Flat and small – two words that can describe Warner, South Dakota. But those aren't the best words, by any means!
Located in the heart of the plains and nine miles south of Aberdeen, Warner High School is the home of Briana Jung, MaxPreps Citizen Athlete presented by the Army National Guard winner. But flat and small do not describe the spirit and love this town showed at the school's award night for the top student and volleyball player of the Warner Monarchs. Much of the town showed up for a spirited awards night that started with a pizza and potluck supper in the school gymnasium. South Dakota Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Aaron Walberg and MaxPreps, Leland Gordon, greeted students, staff and parents as they loaded up at the buffet line.
Following the singing of the national anthem, Superintendent Kirk Easton began the awards program by introducing MaxPreps representative Leland Gordon who explained the MaxPreps Citizen Athlete award. The award is given to 10 well-deserving student-athletes, five male, five females, from a national pool of over 1,000 nominations who exemplify community service. Gordon then introduced SFC Walberg who cited Briana's accomplishments and character including her service to the school and community. He presented Briana, the Northwest winner, the MaxPreps Citizen Athlete award plaque on behalf of the Army National Guard. To everyone's delight Leland then presented Briana with a $2,500 scholarship check.
With only 98 students in school and 457 people in town, everyone in Warner helps with everything. The superintendent is also the high school principal; 80 of the 98 students are in the marching band. One lady bakes cookies for anybody she hears has a birthday! At the close of the awards program everybody pitched in to knock down tables and chairs. That is the way it is in Warner – everybody helps with everything.
The Jung family symbolizes that spirit. Briana's mother, Kari, is the school's math teacher and girls' volleyball coach. Briana's dad, Stan, chairs the school's community foundation committee and Briana's sister, Alyssa, is a rising star on the volleyball team. And if that isn't enough, this year the Jung family hosted an exchange student from Germany!
Briana's mother could not be present at the awards ceremony as she remained with family in Minnesota following her father's funeral. Stan and the girls drove back to Warner for the awards evening.
Briana is the top student athlete in her class of 19. The numbers may be small, but Briana's accomplishments are huge. Her grade point average is over 4.0 and she was named State Class B Volleyball All-state and Ms. Volleyball as the star on the 2010 state championship runner-up team. Warner is a perennial powerhouse in volleyball having won the state Class B championship in 2007 and 2009. Briana teaches elementary volleyball and Sunday School at her church. She leads the school's huddle of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Briana is headed to Dakota Wesleyan to study nursing and, of course, to play volleyball.
Flat land but high spirits; a small town but big hearts. It was a people, a place and a night to remember in Warner, South Dakota.
