BrianJodie Steffensmeier Congratulations
Douglas Deborah Brandl Congratulations, nice to have you back at St Marys
Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s High School Class of 1968 held their 55 year class reunion on July 15, 2023, at the Sleepy Eye Golf Club. Pictured in the front row (left): Judy (Guldan) Anderson, Ames, IA; Mary Lu (Soukup) Schwartz, New Ulm; Marie (Seifert) Hoffmann, New Ulm; Sandy (Haala) Langbehn, Sauk Rapids; Patty (Groebner) Sprow, New Ulm; Mary (Lux) Dubois, Elk River; Monica (Seifert) Clayton, Colorado Springs, CO; and Martha (Seifert) Anderson, Albert Lea.
Second row: Linda (Ludewig) Braulick, New Ulm; Joyce Portner, Minneapolis; Sylvia (Gilland) Newfield, Minnetonka; Janis (Miller) Fromm, Lakeville; Sue (Hillesheim) Schewe, Sleepy Eye; Nancy (Mages) Strate, Mankato; Margie (Hoffmann) Balint, Kennewick, WA; Marie (Tauer) Eckstein, Redwood Falls; Wayne Pelzel, Sleepy Eye; and Bob Weiss, Sleepy Eye.
Back row: Wayne Cook, Redwood Falls; Lester Braulick, New Ulm; David Fromm, Lakeville; John Hirsch, Sleepy Eye; Gary Hoffmann, New Ulm; Shelley Schwab, Sleepy Eye; Ron Witt, Minneapolis; Dan Fischer, Sleepy Eye; Ray Kral, Sleepy Eye; Dick DeBlieck, Minneapolis and Warren Cook, Sleepy Eye.
Row 1: Austin Wyman-High School English, Caitlyn Pietig-High School English, Mary Helget-High School Math, Ashley Maher-High School Science.
Row 2: Troy Vangsness-High School Social Studies, Sandy Brinkman-High School Careers/English, Aaron Nesvold-High School Math, Kevin Schneider-High School Government, Mindy Berker-High School Spanish, Alyssa Stevensen-Art, Sydney Geiger-Physical Education/Health, Kathyrn Serra-Early Childhood Special Education Instructor.
Row 3: Neena Paulson-High School Counselor, Vanessa Wales-High School Music Teacher Long Term Sub, Gwen Rossbach-Kindergarten, Trent Weicherding-Second Grade, Alicia Beltz-Early Childhood Special Education Instructor, Megan Koenigs-Preschool, Kristin Leimer-Kindergarten, Casie Braulick-First Grade, Abigail Kruse-Elementary LD Instructor.
Row 4: Jordan Ott-High School Math, Paul Hendrickx-Ag/FFA, Mary Hoffmann-Ag/FFA, Nichole Krenz-Special Ed Instructor, Laura Petersen-Preschool Instructor, Jodi Arneson-Second Grade, Nicole Jensen-Third Grade, Karlie Mathiowetz-First Grade. Row 5: Carlie Hedlund-High School Social Studies, Kate Nelson-Sixth Grade, Kylie Koerner-Fourth Grade, Tim Hoffmann-Fifth Grade, Chase Meyer-Fifth Grade, Breanna Sittig-Third Grade, Zach Kelly-Physcial Education, Rosemary Molenaar-Sixth Grade, Tammy Poncin-English Language Learners Instructor. Row 6: Sarah Rossing-High School Intervention Coordinator, Katie Emmitt-Ag/FFA/Industrial Arts, Deb Reinarts-High School Science, Michelle Kastner-High School Special Ed Instructor, Allyson Vorwerk-EBD Instructor, Cory Haala-Athletic Director/Physical Education. Emily Reding-High School Special Ed Instructor. Missing (below): Samantha Whittington – Elementary Title One Director/Interventions Coordinator, Karina Koracan – Music, Morgan Kokesch – Instrumental Music, Sheri Okerman – Elementary EBD. Instructor
Sleepy Eye Schools honored Mindy Berkner as the Sleepy Eye Education Association 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year. Mindy is a Spanish teacher.
Sleepy Eye Education Association president Mindy Berkner presents Denny Mangen the 2020-2021 Friend of Education Award. Denny is joined by his wife Chris.
Denny Mangen was honored Sept. 25 as the 202 Friends of Education Award Winner.
Mangen joins previous award winners Mel Cook and Duke Cook, Arneson Distributing, Dave Vosbeck, Julia Coulson, Darla Remus, Karen Okerman and Shari Hittesdorf.
Presentation Speech
With an appreciation for his efforts to support Sleepy Eye High School I am proud to nominate Denny Mangen for the 2020 Friends of Education Award! Education based athletics play a large role into the overall experience for students, Denny Mangen has volunteered many hours of his time to help support our programs.
For more than 10 years Denny has volunteered without pay for the following Sleepy Eye High School activities:
1. Announcer and scoreboard operator for all home football games
2. Announcer and scoreboard operator for all home boys basketball games
3. Announcer and scoreboard operator for all home baseball games
Other functions of volunteer support include:
1. Periodic Announcer and scoreboard operator for home girls volleyball and basketball events
4. Scorebook personnel for away boys basketball games
5. Bus driver for multiple events
6. Support with grounds keeping and concession stand at High School baseball games
John Mangen Award:
Denny and his family produced the John Mangen award. This $500 scholarship goes to 1 deserving baseball and softball player each year that exhibits special character traits, this money is to be used to help support the recipient’s college education.
Denny has always been a true supporter of Sleepy Eye High School, the participants, coaches and parents truly appreciate all he has done for us!
Sleepy Eye High School teachers are out and about delivering signs to each member of the Class of 2020 this week. Above, Isaac Finstad, and below Alexa Steffl, pose with their congratulatory gifts from staff.
The Sleepy Eye High School Student Council honored this year’s senior class with a billboard located at the Hwy. 4/14 intersection. The billboard was placed on Tuesday afternoon with KEYC-TV present to film the honor. The 42-members of the class of 2020 will overlook the intersection for the next two months.
Problem Viewing?…CLICK HERE>>>
The Sleepy Eye Education Association recognized Karen Okerman as their 2018-2019 Friends of Education Award winner. Below is the presentation speech:
Karen is an essential part of our Kindergarten classroom and our school. From the hours she pours into artwork and posters for special nights, to the items she donates to school, to the time and energy she puts into every student who crosses her path to make them feel special and loved, Karen Okerman is an asset to this school. To name a few things, she has painted murals for our Kindergarten classrooms, and giant posters for reading night, created activities for students during hobby day, and works tirelessly to help every student she can succeed. As a first year teacher, Karen has been a lifesaver to me in the classroom, giving me information I need to know, and has become my dear friend. She does all of these things, and many more, without a desire to be recognized or congratulated. Karen does these things because she loves this school, and our students. Karen Okerman is a one of a kind person, and this school would not be the same without her.
The Sleepy Eye Education Association honored Sleepy Eye High School social studies teacher Gloria Nachreiner as their 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year. Above SEEA president Mindy Berkner presents Gloria the award.
Gloria was ready to take the picture of this year’s Teacher of the Year…but then her name was called.
St. Mary’s School has announced former teacher and coach, Peter Roufs, will return to his previous place of employment in the role of high school principal. Effective July 1, Roufs will replace current principal Andrew Bach who has resigned effective the end of the school year.
Roufs has experience as a principal at a parochial school after having worked at New Ulm Cathedral for five years, resigning that position in August 2013. He also has experience working at Lafayette Charter School and is a current board member for River Bend Education District.
Based on Facebook responses, he will receive a great welcome back!
Deanne Ibberson Congratulations!
Susie Kral CONGRATS..soo AWESOME 
👏!
👏!LeAnn Rae Yay!!! That is awesome, welcome back!
Rob Henjum Nice to see him coming home.
Steffanie Dietz What a gift! Congrats!!
Marie Guggisberg Congratulations!
Nicole Steffl Fuchs Sad to see Mr. Bach go, but his is awesome! Happy to have Mr Roufs back.
Bev Ibberson Congratulations
Jennifer Blick So excited to have you back!
Ashley Mathiowetz Schieffert So exciting for St Marys!!!
Linda Seifert Yay!!!!!
Angie Beranek Foster Congratulations!
Becky Schroepfer Wilfahrt Congratulations! Well deserved!
Deanna Schwint Congratulations! This is great news for St. Mary’s.
Sadie Brown One of my favorite teachers at sms… congrats!!
Colin Nelson Congratulations to you, Mr. Roufs! I’m pulling for you.
Renee Dietl Hildebrandt Awesome!!!!!!! Welcome back!!!
Sandy Neid Congratulations
Jerry Neubauer Happy for St Mary’s and for Peter. He was a great employee and even better person. Wishing him only the best.
Cassie Monroe Schwartz Awesome! Congrats!!
Jill Berdan Congratulations!
Karen Warta Sellner Congrats and welcome back to Sleepy Eye saint Mary’s! 
Denise Helget Congratulations! Excited to see you again at St. Mary’s.
Monica Wurtzberger Wonderful news! Congratulations!
Amy Kral Congratulations! Excited for Mr Roufs to be back… sad to see Mr Bach go tho!
Bill Tschida Okay, that is a pretty good hire! Congrats Pete!
Holly Simonsen Thank you Mr. Bach! Best wishes for your future endeavors. Welcome
Raina Klisch This is AMAZING news! Welcome home, Mr. Roufs! Congratulations!
Heidi Sellner Thank you Mr. Bach for being part of St. Mary’s School. Our family wishes you well with you next adventure! And Mr. Roufs – Welcome Back!
Brianna Mages Jensen Mr. Roufs!!! Total….body….stretch. Do I remember you always saying this??!!
Phyllis Stoneberg Congratulations
Cindy Hyacinth Rieke Yeah! Welcome me back Peter!! 
😍
🎉
🙏🏻🙏🏻😍. Excited for you and SMS!
😍🎉🙏🏻🙏🏻😍. Excited for you and SMS!Sue Severson Welcome back Mr. Roufs!
Lavon Kielkucki Good for everyone God bless you Peter
Nancy Benz What a great hire!!!!! Congrats Peter!
Molly Millerbernd Congratulations Pete!! Praying for you as you transition to this new job!!
Jerry Herrley Congratulations Peter from Cousin Rolayne (Roufs) Herrley!
Missi Schweizer Meyer That is fabulous news!!
Sheri Liebl Awesome choice…congrats Peter
Dan Stifter Congratulations Pete! Good Luck with the new position!
Randy Braun Extremely excited to hear about this hiring.Congratulations Mr. Roufs and everyone at St. Mary’s. This man had a great impact on my life personally and I’m excited for everyone involved. Welcome back Mr Roufs.
Diane Ibberson Congrats Peter!! Welcome back!!
Dee Surprenant Oh, yeah! A newbie who is an oldie and goodie.
Eileen Hirsch Great guy! Glad to have him back!
Beth Vait-Kosel Congrats Peter! St. Mary’s is so blessed to have you back!
Deb Deibele Braulick Awesome news! Will be great having him back!
Amy Sellner Ostermann I was from one of the first classes Mr. Peter Roufs taught at St. Mary’s in 7th grade Phy Ed class! Welcome back!
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