By Sheila Anderson
Valley City Times-Record

An internationally acclaimed magician and motivational speaker, Stephen Bargatze, performed for local students Friday, April 4.  
Four performances were held at the Hi-Liner Activity Center for students in all grade levels. Students from Barnes County North and Maple Valley also attended one of the performances.
Valley City Senior High Principal Kim Knodle first saw Bargatze perform at a conference in Indianapolis. Through the work of Sheryl Solberg of the North Dakota High School Activities Association, contact was established and Bargatze agreed to perform in Valley City.“He was very interested in coming to North Dakota because he’d never been here before,” Knodle said.  
Knodle said Bargatze performs around the country, and has even performed at the White House and in Las Vegas. Bargatze also performs a total of 120 shows per year in Tennessee schools.
Knodle said Bargatze speaks out against drugs, alcohol and bullying.  He added he hoped they could welcome Bargatze again in the future.

For full story, see Monday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.