Author: Decorah Community School District

Decorah Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) student Eva Kriemelmeyer received first place in the junior (grades 6-8) individual performance category at the state National History Day competition in Des Moines on April 24. Her performance is titled “Marie Curie: Frontiers in Radioactivity.”

Kriemelmeyer will advance to the 2023 National History Day contest at the University of Maryland June 11-15, where she will compete alongside nearly 3000 other students from all 50 states, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Defense Schools in Europe, and international schools, including several from Asia.

National History Day is a year-long academic enrichment program that challenges students to research, develop, and present projects about historical issues, ideas, people, and events related to an annual theme. This year’s theme is Frontiers in History: People, Places, and Ideas.

Lucas Arendt, Connor Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Anders Lovstuen, and Aidan Nalean-Carlson, members of the “DNR” Envirothon team representing Decorah High School, took first place at the Envirothon state contest held April 24that the Jester Park Nature Center near Granger, Iowa. They will represent Iowa at the international contest to be held July 23-29, 2023, at Mount Allison University located in Tantramar, New Brunswick, Canada. Decorah’s “Team Skabush”–Justin Berlage, Peter Essa, Nathaniel Myers, Nathan Swarbrick and Henry Weis–finished in fourth place. Both teams tied for first place in the Current Environmental Issue category.

The Envirothon is a team competition for high school students, testing their knowledge of the natural world around them. In the field and classroom, teams of five students are challenged to use their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios, and answer questions covering five categories: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a current topic. This year’s current environmental issue, “Adapting to the Agricultural Changes Needed in a Changing Climate,” required each team to prepare and present a speech outlining a designed plan with recommendations and possible solutions to meet the current topic challenges.

Adviser Larry Berland remarked, “Have you ever been asked to determine the amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil sample by using only your hands?  Do you have the desire to figure out the basal area of trees growing in a woodlot with a 10 factor prism?  How about sighting in on the clarity of a water sample using only a Secchi tube or identifying turtles by the markings on their carapace?  High school students in Decorah who have been participating in the school’s Envirothon program are ready for these challenges and more.”

“I am very proud to say that 70 awesome Decorah High School students participated in the Envirothon program this year–a new record,” Berland continued. “They offer hope for the Earth’s environment. I want to especially thank Adam Riley along with the entire Decorah system for their support, including the super help of John Kraus and Maggie Schwarz along with a very generous contribution made to our program from Barb Schroeder and the Winneshiek County Conservation Board.”  

The Decorah FFA competed at the 95th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 17th and 18th at Iowa State University in Ames. Twenty-two Decorah FFA members attended this year’s conference, including Brooke Anfinson, Annika Brynsaas, Brody Courtney, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Rashell Lippe, Anders Lovstuen, Morgan Moen, Creed Monroe, Justin Nierling, Travis Nordheim, Jeramiah Rediske, Chezny Ryant, Eden Scheidel, Hannah Schnitzler, Kayleigh Smith, Derek Tieskoetter, Ciara Wedmann, Addison Wemark, Kamryn Werges, Thea Zidlicky, and Dalton Zidlicky. The members participated in seven contests.

Results on State Qualifying Events

Addison Wemark, the 2022-2023 secretary of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA Secretary’s book for the state evaluation. The book received a gold rating and was awarded as the state champion. Wemark was recognized on the main stage and presented with a plaque.

Anders Lovstuen, 2022-2023 treasurer of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA treasurer’s book. The book received a gold rating, and Lovstuen was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.

Annika Brynsaas competed in the ag sales individual leadership development event. She received a gold rating and was recognized on the main stage during the first general session.

Jeramiah Rediske competed in the job interview leadership development event and received a silver rating.

State Ag Skills Career Development Event

The Ag Communications team–Eden Scheidel, Kamryn Werges, Kiele Eberling, and Rashell Lippe–received 9^th place and a silver rating. Eden Scheidel was named the top individual in the journalistic writing practicum.

The Farm Business Management team received a silver rating. Members of this team include Addison Wemark, Dalton Zidlicky, Hannah Schnitzler, and Morgan Moen. This career development event is designed to provide the students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of farm management.

Karlie Einck and Thea Zidlicky participated in the FFA Greenhand Quiz event. This quiz allows members to showcase their knowledge about the FFA organizations. Einck and Zidlicky both received bronze ratings.

Iowa FFA Degree

The Decorah FFA also had members earning individual awards and degrees. The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest honor a member may receive from the state. FFA participants who qualify have completed the three-circle model’s minimum participation requirements: Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), FFA, and Classroom/Laboratory. This year eight members of the Decorah FFA received this honor: Brooke Anfinson, Creed Monroe, Justin Nierling, Travis Nordheim, Chezny Ryant, Hannah Schnitzler, Ciara Wedmann, and Addison Wemark.

Stars Over Iowa

Justin Nierling was named the 2023 Star in Agribusiness winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a non-production agriculture area. Nierling keeps records from his business Nierling Custom Farming.

Additional Contest Results and Activities

The Decorah FFA Chapter earned a gold rating in the National Chapter Award Program, a contest designed to encourage chapters to plan activities and carry them out with a successful program of activities. Chapters are recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of student development, chapter development, and community development. Brody Courtney accepted the award on behalf of the chapter during the second general session.

Members also took part in a variety of events that took place throughout the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference and attended the career show. Morgan Moen and Kiele Eberling played in the state FFA band, Creed Monroe and Kayleigh Smith served as state courtesy corps members, and Anders Lovstuen and Travis Nordheim served as the chapter’s delegates and attended the state FFA association’s business session. 

Joni Bruvold, agricultural science teacher at Decorah High School, is the FFA advisor.

The 2023 Stars Over Iowa winners were announced at the 95th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Iowa State University on . A Star Over Iowa was selected in each of the four different areas: Agricultural Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience, and Agricultural Production.

Justin Nierling of the Decorah FFA Chapter is the 2023 Star in Agribusiness winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a non-production agriculture area.

Justin is the owner and operator of Nierling Custom Farming, where he provides producers with services such as round baling and wrapping. In the summer of 2020, Justin was looking for something he could do to set himself up for a lifelong career. He looked at several options and ultimately decided to buy a round baler to start his own custom round baling business. Throughout the years, his business has grown significantly, and he has gained great responsibility and learned many life lessons in running a business. Justin has baled 9600 bales in the lifetime of his business. He expanded services last year and bought a bale wrapper. He wrapped a total of 3700 bales within the last two years. Justin recently traded his baler for a brand-new one and bought a bale trailer to rent out to clients to speed up hauling round bales.

Justin had many people help him get started in custom farming over the years. One of the biggest ways he received clients was through advertising his services on social media and offering merchandise to the public.

In FFA, Justin received a gold rating at state with his proficiency. He also served as a committee chairperson in his chapter. After graduation, Justin plans to slowly start taking over the family farm. He also plans on picking up more crop ground to farm and to grow his business in providing producers with more custom services.

“This is a very prestigious FFA award that is based on outstanding supervised agricultural experiences (ag work-based learning) and FFA accomplishments,” commented Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold. “We are so proud of Justin on this amazing accomplishment and look forward to watching him continue to grow and expand his agricultural business.”

Justin is the son of Matt and Jolene Nierling. His chapter advisor is Ms. Joni Bruvold. His high school principal is Mr. Brad Hurst, and his superintendent is Dr. Tim Cronin.

The 2023 Stars Over Iowa winners were announced at the 95th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference at Iowa State University on . A Star Over Iowa was selected in each of the four different areas: Agricultural Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience, and Agricultural Production.

Justin Nierling of the Decorah FFA Chapter is the 2023 Star in Agribusiness winner. This award category is based on an entrepreneurship/ownership Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program in a non-production agriculture area.

Justin is the owner and operator of Nierling Custom Farming, where he provides producers with services such as round baling and wrapping. In the summer of 2020, Justin was looking for something he could do to set himself up for a lifelong career. He looked at several options and ultimately decided to buy a round baler to start his own custom round baling business. Throughout the years, his business has grown significantly, and he has gained great responsibility and learned many life lessons in running a business. Justin has baled 9600 bales in the lifetime of his business. He expanded services last year and bought a bale wrapper. He wrapped a total of 3700 bales within the last two years. Justin recently traded his baler for a brand-new one and bought a bale trailer to rent out to clients to speed up hauling round bales.

Justin had many people help him get started in custom farming over the years. One of the biggest ways he received clients was through advertising his services on social media and offering merchandise to the public.

In FFA, Justin received a gold rating at state with his proficiency. He also served as a committee chairperson in his chapter. After graduation, Justin plans to slowly start taking over the family farm. He also plans on picking up more crop ground to farm and to grow his business in providing producers with more custom services.

“This is a very prestigious FFA award that is based on outstanding supervised agricultural experiences (ag work-based learning) and FFA accomplishments,” commented Decorah FFA Advisor Joni Bruvold. “We are so proud of Justin on this amazing accomplishment and look forward to watching him continue to grow and expand his agricultural business.”

Justin is the son of Matt and Jolene Nierling. His chapter advisor is Ms. Joni Bruvold. His high school principal is Mr. Brad Hurst, and his superintendent is Dr. Tim Cronin.

The Stars Over Iowa program is made possible with support from Beck’s Hybrids through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The National FFA Foundation sponsors cash awards for the overall star winners.

Last week students in grades three through six had the opportunity to meet Erin Soderberg Downing, author of over fifty books. The students enjoyed her engaging presentation: learning about how she became an author, where she gets ideas for her stories, and what “ingredients” she adds to make them more interesting. 

Each student in third and fourth grade received a signed book, and each fifth and sixth grader received Controlled Burn or When Life Gives You Lemons, all paid for by the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation. The foundation and the Decorah FEC–Family, Educator, and Community organization–also provided funding for the author’s visit.

Kate Rattenborg Scott, owner of Dragonfly books, started the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation as a way to fund authors’ visits. She remarked, “It warmed my heart to see students’ excitement in receiving their own copy of one of Erin Soderberg Downing books.  One goal in starting the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation was to be able to bring authors into the northeast Iowa schools, and it was thrilling to have it happen and to see it so well received.”

Erin Soderberg Downing shared, “Visiting schools to talk about writing is one of the highlights of my job as a children’s book author…but I can honestly say that the time I spent with students and teachers in Decorah, Cresco, Postville, and Ossian was one of the highlights of my author visit career. Thanks to the generosity of the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation, I knew every kid would get to take home one of my books to read after hearing some behind-the-scenes stories about how I put that book together – and that extra level of connection with literacy is something truly special. What a wonderful way to strengthen the kids’ excitement for books and reading!”

A group of middle school students visited Dragonfly Books to deliver thank you notes to the foundation via Kate Rattenborg Scott. Harper Novak said, “It was really fun to visit the bookstore; it feels really magical inside.”  Hanna Lensch added, “I’d want to go to Dragonfly Books anytime, any day. It’s so fun to be in there.”

After the author’s visit, one 4th grade teacher shared with Michaela Seeman, teacher librarian at Carrie Lee Elementary, “Thank you so much for introducing her books and her delightful author ‘personality’ to us!  The kids are really enjoying the books. The characters and use of figurative language are refreshing additions to our literature collections.”

“I was awkwardly laughing out loud at some of the things she said,” remarked a 3rd grade teacher. “She was an absolute hoot! Her message(s) about being a writer resonated with many students, I’m sure. For being her eighth group in two days, you would’ve guessed we were her first. How awesome that each student received a signed copy of a book they chose.”

Another 3rd grade teacher commented, “Thank you to everyone who was involved in making the arrangements for Erin to come here, as well as for making it possible for every student (and classroom teacher) to receive a book! Erin’s presentation/visit today was absolutely wonderful! She was engaging, inspiring, authentic, and funny! I briefly got a chance at dismissal to discuss with my students how they felt about her visit, and it was all very positive. In all my years of teaching and author visits, Erin Soderberg Downing has been my favorite! What a great opportunity for our students/staff to have!”

Shannon Horton, DMS teacher librarian shared, “Author visits are really meaningful to our students, but they can be hard to make happen in rural locations with limited budgets. To have help with the logistics and funding from the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation is such a game changer for our community.”

More information about Erin Soderberg Downing can be found at https://www.erinsoderberg.com/.

It is on to state for two Envirothon teams from Decorah High School following statewide regional competition.  Decorah’s Team Skabush–Justin Berlage, Peter Essa, Nathaniel Myers, Nathan Swarbrick and Henry Weis–finished tied for second, six points behind the top scoring team from Muscatine. Team DNR finished alone in third place, just one point shy of second place. DNR members include Lucas Arendt, Connor Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Anders Lovstuen, and Aidan Nalean-Carlson. By finishing in the top 15, these two teams have earned the right to compete at the state contest to be held on April 24that the Jester Park Nature Center near Granger, Iowa.

Envirothon challenges students to hone critical thinking skills and create inventive solutions to the complex local and global environmental and natural resource issues facing our world today, whether in the field or in the classroom.  Five member teams test their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios, and answer written questions covering five categories: Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, and a Current Environmental Issue.

The team who finishes first on April 24th will represent Iowa at the international contest to be held July 23-29, 2023, at Mount Allison University located in Tantramar, New Brunswick, Canada. 

Seventy Decorah High School students participated in the regional contest, establishing a new state record for the number of Envirothon participants from one school. This group broke the previous record of 50 students set by Decorah in 2022. 

Six Decorah teams finished in the top 15 of the 53 competing teams from across Iowa after the regional contests.  However, only the two top finishing teams from the same school are allowed to move on to state competition because of the “Decorah Rule,” which has been in effect since 2007 after Decorah qualified four teams for that year’s state competition.  Until that time, no school had ever qualified more than one team in the top 15 teams.

The other teams who finished in the top 15 but will not be able to represent Decorah because of the “Decorah Rule” are listed below.

Team Poisonous Platypodes–Hannah Arendt, Lily Sandhorst, Sylvia Sandhorst, Amelia Wadsworth, and Margret Zook–finished tied for sixth place, three points out of third.

Teams Leaf Me A-loam and Team Swamp Donkeys finished tied for 10th place.  Team Leaf Me A-loam members are Phuong Doan, Mason Myers, Kellen Roffman, Elias Sassaman, and Jerald Thompson.  Team Swamp Donkeys members are Sophia Christman, Ella Grouws, Grace Neal, Thea Schissel, and Annalise Skrade.

Team Langers–Lange Betts, Eric Hjelle, Benson Newhouse, Ethan Stravers, and Max Wilson– finished in 15th place. Team Eco for Deco finished in 16th place, just one point behind 15th.  Team members are Natalie Goodner, William Hahn, Reid Kuehner, Andrew Olson, and Klaara Short.

The teams listed below gave it their best but did not finish as one of the top 15 teams.

Teams Original Eco for Deco and Shockwave Monkiezz finished just one point behind Eco for Deco.  Team Original Eco for Deco are Leslie Campbell, Britann Mettille, Beau Newhouse, Hannah Schnitzler, and Chloe Sheffield. Team Shockwave Monkiezz members are Annaleissa Arnold, Caden Branum, Jensen Korsness, Libby Phillips, and Brynn Storhoff.

Team Spooky Ducks members are Evynne Downing, Andie Gegax, Ellen Rooney, Mairi Sessions, and Rorie Wiedow.

Team Mitochondria members are Riley Berns, Alex McGohan, Clara Hjelle, and Anastasia Simon.

Team Oh Canada members are Mara Branum, Elsa Christman, Mikayla Hiner, Nora Lesmeister, and Kaylie Wemark.

Team Slaying Salamanders members are Grace Blikre, Annika Keefe, Kamryn Steines, Ivy Sullivan, and Kera Walter.

Team Green Goblins members are Marri Feuerhelm, Raleigh Lensing, Will Robinson, and Alina Tallier.

Iowa’s Envirothon program is sponsored by the Conservation Districts of Iowa.  The Envirothon program in Decorah is generously supported by the Winneshiek County Conservation Board and director Barb Schroeder, who adjusts work schedules to free up County Conservation employees Maggie Schwarz and John Kraus. Both Schwarz and Kraus were on Decorah teams who made it to the state Envirothon contest while in high school. 

Envirothon adviser Larry Berland remarked, “Barb, Maggie, and John are vital cogs in our local Envirothon program success. They really enjoy sharing their stories as well as their environmental expertise at study sessions and outdoor activities. A huge thank you also goes out to the administrators and teachers at all levels in the district who have helped fuel the students’ desire to be involved in so many activities.  Many teachers encouraged students to join the Envirothon program, and its outstanding success is directly proportional to their efforts.”

Berland continued, “With the exception of the ‘Decorah Rule,’ the Envirothon program is an exceedingly sound way to prime the interest of tomorrow’s necessary environmental experts. People say that sometimes things just work out for the best. I must say that my being involved with the Envirothon program proves that saying to be true. I have to be one of the luckiest guys around. On a regular basis, I enjoy the opportunity to meet with 70 awesome individuals who show up for Envirothon study sessions and outdoor adventures. These Decorah students’ concern and awareness of their natural environment is as much a part of their being as rommegrot and lefse are at Nordic Fest. They are destined to make a positive, we got your back, difference.”

The Decorah High School Music Department participated in the Iowa High School Music Association State Solo and Small Ensemble Music Festival on Saturday, March 25 at Charles City High School. Other schools participating were Charles City H.S., Clear Lake H.S., Crestwood H.S., Forest City H.S., Hampton-Dumont H.S., and Waverly-Shell Rock H.S.

This is an adjudicated festival in which students receive one of five division ratings for their performance: Division I “Superior” rating, Division II “Excellent” rating, Division III “Good” rating, Division IV “Fair” rating, or Division V “Poor” rating. The ratings are based on a point scale.

It was a successful day for the DHS Music Department. Each judge is allowed to present one “Outstanding Performance” award for the performance they deem to be the most superior of the day. There were nine judges overall in the vocal, orchestra, and band categories, and three of them awarded this honor to DHS musicians. Receiving “Outstanding Performance” awards were Gabriel Hiner, vocal solo;Elias Vorvick, Trombone solo; and String Bass Duet: Sally Laybourn and Ezra Vorvick. 

Receiving a Perfect Score were Elias Vorvick, Trombone; Mairi Sessions, Tuba; Alex McGohan, Marimba Solo, Timpani Solo, and Vibraphone Solo; Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Marimba Solo; Mallet Duet: Alex McGohan and Aidan Nalean-Carlson; Percussion Choir March of the Emperor;Connor Evelsizer, vocal solo; Madrigal Singers; and String bass Duet: Sally Laybourn and Ezra Vorvick.

Students were accompanied on piano by Dean Beckman, Mary Beth Bouska, Cathy Evelsizer, Chris Hadley, Miko Kominami, Linda Martin, Kayla Scholl and Nicholas Shaneyfelt.

Division I – Superior Ratings:

Solos (total: 53)

Flute: Mikayla Hiner; Clarinet: Rebecca Anderson; Alto Saxophone: Brenna Parker; Tenor Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Baritone Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Trombone: Elias Vorvick, Lucas Hanson; Tuba: Mairi Sessions; Timpani: Caden Branum, Alex McGohan, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Michael Njus; Mallets: Natalie Goodner, Alex McGohan (Marimba), Alex McGohan (Vibraphone), Aidan Nalean-Carlson; Mixed Percussion: Beau Newhouse, Jerald Thompson;Piano: Natalie Goodner, Gabriel Hiner, Mikayla Hiner;Violin: Ella Grouws, Gabriel Hiner, Hope Stahl, Brock Taylor; Viola: Cedrik Beiwel, Ethan Stravers; Cello: Simon Kutz; Soprano: June Breitenbach-Dirks, Leslie Campbell, Mikayla Hiner, Kealy Hines, Sydney Kipp, Ada Lovelace, Brynn Storhoff, Gwen Thompson, Margret Zook; Alto: Jenna Hartz, Alex Kane, Sally Laybourn, Haley Stowe; Tenor: Connor Evelsizer, Andy Kruger, Michael Njus, Libby Phillips, Gareth Sweet; and Bass: Oliver Brummel, Gabriel Hiner, Jake Magner, Jack Sovern, Elias Vorvick, Ezra Vorvick, Max Wilson.

Ensembles (total: 31)

Woodwind Choir; Clarinet Choir; Saxophone Choir;Tuba Duet: Eli Vorvick & Sessions; Percussion Choir March of the Emperor; Percussion Choir Glitzville; Mallet Duet: McGohan & A. Nalean-Carlson; Percussion Quintet (Albert, Harman-Wood, Hougen, R. Kane, & B. Newhouse); String Duet: Laybourn & Ezra Vorvick; Kutz & Beiwel; Thompson & G. Hiner; Grouws & E. Stravers; Old English Airs Chamber Orchestra; Vocal Duet: Phillips & Grouws; Njus & D. Skrade; Njus & M. Wilson; Madrigal Singers; CC Chamber Singers; CC Chamber Choir; VC Chamber Choir; 9th Gr. Treble Clef 7 (Breitenbach-Dirks, M. Hiner, E. Christman, Klara Kelly, Albert, Pedlar, Wemark); 9th Gr. Bass Clef 9 (Duder, Malanaphy, Stemper, J. LaBelle, McElree, Mercado-Arneson, Harman-Wood, C. Johnson, Sassaman); VC Treble Clef 9 (Downing, Sheffield, G. Thompson, Brodbeck, Hines, A. Northup, L. Suhr, E. Johnson, Wadsworth); VC Bass Clef 11 (Hammel, Kruger, Beau Newhouse, Coppola, L. Hook, Krieg, Brummel, Chamberlain, J. Thompson, Sovern, Ezra Vorvick); CC Bass Clef 8 (L. Hanson, C. Kowitz, Njus, A. Jones, Eli Vorvick, A. Walter, Weis, M. Wilson); CC Bass Clef 7 (Evelsizer, Phillips, Sweet, G. Hiner, Magner, D. Skrade, Stammeyer); Senior Bass Clef Quartet (Njus, Sweet, Magner, M. Wilson); Senior Bass Clef Trio (Njus, Eli Vorvick, M. Wilson); CC Treble Clef 12 (E. Hook, Kipp, Storhoff, Lovelace, S. Sandhorst, A. Skrade, Grouws, A. Kane, Laybourn, Hartz, Stahl, R. Wiedow); CC Treble Clef 12 (Bruening, Campbell, Kipp, R. Suhr, S. Christman, Hageman, B. Hanson, Schwarz, Pritchard, Redenius, Stowe, Valkosky); and Mixed Trio (M. Hiner, G. Thompson, G. Hiner).

Division II – Excellent Ratings:

Solos (total: 33)

Flute: Amelia Pankow; Oboe: Ansel Kowitz; Trumpet: Aitor Cuevas; Mallet: Kealy Hines; Mixed Percussion: Liam Chamberlain, Jameson LaBelle; Piano: Gwenyth Thompson, Sylvia Sandhorst;Violin: Elsa Johnson Lydia Monreal, Sylvia Sandhorst, Haylee Stravers, Gwenyth Thompson, Kinsey White, Ramsey Zilka; Viola: Luke Arendt; Cello: Ada Lovelace; String Bass: Ezra Vorvick; Soprano: Elayna Hook, Greta Jones, Stella Pole; Alto: Ari Albert, Grace Blikre, Elliana Brodbeck, Ella Grouws, Bethany Hanson, Elsa Johnson; Tenor: Davis Coppola, Lucas Hanson; Bass: Liam Chamberlain, Ezra Harman-Wood, Caleb Johnson, Daniel Skrade.

Ensembles (total: 13)

Brass Choir; Flute Choir; Saxophone Duet: Breitenbach-Dirks & Christman; String Duet: E. Stravers & C. Kowitz, L. Jensen & Monreal, E. Stravers & A. Skrade, Gegax & Sassaman; String Quartet: (Grouws, S. Christman, E. Stravers & Lovelace), (S. Sandhorst, Kate Kelly, Woosley & Campbell); String Trio (Stahl, R. Zilka & Rix); Shenandoah Chamber Orchestra; 9th Grade Chamber Choir; VC Treble Clef 9 (B. Bentley, G. Jones, R. Kane, Goodner, Keefe, Zook, Bakken, Blikre, Steines).

Four Decorah Home School Assistance Program students participated in the National History Day district competition at NICC in Calmar on March 22. Two of these students’ projects qualified for the National History Day state competition in Des Moines on April 24th. 

This year’s theme is Frontiers in History: People, Places, and Ideas. State qualifiers and their projects include Eva Kriemelmeyer for her individual performance titled Marie Curie: Frontiers in Radiation and Ruth Kueny for her performance Elizebeth Friedman: Crossing New Frontiers in Coding. Also participating in the district competition were Noah Kriemelmeyer with an exhibit titled Claude Monet: Crossing Frontiers in Visual Art and Lucas Fankhauser with a documentary “All Safe, Ladies and Gentlemen, All Safe”: Elisha Otis and the Invention of the Safety Brake.