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News from the week of March 1, 2000Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880

 

WWII vet receives diploma from THS

During WWII, thousands of young men and women left high school to serve in America's armed forces. After the war, the servicemen returned home and resumed their civilian lives. Many never went back to earn their high school diplomas.

Last summer, the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning launched a program to link WW II veterans who are still without diplomas with their hometown high schools. State officials hope the high schools will award diplomas to the veterans, now in their 70s and 80s. The goal is to show gratitude to the veterans, and also bring “living history” into the classroom. Participation by both veterans and schools is voluntary.

Tracy native Lawrence Urbanski, now of Hackensack, was one of over 400 WWII veterans who learned about the CFL project and completed an application. Today, 56 years after leaving Tracy High School to serve his country, Urbanski is the proud recipient of a Tracy High School diploma.


Good news for Tracy

Sewer bids lower than expected

Bids for the City of Tracy's long-discussed sewer separation project are lower than expected. Tracy City Council members conditionally accepted a $1,139,954 construction contract from Scott Olson Construction of Huron, S.D. The bid is 21% lower than engineers' estimates.

Engineering, administrative, legal and a contingency fund will boost the prpoject's overall cost another 33% more, to just over $1.5 million.

Construction could begin as early as May. Completion is targeted for autumn of this year.


Springfield native hired as new hospital administrator

A Springfield area native begins duties next week as chief executive officer and administrator for Tracy Area Medical Services and Westbrook Health Center.

Dan Reiner, a 1972 graduate of Morgan High School, is scheduled to begin work Monday. He and his family now live in Missoula, Montana. Most recently, he was the administrator of a hospital and clinic in Salmon, Idaho. Previously, he was vice president at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. He has also held administrative hospital posts in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.


Jenna Boerboom is Region IIIA winner

Tracy Area High School senior Jenna Boerboom is a Region III A Triple-A award winner.

Boerboom and Redwood Valley student Brent Hagen will represent the region in state competition.

Triple A Award recipients are selected by a multi-level process involving member schools of the Minnesota State High School League. Boerboom and Hagen were chosen from among students in 20 Region IIIA schools.

Thirty two students, a boy and a girl from each of 16 regions, are eligible for the state Triple A Award. Each of four state winners, a girl and a boy from both Class A and Class AA schools, will receive a four-year $1,000 scholarship.

League officials will announce state winners at a special banquet on Saturday, March 25.


Rule violation policies spark board discussion

Tracy School Board members are reviewing how District 417 investigates alleged student violations of Minnesota State High School League rules.

The issue was discussed at length by the school board Monday night. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of board member Mike Carlson.

Chairman Dan Zimansky said the District 417 written policy should outline a "basic investigation process." Administrators and the school's athletic director are to work on written guidelines to submit to the board at their next meeting.

Supt. Rick Clark said the school has been investigating five parties in the last three weeks involving alcohol use among students.


Stars shine at school talent show

Ed Sullivan was no where in sight. But students at Tracy Area Elementary's show put on a variety talent show Friday that would have made CBS proud.

Well, maybe.

About 40 brave students delighted their peerswith 17 acts. Presentations ranged the gamut from comedy skits, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental music and singing. All acts were selected from previous tryouts.

The show was capped off with staff presentation of "The Principal's New Clothes," starring Principal Scott Loeslie. The moral of the story - based on the fable "The Emperor's New Clothes" was that children shouldn't be afraid to stand up and say what they think, no matter what others are saying.