Articles

High school sweethearts Mariah and Adley McCall tied the knot in a rustic, romantic ceremony at Stella Springs. Their two-year-old son stole hearts as ring bearer, and every detail—from sunflowers to sparklers—celebrated their love story. “She’s perfect in every way,” said Adley.

A.J. and Arlisa Campbell blended rustic charm and city elegance for their wedding at Silver Spoon Barn. From surprise serenades to personal touches honoring family, their big day was full of love and meaning. As A.J. said, “Don’t ever stop surprising me.”

Welcome to 2019—a year to enjoy nature, family, and new experiences. South Dakota offers amazing outdoor adventures and rich culture for the whole family. As the Dakota say, “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.”

The annual Carthage Chamber Banquet with a Casino Royale theme is set for Friday, January 18. Join the celebration of the community’s top achievers, including finalists for Small Business of the Year and Spotlight Awards. Enjoy appetizers, dinner by Mythos, a photo booth, and an evening of entertainment and networking — dress your best and mark your calendar!

Jena Turner, a seventh-grade English teacher at Seneca Junior High, values Project Based Learning (PBL) for encouraging critical thinking and student-driven solutions. She enjoys seeing students collaborate, communicate, and discover strengths while tackling real-world problems creatively. Turner acts as a facilitator, guiding students as they take charge of their own learning.

Dawn Pickering teaches STEM at Seneca Junior High, where students work on hands-on projects like coding and building mousetrap cars to develop problem-solving and teamwork skills. She highlights the growing demand for STEM jobs and enjoys seeing students learn from failure and celebrate their successes. Pickering believes STEM classes open students’ eyes to diverse career possibilities.

Natalie Hughes, an eighth-grade science teacher at Seneca, uses Project Based Learning (PBL) to teach students about the eight body systems through creating a health fair for younger students. She says students enjoy PBL because it lets them explore topics they’re interested in rather than just being told what to learn. Hughes loves seeing her students get excited about learning beyond the classroom.

Loeke Hopper, an eighth-grade communication arts teacher at Seneca Junior High, uses Project Based Learning (PBL) to blend writing, reading, technology, and cross-curricular content. She emphasizes developing a growth mindset, helping students understand their brains can grow through effort. Hopper believes PBL empowers students by engaging them in real-world problems and giving them control over their learning.

Whitney Dushane, a seventh-grade math teacher at Seneca Junior High, leads STEAM projects that help students develop creativity and critical thinking. She loves showing students how things work and connecting lessons to real-world scenarios. Dushane believes STEAM gives students valuable hands-on experiences not often possible in regular classrooms.