Como Lake ice fishing adventure

Robert Wasiluk

Have you ever walked across a frozen lake and gone ice fishing? For most Como Park students, the answer to that question about a classic Minnesota winter activity is “no.”
However, a survey taken after Feb. 21, 2025, would reveal an increase of those answering “yes.”
Thanks to the organization and advocacy of Spanish teacher Leah Deiman, 170 Como students went ice fishing on the local lake during 80-minute periods of their school day. Of the participating students, 145 said it was their first time.
Students walked from campus across Victoria Street and onto the lake where tents with heaters were set up by community partners. Those partners included the Saint Paul Police Activities League, Elpis, Ardent Outdoor Group, Baztec Fishing and Outdoors nonprofits.
Creating unique experiences for students and promoting positive activities that make memories are common values in education. This adventure was an innovative, low-cost way to support those goals. But beyond that, Deiman noted additional purposes.
“We teach about ice safety, how to ice fish, fish species identification, and how our actions affect the watershed,” Deiman said. “Also, we continue to develop our relationship with the lake, build community, and enjoy winter.
“Kids were really excited to go out on the ice. They wanted to stay out all day. Hopefully now that they know how fun it is, they will be able to make it more a part of their regular lives.”
And to answer the question everyone wanted to know upon the students’ return to school – YES! A couple of small fish were caught!

State meet for Nordic skier
Como junior Henry Simmons qualified for his second Minnesota State Nordic Ski Meet of his career when he finished as the fourth individual across the line in the Section 4 Meet at Battle Creek Regional Park.
The state meet is held up north at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik. There were 112 boys who raced in state, as individual qualifiers or as representatives of their full teams that qualified. Out of all those competitors, Simmons placed 27th overall.
Coach Lawrence Simmons reported that was the highest state finish for a Como skier since Emma Lee finished 36th in 2008. “State was a great couple of days with incredible racing and a great atmosphere,” Simmons said. “Giants Ridge is by far the hardest ski course of the season.”

State meet for female wrestler
Como junior Makiya May made history by becoming Como’s first female wrestler to qualify for the Minnesota State Girls Wrestling Meet. May won the individual section championship for her weight class at the girls’ sectional tournament held at Redwood Valley High School.
The state meet was held at the Xcel Energy Center on March 1. May won her quarterfinal match by pin, then upset the top seed in the semifinals before falling in the championship match. Look for a feature story on May and her second-place state finish in next month’s Monitor.