USC High School November Newsletter

With November’s arrival, the holiday season, and the flurry of activities that comes with it, begins to take shape. Between full calendars, to-do lists, and special events, our students often find themselves balancing both responsibilities and excitement. In the midst of this busy pace, taking time to focus on gratitude can offer a welcome sense of calm for all of us.

Have you taken a moment to appreciate the good in your life? A simple expression of gratitude can shift our outlook, brighten our mood, and help us make sense of the challenges we face. As November arrives, it brings with it a natural reminder to reflect on the people, experiences, and opportunities that enrich our lives.

Studies continue to show that gratitude isn’t just a seasonal idea, it’s a habit with meaningful, lasting impact. Regularly acknowledging both the small and significant positives in our lives has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety. Some research even suggests that a single thoughtful act of gratitude can boost happiness by 10 percent and decrease depressive symptoms by more than a third.

At USC, helping students build gratitude into their daily routines is a key focus throughout November. Through our Social Emotional Learning program, Everyday Speech, students learn about thankfulness and other emotional wellness strategies each Wednesday. They are encouraged to begin each day by identifying three things they are grateful for, a simple practice that can make a big difference.

Families can join in, too. Taking a moment to share what you’re grateful for with your child can become a meaningful routine you both look forward to and one that brings more positivity into your daily lives.

I'm grateful for our USC students and all they are learning each day. I'm also thankful that our students have great parents, teachers, and caretakers that show how much they care about our students.

With Gratitude,

Jen Bye

High School Principal

jbye@unitedsouthcentral.org

Congratulations to Alyssa Winkle, the November Renaissance Student of the Month.

Alyssa will enjoy a reserved parking spot and first-in-line lunch privileges throughout November. Her commitment to academic excellence, involvement in USC Choir, Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball, along with her outstanding work ethic, sets a positive example for all students. In addition to her many activities, Alyssa also serves as the student representative to the school board.

USC is proud to recognize and celebrate Alyssa!

Students and staff honored our Wells Area Veterans on Monday, November 11th with the USC Veterans Day Celebration in the USC Gym. Students performed band pieces, sang patriotic songs, and read touching tributes to our Veterans. USC fourth grade teacher, Pierre Stencel, gave a heartwarming keynote highlighting the importance of honoring our veterans and encouraging young people to serve their country as members of the armed forces.

USC truly appreciates our veterans and has deep gratitude for all they have done to protect our American freedoms.

The USC School District is pleased to introduce Maddie Trio, who joins our staff with enthusiasm, experience, and a passion for helping students grow both academically and personally.

Maddie currently lives in Easton, Minnesota with her husband, Luke, and their energetic puppy, Maisie. Outside of school, she enjoys coaching cheerleading, reading, walking, running, and baking. Theses are interests that reflect her active and creative spirit.

A native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mrs. Trio attended Harrisburg High School before beginning her education at South Dakota State University. She later transferred to the University of Sioux Falls, where she continued to pursue her academic goals.

At USC, Mrs. Trio is teaching middle school reading and high school fitness. Her approach to teaching is shaped by the meaningful relationships she observed between her former teachers and their students. “My teachers showed me what it means to put students first,” she shared. “Building trust and mutual respect is essential.”

Drawing from her coaching background, Mrs. Trio describes her teaching style as hands-on and group-focused. She is passionate about helping students recognize their individual strengths and bringing those strengths together to build confidence and teamwork.

Mrs. Trio's decision to become a teacher stems from a heartfelt mission: to ensure every student knows they are loved, valued, and capable of tackling challenges. This same sense of purpose guided her toward USC. The district holds a special place in her family’s life. Her husband’s positive experiences here made a lasting impression. “He loved the community, the friendships, and the life lessons he gained at USC,” she said. “I’m excited to start my own journey and create amazing experiences here as well.”

To parents, Mrs. Trio offers a reassuring message: “I will always put your child’s best interests first and support their growth as learners and young adults.”

Please join us in welcoming Maddie Trio to the USC community!

USC is excited to kick off its annual November Food Drive, running from November 17–25 and sponsored by Student Government and FCCLA. Students are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items to support local families during the holiday season.

To make giving even more fun, students in grades 7–12 will be entered into a daily gift card drawing for every day they donate at least one item. There will be at least one winner per grade, so the more days you participate, the more chances you have to win.

Let’s come together as a school community to make a difference, one item at a time.

On November 13, USC students in grades 7–12 presented their fall choir concert under the direction of Mrs. Paige Lang in the USC Auditorium. The evening opened with performances by the 7th and 8th grade choir, included their renditions of “Winter Wonderland,” “Dust in the Wind,” and “Troika.” The songs set a warm, festive tone for the concert.

The 9th–12th grade choir closed the night with a moving set of selections, showcasing both technical skill and depth. Their repertoire included “Benedictus,” “Lo, How a Rose ’er Blooming,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” which included soloists AJ, Angelica, and Ella; and an arrangement of “Last Christmas” , which included soloists Priscilla, Caitlin, Lucy, and Kier. Their performance of these challenging pieces capped off a beautiful evening of music, highlighting the dedication and talent of USC’s choir students.

It was a great day in Hayfield as student leaders from across the Gopher Conference came together for the annual Leadership Summit. The event brought energy, collaboration, and inspiration to the forefront, highlighted by motivational speaker Rick Rassier and his powerful message about taking life and leadership to the next level.

Throughout the day, participants had the chance to connect with peers from other schools, share ideas, and develop new skills to bring back to their own student organizations and athletic teams. The atmosphere was filled with positivity and enthusiasm as everyone left feeling empowered to make a difference in their schools and communities.

The Gopher Conference Leadership Summit was more than just a meeting, it was a day of growth, motivation, and renewed commitment to excellence. Thanks to Rick Rassier’s inspiring message, everyone walked away ready to take it to the next level.

The USC VEX Robotics team is diving into a new season with energy, determination, and a drive to innovate. As competitions draw near, students are busy designing, building, coding, and refining their robots. These are skills that challenge them to think critically, work collaboratively, and problem-solve under pressure.

This year’s team brings together a talented group of students who share a passion for engineering and technology. Under the guidance of their coaches, the team has been meeting regularly to explore the elements of this year’s VEX challenge, brainstorm strategic designs, and test early prototypes. Each practice is a mix of creativity and hands-on work, as members learn how small adjustments can have a big impact on performance.

The season ahead promises both challenges and exciting opportunities. Competitions will test the team’s ability to adapt, refine their robot, and think on their feet. But the USC VEX Robotics team is ready and motivated by a strong work ethic and a shared commitment to doing their best.

The team's first competition at Southland was a good day of robotics. Each team had a shift in their crews this year which changed the the team dynamics, established new roles, and built new skill sets. The more experienced teams were in the top half of the competition and the ones that had room to grow are excited to take their notes and start making changes for the Mankato competition next month.

The results of the competition included the following team placements.

55301A, W4-L3, 15th place (39 teams)

55301B, W3,-L3, 14th place

55301C, W2, L5, 33rd

55301D, W0, L7, 38th

Families, classmates, and community members can look forward to an engaging season as the team continues to innovate and grow. USC is proud of these students’ dedication and looks forward to seeing all they accomplish in the months ahead. Go Rebels Robotics!

The USC Theater students delivered a fun series of performances of Shrek Jr., the Musical on November 7, 8, and 9 in the USC Auditorium. The production brought energy to the stage as students showcased their acting, singing, and dancing talents in this adaptation of the beloved story. From the opening number to the final curtain, audiences were treated to an entertaining show that highlighted the hard work and dedication of the entire cast and crew.

This year’s production featured all of the charm and humor that have made Shrek a fan favorite for years. Familiar characters such as Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Duloc’s citizens, and the countless fairy-tale misfits filled the stage with memorable scenes and comedic lines that entertained audiences of all ages. The musical numbers allowed students to shine in both lead and supporting roles.

A special thank you goes out to director Kirstyn Wegner, along with the talented students, set designers, technical crew, and costume creators who worked tirelessly to bring the world of Shrek to USC. Their teamwork and creativity transformed the auditorium into a magical swamp and fairy-tale kingdom, creating a wonderful experience for everyone who attended. The production showcased the passion of the students who make it possible.

The USC National Honor Society partnered with the American Red Cross to host a successful blood drive on November 5, bringing students and community members together for an important cause. This year’s event was especially notable, with 14 first-time donors stepping up to participate. Their willingness to try something new and potentially save lives, helped make the drive a meaningful success.

NHS members and Red Cross staff emphasized the impact of each donation, reminding participants that a single unit of blood can help save multiple lives. Students were encouraged to view this experience not just as a one-time act of service, but as the beginning of a commitment to becoming life-long blood donors. USC is proud of the generosity and leadership shown by all who took part in this life-saving effort. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Colene Dalton, who supervised the blood drive and encouraged many donors on the donation day.

The Wells Area Lions Club proudly recognized this year’s essay contest winners, celebrating the creativity and thoughtful reflection shown by USC students. The contest invited participants to write about the importance of community service and the role individuals can play in strengthening their communities. Students explored themes such as helping neighbors in need, demonstrating leadership through everyday actions, and the value of giving time and effort to make a positive difference.

Carl Forderer of the Wells Area Lions visited USC this morning to personally congratulate the winners: Ashtin, Kylee and Ben. Each student’s essay stood out for its clarity, heart, and compelling message about what service truly means. The Lions Club commends these students for their hard work and encourages all participants to continue engaging in acts of service within the community.

USC proudly celebrated senior Mariah Anderson on Friday afternoon during a special signing ceremony, where she officially committed to continuing her academic and athletic journey at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Surrounded by family, coaches, teammates, and staff, Mariah signed her letter of intent to play softball for the Mavericks next year. The event recognized her dedication, hard work, and leadership both on the field and in the classroom. USC congratulates Mariah on this exciting achievement and looks forward to watching her succeed at the next level.

USC students in grades 7, 8, and 10 participated in an engaging volleyball unit in their Physical Education classes. Throughout the unit, students practiced key skills such as serving, passing, setting, and teamwork while gaining confidence on the court. The lessons emphasized cooperation, communication, and active participation, giving students a fun and energetic way to stay active while learning the fundamentals of the sport.

Eight sophomores attended the Mayo Healthcare Careers Day at MSU on November 5. They heard from a panel of professionals in nursing, as well as a variety of other careers in the Mayo system, not limited to healthcare. They were able to visit booths for specific career areas and college programs, find out more and take home some giveaways.

Seniors:

2nd Financial Aid Night: December 2 at 6pm online. See the flyer for more information and the link.

If you have not started your FAFSA, you should do so now!

FIRST STEPS FOR FAFSA:

Apply for a FSA ID- Both the student and a parent/guardian need one. If a parent/guardian has one from an older child, or if they have been in school, they do not need a new one. Use the FSA ID they have from before. A new FSA ID will take 1-3 business days to verify.

Start the FAFSA You will use the 2026-27 application, and you will use tax year 2024 for your financials.

Local scholarships will start opening up in February. Always check your email for any scholarship opportunities that come through the counseling office.

Juniors:

You can start planning for your April 21 ACT test online! Here is a link to free practice tests.

Free online practice ACT tests

Junior Scholarship Opportunity- Horatio Alger opens December 1. Click here to see if you are eligible to apply for any of their scholarships.

Upcoming Dates:

December 2: Senior Financial Aid night online

Mid-January: Grades 8-11 Registration for 2026-27 school year

February 10: Junior ASVAB testing

March 12: Junior Career Day at MSU

April 15: Sophomore Career Expo in Mankato

April 21: 12th grade WorkKeys, 11th grade ACT, 10th grade Pre-ACT testing

Nov. 17 - 25. USC Food Drive sponsored by FCCLA and Student Government

Nov. 20. Fall Festival Dinner during lunch

Nov. 26. Trimester 1 Ends for grades 7 & 8

Nov. 27-28. Thanksgiving Break.

Dec 2. Grade 5-12 band concert 7:00 PM

Dec 4. High School/Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:30 - 7:30 PM

Dec 24 - Jan 4. Winter Break