More than just books

By CR-B Publications Students

 

During the 2025-2026 school year, Coon Rapids-Bayard has proven that the term “academics” extends far beyond the classroom walls and the curriculum being taught. It’s about building relationships, making connections, and creating a place called “home.”

 

The CR-B student council was heavily involved in creating a “home” for each Crusader through events like a rock, paper, scissors challenge, buddy day, and a teacher appreciation assembly. Mr. Nathan Lindsay and Mrs. Marissa Dembinski, the district physical education teachers, also promoted friendly competition through a March Madness dodgeball tournament amongst the junior high and high school What I Need (WIN) groups. 

 

“The rock, paper, scissors game was a blast, and I think it will just get more fun and competitive next year as people understand what's happening and how it works,” said Nikki Schubert, a co-sponsor of the student council. "It was fun to do something other than the normal, especially at the time of year when everyone kind of gets the doldrums from being in school for so long in the year.”

 

To continue to help students get out of the March blues, Lindsay and Dembinski implemented an activity they have been wanting to do for a while.

 

“The purpose was to tie the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament into our school and do some sort of activity,” Lindsay said. “It gave the students something to look forward to on the days we played, and it allowed the WIN groups to all compete against each other.”

 

“I think most of our secondary school participated with their WIN group, so that was a success, and I think there are some fun moments that may be remembered for a while,” Dembinski continued. “We hope to continue this for years to come.”

 

Sixth grader Liam Wurzer was the champion of the rock, paper, scissors tournament on St. Patrick’s Day.

 

“I liked the Irish music between the classes,” he said. “I think I beat almost seven people. I would recommend the student council do it again because a lot of people liked it in my classes and other classes. It is just fun for everyone involved.”

 

As for the dodgeball tournament, Aubrey Carlson was on the winning middle school team and Blake Heydon was a member of the winning high school squad.

 

“The boys definitely helped us win the most and Cora Sease was our shining player,” Carlson said. 

 

“We had a bunch of players that wanted to play strong,” Heydon continued. “We also did it for Sunny. He was very excited when we won. Everybody contributed to the win. Ryder Cue came in big in the championship game when he got out Caden (Oswald). Talk about a legendary dream moment.”

 

Through all of these activities, students develop important relationships that extend into success within the classroom.