News and Updates
![Jeff Granrud receives award for National Rural Teacher of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777069516/hlwwk12mnus3/g3pqghfb498xum8cqyyo/GranrudNamedNationalRuralTeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777069516/hlwwk12mnus3/g3pqghfb498xum8cqyyo/GranrudNamedNationalRuralTeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777069516/hlwwk12mnus3/g3pqghfb498xum8cqyyo/GranrudNamedNationalRuralTeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777069516/hlwwk12mnus3/g3pqghfb498xum8cqyyo/GranrudNamedNationalRuralTeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777069516/hlwwk12mnus3/g3pqghfb498xum8cqyyo/GranrudNamedNationalRuralTeacheroftheYear.jpg","width":1600}])
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School math teacher Jeff Granrud has been named the 2025 National Rural Teacher of the Year!
![Cake for teacher appreciation week]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778546961/hlwwk12mnus3/ltkicjer8xq8wtf26dpl/Cakeforteacherappreciationweek.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778546961/hlwwk12mnus3/ltkicjer8xq8wtf26dpl/Cakeforteacherappreciationweek.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778546961/hlwwk12mnus3/ltkicjer8xq8wtf26dpl/Cakeforteacherappreciationweek.jpg","width":520}])
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week on May 4th to May 8th, complete with meals, treats, cakes, classroom supplies, gift cards and more! Teacher Appreciation Week is supported by the Lakers PTA, Student Council, principals, staff and students. We are so grateful for the amazing teachers and staff we have here at HLWW, and are glad that we were able to celebrate them!!
![four students who were recognized in 2026 as students of excellence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777145739/hlwwk12mnus3/fhbd0qukx27dn2vv5cpz/StudentsofExcellencePhoto.jpg","width":2200}])
On April 22nd, HLWW schools joined with over 30 school districts from across central Minnesota in recognizing Students of Excellence at the annual banquet held at the St. Cloud Convention Center.
![FFA winners at state 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777059367/hlwwk12mnus3/guuoj218lru1outqzhw0/FFAChampionship20262.jpg","width":2200}])
Congratulations to the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted FFA on their recent performance at the 2026 State FFA Convention! The FFA returned home with three new state champions.
![HLWW spring play 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777063480/hlwwk12mnus3/vi2tk39ljdvzktxusui4/SpringPlay2026.jpg","width":2048}])
The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Drama Club put on another amazing show in April with their production of "Ax of Murder" by Pat Cook! The play was full of mystery, suspense and a great deal of puzzling by audience members as they tried to determine "whodunit" before the final reveal.
![HLWW and Lester Prairie Schools Come Together for Art Show]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1777332240/hlwwk12mnus3/aqszkku8xstne4vkjryz/20260417_131708.jpg","width":2200}])
On April 17th, nearly 80 students from Lester Prairie High School and Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted High School came together for an Art Show highlighting students' cultures. This is the second year that the two schools have come together for a combined community art show highlighting culture as part of a grant.
![School board with new student members]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777161767/hlwwk12mnus3/qfnkyue5shfwvjrlgxtk/Schoolboardwithnewstudentmembers.jpg","width":1800}])
The Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (HLWW) School Board inducted three student representatives to the board for the first time at its November meeting. The board added the student board member positions to ensure that they hear the voices of students as decisions are made, as well as create new opportunities for students to engage as leaders.
![football district coach of the year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1777166784/hlwwk12mnus3/ksux1wiguapveyl09uxd/footballdistrictcoachoftheyear2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1777166784/hlwwk12mnus3/ksux1wiguapveyl09uxd/footballdistrictcoachoftheyear2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1777166784/hlwwk12mnus3/ksux1wiguapveyl09uxd/footballdistrictcoachoftheyear2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1777166784/hlwwk12mnus3/ksux1wiguapveyl09uxd/footballdistrictcoachoftheyear2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1777166784/hlwwk12mnus3/ksux1wiguapveyl09uxd/footballdistrictcoachoftheyear2.jpg","width":1500}])
Congratulations to HLWW Lakers Football coach Adam Birkholz for being named 2025 District Coach of the Year!! Coach Birkholz led the HLWW Lakers through the 2025 season, earning the Coach of the Year distinction. Birkholz was recognized for his leadership and the program's significant turnaround. Under his leadership, multiple players earned 1st Team All-District and All-Area honors.