MOUNT VERNON: High school choir performs at regional contest

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The Mount Vernon High School choir had several students perform at the Regional Solo/Ensemble in Kimball on Feb. 6. Each did a fantastic job and congratulations go out to them.

As the state has done away with the old divisional rating system, each solo or ensemble receives points. Soloists can earn up to 30 points, and need to earn 26 or above to earn a medal. Ensembles can earn up to 35 points, and need 31 or above to earn a pin. Mount Vernon had five soloists who scored high enough to earn a medal, including one perfect score. Soloists who earned medals were Alaina Bertsch, Kelsey Hanson, Haley Hinker, Jordyn Martin and Jazmin Waite. Martin and Hanson also performed a duet that scored enough points to earn them a pin.

A girls’ group also performed, and earned 35 points out of a possible 35. The members of the girls’ group were Olympia Amiday, Alaina Bertsch, Caitlyn Dikoff, Stephanie Goldammer, Kelsey Hanson, Haley Hinker, Shaniya Johnson, Jenna Jones, Abby Mahaffey, Jordyn Martin, Danielle Stoltz, Jazmine Waite and Brooke Winter.

The Modern Woodmen Junior Club of Mount Vernon donated an outdoor flag to the Tom Young Community enter on Feb. 7. The flag was presented to Master Sgt. Bryan Pohlen, currently serving in the National Guard and as a Mount Vernon school board member, at half-time of the varsity basketball game hosted in Mount Vernon.

The flag was donated in honor of all past and present veterans who have served our country. After the presentation, the Junior Club members identified the 20-plus standing veterans in the crowd, recognized them and thanked them for their service. The children in the group also received an “Honorary Sergeant Pin” from Pohlen for their volunteerism. Members present were Samantha Anderson; Hunter, Cole and Ashlyn Pranger; Dylan Reimnitz; Noah and Sidney Malde; Trevor Sweet; and Sabrina Strand.

Activities for the week of Feb. 18-25 include:

Today, there is no school in Mount Vernon. The boys’ basketball team will travel to McCook Central High School with the C game at 5 p.m., the JV game at 6:15 p.m. and the varsity game at 7:45 p.m.

Tuesday, the girls’ district basketball tournament begins. The Mount Vernon Modern Woodmen Junior club members will meet to work on a project to send cards to the VA Hospital and the local fire departments for Easter and will initiate an Adopt-A-Grandparent project. The club is also doing a matching fund project for the Mount Vernon Area Youth Football program to purchase a youth-sized blocking sled.

The matching fund project will be held on Feb. 23 at the Rosewood Barn Lodge, and the money raised from the silent auction will be matched (up to $500) for the purchase of the sled. To donate any items for the silent auction, please contact Fred Prien at 999-6481.

We are also having a “Kids First Campaign” through Feb. 26 and anyone who sets up an appointment to learn more about Modern Woodmen of America and the Junior Club will be entered into a drawing to win one of eight fabulous prizes including Cabela’s and Walmart gift cards. The drawing will be held at the Roadhouse at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in Plankinton. Call Stacey Malde about 236-5611 or 770-6032 to schedule your appointment today or for more information about the club in Mount Vernon.

Thursday, the boys’ basketball team will host Hanson in Mount Vernon in a game rescheduled from Jan. 31. The JV game will be at 4 p.m. with the varsity game to follow. The girls district tournament will continue.

Friday and Saturday, the boys’ state wrestling tournament will be held at Northern State University, Aberdeen.

The Mount Vernon Cemetery Association is accepting bids for the 2013 mowing season. The bid submitted must be per occurrence with trimming included. The deadline for receiving the bids is March 1. Please send inquiries and bids to Linda Jones at 25511 398th Ave., Mount Vernon, S.D., 57363, or by phone at 236-5512. Any and all bids may be accepted or rejected by the Cemetery Board.

The Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. on March 3 at Westy’s. The public is invited to attend.

Tags: our towns, mount vernon