Mandan Public Schools Foundation Chairman Lee Fleischer (left) and board member Wayne Papke (right) extend appreciation to donors Jack and Kristin Paris. Submitted photo

The Mandan Public Schools Foundation for Education applauded its first major donors at a board of directors meeting last week.

Jack and Kristin Paris contributed $5,000 to help catapult the foundation towards its goals of providing student scholarships, grants for school employees and students, and carrying out projects that meet student needs.

Kristin Paris served as a teacher in Mandan Public Schools for 23 years. Jack Paris is an alumnus of Mandan High School.

The foundation was formed in April and has filed for not-for-profit tax exempt status. Foundation Chairman Lee Fleischer thanked the Paris’ for their leadership and sizeable contribution to the foundation in its infancy.

“We greatly appreciate the Paris’ generous donation to help get the foundation off the ground. This will assist us in achieving the goals of the foundation, which is to reward our students and staff,” Fleischer said.

The foundation welcomes additional donations and is seeking ways to reach out to current and former teachers, alumni and other potential supporters. For forms and more information, visit the website mandanschoolsfoundation.org, or call Fleischer at 220-8939.

The need for a public schools foundation was reinforced during Mandan’s strategic planning process conducted in 2009 as a means of augmenting available funding for local education.

The Mandan Public Schools Foundation for Education board of directors is comprised of Lee Fleischer, president; Wayne Papke, vice president; Jim Neubauer, treasurer; Tom Bair, secretary; along with Karen Kautzmann, Gordon Binek, Ellen Huber, Ryan Leingang, Vicki Roehl, Tim Tausend and Marilyn Keller.

-Brian L. Gray

Branden Boff

Branden Boff, of Mandan, has received the Community of Learners Scholarship from the University of North Dakota for the 2010-11 academic year.

Boff, the son of William and Therese Boff, graduated from Mandan High School and plans to attend UND in the fall.

The scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership in high school and prospective leadership potential at UND. Other criteria for the award include strong academic performance and recommendations by high school staff members.

Pazdernik, the daughter of Thomas and Cynthia Pazdernik, transferred from Bismarck State College and plans to attend UND in the fall.

The scholarship was established in 1965. Awards are based on academic promise as evidenced by academic records with preference given to residents of the Hillsboro-Buxton area. Haugen was an infant when his family moved from Norway to North Dakota. He farmed for several years near Cummings and died in 1964.

Superintendent Wilfred Volesky poses with students of the summer reading program at Custer Elementary. Submitted photos

Custer Elementary’s Summer Reading Program met on June 10 and June 24 with over 20 kids participating in each session. 

Guest reader Superintendent Wilfred Volesky read “Cook-A-Doodle-Doo” by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett.

Patty Mitchell then instructed the children on how to make puppy chow.

For the second session, Ms. Morgan read “The Squiggle” by Carole Lexa Schaefer and Ish by Peter H. Reynolds and Ms. Haugen read “The Mixed-Up Chameleon” by Eric Carle.

Ms. Bringle illustrated how to draw a lion step by step. Students drew their own animals or people to create a flipbook.

Students gather to learn how to make puppy chow with instructor Patty Mitchell.

Bauer, who graduated cum laude, earned a bachelor of arts degree in English.

The following students made the university’s dean’s list: Mandan – Teresa Aldrich, Elyse Rossman, Thomas Senger, Ashley Stoltz. Glen Ullin – Kurran Opp.

To qualify for the honor, students must earn a 3.5 or better grade point average while carrying at least 12 credit hours.

Baneck is a junior majoring in elementary education, and Kautzman is a senior majoring in marketing.

To be named to this list, students must achieve a minimum 3.50 grade point average.

Aune, son of Myron and Karla Aune, graduated from Mandan High School and plans to attend UND in the fall. 

The Community of Learners Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have shown exemplary achievement in both high school GPA and in test scores. This scholarship program is intended to honor and reward students who contribute to enhancing UND as vibrant and connected learners.

Megan Sis

Megan Sis, a 2004 graduate of Mandan High School, received her White Coat from Pacific University College of Optometry. Members of the 2012 class of optometry received their White Coat in a ceremony on May 10, on the University campus in Forest Grove, Ore.

The white coat is a non-verbal symbol of communication that is used to express and affirm a fundamental belief society has in the recipients. A cloak of compassion, the white coat conveys to patients a sense of seriousness and purpose that helps provide reassurance and confidence that complaints will be dealt with competently and seriously.

Sis is a 2008 graduate of North Dakota State University and is the daughter of Lynn and Jeanne Wolf, of Mandan.

In order to make the dean’s list, students must earn a minimum 3.5 grade point average and be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.