Author of All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven, later published a book called Holding Up the Universe.
Holding Up the Universe is written from both Jack’s perspective, a popular kid with a secret, and Libby, who has been homeschooled since she developed a binge eating disorder to cope with her mother’s death.
When Libby finds the courage to go back to public school, she finds herself tangled up in an incident with Jack. Their two worlds collide creating an understanding between the two of them that doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
The characters seem to come alive in this book, allowing you to empathize for them and the mental struggles they face. The book will have you laughing and even tearing up at some points.
Throughout the novel, Jennifer Niven provides a unique perspective on fat shaming, bullying, living with secret, and love. I recommend this book to anyone who needs the message to love yourself as you are, because no matter what you look like or where you’ve been in the past, you deserve it.
My favorite part of the book was the monologue at the end, it pulls the whole thing together into a wonderful romance and sets it apart for other books I’ve read.
Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone is a well written book about OCD, high school friendships, love, and forgiveness.
The protagonist, Samantha (Sam) McAllister, is part of the popular group at school. Though she has been best friends with the group since they were little girls, she feels that she does not fit in anymore.
As a result, Sam works hard to hide her obsessive compulsions and attempts to navigate away from her previous circle. In doing so, she meets a girl named Caroline who introduces her to a secret poetry club at the school.
This opens doors to a part of Sam that she never knew existed and allows her to eventually break free from the everyday toxicity she was experiencing, however, her past is still evident in her new life. Sam seeks forgiveness and yearns to belong somewhere.
From a mental health perspective, it has a potentially triggering yet refreshing view on therapy, medication, and healthy family support.
The way the loose ends are tied up by the end made this book one of my all-time favorites. When a friend asks what they should read next, this is my go-to recommendation.
As school’s first month wraps up, more and more students look for clubs to join, but most don’t know what clubs are available. Know that a list of clubs is available through the Activities Office and the Schoology page; however, not all clubs are listed on that page. So, here’s a look at three clubs here at Sheyenne.
“CGA eSports Stadium interior 2019” by Wpcpey is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Esports
Where and when does your club meet?
(Esports) We’ve been meeting after school and lately we’ve been meeting during voice and choice for the two blocks on Wednesday, but mostly we meet after school.
What does your club do?
(Esports) Right now, we are maining two games: Rocket League and League of Legends. [Each meeting we] practice online and against other schools [working on] positions and champions [while] getting used to each other’s play styles.
What are your plans for competition?
(Esports) Right now, we are just deciding what to do. last year we were with a company, [we are still deciding whether to stay with them, or not.]
What makes you different than the gaming club?
(Esports) The gaming club is open to board games and [changing games weekly,] whereas esports we will be into more team-based games like League of Legends that focuses on more on quick reactions and working with teammates.
What do you want this club to be?
(Esports) I would like this club to be a place where everyone feels comfortable showing up not just gamers, we have a lot of positions like managerial and content creation and even shout casting, we also offer course for learning to build computers and trouble shooting them.
Chamber Orchestra
Where and when does your club meet?
(Orchestra) Chamber Orchestra meets Mondays and Thursdays in the orchestra room
What does your club do?
(Orchestra) Rather than a club, we are an extra-curricular performing ensemble. Chamber Orchestra is an auditioned orchestra made up of students 9-12. We are a small ensemble of students that plays challenging string music. In addition to the normal orchestra concerts, we also play around town at banquets, retirement parties, weddings, and the mall.
Will the Chamber Orchestra be performing? If so, when?
(Orchestra) Chamber Orchestra performs at the scheduled orchestra concerts. Our next performance will be on March 1st.
How has your turn out been so far and do you have plans to improve it?
(Orchestra) Chamber Orchestra is an auditioned ensemble. We usually have a large turnout for auditions, but we cannot always accept everyone that auditions. Students still have the opportunity to play with their curricular orchestra during the day.
What experience do you have with your club?
(Orchestra) This is my 3rd year leading this ensemble.
Chess
Where and when does your club meet?
(Chess) We meet every Wednesday for all voice and choice periods, and we meet in room 2317.
What does your club do?
(Chess) We learn about chess, teach chess, and learn some general strategies.
What are your plans for competition?
(Chess) Once we get going, we might set up tournaments, round robins, [and] keep standings.
What do you want this club to be?
(Chess) We don’t have any major plans like making it a sanctioned club or expanding more, until further notice we are just going to play it by ear and see where it goes.
If the chess club or Esports club interest you check them out at 2317 and 2838 respectively.
In early September it was announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) that our fellow students here at Sheyenne High School: Henry Christiansen, Krishna Kamalakannan, and Grace Widjaja were selected to be National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. Approximately 1.5 million high school students enter the program each year. But only 16,000 people are chosen to be semifinalists in this difficult competition.
If our fellow Sheyenne students move forward to the finalist round they will be notified in February and be one of some 15,000 Semifinalists that have advanced to the Finalist standing. Following this important date is May 11, 2022 when the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners are officially announced.
Other than this scholarship’s high competition count, what makes this scholarship so special in particular is what these students had to do to even be remotely considered for this great honor.
“The mission of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) as announced on their website is to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. According to their website of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores (calculated by doubling the sum of the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program.”
Luck has little to do with how these students are selected. All winners of Merit Scholarship awards (Merit Scholar designees) are chosen from the Finalist group based on their abilities, skills, and accomplishments—without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. Plenty of information is evaluated by the NMSC including but not limited to the high school official’s written recommendation and the Finalist’s own essay.
The enduring goals of the NMSC’s scholarship programs are:
To promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular.
To shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education.
To stimulate increased support from individuals and organizations that wish to sponsor scholarships for outstanding scholastic talent.
In theatre Henry has led set projects, bonding activities, and underclassmen.
Goals that are illuminated by their careful process of choosing the proper recipients for this prestigious award.
For those of you who are juniors and younger here at Sheyenne High School and are remotely interested in this scholarship the semifinalists themselves have words of wisdom to offer.
Grace helps people accomplish their goals as president of the Student Council and Speech Team captain.
Henry Christiansen recommends being well prepared for the PSAT because the test itself is very difficult without proper preparation. Since this is one of the major elements that the NMSC looks for when choosing its winners it’s very important this is covered.
Krishna is a dedicated math and science tutor for middle schoolers.
It’s said best by Grace Widjaja that you should “Study. Please. Not just for the test, but also study the scholarship and the timeline, what are the different aspects, what else would they require after you qualify, etc.”
Krishna Kamalakannan reports he first got to know of this scholarship “around September or October 2020, when registration for the PSAT began.” So if you are currently a sophomore here at Sheyenne High School I advise you to be proactive and prepare for this scholarship ahead of time.’
Over Christmas break, there have been posters hung anonymously on the inside of both the girls’ and boys’ bathrooms. These posters stem from Justin’s Break the Silence campaign.
Since Justin’s heartbreaking death in 2016, the nonprofit organization through the Dakota Medical Fund spreads awareness about mental health in schools. An example of their encouragement to break the silence is with these posters.
Coached by both Kelsey Johnson and Krista Hulderman, the Student Congress team here at Sheyenne last month became back-to-back Student Congress Champions on November 6th. They have also reclaimed the North Dakota Roughrider District Congress Sweepstakes Award for the second consecutive year on November 7th.
State Student Congress members (Left to right) Back: Elijah Nyberg, Reagan Koppelman, Asiya Gedi, Jona Follingstad Center: Abhiram Kotala, Leo Nyberg, Emma Jorda, Benjamin Kramer, Micah Ramsey, Fatouma Dileita Front: Keona Munowenyu, Sherry Yan, Sricharan Kotala, Grace Widjaja, Christine Nwaigwe
The Student Congress team isn’t unfamiliar with success as they were the first Championship Sheyenne High School has witnessed.
The road to success this year could have been predicted by their strength this season.
After their first tournament at East Congress, Sheyenne came back with 10 awards out of 18 competitors securing four championship awards: Senate from Keona Munowenyu, House I from Sherry Yan, House II from Vidyaa Lav, and House IV from Reagan Koppelman.
East Congress award recipients at Sheyenne High School
Regan Koppelman is a new member of Student Congress, in his freshman year who has remarked that he enjoys Student Congress because it helps him “improve on how he speaks for debate and also speech later in the year.”
West Congress team celebrates in Mandan, ND
Accolades continued to roll in at the team’s West Congress tournament to attain a total of 12 awards. Student Congress came back with five total championship awards in nearly every house.
In House I, senior Sherry Yan, a recurring champion this season, attained their second championship along with senior Christine Nwaigwe.
House II saw freshman Vidyaa Lav champion again for the second time this season.
In House III freshman Hosna Dawlaty championed.
Finally, in House IV Freshman Reagan Koppelman became a champion foreshadowing his future State Student Congress success.
State Student Congress champions in the state capital
The road to the State Student Congress Championship and Roughrider District Congress Sweepstakes Award was a promising one, and it proved in the very end to be so.
At the individual level, this team took three individual championship awards: Jonah Follingstad earned first place in House VI, Christine Nwaigwe earned first place in House II, and Reagan Koppelman was voted Presiding Officer for House V.
National Qualifiers heading to Louisville, Kentucky
As a whole, nearly every individual came from the State meet placing in their chambers.
After the State Student Congress tournament, the team competed competitively in National Qualifiers with Keona Munowenyu qualifying in the North Dakota Roughrider Senate and Grace Widjaja qualifying in the North Dakota Roughrider House for the National Speech & Debate Association’s national tournament. Both individuals will attend the national tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, in June.
State Student Congress team after receiving first place poses in the Bismarck capital
West Congress October 11 Results
Senate: Runner-Up Grace Widjaja (senior)
House I: Presiding Officer Sherry Yan (senior)
House I: Champion Christine Nwaigwe (senior)
House I: Runner-Up Sri Kotala (senior)
House II: Presiding Officer Vidyaa Lav (freshman)
House II: 4th Place Ben Kramer (sophomore)
House II: 5th Place Asiya Gedi (junior) – she went straight 10s all day!
House III: Presiding Officer Hosna Dawlaty (freshman)
House III: Runner-Up Eli Nyberg (freshman)
House IV: Presiding Officer Reagan Koppelman (freshman)
After coming up short in the Dakota Bowl two years in a row, West Fargo Sheyenne finally got over the hump in 2021.
Full-back Josh Henricks looks for an opening in West Fargo High’s defensive line during the Dakota Bowl Photo courtesy Jason Kirkeby at jasonkirkeby.smugmug.com
It was an historic year for the Mustangs. They dominated all season long, scoring 364 points and only giving up 90 points. It was their first perfect season with a record of 12-0.
The 364 points the Mustangs put up this season is now the best mark in program history, while the 90 points they allowed is the fewest amount of points the Mustangs have ever given up.
West Fargo Sheyenne rolled to a 27-7 victory over their cross-town rival, the Packers, to capture their first state title in program history.
Josh Henricks, who was one of the top rushers in the state all season, had a whopping 39 carries for 238 yards and three touchdowns in the final game of his high school career.
Henricks was the main workhorse for the Mustangs this season and finished his senior year with 275 carries for 1,451 rushing yards, and an amazing 23 touchdowns.
Grant Warkenthien had the other rushing touchdown in the Dakota Bowl for the Mustangs as he was able to finish his glorious high school career on a high note.
Grant Warkenthien was a three-year starting quarterback for West Fargo Sheyenne and will continue his academic and football career at MSUM next year.
Warkenthien had four rushing touchdowns in the semifinal game against Shanley where the Mustangs won 36-21. He showed his leadership as a senior this year and was very hungry to bring this program a state title.
Grant Warkenthien breaks free for a touchdown against Shanley in 11AA Semi-final on November 5th, 2021 Photo courtesy Jason Kirkeby at jasonkirkeby.smugmug.com
West Fargo Sheyenne’s defense made a statement this season and was a big factor all season long. Their 7.5 points given up per game average is the lowest in program history.
The Mustangs didn’t allow a lot of big plays this season. Defensive backs coach Andrew Rott stated, “This year we asked the secondary to do some new things that required more communication and attention to detail. They did a good job of being focused and continuously improved. Even though we allowed a few touchdowns through the air, we did a pretty good job of limiting big plays this year.”
The coaching staff put a lot of emphasis into the importance of a strong defense. “In practice, we typically focus on footwork, technique, and ball skills,” coach Rott said. “As a defense, we focused on tackling, pursuit, and setting the tempo. We also focused on playing mistake free football.”
West Fargo Sheyenne had five shutouts during their championship season which were against Grand Forks Central, Bismarck High, Minot High, Bismarck Century, and Fargo Davies. Shanley was the only team that could score at least three times against the Mustangs this year.
Shanley put up 29 points in their week three matchup against West Fargo Sheyenne and 21 points in the AA semifinal matchup.
The Deacons were also the only team to build a lead on the Mustangs. The Mustangs trailed the Deacons at halftime 21-14 in the AA semifinal game before the Mustangs scored 22 unanswered in the second half.
Other than the two games against Shanley this year, the Mustangs controlled the tempo in the other 10 games they played.
Dominance on both sides of the ball this year showed the Mustangs’ desire for a state title this season. Jeremy Newton, head coach of the Mustangs stated, “I think the team did a great job this year and hopefully they will stay hungry moving forward. We all work hard to reach the same goals every season.”
Head Coach Jeremy Newton prepares before the Dakota Bowl against West Fargo High. Photo courtesy Jason Kirkeby at jasonkirkeby.smugmug.com
West Fargo Sheyenne is 64-21 under head coach Jeremy Newton and are 40-5 in the last four years.
“I think we played well as a team this year and worked hard in practice. We don’t really think about that other stuff,” coach Newton said. “I think that we just took it one week at a time.”
West Fargo Sheyenne has reached the playoffs 7 times out of their 8 years as a varsity program.
Coming into the season, the Mustangs were looking to finish some unfinished business from the previous two years. Bismarck Century knocked off West Fargo Sheyenne in the Dakota Bowl in 2019 and 2020.
Grant Warkenthien and most of the seniors knew it was their last chance at a state title this year so they wanted to make sure that they finish their high school football careers in dominant fashion.
The Mustangs were able to get revenge on Bismarck Century late in the regular season with a 14-0 victory at home in front of the Mustang faithful.
West Fargo Sheyenne snapped Bismarck Century’s 29-game winning streak. The defense only allowed four yards of total offense in the third quarter.
Tharin Parson was an animal at defensive tackle and had three sacks against the Patriots. The Mustangs carried that momentum into the playoffs.
The 2021 West Fargo Sheyenne football team will go down as one of the most dominant teams in North Dakota high school football history.
It was all about getting stops on defense and controlling the clock on offense for the Mustangs this year and that’s the way they play.
This was a team that never gave up and pushed through adversity when they faced it.
After a slow start against West Fargo High in the Dakota Bowl, West Fargo Sheyenne was going to make sure that they didn’t shut down.
The Mustangs jumped out to a 14-0 lead and held that lead for the rest of the game to win 27-7.
As the clock hit zero, the players rushed out onto the field and the fans and student section went wild.
For the first time in program history, the West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs had the right to call themselves, state champs.
West Fargo Sheyenne holds up their first ever football state championship trophy after defeating West Fargo High, 27-7, on Friday, November 12, 2021, at the Fargodome. Photo courtesy Jason Kirkeby at jasonkirkeby.smugmug.com
The Mustang Post 