In spite of temperatures in the low 20s,  speakers not being able to present due to snow days, and overlapping into the test schedule, Walk to School Day today was still a success.  Forty one students walked to school and 5 staff members walked to school with Mr. Prasch walking the farthest.  Three Badger Pause groups tied for first for number walking, Mrs. Caldwell's, Mrs. Steskal's and Ms. O'Kief's each had 6 students walking.   All of the students in school who's last name begins with V walked.  Dana Miller gave a very "Middle School" appropriate safety talk.  It turned out well in spite of challenges.

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Toni Good Shield, a/k/a Toni Little Thunder, age 29, of Rosebud, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on April 16, and pled guilty to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury.

The conviction stems from an incident that took place on February 7, of this year when Good Shield kicked the victim causing a fracture to her left leg and a bloody nose.

A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date was set for July 8, 2013. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing.

Leo Brinda Unit 90 of the American Legion has announced the winners of the local Poppy Poster contest.

One hundred seventy-seven posters from three schools were entered in this annual contest. Out of those, thirty-seven were winners and seven were selected to enter state competition.

After posters are checked for rule compliance, the posters are then judged. Judges this year were three combat veterans of the Vietnam War.

Entries to state are: Class I Gunnar Battershaw, Class II Shelby Grooms, Class III Mataya Eklund, Class IV Kinzie Eggleston, Class V Jessica Reifers, Class VI Kassidy Linabery and Class VII Andrew Philbrick.

Other winners from the area are:  3A 1^st Kaylee Wenig, 2^nd Ashton Dehart, 3^rd Cody Frank;

3B 1^st Gunnar Battershaw, 2^nd Dakota Krogman, 3^rd Hayes Hammond;

3C 1^st McKyla Manewal, 2^nd Mya Shelbourn, and 3rd Alli Loughran.

Fourth grade: 4A 1^st Shauna Radant and 2^nd Elliana Springer; 4C 1^st Tatym Daniels.

Fifth grade: 5A 1^st Shelby Grooms, 2^nd Natalie Hayward, 3^rd Katherine Petersen;

5C 1^st Skylar Reagle, 2^nd Athena Gourley, and 3^rd Kylie Stock-Fay.

Sixth grade: 1^st Mataya Eklund, 2^nd Brayden Fowler, and 3^rd Gavin Woodson.

Eighth grade: 1^st Brandy DeNayer, 2^nd Maycee Low Dog, and 3^rd Sierra Woodson.

Ninth grade: 1^st Kinzie Eggleston, 2^nd Taryn Adams, and 3^rd Amanda Brock.

Tenth grade: 1^st Jessica Reifers, 2^nd Jennifer Hissong and 3^rd Kelsey Honeycutt.

Eleventh grade: 1^st Justin Hartman, 2^nd Klayton Honeycutt, and 3^rd Trevor Bukaske.

Twelfth grade: 1^st Kassidy Linabery, 2^nd Mary McQuistan and 3^rd Angela Reifers.

Unit 90 also hosts a poppy coloring sheet contest in first grade for fun. The winners are: 1A 1^st Zoe, 2^nd Thorn, and 3^rd Traven; 1B 1^st Coby, 2^nd Nadaya and 3^rd Cory; 1C 1^st Grant, 2^nd Hailey and 3^rd Lex.

All poppy posters will be displayed in the basement at the Veterans Club. Winners and entries to state will be posted on the south wall.

A People’s Choice award ballot will be held during 1884 Days. Voting is free, and every poster is eligible except those selected for state competition. Please come to see the many exceptional posters and be sure to thank the teachers and students who made this contest a priority.

The Valentine Chapter of Teammates mentoring program will be celebrating their fifth year of mentoring in the schools on July 22^nd with a golf social at The Prairie Club southwest of Valentine. The event will be a fund raiser to help cover the costs of the mentor program and college scholarships for youth who participated in the program. The Teammates program was started by Tom and Nancy Osborne in 1991 in an effort to provide support and encouragements to school aged youth. The Valentine Chapter has thirty matches that meet during school hours, sharing a variety of activities.

The golf and social event on the 22^nd will include access to the Horse Course from Noon to 7 PM that evening and a social on the veranda of the Prairie Club from 6 to 8 PM. A $25 ticket will include Hors D Oeuvres from Chef Eric at the Prairie Club and a drink. There will also be a small silent auction during the event. Mark the date, July 22^nd on your calendar for the Teammates Golf Social. Tickets are available at Sandhills State Bank, KVSH Radio and Valentine Middle School office.  For more information contact Teammates board members, Monty Neiffer, Suzy Beel, Wayne Harris, Mike Burge, Jamie Isom, Bonnie Rothleutner or Jeff Sayer.