Diversity Games

Baxter Elementary teacher Michelle Ruen (left) and Miss Teen Brainerd United States Alexia Patel play a diversity game with third grade students Gabby Wenzel, (left) Madysen Rausch, Lilly Dawson and Ben Mauer at Baxter School Tuesday. Miss Patel talked about diversity and read from a draft of her proposed children’s book “Indian Princess”. Miss Patel spent the day at the school talking to several classes about diversity and how she embraced her heritage. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

By Steven L. Kohls

December 09, 2014 at 6:45 PM

Baxter Elementary teacher Michelle Ruen (left) and Miss Teen Brainerd United States Alexia Patel play a diversity game with third grade students Gabby Wenzel, (left) Madysen Rausch, Lilly Dawson and Ben Mauer at Baxter School Tuesday. Miss Patel talked about diversity and read from a draft of her proposed children's book "Indian Princess". Miss Patel spent the day at the school talking to several classes about diversity and how she embraced her heritage. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

By Steven L. Kohls

I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.

Diversity Games

Baxter Elementary teacher Michelle Ruen (left) and Miss Teen Brainerd United States Alexia Patel play a diversity game with third grade students Gabby Wenzel, (left) Madysen Rausch, Lilly Dawson and Ben Mauer at Baxter School Tuesday. Miss Patel ...