The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express

The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express

The student news site of Stillwater Area High School

The Pony Express

The new English teacher Granger Taft talking in front of the classroom having a discussion on animated movies to get to know each other more. This show Tafts personality as a fun teacher that bonds and connects to his students.

English department welcomes Granger Taft

Karley Rydeen, Distribution Reporter November 7, 2020

The school recently added a new member to their English team, Granger Taft, who teaches English 9. Taft taught at Dakota Hills Middle School and Park High School for a few years before joining Stillwater....

School nurse, Deb Hammergren, in her at home office all set up for another days work as a Covid-19 triage nurse.

Superhero, more like school nurse

Mackenzie Chang, Online Editor November 7, 2020

  “The most difficult part of this job is hearing the heart breaking stories from families. In my new role, I work as a resource for these families that need guidance,” school nurse Deb Hammergren...

Junior Madeline Stricker learns from home. Although she is enrolled in the B-day hybrid option, she learns from home three days a week on platforms like Schoology and Zoom.

C-day, 100% online learning effects remote learners

Nissa Wilcox, Layout Editor October 28, 2020

For the 2020-2021 school year, students have a new option called C-day, a 100% online learning option to reduce social interactions with other students to prevent COVID-19. Although C-day students have...

Cultural liaison Cornelius Rish is currently his first year in the Stillwater school district and he is adjusting to the current situation of equity and diversity at SAHS. Rish will represent the BIPOC student community and coach teachers on new learning curriculums to include more diversity.

Rish addresses equity issues surrounding community

Connor Quaderer, Podcast Reporter October 27, 2020

“I'm glad I'm doing the work I'm doing, but we're going to need a lot more of me in Stillwater. We're going to need many more people doing the work,” cultural liaison Cornelius Rish said as he talked...

Brandon Maxwell, Amanda Maxwell, along with their children Owen and Amani Maxwell. This was taken while the family was horseback riding through the hills of Ecuador the past year.

Avid teacher returns back from Ecuador to teach in district

Jay Lohr, Food Reporter October 1, 2020

“My experience in Ecuador helped me see even more how incredibly blessed we are to have access to the education available here.  I am more grateful than ever to have the opportunity to teach,” AVID...

Bourne learns school in nature while also gaining important skills and making memories. The Conserve School is located on 1,200 acres of land so there is quite a bit to explore and learn about.

Bourne learns in nature

Rachel Duerr, Online Editor April 23, 2020

Everyone learns differently. Some people learn best in the classroom, others learn better physically doing what they are learning. For junior Emma Bourne, she took the route not commonly taken by high...

Junior Ava Shelton stands with principal Rob Bach, marketing teacher Debbie Drummerhausen and Stephanie Musgrove as she accepts her award from the essay contest.

Planning the future through the essay

Haley Nelson, Online Editor-in-Chief April 21, 2020

High school students get the question so many times about what’s next for them and what their future looks like. Money is one big thing that helps determine what the focus of your money is in the future....

The constant usage of phones everyday impacts the mental health of an individual. Social media, a shareable platform, can create a sense of low self esteem and self consciousness when comparing oneself to others.

Society’s hypocritical and insecure trait: judgement and comparison

Aarya Yang, Layout Editor April 2, 2020

Scroll. Like. Scroll. Like. Scroll… An eye-catching post appears. This post was not like the posts before. The elements of the post contain an emotional connection. It makes the conscience feel weaker....

Pete Kelzenberg uplifts community spirit

Olivia Bystrom, Field Reporter March 15, 2020

It takes a passionate person to make a difference in the world, and community member Pete Kelzenberg is a prime example of exactly the kind of person it takes. Afton resident and father of two, on...

Chelsea Dodds returns after maternity leave

Jaynie Diaz, Graphics Editor February 28, 2020

Chelsea Dodds is a freshman English teacher teaching both honors and regular. Dodds taught at the school since the first 9th grade class came to the school and is well known for her passion for teaching. “I...

Dodds and Evalee spend quality time together helping one another in quarantine.

Chelsea Dodds makes her great return

Jaynie Diaz, Graphics Editor February 28, 2020

Chelsea Dodds is a freshman English teacher teaching both honors and regular. Dodds taught at the school since the first 9th grade class came to the school and is well known for her passion for teaching. “I...

Juniors Ayuna Lamb-Hickson and Olivia Lind view the diversity poster for BLAST week. The BLAST week presentations are featured during the Black History Month presentation.

Kaul’s influence spread through Black History Month

Elaina Mankowski, Layout Editor February 19, 2020

As a self proclaimed redneck kid growing up in South Dakota, Michael Kaul, U.S. history and psychology teacher, was always touched by Dr. Martin Luther King’s words. After ending up teaching in a school...

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