by April Scheinoha
Editor
Lincoln High School band and orchestra students may soon have the opportunity to say they performed in Florida. At its meeting Monday, May 12, the Thief River Falls School Board heard a presentation about a proposed 2026 performance tour in Orlando.
Lorrisa Skalsky, district band director, and Derek Druse, district orchestra director, presented a proposal for the four- to six-day trip. Specific dates have yet to be determined, but it is anticipated the trip would occur in late March 2026 or late May 2026/early June 2026. The cost of airfare, which has yet to be determined, is part of the issue in picking dates.
A sample itinerary included a performance and clinic in Disney parks; participating in the OrlandoFest musical festival; attending a Cirque du Soleil show; and visiting the Disney parks, Sea World and Kennedy Space Center.
They hope to keep the cost per student to around $2,000. Students would have opportunities to fundraise. Druse anticipated about 65 students in grades 9 through 12 would participate.
The school board is expected to consider the matter at a future meeting.
School board accepted the retirement of Rosalee Dahlen after 27 years. She is a paraprofessional at Challenger Elementary School.
The board accepted the retirement of Sherry Miller after 27 years. She is a science teacher at Challenger Elementary School.
As part of its consent agenda, board members accepted the resignations of CES science teacher Margaret Bartz and CES paraprofessional Jenna Hinrichs.
Miller and Bartz are the lone science teachers at the school and happen to be mother and daughter. Superintendent Dr. Chris Mills said Miller’s retirement and Bartz’s resignation will expedite some changes at CES. He said the district may also need to add a section of kindergarten for next school year since it is anticipated there will be 99 kindergartners as of the board meeting.
Lincoln High School senior Javyn Eidelbes, who was recently crowned a state champion in speech, performed a speech for the board. The speech was told from comedian Anthony Griffith’s perspective. The speech focused on his appearances on the Tonight Show and their timing in relationship to his daughter’s cancer diagnosis and eventual death. After giving the speech, Eidelbes said, “I know [the speech] in my sleep.”
Eidelbes was expected to compete later that week at the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions in Kansas City, Mo.
School board recognized Eidelbes’ recent speech accomplishments as well as the following:
• Autumn Fladeland, Ruby Geiser, Avery Koop and Gannon Zutz for serving as student board members this school year
• District teachers – May 5-9 was Teacher Appreciation Week
• 2025 Lincoln High School graduates who are set to graduate Friday, May 23
The next school board meeting is scheduled Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m. at the District Service Center. Note the date change.