University, St. Paul. They are Alexis Eickhoff, a senior, and Isaac Eickhoff, a junior, the daughter and son of Amy and William Eickhoff of Sartell.

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Nicole Theisen, St. Stephen, recently earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from St. Cloud State University.

Sixteen Sartell students recently earned degrees from St. Cloud State University.

Their names, degree, major and honors (if applicable) are as follows: Dina Almafreajy, bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, cum laude; Alyssa Brandt, master’s degree in business administration; Garrett Brennan, bachelor’s degree in computer science, summa cum laude; Jill Chaika, bachelor’s degree in nursing, summa cum laude; Cassandra Erickson, bachelor’s degree in anthropology, cum laude; Kenneth Garas, bachelor’s in community psychology; Thomas Hickey, bachelor’s degree in management; Willie Krueger, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice studies, magna cum laude; Melissa Miller, bachelor’s degree in elementary/K-6 education, cum laude; Samantha Mills, bachelor’s degree in anthropology, magna cum laude; Sara Moorlag, associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences; David Nettleton, bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering; Adam O’Doherty, master’s degree in higher education administration; Danielle Olson, bachelor’s degree in social work; Jordan Popp, bachelor’s degree in nursing, cum laude; and Tanner Schraw, bachelor’s degree in social studies education.

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Rajahna Schneekloth, daughter of Newsleader publisher Janelle Von Pinnon and Bruce Schneekloth, was recently named to the fall dean’s list at St. Cloud State University. Students must earn a minimum 3.75 grade-point average to qualify for the honor.

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Katie Boettcher, Rice, was recently named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is a freshman and is undeclared.

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Benjamin Davis, Sartell, was recently named to the fall dean’s list at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Students must rank in the top 15 percent of their class to qualify.

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Three Sartell students are currently touring with the choir from Concordia College, Moorhead.

They are the following: Aron Hoover, son of Valery and Chris Hoover, second bass; Robert Satterness, son of Lori and Neil Satterness, first tenor; and Grant Strom, son of Janelle and Terence Strom, second tenor.

The national tour, running Feb. 14-March 8, includes concerts in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Minnesota. For more information, visit concordiacollege.edu/music.

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Keven Schatz, coach of the Sartell Boy Scout teams, was recognized as a Mentor of the Year for his hard work and dedication during Dream It. Do It. Minnesota VEX Robotics Tournaments Jan. 23-24, hosted by St. Cloud Technical and Community College. More than 70 teams from across Minnesota competed.

“I am honored to be chosen as Mentor of the Year at the state VEX tournament,” Schatz said. “There are so many great teachers and coaches who donate their time and resources to help the students have a great experience. I think VEX robotics is a valuable program that provides a hands-on way to experience STEM.

“Our Boy Scout Troop 211 had two VEX teams this year,” he continued. “I have been coaching teams from our troop for four years. This was the fourth year competing for the BaconBotz. This was the first or second year for the members of the BeatBotz. I’m proud of how well both teams did this year. It was great they ended up Alliance Partners in the Elimination bracket at the state tournament. The boys had a great time at the state tournament in St. Cloud. Their robots performed the best at the Albert Lea and Osseo tournaments. It’s great how the level of competition continues to grow each year. It pushes the students to try new things and learn more throughout the process. They are already planning new ideas to try. Each year they anxiously await the reveal of the next season’s game. They showed off their robots at [a] troop meeting…and I can see there will be some additional boys involved next year.”

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Due to misinformation given to the Newsleader, a front-page story, Boenish stunned to win plum role of Annie, published Feb. 6, had the wrong dates for the upcoming performances of the Sartell Middle School musical, Annie Jr. The correct times and performance dates are 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and also at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. The story in its entirety, with the correct times, can be read online at thenewsleaders.com.

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Dr. Michael Contardo has provided dental care for more than 35 years, and began working from his own clinic in St. Joseph in 1989. He became certified in laser dentistry in 2011, and with the implementation of Solea laser technology in December 2014, has made the decision to rename his clinic to Laser Dentistry.

“We chose the laser because it’s much less invasive for patients, who at our clinic span from young children to the elderly,” Contardo said. “Laser therapy is faster than traditional methods, produces no vibration, little noise and allows patients to resume their day as soon as the work is complete.”

Along with the name change comes a new website, laserdentistrymn.com. The clinic is still located at 26 2nd Ave. N.W., St. Joseph.