Recently, Howl reporter, Mackenzie Helms, interviewed Ms. Messner. Here’s what she shared!

Q: Are you from Williston?

A: No.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I’m originally from Gillette, Wyoming and I moved to Minot 6 years ago, so I came here from Minot.

Q: What subjects do you teach?

A: Physical Education, Health, and next semester I’ll be teaching athletic performance and Fit For Life, which is a dual credit college class.

Q: How has your time been here?

A: AMAZING! I actually really like this school a lot so it’s gone really well.

Q: What was your favorite subject in school?

A: PE. Well, strength training, not PE specifically. I wasn’t really like a games person like that, but I was into strength training so I was weight lifting every day.

Q: What made you want to teach?

A: Actually, in high school, I wanted to teach PE and then I got away from it. I’ve got around 10 years of schooling. I’m a year away from my psychology masters, I did criminal justice for a year, I did interior design for a year, then I went back to PE and realized it was really simple and easy for me. When you like something, it is really easy.

Q: When did you start teaching?

A: 3 years ago, this is my 4th year.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Minot State University is where I got my bachelor’s degree. I got my masters in health and physical education and recreation through Emporia State University, and I’m working on a second masters degree in applied nutrition through the University of New England.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: I like to play softball, basketball, I lift weights, meal prep, like to try new recipes, sing karaoke, and watch Netflix.

Q: Do you advise or coach any activities?

A: I’m the assistant girls’ swim coach but really I’m their strength and conditioning coach. So I run all their dry land and weight training. I will be the girls’ freshman basketball coach.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: Not really, I tried out for American Idol a long time ago in Omaha.

Q: Did you make it?

A: Well, obviously not.

Q: Is there a trend you hate that’s around?

A: How we can’t live without cell phones. I get that they’re necessary now because we depend on them. Oh, and onesies. I think they’re dumb.

Thanks to Ms. Messner for her answers! Make sure to welcome her to WHS!