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President Rachel Woods rang the Rotary Bell on Wednesday, September 14th for our Noon Meeting. She introduced one guest, Amy Yost, wife of Superintendent Max Yost who was her program. Rotarian Bill Heermann offered up a prayer for the beautiful day, our food, and for help for our Rotarians to go about helping and pleasing others in our Wagner Community.

There were four Seniors from WCS present for the meeting. Kathryn Doom whose parents are Todd and Amy Doom listed her school subjects and activities and commented that she had been leaning towards going into medicine but is not completely sure that is what she wants to pursue. Ava Podzimek’s parents are Aaron Podzimek and Jenni Soukup, and she is planning to attend Mitchell Tech and studying Animal Science. Emily Robertson is also planning to attend Mitchell Tech and pursue Radiology and Nursing. Her parents are Jen and Randy Robertson. JaCee Dvorak’s parents are Boyd and Jenni Dvorak. JaCee is going to attend Lake Area Technical School and study Cosmetology.

Assistant Song Leader Gerrit Juffer led the club in singing two verses of “God Save the Queen” and inserting the word King in the second verse. This was a tribute to the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth of England and the present King Charles the III.

Rotarian Ken Cotton read an important message from our Rotary Handbook about the official Rotary Flag. An official flag was formally adopted by Rotary International at the 1929 Convention in Dallas, Texas. The Rotary flag consists of a white field with the official wheel emblem emblazoned in gold in the center of the field. The four depressed spaces on the rim of the Rotary wheel are colored royal blue. The words “Rotary” and “International” are printed at the top and bottom depressions on the wheel rim and are also gold. The shaft in the hub and the keyway of the wheel are white.

Sergeant at Arms Jordan Weber arrived at the podium with a list of fines. He usually begins writing down fines as soon as he arrives and listens carefully while the members are eating their noon meal. $5 fine to Bryan Slaba for going golfing every Wednesday afternoon; $5 fine to Jeff Doom for missing another meeting; $3 to Jerry Weber for his statement upon arriving at the meeting—“I’m a Working Man” in reference to his dirty shirt; $4 to Amanda for the headband she was wearing and making a comment about Jordan’s sweat pants; $2 to Scott McAdaragh for smiling at Jordan at the Food Center. No greeting just a smile?; $2 to Rachel Woods for calling Jordan “Jamie”; $2 to Gerrit Juffer for picking out an excellent song. Happy Fines came from Jerry Weber $3 for a fishing trip he owes to Emily Robertson’s Uncle; $3 to Rachel for her Vikings winning their football game; and a $5 UNHAPPY fine from Bryan Slaba for his Packers losing the game.

Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krsnak was absent so Rotarian Becky Brunsing served in his absence. She reported that Jordan’s team had only two misses with a total of eighteen; and Jamie Soukup had two misses on his attendance team for a total of fourteen misses.

The winning Football Books numbers were number 62 sold to Kurt Kaberna by Amanda Bechen and 162 sold to Steve Cotton by Ken Cotton.

Rotarian Scott McAdaragh held the winning ticket number, and he drew a King of Diamonds. There is a correction to last week’s Queen of Hearts winner. It was incorrectly stated that Kathe Henke had won but it was her husband Jerry Henke who won. Jerry made the comment that he no longer had the winnings!

Concerning other business President Woods announced that a representative from Amazon had attended the Monday Chamber meeting and announced that they are looking for someone to deliver packages in town and in the rural area. Contact her or Lucy Leines at Stems and Cells for more information. This would be a paying position.

President Rachel Woods introduced her program for the day. Superintendent Max Yost of the Wagner Community School passed out informational sheets with a map of the school. A recent addition adding 285,000 feet was completed and the staff will be moving furniture and supplies into the new area tomorrow and Friday. They will be classified as In Service Days and there will be no school on those two days, the 15th and 16th.

The addition has eleven new classrooms, a School Board Meeting Room, three offices for Mental Health Professionals from Lewis and Clark Behavioral Center in Yankton, SD. There are six newly remodeled kindergarten rooms and bathrooms.

WCS has a K-12 Enrollment of 789 students and 117 preschool Enrollment for a total of 906 total students which is only a few numbers less than last year 2021.

There are 165 employees which includes seventy-seven certified Teachers. Mr. Yost was very enthusiastic about the new addition and some new initiatives. He established a Protégé Project. A protégé is “one who is protected or trained or whose career is furthered by a person of experience, prominence, or influence” Each of the 165 employees received a protégé/person of interest that they are responsible for contacting and interacting with during this coming school year.

Yost commented about the Masai warriors in Africa. They are known for their proficiency with clubs; but their greeting to each other is: “And how are the children?” The answer is expected to be: “All the children are well” He said the project was well received by all involved and they are already seeing the benefits of children being impacted by the interest and diligence of their protectors.” Yost commented “the program has a significant impact already. “. Those participating meet on a regular weekly basis and talk about what is taking place between them and their children and if they are well!

Yost also mentioned that there is presently construction going on directly south of the football field to turn the property into a softball field. The SDHAA has sanctioned girls’ softball and since the property was owned by the school, they decided to develop it as the old McCormack baseball field was not big enough for the number of students who have enrolled in the new program.

The meeting was adjourned with the recitation of our Rotary 4-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”