STATE APPEARANCE–The Baraga Vikings made a state semifinal appearance last Thursday at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center. After defeating Pickford at the state quarterfinal on Tuesday in Munising, the team made the long journey downstate to go against the defending state champions, the Fowler Eagles. After an unusually quiet first quarter the Vikings fought hard to recover during the rest of the game, and got close several times. Baraga ended up bowing to the Eagles, 51-45, ending the season with a 23-2 record.
by John Raffel
It was a week the Baraga Vikings and their girls basketball fans will remember for a long time. The regional champs journeyed to Munising on March 15 for the quarterfinals and left with a 57-40 win over Pickford. That brought the Vikings and their fans to East Lansing’s Breslin Center and the home of the Michigan State Spartans for the Division 4 state semifinals on Thursday against defending state champion Fowler. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
WELCOMING RECRUITS–at Baraga Max’s open house last Tuesday, March 8, 2022, were, l-r, ADW Secretary Abby Lahti, MDOC UP Recruiter Jill Salomon and Corrections Officer Kurt Joyal, who handed out information and fliers to those stopping by.
by Melissa Newland
Looking to hire employees, and train in-house, the Michigan Department of
Corrections (MDOC) has been holding open houses for recruitment. A second open house
was recently held at the Baraga Maximum Security Facility March 8, 2022, to recruit Correction Officers along with Food and Health Service personnel. According to Chris Gautz, MDOC Public Information Officer, there are many openings and need for personnel in these
positions. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
ANIMAL RESEARCH–was done by Baraga Area School students in Christine Scrogg’s split class of kindergarten/first graders after ‘wonders’ were placed on the ‘wonder wall’. KBIC DRN employees were on hand to help educate students. Back row l-r, Ally Ahola, Mikah Pallas, Kroy Ekdahl, Kyle Seppanen (DNR), Easton Denomie and Dekkar Denomie. Front l-r, Austin Ayres (DNR), Audrey Bratt, Emma Harden, Kyla Haataja, Shaniya Elmblad, and Asher Paznonski. Not present in the photo, but participating, were Dalyla Francois and Eli Mayo. Photo Credit Christine Scroggs.
by Melissa Newland
Baraga Area School (BAS) Elementary Teacher Christine Scroggs along with her split class of kindergarten/first graders have been busy as beavers working on an animal research project, culminating after about 6 weeks’ worth of work. According to Scroggs, at the beginning of January students were encouraged to come up with one thing that they “wonder” about. These “wonders” were then written on the classroom’s “wonder wall,”
which is used to drive Scroggs’ science and social studies lessons throughout the year. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
LAS YIG–students traveled to Lansing Feb. 16, 2022 to attend the Youth in Government Spring Conference. Students included, front row, l-r, Akira Koenig, Sophia Brunet, Julie Juntunen, Alyssa Kujansuu, Kayla Kujansuu, Kayleigh LaBerge and Kayla Hoffman; second row, l-r, Marta Huguet, Kierra Collins, Makenna Decker, Robbie Jacobs, Karissa Krajnak, Kaylee Lahti, Isabel Ostermeyer, Olivia Latella, Maria Santurino, Hollynd Makela, Advisor Paul Moore and Cassius Muszynski; and, third row, l-r, Dysean Allen, Eli Ostermeyer and Tyler Youngren.
by Melissa Newland
L’Anse Area School (LAS) High School Youth in Government (YIG) students recently traveled to Lansing for the Youth in Government Spring Conference. The event was held Feb. 16, 2022, and 21 students attended, partaking in mock government activities where they experienced different facets of government as delegates to the conference. Students attending the event included Akira Koenig, Sophia Brunet, Julie Juntunen, Alyssa Kujansuu, Kayla Kujansuu, Kayleigh LaBerge, Kayla Hoffman, Marta Huguet, Kierra Collins, Makenna
Decker, Robbie Jacobs, Karissa Krajnak, Kaylee Lahti, Isabel Ostermeyer, Olivia Latella, Maria Santurino, Hollynd Makela, Cassius Muszynski, Dysean Allen, Eli Ostermeyer and Tyler Younggren. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
NEW DEAN–Megan Haataja takes over as the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College’s Dean of Academic Affairs.
by Teri Rowe
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) welcomes Megan Haataja as the new
Dean of Academic Affairs. Since 2008, Haataja has worked various roles at KBOCC. Haataja’s education and work experience provides a knowledge of business concepts such as finance, management, marketing, and economics. It’s no surprise that she has been made Dean of Academic Affairs at KBOCC. “When this position became available, I weighed all my options,” Haataja said. “I decided to apply with the notion that if it didn’t work it, it wasn’t meant to be. I wholeheartedly believe in the College, our mission, and what we
provide the community.” “I have been a part of the KBOCC family since before we received accreditation. Since then, I have seen the College grow, receive full accreditation, expand our offerings, and move in to a big, beautiful new facility. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
WARM FLAMES–Two bonfires were blazing at the L’Anse Township trails for the lantern lit snowshoe hike this past weekend. Hikers could take a break at the intersection of the trails for a warm up. With freezing temps, the second bonfire was well received. Photo by Tracey Barrett.
by Melissa Newland
Attendance was down for this year’s lantern lit snowshoe hike through the L’Anse Township Trails, Cathy’s Path and Soup’s Loop, with temperatures hovering at zero this past weekend, but those who attended enjoyed the company along with the brightness of the moon and the lit trails, among other things. Members getting the night ready with lighting
up the trails, bonfire and setting out hot cocoa and marshmallows for those wishing to join in on the adventure included Linnea Prost, Karen Kautto, Georgia Selden, Nancy Soli, Linda Zimmer and Tracey Barrett along with two-year volunteer Diane LaForest and first-timer
Corie Saarinen. Prost noted attendance was down from last year with approximately 48 people attending the Saturday, Feb. 12 event. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
by Melissa Newland
Much appreciated funds were raised for the Amelia Williams/Christopher Fogg family of Nisula to help pay for funeral expenses after a tragic fire took the life of Williams’ husband, Christopher Fogg, and son, Leonidas, age 5. The event took place at the Baraga High School during the Baraga/L’Anse basketball games Feb. 3, 2022. Three games were played that evening between the L’Anse and Baraga rivals, starting with the Girls Junior Varsity game at 4:30 p.m., the Boys Varsity game at 5:45 p.m. and culminating with the Girls Varsity game at 7:20 p.m. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
GEARED UP–with fishing poles donated by Tammy Engelhardt of Indian Country Sports, the KBOCC Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, learned the techniques of ice fishing last Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022 from Elder Mr. Joseph Dowd.
by Melissa Newland
The Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, were flying high last week with
excitement as Elder Mr. Joseph Dowd visited their classroom to discuss ice fishing. The Little Eagles, which is a GSRP State-funded Kindergarten Readiness program associated with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College (KBOCC) and located on Louis Street in L’Anse, is visited
twice a week by Dowd who teaches the children about their Native American culture. “The children have learned stories, songs, animals, and short phrases, said teachers Melissa Paulson and Kim Swanson. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
CELEBRATING–Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and using big words after reading “Martin’s Big Words,” Arvon Township School students show of their work. L-r are Avery Kahkonen, Bettylou Griffith, Brooke Waara, Carter Wiseman and Blaisen Wabanimkee.
by Melissa Newland and ATS students
In remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Arvon Township School (ATS) students read the popular book called “Martin’s Big Words,” and wrote their own big words to celebrate his life. This picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., written by Doreen Rappaport, “brings his life and the profound nature of his message to young children through his own words.” In the book, Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of King’s most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in a simple, direct
way. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
VFW BUILDING—on Front Street in L’Anse was recently purchased by local entrepreneur/businessman Scott Krajnak, current owner of The Finns Bar & Grill in Skanee and Krajnak Construction.
by Melissa Newland
The L’Anse Post #3897 VFW building on Front Street in L’Anse has a new owner after club officers recently made the decision to sell due to the unavailability of funds to keep the
business open. “It is unfortunate that the building had to be sold, but during COVID shutdowns the club had to close and was unable to pay bills,” said Post Commander Kristina Waara. Waara noted that there were a number of other factors that led to the decision, including the lack of an official auxiliary to help with fundraising and new
members/volunteers to help with pasty sales. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
