![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
Dylan Lauwers would have been a junior this year and was involved in soccer since an early age, unfortunately Lauwers passed away due to suicide. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. On Thursday, Sept. 15 The Owatonna Boys Soccer team and community gathered together to honor and celebrate the life of Dylan Lauwers. The game looked to bring suicide prevention awareness and bring the community together.
Before the game t-shirts were available to purchase for fans. The design of these shirts had ‘Out of the Darkness’ in purple printed on them to promote suicide awareness. Owatonna players and coaches wore “Out of the Darkness” shirts pre- game. All the money made from the shirt sales was donated to a suicide awareness institution AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). There was a total of $760 raised.
During the game, Owatonna players wore purple socks to keep the suicide prevention awareness theme in game. Head coach Bob Waypa said, ”I believe this game is special because we recognize, we remember, we don’t forget. This game is just one way to show Dylan will always be with us and our program.” Before the starting lineups were announced both teams and the fans shared an emotional minute of silence to honor the life of Lauwers.
I believe this game is special because we recognize, we remember, we don’t forget. This game is just one way to show Dylan will always be with us and our program.
— Bob Waypa
The Huskies battled hard all night against their Big 9 opponent Winona. The Winhawks scored an early goal against the Huskies and took an early lead to start off the first half. The Huskies responded back in the second half with a goal by senior captain Benny Bangs. After the end of regulation time the score was still 1-1. This sent the game into overtime where two five-minute halves were added. Even after a grueling overtime both teams were unable to score, ending the game at a 1-1 draw.
After the game the team captains presented one of the game balls signed by the team to the parents of Lauwers. While the game might have ended in a draw, the student section and the Huskies supporters had an amazing turnout, and they were heard from the stands. Junior Adrian Trevino said, “It was nice seeing everyone gathered there to remember Dylan and seeing how many people he made an impact on.” The supporters showed the individual impact Lauwers made on them by supporting the cause at the game.
I don’t know if he realized how many people loved to see his smiling face in the classroom, the soccer fields and even in the halls.
— Jaedynn Tjon
There was evidence that Lauwers’s life had an impacting effect on many on the soccer field and at OHS. Junior Jaedynn Tjon said, “I don’t know if he realized how many people loved to see his smiling face in the classroom, the soccer fields and even in the halls.” This event brought awareness to Suicide Prevention Month. More information regarding awareness of tools for suicide prevention can be found at AFSP.
This story was originally published on Magnet on September 19, 2022.
