Lil Poms Perform at Girls’ Basketball Game

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  The Geneseo High School Maplettes were joined by more than 100 “future Maplettes” for the Lil Pom performance at the girls’ basketball game vs. Erie-Prophetstown held Jan. 24 at GHS.  The dancers performed to music from “Dancing Through Life.”  The routine was choreographed by GHS junior Alexandra Duncan and GHS senior Jack Cooper.   The Maplettes are coached by Lydia Reyburn, Michelle Fryear, Yvonne Wayne and Maelyn Gentry.

   Posing for a photo prior to the dance performance are, from left, junior Alexandra Duncan, six-year-old Sadie Fryear and senior Jack Cooper.  Photo by Claudia Loucks

  Seven-year-old Elsie Russelburg was among the young dancers in the Maplettes performance at the girls’ basketball game on Jan. 24.  Photos by Claudia Loucks

Why Extreme Cold Can Lead to School Closures

by Sarah DeMaranville

When schools close due to extreme cold, the decision often raises questions—particularly when roads are clear and snowfall is minimal. However, temperature and wind chill alone can create safety risks that affect transportation, outdoor exposure, and emergency response, especially in rural districts.

Geneseo School District officials note that their goal is always to keep students in school when conditions allow. Superintendent Dr. Laura Delgado explained in a recent blog post, “The ultimate goal is to keep our students safely in school whenever possible,” while acknowledging that “when you live in the Midwest, there will be days when the roads, snow, ice, wind, and temperatures will prevent us from doing that.”

Image from NOAA and National Weather Service

Safety concerns become more pronounced as temperatures reach extreme levels. At wind chill readings near −35°F, exposed skin can freeze in as little as ten minutes. Children are particularly vulnerable because they lose body heat more quickly than adults, often have exposed skin on the face, ears, and hands, and may not recognize or communicate early signs of frostbite.

The greatest risk during severe cold does not occur inside heated school buildings, but during routine transitions throughout the day. Waiting at bus stops and walking from drop-off areas to school entrances require outdoor exposure. In temperatures this low, even minor delays can significantly increase the risk of hypothermia.

Transportation safety is another key factor. The Geneseo School District spans more than 260 square miles, much of it rural, which means longer bus routes and increased exposure time. At temperatures near −35°F, buses are more likely to experience mechanical issues such as difficulty starting, frozen doors, or battery and fuel system failures. A stalled bus can leave students waiting in dangerous wind-chill conditions while assistance is arranged.

Extreme cold can also stress the respiratory system. Very cold air can trigger bronchospasm in children with asthma and cause coughing, chest tightness, or breathing discomfort even in otherwise healthy students. While scarves or face coverings can help reduce airway irritation, consistent and proper use cannot be guaranteed, particularly among younger children.

Emergency response considerations also play a role. In extreme cold, response times may increase, and providing care may involve additional outdoor exposure. Minor injuries can escalate more quickly when temperatures are dangerously low, reducing the margin for safe response during the school day.

District leaders closely monitor forecasts and wind-chill advisories from the National Weather Service when making closure decisions. Dr. Delgado has acknowledged that closures are disruptive, stating, “It’s not a fun part of the job… Closing school for a day means families adjusting plans and teachers pivoting lessons.” However, she emphasized that “it will always come down to the safety of all our students.”

At −35°F, the risks associated with school attendance are not theoretical. They are predictable and tied to normal school operations, including transportation, arrival, transitions, and emergency response. District officials say closures in these conditions are made to ensure student safety, even when that decision is difficult.

Quotes attributed to Superintendent Dr. Laura Delgado sourced from a Geneseo School District blog post explaining weather-related closure decisions.

2025 Geneseo Middle School Fall Honor Roll

8th Grade

Kynlee Adam, Ruby Air, Penelope Aukee, Lincoln Babcock, Lilith Ballard, Katelynn Becerra, Delia Bellagamba, Madolyn Berger, Kenneth Bernhard, Mason Bess, David Betcher, Zachary Blank, Allison Bos, Reegan Brown, Drake Burton, Liam Campos, Eliana Charlet, Ryan Coleman, Brett Correa, Kellan Courtright, Colton Crutcher, Hattie Deaner, Finley DeSplinter, Sofie Diebold, Joshua Diehl, Grant Dietsch, Cameron Doyle, Ella Driskell, Will Ehlert, Tatum Eiselstein, Avery Emmerson, Giovanni Escobar, Jason Flondor, Everlee Fobert, Elliott Frank, Lillian Fritz, Lucas Fuelling, Alivia Gaines, Thomas Gaskey, Declan Gillespie, Sophia Gluck, Lily Green, Audreyana Grove, Jesus Guerrero, Giamarie Haars, Trace Hager, Drew Hagerman, Huxley Haley, Sean Haley, Maddison Harris, Emily Hayes, Evelyn Hemphill, Kura Henson, Ella Hepner, Ethan Hepner, Brooke Herington, Bennett Holke, Canon Hudson, Maverick Hull, Elouise Hulsbrink, Lucas Jobe, Ella Johnson, Aislyn Kane, Mason Kauzlarich, Jayden Kelley-Leach, Addison Kelly, Maddux Kennedy, Kinleigh Kiefer, Kai Kimmins, Korah Klotz, Kellan Knackstedt, Olivia Krause, Norah Kuddes, Carter Lampe, Bradlee Larson, Hillary Lewis, Wyatt Lynch, Clara Mallum, Drayton Mapel, Zane Matheny, Jocelynn Matthews, Vander McAvoy, Lila McCallister, Ian McCord, Adrian McSparin, Elijah Melton, Jaela Minnaert, Sam Monahan, Adelynn Murphy, Wyatt Murray, Hayley Newburg, Easton Nichols, Garrett Nicholson, Kamryn Nordstrom, Xayden Oaks, Sara O'Dell, Zak O'Dell, Hailey Olson, Kenryk Osborn, Andrew Parrish, Aarav Patel, Elle Patterson, Carter Peacock, Baylen Poffenberger, Teagan Price, Lillian Putnam, Tessa Reveal, Carter Robb, Justin Roemer, Macie Rotz, Jensen Rubitsky, Cooper Sanders, Jack Schaaf, Emma Schneider, Rykken Schweitzer, Braeden Scott, Reese Shannon, Kyndall Shappard, Seren Sharpe, Hunter Short, Michael Sichling, Easton Sigwalt, Aubrey Skinner, Preston Snell, Alexander Soukup, Henry Staffeldt, Jack Sullivan, Scarlett Sunstrom, James Sutherland, Skilynn Tarrant, Gabriel Taylor, Myleigh Thinglum, Savanna Thompson, Rosalie Tillberg, Noah Tully, Genessa Underwood, Charlotte Vandersnick, Jolyn VanDeVoord, Adler VanOpdorp, Lillian VanOpdorp, Easton Veloz, Ryker Vincent, Trigg Vincent, Hudson Vorac, Kenna Weber, Cole Weinzierl, Rosella Wentz, Peyton Wexell, Addison Williams, Caden Williams, Ryland Williamson, James Winkleman, Kyle Wirth, Leotho Woodruff, Henry Woodward, Sesamir Yearby, Aspen Znamenacek

7th Grade

Hadley Abbott, Amelia Anderson, Lincoln Anderson, Oliver Anderson, Joseph Ashley, Alaina Bagby, William Battin, Nyali Bernier, Beau Bomleny, Bristol Boster, Olivia Boyd, Braxton Brants, Grant Brown, Braeden Bunce, Kayden Burkhead, Avery Burton, Mara Castro, McKenzie Caulkins, Isabella Chavez, Henley Cirricione, Avery Clementz, Oliver Conley, Brynn Corber, Emmett Cunningham, Eli Curcuru, Grace Curcuru, Nolan Currie, Lydia Dahl, Asa Dawson, Dace DeGerengel, Aubrey DeGrave, Hannah DeJohn, Levi Delp, Savanna DeSplinter, Aliyah Dewey, Lilah Dollieslager, Nathan Dwyer, Robin Dwyer, Makayla Edlefson, Sara Everett, Grace Feely, Rosalie Fournier, Maxhm Freeman, Gavin Galloway, Maxwell Gehling, Kieran George, Kailyn Gillespie, Emma Gorman, Brady Griffith, Gwenevere Grimes, Kinsley Gripp, Everett Haars, Elizabeth Haley, Scarlett Heller, Andrew Henderson, Owen Henson, Otto Himes, Brody Hoener, Charlie Hone, Drew Hopkey, Catalia Horn, Hayes Hubner, Asher Huffman, Wyatt Hulslander, Noah Hutchinson, Elliot Iest, Drayton Ince, Elijah Ingoglia, Sullivan Jackson, William Jackson, Reid Jacobi, Ember Janusz, Carl Jozwiak, Anna Kamprath, Georgina Kelley, Colton Kies, Christopher Kleckner, Hailynn Krider, Elijah Kushmer, Kennedy Lafriniere, Kinley Lenth, Ethan Logsdon, Audrey Mance, Thea Marolf, Mia Marshall, Remi McKeag, Tanner McShane, Hadleigh Mendoza, Tucker Mesick, Bennett Mickley, Samantha Minnaert-Yocum, Kendall Murphy, Elicio Natario, Grant Nelson, Gianna Parrish, Elia Patikowski, Harper Peters, Claire Peterson, Nicholas Pitsoulakis, Sophia Pollock, Ava Poston, Remington Rahmus, Shae Robertson, Simon Runty, Maksym Saskowski, Mason Saylor, Connor Schaaf, Keira Schultz, Aubry Seals, Colton Seals, Tucker Seals, Braxton Sells, Avery Shamblin, Amelia Shannon, Greyson Sheffler, Katherine Sikardi, Selah Simenec, Joseph Simosky, Natalia Smith, Lila Snook, Brandton Spensley, Charley Spindel, Barrett Strode, Myles Struve, Lance Summers, Connor Switzer, Sienna Temperley, Emma Tice, Lucas VanDeWoestyne, Andrew Versluis, Eben Von Motz, Kate Vorac, Sophia Vroman, Frederick Wachtel, Adelyn Ward, Dru Weinzierl, Averi Weishaar, Matthew Werling, Zachary Werthmann, Kinslee Westfall, Brynn Wildemuth, Emmery Williamson, Avery Wilshusen, David Woods, Hadley Wyffels, Jase Wyffels

6th Grade

Carver Allen, Kennedy Armstrong, Shelby Ash, Emerson Babcock, Carson Bagby, Titan Ballard, Meela Bechtel, Josephine Benore, Tommie Bess, Eliza Bieneman, Lenna Bolme, Morgan Bomleny, Ashton Boone, Irie Boone, Madyson Brabson, Ellis Brown, Carter Buckley, Anna Carlson, Bailey Christ, Cruz Combs, Paceyn Davis, Kylie DeCastecker, Kamdyn Dechant, Kellan DeReu, Tanner Dwyer, Eden Ebert, Tatiana Eiselstein, Bear Farber, Alaina Finley, Ethan Frank, Adriana Frew, Breckyn Granell, Urijah Greene, Sophia Griffin, Miles Griswold, Maura Hamilton, Noah Harris, Camryn Hawkins, Ivery Hull, Kyler Hull, Daxton Ince, Gracie Jacobs, Lucille Johnson, Ava Jolly, Simon Jones, Hudson Joseph, Lena Kempher, Brooks Kennedy, Zayden Klein, Lily Knackstedt, Easton Koster, Michael Lobdell, Regann Lopez, Georgia Maddox, Ryker McAvoy, Ian McCarty, Colin McCord, Rachel McGee, Holden Minnaert, Isaiah Munoz, Elizabeth Murray, Walter Newburg, Easton Patterson, Henry Pivovarnik, Owen Pogue, Wyatt Quinn, Marissa Roush, Lillian Rowold, Owen Russell, Romynn Salyars, Ryder Satterly, Bain Schwager, Macy Seibel, Gavin Shehorn, Evan Sigwalt, Averie Simpson, Lillian Sisson, Levi Skinner, Vincent Spindler, Kane Stees, Remington Swanberg, Braelyn Thinglum, Lilah Thompson, Vincent Thurman, Gavin Tiffenback, Emmersyn Timmerman, Aaron Tranel, Leo Turigliatti, Dashall Urquiza, Korinne VonHolten, Cooper Vorac, Harrison Vorac, William Walck, Ryne Wentz, Myles Werner, Britta Wildemuth, Colin Williams, Alexander Wolfe, Atilah Wyffels, Drew Wyffels

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Lydia King Makes History for GHS Girls Wrestling

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  Geneseo High School junior Lydia King, left, recently reached 100th wrestling match wins.  She is photographed with GHS Wrestling Coach Carly Rusk. Photo by Garrett Newman

Lydia King made history at Geneseo High School when she reached her 100th win in the Girls’ Wrestling Quad Meet held Jan. 2 in the GHS gym.

   King, the daughter of David and Rachel King and a junior at GHS, said she was aware that match would be her 100th win after she won her first two matches earlier in the meet.

   She said, “As soon as I pinned the girl, I heard everyone cheering for me.  I saw my parents, teammates and coaches were very excited.”

   King’s interest in wrestling began when she was in eight grade and it was in her freshman year at GHS that Girls’ Wrestling became an official sport at the high school.

  She said she chose to be part of the girls’ wrestling team as a result of her brother having been on the wrestling team at GHS… “I chose this sport because of my brother.  (Owen King who graduated from GHS in 2025) I watched him wrestle since I was little, and as soon as I heard other girls were doing it in eighth grade, I knew that I needed to join!”

   She also plays softball.

   “Wrestling means so much to me,” King said.  “It has taught me so many lessons and has put me through hard things, but those hard things have changed my mindset completely. My wrestling coaches mean everything to me.  They stay with me even when I’m down.  They never give up on me and always push me forward.”

   When King was asked about wrestling being considered an “individual sport,” she agreed, but added, “But you and your teammates go through the same hard practices so when you accomplish something big, everyone knows and is excited for you.”

   Her favorite memory in wrestling thus far was “winning at State against a girl I lost to at Sectionals and being able to medal my first year at State.  Also, seeing my family cheer for me!”

She added, “Being the first Geneseo girl to reach 100 wins is a huge accomplishment, especially during my junior year.  I worked so hard for that moment and getting it at home was even more amazing because more people were able to some and cheer me and my team on.”

   King’s goals include winning at the State Wrestling Meets in her junior and senior years of high school “and to compete in college!”

SOME FUN QUESTIONS KING ANSWERED:

Any advice for young wrestlers? - King answered, “When you first join wrestling, don’t get discouraged, keep trying and working hard.  Sooner than later, you will be better than you thought and you will be winning more and more matches.”

Favorite food? – “My favorite food is definitely sweet potatoes!”

What are you looking forward to most after the wrestling season? - “I am looking forward to competing in freestyle over the summer and trying to qualify for Fargo!”  (King explained that “Fargo” is a “huge Freestyle Tournament in Fargo, ND, and you have to go to Freestyle State to qualify.”)

2025 GHS Fall Honor Roll

First Honor Roll - 3.50 to 5.40 GPA

Class of 2026

Harrison Air, Zara Andersen, Isabella Angelo, Natalie Aukee, Eliana Barickman, Zoey Baughn, Calvin Bell, Ethan Bell, Grady Bernahl, Christopher Berry, Greta Bolme, Grant Bomleny, Erin Bowers, Bryson Boxell, Ava Brewer, Aidan Bries, Reid Brodersen, Isabella Brooks, Brennan Brown, Aiden Brudos, Liberty Brumbaugh, Graysen Carlson, Jessica Cartwright, Jordan Cechowicz, Joei Christopherson, Mylee Clark, Brody Clementz, Liam Coleman, Jack Cooper, Jameson Coppejans, Erika Cotty, Samuel Curcuru, Anna Davis, Ava DeSplinter, Keira Disterhoft, Tyler Dowdal, Kaydee Eighmy, Quinnland Einfeldt, Cara Ettore, Perry Farley, Landon Favri, Jonathan Freadhoff, Taber Fulks, Anabella Goethals, Breckan Gomez, Cora Gorman, Dalten Grimes, Hayley Henry, Lucas Herstedt, Christopher Hill, Payton Hofer, Carter Holke, Jacob Holley, Alexandria Hull, Adam Johnson, Kameryn Keegan, Andrew Kelly, Erik Kelly, Owen Kelly, Charlotte Kroll, Brennan Lambin, Catherine Lehman, Karen Lester, Emma Loehr, Hannah Loehr, Tavion Mangin, Brock Marshall, Jackson McAvoy, Dawsyn McDonald, Hannah McGee, Cameron Melchert, Jackie Milem, Jaiden Minnaert, Janey Neumann, Wyatt Neumann, Gavin Nicholson, Isaac Nixon, Landon Nordstrom, Eliana Oaks, Reyhan Onder, Mahi Patel, Lucille Peters, Michael Peterson, Taylor Peterson, Landry Possin, Jordan Ramirez, Elizabeth Rapps, Madison Reade, Cy Sammons, Chase Sanders, Hayden Schaaf, Bee Scheider, Nina Schmedding, Mckinsey Sharp, Remy Sharpe, Leland Stickle, Hannah Stone, Tucker Tarkington, Paislee Tuggle, Jay VanHerzeele, Quinntyn VanHyfte, Callie VanKerrebroeck, Kwin VanKerrebroeck, Ashton Veloz, Cameron Walker, Kye Weinzierl, Madeline Wells, Kjerstin Wildemuth, Kathryn Wilson, Claire Yenor, Ryan Zeitler

Class of 2027

Alejandro Aleman, Elena Anderson, Keaton Ariano, Flynn Arnett, Alexandra Bagby, Mia Balensiefen, Jacob Berry, Eleanor Bertelsen, Annabelle Betcher, Nathan Billingsly, Erik Bjorkman, Grant Bjorkman, Taylor Boone, Ethan Brown, Isabella Brown, Lillian Brown, Jaydon Burrage, Grace Carlson, Kolby Causemaker, Callie Copeland, Evelyn Dahl, Sally-Ann DeBlieck, Aiden DeCap, Claire DeGrave, Carter Dickey, Alexandra Duncan, Remlee Dwyer, Leah Falk, Taefyl Freeman, Tyler Gerstel, Tyler Gross, Emily Haverback, Keely Henry, Cheyenne Hopkey, Megan Hursman, Maddox Jansen, Mckenna Johnson, Micah Johnson, Scarlyt Johnson, Trenton Kennedy, Matthew Kerschieter, Lydia King, Mckenzie Krug, Gannon Marckese, Aria Mayo-Bechtel, Jack Mickley, Madilyn Minnaert, Reese Minnaert, Dain Moens, Clarabelle Musser-VanHerzeele, Mark Nelms, Tyler Nelson, Lainey Norville, Esref Onder, Samuel Ortiz, Eli Palmer, Carson Peters, Viola Pettit, Carson Pratt, Maddison Rakestraw, Natalie Reisner, Dominic Ritter, Landon Rogers, Sydney Rosas, Nevaeh Rotz, Hayley Rubitsky, Brooklyn Ruby, Connor Runty, Ayla Schultz, Nyna Schweitzer, Brylee Sheffler, Brooke Shollenberger, Reid Simpson, Brooklyn Smith, Carson Smith, Ayame Stroh, Claire Swanson, Joseph Thoene, Jeel Vakharia, Jiya Vakharia, Kaden VanAntwerp, Emma Vandeveer, Delaney Vroman, Lucille Wachtel, Kendyl Wassenhove, Connor Webster, AvaLynn Westfall, Jayden Wexell, Alexis Williams, Robert Wolfe, Rebekah Zimmerman

Class of 2028

Raidyn Allison, Stella Allison, Claudia Angelo, Cyrus Babcock, Katherine Barickman, Landon Barnett, Layna Bassett, Luke Bedford, Lillian Bellagamba, Evan Bender, Tivya Bernier, Fritz Bolme, Braxton Boone, Kanon Boster, Alivia Brown, Jaylee Brudos, Rylan Carlson, Lydia Carton, Quinn Cherry, Taeton Chirchir, Ella Clementz, Cole Clifton, Ellah Clifton, Harrison Conley, Elijah Coppejans, Brayden Cox, Mallory Daniels, Evelyn DeBaene, Emilie DeCastecker, Madelyn DeJohn, Olivia DeSplinter, Isla Disterhoft, Sophia Doyle, Camryn Ebert, Megan Ehlert, Mason Emerick, Brycen Fahnestock, Andrew Feely, Phoenix Ferro-Heller, Jasmine Foss, Jackson Frank, Carter French, Gretchen Fuelling, Hannah Fuelling, Jacey Gehl, Gavin Gillespie, Lillian Gurney, Karlee Hankins, Kade Heilman, Kaylin Heller, Cole Henson, Skylar Hileman, Cameron Jansen, Austen Kane, Anabella Kelley, Penelope Kline, Lilah Klotz, Mayson Lambin, Cooper Largent, Isabella McConville, Raygen McKeag, Ian McShane, Addison McSparin, Catalina Meis, Faith Mierop, Jason Milem, Natalie Minnaert-Yocum, Ainsleigh Misfeldt, Keelie Mueller, Micah Nicke, Anastasia Pitsoulakis, Aleksie Possin, William Rankins, Macey Rosholm, Ida Rowold, Ella Schaaf, Meghan Scheider, Jaxson Seals, Ella Shannon, Alyssa Simpson, Stella Smith, Addison Snell, Sophia Snell, Sydney State, Addilyn Swan, Ella Taylor, Luca Turigliatti, Eden VanOpdorp, Patrick Versluis, Kailee Von Motz, Nicole Werling, Hannah Wildemuth, Sage Windisch, Peyton Woodruff

Class of 2029

Cole Anderson, Paisley Arnold, Avery Bagby, Jocelyn Bagby, Anna Berry, Daphne Bertelsen, Hannah Billingsly, Cullen Boone, Boston Brewer, Leila Bries, Peyton Brodie, Charlee Bruce, Annika Brumbaugh, Landen Burk, Helo Castro, Leah Cooper, Autumn Cunningham, Alexander Darnall, Gavin Davis, William Davis, Ellaina DeLoose, Henry Dwyer, Kyle Everett, Sawyer Forsythe, Landon French, Eleanor George, Maci Gorman, Hailey Griswold, Owen Harris, Karoline Hasson, Kenzi Hasson, Taylour Hein, Emma Hofer, Hunter Hoover, Ellie Jackson, Eli Johnston, Madison Kuethe, Faith Kuster, Zebin Lin, Chloe Mance, Liliana Marshall, Wyatt Mickley, Gibson Minard, Emma Minnaert, Tad Moore, Paul Nelms, Katrina Nerud, Suzanne Neumann, Mia O'Dell, Isabella Ong, Henry Pratt, Annie Reed, Payton Riffe, Eve Robb, Isaac Ropp, Cormac Round, Olivia Ruby, Jocelyn Russelburg, Novak Ryerson, Reese Schaaf, James Seals, Blazen Sellers, Chelsea Shamblin, Mark Shoemaker, Paige Sides, Benjamin Simosky, Kinley Smith, Jack Snook, Milla Stewart, Genevieve Talley, Ean Tank, Ethan Temperley, Garrett Tranel, Sophia Urquiza, Jaxson VanAntwerp, Ella Versluis, Khloe VonHolten, Charlize Wachtel, Lucy Walck, Molly Wannemacher, Ashlyn Werthmann, Lilly Wilshusen, Giana Wurslin, Levi Wyffels, Jett Znamenacek

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Second Honor Roll - 3.00 to 3.49 GPA

Class of 2026

Callen Apt, Lincoln Barnett, Bella Bailey, Jocelyn Cechowicz, Matthew Darnall, Margaret Elder, Addison Erickson, Boone Forsythe, Emily Hall, Bradley Hartman, Jarett Hasson, Grady Hull, Malaki Jackson, Alfredo Jimenez, AJ Juarez, Peyton Kies, Aisaiah Klick, Devan Lagaisse, Emma Massingill, Owen Maxwell, Aden McCann, Linclon Misfeldt, Eliana Nelson, Serina Nimrick, Shrey Patel, Meya Pollock, Jacob Ramsay, Annabelle Ropp, Mya Splear, Izabella Stewart, Evelyn Wendland, Emily Yackley

Class of 2027

Mackenzie Air, Lilliana Anderson, Nathaniel Boone, Payton Boone, Evan Brooks, Wyatt Bruce, Ian Catour, Phoenix Corlew, Louis Davidson, Andre Diediker, Ruby Efflandt, Jaxon Ernst, Madelyn Farnum, Izaac Gaines, Ethan Galloway, Logan Goodwin, Joseph Haser, Jakob Hodges, William Holley, Lambeau Janczak, Alexis Johnson, Jack Kreiss, Delaney Lagaisse, Noah Laughlin, Khyler McDowell, Jordyn Miller, Zackery Nanninga, Lauren Piquard, Sydney Rasmussen, Lillian Roodhouse, Jennifer Sanchez, Finnegan Schaad, Kie Smith, Molly Snyder, Easton Swan, Emerson Swan, Rolan Swanson, Vera Vincent, Landon Weimer, Justin Williams, Kylee Wisely

Class of 2028

Logan Betcher, Allison Boone, Mickayla Bowles, Makayla Bros, Nolan Burton, Sophie Carter, Greyson Claerhout, Hayden Damewood, Bryce Diehl, Jack Drouin, Kamee Eighmy, Zoe Friedline, Jack Gehling, James Hill, Dawson Hull, Annibelle Juarez, Anadiyah Karn, Noah Klick, Taylor Lohberg, Rayne Mangin, Grace McCallister, Alice Miller, Madison Morrison, Quin Nichols, Marlie Nowlin, Mollie Parr, Jonah Penca, Jadynn Pollard, Memphis Ramsey, Colin Roemer, Dylan Schneider, Brooklyn Schnowske, Titus Schweitzer, Emma Sebastian, Madelyn Sherman, Haylee Short, Maycie Sims, Kyla Strode, Cole Tully, Chase VanDeWoestyne, Kellen VanKerrebroeck, Jayden Wheaton, Olivia Yost

Class of 2029

Jocelyn Aguirre, Alex Balensiefen, Evan Beil, Callen Black, Jocelyn Calloway, Charleigh Campbell, Savannah Carlson, Ashlynn Chamberlain, Harrison Clark, Charley Courson, Zachary Davis, Christian Dawson, Davin DeBoef, Lilyonna Decker, Jacksen Doubet, Brenna Dykstra, Eli Egert, Chazz Eng, Elijah Erickson, Faroh Finch, Kane Fuelling, Emily Garcia, Bryce Gillespie, Ava Graham, Wesley Graham, Daegan Hansen, Lyla Henry, Emmett Hill, Easton Hornback, Cooper Hudson, Anthony Jackson, Owen Jacobi, Brynn Kinney, Andrew Kreps, Michael Lawson, Isabella Lewis, Kellan Miller, Ryder Painter, Jackson Parker, Faith Schaver, Emma Schroeder, Gage Steffes, Allison Tice, Grace Toney, Aiden Weishaar

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Sarah Says Things: My New Year’s Resolutions (Already Going Well, Thanks for Asking)

It’s January 2, which means we’ve officially reached that magical time of year when half the population is still insisting they’re “starting strong,” and the other half is quietly shoving their abandoned resolutions into the same drawer where expired coupons and unmatched socks go to die.

Guess which category I’m in.

Every year I make the same mistake: I step into January like a delusional Victorian child dreaming about a better life, convinced that this will be the year I transform myself through sheer force of will. New year, new me. New habits. New discipline. New level of emotional maturity. I’m basically a self-help book with legs.

And then January 2 hits.

Let’s review how my resolutions are going so far:

Resolution #1: Drink more water.
Great idea in theory, until I realized that “drinking more water” means actually remembering to drink it. I filled a beautiful new water bottle yesterday. It is currently full. Completely untouched. Sitting on the counter like a $38 piece of performance art titled “Hydration Is a Lie.”

Resolution #2: Eat better.
I started strong by eating a piece of fruit. It was dried fruit. From the remains of a charcuterie board. But still. Fruit.

Resolution #3: Be more patient.
I was patient for an entire nine minutes until someone asked me where the milk was, which—shockingly—was in the refrigerator, exactly where it always is, exactly where it will always be, until the end of time. My spiritual growth journey continues.

Resolution #4: Declutter the house.
Technically I am decluttering. I moved three holiday items from one counter to a different counter. That’s called “visual flow,” thank you very much.

Resolution #5: Spend less time on my phone.
I absolutely crushed this one. I set a limit on my screen time. And then I immediately ignored it because I am not going to let an app boss me around in my own house.

The truth is, New Year’s resolutions are basically adult Santa letters. Full of hopes. Full of dreams. Full of promises we absolutely cannot keep.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t try—I’m just saying maybe we could all calm down with the pressure to reinvent ourselves overnight when most of us are still pulling tinsel out of the carpet.

If you’re already off the rails two days into the year, congratulations. You’re a normal human adult doing your best in a world where half the population apparently wakes up at 4 a.m. to drink lemon water and journal, and the rest of us are reheating coffee for the third time and hoping the day goes easy on us.

Here’s my official stance for 2026:
If the resolution wasn’t working for you anyway—ditch it. Today. Right now. Release it into the universe like a little dove of freedom.

You can always “start fresh” on March 4. Or June 12. Or the second Tuesday in September. Time is fake. Calendars are suggestions. Self-improvement is not a group project.

So cheers to another year of us trying, failing, laughing about it, and then trying again in whatever chaotic, half-hearted, deeply human way we do best.

Happy January 2. The real new year starts tomorrow.