1980

• Loren Marschel named Teacher of the Year.

• Dudley Townsend presented with 50 Year Emblem on behalf of the Foster Lodge #554 and the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

• The HL-O FFA Wildlife team consisting of Kevin Olson, Nancy Appel, Mark Pietz, Jeff Appel and Geoff Bloom qualify for state.  Heron Lake–Okabena Poultry Team qualifies for state contest to be held in St. Paul on April 21. Team members are: Steve Fleace, Ron Marschel, Bob Wolff, Jim Schubert and Dennis Salentiny.  FFA Horticulture Team consisting of Mike Liepold (1^st individual), Lona Mittelstadt (2n individual), Mark Pietz and Glen Bayerkohler qualify for state contest to be held on April 21^st in St. Paul.

• Four students from HL-O were named this year in the 1979-80 edition of "Who’s Who in Music." Those students were: Barb Mathias, Lori Sontag, Pam Stumpf, and John Titus. Students are chosen based on their music ability, academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and future potential.

• Girls HL-O Scarlet Knights District 7 Runner-up with 18-3 record.

• Okabena Legion Auxiliary to honor Bibie Schadt, 2^nd District President, at a testimonial dinner on April 19^th.

• Computer capability purchased for school.

• FFA teams competed at state contest in St. Paul. Teams that participated were: Wildlife, Dairy Products, Horticulture, General Livestock, Poultry & Soils. The General  Livestock Team placed 5^th in state competition.

• HL-O musicians do well at Region/State music contest. Out of the twenty-one entries, thirteen received superior ratings.

• Girls win District Track title, qualify 10 for regionals.

• Forty-one HL-O high school seniors receive diplomas at May 23, 1980 Graduation exercises.

• Boys place 7^th in District 7 track meet.

• The 1980 Girls Varsity Track season ends at Minnesota State Track & Field Championship competition held in Bloomington, MN. Those who qualified and competed at state were Jan Jensen, 100 meter dash; Carol Madsen, Bonita Damm, Pat Burns, and Cathy Baumgard, 800 meter relay.

• Annual Okabena 4^th celebration sponsored by the American Legion Sievert-Peterson Post  #608.

• Okabena sewer ordinance adopted by Okabena City Council on August 14, 1980.

• School enrollment dips slightly. A check of the three Heron Lake-Okabena school buildings revealed that enrollment as classes began on August 25, was down by 13 pupils. K-6 grade members totaled 240 compared with 251 the year before. High school classes on opening day added up to 245 compared to 247 in August of 1979.

• HL-O Homecoming – Craig Andersh and Lori Sontag crowned king & queen.

• Okabena has a new addition to its park facilities. A fine looking modern restroom has been completed. Last summers completion of a new softball field by the Okabena Jaycees brought a demand for new restrooms. The completion of the town’s sanitary sewage system made the project feasible. Financial support of the project was given by the following organizations: the Okabena Legion, the Okabena Centennial Committee, the Okabena Development Assn., the Okabena Legion Auxiliary and the Okabena Lions Club. Louie Aden volunteered to oversee the maintenance of the building.

• Lloyd Ruthenbeck re-elected as Okabena mayor for another two-year term.

• Faculty members and spouses of the HL-O schools and St. Paul’s Lutheran School were entertained at dinner by the American Legion and Auxiliary of Okabena on Tuesday, November 18. This is an annual event honoring the teachers during American Education Week.

• Dorothy Finnern, Teacher of the Year at the HL-O Schools.
  
  1981

• Henry Bauman of Okabena retires after 22 years on the job for U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier.

• Winter storm strikes area.

• HL-O girls win District 7 title with 39-36 win over Windom.

• Advance tickets go on sale for the HL-O vs. Mapleton game for Region 2 Finals at St. James on Thursday, March 12.

• Knights Win Region 2A Title by defeating Mapleton 60-39. A welcome home is planned for the team. Knights to face Bagley at Met Center.

• HL-O Band earns Star Ratings.

• Pat Burns of HL-O one of 22 players named to WCCO Radio’s "Prep Parade" All-State Girls’ Basketball team of the week.

• Scarlet Knights defeat Bagley 55-28 in Quarter Finals.

• State Runner-Up Austin Pacelli falls to Knights 52-42.

• Unranked, unheralded, unbeaten, HL-O Scarlet Knights roll over Moose Lake 62-46 to capture State Class A Title while over 1,000 HL-O fans watched and supported the team.

• Les Knutson named MN Sportscasters Class A Coach of the Year.

• HL-O music students receive superior ratings at State/Region music contest.

• 350 attend HL-O Girls’ Basketball Appreciation Banquet.

• FFA State Convention – 17 members of HL-O Chapter returned Tuesday evening, April 28, from the 52^nd Annual FFA Convention. They brought home the National Chapter Award, Region Building Our American Communities Award, the Chapter Safety Award and the Triple Crown Award for having won the three previous awards.  The General Livestock Team, consisting of Bryon Eigenberg, Greg Hussong and Paul Pietz, placed 20^th out of 44 teams. Members of the Wildlife team are Kevin Olson, Geoff Bloom, and Jeff Appel. The Wildlife Team also placed 20^th out of 44 teams.

• 48 HL-O seniors to graduate on May 22, 1981.

• The Sievert-Peterson American Legion Post #608 once again sponsored a successful 4^th of July celebration in Okabena.

• Michael’s Bluehawk Lanes held Grand Opening on August 20 & 21. The Bluehawk Lanes & Cafe is under the new management of Michael Meyers.

• Computer error delays HL-O School Reports.

• Drilling for oil near Okabena to begin in September. The arrival of a drilling rig from Texas is expected about September 15. The first four of the nine inch holes to be drilled will be on the Van Dam estate southeast of Okabena in the West Heron Lake Township. The fifth is planned for Silvrants land in Weimer Township. Oil company personnel are very optimistic about the prospects of finding oil.

• Queen Pat Burns and King Tom Mischke reigned over the Scarlet Knight Homecoming week festivities.

• Six HL-O FFA members attend National Convention in Kansas City, Mo. on November 12-14. Members included Paul Pietz, Chapter President; Bob Milbrath, Chapter Vice-President; Lori Eigenberg, Secretary; Dan Cranston, Treasurer; Lisa Liepold, Reporter; and Jeff Henkels, Photographer.

• Okabena First State Bank celebrates 75 years.
  
  1982

• Reports received by HL-O School District that State Aids will be withheld.

• Special Meeting – HL-O Board of Education – First on the agenda of a special HL-O Board meeting held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, was the passage of a motion waiving the 3-day notice of meeting requirement. The meeting was called to consider whether or not to take action in response to recently passed legislation. The bill which became law reduced foundation aids. To compensate in part for the loss of funds, districts are now allowed to levy an additional 1 mill for transportation. Approval was given for the HL-O District to certify the 2 mills to be levied for 1981, payable in 1982.

• Winter storms lash area for third weekend in a row.

• Scarlet Knights advance to District 7 finals with 67-52 win over Jackson.

• Pat Burns scores 37 points to break HL-O scoring record held by her sister, Betty, who held the schools single game scoring record of 34 points. Pat led her team to a 71-43 win over Sioux Valley-Round Lake to capture the District 7 title for the second year in a row.

• Scarlet Knights boys’ team upsets Jackson 73-70 in District 7 Quarter Finals.

• HL-O Scarlet Knights boys fall to undefeated Westbrook 65-58 in District play.

• Pat Burns named to WCCO Radio All-State Girls Basketball Team.

• Scarlet Knights girls winning streak ends at 48. East Chain upsets Scarlet Knights 43-39 in Region 2A Finals. The last team to defeat HL-O was Lakefield on March 4, 1980 in District 7 Finals.

• A public hearing scheduled for HL-O School District concerning possible closing of one of District #330’s high school buildings has been set for 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 24, at the Junior High gym in Heron Lake. A combination of circumstances at this time has dictated the consideration of closing one facility.

• HL-O FFA State Convention: Poultry Team placed 2^nd in the state with Bob Wolff placing 2^nd high individual and Steve Fleace placed 9^th individual. Members of the Poultry Team were Bob Wolff, Dennis Salentiny and Steve Fleace. Bob Milbrath, Dennis Schubert, and Jeff Henkels led the Farm Management Team to 7^th place finish. Dairy Products Team led by freshmen David Norland, Daren Junker and Gary Madsen placed 11^th overall. Dawn Eigenberg, Lori Eigenberg and Ted Liepold placed 21^st out of 64 teams for a gold team finish. Paul Pietz, Dan Cranston and Bob Milbrath received the highest degree from the State Association, the State Farmer Degree. Shelly Cranston qualified for the State FFA Band and is one of 14 finalists for the National Convention in Kansas City in the fall.

• Pat Burns signs letter of intent to play women’s basketball at MSU.

• 38 HL-O seniors to receive diplomas on Friday, May 28.

• HL-O Junior High to be closed next school year.

• Another glorious Okabena 4^th of July Celebration was enjoyed by everyone who attended the various events in spite of the temperatures in the 90’s with high humidity. This year’s goal by the Sievert-Peterson Legion Post #608 was "Not bigger, but better." The days events began with the Kiddie Parade and ended with another fabulous fireworks display.

• Crops damaged by golf ball sized hail.

• HL-O students will return to classes but the Junior High building will remain empty this year as a cost saving measure. Pre-School through sixth grade will be housed at the elementary school in Heron Lake for 1982-83, and seventh through twelfth graders will receive instruction at the secondary school in Okabena.

• King Ron Marschel and Queen Jen Mathias, the 1982 HL-O Royalty, will reign over Homecoming festivities.

• Okabena General Store & Pump open. Soon to be added to the operation are a Mini Mart & a second-hand goods section.

• Don Wolff of HL-O was named to the WCCO Radio "Prep Parade" All-State Football Team of the Week for the week of October 4.

• HL-O captures District 7 Region 2A Volleyball Championship and win 3^rd Place in Class A Volleyball Tournament.

• The Okabena General Store & Pump will hold an Open House on Saturday, December 4^th. For your convenience, the proprietors offer groceries, floral arrangements, antiques, collectibles, gifts and secondhand items.
  
  1983

• HL-O student, Tom Jay, to have his art work exhibited at State Capitol.

• Butterfield-Odin downs Scarlet Knight girls 48-43 in District Semi-Finals.

• Scarlet Knight boys get 62-51 win over Lakefield in District action.

• Scarlet Knight boys fall to Westbrook in District Semi-Finals, 51-37.

• Daun Henning, a senior at HL-O and Cindy Rasche, an HL-O junior, were named to the 1982-83 Red Rock Conference All Conference team.

• Cindy Rasche and Kaye Andersh top career HL-O shooting charts.

• Snow covers area turning it into a winter wonderland.

• Ann Henkels received the FFA Regional Public Speaking Award while attending the State FFA Convention on April 24-26.

• State Farmer Awards were presented to Steve Fleace, Ted Liepold, Lori Eigenberg, and Dennis Salentiny at the HL-O FFA annual chapter banquet.

• 40 members of the HL-O class of 1983 to receive diplomas on May 27.

• Sports sharing with Brewster-SV-RL finalized.

• Okabena 4^th of July another success. Several of the popular amusements such as the dunk stand, the pop bottle ring toss, the baseball milk bottle throw, the penny pitch and the always popular train were shared with Heron Lake for the Heron Lake Centennial Extravaganza.

• Norm Andersh, administrator here for 15 years, resigns as HL-O school superintendent. 

• The 1983-84 Annual Staff dedicated their annual to Mr. Norman Andersh.  Mr. Andersh came to the Heron Lake School as secondary principal in 1968.  He became superintendent of both the Heron Lake and Okabena Schools in 1977 and continued as superintendent after consolidation.  Mr. Andersh passed away on October 26, 1983, as a result of cancer.  His interest in the fulfillment of the goals of education was shown by his dedication to the schools and the communities.  His laid back manner, his subtle sense of humor and dependability as a friend will always be remembered.

• Former music teacher, Robert Perdaems, approved as new HL-O principal.

• Richard Orcutt new HL-O superintendent.
  
  1984

• Brutal storm batters area.

• Paul Hartman & Sons recognized for 35 years of service by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association.

• HL-O Girls eliminated by Storden-Jeffers, 56-52, in semi-finals. Ends their season 15-5.

• Scarlet Knight boys win Red Rock Conference but lose to Mt. Lake, 44-42, in quarter finals of District 7.

• Jill Akers chosen Teacher of the Year at the Heron Lake-Okabena Schools. Mrs. Akers duties include teaching Senior High Home Economics, Child Development, Clothing, Creative Cooking, Consumer Skills and Exploratory Foods as well as serving as head advisor for the Junior Class and concession stands at various sporting events and Junior Prom.

• HL-O FFA teams and individuals at the State FFA Convention:  1st Place - David Norland - Extemporaneous; 8^th Place – Troy Post – Job Interview; 2^nd Place – Tom Jay – Agribusiness Sales; 8^th Place – Dairy Products Team of David Norland, Darrin Junker and Gary Madsen  Gold Ribbon – General Livestock Team members were Steve Droll, Alan Freking and Perry Cranston; 26^th Place – Crops Team members were Andrea Freking, Dean Christoffer and Jason Collin; 28^th Place – Horticulture Team members consisted of Nancy Liepold, Rusty Schmidt, and Trent Schumacher.

• HL-O Board approves purchase of a CORVUS system computer with three programs for $10,100 at the high school.

• HL-O board gives okay for demolition of Jr. High building in Heron Lake.

• Knights qualify 19 for Region 2A Track Meet.

• Rainfall for the month amounts to about 20 inches.

• Vandalism strikes HL-O Schools.

• Warren Hotzler retires after 30 years of serving the students, faculty and community at the school in Okabena.

• Annual 4^th of July celebration in Okabena another success.

• Improvements completed at HL-O football field.

• During HL-O Homecoming week Queen Luona Sievert and King Paul Wheeler were crowned during coronation ceremonies.

• 135 ballots cast in Okabena Election:  Mayor: Bill Vangsness – 119 votes, James E. Schneider received 91 votes, incumbent Vernon Behrens 77 and Steve DeWall 75 votes. Joyce Seydel who ran unopposed for the two year term received 125 votes.

• HL-O School Board discusses tele-media feasibility.

• HL-O FFA: On Dec. 5^th the HL-O FFA speakers and parliamentary team competed at the Worthington Community College. Chris Henning placed first as the HL-O Creed Speaker and will be competing in the State Creed contest. David Milbrath placed first in the region for his speech in extemporaneous category. He too will be competing at state level. In the Public Speaking contest David Norland won first in region and will also compete at state contest. The Parliamentary Procedure Team placed fifth out of six teams.
  
  1985

• David Norland & Lori Schaffer were chosen King & Queen during Snow Week from the Senior Class.

• HL-O Knights receive runner-up trophy in Region 2A Tournament. State tourney trip eludes Scarlet Knights. Ceylon Huskies defeat HL-O 55-45 in Region 2A title contest.

• HL-O senior class receives diplomas at graduation ceremonies.

• Okabena once again grew in population for a day!!! July 4^th in Okabena is the one day every year when hundreds of people come from far and near to help celebrate our nation’s birthday is style!!! Another July 4^th was a great success from the beginning of all events to the magnificent fireworks finish.
  
  1986

• HL-O graduates 45 seniors.

• 20 qualify for Region track as girls win District 7.

• Arthur Ahrens honored for 35 years of service as an officer of Weimer Township.

• Linda Vogt selected as Auxiliary member of the year.

• Storm downs 9 powerlines along Highway 60.

• Amy Duitsman & Eric Post crowned as HL-O Homecoming Royalty.

• Edna Frederickson celebrates 100^th birthday.
  
  1987

• Temperature hit 56 degrees (Jan.).

• Heron Lake-Okabena Schools hold hearing on proposed pairing with Lakefield.

• Jolyn Stumpf & Mitch Peterson crowned as HL-O Homecoming Royalty.

• Charles Baumbach, HL-O’s "Teacher of the Year".

• HL-O high school graduation ceremony.

• Heron Lake-Okabena and Lakefield agree to pair, students begin their first school year of pairing in academics and sports. The HLOL sports teams will now be known as the "The HLOL Silver Bullets".

• Highway 60 now open from Windom to Worthington after being closed all summer for bridge repair.

• Minnesota Twins are the 1987 World Series Champs with a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7.

• David Milbrath receives highest FFA degree of membership – that of American Farmer.

• The 22^nd annual Heron Lake Ecumenical Thanksgiving service held.

•  Area receives foot of snow.
  
  1988

• Christine Henning crowned 1988 Jackson County Pork Queen.

• HL-O school board approves tele-media project.

• First graduating class from HLOL receive their diplomas at graduation ceremonies.

• Pastor Barthels celebrates 50 years of Gospel ministry.

• HLOL Band repeats as Class B champions.

• Adam Schumacher, FFA National Finalist.

• HLOL Parliamentary Procedure Team will compete at State Tournament.
  
  1989

• Christine Henning, 1989 Minnesota Pork Queen.

• Scott Vancura captures State Championship wrestling title.

• Seniors from HLOL High School receive diplomas.

• Construction begins on new shelter house in Okabena Park.

• National FFA Proficiency Winner, Adam Schumacher, back from European tour.

• Tele-media comes to HLOL.

• HL-O Schools get "yes" vote for referendum.