Mrs. Lange is apart of the student assistance at Dakota High School. She is involved with all sorts of things here. For example, the Detour Project, which is an expressive art workshop started up just last year and has now started up again this year. Students are encouraged to express themselves, and they’re helped to relieve stress, make meaningful connections, and learn to explore their emotions in a healthy way.

The Detour Project started up against just last Friday, the 12th of January, in Mrs. Davis’ room (Lange’s neighbor and co-conspirator). I had the opportunity to join them for their first meeting, and we decorated name tags and there were snacks available. Everyone introduced themselves with their name and pronouns before beginning. The first exercise for this first meeting what a collaborative art project in which everyone had a paper, drew something, and then passed it around for others to add too. We listened to music – Okido was a great song – and most memorably was a cowboy dinosaur on every page.

Mrs. Lange also supervises the GSA – Gender & Sexuality Alliance – which is Dakota’s resident “gay club.” It’s a safe place for students to discuss their sexuality, the experiences that come with it, and the happenings in the LGBTQIA+ community. Students make friends for the rest of high school by coming to the club.

The GSA Isn’t exclusive to queer students either, even if it seems like that’s everyone who attends. Allies and anyone else curious about the club are more than welcome to come.

Another school club-project Mrs. Lange is in charge of is LiveRite, which is a dedicated to educating students – from high school to elementary – on the use of drugs, as well as anything having to do with living as an adult.

The group started at Dakota last year and has created a very welcoming community where everyone is comfortable with each other. I was lucky enough to be in the group and I can personally attest to this. We had snacks and basically unlimited juice boxes.

We took surveys in which we learned how susceptible we are to addiction and what to look out for and we played lots of hang man. One of my favorite moments was when Rachel Hintz, a Sophomore at the time, helped us list one hundred and four brands of alcohol in the game presidents vs. alcohol.

The game shows that American kids are much more exposed to alcohol than they are to their own countries history, majorly because alcohol has such enticing and frequent branding.

It didn’t help that kids in the class were children of bartenders.

Lange is also in charge of CTC, the Coalition Teen Council, also dedicated to educating others on drug use, abuse, and how to be safe when it comes to this subject and others.

Dakota’s Coalition Teen Council is very involved with the Chippewa Valley community. For example, this Monday members of the club will be taking a trip to Seneca, just across Cougar Drive, to do a panel answering Middle Schoolers questions on the transition from Middle School to High School.

Lastly, Mrs. Lange provides a phenomenal safe place for students. Students are free to go to her about their problem, and she’s always there to listen and provide a pop tart or too. She’s non-judgmental and understanding, and she’s lenient as long as you’re productive. Lange is incredible at making you feel heard too. All you have to do is stop by her room, sign in on the sign in sheet, and stand in the door way of her office. Knocking is always the polite thing to do too.

Students are free to eat in her room, whether at the table or on the cozy bean bags. There’s Karl too, if you’re feeling down and need something to hug.

Mrs. Lange also has activities to distract you when you need it – whether it be crocheting, making a bracelet, or playing with a barrel of monkeys. A favorite of mine is Bananagrams!

Personally, Mrs. Lange has made a huge impact on me during my high school career. She has saved me countless of times by giving me the space to calm down when overwhelmed or just by giving me some unforgettable advice I wouldn’t have gotten from anyone else. I know several others who feel the same way, and we’re all very grateful for her. She’s always kind and she’ll have a lasting effect on you.

So thank you to Mrs. Lange for being someone to go to and giving students the space to feel comfortable and flourish in high school.