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The year began with Avon students, athletes and community members earning recognition at the state and national level. The Avon Fire Department honored its members at its annual banquet, and South Dakota marked a historic transition as Larry Rhoden became the state’s 34th Governor. February highlighted strong athletic performances and school traditions, led by Peyton Hellmann’s 150th career pin and fifth consecutive state wrestling title, where she was named Outstanding Wrestler. Avon students advanced to state wrestling, the Senior Choir hosted Sweetheart Serenades, and Reese Powers was elected Avon Chamber of Commerce President. Spring featured school concerts, prom, the science fair, Easter festivities and graduation ceremonies. Abby Gretschmann received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, the Avon American Legion Auxiliary selected its Girls State representatives, and Becky Haenfler was named Region 3 Teacher of the Year. Summer brought athletic success and community celebration as the Pirates advanced to the State Softball Tournament, the Avon Swim Team claimed its fifth straight first-place finish, and the Avon Fire Department found success at Water Fights. Heavy rainfall in late June caused flooding at the city park, while festivals, rodeos and 4-H events filled the summer months. Fall showcased strong performances across athletics and activities, including football, volleyball, cross country and oral interp. The Pirates advanced to the Class 9B State Championship, while community stories highlighted business renovations, library milestones, exchange student experiences and harvest season. The year closed with leadership transitions, holiday traditions and winter sports. Sally Weber stepped in as President of the Community Bank of Avon, the Parade of Lights brightened Main Street, and students took the stage in concerts, operettas and athletic competitions—rounding out a year defined by achievement, tradition and community pride.

• It was announced that Avon High School students, Lila Vanderlei, Bree Vanderlei, Kaeli Wallinga, and Maesa Kuhlman, were selected as finalists for the National STEM Festival.

• Aziah Meyer was named to the 9B All-State football team, and was awarded the title of South Dakota Class 9B All-American.

• Lindsey Fathke, Avon School District Principal, was named Region 3 Principal of the Year.

• Avon Fire Department’s annual banquet was held.

Among those honored were: Nick Jager and Joe Paulsen were presented with a 5-year pin, Gregg Voigt received a 20-year pin and a plaque, and Branden Baade and Dennis Powers received their 10-year pins.

• Larry Rhoden became the 34th Governor of South Dakota in January 2025, after the resignation of Governor Kristi Noem, who was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

• Senior Peyton Hellmann celebrated career pin number 150 and was named the outstanding wrestler at the Yankton girls wrestling tournament.

• Reese Powers was elected Avon Chamber of Commerce President at their monthly meeting on February 10.

• On February 13 and 14, the Avon Senior Choir Members held their annual “Sweetheart Serenades” fundraiser.

• Avon School held their annual science fair.

• Seven girls and ten boys qualified to advance to the state wrestling meet to be held February 27, 28, and March 1 at The Monument in Rapid City. Among those qualifying, Peyton Hellmann went on to win her fifth consecutive state title and was named Outstanding Wrestler.

march

• K-8 students were treated to an assembly to watch the Spin-tacular Basketball Show produced by the Bruce and Diane Crevier family.

• Avon held their spring concert on March 20.

• Prom was held at Avon High School with the theme being “A Night on the Red Carpet.”

april

• Junior Abby Gretschmann was recently awarded the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, an annual award given by Bausch & Lomb and the University of Rochester.

• Avon American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Arthur Wiseman Unit #150 named their 2025 Girls State representatives. The Auxiliary sponsored three representatives: Katherine Swier, Abby Gretschmann, and Hope Kemnitz. The Springfield Auxiliary sponsored Alexis Vanderlei.

• Over 100 children gathered for the annual Easter Egg hunt sponsored by the Avon Chamber of Commerce.

may

• The Cuatro Crown Wagner HS Practice Rodeo was held May 2nd at the Wagner Rodeo Grounds featuring bareback, calf roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc, bull riding, breakaway, team roping, goats, steer wrestling and poles.

• Graduation ceremony was held May 11 for Avon’s senior class of 2025 with eighth grade graduation for the class of 2029 held in conjunction.

• Avon American Legion’s Memorial Day Program was held.

• Becky Haenfler was named Region 3 Teacher of the Year.

• Lila Vanderlei and Kaeli Wallinga were named to the Academic All-State Team for Track and Field.

june

• A win against Chester advanced the Pirates to the South Dakota State Softball Tournament, where they placed 8th later in the month.

• Avon Fire Department placed second in the Annual Lake Andes Fish Days Water Fights.

• The Avon Fire Department attended state fire school in Watertown.

• Ashley Tolsma, Macy Voigt and Kaeli Wallinga were selected Academic All State for Softball.

• A late June thunderstorm came through town with heavy rainfall leaving the city park flooded. Locals reported rainfall totals from 2.95 up to 3.30 inches.

july

• Lydia Yost took the oath of enlistment into the Army National Guard.

• Farmers Union hosted a day camp in Tyndall on June 26, allowing youth to spend the afternoon focused on learning more about the history of Cooperatives through games and interactive lessons.

• For the fifth consecutive year, Avon Swim Team was awarded First Place in team points.

• The Avon Summer Festival was well-attended with events such as a golf tournament, poker run, car show, live entertainment, and kids’ activities.

• The Avon Volunteer Fire Department held their Annual Appreciation Night on July 19.

A delicious pork loin sandwich meal was served. Six towns showed up to compete in the Water Fights with Avon claiming first place.

august

• The Wagner Teeners defeated Elk Point and qualified for the state tournament. At state, they ended their season 2-2 in 5th place.

• Bon Homme County 4-H Achievement Days event was held.

• Treyvan Talsma was named South Dakota State 4-H Senior Boys All-Around Champion.

• Construction continued on two new 600,000 bushel grain bins at Farmers Pride Cooperative.

• The Pirate football team kicked off their season with a big 38-0 win against Colman-Egan.

september

• Dennis and April Powers invited exchange student, Anna Lupi, from Rome into their home.

• The Jolly Roger shared about renovations over the summer including a new parking spot, new sidewalk, and the best was the brand-new locker room.

• Mary Hurd and Twila Lukkes share about 50 plus years at Avon Public Library.

• The father-son firefighter team of Mike Petrik, Matthew Petrik and Brady Petrik, took the win in Wagner Labor Day water-fight.

• Becky Haenfler, middle school English teacher, named 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year.

• Avon School Board member Jeff Tolsma was honored by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota with Distinguished Service Award.

• Avon Lady Pirates have strong week at the net defeating TDA and Alcester/Hudson.

• Candidates for this years Homecoming are: Jacob Ratzlaff, Randall Powers, Al'Shamon Gunter, Lance Odens, Treyvan Talsma, Hensley Talsma, Abby Gretschmann, Kate Swier, Ella Hamilton and Lexi Vanderlei.

• Kaeli Wallinga, a pre-physical therapy student is among those selected to join the University Honors Program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• Lila Vanderlei receives Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation award.

• Jolly Roger's Football Pirate of the Week is Easton Sees.

• Jolly Roger staff member of the week is Connie Gretschmann.

• Carmindy Ferwerda received a $1,000 scholarship from Golden West.

• Avon Pirates had a commanding performance on the field with the dominant 67-0 victory over Colome.

october

• Several local players competed in the Boys & Girls Club Super Bowl 25 championship.

• Pirates of the week are Xochitl Serrano-Rocco, Jaelin Ratzlaff and Brenson Ratzlaff.

• Students and community members gathered in prayer during the 'See You at the Pole' event.

• An interview with Haenfler named SD Teacher of the Year.

• Jordyn Voigt achieved her 1000th dig during the game with Colome.

• Avon School welcomes Mrs.

Irwin as the new Oral Interp Coach.

• The Jolly Roger's senior spotlight was Al'Shamon Gunter.

• Homecoming Queen Ella Hamilton and King Al'Shamon Gunter were crowned.

• Reese Powers opens Made Coffee House.

A YEAR IN REVIEW

• Avon Homecoming Parade held following by the dominant win over AC/DC/TDA 60-6.

• Don Sternhagen with his son, Steve Sternhagen, experienced the trip of a lifetime, the Midwest Honor Flight.

• Jolly Roger's senior spotlight this week is Ella Hamilton.

• Oral Interp team competed in Brandon Valley Speaking Lynx Invitational and brings home some great awards.

• Pirates XC runners Cale Cooper, Rance Kuhlman and Zander Fathke qualify for state meet.

• Pheasant season begins with big numbers recorded in the area.

• Fall harvest nears completion as Kevin Tjeerdsma, manager at Farmers Pride Cooperative reports one for the records.

• The Class of 1965 celebrated their 60 year reunion.

• Bon Homme County 4-H recognition event held.

• Pirates earn top-10 finish at Class B Cross Country Meet.

• Pirate Lady Volleyball seniors and their parents were honored.

november

• Sally Weber steps in as President of Community Bank of Avon following the passing of longtime president Richard R. Pier.

• The Jolly Roger senior spotlight is Kaden Mixon.

• Sister Milestones as Jordyn and Brielle Voigt reach 1,000 career marks together on the court.

• Pirates advance to football semifinals after dominant performance over Sioux Falls Lutheran.

• Avon advances to Class 9B State Football Championship as they defeated Colman-

Egan 38-28.

• Oral Interp team earns District Honors and advance to Regional Competition.

• Avon Trunk or Treat held.

• Avon girls top Kimball White Lake in 4-set battle.

• Avon football season ends with Class B Runner-Up finish.

• Jolly Roger senior spotlight is Treyvan Talsma.

• Gold Standard Pirates of the Week are Burk Baade, Kyzleigh Metzger and Lexi Vanderlei.

december

• Avon Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights held.

• Pirates Student Athletes receive end of season awards.

• Avon School presented their 2025 Christmas Operetta.

• November students of the month were Abby Gretschmann, Anna Small, Addisyn Fathke, Ella Grant, Jarod Maggs and Kendle Hartnett.

• Hadlee Kracht has 100th career win as BHSA girls begin their wrestling season at Viborg.

• Avon School presented their Winter Concert.

• Winter Sports is underway with the Avon boys basketball team under first year head coach Dan Fathke, girls basketball under head coach Brad Poppe.

• Walters Construction takes top honors at Wagner's Parade of Lights.

• Jasmine Ruelas-Hertz wins at Canton and named outstanding wrestler.

• Avon Fire Department conducted a controlled burn at the former North Vue Motel.

• Avon Senior Spotlight is Jacob Ratzlaff.

• Avon Pirates outlast Hanson in a triple over-time thriller boys basketball match-up. The girls also took win to send Hanson home with the losses.