Who are we?
We are the Rutland High School Junior Class located in Rutland, South Dakota. In our American History Class we are participating in a national project called "Silent Heroes". We chose a fallen soldier in World War II, John Fjeseth, from our state, South Dakota, and made a website dedicated to him. We spent a lot of time researching who he was and what he did. We found out about his division, his family, his future plans, and became closer to him in the process. We met a lot of amazing people throughout the duration of this project. It has taught all of us about each of their lives and how each of them made an impact on us.
Following we're each going to talk a little bit about ourselves so you get a glimpse at who we are.
Following we're each going to talk a little bit about ourselves so you get a glimpse at who we are.
My name is Karee Wicks and I live on a farm 2 miles east of Nunda (a very small town). I'm extremely active in our school and in sports. I'm in band, choir, One-Act Play, All-School Play, Student Council, and FFA. I also play volleyball, basketball, track, and softball (in Volga). I really enjoy doing projects like this one. I completed a website last summer for a different soldier, Reed Smith, from Madison. I had been privileged enough to participate in the Normandy Institute, in which fifteen students and their teachers were chosen nationwide to study World War II and actually go to the Normandy coast (we went in June). I made a website for Reed and loved the feeling I got when I finished. I felt pretty close to the same thing when we finished this project. Hopefully by our efforts John will never be forgotten.
Tucker lives by Colman, SD and has seven siblings (one older, six younger). He was homeschooled until sophomore year when he started coming to Rutland. He is very active in the school through the sports of football and track and drama with One-Act Play and All-School Play. He is also a member of the Student Council and Rutland FFA Chapter. In FFA, he has done quite well in land judging, agricultural sales, and natural resources judging. Tucker enjoys any outdoor activities, with his favorites being riding 4-wheeler and hunting. He hopes to become a police officer in the future.
Hi, my name is Skyelar DeVaney, I live in Madison 15 miles from the Rutland School. I am active in school activities such as football, basketball, and track. I recently joined the National Guard so I feel that this project could mean a lot, and I would be proud if a class was making this for me.
Hi, my name is Marissa Hallan I live across the street from the Rutland School in a big green house, I have five younger siblings. I enjoy extra-curricular activities such as volleyball, basketball, track, I also do football stats and boys basketball stats. I am class secretary and the secretary of Student Council, I participate in band and choir as well. I enjoy spending time with my littlest sister she just turned two, my other favorite thing to do is play sports. This project has taught me that things in the past are sometimes just forgotten and things like this deserve to be remembered. I am glad we got time to remember this soldier and I hope others will learn
Lizzie has attended Rutland sporadically since 6th grade. She currently lives in Brookings, but her family moves around a lot. She has participated in the school All-school play and in choir. She also really enjoys working in the concession stand and has saved our class multiple times by working for those of us in sports.
I'm Erin I ride motorcycle and horse. I am 16 years old. I live in South Dakota. I like to eat, and sleep. I got to talk to a lot of older people about the project.
Marte was a foreign exchange student from Norway who attended Rutland this year. She was a major part of our class and was teamed up with Erin for this specific project. She played basketball this year for the JV and Varsity teams and seemed to enjoy learning the game. She also participated in track for the first portion of the season. I'm extremely happy she chose Rutland this year and know that it was hard for everyone to say goodbye at the beginning of the summer..
Tiana is from Brookings, South Dakota and transferred to Rutland her junior year. She was active in cheerleading, basketball, All-School Play, Student Council, band and choir. Tiana is known as the breakfast/snack provider for the class and most of the high school since the school is so small. She enjoys spending time with friends, her mom, dog and other family members. She also enjoys movies, Neftlix and sleeping as much as possible in her free time.
Nick lives fairly close to the school, but just started Rutland this year. He is very big into sports and played football, basketball, and weight-lifted during the year. He also participated in the Rutland FFA chapter and was in land judging and natural resources judging. In his spare time Nick loves to go hunting, fishing, and ice-fishing.