Denfeld High School Student Newspaper

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Announcements

Here are the Thursday, May 22 Announcements for

Denfeld High School

Robotics heads to state

Denfeld High School held an assembly on Thursday, May 8 to send off the Hunters Robotics team to the state meet.

State bound

Leading by only four points at halftime (34-30), Denfeld took control in the section half against Hibbing to win the Section 7AAA title 75-52.

The Hunters would take a double-digit lead early in the second half and never let up as the top-seeded squared earned their first trip to state since 2004.

Denfeld is the No. 7 seed in Class 3A and will play Totino-Grace Tuesday in the state quarterfinal round. Game time is 2 p.m. at Williams Arena.

Ferguson breaks scoring mark

Denfeld senior MarNaries Ferguson set the all-time leading scorer mark for the Hunters during Friday's Section 7AAA playoffs.

Ferguson, who needed 12 points to surpass Josh Reinertsen, finished with 40 points to lead Denfeld to a 81-62 victory over Grand Rapids. He now has 1909 points on his career.

While the two teams split the regular season series, the Hunters took an early lead at home and never let up. At one point in the second half they led by more 30 points over the Thunderhawks.

Denfeld Speech Team

Congrats to the following Denfeld speech team medal winners the past two tournaments!

Forest Lake Tournament

Champion in Drama - Reagan Kern - 1-1-1--Final round 1-1-1

Champion in Storytelling - Natalie Anderson

Honor Round 2nd place - Maria Oppelt - Discussion

Final Round - 7th place - Jacob Waetcher and Natalie Anderson Duo

Final Round - 7th place - Lorelie Schwenshon in Extemp. Reading

Final Round 6th place - Trey Ericksen - Informative

3rd Place Team Award! Out of 29 schools attending!

Centennial Tournament

Maria Oppelt - Final Round - 2nd place - Discussion

Nissa Johnson - double finalist - 4th in Extemp. Reading and 3rd in Program Interpretation

Lorelie Schwensohn - 5th place in Extemp. Reading

Trey Ericksen - 6th place in Informative

Natylee Anderson - 2nd place in Storytelling

Hunters help fight cancer

The Denfeld Boys Hockey Team is proud to join the 2024-2025 MN Hockey Fights Cancer Campaign to raise money for the family of a Denfeld teacher close to the hearts our team, Denfeld students, and families.

Your support means so much to our team and Ms. Mickle’s family. Together we can help the Mickle family as her husband fights the fight against cancer.

Cheer us on this Thursday, (Dec. 19) at Duluth Heritage Center. Junior varsity game is at 5:15 p.m. and the varsity game starts at 7:30 p.m. Show your support by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2024-2025 signed UMD Men’s hockey stick, a stocking stuffer basket, or sweeten up with fresh sugar cookies, or try your chances at Chuck a Puck. If you can’t make it to the game tomorrow night, you can also show your support by clicking this link. All money donated will go to Ms. Mickle’s family as they fight the fight against cancer.

Thank you for your support as we all show our love and support for Ms Mickle and her family.

Band plays on - Denfeld pep band plays during halftime of girls basketball game

Denfeld wrapped up the 2024 campaign against the Hermantown Hawks Wednesday night (Oct. 23). The Hunters fell to the No. 2 seed Hawks by a final score of 3-0 in the Section 7AAA playoffs.

Fall Images

Here are some photos from this fall at Denfeld High School.

Season draws to a close

The Denfeld Hunters fell to Hermantown 41-21 in the Section 7AAAA football semifinals Saturday night (Oct. 26). The team finished the season with another winning record, going 6-4 on the year.

Hunter Kickoff

Denfeld High School held its annual Hunter Kickoff on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Students and their parents/guardians were able to tour the school, find out their class schedule and learn more about some of the clubs and activities available at the school.

The first day of the 2024-25 school year is Tuesday, Sept. 3. Classes start at 8:50 a.m.

Denfeld Hunters 2023-24 School Year

Hunters field trip

Denfeld students attended a charity softball game hosted by alumnus CJ Ham. The May 30 event featured many current Minnesota Vikings football players at CHS Field in St. Paul.

Mayor visits DHS

Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert was the guest speaker this morning (May 3) at the Denfeld High School Journalism class.

The Mayor talked with the students about what it is like working with the media, along with fielding a few city government questions.

Denfeld Robotics Honors

Denfeld’s Bruce and Stephanie Fehringer were inducted into the Minnesota Robotics Coaches Hall of Fame on May 4, which was during the Minnesota State High School Robotics Competition.They have been part of the team since the beginning, which was in 2012. Their sons were interested in robotics and at the time the school didn’t have a team, so after their sons did a season with the East Daredevils robotics team they created what we today know as DNA Robotics.

They have always mentored the team since the creation, however after creating our 501(c) 3 they took a step back from the team (they still help do our books and everything) to be a part of the Double Decc’er. Which is the competition held in Duluth every year.

They were both on the board and helped run the biggest regional for FIRST (outside of the worlds championship).

Since Steff sadly passed away earlier this year their son was their to receive her award in her honor.

In other Robotics news, Our Safety Captain, Sarah Shaffer, a senior at Denfeld was also nominated and received an "All State Build Team" Award for their large contribution in the Safety Department. Sarah was 1 of 18 students in the state of minnesota to have the honor of being All State, recognizing students who stand out in their field and go above and beyond.

Finally, Mentor Dave Westerberg, was awarded as the Section 7 Assistant Coach of the Year.

Robotics has practice after school on Mondays and Thursdays in Rooms 1310 and 1312.

Spring Sports

Track and Field

...underway at Denfeld

Boys Lacrosse

Mid-Winter show

The Denfeld High School Orchestra held a Mid-Winter Night of Music Thursday evening in the auditorium. Both the Chamber Orchestra and the Denfeld Orchestra performed. Chamber Orchestra members were Noah Johnson, Zachery Meece, Victor Ramos and Brian Sonner (violin); Non Moen (viola); and Cian James (cello). Denfeld Orchestra members were Haiden Hamilton, Faith Hanson, Khloe Hanson, Noah Johnson, Lola Klander, Zachery Meece, Victor Ramos, Josh Rock, Claire Roufs, Brian Sommer, Sydney Stark and Jackson Strader-Norbotten (violin); Ahnika Fossum, Diana Gallagher, Ileini Hirt, Idunn Knutsen and Non Moen (viola); Aiden Chisholm, Kate Christner, Cian James and Ani Roberts (cello); Aina Ellsworth (bass); and Piper Hamilton (piano).

Black History Month assembly

Denfeld students and friends held a special assembly on Friday, Feb. 16 in the Denfeld High School auditorium. The program was to celebrate Black History Month.

Click on the image carousel on the left to see more photos from the event.

Dance team competes in sectionals

The Denfeld High School Dance team completed for the last time this season (Feb. 3) during sectionals at Totino Grace High School. Hunters taking part in the final competition were Alivia D., Alivia N., Annika G., Claire R., December H., Gina U., Hadley A. and Kylie K. For December and Gina, the Denfeld seniors wrapped up a great career dancing for the Hunters. Photos and article by Lillian Aleshire

Hunters fall to the Wolverines

Nolan Harju scored in the opening minute of the second period to give Denfeld the lead 1-0. But Rock Ridge came back to get the 2-1 win at the Heritage Center on Thursday, Jan. 25. The Wolverines would tie the game up later on in the second period and then notch the winning goal on a power play in the third.

Black and White

Sometimes it can be fun to go with the nostalgic look of black and white photography. These photos are from Thursday's win for the boys basketball team over Duluth Marshall 82-48.

Piece of history on display

Noticed anything different across from the auditorium doors at school?

On Monday, Dec. 18, the spire was revealed and now prominently displayed in the panel lobby outside of the auditorium. The reveal coincided with the annual holiday concert that took place in the auditorium.

Earlier this year, the top of the Denfeld High School clock tower was replaced due to structural issues. The original one was discarded, but the spire was saved. A member of the engineering staff recognized the importance of the ornamental copper piece that had been covered in many layers of paint, as well as decades worth of pigeon droppings. He salvaged it and put it into safe storage.

Under the guidance of Denfeld staff, students came together to demonstrate their creative imagination, as well as their well honed carpentry skills. They created a display for the spire that is now featured at the school.

The spire was originally constructed in 1926, and for nearly a century stood atop the Clock Tower.

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Big win

In a rematch of last year's Section 7AAA finals, the Hunters came out on top against Hermantown 83-77. Denfeld improved to 2-1 on the season.

Friday, Dec. 1

Hunters girls basketball opens 23-24 season vs. North Branch

Press Conference

Journalism students at Denfeld High School had a mock press conference with boys basketball coach Phil Homere Wednesday morning (Nov. 29). Coach Homere talked about the upcoming season, his own background in playing and coaching, and answered questions from the students. With a strong core of returning starters and 10 seniors, Homere also talked about navigating through high expectations and excitement for the season. Denfeld finished 16-13 last season and played in the Section 7AAA finals. The Hunters open up the 2023-24 season on Friday vs Kasson-Mantorville at Hermantown High School. Game time is 6:15 p.m.

Criterion reboot

Freshman students checked out the latest edition of the Criterion during class on Friday, Nov. 17. The Denfeld High School journalism class had its first printing of the school year. The edition looked back on the first quarter of the 2023-24 school year.

Ripcord Roars

The Denfeld High School theater department presented Ripcord on Nov. 9-12. The play was performed in the school's lecture hall. It mixed a great group of student actors with community veterans with Denfeld ties. The production put audience members on a rollercoaster of emotions that ranged from roaring to laughter to moments of subtle tearjerking. Cast members included - Madeline Juntunen (Student Abby), Cathy Berggren (Adult Abby), Kaitlyn Johnson (Student Marylin), Sarah Zastrow (Adult Marylin), Nissa Johnson (Colleen), Regine Frederick (Lewis), Kai Smith (Derek/Silent Clown), Lexie Hardy-Toms (Benjamin), Emily Sommers (Scotty), Noah Miller (Masked Man/Vampire), Jonathan Sherrington (Zombie Butler), John Klassen (Zombie Assistant), Eva Kerns-Baladad (Head Evil Clown), Alexandra Garcia Kokovich (Happy Clown), Brooke Thompson (Woman in White), Virgil Eugenis (Fire Witch), Emma Schuyler (Mime) and Renee Gould (Mad Scientist). Technical team members were: Irene Xiong (stage manager), Cooper Kahring, Audrey Zupec (costume designer), Alex Xiong (lighting), Makayla Lewis (make-up) and Anastacia Rask (make-up). The play was directed by Michelle Juntunen.

Heading to State

Denfeld swimmers Liv Christner and Claire Roufs have qualified for the state swimming and diving meet. The Minnesota State Class A meet will be held Nov. 16 through Nov. 18 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center on the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities campus. Christner (senior) and Roufs (Sophomore) will compete in the state diving competition, with the finals taking place at noon on Saturday, Nov. 18. This is the 48th annual girls swimming and diving state meet. However, according to the Minneapolis StarTribune, there was a high school competition with about a dozen schools on the Iron Range that competed from 1924 to 1942.

Pinkout

Denfeld High School senior Barry Siljendahl supported the Hunters Friday night (Oct. 13) during its final regular season home game. The theme of the game for the student section was Pinkout. Siljendahl is wearing an inflatable flamingo suit and a pink cowboy hat.

The Hunters would win its sixth game of the season with a 28-8 victory over Rock Ridge.

The final regular season game is Wednesday (Oct. 18) at Hermantown. Game time is 7 p.m.

Criterion photo by Lillian Aleshire

Photos of the Week

The Hunters improved to 7-1 with a win over Hermantown 31-29 on Oct. 18. The Denfeld volleyball team wrapped up the regular season against Proctor on Oct. 17.

Homecoming 2023

Duluth Denfeld High School celebrated Homecoming 2023 during the last week of September. Events wrapped up on Friday, Sept. 29 with a football game and homecoming dance at the school.

Friday night (Sept. 8) Public Schools Stadium was renamed to Walt Hunting Stadium and Marv Heikkinen Field. There was a special ceremony before the Hunters game with Grand Rapids. To complete the special night, KJ Pulliam secured an interception in the closing seconds as the football team improved to 2-0 with a 24-21 win over the Thunderhawks.

Great Start

Hunters are off to best start in football in a long time and are now 4-1 on the season.

Fan Support

Denfeld community has been in full display this fall at various home games.

Full Swing

The fall sports season is in full swing. Check out our extracurricular page for more photos and information on upcoming events.

Away for the Day - DHS Freshmen response

"I don't love it, but I am fine because Lincoln had all last year. I would like to listen to music and stuff while I do work"

Vinny Udd

"Not a fan"

Nic Burke

"Like I get it in some classes, but you should be able to look at it in the halls and at lunch"

Sylvia Grochowski

"Used to it last year, so I have become used to dealing without my phone"

Ashton Petrich

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