Pequot Lakes teacher is DNR’s Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year

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Pequot Lakes teacher is DNR’s Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year
(Released February 25, 2011)


Proving that a teacher can make a difference inside as well as outside the classroom, Dave Guenther of Pequot Lakes was named the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2010 Volunteer Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year.

The visual arts instructor at Pequot Lakes High School has been a DNR snowmobile safety instructor for 15 years.

“By day he’s a much loved art teacher who allows students to use their creativity painting snowmobile helmets and hoods, as well as making posters for snowmobile safety and other sled events outside the classroom,” said Lt. Leland Owens, DNR Enforcement recreational vehicle coordinator. He even encourages students who are old enough to ride their snowmobile to school, allowing them to store their gear in his classroom.”

A sign indicating ‘Pequot Lakes High School Snowmobile Parking Only’ greets visitors in the school parking lot.

Guenther has loved snowmobiling since he was a little kid.

“Snowmobiling has always been a family activity, from riding, to performing maintenance in the garage, to racing,” Guenther said. “Whether it’s on antique and vintage machines or newer ones, it’s just getting out there and enjoying the outdoors with friends and meeting new friends. That’s what I love about snowmobiling.”

As an adult, Guenther noticed few local youths attending snowmobile safety training. He sat down with school administrators and local snowmobile clubs to find a solution.

“We came up with a course that was offered right after school. Wow, did we have kids show up! It worked well for the kids and for the parents who could pick their kids up on the way home from work. It was a win-win situation for everybody,” Guenther said.

To persuade more youth to try snowmobiling, Guenther has provided snowmobile club memberships to students and their families, and taken students on trail rides with local snowmobile clubs. He helped students attain community service requirements needed for high school graduation by having them serve at snowmobile safety classes and radar runs monitoring speed limits.

Guenther said it was a great honor to be named Volunteer Snowmobile Safety Instructor of the Year. He said an equally important reward is seeing former students like Keith Twombly step up and become involved in the sport as Minnesota United Snowmobile Association (MnUSA) president.

“We need the younger generation to get involved, to keep us going in the right direction,” Guenther said. “When kids walk out of our snowmobile safety training classes, we want them to appreciate the sport and realize all the volunteer hours that go into having a safe trail to ride on. I want snowmobilers to ride as many years as they can. I hope I can influence the kids to do that.”

“Many people will tell you that the person who has had the biggest influence in their lives was a teacher,” Owens said. “Dave Guenther is a good example of someone inside and outside the classroom who’s been a positive influence, and he’s an all-around nice guy.”

Guenther received the award from Gov. Mark Dayton and DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr at the MnUSA Rendezvous held Feb. 12 in Alexandria.