South school briefs: Lakeville students advance to Lego League World Championship

Five students won an award for having the best visual display at the Minnesota Zoo's Spanish Day on Feb. 10.

Caroline Pippert, Sheila Flores, Mariah Wanna-Nelson, Lauren Johnson and Emily Sweeney are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish. Students from AP Spanish and Spanish 4 prepared presentations on different animals and presented to student groups all day. The winning group's presentation was on sharks.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) named Prior Lake-Savage Superintendent Sue Ann Gruver an Administrator of Excellence. She will be recognized for her leadership, concern for students and involvement in her community and profession on March 12-13 at the association's spring conference in Brooklyn Park.

Gruver has been superintendent since 2007 and has implemented many district projects since then, such as the creation of an academy for gifted and talented kids, the high school fabrication lab and a Spanish immersion program. She also oversaw the high school's recent expansion.

She will retire at the end of this school year.

Three Lakeville teams received awards at the first-ever Lego League State Championship on Feb. 7.

One team of Century Middle School students, "Caught in a Brainstorm," advanced to the World Championship in St. Louis by taking second place overall. It also won a second-place teamwork award and a first-place presentation award.

A fifth grade team from the Ignite! program called "Brain Surge" was recognized for its presentation.

Apple Valley defeated perennial one-act state qualifier Eastview High School to win the section championships and earn a place at the Class AA State One-Act Play Festival on Friday, Feb. 13. This was the school's first time at the state festival since 1990. They were among five schools to earn a starred performance.

The cast performed the play "Eurydice," which retells the myth of Orpheus from the point of view of his wife, Eurydice.

The show's director is Josh Campbell and the technical director is Sara Herman. Cast members are Tessa Dahlgren, Rickey Williams, Felipe Escudero, Nick Lane, Lu'Cinda Pena, Clarie Doty, Ashley Suter, Kyle Klose, Brynn Berg and Leah Andrews. The stage manager is Abra Allen, the assistant stage manager is Tessa Lexa, and the costume supervisor is Bella Clark. Other members of the crew are Jeremy Vogel, Chloe Culler, Matt Kotlan, Neb Meseret, Samson Ghirmai, Sam Brandt and Riley Chouanard.

High school students entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade can participate in an Ag Summer Academy at Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights. Students will spend the week of July 20- 24 exploring career opportunities in food, environmental and agricultural sciences. Funding for the program is provided by several sponsors.

Students who attend will earn college credit. A workshop will also be offered to families to help them navigate career options in the agriculture field. Transportation will be provided from St. Paul and need-based scholarships are available.

For more information, visit Inver Hills News at www.inverhills.edu.