What lies ahead will be a long, difficult week. I've spent a fair portion of this weekend in deep reflection while having valuable conversations with many local parents. A recurring theme in these conversations is that we have two big tasks ahead of us:
1.) Support and pray for Levi Adrian's family and extended family.
2.) Support and pray for the student body at B-B-E and especially at the high school, where both students and staff need our support!
For those visiting this blog who did not know Levi, here's a glimpse into the contributions Levi made to our school's programming: https://bbejaguars-jaguar-country-is-mourning.html.
I don't know much, but I know one thing: this does not seem real. Denial is a part of the grieving process, and it's important that parents recognize that. There's plenty of other stages to grief beyond that.
It's cruel. The Reed and Carrie Adrian family was still reeling after their grandson Dechlan Lindner died on April 15 of this year at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis at just 10 months old from an unexpected illness. Dechlan's father, Taiton, was a B-B-E Class of 2020 graduate.
Celebration of Life information: the Celebration of Life for Levi Adrian will be on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in New London. A viewing will take place on Wednesday night in Belgrade from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Click here for more information at the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper: https://shorturl.at/djTwR.
Here's a Color FUND Run video that includes Levi crossing the finish line, which takes place early in the clip:
On Monday I learned...parents and families should watch for a special announcement from B-B-E schools to be released later today. This will involve information for Thursday. I don't want to pre-empt the announcement, but we all should be flexible and understanding in the coming days (and weeks) as the staff themselves work through what is one of the most difficult things they can endure - the loss of a colleague's child. They are re-living the horror the community experienced in January 2024, when the Dahl brothers died after a UTV-truck accident in Norway Lake Township. I'll repeat myself: let's all practice a heavy dose of caring, compassion and empathy this week.
This will be a long process, and part of the process is keeping B-B-E staff in your prayers - in addition to the 600+ students in our school buildings each week. The school is working with high-level professionals in their own circles, but that does not make them immune to sadness or grief. Remember to reach out if you need help at this time. If I am profoundly sad and stricken with grief, imagine how the students feel right now. This weighs heavily.
Monday afternoon update from the school: on Thursday this week (October 2), school will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. The athletic events schedule for that evening are still on, but the schedule may be slightly adjusted. Stay tuned for further updates. At about 1 p.m. today, parents were notified of this change. It continues to be a very difficult time for staff and students alike.
Varsity sports updates:
The B-B-E Jaguars volleyball team will host Hancock tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 30) in a non-conference match. This will also be Seniors and Parents Night. The Jaguars also host Paynesville Area on Thursday this week in a conference match.
The B-B-E Jaguars girls' tennis team will open the Section 6A playoffs on Wednesday this week (October 1) with a play-in round at 3 p.m. at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle high school. If they win, they travel the next day (October 2) to Minnewaska Area for the Section 6A quarterfinals.
Also, the volleyball team will make up the CMC match with Eden Valley-Watkins on Saturday, October 11 at home in Brooten. The C-squad and JV-squad matches start at 3 p.m., and the varsity match is set to follow at about 4:30 p.m. Please pass the word.
Here's a video from the conference tournament at Osakis on September 18:
I'm working on getting this Fall 2025 sports folder updated with more photo galleries. I'm in the midst of uploading Friday Night Lights IV against Browerville. Here's the general link for the Bonanza Valley Voice newspaper's fall sports galleries: https://bonanzavalley.smugmug.com/BBE-Fall-Sports-2025.
