Our next Hall of Fame honoree is a consistent name you see in the record books as a three sport student-athlete in basketball, volleyball and softball. Not only was she making waves in the sports world, she stood out as an engaged leader in the classroom and extracurriculars. We’re proud to honor Class of 1990 graduate Kathy Mackenthun (Heuer) in this year’s Raider Rally.
Throughout high school at Central High School, Kathy was involved in a variety of activities and held many leadership roles including C-Club (president), choir, Future Homemakers of America (President), Homecoming Committee, Prom Committee, German Club, National Honor Society (Treasurer). She was even named in the Senior "Hall of Fame" as Most Likely to Succeed, along with Douglas Stuedeman.
Kathy was on the Varsity Volleyball team during her junior and senior years, and was named the Offensive Player of the year as a junior. During her senior year, she was Team Captain, MRC All-Conference and Team MVP for two years. She also earned recognitions as MRC Honorable Mention All-Conference, All-Region 3A Team, and All-State Academic Team.
Kathy also shined on the basketball court, which is what led to her play at the collegiate level. During high school, she played on the varsity basketball team all four years. During her senior year, she was Varsity Captain, Team MVP 3 years, MRC Most Valuable Player, All-State Team and All-State Academic Team. Kathy finished her Central career with 1,276 points, becoming the first Central player ever to score 1,000 career points. She averaged 19 points per game and shot 59% from the field. Central lost to St. Peter 51–53 in the game to advance to state, but her 14-for-14 shooting performance remains second in the MSHSL record books for highest field-goal percentage in an individual game.
After graduating from Central, Kathy attended the University of Minnesota Morris, graduating with honors and double-majoring in Management and Economics. She continued her basketball career as a Cougar, and in 2012 was inducted into the University of Minnesota Morris Cougar Hall of Fame. At the time of her induction, she ranked third in career scoring with 1,543 points and fifth in rebounding with 812.
After college, Kathy continued her education and professional development by earning CPCU — (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) and ARe (Associate in Reinsurance). She spent 30 years working for EW Blanch in Bloomington, which later became part of Aon. She currently serves as Senior Managing Director at the FHCF Administration and works on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund account.
Kathy married Rodney "Rod" Mackenthun and they have three children Anna, Abby and Michael who are all Central High School graduates.
One of the most meaningful chapters of Kathy's post-college life has been coaching. For approximately 15 years, she coached youth basketball for boys' and girls' teams from NYA, Glencoe and Hamburg/Emanuel.
Kathy considers the years spent coaching her children and their teammates some of her favorite memories. The friendships, laughter and time together made those years especially meaningful.
We appreciate all that Kathy has contributed to our community from her time as an extraordinary student to now as a dedicated community member!
The third Annual Raider Rally and Hall of Fame Induction will be on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Hamburg Community Hall. Help us celebrate our Hall of Fame honorees - purchase your tickets to the Raider Rally now: https://108raiderrally.com/
We are so excited to see our 6th and 9th grade students tomorrow for Transition Day! Families, if your 6th and 9th grade students will let you get first day of school photos, we will happily take them at communications@isd108.org to potentially be shared on social media!
Work 2.25 hours per day (10:50 a.m. - 2:05 p.m.)
Position Description/Qualifications:
1. Minimum qualification: High School Diploma, experience with elementary age students preferred
2. Must have the ability to lift and toilet students.
3. Possess basic academic competencies to provide tutorial assistance to the student(s) as needed.
4. Prior experience working with special needs children is desired but not required.
Apply today: https://www.applitrack.com/central/OnlineApp/JobPostings/view.asp?all=1
She says she chose to work at Central Public Schools because she loves the supportive teamwork. From the early age of 8, Sarah knew she wanted to be a teacher. She would “run” her own classroom with her mom’s daycare kids. Growing up, she enjoyed art, music, and gym.
When she’s not teaching, Sarah enjoys family vacations, the outdoors, and cuddles with her dog Cheddar. Also, she LOVES the state fair!
First up is our newest 6th Grade Teacher, Jenna Watson! We asked her a few questions about herself and why she loves teaching and here is what she said:
Why did you choose to work at Central Public Schools?
“I chose Central because of its strong sense of community and the opportunity to make a positive impact on students!”
What led you to a career in education?
“I was drawn to education because of the teachers I had growing up and the impact they made on me. They inspired me to want to make that same kind of positive impact on my own students.”
What was your favorite subject when you were a K-12 student?
“Math”
What do you like to do for fun?
“I enjoy working out, spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, traveling, and just making memories with the people I love.”
City of Residence
NYA
How long have you lived in the district?
10 years
What is your occupation?
Care Coordinator
Why do you want to be a member of the ISD 108 School Board?
To help ensure the district has what it needs to provide the best education possible for all those who choose to come to Central Public Schools and ensure that we are sending our graduates off ready to be productive members of society in whatever way they choose.
What qualities will you bring to the board if elected?
My background is in grocery retail management so I’ve spent a lot of time working with budgeting, employee retention, building maintenance, conflict resolution and working in large diverse groups to achieve a common goal.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?
Funding, there are many issues facing education today, safety, large class sizes, teacher shortages, limited resources but they all begin with a lack of funding.
Read the full article: https://www.central.k12.mn.us/article/3098251
City of Residence
NYA
How long have you lived in the district?
My entire life
What is your occupation?
Vice President of the USA Clay Target League
Why do you want to be a member of the ISD 108 School Board?
I want to be a member of the ISD 108 School Board because I care deeply about our community, the quality of education, and the opportunities we provide for our students.
What qualities will you bring to the board if elected?
I will bring a true commitment to our community and our schools. I will be a board member who is engaged, dependable, transparent, and willing to do the work necessary to help ISD 108 remain a strong district for our students and families.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?
Schools are being asked to address more academic, social, and behavioral needs than ever before, while also recruiting and retaining quality teachers and staff. At the same time, districts must be responsible with taxpayer dollars and make difficult decisions about where resources can have the greatest impact for students.
Read the full article: https://www.central.k12.mn.us/article/3098251
First up is long-time Central Public Schools teacher and coach, Darroel Dammann. Coach Dammann taught physical education, health and industrial arts at Central HIgh School from 1976 to 2005. In his final three years of teaching from 2006-2008, he taught physical education at Central Elementary School.
For 28 years, Coach Dammann led the Central High School wrestling team. Not only did he make a significant impact on the wrestling program, but also the student-athletes and their commitment to the sport which earned state recognition.
Dammann coached five teams that earned their place at the Minnesota State Team Wrestling Tournament in 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987(4th Place finish) and 1998. He led teams to five undefeated dual regular seasons (1979, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986) and nine Minnesota River Conference (MRC) Championships (1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988). Also, Coach Dammann guided the program to the school's 200th dual meet victory in 2000.
Coach Dammann coached 16 different wrestlers who had 24 individual state tournament appearances. Two of these wrestlers earned an individual medal at the state tournament: one as the state runner-up and one as third place. Coach Dammann is ranked #91 on the Minnesota High School Coaches Career Records.
Coach Dammann is a graduate of Glencoe HIgh School’s class of 1968, where he played football. He went on to attend Winona State University and earned his degrees in Industrial Arts, Physical Education/Health and Coaching and graduated in 1973. He was married to Nancy Opitz for 51 years. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Thank you to Coach Dammann for his time serving our students and our athletes at Central Public Schools!
The third Annual Raider Rally and Hall of Fame Induction will be on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Hamburg Community Hall. Help us celebrate our Hall of Fame honorees - purchase your tickets to the Raider Rally now: https://108raiderrally.com/
You can view all candidate responses on our website: https://www.central.k12.mn.us/article/3098251
Responses have been minimally edited for formatting and clarity and all content and viewpoints are of the respective candidate.
First up is Cassy Vos!
City of residence:
Cologne
How long have you lived in the district?
17 Years
What is your occupation?
As a strategic operations and financial leader, I partner across Tax, Finance, IT, and Operations to improve client financial outcomes, optimize business processes, and drive enterprise-wide initiatives. With over 18 years of experience in professional services, I leverage collaboration, analytics, and technology to increase profitability, strengthen accountability, and deliver sustainable business results. My leadership approach centers on developing people, simplifying complexity, and creating a culture of continuous improvement that empowers teams to perform at their highest potential.
Why do you want to be a member of the ISD 108 School Board?
I believe strong schools are built through responsible leadership, fiscal accountability, community partnership, and a commitment to student success. My experience leading teams, managing financial performance, and driving meaningful change has prepared me to help guide our district's future while keeping students, families, and educators at the center of every decision.
What qualities will you bring to the board if elected?
My professional background has centered on helping organizations achieve better outcomes through strategic leadership, financial stewardship, collaboration, and continuous improvement. For more than 18 years, I have led complex initiatives, managed financial performance, and built strong partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups. These experiences have prepared me to serve as a thoughtful, accountable school board member who will listen to the community, make data-informed decisions, and advocate for students, educators, and families while ensuring responsible management of district resources.
What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?
I believe two of the most important issues facing the education industry today are funding and teacher recruitment and retention. Balancing increasing student and operational needs with limited financial resources. School districts must provide high-quality instruction, attract and retain talented educators, support student and teacher well-being, invest in technology, and maintain facilities, all while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Effective governance requires thoughtful financial planning, transparency, and a focus on ensuring every investment contributes to teacher and student success.
Previous experience in food service is preferred, but not required. If interested, you can go directly to Taher, Inc. and apply under careers. You may also reach out directly to Chantelle Eshleman, Central Food Service Director at 952-467-7147 or email at ceshleman@isd108.org. Can’t wait to hear from you!
https://myjobs.adp.com/taherjobs/cx/job-details?reqId=5001216058506
If you ordered a Fallen Heroes t-shirt, they will be available for pick up on either of the following days:
Tuesday, September 1 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the Central Stadium football field
Wednesday, September 2 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the Commons area during the Open House
Thank you for your support of this amazing event and we look forward to seeing you at the game on September 3rd!!!
Welcome to another year of football! Below find the link to order football apparel. This will stay open all season with individual orders shipping as they are ready.
https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/NdDrrte6xT
Please let us know if you have any questions and THANK YOU for supporting our Raider athletes!!
Raider Touchdown Club
