AHS orchestra students score high at regionals

More than 50 Austin High School orchestra students participated in the Minnesota State High School League Region 1AA solo/small ensemble contest on Jan. 25. More than 80 percent of those students scored an “excellent” or “superior rating,” while the La Fiera String Ensemble won “Best in Site” honors. The group performed “Summer” from the “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi. Soloists were accompanied by Sonia Larson and Lorene Strobel of Austin.

Best in Site: La Fiera String Ensemble, Jiyoon Shin, Valentina Truong-Ferriera, Anna Bachmeier, Katie Maxa, Nathan Kestner, Grace Berke, Elijah Kenitz, James Snee, Tristan Lund, Ethan Johnson, Matt Retterath, Ben Walker, Kristen Carlson, Olive McDermott, Sophia Thoen, Natalie Sayles, Emily Johannsen, Jennifer Bogle.

Superior Rating: Kristen Carlson, Zach Fennell, Valentina Truong-Ferreira, Nathan Kestner, Jiyoon Shin, Ethan Johnson, Grace Berke, Matthew Tylutki, Ben Walker, Sydney Hastings, Tristan Lund, Julieta Cervantes, Sophia Thoen, Matt Fennell, Tannis Smith, and Madeline Stroebel.

Excellent Rating: Matt Retterath, Anna Bachmeier, Rosa Palma, Maria Gutierrez, Emily Martin, Elly Magnuson, Jennifer Bogle, Olive McDermott, Josie Nelson, Hannah Voogd, Diana Salas, Noelan Riley, Josh Snee, John Aase, Veronica Bravo, Michael Grabau, Brett Brownrigg, Breanna Ritter, Emily Johannsen, Nyajuok Puok, Maggie Trom, Justice Tabor, Kelly Paredes, Lizette Salazar, Erin Anderson, Sarah Schramek, Blake Kruse, Tori Grev, Yesenia Ortiz, Elijah Kenitz, and Anna Schara.

Hinchcliffe places 6th at regional bee

Eleanor Hinchcliffe placed sixth at the Southeast Minnesota Regional Spelling Bee. Hinchcliffe, a seventh-grader at Ellis Middle School, will go to the Final Spelling Bee on Feb. 25. The grand champion of that bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

Area energy cooperative offers D.C. tour contest

Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services will sponsor two area high school juniors or seniors to take part in the annual Youth Tour Competition for an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. Eligible students within the company’s service area must write a 500-word essay on how they see cooperatives and cooperative business models impacting the U.S. in the 21st century, with reference to the energy sector.

Participants and family members will be invited to attend a banquet on March 20, where the winners will be selected. Students must be present to be eligible.

The tour takes place June 13-19. The deadline to apply is March 7.

For application packet and details, students and/or parents may contact Dawn Schroeder at FMCS (507)373-6421 or 1-800-734-6421 x3104 or dschroeder@fmcs.coop.  Applications can also be found at www.fmcs.coop.

Crosby to take part in orchestra tour

Jacob Crosby, of Austin, will be part of the University of Northwestern Orchestra’s “Symphony in the Southwest” Arizona tour over the next few weeks. The orchestra will play several dates in Arizona before a concert on March 18 in St. Paul.