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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026
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BEST of the Press White Bear Lake Vadnais Heights
VOL. 131 NO. 29 www.whitebearpress.com $1.50
BEST OF CONTEST: Nominations now open PAGE 14
Local man’s ping pong battle against Parkinson’s BY INGA HEINECKE SPECIAL TO THE PRESS
Steve Hawkinson of White Bear Lake was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in April 2022. Receiving a diagnosis for an incurable disease can be overwhelming. “Well, I was wiped out,” he explained. “I think for a few days, I was in a fog. Once they told me the diagnosis, things just kind of shut off.” After receiving a PD diagnosis, lifestyle changes must take place because of changes in balance, cognitive function and motor skills. Hawkinson, who was an elementary and middle school teacher for 32 years, had retired two years prior to his diagnosis. Although there is no cure for PD and treatment options are limited, doctors have found that exercise that is both physically and cognitively stimulating can help slow disease progression. Hawkinson said the hardest part of Parkinson’s is letting go of things he normally did, like things around the house and helping others. “I used to think I could help everyone else,” he said. “I’ve learned to be an advocate for what I need, whether it’s exercise, eating or sleeping.” Doctors also suggest building a strong support network. Hawkinson said his biggest supporter is his wife, Linda. “She’s been my rock,” he explained. “She’s a caring, nurturing person, but she’s never really had to focus too much on me. In the past, we’ve been able to
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Cultivating roots in the community Mahtomedi Garden Club member Sheila Schlechte wears a flower costume while visiting with attendees at the recent RITE of Spring event at Wlidwood Elementary School. Her display features dozens of examples of neighborhood beautification projects the club has helped implement in the White Bear Lake and Mahtomedi Area over the last 20 years. Find more information and useful gardening resources at mahtomedigardenclub.org/gardening-resources.
SEE PARKINSON’S AWARENESS MONTH, PAGE 11
White Bear school board receives graduation, attendance update BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Alison Gillespie says she is excited about the graduation and attendance data for the district, but the district is still striving for “continuous improvement.” Gillespie recently visited the School Board along with Matoska International Elementary Principal John Leininger, Otter Lake Elementary Principal Ang Nelson, Central Middle School Principal Cathryn Peterson and White Bear Lake Area High School Principal Russ Reetz. The purpose of the visit was
to dive further into the recently released graduation data and take a closer look at student attendance. Both graduation data and attendance data are lagging measures. Gillespie pointed out that the graduation rates released this year are for the previous school year (2024-2025) and attendance data is two school years behind. The new attendance data for last year will come out in August.
97.3% 95.8% 84.9%
94.9% 88.7% 96%
92.1% 96.1% 91.3% 87.9%
Graduation rates
For the 2024-2025 school year, the four-year graduation rate districtwide was 93.9%. For the high school, it SEE DATA, PAGE 15
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS | CONTRIBUTED
In 2024-2025, the four-year graduation rate district wide was 93.9%. For the high school, it was 97.3%; for the ALC, it was 82.2%.
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