Written by: Cameron Reichmuth
The Lindsay Academy school year began on August 15th, in an environment that many farmers are quite familiar with. Yes, the new Academy year began in Duane and Shanda Beller’s machine shed. It was graciously donated by the Beller family, since the new school is not yet completed. There are seven individual rooms along with a commons/lunchroom. There is a boys and girls bathroom, a principal’s office, and a library. With so many different rooms all incorporated into a single building, you might think it is loud and a distraction to everyone. However, I would have to say that the teachers do a great job of keeping the students quiet and under control in order for everyone to focus and learn. There are sound-absorbing walls separating each room and with students being spread out throughout the building, there usually isn’t any problems. Each classroom has plenty of room for students to work and focus. Although it’s not the greatest place for school, it’s a great temporary place to have school. It has all the necessities students need from a commons area to parking areas along the street. Brain breaks are given to students to take a break from learning for a while. Students go outside to play basketball, football, foursquare, etc.
Recently, we had spirit week with different themes every day. Monday was Hawaiian, Tuesday was Hippie, Wednesday was Pink Out, Thursday was Business Casual, and Friday was School Spirit. We also hosted our own Bulldog Olympics down at the park with an egg toss, water balloon toss, balloon stomp, pie eating contest, and a kickball game for all grades. We also had a wagon parade with the Lindsay Holy Family elementary and celebrated Homecoming with Humphrey Public. Every Friday, the students and teachers come together at the end of the day to clean up the entire shed. Despite being in a totally new environment, students still feel a sense of community and family at school. The entire community of Lindsay has worked hard for this school to happen. The students feel appreciated and are glad that they get the chance to attend school here in Lindsay. The school hosted a community service day where students went out and worked for people around the Lindsay area to try to give back for everything they have done for us. The student uniform and dress code is the same as last year, with exceptional jean days or dress down days held for special occasions.
The students still incorporate prayer in everything they do. Every morning the pledge of allegiance and morning prayer is said. We pray before lunch and even before sporting events. The 7th and 8th graders all have a theology class together, while the 9th-12th graders also all have their theology class together every day. Students seem to be enjoying this new journey. They feel excited to be in a new place with a couple new teachers. Despite all the hardships and changes students have been through these past couple months, the students and teachers all seem to be cheerful and keeping things light every day. When asked about how the students feel about this change, our Principal Tyler Beranek stated, “The students have made a big impact on the success of the shed because of the attitudes and the way students have carried themselves throughout the change. They could’ve taken it as a joke or not cared about anything, but they have been serious throughout it all and had good attitudes towards everything we have done. Good attitudes and high hopes have made things come together nicely.” Everyone is super thrilled to enter the new building this winter although the shed has been a great compromise for the time being.