Published July 01, 2010, 01:04 PM

Days Gone By (July 1)

10 YEARS AGO, JUNE 29, 2000 ”Media glare shines on returning middle school group” read the headlines this week. “They left Meyer Middle School 12 days ago as normal middle school kids. They came home heroes.” When 21 sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students walked off the plane Monday night following a trip to Christchurch, New Zealand, they were immediately met by cameras, microphones and TV reporters following the story of the children’s involvement in a rescue in New Zealand’s Akaroa Harbor. On the third day of the trip, the students helped pull three fishermen, who had capsized their boat, out of frigid, choppy waters, onto the 40-foot catamaran they were on. District administrator and trip chaperone Ed Schramm said the students deserved all the attention. “The students were so fantastic,” he said. “They were so cooperative and helpful. Jake Howe helped pull the fishermen in, and Gus Widenhoeft and Ben Moe helped (school counselor) Carol Robinson massage the man in the worst shape. Without being asked the other kids took off their jackets and sweatshirts to cover the fishermen.”

By: Pat Hunter, Archivist, River Falls Journal