Spotlite Spin-off                         Richfield Senior High
Alumni Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 1
July, 2001

     SUMMER CABARET PLANNED FOR JULY 19th     
Were you in RHS musicals, choir or band? Do you still like to perform, either singly or as part of a group? If so, why not perform in the SUMMER CABARET, Thursday, July 19, 7:30 P.M., in the RHS auditorium - a benefit for the Richfield Foundation / RPS Fund. Theatre director Mary Keepers is leaving after eight years and we want to give her a great send-off, so alumni who worked with Mary are especially encouraged to participate. In addition to a variety of solos and ensembles, the word from Mary is that this year's show may feature 1981 graduate Russ King, better known as the hilarious MISS RICHFIELD 1981!

If you aren't on stage, be sure you're in the audience - you won't want to miss this show!
Tickets can be purchased at the door - $10 adults, $5 students (high school or younger).

NEED MORE INFO?  Contact Mary Keepers at 612-798-6247 by July 13th.


ALUMNI NEWS

    James Delzer, Class of 1996, spent the 1999–2000 school year teaching English at Huijia School in China. Before returning home, James spent four additional weeks teaching in the Camp China Program in Chengdu (Sechuan Province). This spring, James completed his college education at Crown College.

    Nate Winkel, Class of 1996, was drafted in 2000 by the Minnesota Thunder professional soccer team as a back-up midfielder. This season he is a forward, playing 239 minutes in the first eight games and scoring an average of .5 points per game.

    Darby Hendrickson, Class of 1991, is a forward for the Minnesota Wild professional hockey team. On June 9, Darby was one of three Minnesotans to be honored by USA Hockey at its annual congress in Colorado Springs. Hendrickson received the Bob Johnson Award, given to players who excel in international competition. Hendrickson paced the U.S. team at the world championships with three goals, including the game-winner in a quarterfinal victory over Canada.

    John Thoreson, Class of 1972, is President/CEO of J. Weston Walch, a publisher of educational materials located in Portland, Maine. Walch was one of the first textbook companies to make its materials available on disk, for an annual licensing fee. Side note: John’s mother, Julia Thoreson, taught Home Economics at RHS for 20 years, retiring in 1977.
Send your alumni news to Dr. Barbara Devlin, Superintendent, Richfield Public Schools (MAIL: 7001 Harriet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota 55423; FAX 612-798-6057; e-mail: barbara.devlin@ richfield.k12.mn.us). Thanks!

CLASS REUNION INFORMATION

Class of "1976" 25 Year Reunion
Date: Friday, August 3, 2001   Place: City View Banquet & Conference Center (Lost Spur Golf & Country Club) - 2750 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan

Cost: $30 per person in advance, $35 per person at the door. Golfing planned for earlier the same day, picnic and school tour planned for Saturday. For more info, see the Class of 76 Web Page on this site.

Please contact the following people if you have any questions or addresses for yourself OR classmates that we might not have: Cathy (Johnson) Sebastian @ dcpesebastian@mn.mediaone.net or Roxie (Kamps) Lemire @ rlemire@popearch.com

Class of "1981" - 20 Year Reunion
Date: Saturday, August 4, 2001   Time: 6:30 PM   Place: Holiday Inn West 9970 Wayzata Blvd (US 169 & I 394)   Cost: $50 per person before July 16 and $55 per person after.
Class of "1986" - 15 Year Reunion

Date: Friday, September 29, 2001   Place: Fort Snelling Club

Please contact reunionorganizers@msn.com for more info or visit their Website at http://www.minnesotareunions.com/ for both 20 and 15 year reunions.

1991 - 10 year Reunion   (Message posted on Thursday, 24 May 2001)
Hey '91 grads! We will be having a reunion. Hopefully we are shooting for October 2001. Pass the info on. Either Karen Althen or I will post additional info when we have it. Your suggestions are appreciated. I can be contacted at j.skach@att.net. Look forward to seeing everyone.-Carrie Mellesmoen
Plan ahead. . . 1992 - 10 Year Reunion
Date: Saturday June 29, 2002   Place: Holiday Inn on 35W at 94th St. Exit, Bloomington
Contact: Class President, Kari Johnson tobehammer@msn.com or call 612-869-1551
For more information, check out RHS High School Alumni web site, maintained by 1974 graduate Martha Decker at http://deckernet.com/rhs/. Also check out the Richfield Schools web site http://richfield.k12.mn.us

ACADEMICS, ACTIVITIES and SPORTS

  • 2001 graduate Matt Nyflot was named a National Merit Scholar, and eight other seniors achieved Commended status in this year's National Merit Scholarship Competition.

  • The RHS Symphonic Band, under the direction of Colleen Fischer, traveled to Italy from June 19 - July 1, 2001. The band presented concerts in Rapallo, Montecatini Terme, Cortona, and Sorrento, with time for sight seeing and shopping in places like Milan, Pisa, Florence and Rome. The band got back just in time to march in the Richfield Fourth of July Parade!

  • After two years in the Missota Conference, Richfield will become part of the newly formed Classic Suburban Conference this fall, consisting of South St. Paul, West St. Paul (Sibley H.S.), Inver Grove Heights (Simley HS), North St. Paul (No. St. Paul and Tartan HS), Mahtomedi, Hill Murray HS, and St. Thomas Academy. The conference will include both athletics and fine arts activities. The competition will be comparable to the Missota Conference, with half the travel. The change has received widespread support.

  • RHS junior Pat Akpaette broke the state triple jump record with a jump of 49 feet, and represented Minnesota in the National Track and Field Championships in Raleigh, N.C. This year’s state track meet also included a 1:49.76 run in the 800 that beat former Richfield standout and Olympian Steve Holman’s record of 1.50.56 set in 1988.

  • The girls’ softball team, coached by Kim Niederluecke, reached the finals in Section 6AA, losing to the eventual state champion, Robbinsdale Armstrong.

  • 2001 graduate Katie Freeman was awarded the Section 6AA Minnesota State High School League "Triple A Award" for her accomplishments in academics (A+ average), athletics (letters/captain in three sports – volleyball, track & field and basketball), and fine arts (band and drama).

  • Four inducted into the Richfield High Athletic Hall of Fame on June 18, 2001: Rudi Martignacco "Godfather of prep soccer"; Darby Hendrickson (1991) "Mr. Hockey", Attended U of Minnesota, currently a member of the Minnesota Wild NHL Hockey team; Cathy (Sirany) Anderson (1976) Earned 9 letters in track, tennis and cross country skiing; Kris Lindstrom (1991) Captain of Richfield’s golf, tennis and basketball teams. Named Athena Award winner her senior year. Attended Purdue University and was captain of golf team for two seasons. Currently a Professional golfer.


RPS FUND EXPANDS SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

The Richfield Public Schools (RPS) Dedicated Fund was established in 1997 as part of the Richfield Foundation. Currently, the Committee overseeing the Fund consists of twelve people, including seven graduates of Richfield High School. The objective of the Fund is to provide support for Richfield educational programs and activities that might otherwise go without funding. Programs and activities supported by RPS Fund grants to date include:


  • Centennial Elementary - Family math night
  • Sheridan Hills Elementary - Peacemakers conflict resolution program and Woodlake Nature Center field trips
  • Richfield Intermediate School - Musical instruments, gifted program, and take home books and language games for English as a Second Language
  • Richfield Middle School - Family language arts night, a simulated investing experience called the Stock Market Game, and a writer-in-the-school program
  • Richfield High School - After school theatre arts program called Theatre at Three, plus additional support for the fine arts program
  • Community Education – Scholarships for students to participate in after school and summer program offerings.
You Can Help! The RPS Fund Committee aims to positively impact the educational experience of more Richfield students in more ways by expanding the number of grants awarded. In order to do that, we need the help of current parents of Richfield students and all of Richfield’s alumni. There are several ways you can help:

  • If this is your reunion year, consider a monetary donation corresponding to the number of years since you graduated (i.e. $10 for 10th reunion, etc.).

  • When you give to the United Way, designate a portion of your donation to the Richfield Foundation / RPS Fund.

  • Send your tax deductible contribution to: Richfield Foundation / RPS Dedicated Fund, P.O. Box 23462, Richfield, MN 55423.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions. Thanks for your support!
Mike & Sheila Elliot, Co-chairs
(Class of 1979)		 Kari Toensing
(Class of 1988)

Todd Nollenberger
(Class of 1988)

RPS Fund Committee 612-866-4194 612-869-8049
P.O. Box 23462 Toens001@tc.umn.edu Todd@ddcpas.com
Richfield, MN 55423    


Retirees of the Richfield School System
Bruce Abrahamson Community Ed Director 1966-2001
Sandy "Sam" Belkengren RMS Physical Ed./Health 1966-2001
Joyce L. Camp RHS Social Studies 1986-2001
Marietta Cyr Sheridan Hills Food Service 1980-2000
Sue Goodman Sheridan Hills Grade 2 1968-2001
Dick Gorski Warehouse Building Cleaner 1985-2001
Eileen M Hesch Sheridan Hills & Centennial Speech Clinician/Reading Recovery 1970-2001
Lloyd Holt District Bus Driver 1985-2000
Verna Hoy RMS Laundry Worker 1984-2001
Judy Kaster Sheridan Hills Grade 2 1978-2001
Judy Korff   Grade 4 1968-1995
John W. Larson RHS Industrial Tech 1968-2001
Judi Larson Sheridan Hills Grade 1 1967-2001
Judy McCalla Centennial Grade 1 1968-2001
Susan McKnight RHS Special Ed. LD 1962-1967, 1977-2001
Pat McMunn Sheridan Hills Grade 2 1971-2001
Judy Miller District Executive Secretary 1976-2001
Kathryn Nelson Centennial Grade 2 1969-2001
Kenneth Nibbe District Painter 1974-2001
Lonnie Oiseth RMS Language Arts 1967-2001
Muriel Olsen District Food Service Sr. Clerk 1980-2001
Carol Peitzman RHS Special Ed. LD 1973-2001
Michael Plinske RHS Physical Ed. and Health 1966-1988
Cathy Schnackenberg Centennial Grade 1 1970-2001
Ronald Schoeneman District Bus Drive 1986-2000
LeAnn Sweet District Special Programs Sec. 1967-2000
Jeanne E. Thomas RIS Grade 6 1966-2001
Arleen Turner RIS Managerial Assistant 1977-2000


Basketball"HOOPS DAY" PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 6th!

"Richfield Community Hoops Day", a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, is being planned for Saturday, October 6th, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the RHS Gymnasium, as a benefit for the Richfield Foundation/RPS Fund.

The tournament is open to Richfield residents, employees, alumni, and other friends of the Richfield Schools over age 18 - both male and female. In other words, whether you were a star on your high school basketball team or simply like to play pick-up ball today, this tournament is for you!!

The entry fee is $20 per player, with no limit on team size. Games will be 20 minutes, with a 3-minute halftime. All teams are guaranteed to play 3 games. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place and T-shirts for all who register.

For more information or to request a registration form, contact Judy Robison at 612-866-4144.

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