August 2017 News and Notes

WHS Grad Gives Back

When 6'9" Brent Qvale was in high school at WHS, he had big dreams of making a name for himself on the football field so he could earn a college scholarship and maybe get the chance to play professionally in the National Football League.

Brent Qvale, WHS graduate, talks to participants at his football camp this summer in Williston. Photo credit: Williston Herald.

Perhaps the only thing rivaling the size of those big dreams were his shoes. Now, after many years of hard work and dedication, Qvale is able to donate his size 18 pink football cleats that he wears when he takes the field for the New York Jets to raise money for local charity organizations. And that's not the only way Brent gives back to his hometown.

The WHS Class of 2009 grad came back to Williston this summer to host the first ever Brent Qvale Regional Football Camp at the new, NFL-quality high school football field. According to Qvale, it was always a dream of his to be able to start a camp in the place that started his career. He saw numerous other NFL players doing their own camps, and when WHS Coach Andrew Mock suggested it, he jumped at the chance. His motivation also came from knowing how much he could help young Coyotes with their dreams. Qvale says, "I want to keep it growing into an opportunity for high school players in the area to get exposed to college coaches, to get better, and to have a chance at potentially getting recruited to play college football."

Lineman were the focus of the first day of the 2-day camp. A 7 on 7 tournament was held the 2nd day with players from Williston, Minot, Park River, Trenton, Kenmare, Powers Lake, and Ray in attendance. With the first year under his belt, Qvale is already looking forward to coming back next summer and growing the camp to help even more young football players reach their gridiron dreams and to guide the young Coyote players who have hopes of filling his size 18 shoes for WHS!

Alumni Deaths:

If you know of any alumni deaths that we missed, please email us at codi.austreim@willistonschools.org. Thank you!

Gifts to the Foundation

  • James and Carrie Berg, in memory of Ron Thue
  • Karl and Sarah Carlson, in memory of Ron Thue
  • Roger and Sandy Kohlman, in memory of Ron Thue, Terry Irgens, and Daryl Pederson
  • John and DaVee MacMaster, in memory of Ron Thue and Terry Irgens
  • Fred and Coral Whisenand, in memory of Ron Thue, Jim Stannard, and Darlene Leinen
  • Clyde and Janell Sailer, in memory of Daryl Pederson
  • Gary and Leora Sukut,in memory of Jim Stannard and Shirley Lyson
  • Robert Erdahl
  • WMS Honor Group, for the Taylor Nelson Memorial Scholarship
  • Diane Hagen, in memory of Daryl Pederson
  • Tom and Helen Carey, in memory of Jim Stannard
  • Dick and Marg McKennett, in memory of Ron Thue and Daryl Pederson
  • James Leinen, in memory of Jim Stannard
  • Amazon Smile, from shopping through the Williston Coyote Foundation link
  • Rodney and Sharon Anderson, in memory of Darlene Leinen

WPSD #1 Students and Teachers Back to School

Since school let out for summer break in May, over 900 new students have enrolled in WPSD #1. So when the first bell rang for the 2017-2018 school year, many new faces were visible in every school, from students to staff.

The smallest students make up the largest class this year, with kindergarten topping out at 369 kids. The next largest class is the freshman class with 343 9th graders roaming the halls of Williston High School.

Increases in enrollment and decreases in funding have created some challenges for the school district, but what our schools lack in money, they make up for in hard work and heart!

At the Williston Coyote Foundation, we are working hard to find ways to help the schools provide a high quality education for all 4,201 students in our Coyote Family. If you have any leads on grants we can apply for to ensure our students get the best education possible, please send them our way.

As always, your donations are tax-deductible and very much appreciated. You can donate conveniently online or can mail any donations to our address listed below. We could not continue our mission of promoting and supporting Williston Public School District #1 without the help of our generous donors.

We can direct your donation as you see fit! If you are interested in starting a scholarship in memory of a loved one, please feel free to contact us at codi.austreim@willistonschools.org or call the office at 701-572-8797.

Thank you! And enjoy your Labor Day weekend!