Brainerd School District

Four speakers from three rural Northern Minnesota school districts took first at the state Speech meet last weekend, and 14 more finished in the top eight.

The region will be well represented in the Class A meet, with 69 entries; Northern Minnesota has five entries in the 2A meet.

During the Brainerd High School band's visit to New Orleans in early March, students worked with the Hot 8 Brass Band, among other musical experiences.

The Warriors ended an undefeated season by winning their fifth title of the last seven tournaments. Three students were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Six rural Northern Minnesota teams advanced to the 2025 girls basketball state tournament, which begins Wednesday, March 12, 2025, on the University of Minnesota campus.

The state boys Swim and Dive meet will have 50 Northland entries made up of 51 student-athletes from eight area schools.

Brainerd won its second title at the state high kick competition and finaled in jazz. Crosby-Ironton finaled in both categories but missed the top three.

One team, two sprint duo and two individual athletes from rural Northern Minnesota medaled at the state nordic ski meet last week.

Kevin Boyles, Michelle Brekken, Stephanie Etterman, Jody Kalenberg, Andrew Mendez, Michael Stromberg and John Ward are running for I.S.D. 181, Brainerd, School Board.

Elsa Garrison was the first woman staff photographer for Getty Images and specializes in sports after getting started with the high school yearbook and Brainerd Dispatch.