Event Warms Participants Inside, Out

Post date: Feb 10, 2017 3:33:42 PM

As students of SBHS finish their last final exams of the semester, the National Guard provides a outlet of fun, games and food for students looking for afterschool enjoyment.

STURGIS, S.D., Jan. 20, 2017 -- For the past four years on the last day of first semester finals, the 881st Troop Command, Det. 2, 842nd Engineer Co. National Guards units have organized the “I Hate Winter” event at SBHS.

Usually held on what is considered a cold and somewhat dreary day in January, the event entertains high school students who may find themselves at loose ends after a week of final exams. This event allows these students to stick around and replenish energy resources as they participate in activities and chow down on teen favorites, such as sandwiches or pizza.

According to Sergeant First Class Eric Kinslow, fifty single-topping sausage, pepperoni and cheese pizzas were delivered from the local Pizza Hut. In addition to whetting students’ appetites, activities were set up in both the east and west gyms, including tac ball, also called reball, pedal carts, virtual driving simulation, a joust pit and a bungee run.

Kinslow said the event originally started from a senior experience project, which focused on the “click-it” seatbelt campaign, involving the National Guard, firemen, police officers and school advisory programs. The members of the Guard “conjured up this plan for semester time because buses don’t run until later in the day and students are still here. It is our way,” Kinslow said, “of entertaining the kids.”

“One of the goals of the Sturgis unit is to help relieve pressure from staff members by keeping an eye on students while teachers work on finishing grades for the end of the semester,” Kinslow said.

“Thanks to our friendly neighbors, the National Guard, the ‘I Hate Winter’ event is a great time for the students and the National Guard to form relationships,” Principal Pete Wilson said, “and gives the students fun activities to do for the afternoon after a long 3 days of semester testing.”

According to the sign-in sheet, 116 individuals participated in the opportunity to interact with other high school students; however, Kinslow said it appeared the number was closer to 140.

“I think it’s really cool that the National Guard puts it on,” Kordell Kuenzel (10) said. “It lets kids be together, bond and make relationships.”

“I have always loved competitive sports,” Taylor Isaak (10) said. “It’s just so much fun to play with friends.”

Guardsmen and women from the 881st Troop Command, 196th RTI, FMS#1, Training Site and the Recruiting and Retention Command were involved in “I Hate Winter” event.