Congratulations to the SHS Class of 2013

Congratulations to the Sparta High School Class of 2013.
Graduation Ceremonies were held Friday, May 24, at Memorial Field.
Class speakers were Whitney Wendorf, Heidi Schmitz and Halla Ortery.
Photos from the event can be viewed by visiting the districts online photo gallery.

Free fun in store for weekend of June 1-2

Free fun is on tap June 1 and 2 for everyone in Wisconsin’s great outdoors.

On these two days, Wisconsin residents and visitors can fish for free, hike or bike state trails for free, and ride public ATV trails for free. On Sunday, June 2, they can enjoy free admission to state parks and forests.

“Wisconsin great outdoors is always the ticket to fun and on June 1 and 2 it gets even better,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp. “The fun’s on us.”

More information about “free fun” in Wisconsin’s outdoors is available on DNR’s website. Go to dnr.wi.gov and search “free fun.”

Stepp says the free fun weekend is a great chance for people to get together with families and friends and try new outdoors activities, or return to an activity they haven’t done for a long time.

The free activities also highlights the work DNR and partners have done to provide clean water, clean air and great outdoor recreation, and how important they are to Wisconsin’s quality of life and state and local economies, Stepp said.

The 2012 Outdoor Industry Association's Outdoor Recreation Economy survey  shows that Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation economy generates $11.9 billion annually in consumer spending, directly supports 142,000 jobs and generates $844 million in annual state tax revenue.

ATV/UTV free riding new this year

New this year, Wisconsin residents and nonresidents can ride their ATVs or UTVs on public trails for free on those two days. A law advanced by the Wisconsin ATV Association and passed in 2012 created the free weekend.

Normally, Wisconsin residents have to register their ATVs or UTVs with DNR for public use to operate on public trails, or other areas open to the public like frozen water bodies. Nonresident riders normally have to buy a nonresident trail pass to ride on these areas in Wisconsin. On June 1 and 2, the registration and trail pass fees are waived. All other ATV and UTV regulations apply during the weekend.

Free fishing June 1 and 2

The free fishing in Wisconsin on June 1 and 2 applies to all waters. No fishing license is needed to fish any waters -- this includes inland trout and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing, which normally would require a trout stamp in addition to a license. Fishing rules such as limits on the size and species of fish that can be kept do apply, however.

Dozens of free fishing clinics are being hosted around the state by conservation groups and others to help encourage people to try fishing. Free loaner equipment is available at 50 state parks, DNR offices, and partner organizations, according to Theresa Stabo, DNR aquatic education director.

On June 1 and 2, all state trail pass fees on all DNR-owned state trails are waived. Cooperatively-run state trails also may waive fees.

On Sunday June 2, all state park vehicle admission sticker fees on all DNR-owned properties are waived.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on Free Fishing Weekend contact Theresa Stabo, angler education, 608-266-2272; on ATVs, Joanne Haas, law enforcement public affairs manager, 608-267-0798; on state parks and trails, Paul Holtan, state parks, forests, trails and recreation public affairs manager, 608-267-7517 

Sparta High School senior's doodle featured on Google homepage

Sparta High School Senior Sabrina Brady's doodle is featured on the Google homepage today (May 23).

According to Google's official blog, after 130,000 submissions and millions of votes cast, she has been named the 2013 Doodle 4 Google National Winner.

Brady's doodle depicts her best day ever -- a sunny day, shining on an open field when her dad deboarded a plane in California after returning from his deployment in the Middle East. She had been given a flag.

“It was instantly that I saw my best day ever,” Brady said. “I was at an age that I needed my dad.”

Sabrina took about four hours to create the “doodle” for the Doodle 4 Google competition inspired by the theme “My Best Day Ever.” It depicts her reuniting with her dad on that sunny day in California.

"The entire Sparta Learning Community is very excited for and proud of Sabrina. Her hard work, perseverance and dedication is summed up in this amazing work of art," Principal Sam Russ said.

In addition to her doodle being featured on the Google homepage, Sabrina will receive a $30,000 and other prizes. The school also will receive a $50,000 technology grant.

A “doodle” is the logo design that appears on www.google.com periodically to celebrate special events, holidays, or the lives of artists and inventors.

Check out these links about Sabrina's doodle:

Google Official Blog: "Coming Home" by Wisconsin student wins U.S. 2013 Doodle 4 Google competition

La Crosse Tribune: Sparta senior wins Google art contest

WKBT: Sparta High School senior wins 'Doodle 4 Google' national competition

SF Gate: Google's Homepage Feature's the Most Touching Logo Ever

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.