The Luverne Redbirds amateur baseball team fell to the Milroy Irish on Sunday, May 9, in Luverne. The Irish bested the Redbirds 10-4.
The Redbirds struck first when Gaige Nath hit a solo home run to lead off the game.
The Irish scored three runs in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead.
Kendall Meyer hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth to trim Milroy’s lead to 3-2.
The Irish got that run back in the top of the fifth inning to push their lead back to two at 4-2.
A Skyler Wenninger sac-fly trimmed Milroy’s lead to 4-3.
The Irish once again answered by scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 7-3 lead.
Ben Serie hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eight for the Redbirds to trim Milroy’s lead to 7-4.
The Irish scored three more runs in the top of the ninth to take a 10-4 lead.
The Redbirds unfortunately were unable to mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth and lost 10-4.
Nath led the Redbirds by going 2-4 at the plate with a solo home run.
With the loss, the Cardinals now own a 1-1 overall record.
The Redbirds will be back in action on Sunday, May 16, when they head to Hadley to take on the Hadley Buttermakers.
 
Milroy 0 0 0 4 1 0 3 0 3 10
Luverne 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 4
 
Batting: Nath 2-4, Serie 1-4, Zeutenhorst 1-4, Meyer 1-4
Doubles: Serie, Zeutenhorst, Meyer
Home Run: Nath
RBI: Nath, Serie, S. Wenninger, Meyer

The cry from the streets across America today is “Black Lives Matter.” Right next to them are signs saying, “All Lives Matter,” or “Blue Lives Matter.” On the next block the battle cry is for living wages for all people regardless of age, race, gender or education because that is most important to them.
Some might say that what really matters is that all people have food, shelter and clean water. 
What about all the aborted babies? Is saving lives of the unborn what really matters? 
Millions of kids and adults are caught in the cruel grasp of human trafficking. Is freeing these victims what really matters?
Another group of people speak of the environment as that is what really matters.  Some have even predicted we are just a few short years from our end because of climate change.
What really does matter? Of all the problems, what really matters?
People’s lives are important. Safety and basic necessities are important. The environment is important, but what is the most important issue every person must face?
What really matters is your relationship with God.  When you look at all the issues that people face, God is the issue that is most critical.  If everyone’s relationship with God was correct, all of the world’s problems would be resolved.
You don’t repaint your car to fix a flat tire. If your water heater quits working, you don’t recarpet the house.  As a people we see problems, but we change the paint, hoping it will fix the problem.  Paint can cover rotten wood, but it doesn’t fix the problem.
A person with a right relationship with God is kind, compassionate and forgiving.  A person who seeks God’s desires above their own desires will see others as a gift from God regardless of any issues.
The Bible repeatedly tells us that one day everyone will give an account to God for their belief in Him. What really matters above all else is your relationship with God.
What is a right relationship with God?  Moses says, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)  He goes on to say it is a part of all of your life from when you wake up to when you fall asleep. 
What does really matter when all the chips are down?  How you and God are getting along. Not your terms, but God’s terms. Focus on what matters this week.

The Star Herald reached out to churches for their worship information in the absence of in-person worship services, due to coronavirus social distancing. Those that responded are listed here. Those that would like to have information posted here should call the Star Herald or email editor@star-herald.com.
 
St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday. No mass, communion service or rosary at care centers at this time. 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. mass will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Roger Sparks, Pastor
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. Sunday, May 16: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Worship service. Wednesday, May 19: 6:30 p.m. Ladies’ Prayer Time. We are streaming Sunday services live on Roger Sparks’ Facebook page at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
1033 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Thursday, May 13: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Saturday, May 15: 5:30 p.m. Worship service with Holy Communion. Sunday, May 16: 9 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion and Baptism. 10:30 a.m. Adult Bible study via Zoom. Monday, May 17: Grace Notes deadline. 5:30 p.m. Ministry Retreat at Sterlings. Tuesday, May 18: 9 a.m. staff meeting. Wednesday, April May 19: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 8:15 a.m. Caring Visitors meeting. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are still available. Online Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. – NEW TIME! Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 p.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 507-449-0291 or 605-215-9834
pastorapalmquist67@yahoo.com
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne). Also visit els.org with our sister churches for online worship opportunities.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Mike Altena, Pastor
Friday, May 14: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Saturday, May 15: 10 a.m. Bridal shower for Cathryn Hartz and Nathan Mittendorf. Sunday, May 16: 8:15 a.m. Senior breakfast. 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday school. Tuesday, May 18: Noon Staff meeting. Worship services are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Janak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529; email: luverneumc@iw.net
Thursday, May 13: 1-3 p.m. Rock County Food Shelf curbside. Saturday, May 15: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, May 16: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. Senior Recognition Sunday. 4:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible study. Monday, May 17: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Messenger deadline. Tuesday, May 18: 6 p.m. Trustee meeting. 6:30 p.m. Church council meeting. Wednesday, May 19: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Thursday, May 20: 1-3 p.m. and 5-6:30 p.m. Rock County Food Shelf curbside.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net— www.fpcluverne.com
Jason Cunningham, Pastor
Sunday, May 16: 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10:15 a.m. Worship service. Monday, May 17: 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. Wednesday, May In-person Worship service and through Facebook Live Sunday. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, May 15: 5:30 p.m. Worship. Sunday, May 16: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday school and Adult Bible study. 7 p.m. Online Bible study. Worship service is 75 people. Services will be available on the Vast channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Billy Skaggs, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. 449-6522; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, May 16: 9 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran. Masks are highly recommended. Facebook live. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, May 16: 10:30 a.m. Worship at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are required. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sunday, 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270
Sunday, May 16: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Home. 9:30 a.m. Youth time. 10 a.m. Worship at Bethlehem. Wednesday, May 19: 9 a.m. Quilting. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

H-BC School Board 
meets April 12
Hills-Beaver Creek Dist. 671
Minutes
April 12, 2021
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board met for its semi-monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the H-BC Secondary School Media Center/via Zoom Mtg for Guest 
attendees – based on MN Statute 13D.021.
Board members present were Gehrke, Harnack, Rauk, and Rozeboom. Superintendent Holthaus, Principal Kellenberger, and Business Manager Rozeboom were also in attendance. Board members Bosch, Knobloch and LaRock were absent.
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Harnack, and carried to approve the agenda. Visitor to the meeting was Mavis Fodness of the Star Herald.
PATRIOT PRIDE:
-H-BC Historians: Regional Contest for National History Day Winners--Mazzi
Moore- Individual Website, Brooklynne Hubbard- Individual Exhibit Category,
Hailey Moser & Olivia Deelstra -Group Exhibit Category
-Taryn Rauk selected as a member of the Worthington Daily Globe’s girls
basketball all area team.
-Elly Klosterbuer, Kenzie Voss and Sam Moser accepted into SW MN CEO
program. CEO is an entrepreneurship educational program which seeks to pre-
pare students to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs 
or entrepreneurial thinkers and contribute to economic development for their 
communities.
BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING REPORTS:
Staff Development/TAB-4/07, Personnel/Finance-4/08
Motion by Harnack, second by Rauk, and carried to approve Consent Agenda: 
-Minutes—03/24/2021
-Bills and Imprest
-Tyler Johnson’s resignation as K-12 Art Teacher at the end of the 2020-2021
School Year
-Assigning Brianna Leuthold as Part-Time Long Term Substitute for first grade
beginning on or around May 10, 2021 through the end of the 2020-2021
school year.
-Set out of state tuition at $5,629 for the 20-21 school year
Motion by Rozeboom, second by Harnack, and carried to approve Resolu-
tion Declaring School Board Vacancy by Resignation.
DISTRICT NON-ACTION ITEMS:
•Secondary Principal Report
•Superintendent/Elementary Principal Report
•Legislative Update
AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Regular Board Meeting, April 26, 2021 
-Regular Board Meeting, May 10, 2021
-Regular Board Meeting, May 24, 2021
Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Tamara Rauk, Clerk
(05-06)

The Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek track teams were two of five teams that competed at the Cardinal Relays event in Luverne on Thursday, April 29.
The highlight of the event was H-BC’s 4-by-100-meter relay team finishing with a time of 44 seconds and 64 milliseconds to break the H-BC school record.
The team consisted of Tyson Bork, Cole Baker, Dewell Rauk and Gavin Wysong.
“I knew these guys had a great chance at breaking the school record,” H-BC track coach Rex Metzger said.
“I just wasn’t thinking it would be this soon. We had a great day to compete and the guys ran really well. It has been a lot of fun seeing these guys develop their speed throughout the years. Hopefully we can keep it rolling and keep getting faster throughout the season.”
The Luverne 4-by-100 relay team of Ashton Sandbulte, Eduardo Godines, LaShad Smith and Arekel McLaughlin finished second with a time of 45.71.
Bork also sprinted to first place in the 100-meter with a time of 11.59. Rauk finished right behind him in second place with a time of 11.80. Fellow Patriot Ty Bundesen finished fifth with a time of 12.10.
Bork finished in first place in the 200 with a time of 23.46. Bundesen was third with a time of 23.35.
Godines finished fourth in the 200 for the Cardinals with a time of 25.73. Fellow Luverne sprinter Lucky Dara finished in fifth place with a time of 25.98.
In the 400, H-BC’s Liam Raymon finished second with a time of 56.17.
Luverne’s Camden Janiszeski finished second in the 800 with a time of 2:04.85. Owen Janiszeski finished fourth with a time of 2:20.57.
In the 1,600 Owen Janiszeski finished second with a pace of 4:57.38.
H-BC’s Brandon Taubert finished second in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 18.33. Taubert also finished second in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 45.50.
Luverne’s 4-by-200-meter relay team of Sandbulte, Eli Radtke, Smith and McLaughlin finished first with a time of 1:35.90.
H-BC’s team of Rauk, Baker, Bundesen and Raymon placed second with a time of 1:38.16.
Luverne’s 4-by-400 relay team of Sandbulte, Camden Janiszeski, McLaughlin and Smith finished first with a time of 3:43.64.
In the shot put, Luverne’s Jordan Friedrichsen finished second with a throw of 43-02.50.
H-BC’s Casey Kueter finished third with a toss of 42-11.50.
Luverne’s Zach Ahrendt finished fourth with a throw of 42-10.50. Ethan Teunissen finished fifth with a heave of 39-03.50.
Teunissen finished first in the discus with a toss of 125-01.
H-BC’s Max Scholten finished fourth in the event with a throw of 110-10.
Luverne’s Peter Baustian finished fifth with a throw of 109-03.
Taubert took home fifth place in the high jump for the Patriots with a leap of 5-00.00.
Radtke finished first in the pole vault. His teammate Noah Mehlhaff placed third. Godines finished fifth to give the Cardinals three athletes in the Top Five.
Bork took home first place in the long jump for the Patriots with a leap of 19-10.25. Baker finished right behind him with a jump of 19-07.50 to place second.
Bundesen was the third Patriot athlete in the Top 5 by recording a jump of 17-06.75 to place fourth.
The Patriots had three athletes finish in the Top 5 in the triple jump.
Baker took home first place in the triple jump with a leap of 41-04.00. Raymon finished second with a jump of 38-06.50. Brock Harnack placed fifth with a jump of 35-10.50.
 
Girls’ Cardinal Relay results
Luverne’s Gracie Zewiske finished first in the 100-meter with a time of 13.23.
H-BC’s Abigail Harris finished fifth with a time of 14.25.
Luverne’s Tiana Lais finished third in the 200 with a time of 29.29.
Lais also finished third in the 400 with a time of 1:03.32. H-BC’s Taylor Durst finished fifth with a time of 1:10.14.
Luverne’s Jenna DeBates finished third in the 800 with a time of 2:29.36. Fellow Cardinal Elizabeth Wagner finished fourth with a time of 2:38.84.
DeBates placed first in the 1,600 with a pace of 5:24.68. Maria Rops finished fourth with a time of 6:03.83.
Tenley Nelson finished first in the 3,200 for the Cardinals with a time of 11:47.06. Fellow Cardinal Grace Ingebretson took home fourth place with a time of 13:09.22.
Elise Jarchow finished third in the 100-meter hurdles for the Cardinals with a time of 18:08.
In the 300-meter hurdles, Kendra Thorson placed third for the Cardinals with a time of 54.21. Jarchow finished fourth with a time of 56.97.
H-BC’s 4-by-100 relay team of Harris, Ashlee Kelderman, Brynn Rauk and Taryn Rauk placed first with a time of 53.99.
Luverne’s relay team of Mia Wenzel, Anna Banck, Hailey Como and Sarah Stegenga finished third with a time of 54.26.
Luverne’s 4-by-200 relay team of Stegenga, Thorson, Christina Wagner and Zewiske finished first with a time of 1:52.48.
H-BC’s relay team of Harris, Kelderman, Brynn Rauk and Taryn Rauk placed second with a time of 1:54.96.
Luverne’s 4-by-400 relay team of Zewiske, Lais, Christina Wagner and Nelson placed first with a time of 4:18.67.
The relay team of Cassi Chesley, Kayla Bloemendaal, Ella Schmuck and Ingebretson finished second for the Cardinals with a time of 11:19.04.
Jocelyn Hart took home first place in the shot put for the Cardinals with a throw of 36-00.00. Jadyn Hart finished second with a toss of a 32-08.50.
H-BC’s Abby Knobloch finished third with a throw of 30-00.00.
Jocelyn Hart finished second in the discus with a throw of 92-00. Jadyn Hart finished third with a throw of 88-05.
Luverne’s Elizabeth Wagner took home first place in the high jump with a leap of 4-10.00.
Jarchow finished first in the pole vault for the Cardinals. Alexis Hultgren finished third.
Lais took home first place in the long jump for the Cardinals with a leap of 15-03.00. Stengenga finished third with a jump of 14-06.00.
Brynn Rauk finished fifth in the long jump for the Patriots with a leap of 13-09.50.
Thorson finished second in the triple jump for Luverne with a leap of 30-10.50.
Kelderman finished fifth in the same event for the Patriots with a jump of 28-10.00.

The Luverne tennis team continued its early season dominance last week.
The Cardinals opened the week with a convincing 7-0 win over Redwood Valley on Thursday, April 29, in Redwood Falls.
The Cardinals wrapped up the week by defeating Dawson-Boyd 6-1 in Luverne on Saturday, May 1.
With the pair of wins, the Cardinals improved to 8-0 on the season.
 
LHS 7, RV 0
In singles competition, Pierce Cunningham defeated Andrew Muetzel in straight sets. Cunningham won the first set of the match 6-1 and took the second set 6-2.
Griffen Jarchow also won his match in straight sets for the Cardinals. Jarchow won the first set in solid fashion, 6-0. He then won the second set 6-1.
Chance Tunnissen won a competitive match 2-0. Tunnissen defeated Laiten Goodthunder 6-2 in the first set and 7-5 in the second set.
Kyle Ferguson won the first set of his match over Cole Johnson, 6-4. Ferguson then won the second set 6-2 to pick up the match victory for the Cardinals.
The only doubles match that wasn’t a forfeit was between Luverne’s Blake Frahm and Ben Jarchow and Redwood Valley’s Levi Stoneberg and Noah U'Ren. Luverne’s duo defeated Redwood’s 6-0 and 6-2.
 
LHS 6, DB 1
It was all Cunningham, all the time in his match against Dawson Boyd’s Gavin Stulz on Saturday, May 1.
Luverne’s No. 1 singles competitor defeated Stulz 6-0, 6-0 to pick up the match victory for the Cardinals.
It was the same result in the No. 2 singles matchup. Griffen Jarchow defeated his counterpart 6-0 and 6-0.
Ferguson also made quick work of Jordon Perkins in singles competition. Ferguson won both sets 6-0.
No. 4 - Kyle Ferguson,
Ben Jarchow and Blake Frahm were pushed to the brink against Wylie Wiebe and Jackson Buer.
The Cardinals duo dropped the first set 6-4. They bounced back to win the second set 6-4 to force a third and final set.
In the final set it was Ben Jarchow and Frahm coming out on top with a 10-7 set victory.
Jayson Rops and John Miller defeated Dawson-Boyd’s team of Matthew Martinson and Wyatt Wiebe 6-0 in the first set and 6-0 in the second set.
Luverne’s Ethan Nath and Logan Ommen defeated Dawson-Boyd’s Justin Perkins and Nate Gruwell 6-0 and 6-0
The Cardinals will look to remain perfect when they travel to Pipestone to take on the Arrows on Thursday, May 6.

A pair of oversized, brightly-painted Adirondack chairs are the latest tool in the Luverne Chamber’s efforts to make visitors feel welcome in the community.
They were officially unveiled in the community Monday afternoon at the downtown “mini plaza” near the history center and at the beach near The Lake.
They were funded in part by a $2,000 grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation with support by the LIFT Plaza Committee and Nick Mead with Luverne Building Center.
“The chairs look amazing,” said Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere. “It truly takes a ‘village’ to make a project like this possible.”
She said Mead used a pattern to build the heavy wooden chairs, that measure roughly 4 feet wide by 9 feet tall.
Volunteers Corrine Bonnema, Brian Sterling, LaDonna and Darrel Van Aartsen and Faye Bremer painted them, and Quality Printing provided the graphics.
Lanphere also thanked city of Luverne Public Works employees for storing and moving the chairs — first to Luverne High School for prom photos and then to their final display locations downtown and at The Lake.
The Main Street Adirondack chair is painted solid red with Luverne’s logo, “Love the Life” across the top of the chair.
 The lake chair is painted with festive “beach ball” basic colors and also has the Luverne logo on the top front of the back rest.

Two local high school students received recognition in the annual CEO National Pitch Competition.
Allison LaRock, a Hills-Beaver Creek senior, was named to the Top 18 and earned $100.
Mia Wenzel, a junior at Luverne High School, earned $50 for honorable mention, one of 12 submissions so honored.
Both submitted videos promoting their individual businesses created in the yearlong Southwest Minnesota Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program.
The CEO program introduces participating high school juniors and seniors to various business development processes. A final project is to develop individual businesses.
LaRock created a custom song-writing business named “Hillel,” a Hebrew word for “Praise.”
Her pitch in the 30-second submission included “Have you been seeking the perfect love song? By answering a few simple questions, we would be able to formulate a song that is perfect for you and the one you love.”
LaRock finishes her submission by strumming a ukulele and singing, “Do you have a love story to tell? Hear your love with Hillel.”
Included in the pitch were ways to contact LaRock for her unique service geared toward weddings, funerals, anniversaries or other milestones where a personalized song would add a special significance to an event.
Since launching her social media site in March, LaRock received eight inquiries with four undergoing the song-writing process. The process takes 30 to 60 days to complete at a cost of $250 per song,
She applies her lifelong enjoyment of singing and writing to her new business.
 “I LOVE love,” LaRock said. “The reaction I get when people hear their story written and hear it for the first time is pretty emotional.”
This feeling of love has intensified over the past few years at Embrace Church, where LaRock first began as volunteer worship leader and now is an associate.
LaRock said she’s been singing for a long time.
“I always sang as a little girl,” she said.
Often songs were sung with her dad, Dan, who sang to her mom, Marie, at their wedding.
Her lifelong goal is to keep singing as she pursues degrees in mission ministries and communications.
The pitch contest allowed LaRock to place her business front and center.
More than 160 students across the U.S. entered the contest, sponsored through the Midland Institute program. The Midland program partners with local businesses and adult mentors for a personalized, hands-on learning experience.
Wenzel’s business, which was awarded honorable mention, pairs tennis experts with those who want to learn the healthy lifestyle activity.
She calls her business, “Mia’s Legacy Tennis.”
“It’s a sport you can play forever,” she pitched.
This is the third year for the local Southwest CEO program, which is open to students in H-BC, Luverne, Adrian, Ellsworth, Pipestone and Edgerton.
Thirteen of the local CEO students submitted entries to the pitch contest, according to adviser Katie Baustian.
A tradeshow is planned for Wednesday, May 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., when each of the 14 CEO students, including LaRock and Wenzel, will unveil their individual businesses to the public.
The come-and-go event takes place at Grand Prairie Events in Luverne. A coronavirus plan is in place, and masks are encouraged.