North Branch Area Public Schools

On Monday, May 11, several student athletes signed letters of intent to attend college. Logan Hammel signed with the College of St. Scholastica to play football. Logan is a 3-year starter, senior captain, and was selected to the All-District and All-Section team his senior year, during which he had 141 rushing attempts, totaling 877 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 29 tackles with 2 interceptions. Logan leads in a positive, encouraging way that shows support and care for his teammates! When there was uncertainty going into the 2025 season; Logan's belief in the team’s ability to compete never wavered, and at each practice and each game, the team saw that committed belief showcased with such passion and grit!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Ryan Troxell
▪️Marshall Tveit
▪️Rocco Valentine
▪️Alex Vang
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

Having won the 5th grade kickball tournament, Mrs. Mathis' class earned the right to take on the staff this morning at Sunrise. Alas, with the entire 5th grade looking on, the valiant competitors were unable to produce the offense needed to take staff down a peg or two. Final score: staff 27, valiant competitors 9. Maybe next year!

On Monday, May 11, several student athletes signed letters of intent to attend college. Sharleen Garcia-Velazquez signed with Hamlin to play soccer. She is a 5-year starter playing all over the field, but mainly as a holding or attacking mid-fielder. She has earned All-Conference honors her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, earned All-State 1st team honors as a senior and 2nd team honors as a junior. An extraordinarily balanced career 36 goals and 31 assists displaying how much of a team player she truly is. Sharleen is also an Academic All-Conference award recipient. She is one of the most fierce competitors on the field while displaying great sportsmanship. Known for making clean, crushing tackles on the field. She has made highlight reel plays and goals throughout her career, even as early as 8th grade. Sharleen has a very high soccer IQ and leads her team on the field. Her will and determination has grown so much over the years and will serve her well moving forward!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Louie Thao
▪️Blong Thor
▪️Ethan Thorsen
▪️Sara Triden
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

On Monday, May 11, several student athletes signed letters of intent to attend college. Sharis Garcia-Velazquez signed with Hamlin to play soccer. She is a 5-year starting goalkeeper, and has earned All-Conference honors her junior and senior year, and All-State 2nd team honors as a senior. She tallied a total of 6,560 minutes of varsity soccer in her career, with 562 saves, and 25 career shutouts, and set the single season and career lowest goals against average in program history. Sharis is also an Academic All-Conference award recipient. Sharis leadership qualities extend far beyond the field. She has one of the highest soccer IQ’s of anyone and allows her to lead and direct from her unique perspective as a GK. Sharis has improved the standard of the girls soccer program in all areas including soccer, academics, and socially!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Kallee Swager
▪️Jameson Swanson
▪️Makenzie Synicyn
▪️Brady Taff
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

Now this is a unique story!

Back in February, 95-year old Julia needed help moving from North Branch to Two Harbors. Julia's friend Bonnie, who had received moving help from the Two Harbors Agates players in the past, reached out to the program to see what could be done to help Julia.

It turns out that Agates head coach Tom Nelson, and Vikings head coach Justin Voss are friends, and they were able to coordinate help for Julia at both ends of her move, courtesy of some community-minded football players from both teams.

You can read all about it at Team Up for Community: https://www.teamup4community.org/rival-football-teams-unite-to-help-95-year-old-woman-move-across-minnesota/91069

Well done to all involved!

On Monday, May 11, several student athletes signed letters of intent to attend college. Ella Dick signed with Minnesota State Mankato to compete in track and field. She has established herself as one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in the program’s history. A six-time letter winner in Track & Field and a four-time letter winner in Gymnastics, Ella has excelled across three sports Track & Field, Soccer, and Gymnastics, showcasing her dedication, athleticism, and leadership year-round. Ella has earned multiple All-Conference honors in both track and gymnastics while competing at the highest level. She is a five-time state participant in Track and a two-time state participant in Gymnastics, proving her consistency and competitiveness on the biggest stages. In 2025, Ella finished as the State Runner-Up in the Pole Vault and has twice qualified for the prestigious Hamline Elite Meet. Ella currently holds school records in both the Pole Vault and as a member of the 4x100m relay team, cementing her legacy as one of the premier athletes to come through our program. Her work ethic, determination, and commitment will make her an outstanding student-athlete!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Patrick Spinler
▪️Lillian Steele
▪️Taylor Steele
▪️Kara Sullivan
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

On Monday, May 11, several student athletes signed letters of intent to attend college. Tianna Coston signed with the University of Wisconsin-Superior to compete in Track & Field. She is a two-sport athlete who has made a great impact in both Track & Field and Gymnastics. A four-time letter winner in track and a three-time letter winner in gymnastics, Tianna has consistently demonstrated hard work, commitment, and leadership throughout her athletic career. Her versatility, determination, and competitive spirit will make her a valuable asset!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Brandon Simonson
▪️Dayton Smith
▪️Trevor Sobaszkiewicz
▪️Anthony Soderlund
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

Coming up in Community Ed!

Message in a Bottle (Ages 16 and older) / Tuesday May 19th / 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Registration here: https://northbranch.arux.app/ or call 651-674-1025.

Congratulations to Norse ALC students Ada Stone, Rae Dykhoff, Megan Brynjulfson, and Jameson Gordon-Petersen for their incredible performance at the MAAP STARS Competition in Mankato on May 7–8! The MAAP organization stands for the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs. STARS stands for Success, Teamwork, Achievement, Recognition, and Self-Esteem. The team was advised by Norse ALC teachers, Caleb Stiles and Mindy Lattimore

Competing against 21 schools, our students competed in Art Display, Community Service Project, Parent Decision Making, Team Management Decision Making, Public Speaking, and Job Interview. Our students ranked in every single event they entered. Highlights include a 1st place finish for the Community Service Project and a 2nd place finish by Ada Stone in Public Speaking out of 29 competitors. We are so proud of these students for representing Norse ALC with such excellence!

Join us for a FREE Community Vehicle Fair!

Bring the whole family for a fun, hands-on evening exploring vehicles from around our community. Kids of all ages will have the chance to get up close to amazing vehicles and meet the people who operate them.

Wednesday, May 20
5–7 PM

North Branch Education Center Bus Corral
38705 Grand Ave.
North Branch, MN 55056

Vehicles may include:
• Emergency Vehicles
• Garbage Truck
• School Bus
• Construction Equipment
• Semi Truck
• Food/Ice Cream Truck available for purchase

This FREE event is hosted by North Branch Community Education and Early Childhood.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Ryan Schneider
▪️Kadence Schoenhals
▪️Parker Schopper
▪️Kaylynn Shepard
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride

TOMORROW: The 4th Annual Drum and Dance is coming tomorrow!

A meal will be served from 5:30 - 6 pm with an exhibition and student honors to follow. See flier for more details and to RSVP , or click this link to RSVP form: https://tinyurl.com/2pt3t9pd

We'll see you there!

Preschool Enrollment is Open at NBAPS!

Help your child learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment! Our experienced preschool teachers encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning and meaningful peer interactions. ❤️📚

✨ Tuition assistance available
✨ Hands-on learning experiences
✨ Build confidence with peers
✨ Inspire a love for learning

Register now — classes are filling fast!

📍 Visit: northbranch.arux.app
📞 Call: 651-674-1220

NB RoboGlaciers robotics team will be having a Meet and Greet at Tailgaters on Sunday, May 17 from 12-2 p.m. Stop by, see the robot, visit the team and drive a robot! Thanks for your support.

Please join us as we celebrate our Viking #Classof2026 in today’s #SeniorSpotlight! ❤️🖤
▪️Landon Scheibe
▪️Jackson Schlagel
▪️Gabrielle Schleusner
▪️Jace Schloer-Dickey
We're proud of our seniors. They are going to do AMAZING things!
#Celebrate138 #VikingSeniorPride