River Valley School Fair

We have made a quick trip to the River Valley School Fair.

It is the annual event that's been going on since 1963.

Welcome to the River Valley School grounds.

I am Phil Knee.

It's a flutter of activity.

In fact, if we don't look out, we might get run over here.

The show is underway right now and lots of people in the stands watching it.

A little bit of a crisp and cool day.

Hank Bray is

here as well.

How you doing, Hank?

Good morning, Phillip.

How are you doing?

Made it here on time?

Well, for us, we did.

Well, yeah.

The key

thing is to get here before, after all the work is done, and then you can

kind of stand around.

We're kind of like blisters, Phillip.

Always show up when the work done.

But no, what an exciting time here.

It's going to be another exciting day here.

You can see they're already working in the ring.

They're pretty much everywhere you can see.

And we have the rabbits, so we have the, I'm always a little bit leery of the poultry after my early childhood trauma.

There's even a, looks like a camel.

It's hump day!

Looks like there's two of them, Phillip.

We're going to have to go get a ride if we can.

That is pretty awesome.

And of course all of the activities, the entries in the gymnasium here as well at the intermediate school.

So we will be up for some reports for you coming up here along the way from WRCO radio on a great day to be a River Valley Black Hawk.

People are enjoying the fair and we're going to be telling you more about it coming up here with more reports from WRCO and WRCO.com.

Sherry Grafunder is our guest from the River Valley School Fairgrounds.

It's a center of activity here.

Hank and I, well, we're lazy, but we feel lazy because everybody else has got something to do here today, Sherry.

Yes we have been here since 4 a.m.

and then some more came at 4 30 working the dark getting this all set up for people today to be here.

Wayans happened earlier this year just so that we had a chance to get around construction and more so that's the fun part about where we're placed here in the valley but thankful that everybody's coming out and we're getting to see the camaraderie and it's an awesome day today so cool weather great camaraderie happening and a lot of people stepping up to help.

And the animal show is going on right now.

Can you give us an idea of the numbers we're looking at today?

Yes, so we want to thank Bree Gaffney for coming over to judge our animals today as far as the livestock show goes.

We have 10 beef showing, 14 goats, 42 swine, 14 dairy cattle.

We have nine rabbits here, 20 poultry exhibits, four exotics, eight cats, and then the horse show has just started.

So we are working our way on getting things going.

Wonderful.

I think Henry wants to buy a cat.

Are they for sale or not?

Oh, you can't take the cats home.

They're all attached.

Yeah, tell us about the camel.

That caught our eye the first thing here today.

So we brought in Haven's petting zoo.

So River Valley FFA alumni and Wix buildings donate money to have us have the petting zoo here for the students and we get to choose on the exotic animal of choice.

So I turned around to my eighth grade class and I said camel or zebra?

So that's how we got the camel here today is that my fourth hour egg teacher egg students got to vote and that's what they wanted So I hope you all come out to see those camels that you wanted to see earlier

Awesome, so the schedule of events when's the sale gonna be and some other things going on here today people should know

so today we have Registration at 10 30 to 11 30 auction starts at noon so we encourage you to bid often and Support these students because they're all doing awesome work.

Sounds good.

Sherry gruffinger

joining us in this report from the River Valley School Fair.

Lily Spahn is here.

Great to see you, Lily.

I want to start out by saying what a great job you did on the National Anthem last

night.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And then later on, you found out that you were homecoming queen.

How exciting was that?

I did.

It was a really big shock.

I was really excited.

Instantly went to tears.

It was just, it was a really great moment.

Awesome.

Well, I know you're involved in so many things here.

Can you kind of give us a breakdown of everything you've got going this fall?

Right now I'm in the cross-country season.

I just joined this year.

It's my first year.

I'm involved in an FFA.

I've got musical.

I'm in the chamber choir.

I'm just kind of all over the place in the high school.

I'm in student council, just everywhere, honestly.

Tell me about the role you landed for the musical.

Um, I got one of the supporting leads.

I got Mama Morton, which is like this girl who runs the jail because we're doing Chicago.

I don't know if you heard about that, but Chicago, so that'll be really fun.

I'm excited.

And what about FFA?

What do you got going this weekend for FFA?

Um, I'm just here helping out.

I'm not doing too much right now because I'm not an officer, but I am helping a lot for FFA and I also go to like the state competition for a couple of different things.

So that'll be fun when it gets to that point.

Do you remember as a youngster running around here the day of the River Valley school fair?

I do.

It was so much fun.

I remember getting like the t-shirts and going on the scavenger hunts around the school and it's so crazy to think that I'm like the oldest people here now as a senior in high school.

That is incredible.

What would you like to be doing this time next year?

I'm not really sure.

I want to go to college.

I'm thinking about a four-year college somewhere in state and hopefully I can get a degree somewhere around.

and homecoming uh... festivities as a queen now what are what are your duties other than rain over the dance tomorrow night i guess right

um... i've got to i'll be in the back of the parade today um... i'm just kind of hanging around i don't know there's not too much special about being homecoming queen i just get a pretty crown

and you're not going to sing for us

today

Probably not.

We'll

have to go back and find the tape from last night of your national anthem.

It was wonderful.

Thank you, Lily.

Congratulations.

Lily Spahn joining us from the River Valley School Fair.

We're here with Brinkley Esslinger, a student advisor here at the River Valley School Fair.

Well, tell us about what some of your duties are today, Brinkley.

Mostly set up, but

I help out with the showing of pigs, dairy, beef, and the small poultry, like the chickens.

How long have you been here today?

Since six.

So I actually don't know what time it is.

So since six.

So goes the day.

That's right.

Are you showing any animals or anything today?

No, not today.

What is the significance of the corsage that you're wearing?

It's like all the officers wear them.

It's like basically like kind of royalty thing.

Oh, okay.

Well, that's cool.

How long have you been in FFA?

I've been in FFA since my freshman year.

So I'm not a, now I'm a junior.

So I, this is my first year being an officer, but I've been in FFA since freshman year.

Tell me about some other things you're involved in here at River Valley during the school year.

I shoot trap in the fall in spring, play volleyball in the fall, and then club volleyball in the winter.

and just a lot of like other academic things, I guess.

Seems like you're staying pretty busy.

What's your favorite part of the fair here today?

Um, I'd say probably watching the younger kids show the like pigs and cows.

I think it's really cute when they're like three years old.

Right.

Do you remember as a youngster and what you thought about it when you came to the fair?

Was it kind of magical?

I, I mean, yeah, I guess it was probably, I don't really remember much of it, but.

What would you like to be doing after your school days are done here at River Valley?

I'm not really sure yet.

I'd like to go to UW Madison, probably study animal nutrition or like sonography, neonatal sonography.

Wonderful.

Nice to talk with you.

Good luck.

Enjoy the rest of the fair.

Yeah, thank you.

You bet.

Joining us here, student advisor Brink Lassingler on WRC or Radio's coverage of the River Valley School Fair, 2026.

We have Max Theroux joining us and also the football players.

Kayden Price is here, right?

Is right.

Kayden, how you doing today?

Good.

How about you?

Good.

Are you ready for the game tonight?

I feel like the whole team's ready for tonight.

Good deal.

What's been the favorite game here so far of the year with football?

Favorite game, I'd say, is probably going to be tonight.

But I'd say Dodgeville was one of our better games.

One of the ones that everyone kind of liked the most.

But I feel like tonight we're going to set a new.

new win for the best game that we like.

What is football doing here today instead of, you know, resting up for the game?

You got some other duties today at the fair?

Yeah, we got a couple of football players that got to show animals.

We were just in games.

We got a couple of guys coaching the girls' football team.

And then we got some people that got to get some community service hours for school.

So I think everyone's just kind of cranking those out.

Awesome.

What

are some other things you're involved in here at River Valley

Schools?

Only really in football.

I help up with FFA every once in a while, but I'm not really a part of FFA, just football team, mainly.

Well, Max is here as well.

Max, what about the crutches here?

What happened to you, man?

The game against PDC is making a tackle, and my knee just popped.

And then I was on the ground.

I've got you circled as a starter tonight, but I'm probably going to have to erase that, it sounds like.

Yeah, I was a starter, but now I'm hurt.

Yeah.

What's the prognosis for the rest of the year?

I have

to wait for an MRI next week, hopefully, or talk to my doctor and get everything situated.

Sure.

Well, that's not good to hear.

You're going to be more of a coach here tonight as well, right?

Yeah.

I'm going to be a coach, help the football team, try to get a

win.

So if you're a coach, what are you going to tell the guys?

What do they have to do for a good game tonight against Platteville?

Just have to lock in, keep stuff, keep your head up.

Don't worry about the guy across from you.

We're a team.

We're a loving team.

You guys have such an awesome field here.

How cool is it to run out on the field, the turf field, Kaden, when you get out there for the game?

It's definitely exhilarating.

It's a new feeling.

It's not as it used to be, but it's definitely one that you can't imitate or anything like that.

What are some of the things, Max, that you're involved in here during the River Valley School Fair Day?

I'm just doing a walking around, helping people find ways.

I might go back coach football.

But that should be all.

What about some other things you're involved in at River Valley during the year?

Extra curriculars?

I've helped with F-Wave once in a while.

I do wrestling.

I'm a wrestler for a valley.

And it's really all.

What about next year, have you thought about your post-schooling days?

Not really yet.

Nothing yet.

Good.

Well,

good luck with that decision.

You got a little time there.

Good luck guys.

We appreciate you coming over and talking to us

today.

Thank you.

You bet.

Kate and Price joining us and back Saru on WRC Radio.

We'll be right back with more from the fair.

River Valley soccer represented here Gavin Abbott and Cameron Lilla.

We're talking soccer here River Valley School Fairgrounds.

I saw you guys play against Richmond Center this year.

So I know that you guys have got a good club.

Hugs illerating was the win last night of a Prairie to

Sheen.

It was a great win.

I mean, you know, homecoming spirits were all all great energy from the team and just overall great win.

Good deal.

What's the favorite game been so far this year?

Um, for me, it's probably been rich and center just because, you know, that's a school rivalry for all sports, you know, so it's a great win to have.

What are some other things you're involved in here at the River Valley School of Fairgrounds?

Um, here I'm involved with the band.

So when the parade comes around and then, uh, FFA and, uh, that's about it.

Okay.

Gavin, let's talk to you here a little bit.

What about yours, your role on the soccer team?

What position do you play?

I play mostly defense.

Once in a while, I play midfield.

That's pretty much it.

You guys, I know early on you struggled a little bit getting some wins.

You're kind of back on track.

What's made the difference here so far with the team getting a little better?

I think we've just upped the energy.

Everyone's locking in and just more energy overall with everyone on the team.

Who do you have next on the schedule?

Putting you on the spot here guys

I'm gonna tell you

you just know that you beat pervy to sheen last night What what did it take to get over the top in that one?

It was a close one.

It was a close one.

Um, I think just Everyone brought the energy second half We got two goals like right away at the start of the second half and then we just continued to bring the energy and we Brought it to them.

What are some other things you're involved in here at River Valley as far as extracurriculars are concerned Gavin

Um, I'm also just involved in band and that's it for now.

Band sounded good last night.

Yeah, it was good.

Cameron, what are some things that you're involved in other than soccer?

Uh, just again, yeah, the band marching band, so drum line.

So again, we had our performance last night for the Pepper Alley and that was fun.

Are you ever involved in the musical with the music or anything like that that's coming up?

Yeah, we're both in the musical.

Just

ensemble.

Ensemble, all right.

Good.

Chicago, are you excited about putting it on,

Cameron?

Yeah, I'm really excited.

This is both of our first years doing this, so stepping out of the comfort zone and going out into a new area.

That's what it's all about.

What about post high school?

Have you thought about what you'd like to do after high school?

I'm looking to going into education and so I'm either looking to do like high school or like elementary teaching.

What about you Gavin?

I'm not too sure.

I'm thinking just like like sports therapy or like physical therapy for now, but anything could change.

Well have a good fair guys.

Thanks for coming over and joining us.

You as well.

Thank you.

You bet.

Good to see you.

Cameron Lilla, Gavin Abbott joining us representing River Valley Soccer on WRCO.

We are here talking to more of the River Valley FFA representatives.

We have Tyler Glykoff and we have Brinkley Elsinger and we have Hayden Spencer.

I think Brinkley she just ran off again, but that's that's all right We'll let her go Hayden.

Let's talk about your role.

What is your role with River Valley FFA?

I'm the Sentinel and stuff I help welcome people to the classroom and we're also putting on a tractor pull through a Bunch of our FFA members are working.

What do you like most about being an FFA?

Getting to meet new people and sing new people.

Did it take much convincing to join FFA?

Did somebody encourage you?

They didn't take much convincing.

It's fun.

Kind of did it on your

own.

All right, Tyler,

what about

you?

What's

your role?

I am the reporter this year.

I manage the social medias, make all the posters and everything.

That's why you're walking around with a camera today, right?

Yep.

Trying to capture those special moments.

Yep.

So tell me about the tractor pull guys Tyler or what's up with that?

So we have kids there is these weights and we tie it to the back of the tractor and then they try and pedal to see if they are strong enough to move the weights.

Wonderful, how much setup does it take?

It takes roughly around 10-15 minutes I believe.

Not

very

much there.

So is this a fundraiser Hayden for FFA or is he just kind of doing it for fun?

Just doing it for fun.

What are some other things that you're involved in here with River Valley, extracurriculars, anything else you're involved in outside of school?

Not really.

Okay.

There's stuff that I'm involved.

Just FFA.

FFA is the main thing.

What about you, Tyler?

I'm also in Math Club.

All right.

Math Club.

So do you have math contests coming up soon?

Yeah, but I'm not going to that.

Okay.

I think ironically today is like math problem celebration day.

Math story.

Do you like math stories or not?

It depends.

Sometimes if they're, you know, harder.

I don't.

I

don't like them, so to speak.

Guys, have a good fair.

We appreciate you joining us.

Of course.

Good luck.

Yeah, you bet.

Hayden Spencer joining us and Tyler Glykov from the River Valley School Fair representing the River Valley officers.

We'll be right back.

Mrs. USA, Stephanie Kramer joins us.

Well, good luck today.

It's gonna be a fun day.

Have you ever been to the River Valley School Fair today?

No, this is actually my first time here and I'm super thrilled and cannot thank you all enough for having me and Peyton over here on my right for inviting me.

So thank you.

Wonderful.

What has impressed you the most so far that you've been here, Stephanie?

Well, being the huge animal advocate that I am, I absolutely love seeing all of the animals.

Not necessarily always the showing aspect of it, but really teaching the young minds, teaching the younger generations what it is to respect animals and also, you know, why we do need them in our lives.

Tell us about your reign as Mrs. USA.

How long does it last?

Being Mrs. USA is incredible and I just assumed it would last.

I don't know, nine to 10 months, but actually it is a full year.

If not just over one year, I was crowned back in July.

So this is still new, but the experience has been incredible for me.

My platform is called pause and purpose.

So it really is all about animal advocacy.

And I'm out there in the communities, not just here in the spring green area, not just in Wisconsin, but really traveling across the nation, talking about adoption, talking about the importance of spay, neuter, and really educating the younger generations.

That is awesome.

And where was the pageant?

What did you have to do to become Mrs. USA?

The pageant was in Houston, Texas, like I said, in July.

And pageantry has come a long way from what it used to be.

So some of the systems out there still have you in the swimsuit.

But for me, it was fitness.

So again, health and wellness is also important.

So aside from your evening gown, your onstage question, of course, your interview, which, by the way, is 50% of your score.

I don't think it's a shock to anybody that I love talking.

So give me the microphone and I can talk all day.

But yes.

And then finally it was the fitness wear.

So all of that in summation gives you your total score.

And the top four, it was getting close, right?

Standing there on stage, being announced.

I was the first one announced of the top four.

And then the final two were Wisconsin, Illinois.

So yeah, the best in the Midwest.

That is awesome.

So you're from Sock City originally, is that correct?

Actually, I was born in Virginia, so I am the daughter of a Navy veteran, and we moved to Wisconsin when I was about four years old.

And then I grew up in the Milwaukee area, and it wasn't until I met, what the time, the boyfriend that brought me into sock area and the River Valley area.

I actually did live in Spring Green for a few years.

Oh, that's awesome.

So River Valley School Fair is just a hubbub of activity.

What excites you the most about seeing this going on today?

I think everyone has to head on into the library to meet some of the adoptable animals.

But I really took pride in walking through the fair part and just seeing the first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, all of those awards for all of the different crafts that they created.

I'm not good at crocheting, and I saw this monstrous, dragon-looking crochet piece that I was a little envious of because, again, I don't have that skill set, but I think that was just really unique for me to see and really rewarding to see that we are still doing that type of education, that type of work with the younger kiddos today in the school systems.

Awesome.

And you're all about animals, and what can people look at today when they wander through the library?

So not only am I an animal advocate, but earlier this year I launched my own nonprofit.

And my nonprofit is called New Chapter Animal Rescue, hence why we're in the library, but New Chapter Animal Rescue.

And we do have one of our adoptable animals that is there, but also individuals can come on through and make toys, cat toys, to help socialize and really just get the interest of animals to keep them happy and healthy.

And specifically though with New Chapter Animal Rescue, if anybody

is interested in adopting or learning more, we are out there on social media, right?

These days, social media is important as long as you're using it appropriately.

Everyone use social media appropriately, but you can find us on Facebook, on Instagram.

We do have a link to your website out there.

So if you are interested, not only in stopping by to see us today, but if you're interested in volunteering, if you're interested in fostering or adopting, we have something for everyone out there.

Wonderful.

Nice to meet you, Stephanie.

Nice to meet you, too.

Thank you so much for having me.

Mrs.

USA joining us from the River Valley School of Grounds.

You never know who you're going to meet at the River Valley School Fair.

We are representing the Swine exhibit here today.

We have Brayden and Branson Eberle, and we're going to join them right now talking about it.

Brayden or Branson?

I had a 50-50 chance, so Branson, good to see you.

Tell me about what you're showing here today.

I'm showing a pig.

It's a boy, and its name is Bobby.

Bobby.

All right.

Sounds good.

How did Bobby do in the show here today?

Oh, he got fifth.

All right.

Good.

Are you going to try to sell him today?

Yep.

All right.

We hope it goes really well.

And

we have... Oh, wait a minute.

Branson, I have a question for you.

Do you remember last year's pigs name?

No, probably Oro.

That was why I bled.

Orio?

So, Orio, rest in peace, I guess.

And Braden, how's it going for you today?

Good.

Good.

Tell us about what you've done here today at River Valley School

Fair.

I've got second place and fourth place in showmanship and my pig's name is Sox.

Okay.

Is there competition between the brothers as there or not?

No.

You guys, you know, you're not real competitive then, okay.

What are some other things that you like here about the River Valley School Fair?

The cake off thing, like the cake off.

The baking

test.

Oh yeah, do you get to sample it then?

No.

We just make it.

Oh, you just make it.

All right.

That's cool.

And you brought along a friend.

Your name is?

Grant Crook.

Grant Crook.

Good to see you.

What are you involved in here today?

Just pig.

Okay.

And tell us your pigs.

What's your pig's name?

Dug.

Dug, yeah.

Dug.

Easy to remember.

Yeah.

So how did Dug do today?

Not bad.

Fourth place in a third place.

That's not too bad.

Good.

What grade are you in, Grant?

Uh, fifth grade.

All right.

Good deal.

Who's your teacher?

Uh, Mr. Weiss.

Okay.

Very good.

And are you involved in some other things, some other games here today?

I'm not.

Okay.

You're just gonna walk around and maybe eat and have some fun, right?

Yep.

That sounds

good to me.

That's what I'm going to

do.

And the parade after.

And

the parade.

Good deal.

Well, thanks for coming over, guys.

Good luck.

We appreciate it.

We have the Everlees, Braden, and Branson.

We have Grant Crook on this report from WRCO.

Makaya Willie joins us.

We're talking about senior showmanship here.

How's it gone for you today at the River Valley Fair, Makaya?

I have not shown yet today.

I show at 10.

OK.

So hopefully we do pretty good.

Well, I hope you do.

Tell us what you're showing.

Goats.

Goats, all right.

How much time, how many hours do you estimate you have to work with the goats to get them ready for the show?

I try to spend at least an hour each on each of my goats each day.

This year I only brought two, so it was only about two hours a day this whole week.

What grade are you in?

12th.

12th grade.

What are you looking at doing next year when your schooling days here at River Valley are done?

Going to college.

I'm not quite sure where yet, but I'd like to go for social working.

Wonderful.

And will animals always be a part of your life?

Yes, my family is a big animal family, so.

Great.

What other animals do you have?

What other pets do you have at home?

I have two dogs at home and then just goats.

What's your favorite part of the River Valley school fair?

Showing.

Just showing and then, yeah, and hanging out with friends.

Yes.

Are you involved in FFA?

Yes, I am.

Are you an officer or not?

No, I just helped do the CDE competitions.

And is that coming up this fall?

No, that's a spring activity that I do for FFA.

Get ready for that then.

So good to talk to you.

Good luck the rest of the way.

Good luck with the show.

Thank you very much.

You bet.

Makaya Willey joining us from WRCO and the River Valley School Fair.

Aliyah Hatfield, Will Prem, are a guest.

They've been on our morning show before and good to have them here live and in person.

How's the fair going so far, Aliyah?

It's going pretty good.

We got a lot of things going on.

So just trying to keep on top of everything, making sure everybody's where they need to be and stuff like that.

So,

yeah.

More responsibility as a president?

It is a little bit more from last year.

I was a treasurer.

So put a little bit more on my plate, but I think I'm handling it pretty well.

Sounds like numbers are pretty good for the animals this year.

Is that correct?

Yeah.

Right now we have quite a bit of hogs.

So we started a little bit early with the showing and then the auction will be starting at 12.

So they'll be selling off their animals then.

appreciate that everything's going pretty smoothly it looks like I mean it's a real jigsaw puzzle to get everybody where they're supposed to be isn't it?

it is we had to set up a lot of things throughout this week so the gym a lot went into that a lot of people helped and we're thankful for them and then outside we had to set up the pavilion all the gates and stuff for where the animals are held the food stand that definitely we put a lot of work into that and various different tents set up throughout the campus

Very busy work.

Will Prem is here as well.

Well, what's going on with the food stand over there?

Oh, no much.

Got a lot of volunteers working over there.

Just mainly our freshman class, but they're doing a real good job.

We've got a bunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, a little bit of everything, but

it's going well.

Henry and I were concerned when we walked in, we saw this big smudge, but nobody called the fire department.

Oh yeah, not quite.

Not big enough.

We'll wait till something drastic happens.

It's amazing how many people line up.

I mean, at the peak, we're talking like five or six deep at every line,

aren't we?

Oh, at least, yeah.

I mean, it gets crazy.

Just everyone at the same time just goes and, yeah, they do a good job handling it though.

I think they nail it down pretty well.

Your job's still going all right at Prem Meats and catering?

Oh yeah, I'll be out there tomorrow too, especially after the fair, but yeah, it'll be going good, especially working retail now more with Aliyah as well, so

yeah.

So it'll be a meet and greet with Will and Aliyah tomorrow if you'd like to stop by and see them.

Tell us about your sponsors of the food stand.

Oh yeah, so it's a huge thank you to all of them, but we have Arena Cheese, Bruja Ha, Heather and Jason Meixelsberger, Joe Knockriner, Kevin Grafunder, Quick Trip, Pepsi,

Premmeets, StracaMeets, the Adam and Pat Reno families, Lee McCarville and Ben Gruber.

All of them have either donated their time or their equipment for us, especially with the food stand, and just a huge thank you to all of them for helping us out on this busy day.

You do other fundraisers, but this is a big fundraiser for River Valley FFA, is that

it?

This is our, yeah, probably our main one.

This is where we make the most money, but just a lot of other, you know, really busy compared to all the others, but yeah, this is our main one.

Okay.

Now, if Henry starts a tab, cut him off, okay?

I'll watch him like a hawk, don't you worry.

Sounds good.

Good luck, guys.

Good luck with the rest of the fairies.

Yeah, perfect.

Thank you.

You bet.

Navea Subronic is our guest.

Having some fun here at the River Valley School Fair.

How does Ms.

G recruit you guys to come up here and talk?

Does she bribe you or what is it Navea?

I was walking out the hall or out the door at lunch yesterday and I heard her scream my name across the hall and she said you're gonna be on the radio at 8.15 to 10.15 and I was like okay and then I just kept walking.

Yeah I didn't ask any questions.

Sorry we were late and you know whatever but good to have you on better late than

never.

Exactly I agree.

So tell us what you're doing here this week and today at the River Valley School Fair.

I'm a student rep so I'll be in the fair later and or I'll be in the parade later and that's about all they have me doing.

Okay.

Yep.

Student rep so what are you representing?

The staff pick two kids who aren't in a fall sport but are still run for Hoco Court and so they picked me and Tyler Cratwell and yeah.

Wonderful.

Yep.

What are some other things you're involved in here at River Valley Schools?

I'm in Spanish Club and I'm on the girls soccer team.

All right.

Yep.

Soccer in the spring.

Yeah,

right?

Yeah.

Are you involved in the musical or anything else coming up?

I am not, no.

Okay.

Well, maybe there's still time.

I agree.

They tried to get me in it.

It didn't work.

Didn't work.

All right.

So we also have representing cross country.

You have Molly Mace and Brielle Grant.

Brielle, we'll start with you.

How's the season going?

The season's going pretty good.

Our teams are both doing very well.

And we have two meets next week, Tuesday and Saturday.

So looking forward to coming towards the end of our season with conference and sectionals coming up.

You've had good weather running for the most part.

Is it about right?

Because it was hot when you started the season.

Yes, that's correct.

Our second meet in Verrocco was very warm, but all our other races have been perfect weather.

Wonderful.

And what about you, Molly?

Yeah, it's been really good.

It's been fun to have a lot of girls on our team this year.

It's a good, yeah, just a good group of girls and it's super fun to go to all the practices and meets like with that crew.

So yeah.

I always thought running was a punishment.

You guys, you guys really like it?

Yes, I love running.

Well, it's a lifetime thing.

That's for sure.

Tell me about your coaches.

Who coaches you this

year?

So our main coach, our head coach is Steven Settler, who's also a high school teacher.

And then we have two assistant coaches.

Coach Harper and Coach Lindsay, they're both from around the community, both really good runners and very just supportive of our team and very helpful for keeping track of times and encouraging us on all of our runs.

Your coaches run with you, Brielle?

Oh, yes.

They do run with us.

They push us.

They're all very fast.

Yeah, so it's nice to have people who are very experienced in the running field and

You know, they can give us lots of advice and really push us during the practices.

What would you like to be in as far as your post high school is concerned?

What would you like to be doing?

I want to go into nursing and I'm looking at University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Yeah,

gonna leave the Badger State.

Unfortunately,

yeah.

What about you?

I'm not totally sure yet.

I'm thinking maybe about going into teaching, but I'm not sure where or what, so yeah.

Put you on the spot.

Favorite teacher.

Who's a teacher that's influenced you?

I've always liked the Michaelsburgers, but I really, I like all of our teachers.

They're very good.

Yes, yeah.

Well, nice to, nice to meet you all.

Yeah.

Good luck with Cross Country.

We'll be watching those results.

All right.

Joining us here on WRCO, representing our Cross Country here at River Valley as well.

We have Molly Mace and Brielle Grant.

And earlier we had Ms.

Subronic as well joining us.

We'll be back with more in a moment from WRCO.

Welcome to the River Valley School Fair.

We're joined by some old guys here today.

Wyatt Knockrider, Chase Gilbertson, alumnus back in here.

Chase, how does it feel to be, you know, kind of the elder statesman now?

Feel old.

No, it's fun to come back, see all the youth, you know, good numbers still, all the youth having fun with it like usual.

It's good to see.

And what is your role Wyatt?

What are you doing here today?

I'm pushing pigs with Chase.^?

It's very fun up there.^?

Pushing is better than chasing though, right?

That is true.^?

Sorry you proud member Wyatt of the FFA alumni.

Yes, I am.^?

What are some projects that you do with the FFA alumni?

I mostly just come back for the fair but last year I was on the team last year and we just went to a lot of things and as a group and talked and I don't know leadership stuff and did all that stuff.^?

So what are you doing now as far as an occupation?

What are you

doing?^?

I'm an electrician going to school to be one so yeah.^?

Good deal.

There's good money in that, so you've chose wisely.

Oh, yeah.

What about you, Chase?

I've gone back to Southwest Tech.

In Fenimore, I'm going for ag business management.

And also helping on the family farm.

Wonderful.

Yeah, we see you there as well.

So, hubbub of activity here today.

I'm sure you got lots of memories from the fair of the year, Chase.

Oh, yeah, lots of...

Lots of good times.

Cold mornings, hot mornings, all the goods.

We were thinking about that on the way down because there were some mornings where we had to wear gloves out here and then other mornings where, you know, you're wearing shorts, right?

It is.

You don't know what's coming.

Could be anything, honestly.

Never know, right?

In terms of FFA alumni, though, you're a proud member.

Some things you're looking forward to.

Any projects coming up or anything?

Yeah.

Not that I know of, you know, and come back for this.

I helped G yesterday chasing stuff around here.

Come back as she needs me throughout the year.

I know she does a lot and she's tremendous for this, for this, all of this, everything River Valley and I'm glad to come back and help her.

It's hard to imagine all the work that goes into this.

How long is set up and how long is tear down Wyatt generally?

I have not a clue.^?

I didn't show up for any of it.^?

Boy, that's honesty right there.

Can't

take credit.

We came Monday night, the gates got set up and then I know Wednesday and Thursday they do gym set up and all the tents and stuff get set up and all the interactive AG area that all gets set up on Wednesday and Thursday.

A lot of work.

Are you boys going to go ride the camel then when we're down or not?

Oh, yeah.

We're going to ride it.

All

right.

Sounds good.

Good to see you both.

You haven't changed a bit.

Thanks.

Wyatt Knockriner, Chase Gilbertson joining us.

RV

alumni, Hank?

Yeah, they're kind of like those boys are kind of like you and I. They're like blisters.

They show up when the work's done.

Oh, is that what it is?

Yeah, that's what I figured those guys out already.

That was Wyatt.

It was

Wyatt, yeah.

Thanks for joining us.

We'll be right back.

Anna Gherke is our guest.

Salk County Ferris to the Fair.

What brings you to River Valley School Fair?

Um, so Mrs. G asked me a couple months ago if I was available that day and I said, yeah, so I'm here.

So tell us about the Salk County Fair.

How did it go this year?

Um, it went really well.

We had a lot of exhibitors.

Um, we had a lot of like a really good attendance.

I thought it went really well.

Some days were really hot.

Some days it was rainy, but that's kind of expected in July.

Did

you have quite an ordeal to become Ferris to the Fair?

Um, yeah, so there's a competition in May that you have to go through the application process and then there's like interviews that you have to go through and then public speaking.

Okay.

And then your reign is until the next fair then,

right?

It's actually, it's until this coming May.

Okay.

So when I crown the next fairest, they'll prepare for fair like I did.

Tell us about yourself.

Do you live on a farm?

Um, yeah.

So I'm from Loganville, Wisconsin.

I do cash crop farming and we grow corn, beans and alfalfa.

And currently I'm attending Southwest Wisconsin Technical College for agribusiness.

Wonderful.

So you'd like to wind up somewhere in agriculture?

Um, yeah, hopefully ag financing or ag marketing.

Looking at agriculture these days, it's no easy task.

What are some things that you'd like to see maybe in the future, some things that you could possibly change?

I'm not quite sure.

Farming really isn't like obviously it's very hard, but I'd like to see more farms like 2% feed the 100% is what I like to say.

So that's a goal down the road and maybe wind up on a farm someday,