Moorhead High School Hall of Honor inducts three members for 2017
November 21, 2017
Two graduates and
a retired teacher
were inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor at a recognition ceremony this fall at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The 2017 inductees are
Lowell C. Bolger, Kris Landsverk and Brent G. Teiken.
Moorhead High School Principal Dave Lawrence welcomed people to the dinner ceremony, and Assistant Superintendent Brandon Lunak shared a letter on behalf of Superintendent Lynne Kovash.
“Our district has remained strong in educating the whole child, finding opportunities for each student to thrive and to grow to meet their maximum potential,” Kovash’s letter said. She wrote that the honorees have helped bring the district’s mission statement to life.
“They have used their talents to better the lives of others. One by working to assure all students have the opportunity to compete through Special Olympics, another through sharing his gift of music, and our other honoree by establishing an exemplary business,” she stated in the letter.
Moorhead High School Hall of Honor committee members were recognized for their work, and the corporate sponsors Bell State Bank & Trust and Gate City Bank were acknowledged for their support.
The three inductees were recognized, and plaques were presented to each honoree. Identical plaques will hang at Moorhead High School.
During their remarks, the inductees shared reflections on their experiences connected to Moorhead High School and Moorhead Area Public Schools.
Kim Nelson, daughter of Lowell C. Bolger, spoke about how her dad and his fellow coaches wanted the best for their athletes.
Bolger graduated from Moorhead High School in 1954, and in 1966 he began teaching and coaching for Moorhead Area Public Schools. He was Moorhead High School assistant basketball coach until 1982 and retired from teaching in 1993.
Bolger was instrumental in bringing adapted physical education to Moorhead Area Public Schools, and he also worked as co-director for Minnesota Special Olympics.
“He really did champion a cause for children with disabilities,” Nelson said.
Bolger recognized his family and thanked the coaches he worked with over the years. “I’m honored to be here, and I’m humbled,” he said before accepting his plaque.
Kris Landsverk’s first music instruction was in Moorhead Schools.
“It was in grade school that I got my start,” he said, before thanking his orchestra teachers, his parents and his first piano teacher.
Landsverk graduated from Moorhead High School in 1978 as an honors student and class salutatorian. He has played viola with orchestras in Iowa and Germany, and since 1987, Landsverk has been assistant principal viola in the Philharmonic Orchestra of Luxembourg. Additionally, Landsverk was active as a chamber musician and recorded works of chamber music. He coaches chamber music for youth ensembles and adult amateur groups, has given educational presentations, and performs at assisted living facilities.
“The high qualify of reaching at Moorhead High and the atmosphere encouraged students to try out new things and explore their potential,” Landsverk said.
Brent G. Teiken, a 1988 Moorhead High School graduate, said many people helped him get to where he is today.
In 1996 Teiken co-founded Sundog Interactive and has served as Sundog’s CEO since the company’s inception. Under Teiken’s leadership, Sundog has been recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and best places to work. In 2012 Teiken received the Marcus Buckingham’s Leaders Leading Leaders Award. Teiken is actively involved on community boards and as a youth baseball coach.
Teiken said he was taught a passion for learning that he has carried through his entire career. He shared how the teachers and coaches challenge and shape students. His basketball coach helped him learn that if you’re not getting what you want work harder, while his baseball coach believed in him.
“The idea of believing in your team has stuck with me as a leader,” Teiken said. “They taught me how to win and how to lose.”
About the Hall of Honor
The Moorhead High School Hall of Honor recognizes alumni, faculty, staff and other community members who have demonstrated notable accomplishments or provided significant contributions to their school, community or society.
The nominations committee is now considering candidates for 2018. Nominations are continuously accepted for the Hall of Honor. Nomination forms are available at https://www.moorheadschools.org or Moorhead High School. Nominations may be submitted online. Nominations previously received are kept to be considered for future recognition.
Photo: Three new members were inducted into the Moorhead High School Hall of Honor for 2017 — Brent G. Teiken, Kris Landsverk and Lowell C. Bolger.
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