Academic banquet
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Stratford held the 37th annual Principal’s Academic Banquet on March 21 at the Country Aire ballroom in rural Stratford.
In 1986, the school began recognizing students with the highest academic achievement. Rural Stratford residents Orville and Helen Bornbach worked with the Stratford VFW in 1984 to begin honoring Stratford scholars. The school joined the program in 1986.
The program is sponsored by the Bornbachs, Partners Bank, VFW Post 6352 and the VFW Auxiliary.
This year Orville and Helen’s daughter, Karleen Diedrich, was the guest speaker. Karleen was a 1987 Stratford graduate and valedictorian of her graduating class. Her message to the students and families was centered around being a leader. She encouraged the students to find their passion and follow it, while not being afraid to take risks.
Although the criteria has changed over the years, current students were invited to the banquet if they earned a 3.51 or higher GPA for four consecutive quarters.
First-year students recognized this year are: Peyton Drexler, Rachel Fischer, Matthew Folz, Payton Glenn, Tyler Heckel, Ashley Hollatz, Sailor Kauffman, Allison Lindner, Aliya Manecke, Brady Schmidt, Ashlyn Solinsky, Sadie Weigel, Carissa Weis, Remi Weis, Kressa Wenzel, Henry Zaleski, Landon Zawislan and Benjamin Zuelke.
Second-year students recognized this year are: Noah Barrett, Samantha Budtke, Lexie Christopherson, Kaedyn Dahl, Evan Danielson, Delaney Dennee, Sara Fischer, Rachel Jennings, Dillon Kirsch, Lauren Kraus, Mercedees Kramer, Lance Krieg, Bailey Linzmaier, Sophia Meyer, Tessa Miller, Jackson Ormond, Conner Radtke, Chloe Schafer, Kara Schara, Sabrina Schmidt, John Seitz, Olivia Seitz, Emma Jo Sutton, Conner Weigel, Ava Weix and Ashton Wrensch.
Third-year students recognized this year are: Allison Wiesman, Lauryn Wiesman, Elizabeth Wenzel, Sarah Zuelke, Megan Wiese, Hailey Chapel, Allyson Zuleger, Jaden Bauer, Kylee Manecke, Gavin Kirsch, Darin Heeg, Alexis Folz, Kaden Griesmer, Zackary Seitz, Tanner Oertel, Lydia Golbach, Carolynn Hiebl, Dylan Hollatz and Devin Ulrich.
The Marshfield Area Retired Educators Association (MAREA) met on March 21. The meeting was called to order by president Cindee Loos with 19 members in attendance at the Country Aire.
Following the Pledge to the Flag, the Feb. 21 minutes were approved as distributed and the treasurer’s report was placed on file.
The following are the committee reports. Regarding Community Action, Cheryl Eckert reported the Edgar Circle of Joy is the April recipient, with Kathy Rauen delivering the donations.
Regarding Health Issues, Kathleen Hasenohrl shared some tips for people who are lactose intolerance.
Under Legislative Issues, Doreen Schultz encouraged members to vote on April 5. Trina Tiffany reminded members that when they contact politicians they should be respectful, even if they are not in agreement because people are needed to fill these positions which have become difficult because of disrespectful public treatment.
Regarding membership, Trina Tiffany reported the new directory is now online.
Under pension, Carol Subera reported an increase of 7.4 percent core and 15 percent variable. Bruce Stevens gave information on pension foreign investments.
Regarding Scholarship, Ruby Pinter reported 2022 scholarship applications are due by Tuesday, April 12. She read thank you letters from the two 2021 scholarship winners. Thursday, June 9, is the Festival brat fry for scholarship funds.
Under Sunshine and Shadows, Carol Ballerstein had members sign up to send Eas- ter cards to members. Bruce Stevens shared a reading on AAAD: Age Activated Attention Deficit.
Regarding Volunteer Hours, Karen Winkler encouraged members to continue recording volunteer hours.
Regarding the WREA Foundation, Dorothy Dietsche stated the donation box would be circulated at the April meeting.
The following is the old and new business.
Anne Teska and Carol Ballerstein were thanked from bringing meeting treats and serving as greeter.
President Cindee spoke about the April district state wide meeting. Members attending are Cindee Loos. Doreen Schultz, Kathleen Hasenohrl, Ruby Thomas and Carol Ballerstein. A motion was made by Ruby Pinter and seconded by Trina Tiffany to pay $50 toward meeting mileage. The motion was approved.
Cindee Loos and Doreen Schultz will serve on the committee for secretary and president elect.
See STRATFORD/ page 15 Anne Teska shared information on an upcoming program at Lucile Tack Center.
Door prizes donated by Doreen Schultz were won by Karen Winkler and Joan Zoellner The meeting was adjourned. Next month’s meeting speakers are area foreign exchange students.
Joleen Shade, Chapter President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization which began in Idaho in 2012, was the March meeting speaker.
She said this organization helps ensure that every child has a bed to sleep in in the central Wisconsin area.
There are three ways to get involved. One is to donate materials including mattresses, pillows and bedding. Two is to volunteer to build these bunk beds and three is to sponsor thru donations. These completed beds are then delivered to children thru referrals from schools, Social Services and medical personnel.
Since 2019 over 200 beds have been delivered the beds with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace brand. All beds are twin size with all new bedding included. It costs $250 to build a complete bed with April 23 the next build day at the Marshfield Fairgrounds.
She estimated that 2-3 percent of the U.S. child population does not have a bed. These beds are for children ages 3-17.
Students of the Month
Samantha Budtke was awarded Stratford High School Student of the Month for January, and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wenzel is the Student of the Month for February.
A term to describe Budtke is committed. A committed individual feels dedication adn loyalty to a cause, activity or job; wholeheartedly dedicated.
A nominator said this about Budtke: “She is an exceptional individual who always holds true to herself. I enjoy all the conversations I have with her every day and look forward to having her in class. It’s always great when she pops her head in just to say hi, talk about her weekend or the fair, or the book she just finished.
“She is an outside-the-box thinker and it really shows in her work. She always elevates the rest of the class when other students see what she accomplishes and is truly an outstanding addition to any class. She is consistently compassionate and thoughtful with her words and actions. I have never once seen her act otherwise.”
Budtke is involved in the following school and community activities: band including solo ensemble, pep band and all-conference band; book and art clubs; member of the FFA who volunteers for the FFA dairy breakfast, Easter egg hunt, highway cleanup, bell ringing and chili supper, past FFA chapter parliamentarian and current FFA chapter vice president and she’s in various 4-H Club committees and activities.
A term to describe Wenzel is invested. An invested individual has given a lot of time and effort ot something and cares about it very much. She isn’t simply satisfied with being a part of a club or organization; she is an active participant and leader.
One nominator said this about Wenzel: “She is a leader and role model in and out of the classroom, which is a task and a responsiblity that not all invididuals her age are willing to take. She does so without the expectation of reward or recognition, simply because it is the right thing to do. She also works effectively as part of a tema or as an individual.”
Another nominator said the following about Wenzel: “She has also devoted an incredible amount of time over the last four years as a manager for our highly successful wrestling team. No task has been too big or too small and I have the utmost faith the task will not only be completed, but be done bettter than I specified.”
Wenzel is involved in the following school and community actities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish Club, softball, volleyball, wrestling manager, Caring for Others, forensics, student senate, Family Career Community Leaders of America, Art Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, tutoring, Rotary Winter Wonderland and certified nursing assistant.
Bloodmobile
A bloodmobile will be held from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every other month at the VFW clubhouse in Stratford.
The following Tuesday blood drives will take place at the VFW clubhouse in Stratford: April 26, June 28, Aug. 23 and Oct. 25. No appointments are needed for people to donate blood.
COVID dashboard
Stratford Public Schools reported zero positive cases of COVID-19 as of April 4, out of 933 staff and students.
One hundred fifty-nine Stratford staff and students have tested positive for COVID- 19 since Sept. 1, 2021.
Grab & Go craft
During the entire month of April, adults can pick up a free Grab & Go craft kit from any of the Marathon County Public Library (MCPL) locations.
The kit will contain supplies for making a spring-inspired thimble bouqet pendent.
Kits are free and available while supplies last. For more informaton, people can call the MCPL’s headquarters in Wausau at 715-261-7230.
Book Club
The public is welcome to join the Marathon County Public Library’s Stratford Branch and fellow readers for a wonderful book club discussion at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, on author Matt Haig’s acclaimed novel titled, “The Midnight Library.”
People with questions about the monthly book club can call the Stratford Library at 715-687-4420.
