TalonTimes
Newsletter of Southern Door School District
Volume 40 Issue 3
Celebrating the SDHS Class of 2025 Southern Door High School proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 26. A total of 76 graduates, along with three international exchange students, participated in a ceremony filled with pride, reflection, and a strong sense of community. Leading this exceptional class were Valedictorian Benjamin Grota and Salutatorian Marrissa Shefchik. Benjamin plans to continue his education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, while Marrissa will attend the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Both have demonstrated remarkable academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to excellence that set the tone for this accomplished class. The future is bright for the Class of 2025. Post-graduation plans include 49% of students attending four-year colleges or universities, 22% heading to technical colleges, 3% entering military service, and 26% joining the workforce. This year’s graduating class also earned over $550,000 in scholarships and awards that will support their continued educational pursuits. Whether continuing their education, serving their country, or entering the workforce, these students exemplify the values and spirit of Southern Door. Their legacy of hard work, resilience, and leadership will leave a lasting impact on our school community. We are incredibly proud of each graduate and confident that they will make a difference in the world.
Students Excel at State Forensics Competition BY BEN GROTA (SDHS SENIOR) Continuing a proud tradition of excellence, the Southern Door high school forensics team recently traveled to Madison to compete in the WISDAA State Forensics Competition. According to its website, Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) seeks “to enhance and refine communication skills, to foster creativity, and to share perspectives.” Forensics
allows students to improve their speaking, creative expression, and communication skills by preparing and performing speeches. Southern Door fielded the largest team out of any school in the state with over 50 participating students. The trip began on April 11th with students exploring Madison’s iconic State Street and the capitol building.
On April 12th, they returned to the UW-Madison campus to deliver their speeches at the state competition. In total, 35 students earned the Critics Choice gold medal award, while 15 students took home silver and 5 students received a bronze. To earn the Critics Choice gold medal award, students needed to earn a perfect score in every evaluation criteria.
Door in the top 5% of teams in the State for the third year in a row, and in the top 10% of teams for the fourth year in a row. Under the leadership of head coach Ms. Teska, the team embraces a gold standard of poise and professionalism —enhancing their public speaking skills and earning recognition at the highest level.
These results placed Southern
SDHS Announces Valedictorian & Salutatorian Ben Grota, son of Carl and Jennifer Grota, is valedictorian of the class of 2025 at Southern Door High School. He has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to both his school and community throughout his high school career.
deeply committed to giving back to his community. He volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, tutors elementary school students in math, and leads worship at his church.
A Note from the Superintendent I hope this message finds you well as we reflect on the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. It was a truly rewarding year, filled with growth, achievement, and countless moments of inspiration. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work shown by our students and staff throughout the year—in classrooms and throughout our school community.
Ben plans to major in mathematics, with a minor in finance at UW-Madison.
Ben achieved a perfect ACT score and utilized the Early College Credit Program to earn over 25 college credits through UWGreen Bay and UW-Oshkosh. His coursework included advanced studies such as Calculus III and Advanced Spanish Grammar. His favorite class was AP Calculus.
Benjamin Grota – Southern Door Valedictorian
Citizen Award, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, and AP Scholar Award. He performed in the WSMA State Honors Band, attended Boys Badger State, and currently serves as a student representative to the School Board. He earned nine varsity letters across football, track, and cross country, holding the school record in the 5k. Ben is also
Beyond academics, Ben excelled in a variety of extracurricular activities, earning numerous awards and distinctions, including the DAR Good
Marissa Shefchik, daughter of Matt and Jennifer Shefchik, is the salutatorian at Southern Door High School. She has been involved in a number of extracurricular activities such as: National Honor Society, Track, Forensics, Math Team, Cross Country, Solo and Ensemble, and the Musical. Throughout her high school career, she has taken a number of AP courses as well as multiple honors courses. Some of her favorite classes she’s
Marissa Shefchik – Southern Door Salutatorian
taken consist of Choir, English 11 Honors, and AP Statistics. In her free time Marissa enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with her family. Marissa plans on attending UW-Green Bay next fall. She also hopes to travel to a number of different countries such as Japan, Italy, and Norway.
Across all grade levels, students embraced meaningful learning experiences, took on new challenges, and celebrated academic success. Beyond the classroom, our extracurricular programs and athletic teams demonstrated teamwork, resilience, and school spirit. Our teachers and staff remained focused on their commitment to creating a positive and enriching environment where every student could thrive.
NHS Induction Ceremony at Southern Door High School Southern Door High School proudly inducted 24 students into the National Honor Society during an evening ceremony held on May 7, 2025. Selection was made by a faculty council, recognizing students who exemplify the highest standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
The energy and enthusiasm that defined this past school year were nothing short of exceptional. Thank you for your continued support in making our schools places of excellence and opportunity. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the years ahead.
The newly inducted members are: Lauden Berg Grace Wagner Ryker Lohrey Sage DeFere Richard Bongle Tara Maccaux Ava Everard Makayla Bouche Maiya Olson Isabel Jeanquart Caleb Delwiche Paige Penovich
Addison Kluge Portia Hah Audrie Schley Kailyn Neville Elise Jackson Karina Schmiling Vienna Price Kaitlyn Kluge Reese Vogel Landon Vandertie Ollie LeRoy Teagan Williams
Dr. Kevin Krutzik Superintendent The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. With chapters in three-fourths of the nation’s high schools, the NHS has recognized millions
of students for their achievements since its founding in 1921. The Southern Door chapter is sponsored by Melissa Schley and Brandon Wautier.
Contact Information kkrutzik@sdsd.k12.wi.us and 920-825-7311
Southern Door Music Students Advance to WSMA State Solo Ensemble Festival After receiving 1st Star Ratings at the District Festival, Southern Door High School music students attended WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival Saturday, May 3, 2025 at UWGB. Students that performed either a vocal and/or instrumental solo, vocal and/or instrumental ensemble(s) at state are: Jude Alrand, Layna Bosman, Ellie Engerson, Kayleigh Erickson, Logan Euclide, Maddie Finger, Marlen Garcia, Ben Grota, Kaiden Grovogel, McKenna
INSIDE:
Guilette, Molly Hall, Sam Ingersoll, Isabel Jeanquart, Lukas Kallin, Chloe Kelley, Kaitlyn Kluge, Nevaeh Krueger, Ollie LeRoy, Keshawn Lezine, Brooke Marchant, Anna Massart, Sara Montana, Breleigh Paplham, Evelyn Parks, Abby Petrina, Grant Pieschek, Valentine Sanchez, Lilly Schmidt, Karina Schmiling, Jack Scoville, Octavia Severinsen, Kadince Shefchik, Marissa Shefchik, Jesse Thorson, Ana Torres, Nikki Trusova, Izaac Vandertie, Britney Wanless, Teagan
Elementary School Holds 7th Annual Family STEAM Night page 2
Williams Students either received Superior or Excellent ratings at state. There were a total of 29 events with 24 events receiving a Superior rating and 5 events receiving an Excellent rating. In addition, the adjudicator in each site nominated performances that were exemplary. Five Southern Door events were nominated for this exemplary recognition Anna Massart, Musical Theater Solo; Grant Pieschek, Piano Solo; Jesse Thorson, Piano
Summer Financial Update page 3
Solo; Vocal Trio of Ellie Engerson, Molly Hall & Lilly Schmidt; and Senior Women’s Vocal Ensemble. At the end of the day, the adjudicator in each site may award the Exemplary to 2 events - Anna Massart, Musical Theater Solo and the Senior Women’s Vocal Ensemble received the Exemplary Award. Congratulations to our Southern Door State Musicians!
Spring Sports Preview page 4