LARIMORE, N.D. — Patti Aanenson always wanted a career in public education. It just took her a while to get there.

Now, as the North Dakota High School Activities Association board president, she sees one major obstacle for students and adults that needs to be addressed: participation.

“What do we need to do to get more kids to participate, and what do we need to do to get more adults to step up to coach and to step up and be officials? I think those are our three big hurdles right now.”

For Aanenson, her path to the NDHSAA, while indirect, has provided her with the experience to shape athletics today. She earned her degree in business education at Mayville State.

“When I left Mayville State, there weren’t a lot of openings, and so I went into banking for 16 years,” Aanenson said.

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