Online votes needed for Lawrence-Lawson student selected as Artistonia "Artist of the Week"

A Lawrence-Lawson second grader has been selected as a finalist for this week's "Artist of the Week" award for the PreK-3rd age group in the Artistonia online contest.

If Alexica Seekamp receives the most online votes between now and Saturday, May 25, she will be selected as "Artist of the Week."

To view the finalists and cast your vote, simply click here.  Voting is limited to one vote per computer per day for each age group!

The "Artist of the Week" will be featured on the Artsonia homepage and will receive a commemorative plaque from Artsonia. In addition, Blick Art Materials has generously donated $100 gift certificates to the winning teachers and $50 to the winning artists.

Ten people to retire from the SASD

Pictured left to right are Patrick Thibodeau, Jon Reed, Stephen Farley, Thomas Shauer, and Gerald Schwarz.

Ten people will retire from the Sparta Area School District this school year with a combined 196.5 years of service to the district. They are: 

• Krista Sherin, speech/language pathologist – 25 years of service
• Jon Reed, high school technology education teacher, 34 years of service
• Thomas Schauer, middle school agriculture teacher, 8.5 years of service                                      
• Patrick Thibodeau, high school technology education teacher, 23 years of service
• Sandra Steward, middle school reading teacher, 3 years of service
• Gerald Schwarz, fifth grade teacher, 35 years of service
• Susan Quale, Southside LMC director, 14 years of service
• Steve Farley, AEC custodian,  24 years of service
• Bettye Stigler, intermediate school educational assistant, 23 years of service
• Nancy Cornell, South Side nutrition services, 7 years of services

Spartans advance to Division I Track Sectionals

Congratulations to the following Sparta High School students for advancing to the Division I Track Sectionals to be held Thursday at Madison Memorial High School:
Kayla Rodgers 200m dash
Haley Swanson 400m dash and 800m Run
Jaden Roddick 1600m Run
Rylan Schauf Pole Vault
Way to go Spartans!

SHS graduation set for Friday, May 24

Graduation for Sparta High School will be at 7 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Sparta Memorial Field (weather permitting). There are 156 candidates for graduation.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Sparta High School.

SHS Spring Choir Concert May 21

Graduating senior vocalists will be featured on stage Monday, May 21, for their final concert of the year.  The Sparta High School Spring Vocal Concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

Performing ensembles include Mixed Chorus, Treble Choir, Chamber Choir and Show Choir.

The senior choir members will conclude the concert by performing "Whenever You Remember" by Carrie Underwood.

The concert will be under the direction of Janette Hanson, and is free and open to the general public.

High Point announces graduation

The High Point graduation ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Sparta Area School District Administrative and Educational Center. Candidates for graduation are:

Aaliyah Christy 

Chelsea Hanson

Derrick Amundson

Dominick Garcia 

Jacob Eitland 

Jordan Sagler

LaShae Finch 

Michael Rose 

Roberta Trump

Southside Elementary raises money for Cancer and Gann family

Southside Elementary students and families recently raised more than $1,300 in memory of a teacher and  and to benefit a family that lost their home and personal belongings to a tragic house fire.

Coins for Cancer donations were brought to the school April 15-18 to fill a jar in memory of Deb MacCallum, a third grade teacher, who passed away in December from complications of cancer and all other family members or friends that have been affected by cancer.  There was $846 raised.

The Gann Family Benefit Drive ran April 29-May 2. Classroom teachers collected money to help the Brandon and Emily Gann family. The Ganns have children in kindergarten and second grade at the school. The monetary campaign raised $508.