You Can Help Name Sioux Falls' Newest School

Sioux Falls' 26th elementary school is scheduled to open next year and you have a chance to help shape the legacy of the new facility.

But you better hurry.

The Sioux Falls School District is now accepting suggestions for the name of the new school, which will open in time for the 2025-26 school year.

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The school will be located in northwest Sioux Falls, adjacent to George McGovern Middle School, in the area of West Maple Street.

Suggestions for the school name should fall into one of these five categories:

• Presidents of the United States
• Persons who have achieved distinction in such fields as art, literature, music, education, or science
• Individuals who have made a significant contribution to society
• Location of the school, its street, or direction
• Famous event or location

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY HERE

The deadline for suggestions is Monday, January 22.

A committee consisting of parents, teachers, administrators, a School Board member, community members, and students will be appointed by the Superintendent and will consider all names that are submitted based on the parameters of School Board Policy FF - Naming Facilities.

That committee will make a final recommendation at a regular Sioux Falls School Board meeting later this year.

11 Famous People from South Dakota

OK, so we're not Hollywood, but there are a number of famous people who were born in the Rushmore State. Here's a list of 10 famous people who were born in South Dakota!

Gallery Credit: Danny V

SEE: Sioux Falls New Jefferson High School

Know Your South Dakota College and University Mascots

The college football experience is an ultimate high for football fans and it takes several other teams to make that happen week after week during the season.

Just think about what goes into gameday? First and foremost, the players and coaching staff who put in hours and hours of practice and training to play in front of their fans. Then there's field prep, game officials, live broadcasts, concessions, and on-the-field entertainment. Yep, entertainment.

Second to the game, who do you watch? The cheerleaders? The band at halftime? What about the mascot? That's a job not many people can do.

I asked Sioux Falls native and former Cagey mascot for the Sioux Falls Canaries and Little Red & Herbie for the Nebraska Huskers Nate Welch about being a mascot:

What does it take to be a mascot?
"Losing a bet or filling an opportunity!" Welch says, "An internal energized desire to love life. After meeting great performers who are introverts out of costume, they become the center of attention when they take the stage. And also feeding off the performance of others."
Why does the mascot never talk?
"Know your role and shut your mouth. You are there to entertain. Tell the story with your actions and not your voice."
Advice to someone putting on that costume for the first time?
"Remember you are now in a costume. Have fun. Otherwise, you're just a dork in tights. If the fur ain't flying you ain't trying."

Nate Welch has moved on from his days as a mascot to Executive Director of the Vermillion Area Chamber of Commerce and Development Company in Vermillion, South Dakota.

So, can you name the mascots at our South Dakota Colleges and Universities? Check out the gallery below:

Gallery Credit: Dave Roberts