Meet Mrs. Ryken and Mr. Vander Sluis

Mr. Vander Sluis

by Berta G.

Today I interviewed Mrs. Ryken and Mr. Vander Sluis, her student teacher. Mrs. Ryken is the 8th-grade math and algebra teacher; she’s the only algebra teacher, but there is another math teacher. Mr. Vander Sluis is her student teacher for this semester. He studies at USD (which was one of the questions I had asked him)

For my first question, I asked both of them what made them want to teach. Mrs. Ryken responded that she’d always wanted to be a teacher since she was young (she said since she was about eight, too). Mr. Vander Sluis answered that he had many good teachers and coaches in high school, which influenced him. He also said he wants to help us students.

The second question I asked them was, “How has the school year been?” Except for Mr. Vander Sluis, it was how his past month at the school had been. Mrs. Ryken said it’s been good, just average so far, except for when we celebrated her 50th birthday, and Mrs. Belgum (the band teacher) had the 3rd period band class play the birthday song for her. Mr. Vander Sluis responded that it’s been good here, just different from his last school, where he was at Vermillion High School.

From this point on, the questions I asked were different. I had asked Mrs. Ryken what her favorite thing to teach was. She responded with systems of equations, which she taught in both algebra and math! My question to Mr. Vander Sluis was: What things make him nervous about teaching? He had to think for a few moments, but he had decided that it was about putting everything he had learned together and just doing a good job.

For my next question, I asked Mr. Vander Sluis what he was going to teach. He said the grade was still undetermined, but he knew he would be teaching math! I asked Mrs. Ryken how she liked having a student teacher, and she said she really likes it. She likes helping people who want to be teachers because she knows one day she won’t be teaching anymore. I took it to mean that she wants to help ensure there are good teachers out there, even if it’s just one or two. I don’t know if that’s what she meant, but that’s the way I took it. For my fifth question, I asked her if there were any cons of having a student teacher. She took a moment to think, but ultimately decided there was none.

At the end of the two interviews, I asked them both if there was anything they wished to add. Mr. Vander Sluis said no, there’s nothing that he can think of, but Mrs. Ryken did have some things to add. She said she enjoys helping students meet their goals and learn new things, and she enjoys teaching 8th-grade math. She also revealed that she’s been teaching for the past 25 years (so for half her life)! She’s only ever taught math, never anything else, but for 20 years she taught 7th grade, and only started teaching 8th-grade math five years ago. She’s taught it for only one-fifth of her entire career. That wraps up my interviews with them. Have an amazing second semester, and go, Bucks and Gazelles!

All-State Orchestra and All-State Band

Story by Sofi F.
Photos by Mrs. Belgum and Mr. Ohlendorf

This year, for middle school, all-state we had 9 people try out for orchestra all-state and 19 people try out for band all-state. Out of those numbers, 6 got in for orchestra, and 8 got in for band. 

Both Mrs. Belgum and Mr. Olendorf are very proud of their students, both the ones who made it and the ones who tried their hardest. 

The students who made all state for band are Jazlin R.- clarinet, Josin H.- alto sax, Abby V.- clarinet, Tate Bertrand- trombone, Kale Cameron- baritone, Angela Z.- clarinet, Selena B.- flute and Myles H.- tenner sax (the only 7th grader)

For orchestra, the people who made it were Angela Z.- violin, Lacey T.- violin, Maggie W.- viola, Aria H.- viola, Adelyn G.- viola and Sofia F.- viola.

Meet Mr. Guenther

Mr. Guenther

by Addie E.

Mr. Guenther is a new student teacher at YMS. He is in Mr. Huber's room, and is very happy to be here. Mr. Guenther has wanted to be a teacher for as long as he can remember. He wants to be a teacher because he has a passion for teaching and explaining things. He says he had many great teachers and family members who inspired him to teach. Mr. Guenter would like to teach 6th-12th social studies.

He is not very interested in being a coach, but he says he would give it a try. He thinks the best thing about teaching is being a “positive part in kids' lives.” He would love to be the reason a kid is a good citizen and a good person.

So in conclusion, Mr. Guenther is very excited to be a teacher for 6th-12th social studies and wants to be a positive part in kids lives.

YMS out of school activities

by Aubrey H.

On January 8, 2026. I interviewed a couple of YMS students about their out-of-school activities and why they enjoy them. I also asked whether they would recommend the sport they play to others and why.

First, I interviewed Remi S, who is in 6th grade. Remi said her out-of-school activity is “soccer, because it's really fun and entertaining. I also like it because I play goalie and that's really fun. Also because of my teammates and that there is a lot of action.” I then asked Remi if she would recommend soccer to other students of YMS, and right away Remi answered “yes, because it builds character and makes you stronger, and you can endure more stuff like getting hurt. You also get to play with your teammates, and that makes it really fun.”

I really hope that Remi S. is encouraging you to try soccer. Now on to our 7th graders. I interviewed two 7th graders.

First, I interviewed Aria H. Aria said her out-of-school activity is “softball, because of the teammates and how many new people you meet, people you may not have met if I didn’t sign up years ago.” I then asked Aria if she would recommend softball to other students of YMS, and right away she answered “yes, because it's a very active sport. You also get to be with all your friends, and you also get to travel to different places.”

Next, I interviewed Ericka S. Ericka said her out-of-school activity is “Gymnastics, because it's very fun and I get to hang out with friends.” I then asked whether she would recommend gymnastics to other students. Ericka answered yes because you get to get a coach you will have fun with and you get to learn/ get to do more things you couldn’t do before.

Continuing on with our 8th graders here at YMS.

First, from 8th grade, I interviewed Irelyn M. Irelyn said her out-of-school activity is “Hockey because I get to be with some of the people I love most and play the sport I love.” I continued to ask if Irelyn would recommend hockey to other students. Irelyn responded with “yes, because it is one of the best sports there is, and everyone gets along, there is no drama there. It also brings people many new friends.”

Last I interviewed Mariah T. Mariah said her out-of-school activity is “volleyball because it is a very active sport and I just really enjoy playing the sport.” I then proceeded to ask if Mariah would recommend volleyball to other students. Mariah answered “yes because you can meet a lot of people and make a lot of new friends and it's a very fun experience.”

Overall, the students I interviewed all shared positive experiences about their out-of-school activities. Each student explained why they enjoy their sport and gave thoughtful reasons for recommending it to others. These interviews show that participating in sports can be fun, help build friendships, and encourage students to stay active. Hopefully, hearing from students in different grade levels inspires others at YMS to try a new sport or activity outside of school.

Books Books Books!

by Cate H. 

This month the 2 popular books I am rating are Astrologica and Hungry Hearts. 

Astrologica is all about astrology and zodiacs. It even has some myths, and fun stories about stars they made during the ancient civilizations and is entirely recommended in my opinion. It has beautiful art inside and outside, and stories about planets. Astrologica also features stories about the zodiacs. So if you love astrology and zodiacs check out this book when you can!

The next book is called Hungry Hearts. It features a life and beings of a chief also highly recommended because of all its delicious sounding food. If you love cooking again, highly recommend this book. Lastly, If you love chapter books this is for you.

February Secret Staff Member

story by??? (author will be revealed when the Staff Member is revealed)

A mystery staff member was asked a few questions. With a few clues, can you guess who it is? Do you know enough about your YMS staff members? Can you find who our special staff member is in record time? Let’s see! So, here are the rules, you’re allowed to ask all and any of your teachers questions to see if they match up to our secret staff member, and . . . well, truthfully, that’s about it. Let’s start!

Our mysterious staff member’s favorite soda is Coke Zero. His/Her favorite color is blue. Need a few more clues?

This staff member went to Yankton High School. His/Her favorite book is The Nightingale. Our mystery staff member’s favorite movie is When Harry Met Sally, and if he/she could jump into any movie, it would be in Shrinking. Still need some help?

Our special staff member has three kids, wears glasses, and has worked here at YMS for 18 years! His/Her first pets were named Muffin and Mittens, too.

I think those are some really good clues for your special staff member hunt! Remember that it could be any staff member. . . . . and if you suspect someone, just ask them a few questions, the worst thing that could happen is you learn something new about someone! So, good luck and have some fun!

Click this link when you are ready to submit your guess!                                 

Olympic Fever?

 Reporter Sydney S. and Mrs. Andrews have put together a personality quiz for you. Click on the link to find out what role you should play in the upcoming Winter Olympics. 

To learn more about all the sports that will be featured in this winter's Olympics in Milano Corina, Italy, go to this site: https://www.olympics.com/en/sports/winter-olympics