Woksape
interested in it. “We have
a journalism class, it’s only
taught first semester…
“It’s so good to see you!” I say
part of their grade is to
as I am met by Pat Kortan and Jill
submit stories to the
Mikkelsen at the front doors of
Woksape and it’s always
Yankton High School. They greet
our hope that they stay on
me with wide smiles and hugs as we
for the rest of the school
discuss where the interview should
year, because [once the
take place. I speak with them
journalism class is over]
casually as we walk down the halls,
it’s all extracurricular
decorated with high school awards
from there.” This year will
and one particular decoration that
be Mikkelsen’s third year
stands out to me- a wooden palette
Left Jill Mikkelsen, right Pat Kortan
of teaching the class, with
painted as if it were an American
Kortan having taught it the year before that.
flag, but proudly sporting the Yankton Bucks as the stars on the vivid
I ask them how they feel about watching the students work on the
blue background.
paper, and both of their faces light up. “They get so excited…they’re
We step into the room they’ve picked for the interview- a room
like ‘how about this for a story?!’… …they really take the initiative and
where much of the business of afterschool activities take place such as
so that’s really exciting to see,” says Kortan.
the Yearbook, and sure enough, the Woksape. Already I can see their
“You just feel really good about it because the kids we surround
passion for these activities and the work they do with the students.
ourselves with are genuinely interested in what’s going on today in our
I know firsthand how much work they put into it, being a former
community… …and it’s a really wonderful experience,” Mikkelsen
student of Mikkelsen and having worked with Kortan on “Cellar
adds. “Every time we finish a work session we just look at each other
Door”.
and go ‘oh my gosh these kids are so great!’”
Once we’ve sat down, Mikkelsen explains how they take the extra
They then tell me about how they plan each edition of the
mile to provide writing opportunities to students who are genuinely
vBy Rachel Wood
Thank you to these Missouri Valley Christian Academy supporters who are
helping us prepare students for a lifetime of learning, leading and service!
HUBBS
AGENCY,
INC.
“The Crop Insurance
Specialists”
305 W. 25th, Yankton • 605-665-4470
www.MVCAmustangs.org
20vHERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018