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Lemmon Visited by Entire Senior Class of Wichita School
The senior class of Northfield School of Liberal Arts, from Wichita KS, along with their chaperones paid a visit to The Dakota Herald during their 4-day study visit to Lemmon, SD
by Jim Stock (Published March 22, 2010
The entire senior class consisting of nine members of Northfield School of Liberal Arts, located in Wichita, Kansas, paid Lemmon a four-day visit recently, experiencing many aspects of daily life here.
Making the 777 mile trek in two vehicles, the group arrived March 8th and left March 12th despite rather inclimate weather of snow and fog, especially prevailing in the immediate area of Lemmon. In fact, one of the students told Pastor Tom Penning, “The only bad thing here is the snow!”
Tom Penning was instrumental in arranging the students’ visit, which is becoming an annual ritual of the school’s senior class. That’s because prior to Tom moving to Lemmon in 2001, he taught Humanities (history) at Northfield, and served as the school’s Headmaster for several years. Tom continues even now to teach at the Kansas facility, making four trips a year there for lecturing.
Northfield is a private school that has 76 students in the grade 6 through 12 student body. It has a strong liberal arts focus, and practices classical education techniques. Classical education is defined as stressing to students how to think. Northfield School of Liberal Arts is said to have “the brightest of the brightest.”
The Lemmon experience was a memorable one, consisting of a busy schedule. One day the group visited KBJM, the Forest Service, the Dakota Herald, Wheeler’s Manufacturing, the Police Department and the Mayor.
The next day was “banking day’ and the students met with Bank of the West and Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union. Area resident Lloyd Dale lectured the group on money. The following day was “ranching day” but it was not without some difficulty. After visiting with Bill Larson at his ranch, the van carrying the students got stuck in heavy snow on their return into Lemmon. Eventually they got unstuck after many volunteers got behind the van to push them out. And, a planned trip to Stuart and Lisa Schmidt’s ranch near Keldron was cancelled that day, due to the weather. Instead, the Schmidt’s came into town and opened the Grand River Museum for a tour, which was very much appreciated by all.
“Lemmon’s world view is different than that of Wichita,” observed Tom. “It was very much enjoyed – they liked Lemmon, and especially liked the pride Lemmon has. But the hit of the week was clearly the tour of the Lemmon Police Station! The police chief was very accommodating, and they were placed in cells, put in handcuffs, and so on. They had a lot of fun.” Tom mentioned that the Dakota Lodge had offered the students a very affordable lodging rate, and took good care of them while staying here. But it should be noted that Tom’s wife really turned on the hospitality for the students. DeAnne cooked for the entire group while here in Lemmon, which gave them an excellent opportunity to experience local and very good home cooking.
Before leaving the state to head back home, the nine Kansas students made a point to visit the Bad Lands, Crazy Horse and of course Mt. Rushmore.
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602 10th Street West
PO Box 207
Lemmon, SD 57638
ph: 605-374-9628
fax: 605-374-5262
editor
