Frykmans picked as WCA honorary captains

By C. A. Ray

Grant County Herald

When Darrell and Susan Frykman of Barrett go nearly anywhere these days, Susan is greeted by former students who she taught during her 34 years in education.

Susan taught in the Barrett, Elbow Lake/Wendell, West Central and West Central Area school systems.

Darrell’s connections in the area run deep as well. He retired last year after farming the family farm for 51 years.

The couple married in 1982. They met when Susan came to Barrett as a home ec teacher in 1981. Initially, she also taught home economics two hours a day in Elbow Lake. Darrell had taken over the family farm in 1972 after serving, and earning the Silver Star, in Vietnam.

 Susan put in nearly five years teaching home ec and art, then inaugurated the new Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) program in Barrett. She worked the next 30 years in ECFE and Preschool programming in the school district.

 “This year’s junior class at WCA was my last 4-year-old preschool class,” she said. “It’s fun seeing my preschoolers as adults, and seeing what they have become.”

 She proudly states that three are in law enforcement, a few who are pilots and in ag-related careers, and several are in education.

Susan recalls she actually started and ended her career in the same room—the former home ec room in the Elbow Lake/Wendell school building that became the preschool room at WCA North.

Meanwhile, the couple had their own children who graduated from WCA: Jared, class of 2004, is now the fifth generation to farm the Frykman place; Meagan, class of 2002, teaches first grade in Verndale.

 Both their spouses are also in education. Jared’s wife teaches fifth and sixth grade science at WCA, and Meagan’s husband teaches second grade in Wadena.

 The Frykmans have six grandkids. Three attend WCA, in fourth, seventh and tenth grades. Three attend Wadena/Deer Creek in sixth, eighth and tenth grades.

“We are running around a lot for sports,” chuckles Darrell. Last week, they went to a tennis match in Benson, and volleyball and football games at WCA.

Susan and Darrell are deeply appreciative of how WCA honors the military through their support of Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and recognition of veterans during Homecoming.

Darrell claims that when he was asked to speak to the cast of a WCA one-act about his experiences in Vietnam several years ago, it was the first time in 40 years he was able to talk about it. The experience opened him up, and he became involved in veterans’ issues. He is a member of the American Legion and is involved in the Veterans Hall and Memorial in Elbow Lake. He has also been the keynote speaker for several area Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs.

There will be a full week of activities during homecoming week at WCA Sept. 27 through Oct. 2, starting with King and Queen Coronation on Sunday evening at the Secondary School.

The Frykmans will be introduced and will have a meet-and-greet with the captains of WCA’s varsity volleyball, football, tennis and cross-country teams before the volleyball game against Parkers Prairie Tuesday evening.

 On Wednesday, WCA students and staff will have the option of lunch from one of the numerous food trucks that will be parked in the parking lot. That evening, the junior girls will take on the senior girls in a Powder Puff flag football game.

On homecoming Friday, kids will be able to show off their skills at the Punt, Pass and Kick Contest, and everyone will enjoy the great food options at the Taste of WCA before the big football game vs. Benson.

 The WCA Class of 2002 is the Legacy Class at this year’s homecoming and will be on the field as flag holders during the national anthem.

All veterans are invited to attend the game free of charge and be recognized. The game will start with the traditional flipping of the coin by the honorary captains. Note that the football game starts at 6 p.m.

 Other WCA varsity sports for the week include the MACA/WCA Girls Tennis team hosting Parkers Prairie Thursday in Morris at 4:30 p.m. The boys and girls cross country team travels to Fergus Falls for a meet the same day.