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Feature Stories (Vol. 109 No. 23--6/06/2007)

New fitness center dedicated in Berthold

By Caroline Downs

The Clifford O. Johnson Fitness Center . . . Berthold students, l-r, Chris Helseth, Jacey Peterson, Levi Hall and Kaleb Boehler are some of the student athletes who have dedicated themselves to a healthier lifestyle thanks to the school's new facility.

"All of us here at Berthold School know the name of Clifford O. Johnson very well," said Jacey Peterson as she addressed a gym full of students and guests during the dedication ceremony of the Clifford O. Johnson Fitness Center. "We know you must miss him terribly, but we here at Berthold will remember him forever."

Peterson, a junior, was one of three speakers to honor the late Clifford Johnson and his contributions to Berthold Public School during a program held May 9th at Berthold High School.

Clifford Johnson’s brother Bill, also a Berthold graduate and now of Gilbert, AZ, attended the dedication ceremony, as did his former college roommate and wife, Potsy and Jan Welch of Crosby, MN, and friend Randy Pratt of Edina, MN, all of whom had traveled to Berthold with Johnson in recent years.

Johnson was a 1946 graduate of Berthold School who became a teacher. He spent his career and retirement in Minnesota, but maintained his connections with Berthold, as described by Superintendent Brian Nelson during the dedication program.

"I got to know Cliff in 1999," Nelson said. "It was my third year here, and we had old bleachers. We were preparing for the 100-year celebration, and after a committee meeting we got a call from Cliff. He asked how much bleachers would be."

Johnson donated the entire cost of the new bleachers, $38,000, and continued working with Nelson to benefit the school. He traveled to Berthold to dedicate the bleachers in 2000, accompanied by Pratt and his brother Bill. In 2001, Johnson gave scholarships to teachers interested in continuing their education. In 2002, he provided a similar opportunity for coaches, and in 2003 and 2004 he awarded scholarships for graduating seniors.

In 2005, Johnson visited his hometown again. "Cliff always talked about Berthold. This time, he brought Potsy and Jan," Nelson said. "We talked about needing a weight room while he was here. Later, he called me back and said, ‘I would like to build this.’"

Nelson organized a project with an estimated cost of $30,000, and Johnson sent half the money in 2005, with the balance to be paid in 2006. Work on the new building, which is connected to the main school by a sidewalk, started last summer with the help of dedicated volunteers but Johnson did not live to see the results. He died in September 2006.

At that point, Bill Johnson and Pratt assisted Berthold School with the final costs of the fitness center, which was completed for $38,000. Additional equipment for the weight room was purchased by contributions from Bill Johnson.

Nelson developed a friendship with Clifford Johnson over the years, speaking to him regularly by phone and occasionally visiting him in Minnesota. In fact, he saw Johnson the day following his last surgery. Nelson’s voice filled with emotion as he described the virtues of his friend and mentor. "The two most important things I admired about Cliff were the way he was proud of his high school and of his parents," he said.

He continued, "Clifford gave about $82,000 to coaches, facilities, teachers and students here at Berthold High School. The Clifford O. Johnson Fitness Center is huge in my mind. It’s here for the students and for the community."

Nelson talked briefly about the significance of the fitness center for improved health, including his own, and he encouraged everyone in the audience, from the elementary students to the community’s seniors, to use the facility. "It’s going to help you," he said. "This is a gift that’s been given to us."

Johnson’s example generated contributions from other alumni, according to Nelson, including a $112,000 gift with the interest given as annual scholarships, a $20,000 donation that paid for the school’s air conditioning system as well as student scholarships, and more. "Clifford always hoped by giving money, others would see this and step up and help," said Nelson. "He did this because he believed in Berthold."

Pratt, who met Johnson as a teacher in 1978, took a few moments to address the audience on behalf of Johnson.

"He developed a list of people he wanted to thank," Pratt said. "This is a happy day. The only way I could be happier would be if I was sitting out with you and listening to Cliff Johnson making his own remarks at this dedication."

He continued, "When Cliff met Brian, he knew Brian to be a person of vision--a leader whose interest in the school and community was paramount. Not only does he have the vision of making Berthold the best that it can be, but he also has the skills to bring his vision into being. Both Clifford and Brian see Berthold as surviving the transitions which have resulted in the closing of many schools and the death of towns across rural America."

Pratt spoke to the volunteers who devoted so many hours to the actual labor. "You are parents, teachers, community members, and yes, students," he said. "Cliff knew financial contributions do not build weight rooms--people do. You are the true heroes here today."

He singled out Leann Hall for her work describing the progress of the building through photos and emails to Johnson. "Leann took the time to make this work-in-progress real to Cliff even though he never did get to see it completed," he said.

Then he turned to the students in the crowd, explaining how Johnson’s character had been shaped by his childhood during the Great Depression and his high school years during World War II. "Cliff learned good lessons as a result--lessons about the importance of family, loyalty to friends and the value of money," he said. "I hope you, too, have learned to love and support your families, to treasure your friends, and to use the money you earn wisely."

He commented on Johnson’s graduation from Berthold as valedictorian of the Class of 1946, "In his graduation speech, he spoke words which have echoed in his life and are just as true today as they were when written and spoken by him 61 years ago: ‘To many of us, the education we have obtained here [at Berthold] will be our only capital in the beginning of life, but whatever wealth or honor we may hereafter win in the world, we shall be largely indebted to this school for the beginning of our success.’"

Pratt concluded his remarks with a specific exhortation to the students. "You do not have to remember Clifford Johnson," he said. "It is more important to remember his example. Remember your Berthold roots, be thankful for your family and the Berthold community, and, finally, be generous when you are able and give back to those who gave to you. Give also to the generations which will follow you."

He paused before adding, "I think the structure you have out there is just magnificent!"

Student body excited
The student body thinks so, too. Juniors Peterson, Levi Hall and Kaleb Boehler and sophomore Chris Helseth talked after the program about the impact the fitness center had made in the school.

"To sum it up in one word: excitement!" Hall said as he described the reaction of his classmates to the new facility. "It’s used every day, before school and after school."

"Some people even go during the day if they have time," Boehler added.

"Next year, we’ll have a class for weightlifting," Peterson said. She also appreciated the opportunity to attend a fitness center in Berthold rather than driving 30 miles into Minot.

Boehler said he had already signed up for the new class, which will be taught by physical education instructor Darwin Routledge. Boehler and Helseth had encountered several adults from town using the facility during school hours, but they didn’t mind sharing the equipment and space. "It’s a great way to stay in shape," Boehler said.

Peterson highlighted the storage space and accessible bathroom available in the fitness center. The boys added they were happy to finally have a place to store football gear for 45 players.

Hall said results from using the weight room could be seen around the school. "You can tell the difference between the kids using it and those who haven’t."

"Yeah, you notice it in open gym," said Helseth.

High school principal Peggy Person has been just as delighted with the new facility as the kids are. "It’s a positive activity," she said. "We have kids lifting who aren’t out for any sports."

She also praised the efforts of the people who worked on the building. "We had some volunteers who dedicated a great deal of their personal time for the kids," she said. "Not just their own kids, but for all the kids."

The number of volunteers who worked on the building is impressive, with Curt and Leann Hall keeping a comprehensive list. Twelve businesses contributed equipment or materials, including Gratech--gravel; Cenex--Bobcat, forklift and plasma cutter; Western Ag--Bobcat; United Agronomy--Bobcat; Western Builders--cement forms; Don Peterson--digger truck; Lee Farms--air compressor and nail gun; Duane Erickson--nail gun; Clarence Hall--ladders; Francis Hall--screw guns, scaffolding and sheetrock lift; Stewart Borman--use of an air compressor; and GPC Properties (Galen Schmidt)--nailer and scissor lift.

Forty individuals, including some students, donated their time and labor, including Jack Hansen, Chase Myers, Neil Schwope, Lonnie Hornberger, Stewart Borman, Andy Elberg, Noah Hall, Levi Hall, Ian Hall, Curt Hall, Charlie Cummings, Dan DeRouchey, Lonnie White, Jerry Hennessy, Tyler Mollerud, Blake Inman, Chad Schweitzer, Shane Morlock, Brian Dahl, Curt Schumair, Bruce Peterson, Lucas Bloms, Jay Brown, Gale Gregory, Mike Axness, Wes Peterson, Lyle Gorseth, Brian Nelson, Del Greenup, Mason Lautenschlager, Bob Grant, Lorna Hansen, Karen Hennessy, Jeanette Dolan, Matthew White, Michael White, Renae Yale, Deb DeRouchey, Ross Deaver and Cody Grabow.

In addition, Mrs. Finke and the Ag II class, with Shaley Hansen, Mason Lautenschlager, Chris Helseth and Ross Deaver, stained and varnished the building’s trim.

Person said the weight room will be used by students and coaches during the summer, but it also remains available for the public’s use. No specific schedule has been established for the public at this time, but Person encouraged anyone who was interested in using the equipment to contact her. "We have a group of ladies who exercise three times a week in the mornings," she said. "As people need it or want to use it, they should just call me."