Victoria Gazette - Victoria Moments

MEREDITH STRIGEL has been formally initiated into the Kappa chapter of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Gamma Phi Beta currently has more than 200,000 initiated members, 130 chartered collegiate chapters, and more than 155 alumnae groups across the United States and Canada. Their primary objective is to inspire the highest type of womanhood with a philanthropic focus on providing experiences and resources that build spiritual, mental, and social resiliency in girls.

Meredith is a 2017 graduate of Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria and is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities majoring in Psychology with a Neuroscience minor. She is a member of the University Outdoors Club and volunteers at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

PAIGE STRIGEL, a 2016 graduate of Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, has completed her sophomore year in the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication as a member of the Dean's List both semesters. She is a double major in Journalism and English Literature with a minor in Italian.

Paige was formally initiated into the Omega chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity which is built on the foundation of fostering high ideals of friendship, promoting educational and cultural interests, a true sense of social responsibility and developing the best qualities of character.

Paige competes on the UW-Madison Intercollegiate Figure Skating Team and took 1st Place this year in the Midwest Intercollegiate Figure Skating Competition, The Golden Gopher Challenge. She is an editor for Souvenirs, a student-run travel magazine and blog, and she teaches Powerflow yoga for the University Group Fitness.

CONGRATULATIONS, EMILY. Emily Pate of Victoria has received a $1,500 scholarship from the Arabian Horse Foundation. Emily was awarded the scholarship for her academic achievement, leadership, and involvement in her equine activities. Emily will be attending the University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio, this coming fall.

Jane Pate, Victoria, Minnesota

CHRISTINE PIWNICA earns invitation to NCAA national championships. The NCAA Division III Woman's Golf Committee announced 25 teams and 6 individuals that will participate in the 2018 NCAA Division III National Woman's Golf Championship. Among the six individuals is Christine Piwnica of Victoria. This marks the first time that a member of Bethel University woman's golf team will compete at the NCAA National Championships.

Christine's individual achievement came after she led the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in scoring average, averaging 76.7 strokes per 18 holes over the course of 15 rounds. The college senior, who earned medalist honors in the final regular competition of her career, competed in seven events throughout the 2017-2018 season.

The Victoria, Minnesota, native scored among the Top 10 finishers in all seven events, in the Top 5 in three events, and was crowned medalist twice this year (four times in her career). Additionally, MIAC awarded its Athlete of the Week award winner for golf to Christine. The NCAA Woman's National Golf Championship will be held at Mission Inn Golf Course, Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, just northwest of Orlando.

CHRISTINE PIWNICA, a senior at Bethel University, was also honored by the Woman's Golf Coaches Association 2017-2018 Student Athlete Award for Division III Woman's Collegiate Golf All American Team.

The WGCA, founded in 1983, is a nonprofit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches. It was formed to encourage the playing of college golf for women in correlation with a general objective of education and in accordance with the highest tradition of intercollegiate competition. Today the WGCA represents over 600 coaches throughout the U.S. and is dedicated to educating, promoting, and recognizing both its members and the student athletes they represent.

Stan and Jayne Hamerski, grandparents

Chaska, Minnesota

AT THE GOVERNOR'S FISHING OPENER. I won the largest walleye award at this year's Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener on Big Kandi in the Willmar Lakes Area at approximately 9:30 a.m. on May 12th, 2018. The walleye measured 25.5 inches. I used jig and minnow for bait. The fishing guides were the brothers Jay and Kyle Halliday.

Derek Gunderson

Victoria, Minnesota

UNDEFEATED SOCCER CHAMPIONS. The Boys U16 C1 team from Tonka United Soccer went undefeated in the NSC Spring Cup Tournament on May 5th and 6th to win the championship. The tournament was held in the National Sports Center in Blaine. They beat FC Green Bay, Blaine SC Travel, and Kelix Intra.

Front (l-r): Jake Oppegaard, Andrew Bendt, Ngorli Paintsil, Gavin Keithly, Justin Camnetar, Flynn Skahan, Jon Vogt. Back: Tyler Hoffman, Gavin Lund (Victoria), Callum Bone, Owen Freebersyser, Jack Specht, Jackson Schroeder, Michael Henry (Victoria), Benjamin Lesage, Will Pears, Coach Stephanie Aumann.

Laurie Henry

Victoria, Minnesota

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