Introducing your 2022 Winter Games Cheerleaders!
After collecting nominations for all of December and holding a community-wide voting on January 4th & 5th, the Winter Games Committee has officially tallied up the votes! We now present to you the 2022 University of Okoboji Winter Games Cheerleaders!
Nick Christensen
Nick is an insurance agent at Bank Midwest and the current Club President of the Spirit Lake Noon Kiwanis Club. Nick grew up spending his summers in the Lakes area with his parents and grandparents. He moved here permanently when he graduated from college. He has become a very active member of the community and has a great love of everything "Okoboji”.
Paul Heidebrink
Many of you may know Paul as your FedEx man! Paul loves the Lakes Area! He is so proud of his hometown and always wants to show it off. He cares about everyone and wants everyone to get their packages safely!
Leah Hilpipre
Leah is a Realtor at Exit Realty Midwest - Spirit Lake. She is a local girl and a Spirit Lake graduate. She is on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Great Lakes Board of Realtors. She has such a good personality and a ton of energy.
Kaylene Jackson
Kaylene has spent over 30 years supporting this area. She was a worked for Okoboji GM Toyota for almost 30 years and now works from home for General Motors. Kaylene grew up in Dickinson County and graduated from Terril schools. She is a great person, loves life and loves the lakes area.
Jimy Mac Lenz
Jimy Mac is a realtor at Hinn Real Estate. If you're with Jimy Mac, you cannot get far in Arnolds Park, Okoboji or Spirit Lake without someone yelling, "Hey Jimy!!". Jimy is well-know around the lakes area as the DJ on "The Shack". To know Jimy is to love him. He's kind, outgoing, full of spunk and loves everything Okoboji!
Rory Marra
Rory has been employed for the Okoboji Community School District for 19 years. He coaches junior high girls and boys basketball, junior high football, and varsity baseball. Building relationships with students that he teaches and coaches is what separates him from many. He cares for our youth and shares his passion with them. Rory represents O.K.O.B.O.J.I in so many ways. His love for the Iowa Great lakes is immeasurable. In high school he started working at Arnolds Park before transferring to Manhattan Beach for a stint. After working there he went back to Arnolds Park and started working on the Queen II as a crew member. Eventually earning ranks as a Captain. Being a captain is truly one of his passions. So when you hear the Queen II horn or see him waving...know he is in his element.
Tyler Pedersen
Tyler is a band director at Spirit Lake High School. Tyler's marching, concert, and jazz bands are successful at competitions and his students display positive behavior at their performances. It is such a beautiful reflection of the Iowa Great Lakes area. He goes above and beyond the school day to improve himself and the education of those in his classrooms.
Yvonne Taylor
Yvonne has been a tireless cheerleader for many activities in our community, including her years of dedication to our Dickinson County Trails Board, Pearson Lakes Art Center Board, as well as a coach for many children's sports and activities. Yvonne represents the spirit of our community and is always there to volunteer her time to help facilitate the success of any project she dedicates herself to.