Central High students, school media and career-tech teams honored at Aberdeen School Board meeting

Central High School students and staff presented awards and program highlights to the Aberdeen School District 06-1 Board of Education during its April 28 meeting, celebrating state-level wins in visual arts, broadcast media and career-technical competitions and previewing an elementary math feeder program.

Amber Dahlman, CHS art instructor, told the board she was "proud to share the accomplishments of our CHS art club," and outlined results from Art Wars regional and state competitions. Dahlman said six students entered regional contests, three advanced to state and two became state champions. She described Art Wars as an in-the-moment contest where competitors receive a prompt and have 1 hour, 45 minutes to produce original work.

Student Elta Threelegs, introduced as a junior at Central High School, described her state experience: "My time in Art Wars was actually amazing. I was very nervous when I first started," she said, adding that instructor coaching and practice helped her place in drawing and other categories. Student Ken, who took first place in painting at the state event, and Rainey Labrosse, who placed in digital art and clay, also addressed the board about their work and preparation.

Board members also heard from the district’s student media and production program. Teacher and advisor Mr. Schaffhauser said the school had 10 nominations and won five student production awards, including individual honors and two show awards. Student anchors and producers described the stories and roles that earned recognition. Student Joey Pierce said he served as anchor for Eagles on Live and helped produce award-winning segments; Gavin Bitz said a mental-health story he helped produce was "very touching." Student Preston Brake described operating the TriCaster, the live-video switcher, at competitions.

Delegations from Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and SkillsUSA reported results from state contests. A FBLA student delegation said the chapter returned with 19 state champions and placed in 40 events; Maya Hensman was cited as chapter president. Skills/CTE students described judging and hands-on tasks at state-level events in automotive service and maintenance; competitors reported tasks such as measuring brake runout, diagnosing fuel-pressure issues and other trade tests.

Jared Alberg, principal of OM Tiffany elementary school, briefed the board on building activities and student opportunities, including murals, safety drills with local law enforcement, partnership programs (Dakota Prairie Museum, Brown County 4-H, NSU classes) and family engagement events. Alberg introduced three staff members who led a pilot Number Ninjas program that the school ran this year as a feeder to middle-school MathCounts. One of the program’s senseis said, "It was so fun. And to be in a classroom where everybody wants to learn math was amazing." Alberg said the pilot was successful and more elementary schools will join next year; the program uses timed fluency tests and belt-style progression (green belt, red belt, etc.).

Board members praised students and staff. The board approved the night’s consent agenda before presentations concluded; presenters left after remarks and the meeting continued to business items.

The presentations underscored district extracurricular and CTE pathways that school staff described as providing practical skills, scholarship and career connections for students.