Willow River Playground Gets a Makeover

Volunteers from Faith Community Church's Faithworks gather for a group photo on the Willow River Elementary School playground.

The playground at Willow River Elementary school got a makeover this week. Volunteers from Faithworks at Faith Community Church repainted the Unites States map, trimmed shrubs, pulled weeds and added some new shrubs and flowers.

Pictured above: Front row, left to right, Tim Sackett, Caleb Prince (a Willow River Elementary student), Nancy Youngman, and Leslie Redner. Back row, left to right, Phil Mach, John Brink, Tim Prince (Willow River parent and Pastor for Missional Community at FCC), Darcy Prince (Willow River parent) and Daniel Redner.

A group of children and adults painting the United States map on the playground pavement.

Grandmother and granddaughter work together trimming shrubs.

Pictured above: Volunteer Nancy Youngman and her granddaughter, Brianna Youngman, trim shrubs near the school building.

Two volunteers are planting shrubs near the Willow River Elementary School sign.

Pictured above – Volunteers plant new shrubs and perennials in front of the Willow River Elementary School sign at the corners of Fourth and Oak Streets.

Faithworks contributes a week of service to support short-term projects across the St. Croix valley. It is a cross-generational experience that brings together more than a 100 volunteers daily to assist with painting, yard work, and more.

Future Problem Solving International Conference

Hudson students taking a rest on a bench in the Hudson t-shirts.

Throughout the school year, over thirty (30) Hudson students in grades 5-10 competed in the Scenario Writing Competition for Future Problem Solving. Of those students, twelve (12) qualified to attend the state Future Problem Solving competition this past April. The Wisconsin State winners were invited to advance to the international conference. Hudson’s four state winners included, Ben Weaver – 1st place WI Scenario Writer, Junior Division; George Cook – 2nd place WI Scenario Writer, Junior Division; Ainsley Kennedy – 1st place WI Scenario Writer, Senior Division; and Julia Ginsbach – 2nd place WI Scenario Writer, Senior Division.

Hudson students taking a rest on a bench in the Hudson t-shirts.

Pictured above: Benjamin Weaver (Hudson Middle School); George Cook (Hudson Prairie Elementary School); Ainsley Kennedy (Hudson High School); Julia Ginsbach (Hudson High School)

At the Future Problem Solving International Conference, the students were matched up with writers from around the United States and the world for the team scenario writing competition. During the competition, teams wrote a new, collaborative story in two hours based on a future scene and topic. This year’s topic was “De-Extinction.” There were 85 competitors who qualified for the International Scenario Writing competition. Hudson came home with two awards. Benjamin Weaver’s team scenario earned 2nd place in the Junior Division and Julia Ginsbach’s team scenario earned 1st place in the Senior Division.

A group of four students stand with their trophies

Picture above: Benjamin Weaver with his teammates from Kentucky, Michigan and France.

A group of four students stand with their trophies

Pictured above: Julia Ginsbach with her teammates from California, Washington and Kentucky.

The Future Problem Solving International Conference provides participants with the opportunity to experience a high-level of competition and gain valuable feedback from a wider audience on their writing. Additionally, participants learn about and interact with students from diverse cultures, gaining a global perspective on topics and issues that affect our whole world and collective future. It is a motivating and enriching experience for all who attend!

Celebration of flags on the stage.

Flags and flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of at the Future Problem Solvers International Conference at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.