Hotline // February 19, 2025

VCSU alum Jessica Stoen '10 receives prestigious Milken Educator Award

Northern Cass Elementary School second-grade educator and VCSU alum Jessica Stoen ’10 thought ND State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler was holding an all-school assembly to commend the school on its successful personalized learning pilot. Stoen quickly learned there was another treat in tow: a sweet Valentine’s Day surprise in the form of a Milken Educator Award! The prestigious, national honor includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize Stoen can use however she chooses.

Hailed as the “Oscar of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Award was created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken in 1987 to further excellence in education and inspire the next generation of educators. Stoen is the only recipient in North Dakota this 2024-25 season and the first-ever in the Northern Cass School District’s history.

Stoen is a 2010 graduate of Valley City State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She later earned a Master of Education in educational administration in 2017 from North Dakota State University.

“Jessica Stoen’s creative and personalized approach to teaching creates a profound, positive impact on her students, their families and her colleagues in and beyond her school community,” said Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller, who is a 2017 Texas Milken Educator herself. “Jessica’s unwavering dedication to education is evident in the enriching, engaging learning experiences she crafts for her students, as well as her relentless commitment to professional growth for both herself and her peers. Congratulations, Jessica, and welcome to the Milken Educator Network!”

Stoen was honored as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-25 Milken Educator Awards season. The tour will honor up to 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, marking the 3,000th Milken Educator in the Awards’ ranks and celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America. Since the presentation of the first Awards in 1987, more than $75 million in individual cash prizes and over $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.

“It’s fitting that an educator at one of our state’s most outstanding and innovative rural schools is able to win this prestigious award,” said Superintendent Baesler. “Jessica Stoen is a role model and example of teaching excellence for educators everywhere.”

More about Jessica Stoen

A Lasting Positive Impact: Jessica Stoen brings a dynamic, innovative approach to instruction for her second graders at Northern Cass Elementary School. Drawing on her experience as a personalized learning coach, Stoen tailors her teaching strategies to meet each learner’s individual pace and needs, sparking curiosity and confidence in them to thrive. She encourages them to meet high expectations by cultivating a learning center (classroom) environment rooted in whole-brain teaching. Her positive influence is felt well beyond the classroom walls, with former students often returning to visit Stoen before high school graduation. Many credit her early impact for inspiring success in their educational and personal journeys.

Enriching Educational Experiences: Stoen designs collaborative, hands-on lessons that actively engage her learners and build leadership skills. A cornerstone of her instruction is helping to instill in them “Portrait of a Learner” attributes aligned to district goals: accountability, communication, adaptability, learner’s mindset, and leadership. Together, these traits nurture independence in student learning and guide them on a path to future success. In her unit on the water cycle, Stoen partners with local high school students, allowing both groups to share their insights and collaborate in an annual, interactive and highly memorable science day. The day culminates in an energetic song and dance led by the second graders, reinforcing the concepts learned and fostering community across age groups. She also actively participates in House Color, a school-wide initiative that promotes collaboration and exciting learning opportunities across grade levels.

Inspiring Leadership: A respected leader within her school district and broader community, Stoen was instrumental in the district’s transformation to personalized, competency-based learning and regularly invites other colleagues into her classroom to see the practice in action. In this space, staff members are encouraged to exchange best practices and resources for increasing student learning and advancing their professional skills. Further building educator efficacy and morale, Stoen mentors new educators, inspires future educators, participates in professional development opportunities, and presents to colleagues at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She has co-led the personalized competency-based learning team and has participated in the Northern Cass Leadership Academy with North Dakota State University and as the lead evaluator for the ELA curriculum team.

The Milken Educator Award Reaps Lifelong Benefits

The $25,000 cash Award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children’s or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.

Honorees receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. Milken Friends Forever (MFF) pairs a new recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor; the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program fosters individual veteran Milken Educator partnerships around specific topic areas; and Activating Milken Educators promotes group collaboration in and across states to bring solutions to pressing educational needs.

The honorees attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in April 2025, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education.

Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels.

Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.

King presents World War II lecture

The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series Season 24, in partnership with the “What In The World” series, presents “Valley City: A WWII Heritage City” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Steven King, D.A., professor for social science, will present the lecture which focuses on Valley City’s war contribution efforts during World War II.

The event is free and open to the public. It is being held at the Barnes County Museum, 315 Central Avenue North in Valley City.

VCSU Music hosting 23rd annual ND Intercollegiate Band

Valley City State University hosts the 2025 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band on February 22, bringing together 87 college students from across the state.

Eight different North Dakota institutions are represented in the band, which is directed by Dr. Mary K. Schneider, Professor of Conducting and Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University.

The two-day event begins Friday, Feb. 21, and concludes with a free public concert at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22. The concert is held at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall.

“We are excited and honored to host the 2025 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band event for the first time since the opening of the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts,” said VCSU assistant professor of music Mr. Jerrold Heide. “This event brings our North Dakota institutions together through music in VCSU’s incredible performance spaces, and we look forward to celebrating the talent and passion of our collegiate musicians from across the state.”

Concerts selections are “Fanfare Politeia” by Kimberly Archer, “Danzon No.2” by Arturo Marquez, “This Night” by David Biedenbender, and “Bullets and Bayonets” by John Philip Sous.

The guest ensemble Lake Agassiz Wind Symphony will also perform during the concert. The symphony is directed by Dr. Warren Olfert, retired director of bands from NDSU.

Valley City State University has 18 students participating in the ND Intercollegiate Band, which is in its 23^rd year of performances. Other students attending are from Bismarck State College, Dickinson State University, Minot State University, North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, University of Jamestown and University of Mary.

VCSU Arts Gallery hosting High School Art Exhibition

The Valley City State University Arts Gallery proudly presents the annual High School Student Art Exhibit, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks created by talented high school students across North Dakota.

The exhibition is open to the public February 24 through March 21 on the VCSU campus. This year’s exhibit highlights outstanding student artworks from students at Hillsboro High School, Maple Valley Public School, Northern Cass High School, and Rugby High School.

The VCSU Arts Gallery is located inside the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Awards will be presented at a public reception, announced at a later date. A virtual exhibit will also be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube Channel.

Dr. Katrina Clements performing faculty recital Feb. 28

The Valley City State University Music Department is proud to present Echoes & Elements, a solo faculty recital by Dr. Katrina Clements, assistant professor of woodwinds.

The recital features collaboration with Angela Mircsov, associate professor of art, and Dr. Ozzie Johnson, piano. This unique and immersive performance will take place at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall on Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public with a reception to follow.

Blending live clarinet performance with electronic soundscapes and striking visual elements, Echoes & Elements explores the connections between music, technology and imagery. The program features contemporary works that incorporate electronic effects, multimedia, and artistic collaborations, creating a dynamic sensory experience.

The recital begins with Heat it UP! by Kay He, a composition inspired by the heat and landscape of the Arizona desert. This is followed with Cacophony by Jenni Brandon, a solo clarinet piece using delay pedal effects, accompanied by original acrylic paintings by Mircsov that will be premiered during the performance and on display in the lobby afterwards.

The middle of the program includes Through Waters, by Mountains by Yao Chen, a work for clarinet and piano with video that evokes the movement of water and rugged mountain landscapes. I’d Known This Place by Dan Caputo will use live audio generative animations to explore memory through repeated recollections. The recital will close with an exciting new work for bass clarinet and electronics, Bridges by Spencer Brand, exploring the intersection of tangible and virtual connections. Dr. Ozzie Johnson, assistant professor of piano at VCSU, will join Dr. Clements in performance.

“This recital is an opportunity to showcase collaboration between the VCSU music and art departments pushing the boundaries of traditional performance by combining sound with striking visual elements and technology,” says Dr. Clements. “The audience will experience a fusion of music and art that highlights the beauty of both mediums.”

Join us for an evening of innovation, collaboration and artistic exploration at Echoes & Elements.

VCSU Spring Intramural Volleyball

VCSU is hosting a spring season of indoor co-ed intramural volleyball. Teams of six or more are encouraged to register for the five-week season. The first game will be March 26, 2025 and games will take place weekly on Wednesday evenings.

Sign your team up today! https://forms.office.com/r/pA9qUrGrzc

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
The VCSU women fell to Bellevue University and No. 8 Dakota State on the road over the weekend and are now 13-13 on the season and 5-9 in conference play. VCSU rounds out the regular season at Mayville State on Friday and will compete in the NSAA Postseason beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26.

Men’s Basketball
The Viking men picked up a pair of wins on the road over the weekend to mark three straight conference wins and remain in contention to host a first-round playoff game. VCSU secured the win on a late three-point play by Jayden Patcha to defeat Bellevue 61-59, and then defeated Dakota State 78-68 behind a career-high 19 points from Sam Kobbervig. The Vikings are 14-12 overall and 5-9 in the North Star.

Track & Field
VCSU claimed five individual conference titles and set four school records with 12 All-Conference performances on their way to third place team finishes for the women’s and men’s indoor track and field teams Sunday at the NSAA Indoor Championships. Karly Just earned NSAA Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Meet with 26.5 points, which marks the first time a Viking athlete has earned the award in program history.

Softball
VCSU went 2-2 over the weekend at the Dordt University Dome with wins over Mount Marty and tournament-host Dordt. The Vikings also fell to Dakota Wesleyan and No. 11 Northwestern. VCSU is now 4-4 on the season and competes at the Nelson Family Bubble on the University of Jamestown Campus Feb. 21-22.

Upcoming Events:
Feb. 21: Basketball at Mayville State, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Mayville, N.D.)
Feb. 21-22: Softball at UJ Dome II (Nelson Family Bubble, University of Jamestown)
Feb. 24: Baseball at Mission University, 2 p.m. (Springfield, Mo.)
Feb. 25: Baseball at Kansas Christian University, TBD (Kansas City, Mo.)
Feb. 26: Basketball, NSAA Postseason Opening Round

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/