Goodbye, Rangers! The class of 2012 graduates

HATS OFF TO SENIORS – At the graduation ceremony at Mt. Rushmore on Sunday, May 20, the Hill City Class of 2012 threw their mortar boards in the air signifying their enthusiasm in completing 13 years of education. Administrators, teachers and fellow students seemed to be in agreement with their words that this was an “awesome” class with a promising future. [PN Photo/CAROL WALKER] By Carol Walker As the sun shone brightly for the Hill City commencement exercises at Mt. Rushmore on Sunday the 41 graduating seniors could contemplate bright tomorrows as they thought about jobs or continued education at various colleges and vocational or technical schools. Supt. Mike Hanson encouraged those contemplations along as he challenged the students with a quote, “Let positive thoughts become your words, let positive words become your actions, let positive actions become your character, as your character becomes your destiny.” After Kendra McLaughlin and John Lucas opened the ceremony with prayer, one of the first things the seniors did was to present their parents with a Gerber daisy, their class flower and a token of appreciation for the parental support seniors received along the way. Music was interjected throughout the program as Cory Neubert and Aaron Vitter played a brass instrumental for the Star Spangled Banner. The band, directed by Amy Woodward, played "Arabian Dances" and the choir, directed by Todd Gregson, sang "Here I Am." Introduced by class advisors Susan Roth and Richard Hamilton, valedictorian Jesus Meza and salutatorian Kylie Steever, both students maintaining a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), shared brief remarks with their classmates, faculty, family and friends. Meza remembered as a child asking his father what the little brown pellets were on the ground in the woods. His father told him they were “smart pills.” When Meza tried one, recognized the awful taste of the animal pellet and spit it out, his father said, “See, you are getting smarter already.” Though she didn’t mention it in her speech, earlier in the ceremony Steever was honored by a surprise announcement that she was the recipient of a Dakota Corps Scholarship from the state. This will entitle her to tuition and fees paid for four years of college amounting to about $32,000. High School Principal Todd Satter introduced the honor students who achieved a 3.5 – 3.99 GPA. They were Taylor French, Kaitlynn Langenbau, Katie Lewis, Kassidi Livingston, Kendra McLaughlin, Derek Skillingstad, Kaitlinn Verchio and Sayge Wooldridge. Regents Scholars were announced by guidance counselor Nancy Kennedy, and they were Matea Alexander, Evan Callis, French, Langenabu, Lewis, Livingston, John Lucas, McLaughlin, Meza, Skillingstad, Steever, Verchio and Wooldridge. The diplomas were presented by Hanson and Owen Wiederhold, school board president, and closing the event in prayer were Sayge Wooldrdige and Lucas Brist. Commenting on the exemplary nature of the class of 2012, Satter said, “This class just needs to keep doing what they’ve been doing and keep true to their convictions.”

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Plan unveiled for new VIC park

By Carol Walker In a few years the natural beauty surrounding the Visitor Information Center (VIC) could be enhanced with the addition of a waterfall, a fountain, picnic shelters, a handicapped fishing dock and a nature trail, according to Mike Verchio, who unveiled a plan at the Hill City Council meeting last week. VIC park committee members Verchio, Dale Kjerstad, Dennis Krull, Bobbi Tracy, Brenda Nolting and Jim Denevan have put together a five-year plan for the park aiming at a completion by 2018. Verchio presented a drawing created by a South Dakota State University (SDSU) landscape architect student under the direction of Dr. Martin Maca, a professor at SDSU. With donations for lodging and meals provided by Kim Benning, John Knapp, Doug Peters, Krull, Verchio and the VIC committee, 10 students and Maca traveled to Hill City to look at the land and water around the VIC and come up with a landscape design. Out of 10 drawings, one was selected and slightly modified by the VIC committee. An aerating fountain will be installed in the water, funded 80 percent by Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) through an urban fisheries matching grant with the Hill City Lions Club donating the remaining 20 percent. Funding for the waterfall, which is the committee’s signature project, will come from the Alexander family in memory of Roy Alexander. Funds will need to be raised for another GFP matching trails grant and for trail signage, picnic shelters and tables. “There will be zero expense to the city, outside of about $500 to put together materials to go out do some fundraising,” said Verchio. He assured the council that any construction projects undertaken by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) museum would stand alone, funded and maintained by the museum’s non-profit group. Although Verchio indicated the committee would like to see the concept for the VIC park fly just as it is, Brett McMacken, city administrator, expressed caution. He wants to make sure this fits with the overall plan for the city. “I would like to chat with you guys, soon. There is a lot going on here and it is a lot to digest in one meeting. I can see us providing the seed money, but we need to figure out how we are going to navigate through the entire project,” said McMacken. Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

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Five-person board hits another snag

By Bev Pechan Old habits die hard in Keystone. Just as the second reading for the establishment of a five-person board was read and trustee David Cofoid asked for a motion to approve with trustee Sandi McLain seconding, late objections from the audience stopped that vote from being completed. Prior to Cofoid’s motion to approve, discussion on Ordinance 30.01 was amended to include that of the two-new trustees added, one serving a one-year term and the other a three-year term for better transitioning. Before the amended proposal was voted on, however, Trinity Rapp asked if Keystone was really ready for a five-person board. She was backed by Cal Loock, who expressed concerns about additional cost and informed the board that he has heard rumors that approving the measure would result in a referendum. Jacob Rapp offered that the town currently has a strong board as it is. Cofoid’s long-standing argument has been that it is very difficult to do the city’s business with only three persons, as two represent a quorum which makes it illegal to discuss any city problems or solution as they arise. Jerry Przybylski, public works, agreed. He said he can’t even pass along an idea for feedback or get approval on an item or emergency solution without bringing it before the entire board at one of their twice-monthly meetings. Loock thought perhaps the town was moving too quickly in this direction and should give it more thought. He was reminded that a five-person board was first discussed at Keystone’s incorporation in 1972 and that it was 40 years ago with the matter still not resolved. Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

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Rangers qualify for state meet

Throwing IT — Brenna Lende-Hanson took second place in the shot put with a 36,05” throw. She also qualified for state at an earlier track meet. [PN Photo/JASON Ferguson] The Hill City Rangers had good results at the Black Hills Conference meet held in Spearfish, Friday, May 11. Breanna Lende-Hanson broke another school record for the shot put and both the mens 400-meter relay (Casey Sullivan, Gage Skillingstad, Pedro Villalobos and Dietric McConnell) and 800-meter relay (Dylan Thomas, Skillingstad, John Lucas and McConnell) teams broke school records. Five students and four teams also qualified for the State A Tournament in Rapid City Saturday, May 26. Kala McDonald: 200 and 400-meter dash, Karly Dehn: long jump, Lende-Hanson: shot put and discus throw, Dietric McConnell: 200-meter, Casey Sullivan: triple jump, womens 400-meter relay (Sayge Wooldridge, Jenny Qualm, Dehn, and McDonald), womens 800-meter relay (Dru Gylten, Dehn, Wooldridge and McDonald), womens 1600-meter medley relay (Wooldridge, Kaitlynn Harris, Gylten and Tia Grabow) and mens 400-meter relay (Sullivan, Skillingstad, Villalobos, McConnell). The Rangers also made the trip to Custer on Thursday, May 17, to compete at the Region 8A meet. For the womens teams, Spearfish won the meet with 153 points, with St. Thomas More second, 150, and Belle Fourche third, 92.50. Custer was fourth with 78 points and Hill City finished fifth with 76.50. For the men, Custer won with 180 points, with Spearfish in second, 135, and St. Thomas More third, 108. Hill City finished fourth with 78 points and Belle Fourche rounded out the top five with 74.50. Girls: 100m dash — sixth, Harris, 14.30 200m dash — sixth, Dory Schrier, 29.82 400m dash — seventh, Schrier, 1:10.03 800m dash — ninth, Grabow, 2:45.14 100m hurdles — fifth, Anna Inskeep, 18.78 300m Hurdles — eighth, Anna Inskeep, 55.58 400-meter relay — fourth, Wooldridge, Qualm, Dehn, Hanson, 54.90 800-meter relay — fourth, Gylten, Dehn, Wooldridge, McDonald, 4:15.09 1600-meter medley relay — first, Wooldridge, Harris, Gylten, McDonald, 4:25.95 High jump — sixth, Allison Henderson, 4’ 05”; ninth, Katie Lewis, 4’ 03” Long jump — fifth, Dehn, 15’ 02.25”; seventh, Wooldridge, 14’ 03.50” Triple jump — fourth, Dehn, 31’ 04”; fifth, Henderson, 30’ 06.75”; seventh, Grabow, 26’ 00.50” Shot put — second, Lende-Hanson, 36’ 05”; fifth, Qualm, 32’ 11.50”; eighth, Sagdalen, 31’ 06” Discus throw— third, Breanna Lende-Hanson, 103’ 08”; sixth, Cassie Bobzin, 91’ 08”; seventh, Megan Anderson, 85’ 10” Boys: 100-meter dash — seventh, Merritt, 12.63 200-meter dash — second, McConnell, 23.90; sixth, Casey Sullivan, 24.77; eighth, Dylan Thomas, 25.07 800-meter dash — 10th, Garrison Lhotak, 2:27.97 110-meter hurdles — fourth, Swanson, 17.52; seventh, Lhotak, 21.36; eighth, Braidyn Bucholz, 22.85 300-meter hurdles — fourth, Swanson, 45.22; seventh, Lhotak, 50.63; ninth, Bucholz, 54.43 400-meter relay — second, Sullivan, Skillingstad, Villalobos and McConnell, 45.13 800-meter relay — third, Thomas, Skillingstad, Lucas and McConnell, 1:34.61 Long jump — fourth, Merritt, 18’ 02.25”; sixth, McConnell, 17’ 11.50”; seventh, Villalobos, 17’ 05.75” Triple jump — first, Sullivan, 40’ 03.75”; sixth, Merritt, 35’ 04.75” Shot put — fifth, Thomas, 43’ 03” Discus throw — third, Lucas, 132’ 08”

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Students learn consequences

Making an impact — Hill City senior Kendra McLaughlin lies “dead” on the hood of a car during a mock car crash held at Custer High School on Wednesday, May 9. Freshman students from Hill City, Custer and Hot Springs watched McLaughlin and other Hill City drama students perform a skit and mock crash during the Freshman Impact program. The program teaches freshman students the haazards of driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs, as well as the dangerous consequnces of bad decisions. For more photos, see page 12. To view the mock crash video, visit custercountynews.com. [PN Photo/CARRIE MOORE] By Carrie Moore “Kassidi Livingston, you have been charged with vehicular manslaughter. How do you plea?” A day filled with demonstrations, interactive activities and a mock crash and trial left freshman students from three communities — Custer, Hill City and Hot Springs — with a new perspective on distracted driving and an understanding of consequences. Wednesday, May 9, started with seven interactive stations which gave students the opportunity to watch fire crews use the Jaws of Life on cars, ambulance services take care of patients and drive “drunk” with state troopers. However, the day ended with a mock car crash, rescue and trial, leaving one student a convicted felon. “I hope they take away more than just drinking and driving is bad,” said Todd Albertson, Highway Patrol Trooper. Albertson pushed for the program, formerly known as the “Tri-City Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program,” which was started by Deputy Rick McPherson and Trooper Kelly Sten in Wall, Philip and Kodoka. Since then the program has been renamed “Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment” and has been used in school systems across the state, including Custer, Douglas, Edgemont, Hill City, Hot Springs, Oelrichs and Rapid City. The program took place at Custer High School, which provided a sufficent area for the demonstrations. “The students perform a lot of team building exercises and I want them to be able to trust each other from the experience,” Albertson said. “They also learned about the different agencies and what they do and why they care for them. We’re here to protect them, even though they might not think that’s what we’re here for.” During the interactive exercises, students watched fire department crews tear off car doors in order to help EMTs get to victims. Students received a tour of the ambulances and learned about the different tools and medicines EMTs use on car accident victims. Students also learned about water safety with an interactive jet ski, asended a National Guard climbing tower and even drove golf carts with state troopers while visually impaired with “drunk goggles.” “While we want students to learn, we also want to make it fun. We wanted to make sure we had an atmosphere where they can come up to us, see our equipment and speak with us at a personal, comfortable level,” said Shann Barrick, S.D. Highway Patrol Trooper. “This program is very important for our community,” said Vic Alexander, Hill City Volunteer Fire Department captain. “These tragic accidents do happen, but this scenario helps the kids understand what we do and how we’re just trying to help.” The program, which involved thousands of hours of planning among various agencies, also included demonstrations, discussions, presentations and a mock accident. “I really appreciate all of these safety agencies for taking time out of their day to participate in the stations and mock crash,” Albertson said. “We not only had fire departments, ambulance services and police units, but we also had a judge and lawyers help us. Many local businesses supported us as well as school groups, such as MADD (Mother’s Against Drunk Driving) and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).” After the interactive exercises, the Hill City drama students took part in a mock crash, which simulated an actual vehicle crash. In the scenario, Hill City senior Kassidi Livingston was driving while impaired and crashed into another car, driven by Custer basketball coach Larry Luitjens. In the accident, passenger Kendra McLaughlin was sent through the windshield and back seat passengers Lucas Brist and Lexy Hansen were also injured and had to taken to the hospital by Life Flight and ambulance, respectively. “Obviously the take-away message is don’t drink, text or make phone calls while driving because this can happen,” Barrick said. “We want kids to know that this is serious and not a laughing matter.” The mock crash, which lasted for about 40 minutes, involved rescue crews from Custer, Hill City and Hot Springs, Life Flight and even McColley’s Chapels of the Hills funeral home. “This exercise isn’t sugar coated; it is in your face,” Barrick said. “But I think the kids received it well.” After the crash, students and emergency service responders participated in a mock funeral, celebrating the life of McLaughlin, who was killed in the mock crash. After the funeral, a mock trial was held, where Livingston was convicted for vehicular manslaughter. Livingston received 15 years in jail, with seven years suspended and possible parole. “Kendra will never graduate high school, attend college, fall in love or get married,” said Tracy Kelley, Custer County state’s attorney. “Fifteen years is not enough time for a loss of a life, but it is the most I can ask for.” In addition to her jail time, Livingston would also pay more than $250,000 in medical expenses and deal with a civil lawsuit from each family. “You weren’t planning on hurting anyone, but what you made was a life-changing decision when you got behind the wheel,” said Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Janine Kern. “I empathize with the burden you will suffer, but I must recognize the crime and the charges. It’s not a comfortable place for a teenager, but neither is a casket.” After the trial was over, both Kelley and Kern addressed students on the issue of distracted driving and cases they have witnessed. “I hope you remember every decision you make has a consequence,” Kelly said. “No drink, drug, phone call or text is more important than your life.” “These entities — ambulance service, highway patrol, sheriff’s office — they are not here to hurt you or simply give tickets,” Kern said. “They are here to protect you and keep our communities safe.” Later that day, many students left Custer High School with newfound knowledge on distracted driving. “Tons of effort has been put into this and it shows that everyone in the community cares for our kids,” Barrick said. “Every town around here is basically a family. No one wants to see our kids hurt, regardless of what city they live in.” “If this program positively affects one life, keeps one of our teens from making a wrong decision, our program and everyone’s time is worth all the effort,” Albertson said.

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Rangers graduate Saturday

By Mitzi Moore Forty-one Hill City High School seniors will receive their high school diplomas at commencement exercises Sunday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the amphitheatre at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Valedictorian Jesus Meza and Salutatorian Kylie Steever will speak to the 91st graduating class, with Kendra McLaughlin giving a prayer and Lucas Brist and Sayge Wooldridge giving closing benediction. Other speakers at the ceremony will be Hill City superintendent Mike Hanson and high school principal Todd Satter. Many seniors are looking forward to graduation, including McLaughlin. “I’m looking forward to being done with high school so I can do new things,” she said. McLaughlin will attend the University of Sioux Falls where she will take nursing classes and play basketball. Wooldridge will attend the University of Minnesota at Morris where she will major in biology. “I’m looking forward to moving on from high school to college,” she said. The same for Kaitlynn Lagenbau, who will attend the School of Mines for an engineering degree. “I am looking forward to graduation and just being done,” she said. “I am looking forward to starting a new life.” “I’m not looking forward to the crowd,” Cory Neubert said. “I think just knowing high school is done is pretty cool.” Neubert will attend Sheridan Lake Community College and take welding classes. “I hope to get on the rigs in North Dakota or Wyoming and make money!” he said. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Cory Ginsbach Gymnasium in the high school.

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Seizure of “Sue” still hurts

Amazing discovery — From left, Peter Larson, Neal Larson and Robert Farrar work on Sue’s skull. [Copyright © Louis Psihoyos] By Bev Pechan It was early in the morning of May 14, 1992, when 30 FBI agents and paleontologists showed up at the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research and made off with one of the most scientifically-important discoveries of a lifetime – the skeletal remains of “Sue,” the most exquisite and most complete T-rex fossil known to mankind up until that time. Sue was going to be the cornerstone of a world class museum to be built in Hill City. School children had already helped to raise and donated money for the future home of Sue and her ancient companions, but it was not to be. The raid began at 7:20 a.m. under the orders of then-U.S. Attorney Kevin Schieffer, Sioux Falls, who appeared unannounced at the site on Hill City’s Main Street in what has been described as “TV makeup,” by those who were there, tipping locals off that something big was about to go down. Authorizing the taking of Sue was U.S. District Judge Richard Battey, who issued a search and seizure warrant for unlawful possession which Schieffer initially had claimed violated the 1906 Antiquities Act. The National Guard was on hand to keep order, as was the State Highway Patrol and county law enforcement. According to a story by Don Gerken which appeared in the Prevailer the following week, the Institute building was sealed off and only Institute employees and federal agents were allowed inside while irate residents gathered outside the building to protest. Shouts of “Shame on you! Don’t take Sue!” resonated among the 100 or more protesters in the streets and along the sidewalks as officials began carrying out boxes upon boxes of documents, records and photos. Marv Matkins, in protest, laid down in the street in front of one of the National Guard trucks to show empathy for those at the Institute who were his friends as Sue was being loaded into one of the vehicles. Others reacted by showing their emotions peacefully, though the nerves of some were clearly frayed from frequent surveillance carried out by authorities in tiny Hill City prior to the organized sweep of that day. Residents held signs that said “Honk For Sue” and “Save Sue!” Local restaurants reportedly would not serve federal authorities. Someone said Hill City loggers had considered forming roadblocks to prevent the raiding party from leaving town. Another demonstration championing Sue took place at the federal court building in Rapid City. Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.

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