Anoka Middle School for the Arts presented its AMSA Arts Fest on both campuses May 16.

Students and staff at River Trail Learning Center at L.O. Jacob (RTLC) celebrated freedom and beauty, peace and vitality with the school’s Art, Academic and Variety Show May 16.

“So often, people don’t want to take on responsibility because it’s too much,” John Sandahl said. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just take care of what’s right in front of you.”

For many high school students, springtime travel means escape, adventure and freedom from schedules and chores and requirements and tests.

One could say that Juanita Mercedes Martinez Pabon does it all.

Nicki Magaard has only been a counselor at Blaine’s Roosevelt Middle School for two years.

Mary Clarkson wasn’t a traditional college student, much less a teacher. She chose to start her family first and then go to college. It wasn’t until she was in her late-20s that she had her first classroom.

With dangling legs and twirling arms, the limberjack’s pushpin shoes tap on the wood held in place by eager fourth-graders.

Laser-sharp scalpels in hand, state legislators slash the budget, making deep incisions in attempts to reduce the deficit. Amputations sometimes result.

Two one-of-a-kind mosaics will soon be on display in two Anoka-Hennepin School District buildings.

Anoka-Hennepin Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and School Readiness Parent Advisory Council hosted Vehicle Day Saturday at Champlin-Park High School.

Video students from Blaine, Coon Rapids and Andover high schools recently participated in a unique movie-making adventure.

Drivers education students at Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) May 2 got an up-close and hands-on lesson in how to drive safely next to semi-trucks.

Coon Rapids Middle School staged its eighth annual Invention Fair. Almost five dozen young inventors – 58 to be exact and more than ever before – put their inventions on display in the school’s gymnasium May 4.

Children bowled each other over, climbed the walls, played the recorder and made music with Orff instruments. Miniature scientists unearthed isopods, artwork adorned the hallways and families enjoyed an ice cream social.

Invent Now, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and fostering invention and creativity, will bring its Camp Invention summer program to Anoka Middle School for the Arts-Fred Moore Campus for 2013.

Rays of golden sunshine warmed the track circling Coon Rapids High School’s football field the morning of April 27 as dozens of people took steps to feed hungry children.

More than 250 Coon Rapids High School seniors will gather at the Mermaid Event Center June 2 to celebrate their accomplishments and years together at the Senior All-Night Party.

Ten Coon Rapids High School students participated in the annual A Vous La Parole French speaking contest held in Coffman Memorial Union at the University of Minnesota April 23.

Jacque Weidner turned her life around in middle school thanks to influential teachers, and she now wants to be a mentor for girls at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine.

Dozens of vendors – 54 to be exact – displayed a colorful collection of jewelry and fashion accessories, home decor and woodwork, books, candles, linens, kitchen gadgets and more during Hamilton Elementary School’s Spring Craft Boutique.

Jefferson Fietek is one of those lucky people whose childhood dreams about what they wanted to be when they grew up actually came true.