Decorah Public Library is continuing the Coffee and Creativity program series designed to help build community while being creative. Participants can make simple craft projects while chatting over coffee from 10-11:30 AM on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
The sessions will be led by Lea Lovelace, an arts educator with years of experience facilitating programs and activities in museums and arts organizations. Everyone is welcome to come make something, regardless of previous experience or artistic ability.
On April 4, learn the Japanese craft of Fish Printing.
On April 18, create Blackout Poetry with pages from discarded books.
This program is free to the public and all materials are provided. For more information, please contact Zach Row-Heyveld at Decorah Public Library – zrow-heyveld@decorahlibrary.org or by calling 563.382.3717.
The 86th annual Decorah FFA Awards Program was held at the Decorah High School auditorium on Thursday, March 23rd at 7:00 p.m. About 250 guests were in attendance, including parents, family members, community sponsors, business leaders, and FFA members. The Conduct of Meetings Team, consisting of President Lyla Lovstuen, Vice-President Rylee Averhoff, Secretary Karlie Einck, Treasurer Thea Zidlicky, Reporter Jerikah Dodd, Sentinel Annika Schmelzer, and Advisor Ms. Bruvold officially opened the awards program.
Chapter President Creed Monroe welcomed everyone in attendance. The 2022-2023 officer team then presented Greenhand FFA Degrees and Chapter FFA degrees to the recipients, and Eden Scheidel presented the FFA Creed. This year’s twenty-four Greenhand FFA Degree recipients include Rylee Averhoff, Ryan Bigler, Mason Brumm, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Nick Farley, Ayden Guevara, Jacob Hageman, Lauren Holthaus, Kaylee Larson, Raleigh Lensing, Lyla Lovstuen, Riann Oberbroeckling, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Tommy Sexton, Mitchell Stemper, Kaden Tarwater, Jake Teslow, Gracie Thompson, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky
The 2022-2023 Chapter FFA Degree recipients include Caiden Bruns, Kiele Eberling, Logan Frye, Kaid Headington, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, and Derek Tieskoetter.
Brody Courtney and Travis Nordheim then awarded the leadership awards to members who successfully served as leaders within the chapter by serving as an officer and/or a committee chairperson. Members receiving leadership pins for completing their first year of service include Brooke Anfinson, Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Austin Helgerson, Anders Lovstuen, Creed Monroe, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Derek Tieskoetter, Ciara Wedmann, Olivia Wyatt, and Mara Wyatt.
Members recognized for more than two years of leadership service to the chapter include Cade Averhoff, Kyleigh Batterson, Braunwyn Darrington, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Chezny Ryant, Hannah Schnitzler, and Addison Wemark.
2023 Decorah FFA Best Record Book Winners include Jeramiah Rediske, Jordan Sims, Raleigh Lensing, and Morgan Moen.
Addison Wemark and Kyleigh Batterson introduced the members who had perfect meeting attendance this past year. These members include Brooke Anfinson, Kyleigh Batterson, Ryan Bigler, Caiden Bruns, Annika Brynsaas, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Brody Courtney, Camren Darling, Nick Farley, Blaine Leidahl, Lyla Lovstuen, Morgan Moen, Creed Monroe, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Eden Scheidel, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Addison Wemark, Kolton Werges, and Dalton Zidlicky.
Anders Lovstuen and Morgan Moen presented scholarship pins and certificates to all of the Decorah FFA members who made the honor roll this past year. Members receiving this honor and a pin include Ryan Bigler, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Jerikah Dodd, Nick Farley, Kaylee Larson, Raleigh Lensing, Lyla Lovstuen, Riann Oberbroeckling, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Tommy Sexton, Mitchell Stemper, Jake Teslow, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Members receiving a scholarship certificate for being on the honor roll multiple years include Brooke Anfinson, Cade Averhoff, Kyleigh Batterson, Annika Brynsaas, Austin Helgerson, Alex Irwin, Anders Lovstuen, Maggie Lovstuen, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Creed Monroe, Justin Nierling, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Chezny Ryant, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Kayleigh Smith, Ciara Wedmann, Addison Wemark, and Dalton Zidlicky.
Annika Brynsaas presented the Academic Achievement Awards. The senior academic awards are awarded from the Iowa FFA Association and are presented to the seniors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Recipients who received a certificate and a medal include Kyleigh Batterson, Maggie Lovstuen, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, and Addison Wemark.
Hannah Schnitzer and Rachel Mikkelson recognized this year’s members of the month. Members selected to be honored for their FFA accomplishments include Rachel Mikkelson, Ciara Wedmann, Morgan Moen, Eden Scheidel, and Chezny Ryant.
Creed Monroe and Jeramiah Rediske presented the top five fruit sales awards after announcing the chapter had sold a total fruit sales amount of $54,772. Members receiving fruit sales awards include 1st – Jordan Sims, 2nd – Braunwyn Darrington, 3rd – Morgan Moen, 4th – Karlie Einck, 5th – Karlee Bullerman, 6th – Maggie Lovstuen, 7th – Thea Zidlicky, 8th – Henry Brynsaas, 9th – Derek Tieskoetter, and 10th – Hunter Quandahl.
The Decorah FFA Letter was presented by Addison Wemark and Travis Nordheim. In order to letter, members must be an active member in FFA and the community. This year twenty-one members lettered in FFA. These members include Brooke Anfinson, Kyleigh Batterson, Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Alex Irwin, Anders Lovstuen, Maggie Lovstuen, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Creed Monroe, Justin Nierling, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Chezny Ryant, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Ciara Wedmann, Addison Wemark, Mara Wyatt, Olivia Wyatt, and Dalton Zidlicky.
Each FFA member has a requirement to keep records on either a job placement, agribusiness ownership, or a livestock or crop project. Members then submit their record books for evaluation. Braunwyn Darrington announced the top record books for each class. They were senior Morgan Moen, junior Jeramiah Rediske, sophomore Jordan Sims, and freshman Raleigh Lensing.
Derek Tieskoetter and Morgan Moen presented the Star Greenhand award to Karlie Einck. They also presented the Star Chapter Farmer award to Addison Wemark, the Star Agribusiness award to Justin Nierling, and the Star Chapter Placement award to Morgan Moen.
Kyleigh Batterson congratulated this year’s proficiency award winners, which include the following: Annika Brynsaas (Agriculture Sales Placement), Justin Nierling (Agriculture Services), Jeramiah Rediske (Beef Production-Entrepreneurship), Anders Lovstuen (Dairy Production Entrepreneurship), Chezny Ryant (Dairy Production-Placement), Ciara Wedmann (Equine Science), Addison Wemark (Swine Production-Entrepreneurship), and Morgan Moen (Swine Production-Placement).
Anders Lovstuen and Brody Courtney thanked the senior class for their leadership over the years and congratulated them on all their accomplishments. This year’s 2023 Decorah FFA seniors who were recognized include Kyleigh Batterson, Alex Irwin, Maggie Lovstuen, Rachel Mikkelson, Morgan Moen, Justin Nierling, Chezny Ryant, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Addison Wemark, and Dalton Zidlicky.
Annika Brynsaas presented the Star FFA Alumni and Supporters awards to Blake Courtney, Kenzie Hovden, and Isaac Luzum. Brody Courtney, Creed Monroe, and Kyleigh Batterson then recognized our 2023 Friends of Agriculture Award Recipients. The 2023 Friends of Agriculture award recipients include Mr. Brad Hurst and Mrs. Dana Hogan.
The 2022-2023 Chapter officers then presented the Honorary FFA Degree. The Honorary membership is for any farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business people, and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. They may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention. This year’s recipients were Mrs. Lori Crum and Mrs. Jackie Reckward.
Chapter Advisor Joni Bruvold thanked all the volunteers and individuals who have supported the chapter throughout the last year. Following Ms. Bruvold’s speech, the newly formed Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters officer team came to the stage to provide an update. There also was a live auction to raise money for Decorah FFA Senior Scholarships through the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters.
After watching the year in review video, introduced by Kyleigh Batterson, the new officer installation took place before the banquet was adjourned. The 2022-2023 officers installed the following 2023-24 officers: President – Creed Monroe to Creed Monroe, Vice President – Brody Courtney to Brody Courtney, Secretary – Addison Wemark to Annika Brynsaas, Treasurer – Anders Lovstuen to Anders Lovstuen, Reporter – Morgan Moen to Jeramiah Rediske, Sentinel – Hannah Schnitzler to Travis Nordheim, and Assistant Officer – Kyleigh Batterson to Derek Tieskoetter. The officer team performed the closing ceremonies and concluded the banquet with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2023 Decorah FFA Best Record Book Winners (l-r): Jeramiah Rediske, Jordan Sims, and Morgan Moen. Absent from photo is Raleigh Lensing. 2023 Decorah FFA Friends of FFA Award Recipients (l-r): Mrs. Dana Hogan and Mr. Brad Hurst
2023 Decorah FFA Honorary FFA Degree Recipients (l-r): Mrs. Jackie Reckward and Mrs. Lori Crum 2023 Decorah FFA Letter Recipients: Row 1 (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Morgan Moen, Ciara Wedmann, Chezny Ryant Row 2 (l-r): Jeramiah Rediske, Rachel Mikkelson, Olivia Wyatt, Addison Wemark, Mara Wyatt Row 3 (l-r): Maggie Lovstuen, Kyleigh Batterson, Annika Brynsaas, Creed Monroe, Justin Nierling, Alex Irwin Row 4 (l-r): Dalton Zidlicky, Brooke Anfinson, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Brody Courtney, Travis Nordheim2023 FFA Academic Achievement Recipients:Row 1 (l-r): Rachel Mikkelson, Maggie Lovstuen, Kyleigh Batterson Row 2 (l-r): Addison Wemark, Hannah Schnitzler, Carter Schmelzer, Morgan Moen2023 Decorah FFA Star FFA Alumni and Supporters Recipients (l-r): Blake Courtney, Kenzie Hovden, Isaac Luzum 2023 Decorah FFA Star Award Recipients (l-r): Justin Nierling, Karlie Einck, Addison Wemark, and Morgan Moen 2022-2023 Decorah FFA Proficiency Award Winners Row 1 (l-r): Morgan Moen, Anders Lovstuen, Chezny Ryant Row 2 (l-r): Annika Brynsaas, Justin Nierling, Jeramiah Rediske, Addison Wemark, Ciara Wedmann The 2022-2023 Decorah FFA Officer Team: Row 1 (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Treasurer; Brody Courtney, Vice President; Creed Monroe, President Row 2 (l-r): Kyleigh Batterson, Assistant; Morgan Moen, Reporter; Hannah Schnitzler, Sentinel; Addison Wemark, SecretaryThe 2023-2024 Decorah FFA Officer Team: Row 1 (l-r): Anders Lovstuen, Treasurer; Derek Tieskoetter, Assistant; Jeramiah Rediske, Reporter Row 2 (l-r): Creed Monroe, President; Brody Courtney, Vice President; Annika Brynsaas, Secretary; Travis Nordheim, Sentinel
On March 22, several 8th grade Decorah Middle School students participated in the regional National History Day (NHD) competition held at NICC. Twelve students were recognized as finalists in the competition and will participate at the NHD state meet in Des Moines on April 24th. This year’s theme was Frontiers in History: People, Places, and Ideas.
State Qualifiers and their projects include the following:
Individual Performance
1st Place:Jillian Volz: Martha Matilda Harper: A Frontier in Franchising
Individual Documentary
1st Place:Noah Potvin: Star Trek: Frontier in Diversity
Group Documentary
1st Place:Nina Sessions and Kaelyn Kuhn: Julia Child
Individual Exhibit
1st Place:Jayden Lundtvedt: Valentina Tereshkova: Frontier in Female Cosmonautics
3rd Place:Thatcher Brown: Froelich Tractor: Frontier in Modern Tractors
Special Award–Iowa History: Thatcher Brown
Individual Websites:
1st Place:Naomi Kutz:Jane Bolin: Leading the Frontier for Equality in Law
2nd Place:Olivia Rissman:Henrietta Lacks and the HeLa Cells: The Microscopic Frontiers of Modern Science
1st Place:Olivia Volkmann:Running Past Frontiers: Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb’s 1966 Boston Marathon
2nd Place:Myla Leitz: Loving vs. Virginia
3rd Place:Emma Cline:Newsboy Strike of 1899
NHD State Qualifiers (l-r): Thatcher Brown, Noah Potvin, Olivia Rissman, Jillian Volz, Naomi Kutz, Jayden Lundtvedt, Emma Cline, Myla Leitz, Olivia Volkmann, Grace Stockman, Kaelyn Kuhn, and Nina Sessions All of the 8th graders who participated in NHD Regional competition.
After guiding his sixth-grade students to explore thermal energy and the transfer of energy on the molecular level, Decorah Middle School science teacher Scott Boylen created an engaging way for them to display their learning: they would create a cup system designed to keep liquids cold or warm and present their prototypes to a panel of adults–Shark Tank style.
The benefits for students engaged in this project are numerous:
Students authentically communicated their learning and why it mattered in real life.
They gained genuine experience in personal and professional communication. They were involved in real/live discussions about data, using science terms and vocabulary, listening and responding in real time to questions, and being very genuine in the process. They were engaged actively in communicating like real-life scientists.
Students learned about the real-world impacts of scientific concepts, especially thermal energy transfer. Many of them developed and communicated a deep level of understanding of the science involved in working to slow the transfer of energy between molecules in cup systems designed to keep liquids warm or cold.
They showed a great deal of creativity and design by using engineering principles and their imaginations.
Students overcame any fears they had about public speaking and presented to a group of adults, including parents and their peers, in a semiformal setting. They created and presented information in ways that were engaging and informative.
DMS student Charly Courtney shared, “I thought that the Shark Tank activity was super fun and was a great way to learn about thermal energy. When we started creating our cups, we had to think about why this would make our cup better, or why is this keeping it cold/hot?”
“The sharks got to ask questions when we finished, which I thought was cool because we got to work on social skills, speaking skills, what we were learning in science to answer the questions, and why that answer was right and support it with evidence,” Courtney added. “In all I thought it was a really cool way to test us and was super fun to do and create the cups.”
“My expectation for the ‘Shark’ part of this project was to not be too intimidating,” Boylen remarked, “but to ask the students to do some level of explaining and thinking around the science behind what they had done.”
The presentations revealed the students’ understanding of the concepts Boylen taught: the students were well prepared for the questions the panel asked, demonstrating their knowledge of science concepts in their answers.
Boylen added, “I was pleased that the ‘Sharks’ asked questions that offered my students the chance to do some thinking on their feet and to learn from that experience. They also learned some self-confidence and that they are awesome curious beings with a world full of wonders in front of them.”
Photo ID (l-r): Nathaniel Crose and Noah Alexander explain the science behind their cup prototype. Photo ID (l-r): Tristan Hanson, Brogyn Duvel, and Hayden Wenthold field questions from the “Sharks.” Photo ID (l-r): Jaedyn Hageman and Karlyn Alstad field questions from the “Sharks.” Photo ID (l-r): Dahlynne Borsheim and Addison Birdsell look over a cup design. The entrance to Scott Boylen’s classroom – Scott Boylen on right addressing students.
On March 21st, WED hosted an Energy Lunch to discuss how the new direct pay option allows non taxable entities to take advantage of the 30% federal renewable energy refundable tax credit! Organizations like schools, nonprofits, churches and local governments are now able to capture the full value of the 30% federal tax credit, putting renewable energy projects like PV solar, geothermal, wind, EV vehicle purchases and battery storage within reach for your nonprofit!
We gathered on zoom and at the Lingonberry to discuss about all the ways the Inflation Reduction Act can benefit your nontaxable organization. We also discussed the option of using a Power Purchase agreement to allow non taxable entities to work with a taxable investor to capture the value of the tax credit.
Click below to view the recording or scroll down to get the slides.
In case you didn’t know, today is World Water Day! We are very fortunate to have access to clean water in our area, so let’s conserve this precious resource whenever possible. One way to use less water at home is by harvesting rain water with a rain barrel and using that rain water on your lawn or garden. This is also a fantastic way to repurpose a plastic barrel! If you are interesting in building your own rain barrel, Winneshiek County Conservation and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) are holding a workshop on April 13th at 5:30 PM in the Lake Meyer Campground Shop. Registration is required and there is a fee for the materials. To find out more about this event, visit WCC’s website by clicking on the link below!
