Coming off of a great 2021-22 season last year, the Mustang Girls’ Basketball team has continued to make some noise. Six seniors returned to the court this year with head coach, Kenyon Wingenbach. Since joining the Mustangs, Wingenbach has led them to 20 victories in the 21-22 season and 12 so far this year, as of February 22, 2023.
Hoping to end this season on another positive note, the Mustangs gear up for the end of season EDC and State Competitions. Their last run came close with a 5th place finish.
The recent senior night, celebrated on February 21st, honored players Kaitlyn Haas, Peyton Breidenbach, Maya Metcalf, Brooke Johnson, Karson Sanders, and Alayna Holder, as well as student managers Maddy Hustad, Karli Urlacher, Connor Anderson, Lexy Terhark, Kyra Narum, and Jordyn Beyl.
With the graduating class being so large, many wonder what Wingenbach will bring to the table next year, however, the roster looks promising even beyond the talented class of 2023.
Coaches across the state are familiar with one in particular, the record breaking Brenna Dick. Brenna has demonstrated her phenomenal ability to make shots from any place on the court and play with incredible speed. Within the current season, she has shattered school scoring records numerous times.
In a game against the Shanley Deacons, Brenna put up 34 points, passing the 2021 graduate, Jadyn Feist (33 points). Despite the accomplishment, Brenna knew she could push herself even harder, and break her own record. On January 23rd at Horace High School, fans and the team yelled out in celebration following her 35th point. To no one’s surprise, she didn’t stop there. She ended the night with 41 points and rivalry game victory.
Aside from her total points, Brenna also holds a record for most 3-point makes in a game with 7 versus Valley City High School. Being only a junior, Brenna is well on her to becoming a 1,000 career point scorer. Her teammates and coaches couldn’t be more proud of her, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for her – on and off the court.
Access link to view updated Sheyenne GBB Program stats!Sheyenne GBB Program Statistics as of 9:30 AM, 2/22/23. Current 22-23 season is highlighted in yellow.
Featured image photos are courtesy of Mustang Media. Thank you to Ruth and Lillian Wirtz for capturing so many amazing moments this season!
EPISODE ONE: ROUTINE AND THE UNEXPECTED By Hailey Boehme
Official Transcript:
Hailey Boehme: I’m so happy to finally introduce you to our new exploration: podcasts! This episode dives right into our first series on human behavior. From the perspective of wins and losses, fitting in and standing out, or hiding behind the camera versus standing right in front of it…. Welcome to Sheyenne Perspectives from Mustang Post News, I’m Hailey Boehme.
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme: Through our research we have discovered truths of the unconscious mind and learned things about ourselves that we never noticed before.
This journey into understanding the nature of our minds began with school psychologist Emily Dempster. But where should we start? In no better place than our very own Sheyenne High School.
There must be a method to the chaos…some hidden factor to navigate the constant chatter, full trays of food, and tightly packed tables…
[LUNCH ROOM SOUNDS]
Sheyenne High School’s lunchroom left empty moments before class begins.
Hailey Boehme: Certainly, to an outsider it would appear to be nothing short of a disaster, but to the regulars of the Sheyenne High School lunchroom, dodging bodies in an attempt to secure a seat by their best friend is second nature.
To get a better view of this dynamic, we have decided to take a step back and observe the behaviors that occurred; and sure enough, like ants running about, each person seemed to know exactly where they were going amidst the madness.
People sat in the same spots every day, careful not to sit too close to the unacquainted group next to them, yet comfortable in the routine of their daily arrangements. Almost down to each minute, it was easily identifiable who would be coming to sit down next, what table they would choose, and the other students who would sit there.
Even after days of paying attention to the arrangements everyone made for themselves, I was surprised that they rarely changed. Despite the tables shifting to different spots, students filed into designated seats without hesitation.
Though this may seem normal to those who participate in it every school day, I couldn’t help but wonder why we form groups for ourselves. After all, no one was making anyone sit there, so what caused this phenomenon to take place? Was it simply routine, or did it rely on something bigger?
What is the psychology behind this tendency?
Emily Dempster: My name is Ms. Dempster, and I am the school psychologist here at Sheyenne.
Hailey Boehme: Routine. And the unexpected.
Emily Dempster: I think we definitely all benefit from routines. We like to know what’s coming up in our day. Like, you probably enjoy knowing that you have English first, and then science. Could you imagine coming to school and not knowing what class you would have first? That would probably cause a lot of anxiety, so people do benefit- um.. from routine- just so they know what’s going on in their day and so that they get done what they need to get done.
Hailey Boehme: At first, I couldn’t help but to wonder why humans enjoyed doing the same thing every day, yet the thought of never knowing what might happen next seems stressful. For many, the lunchroom setting feels exactly that way.
Emily Dempster: Oh my gosh! SO many! I mean just depending on what kind of gives you those worries- maybe you are more worried about the social aspect. Like are your friends going to be there, are they going to want to talk to you… um…. maybe you’re worried about what they’re serving for lunch if you have some food aversions… maybe you have some sensory, you know… difficulties. Maybe it’s really loud in there and you don’t like the sound of the forks on the trays. So, it will be really dependent on the person, but there- in a big space like that, especially here at school, there’s a lot of stressors that kids and students and even teachers can encounter. Depending on the day and who you are, I think the biggest thing to remember is that even like, as worried as you might be about someone looking at you, or being embarrassed, everyone is as equally worried about themselves. They don’t have time to worry about anything else.
Hailey Boehme: There was one overarching point: personality. No matter what the situation is, it is safe to assume that the amount of stress one might feel depends on how it personally affects them.
Emily Dempster: You know, if you enjoy sitting around in big groups of people and that kind of, “fills your cup”… um- then you’re probably going to enjoy high school lunch a little bit more. But if you don’t like big group of people, lots of noise, if you like to have, you know, conversation with more just you and a friend, uh, the lunchroom could certainly be a tricky, tough place for you.
Hailey Boehme: So if we all enjoy different aspects of socializing….does that impact our chosen spot? Would we find the extroverts at the heart of the lunchroom? There was only one way to find out…
Kennedy Kambeitz: Yes, who else is sitting at the table
Hailey Boehme: With the establishment of personality traits came a new focus: location preference. In the end, they seemed to connect to the same word, “routine.” Students confidently stated again and again how they just went through the motions, not realizing everything that factored into those choices,
Hailey Boehme: How do you decide who you sit by in a big group?
Anonymous Student: I would say it’s like a routine.
Hailey Boehme: Yeah, is it by like who you like more?
Anonymous Student: Oh yeah, I would say it’s sort of by who you like more.
Alison Hollatz: It depends on the size of the group, like if it’s a lot of people, I’m going to sit who I’m closest to.
Hailey Boehme: So, if certain people put us more at ease, how do we find those people? Do we group ourselves by similar interests or unintentionally become confined to fit into a social norm. For example, do I choose not to sit by a group that knows each other from orchestra simply because I don’t think I possess the shared experiences they do? Or is it more complex? It is possible that I could have unconsciously labelled myself in such a way that I don’t feel like I fit in anymore? By straining to fit into a group I don’t believe that I belong in, I would make myself uncomfortable and prone to social anxiety. Now I’m thinking to myself, how do I even begin to navigate through the hour when everything is making me feel nervous.
Emily Dempster: Human kind all over, we’re always looking for like an ”in” group… or for people that like, kind of get us or we share a similar interest with. We’re looking to be accepted into a larger group of people that we feel comfortable with…. So, it might be natural that yeah, if you play basketball you likely are going to sit with your teammates. Or if you really enjoy art or music, you’re likely going to sit with people who also enjoy that, and that’s pretty natural.”
Hailey Boehme: The answers are pretty consistent: most people felt at ease when they focused on the value of comfort, relationships, and being themselves. No matter how much of those elements are needed to thrive, it is likely that a routine will form from the perfect mixture – whether it’s intentional or not. There is something so beautiful about the endless preferences for food, location, noise, style, and conversation topics. Yet we all exist simultaneously, functioning together as a community. At the end of the day, maybe we aren’t so different after all.
[THEME SONG – KOLBY THOMPSON.]
Hailey Boehme: Up next week in Sheyenne Perspectives is Dairell Alvarico with a unique take on change and social dynamics.
This podcast was recorded and edited by Hailey Boehme. Today’s theme music was composed and performed by Kolby Thompson under the direction of Mark Berntson. And our thanks goes out to Emily Dempster, and students Jasmine Brisonet, Alison Hollatz, Kennedy Kambeitz and all others who participated in this podcast, we couldn’t have done it without you! This has been a production of Mustang Post News.
The winter season is upon us, and as North Dakotans, we know the worst weather is yet to come. With a holiday break fast approaching and snow days looming in our near future, the Mustang Post has decided to deliver the news in a brand-new format…PODCASTS!
Despite our consistent mention of this upcoming feature, progress has been difficult to come by. Our staff has been busy interviewing, writing, designing, and more!
It is our utmost priority to deliver quality content, so that being said, this e-magazine has seen a late release for the holiday season. We appreciate your patience as we work through the details of creating content and learning how to use software that is new to each one of us.
Since we are so eager to share our passions and the school’s latest news even throughout the busy December month, blog posts will be scheduled for release sporadically, so stay on the lookout for a great read!
Make sure to stay warm for the holidays. We will see you next year!
We all know the classic gifts that everyone resorts to for Christmas: candles, scented lotion, gift cards, stuffed animals, or candy. While all of that is great occasionally, I have more KitKats than I know what to do with.
Please listen to me when I say that my stockpile of random facemasks has never dwindled. Not once.
Now you may be asking yourself “What do I even get anyone then??”
Have no fear…Allow me to present to you Hailey’s Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Gifts!
Coming from a teenage girl, I feel a lot of pressure to get my closest friends and family the best gifts as a token of my appreciation for them. Over time, it has occurred to me that no one is expecting the most “perfect” and expensive gift.
Sentimental Gifts:
Personally, my favorite gifts, both to give and receive, are those that have sentimental value.
In order to come up with a meaningful gift, I first take time to consider the things I know are most important to that person. To put this into perspective, it’s time to dive into the examples.
Those who are close to me know that I never miss out on an opportunity to appreciate the sky. In honor of my passion for admiring the beauty of sunsets, I was gifted a framed collage of my friend’s most awe inspiring (and personally captured) sunset images.
Another passion that I’ve found to be shared amongst a wide variety of people is for mental health. There are ways to get creative with mental health in mind, and the ones I happen to be most fond of include bracelets, shirts, stickers, pins, and room decorations that focus on promoting positive messages. If tangible gifts aren’t your thing, coming together to help a non-profit organization that advocates for change is an out of the box way to show support for a loved one.
The last thing that I will mention holds a special place in my heart: DIY gifts. Painted picture frames, handwritten notes, photo albums, tie blankets, beaded or thread bracelets, etc.
For a Significant Other:
Not everyone tends to agree with my ideas for this topic, BUT HEAR ME OUT!
My first controversial point is that you should not need to spend a lot of money. There are many small things that can go a long way.
A clothing swap. If you’re anything like me, you love things that remind you of the ones you love, and wearing their clothes is the perfect way to do that.
Signature scents. If clothing does not work out, perfume, cologne, or any scented spray is a great way to have a piece of someone with you, even if they can’t be there physically.
Open when…. letters. This idea is popular on the internet because it is a cheap, yet meaningful, present. These letters come sealed with specific instructions on when to open each one. Some examples of this might be “open when you miss me” or “open when you need a good laugh”.
Activities to do together. Anything from Legos, puzzles, movies, video games, baking ingredients, and gift cards to your go-to restaurants can work for this idea.
Matching is adorable. The most common matching items are stuffed animals, pajama pants, shoes, and jewelry. It can be as subtle or obvious as you want and is a fantastic way to show off your relationship.
For Parents & Other Adults:
This is something I have struggled with my whole life. Mom- if you are reading this: STOP BUYING YOURSELF THINGS RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS TIME! Anyways…
As for all the other sections, the best thing to consider is personal interests and ways to help them with things they frequently complain about. For example, my mother enjoys Hallmark movies, walking our dog, unironically cheesy shirts, and reading. On the other end of the spectrum, she despises cold weather, my dad listening to videos at full volume, and coming up with things to make for family dinner.
To satisfy her movie obsession (yes, I do mean obsession), I planned a movie marathon night. This night would be complete with popcorn, candy, a candle, fuzzy blankets, and heartwarming holiday Hallmark movies.
As for walking the dog, my mom needed some upgrades. The leash was breaking, her coat was not ready to withstand North Dakota chills, and her mittens… well… they have been chewed up a few times.
After returning home from her walks, she usually starts to cook for our family. In an effort to make things easier for her, I have created a recipe book. With the help of recipes, I can not only lend a hand for cooking, but I can also avoid saying “I don’t know” when she asks me what I want to eat.
Using my mom’s claim of my father having horrible hearing abilities (I am convinced they are entirely selective), I came up with a present my dad would actually enjoy.
Instead of buying him random shirts that he shoves under his bed, never to be seen again, my sister and I pooled our money together to purchase AirPods. This saved him from blasting YouTube videos that you can hear across our house and allowed him to work more efficiently at home by being able to take work calls on the go.
Additionally, my dad LOVES to experiment cooking food on an open fire, smoker, and grill. For as long as I can remember, we have been getting him new tools to try out, and it never seems to get old. From customized spatulas, grill covers, a smokeless firepit, cleaning brushes, and various food items to cook, he loves it all.
In the end, the thing to take away from all of this is to make time to spend with those who are important to you. No gift is better than that of community and coming together. The holidays are ultimately about taking time to reflect on the things you are most grateful for.
No matter the gift you end up giving or getting, it is truly the thought that counts. Happy holidays, Mustang Post!
Last year saw many changes for the Mustang Post, from new staff members (check out our staff page for more information – including personal bios!) and a new teacher, to a new blog website.
Additionally, with our improvement to an e-magazine format we were able to publish efficient updates to the student body on a monthly schedule. We learned to design and edit on various Adobe platforms and planned every page’s layout down to the pixel.
With all that being said, this year will also see changes as we continue to advance our understanding of technology and teamwork.
Looking toward the future, we hope to expand into podcasts and vlogs to engage a more modern audience and their interests.
Be on the lookout for more sports, arts, entertainment, and general coverage as the school year continues.
We can’t wait to share our growth and provide updates on all of Sheyenne’s greatest moments.
Thank you for your continued support of our program. Here’s to another year of growth, connections, and incredible achievements!
With immense gratitude, Hailey Boehme, Editor in Chief
Sheyenne finished up homecoming week on Friday, September 16 with a win against Fargo Shanley’s football team and a dance afterwards. Leading up to those events was the traditional dress up week to show school spirit.
The Student Council organized five themes, and the student body rocked them all. Overall, homecoming week was not one to be forgotten. What better way to remember the good times than with a picture recap!
Adam Sandler Day
Adam Sandler day was new to Sheyenne’s dress up series, and it is safe to say that it was a huge success.
Iconic Group and Duo Day
Groups and duos got extra creative on Tuesday to come up with the most iconic character ideas!
Western Wednesday
On Wednesday there was a lot of participation in dressing for the wild west!
Jersey Day
Students sported their favorite jerseys for the dress up day on Thursday leading up to the homecoming football game and dance.
Games that took place during homecoming week. Photo courtesy Mustang Media.
Homecoming court rocked the pep rally and cleaned up nice for coronation. Congratulations to Jacob and Leziga, Sheyenne’s 2022 homecoming royalty!
During October, the community recognizes many important causes, but it is crucial that our furry friends are not forgotten in the mix. Every year, October marks National Animal Safety and Prevention Month. The tradition that is best known for its slogan “Adopt, Don’t Shop.”
The hard truth is that these adorable faces come from not-so-appealing places called “puppy mills.” A puppy mill is typically characterized by unsanitary living conditions, starvation, unethical breeding, abuse, and illness.
Mistreatment alone is heartbreaking, but the concern continues to grow even after the pets are taken home by their new owners. Dogs especially require a lot of socialization, or introductions to many different environments. Without practice in situations the dog may find itself in when outside of the puppy mill, it is likely that behavioral issues will develop such as aggressive, territorial, or timid behaviors.
To take action against the inhumane conditions of these breeding sites, animal shelters across the country call on those looking for a new companion to consider adoption. However, it is crucial to consider the pros and cons of adoption.
All shelter animals undergo an evaluation of their behaviors, personality, skills, and manners. With this prior knowledge, you can find a perfect fit for your household. In addition, the animals are already trained with basic commands such as outdoor bathroom, crate, and leash training. To top it off, you are saving an animal’s life for a much smaller cost than buying a new puppy.
On the downside, there is no guarantee that there will be a specific breed or age range you are looking for. Also, though there are a lot of unethical people involved in breeding animals, licensed professionals still exist and are creating healthy purebred dogs.
Overall, the best way to go about finding the right pet is to take the time to look into its online profile.
Animal adoption can be daunting, but local shelters like For Luv of Dog Rescue offer fostering services too. After contacting frequent dog fostering parents, they shared, “You get to meet many dogs that will love you just for giving them a place to sleep. Being champions for those without a voice is one of the best things you could ever do.”
Respondents provided a lot of insight into just how good it feels to know you are giving an otherwise helpless animal the “second chance at the happy life they deserve.”
In the end, the large commitment of being a pet owner may not work out for everyone, but it is important to continue spreading the word about rescue and shelter animals. During the month of October, the Mustang Post encourages others to recognize the local shelters and honor their life-saving work.
This year, artists at Sheyenne High School have excelled, achieving local and in Koi’s case, national recognition. Senior, Koi Hiller, has been awarded for her hard work and dedication with the American Visions Award. The award is the highest achievement for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, a contest that gets thousands of submissions from students across the United States. The acceptance of this award will take place in New York City at the famous Carnegie Hall.
Artist Koi Hiller, creator of “Death is Beautiful”
Her artwork titled “Death is Beautiful” was created with red earthenware media and if you look closely, it displays important details. The story behind this project is one that has touched the hearts of many people.
In this year alone, Koi has lost many people dear to her and her family, one of these people being her dad. She shared how her passion for art has helped her cope with all the unknowns of navigating life without these special people. She expressed her desire to rewire her thinking from the hatred she felt to finding the hidden beauty, saying that “that’s what art is, you express how you feel.”
This story inspired her mask creations as each one represents not only a way to remember those she lost, but also to show the stages of grief she has gone through over this hard time. “This is going to be the series that is after them and their memories that not everyone knows today…” she shared, “there is intention in each mask. This is where I was broken, this is where I started to get put back together, and this is where I’m whole again.”
After these losses though, her definition of “whole” has changed, adding that there might always be pieces missing that belong to those who have been lost. This artwork, after all, was about the transition after death, and all the broken pieces that can still be found beautiful. The details such as the butterflies and dragonflies are used to present this to viewers.
Along the way, Koi has had some amazing support, specifically thanking her art teacher, Ryba, who pushed her to ask questions and explore more concepts in her artwork. Koi spent a lot of time in the art room and found that the environment aided her in the long hours she put towards her work. This project was started at the beginning of this school year, in 2021, and wrapped up in the early months of 2022.
To Koi, a big trip like this will be new. She said she is most excited to experience the culture of New York City for herself rather than only knowing what she sees in the movies. One of her main destinations in NYC is the museums there.
As for her future in art, Koi has received scholarships to continue her art. One of the places she is interested in is North Dakota State University (NDSU). Despite these college considerations, Koi will continue making art even if it doesn’t result in a career. To her, art is a passion, and in some ways, a lifestyle.
This year, artists at Sheyenne High School have exceled, achieving local and national recognition. This series of posts features those artists and their artwork.
Senior, Zurisadday Medina, created this red earthenware “Honeycomb”. Her artwork earned Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Silver Key. Congrats on your amazing accomplishment!
This year, artists at Sheyenne High School have exceled, achieving local and national recognition. This series of posts features those artists and their artwork.
Kayleen Broetzmann, a senior artist, made this “Surreal Swamp Set” with red earthenware. The above picture also includes her “Fish Creamer” creation. The set received the MSUM Art-A-Fair Best in Clay award and the individual “Fish Creamer” earned the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Silver Key award!
The Mustang Post 