MAY 2026

Hermantown Elementary students and staff surprised Elementary Principal Gretchen Appelwick with a fun sign and dress up day in celebration of National Principals Day on Friday, May 1. 

Our weekly Wednesday PLC (Professional Learning Community) time is dedicated to improving teaching and learning through purposeful teacher collaboration. This year, that work has focused on several important areas that directly support student success.

At the high school, departments have been identifying “5 Outs” — the essential skills and understandings students should leave each course with — to strengthen alignment and create greater clarity around student expectations.
Teacher teams also use this time to review student work, analyze assessment information, and discuss instructional adjustments or supports based on student needs. These conversations help ensure students receive timely interventions, meaningful feedback, and consistent expectations across classrooms.

In addition, PLC time supports collaborative lesson planning, shared instructional practices, and ongoing conversations about what is working best for students. Teams have also used this time to advance district priorities related to literacy, curriculum alignment, and student support systems.

This collaborative work is also helping create new and innovative learning opportunities for students.

Sincerely,
Wayne Whitwam
Hermantown Superintendent

Mr. Homstad's high school class had the chance to attend a SnowCross racing presentation with the Air Force in early April. 

Jace Weisgerber took home a gold in Rail Jam at the 2026 USASA National Snowboarding Championships held at Copper Mountain in Colorado. 

Weisgerber also competed in Slopestyle, taking home three medals overall in the competition and best trick overall in all age groups. 

Hermantown's Jack McCaffrey attended the MSHSL Triple "A" Award Banquet and recognition events in Minneapolis. 

Throughout the day, Jack had the opportunity to connect with other outstanding student-athletes from across Minnesota, participate in the formal recognition program, and celebrate this tremendous accomplishment with his family.

This was a special day for Jack and a great honor for both him and our school community.

On April 15, we proudly celebrated our amazing military-connected students as part of Purple Up Day! 💜

More than 100 students—from Pre-K through 12th grade—came together in the middle school gym to connect, laugh, and have fun with others who share a unique and powerful bond. From Keepy Uppy with balloons to Fishy Fishy and parachute games, there was something for everyone to enjoy!

The celebration wrapped up with a delicious doughnut treat, generously provided by Miller Hill Super One. 

We are incredibly grateful for our military students and the strength, resilience, and sacrifice they show every day. 

As a senior, Leah is taking three college in the schools classes and an advanced art class. One teacher wrote about Leah, "A student no teacher ever forgets, someone who pushes herself relentlessly to meet the high standards she’s set, overcoming obstacles." Leah has been a quiet leader in our CTE classes and has served as a co-captain of the Robotics team.

Caden takes on responsibility with the maturity of a person well beyond his years. He has been an essential person in assisting the activity director run events. Caden has a level of curiosity which causes him to be an active learner, asking questions and figuring out the "why" of something instead of just memorizing it. Caden has been involved in our CTE programming and Work Based Learning Programming from day one. He was the first Hermantown student to be accepted into the JET program at Cirrus Aircraft. He has proven himself to be exemplary in all aspects of being an employee, student, and peer. He has set the standard very high for the Work Based Learning students!

The Hermantown Drama Club is proud to announce the return of its annual One Act Festival for its 18th year. This unique event serves as the Drama Club’s primary fundraiser and continues to be a beloved tradition in the Hermantown community.

This year’s festival, themed “Blast From the Past,” features six short comedies inspired by classic sketch and television humor. A hallmark of the festival is its role reversal: district staff members take the stage as actors, while students step into leadership roles as directors. The 2026 production includes 27 staff performers from across the elementary, middle, and high schools, guided by 12 student directors. Participants range from first-time performers to seasoned staff members who return year after year to share their talents.

The evening will kick off with a special encore performance by the Hermantown One Act Play Team, presenting The Worst of All, an original drama written and directed by staff member Paul Ahlberg. This competition piece will be followed by the student-directed comedies, which draw inspiration from The Carol Burnett Show and popular television of the 1970s. While many students may be unfamiliar with these classic influences, they have embraced the style and developed a new appreciation for its timeless humor.

Festival coordinator Theresa Taraldsen noted that the Carol Burnett sketches came with a message from Burnett herself, offering insight into the art of sketch comedy. Burnett emphasizes the importance of strong character motivation, precise timing, and exaggerated yet truthful performances, reminding performers that “comedy is a serious business.”

In total, more than 60 students and staff members are involved in bringing this lively and entertaining production to life. 

EVENT DETAILS
Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Hermantown High School Auditorium
Tickets: $5 for students, $10 for adults
Purchase: Available at the door or online at https://hhstheatre.ludus.com/

The Hermantown Career and Technical Education programs continue to improve and grow! Over the last few months, we have been able to get the school district approved by the state in the area of Information Technology. This will be in addition to our Manufacturing Program, and our Work Based Learning Program. We will be seeking Medical, and Agricultural Programming next. Perhaps most exciting, is the addition of several new courses to the high school. In the fall, students will have the opportunity to explore several new classes! Check out the photos of our students 'piloting' our new Drone Aviation class, and newly repurposed 3D printers this spring!

If you are a community member, business owner, or tradesperson who would like to partner with Hermantown in our programming, please email slarson@isd700.org.

Aurora Decker and Bailey Hermanson recently signed their Letters of Commitment to continue their basketball careers at the collegiate level. Decker signed her commitment with Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, while Hermanson signed her commitment with Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Former Hermantown Hawk Max Plante was named the winner of the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which is presented annually to the top player in NCAA men's ice hockey. A sophomore forward for the University of Minnesota Duluth, Plante had 52 points in 40 games and was named the NCHC Player of the Year. 

Hermantown junior Paul Marinos won the Class AA Championship in Serious Interpretation of Prose at the 2026 Minnesota State Speech Tournament last weekend at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Marinos was one of six speakers competing for the Hermantown Speech Team at the event, with the squad placing 10th overall, its highest finish in program history.

Sophomore Izzy Lampi placed sixth in Humorous Interpretation and junior Alee DeVlieger placed sixth in Creative Expression.

The Hermantown Drama Club performed its annual Spring Play April 17 and 18 at the Hermantown High School Auditorium - Agatha Christie's A Murder is Announced. 

When a newspaper announces a murder before it happens, the residents of the English village, Chipping Cleghorn, gather out of curiosity… and quickly discover that someone in the room intended to make it true.

It was two evenings of wit, suspense, and twists you did not see coming!

Hermantown sophomore Taylee Manion was named the 2026 Duluth News Tribune Girls Hockey All-Area Player of the Year after leading the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage to its sixth-straight Class A State Tournament. Manion finished the season with five goals and 22 points, despite missing three weeks helping the U.S. U18 women's national team win gold at the world junior championships in January.

Manion was joined on the DNT All-Area Girls Hockey Team by senior forwards Avery Milbridge and Mya Gunderson. 

Hermantown senior goaltender Bryce Francisco was named the 2026 Frank Brimsek Award winner, honoring Minnesota’s top senior boys high school hockey goaltender.

Francisco posted a 17-5-4 record during the 2025-26 season with a 2.68 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, anchoring Hermantown through a demanding schedule and a run to the Section 7A playoffs.

Francisco and fellow senior Gabe Swenson were also named to the Duluth News Tribune Boys Hockey All-Area Second Team.  

Hermantown Athletics & Activities Website

Photo credits: RJK Flix, Duluth News Tribune, submitted photos