Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan

Senior is finalist for national award

Noah Kuehn, a senior at Eagan High School, was one of six male finalists for the 2014 Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

The award, given annually, honors one male and one female athlete who demonstrate outstanding leadership at school, on the field or court and in their communities.

Kuehn is a member of Eagan's football and boys' track teams and belongs to his church's youth group. As part of that group, he has volunteered on several church mission trips and helped expand its membership. He also demonstrates his leadership in the classroom.

As one of 12 finalists, Kuehn went to New York City last weekend. He won a $2,000 award, which goes to Eagan High School in his name, a $100 Wendy's gift card and other prizes.

Lakeville

Author speaks on addiction

The Lakeville Area School District and Community Partnership will host two events in January that focus on addiction and recovery.

Both feature author William C. Moyers, a recovering crack addict for more than 19 years. Moyers is also vice president of public relations and community affairs at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The first event, "Addiction affects all," will be an all-school assembly on Jan. 13 at Lakeville North High School. The second, which focuses on the science and treatment of addiction, is open to the public and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hosanna! church, 9600 163rd St. W., Lakeville, in the sanctuary. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Burnsville- Eagan-Savage

Superintendent starts blog

Superintendent Joe Gothard, already an avid Twitter user, is launching a new blog called "Inside One91," to give the community a more in-depth look at people and issues in the district.

Gothard wants to share the learning that goes on in the district every day. His inaugural post is about being interviewed by video production students at Eagle Ridge Junior High.

Other posts reflect on initiatives, policies and current events affecting the district.

Check out "Inside One91" at http://joegothard.wordpress.com.

Students participate in Hour of Code

Along with millions of students across the state, the U.S. and in more than 180 countries, District 191 students and teachers took time last week to focus on creating computer code.

Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science as part of Computer Science Education Week, which was last week.

The idea is that teachers will spend at least an hour with students, demonstrating how to use computer code to create programs like drawings, animations or games.

The goal is to demystify code to show that everyone can learn it and to get kids to use technology in a creative way, according to organizers. Another aim is to encourage participation in computer science classes and in the field, especially among underrepresented populations.

Different district schools have planned various events to celebrate, like panel discussions with computer scientists, watching informational videos or inviting staff members to join students in coding.

For information about Hour of Code, go to www.hourofcode.org.

Erin Adler