Kindle Interviews For Norfolk Schools Opening

From P&D Staff Reports

Yankton High School (YHS) principal Dr. Wayne Kindle interviewed for the superintendent opening at Norfolk Public Schools on Wednesday.

He said he began the interview process at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, with his final interviews at 8:30 p.m. that evening with the Norfolk School Board.

Kindle said candidates were asked to limit their discussion with the media until all interviews are completed so he did not offer any additional comments.

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/21/community/doc5125967857511846921768.txt

YCTC Seeks New Home

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

The Yankton Children’s Theatre Company (YCTC) has been rehearing in the old Elks building, in the 400 block of Walnut, for several years, knowing that the facility could be sold at any time.

That time has come.

“The Old Elks building has been our home base for several years, so having to move at this point is certainly a challenge,” said Jill Paulson, president of YCTC. “However, we plan to do everything we can to work towards the continued progress of the organization, despite this bump in the road.”

The YCTC has been informed that the building will be sold after May 1, but they must be out by that date.

Paulson added that since the building has been for sale before, it was always a possibility that they would have to move out at some point.

“On a few occasions, we have reached out, or attempted to reach out, to property owners in the community that we felt might have empty or underutilized buildings that could fit our needs,” Paulson said. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to find, or connect with, the right opportunity at the right time. Through connections on our current board, we do have a few possibilities to explore, but we certainly do not have anything definitive in the works at this time.”

The building is scheduled to be sold at a hectic and busy time for YCTC. They have just completed one of their major annual fundraisers this past weekend, and are still in rehearsals for their largest production of the year, “Aladdin and His Wonderful Magic Lamp.”

Paulson said this will be an issue that YCTC will need to continue to work on as it moves forward.

“If we cannot find a new home, we are prepared to put our large collection of costumes, props and set items in storage temporarily,” she said. “This would not be an ideal situation, but we’re committed to keeping these creative opportunities open and available to all Yankton-area youth and their families.”

In YCTC’s current situation, officials are able to build their sets, prepare costumes and hold all of their initial rehearsals at the old Elks building. However, the building, Paulson says, is not a viable location for productions, so the YCTC must rotate between the three main theatres in town (Dakota Theatre, Summit Center Theater and the Marian Auditorium), based on the needs of the production and availability.

“In an ideal world, YCTC would love to find a home that would allow us to do all the things like rehearsals, set construction, productions in one place,” Paulson said. “This would not necessarily require a ‘traditional’ theater space — we are a creative group of people and might see possibilities in spaces that others might not. This would only increase our ability to enhance and grow our productions and offer new        programming.”

She added that what YCTC needs more than anything is a constant and stable location for storage, set and costume construction, as well as rehearsal space.

The YCTC has been instructed to be out of the building no later than May 1. However, that date may change.

“We have not been informed of a specific date at this point, but it is our understanding that the building will go up for auction sometime after May 1,” Paulson said.

She added that programs like the YCTC are important for the public because often arts-related programs are being cut in schools, so community-based programs for children, like YCTC, are increasingly  important.

Members of the YCTC are encouraging the public to call executive director Allison Spak if they think they have a space, or know someone that does, that might work for the organization.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/22/river_city/doc5126dd0940562915271008.txt

‘Aladdin’

Queen Sultane (Haylee Heinemeyer) and the Sultan (Jacob Smith, center) confer with Aladdin (Sky Nockels, left) while Ali Bubba (Sam Carda) looks on in the Yankton Children’s Theatre Company production of “Aladdin And His Wonderful, Magical Lamp,” which will be presented at the Dakota Theatre in downtown Yankton Feb. 28-March 3 and March 7-10. To see or purchase images from this event, visit spotted.yankton.net. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

Classic Tale Is Brought To Life By YCTC

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Although Tara Gill has an extensive background directing plays in Yankton, “Aladdin And His Wonderful, Magical Lamp” will be her first time heading a show for the Yankton Children’s Theater Company (YCTC).

“The people from the Yankton Children’s Theatre Company asked me to direct a play for them so I thought I’d give it a shot,” Gill said. “I directed ‘Annie’ for Lewis and Clark (Theatre Company) and enjoyed working with the children in that production, so I thought I’d give an all-kids play a shot.”

She added that she is thoroughly enjoying her first production with YCTC, and looks forward to directing more plays with them in the future.

Gill said that when many people think of “Aladdin”, they often think of the Disney version of the production. However, this play is more of an adaptation of the original version of the book.

“Aladdin is a boy who gets into a lot of mischief,” Gill said. “He’s always looking for an adventure, and because of that, it leads him to get into trouble.”

Eventually Aladdin comes across Jamaal, who is an evil magician in search of a genie lamp. Through all of Aladdin’s adventures, he meets Princess Jasmine, who is supposed to get married soon. By the end of the play, he ends up with Jasmine.

“It’s just a cute musical, with a lot of new music,” Gill said. “The play doesn’t have the same songs as the Disney version, and the characters have different names. Although the story is similar, this is a different perspective on it.”

She added that the characters in the play are fun, and each have their own, individual personalities.

The production will be held on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday the weekends of Feb. 28 and March 7. Sunday shows are at 2 p.m., all others are at 7:30 p.m. at the Dakota Theatre.

“The kids we have in this play have worked so hard and it’s truly an all-kids production,” Gill said. “We have a lot of talented kids in this town and the play incorporates dancing and acting. We need a good audience to keep them motivated and keep them in theater. Coming out to the show is a good way to support YCTC and everyone involved with the play.”

Cast List:

Jamaal — Jordan Kuipers

Halima — Olivia Hudson

Scheherazade — Blake Wieseler

Alakazam (monkey) — Gage Becker

Aladdin — Sky Nockels

Chop Chop — Logan Haak

Princess Jasmine — Megan Haselhorst

Sheba — Jordan Walter

Zara — Rachel Wood

Ali Bubba — Sam Carda

Dragon — Daniel Bruegman

Queen Sultane — Haylee Heinemeyer

Sultan — Jacob Smith

Neela — Catherine Perekslis

Mother of Aladdin — Gabby Slowey

Merchant Woman (Jarma) — Tajia Schamp

Merchant Woman (Sahria) — Tori Class

Genie of the Ring — Kaycee Smith

Genie of the Jewel — Kaitlin Paulson

Genie of the Lamp — Anna Carda

Genies-in-Training — Aria Beaudette, Raina Schaeffer, Joselyn Pearson

ROYAL PROCESSION:

Asha — Emily Wieseler

Asad — Jaden Pearson

Hadi — Makayla Palacek

Nadim — Cory Lucht

Nadira — Emma Eichacker

Prema — Anjeliene Schaeffer

TOWNS PEOPLE:

Safia — Jasmine Gill

Thana — Tess Zoss

Ashan — Alyssa Ogstad

Saleem — Carson Heinemeyer

Hema — Cora Johnson

Abbud — Joseph Wieseler

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/20/community/doc512452a699368214609745.txt

Forum Tackles Medicaid Expansion

Joy Smolnisky, director of the South Dakota Budget and Policy Project, discusses the pros and cons of South Dakota joining the Medicaid expansion plan, during a forum held Tuesday at Mount Marty College. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

The pros and cons of Medicaid expansion were discussed during a forum held at Mount Marty Tuesday.

Joy Smolnisky, director of the South Dakota Budget and Policy Project, reviewed the potential positives and negatives of Medicaid expansion and also took time to answer audience members’ questions.

Smolnisky said the Affordable Care Act has five components to it that will not change regardless of potential Medicaid expansion in South Dakota. Those components include coverage guarantees, insurance exchanges, federal tax credits to help pay for insurance, an individual mandate and funding provisions.

“The main concept of health care remains the same: If someone is sick, we will treat them,” she said. “However, with provisions in the Affordable Care Act, no one can be turned down for insurance because of preexisting conditions. Insurance also has to be affordable, given someone’s income level.”

Smolnisky added that 20 percent of non-elderly South Dakota adults do not currently have insurance, and that number could come down if Medicaid expands in the state.

One of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act — federal tax credits to help individuals pay for insurance — works under the premise that if a household or individual has a lower income, they are entitled to lower premiums. However, as their income increases, they take more responsibility for their costs of insurance, making their premiums rise with income level.

Smolnisky said that the 2014 insurance exchange subsidies will only be in place for those that are within 100-400 percent of the federal poverty level. Thus, those under 100 percent of the poverty level and above 400 percent are not eligible for the subsidies.
Without Medicaid expansion in 2014, there will be approximately 30,000 South Dakota residents left uninsured.

“Some of the lowest income residents across the state will not be eligible for certain aspects of the health care reform,” Smolnisky said. “In some cases, if someone has an income that is too low, they will not qualify for federal subsidies to buy insurance and their income would also be too high to qualify for South Dakota Medicaid, if the state chooses not to expand the program.”

She added that the expansion decision might be purely political for legislators.

“If South Dakota does decide to expand, and then they don’t like the results, they can choose to change back to the old Medicaid program,” Smolnisky said. “There is also a broad array of folks out there, both providers and consumers of health care, that are in support of the expansion. However, regardless of the decision, health care reform and Medicaid must continue to be monitored by officials.”

She said the Medicaid expansion decision would primarily impact the poor, adults without children, non-elderly and parents who are between 50 and 100 percent of the federal poverty level.

“It makes economic sense for the state to expand the Medicaid program from the perspective that they would get a 10 to 1 match from the federal government for the program,” Smolnisky said. “It brings money into the state to provide care that is needed for poor people. If, down the line, the government can no longer afford to give funding to states for the Medicaid program, South Dakota can switch back to the old program.”

There will be a public hearing on Medicaid expansion today (Wednesday) in Pierre at 10 a.m. The hearing will also contain a period of public testimony where South Dakota citizens can voice their opinions on the Medicaid expansion decision to legislators.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

Daily Dose: Trip To Lincoln A Memorable Experience

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

After starting my job with the P&D straight out of Journalism school at Michigan State University at the end of last May, I made my first trip down to Lincoln this past weekend to check out the University of Nebraska and take in the MSU vs UNL basketball game.

The trip was memorable. The fans at UNL, even though they don’t care for basketball too much just yet, were nice and cordial.

After a concessions worker saw me in my MSU shirt, he even said to take it easy on them during the game.

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Lincoln, which was with about 100 other Michigan State alumni members from the Omaha-area, but I also believe the new arena will serve UNL well.

Although the game was considered a sell out, it is known they don’t typically draw sold out crowds for most basketball. In addition, the Devaney Center does not have many amenities that newer arenas do. I don’t think it had enough concessions areas and bathrooms, and hopefully that will change with the new arena next year. The new arena might also help UNL a lot in landing top recruits to compete with the other schools in the Big Ten.

All in all, the weekend trip to Lincoln was enjoyable and I look forward to going down there for more events in the future. The fans were nice, the area was nice and it’s always nice to meet up with other college alumni. All told, a great first trip to the University of Nebraska.

http://yankton.net/articles/2013/02/19/community/doc5122fed076bfe825484363.txt

A Distinctive Honor

Jane Pugh (pictured) and Judi O’Connell were honored with “Woman of Distinction” awards during an annual luncheon held at Mount Marty College’s Roncalli Center. (Kelly Hertz/P&D)

O’Connell, Pugh Win Annual Awards For Service

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Women from Yankton were honored for their service to the community during the annual “Women of Distinction” luncheon held at Mount Marty College on Monday.

The program featured a keynote speech from Kristie VerMulm, who was born in South Dakota and now anchors television newscasts at KTIV in Sioux City for 17 years.

VerMulm spoke about the life lessons that people can take from a roll of South Dakota sod.

“The experiences we have, both good and bad, help shape who we are,” she said. “A roll of sod on the side of the road was a big deal for my family growing up. One day my brother wanted to go back and get the roll he saw on the road but my dad already got it. This made me realize that simple things bring joy to families.”

She connected this to volunteering, telling the audience at the Roncalli Center, that our actions can be simple but they can make a difference in the community.

“This event is great because it recognizes people that make a difference in their community,” she said. “All of the women here today have great talents and give up their time to the community. We need more people like that across the country.”

Some of the lessons that VerMulm spoke about including finding humor in your life, understanding the challenges other people might face in the future and to love the life you are living.

“Each of us has a life and a story to tell,” she said. “You’ll never know how many lives you’ve had an impact on, both positively and negatively.”

Their were 10 nominees this year for the Women of Distinction awards, including two who were nominated in both the Outstanding Community Service and Outstanding Professional categories.

Nominees in the outstanding professional category were Joan Neubauer, Judi O’Connell, Jane Pugh and Sister Margo Tschetter. Nominees for the outstanding community service award were Mary Fiedler, Dagmar Hoxsie, Jane Pugh, Joan Neubauer, Diana Roth and Leah Smith.

The winner for the outstanding professional award was Judi O’Connell, while the outstanding community service winner was Jane Pugh.

“I feel so honored to receive this award,” O’Connell said. “All of the nominees here are outstanding Yankton citizens.”

O’Connell founded Judi’s Dance Studio in Yankton and has been involved with Yankton Area Arts, the Dance Network of South Dakota and Beta Sigma Phi.

When Pugh found out about winning her award she said every woman in the room deserves the award, but was appreciative of the achievement.

“Both emotionally and in my heart I can’t tell how much this means to me to win the award,” she said. “I’m honored and humbled and really can’t put any words to it. This event is important because women need to be honored for what they do in the community, and often times that doesn’t happen.”

Pugh has been involved with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Yankton Contact Center and the Human Services Center Advisory Board.

She also noted her battle to overcome drug and alcohol problems more than 20 years ago.

“When I first found out about the nomination, I said ‘Wow,’ and wondered who nominated me and why,” she said. “But I have put in a lot of work in the 24 years I’ve lived in Yankton and felt that it’s what I needed to do to be a part of the community.”

Paula Tacke, who is on the Women Community Leaders Committee of the Yankton Chamber of Commerce, said there were a number of qualities that separated O’Connell and Pugh from other nominees.

“It was a tough decision because there were a lot of really good applicants,” Tacke said. “Judi (O’Connell) was nominated by her daughter, who put a lot of love and passion into her application and resume. Jane (Pugh) had obstacles she had to overcome, but when she did, she went full speed ahead with being involved in the community.”

Tacke added that O’Connell has impacted a lot of lives both within the dance community and with the other programs with which she’s involved.

“This year we had fewer nominees than we’ve had in years past, but the voting for winners was really tight,” she said. “We had tough decisions to make on nominees and winners.”

Carla Addy, committee chair, said this year her group wanted to bring more attention to each nominee.

“The volunteer work that each of these ladies perform daily is truly amazing and inspiring,” she said. “Each nominee provides so much value to the community because of their hard work, and yet their efforts are mostly ‘behind the scenes.’”

Addy added that she enjoys praising the work, dedication and the tenacity of each of the nominees.

“Choosing a winner in each category is a difficult process. The committee works in a democratic matter — each member has one vote — and each member relies solely on the information in the nomination form,” she said. “This event is truly about recognizing the achievements of all the nominees — not just the winners.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2013/02/16/community/doc511ec74c94c3d551522169.txt

Local Man Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

Larry Hames (right), stands with his wife Irene, after he was inducted into the Sacred Heart School Hall of Fame last month. (Submitted Photo)

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/15/community/doc511db7f914b53450227155.txt

Wrestling Community Questions Removal Of Sport From Olympics

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision Tuesday to drop wrestling from the 2020 Olympics is hitting home for many local wrestlers, wrestling officials and other members of the wrestling community.

At the IOC’s meeting, the committee was expected to drop the modern pentathlon, but instead decided to remove wrestling from the games based on various criteria, which included the sports popularity and how many people participate in the sport worldwide.

Dave Cornemann, who started wrestling in elementary school and went on to be a two-time state champion for Gregory High School, a two-time All-American at South Dakota State University, a national champion while in college, a wrestling coach and an official, said he was shocked when he heard about the IOC’s decision.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for them to have dropped wrestling out of the Olympics,” he said. “The sport is popular among high school students across the country and it ranks among the most participated sport among high school students.”

Cornemann, a former Yankton High School coach, added that when schools went through the Title IX crunch years ago, a lot of high schools and colleges were forced to drop wrestling programs as a result of the law, but wrestling was able to weather that storm. He hopes it can weather this one too.

“Wrestling is one of the original sports of the Olympics,” he said. “I don’t know why they decided to drop it, but it could have been for financial reasons. It’s a big blow for the sport, but I don’t think a lot of kids start wrestling in elementary school or junior high thinking they’ll eventually become Olympic champions. I don’t think that’s why they go out for the sport to begin with.”

Dan Specht, who wrestled in high school and college and has also been an official for about 20 years, also can’t understand the decision.

“Wrestling has a long-standing history in the Olympics, so to drop that significant part of the Olympic history is tough to figure out. I think wrestling was dropped for political reasons,” he added. “Think about it, the IOC keeps a sport like Trampoline, but drops the most historic event of the core sports. I think it’s important to note that the deal hasn’t been sealed as of yet, but the recommendation is out there and must stand on its own merit.”

Ryan Hage, coach of the YHS wrestling team, said he was also surprised when he heard about the IOC’s recommendation.

“The IOC, which among other things, emphasizes equality and participation, is going against its very purpose by eliminating wrestling from the Olympics,” he said. “In the United States alone, there are more than 1 million wrestlers, and that is a small number when compared to other countries around the world.”

Hage added that men and women now compete for the right to represent their country in wrestling, with the dream of bringing home a gold medal. In the United States wrestling has the third highest medal count out of all the Olympic sports.

Despite that, he said he doesn’t think anyone knows why the IOC made the decision to drop wrestling.

“I don’t think anyone really knows why they made their decision. Figureheads for wrestling, like Dan Gable and John Smith, were caught off guard and did not know that there was even a possibility that wrestling could get cut,” he said. “Unfortunately, I think the decision was driven by money.”

Mark Manning, the head wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, and a Vermillion native, released a statement on the IOC’s decision, and said he’s just as shocked as everyone else is.

“Removing wrestling from the Olympics would have a far-reaching impact on our sport,” he said in the statement. “It not only greatly affects our current and future Olympians, but it would also damage the sport at the collegiate, high school and youth levels. Hopefully, the IOC will take into account the impact of this decision on the American and international wrestling communities and re-consider when they meet in May.”

Cornemann said the decision is a “big blow” because it takes the sport out of the national and international spotlight.

“The decision does not make any sense to members of the wrestling community,” he said. “There are petitions going around to, hopefully, reinstate the sport in 2020. I hope the IOC reevaluates their decision.”

Specht said he was saddened by the decision and it hit home for him because of the amount of great wrestlers South Dakota has produced.

“South Dakota has had some great Olympic wrestlers including Randy Lewis from Rapid City, Lincoln McIlravy from Philip, Bill and Jim Scheer from Mobridge, and Dennis Koslowski from Doland,” he said. “Those famous South Dakota wrestlers are some I’ve known and wrestled with. Now dreams like they had may be going away for our next generation.”

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

Kindle Named Finalist For Norfolk Superintendent Opening

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Yankton High School (YHS) principal Dr. Wayne Kindle has been named a finalist for the superintendent opening at the Norfolk (Neb.) Public School District.
Norfolk Public Schools cover nearly 69 miles in Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties in Nebraska. The district has seven elementary schools, a middle school (grades five and six), junior high (grades seven and eight) and a high school. It also has an alternative school, Montessori school and an early childhood center. The district has an enrollment of about 4,000 students.
“A professional goal of mine has been to have an opportunity to lead a school district as a superintendent. It is a real honor to be selected as a candidate to interview for the superintendent position of the Norfolk Public Schools,” Kindle said. “I appreciate the leadership and personal qualities the search committee saw in me as a candidate. I am looking forward to meeting the committee, as well as other patrons of their school district.”
Norfolk will interview candidates for the position next week, and the school board will have a discussion the interviews on Feb. 23. The district will no longer accept applications for the position after March 8, and officials hope to have their superintendent hired by April.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

ONLINE BREAKING NEWS STORY:

http://www.yankton.net/articles/2013/02/14/community/doc511d57e07f261912497528.txt

Kindle Named Finalist For Norfolk Superintendent Job

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net

Yankton High School (YHS) principal Dr. Wayne Kindle has been named a finalist for the superintendent opening at the Norfolk (Neb.) Public School District.

Norfolk Public Schools cover nearly 69 miles in Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties in Nebraska. The district has seven elementary schools, a middle school (grades five and six), junior high (grades seven and eight) and a high school. It also has an alternative school, Montessori school and an early childhood center. The district has an enrollment of about 4,000 students.

Norfolk will interview candidates for the position next week, and the school board will have a discussion the interviews on Feb. 23. The district will no longer accept applications for the position after March 8, and officials hope to have their superintendent hired by April.

For more, see Friday’s Press & Dakotan.

You can follow Andrew Atwal on Twitter at twitter.com/andrewatwal

http://yankton.net/articles/2013/02/12/community/doc5119c603f0284191655057.txt

Group Ready To Begin Search For Yankton’s New Superintendent

By Andrew Atwal
andrew.atwal@yankton.net