Decorah High School Speech Participants Perform Well at State Competition

Decorah High School’s individual speech participants—coached by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight—competed Saturday, March 11th, at Starmont School. Around 46 students participated in the contest. Out of Decorah’s 44 performances, 39 received I (excellent) ratings.

The directors shared, “Our students had an amazing day. Their poise, passion, and talent were on full display throughout the day. We couldn’t be happier with their performances.”

All-State results will be posted on the IHSSA website in the late afternoon of Monday, March 13th.

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grades 10-12

Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: Becca Kane, Jenna Hartz, Diep Doan

Public Address: Grace Blikre, Alex McGohan

Expository Address: Max Wilson, Junior Battle

Storytelling: Margret Zook, Henry Weis, Ramsey Zilka

Prose: Danielle Rix, Bethany Hanson

Poetry: Kathryn Kelly, Ezra Vorvick, Brynn Storhoff

Review: Jensen Korsness, Elliana Brodbeck

Literature Program: Natalie Goodner, Hayley Stowe, Leslie Campbell

Solo Musical: Libby Phillips, Ella Grouws

Acting: Jake Magner, Ada Lovelace

After Dinner Speaking: Davis Coppola, Gabriel Hiner

Spontaneous Speaking: Corina Timm, Ethan Stravers

Radio News: Rebecca Anderson, Anders Lovstuen, Simon Kutz

Individual Improv: Joe Stammeyer, Liam Chamberlain

Receiving a II (good) rating:

Prose: Sophia Christman

After Dinner Speaking: Lily Sandhorst

Spontaneous Speaking: Michael Njus

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grade 9

Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: June Breitenbach-Dirks

After Dinner: Caleb Johnson

Literature Program: Mikayla Hiner

Solo Musical: Mikayla Hiner, June Breitenbach-Dirks

Storytelling: Klara Kelly

Receiving a II (good) rating:

Prose: Ezra Harman-Wood

Acting: Caleb Johnson

DHS Wrestling Sponsors Pink Out Night

For the boys’ and girls’ wrestling match against Crestwood on January 12, managers Kortni O’Connell, Grace Stortz, and Maggie Lovstuen organized a Pink Out/Breast Cancer Awareness Night. T-shirts were available for a donation, and $209 was collected to donate to the Winneshiek County Celebration of Life (WCCOL). 

Representatives from the WCCOL were in attendance that evening to share their experiences and passion towards supporting breast cancer patients and families. They especially wanted to spread the news that the WCCOL board voted to commit funds and time to support children in active treatment of cancer by approving the inclusion of children to the Fuel/Food program.  Beginning January 1st, 2023, applications will be inclusive of all residents of Winneshiek County (or those persons whose primary care provider is located in Winneshiek County) and are in active treatment of cancer. The program has always been solely supported by caring individuals, organizations, and businesses. More information is on their website www.winneshiekcol.com.

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Members of the girls’ and boys’ wrestling teams present a check to members of the Winneshiek County Celebration of Life.
Photo ID (l-r):  Mairi Sessions, Ashley Bjork, Julie Wurtzel, Maureen Yahr, Margaret Walter, Kortni O’Connell, Grace Stortz, Lane Rolfs, and Brady Stille 

Decorah Special Olympians Compete Well at Track and Field Competition

On March 5th, Decorah School Special Olympians competed in the Northeast Iowa Regional Track and Field competition at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls. 

Placing in the event for Decorah High School include the following: Allison Kalvelage­–1st in shot put and 2nd in the 100 meter dash, Francesca Wilkerson–2nd in shot put and 2nd in the 50 meter dash, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle–1st in shot put and 1st in the long jump, Donnie Hrdlicka–3rd in the softball throw and 2nd in the 50 meter dash, John Lippe–1st in shot put and 1st in the 50 meter dash, Braden Ramstad­–2nd in shot put and 2nd in the 100 meter dash, and Kamryn Leuenberger–1st in the tennis ball throw and 1st in the 25 meter walker race.  In addition, Francesca Wilkerson was selected as a Torch Bearer for the Opening Ceremony.

Placing for Decorah Middle School were Daniel Bean–1st in shot put and 1st in the 100 meter dash, Zoey Lollar–3rd in long jump and 3rd in the 50 meter dash, and Luke Thompson–1st in long jump.

Coach John Dunt remarked, “The Special Olympians competed hard and had fun at the event.”

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DHS competitors (l-r): Braden Ramstad, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Allison Kalvelage, John Lippe, Francesca Wilkerson, Donnie Hrdlicka and Kamryn Leuenberger
DMS SO Track 23
DMS competitors (l-r): Zoey Lollar and Daniel Bean. Not pictured: Luke Thompson   
SO Torch Wilkerson
Francesca Wilkerson of Decorah High School was selected as a Torch Bearer for the Opening Ceremony.

DHS Awarded Grant to Replace Garden Beds

Chad Elliott, Nutrition Director and Culinary Specialist for Decorah Community School District, works in tandem with science teachers Tim Hayes and Brad Johansen to help provide fresh food to students and staff. When he learned the cedar raised beds used to grow some of that food were falling apart after ten years of significant use, he wrote a grant to replace them.

This week the district was informed they are the recipient of a “Grow it, Eat it Sub-Grant,” provided through the 2022 USDA Farm to School Grant received by the Iowa Department of Education. This will allow the high school to spend almost $2000 replacing the raised beds.

According to Elliott, “These beds produce bushels of basil and gallons of peppers each year for the kitchen to incorporate into school menus. Replacing the wooden beds with stone will last longer and match the stone raised bed already in place on the west side of the greenhouse. The nutrition department uses the basil to make pesto for the creamy tomato-basil soup served in the winter months. The peppers are used for salads, chicken fajitas, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, and fresh garden salsa.”

The raised beds will be assembled by students with the help of teachers. Horticulture and Environmental Science students will then plant basil, flowers, and peppers grown from seeds in the high school greenhouse. These students will tend the beds during the growing season and then harvest and deliver the food to the kitchen when ready. To complete the cycle, food scraps are collected in the cafeteria and used to make compost for the gardens.

Elliott added, “Building these two beds will give the students pride in knowing their hard work will be appreciated by so many future students. Planting produce in the beds and weeding and watering during the growing season teaches students responsibility and gives them the experience of growing a garden that they can use into their adult lives. Harvesting and then consuming the produce in the cafeteria will give them a great understanding of where food comes from. Students will participate in this activity for many growing seasons into the future.”

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Science teacher Tim Hayes tending to produce in the raised beds next to the greenhouse.
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Peppers growing in a raised bed next to the greenhouse.

DMS Students Present Night of Plays

The Decorah Middle School 7th and 8th grade students will be presenting “A Night of Plays” on Thursday, March 9, at 7:00 p.m. A variety of small cast plays will be featured, including one from the Carol Burnett Show.

The performance will be at the Carrie Lee auditorium, and admission is free.

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Front row (7th grade l-r): Gavin Wilkins, Cloe Scheidel, June Belz, Kylie Cord, Kaya Johnson, Claire Ko, Nils Peterson
Back row (8th grade l-r): Olivia Volkmann, Isis Timm, Evan Madsen, Olivia Rissman, Jillian Volz, Noah Potvin, Oskar Swanson, Esteban Fernandez 
missing: Logan Nalean-Carlson

Decorah Student Musicians Present Jazz Coffeehouse Friday, March 3

Decorah High School musicians from the 7 O’Clock Jazz Band, directed by Matthew Cody, will be joining forces with the Middle School Jazz Band, directed by Emily Hahn, to share their talents at a Jazz Coffeehouse Friday, March 3, in the high school cafeteria. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. 

Coffee from Impact Coffee and desserts prepared by Decorah Community School District Executive Chef Chad Elliott will be available. A free will donation with a suggested price of $5 for one dessert and a beverage is appreciated to support music in Decorah schools. The public is cordially invited to join in the fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Jazz Coffeehouse Image

DHS Band Students Soloists at Luther’s Dorian Festival

Eleven Decorah High School band students were selected to attend the Dorian Band Festival at Luther College. Over 420 students from the area participated and were able to attend a mini lesson with the option of competing in a solo competition. 

Three students were selected to perform as soloists at the grand concert, and two of them were from Decorah High School. Alex McGohan was selected to perform on Bass Marimba and Elias Vorvick was selected to perform on Bass Trombone.

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Alex McGohan performing as a soloist on the Bass Marimba.

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Elias Vorvick performing as a soloist on the Bass Trombone.    

DMS and DHS choirs present “Why We Sing” at DHS on March 7

At times in our lives, we lean on music to express what is felt inside–what is brewing just beneath the surface or, in other times, what is radiating from us. These moments occur during grief, happiness, hope, and celebration. Additionally, all of us have experienced hearing a song and being transported back to another time in our life: a popular song from a TV show when we were young, a family road trip song, a song shared at a family member’s funeral, “Pomp and Circumstance” from high school commencement, and the list goes on and on.

On Tuesday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Decorah High School auditorium, the Decorah Middle School Seventh and Eighth Grade Choir will combine with the Decorah High School choirs to celebrate “Why We Sing.” This concert program uses music to comment on times in our lives of challenge and celebration, to encourage us to embrace these moments, and to hear the messages as we explore why we sing.

Pieces shared at the concert will include “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Where the Light Begins,” “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, and “Requiem,” a song written in response to the 2004 Asian tsunami.

The concert is free and open to all.

Decorah High School Speech Participants Perform Well at District Competition

Decorah High School’s individual speech participants—coached by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight—competed in the district contest on Saturday, February 25th, at Decorah High School. Around 47 DHS students participated in the contest. Out of Decorah’s 51 performances, 45 received I (excellent) ratings. Those performances will advance to the state competition.

The directors shared, “Our students did an incredible job representing our school with their poise, professionalism, and preparedness. We are also so grateful for all of the students, staff, families, and community members who stepped up to help us host this contest.”

The Individual Speech State Contest will be held at Starmont High School in Arlington on Saturday, March 11th.

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grades 10-12

Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: Becca Kane, Jenna Hartz, Diep Doan

Public Address: Grace Blikre, Alex McGohan

Expository Address: Max Wilson, Junior Battle

Storytelling: Margret Zook, Henry Weis, Ramsey Zilka

Prose: Danielle Rix, Bethany Hanson, Sophia Christman

Poetry: Kathryn Kelly, Ezra Vorvick, Brynn Storhoff

Review: Jensen Korsness, Elliana Brodbeck

Literature Program: Natalie Goodner, Hayley Stowe, Leslie Campbell

Solo Musical: Libby Phillips, Ella Grouws

Acting: Jake Magner, Ada Lovelace

After Dinner Speaking: Davis Coppola, Lily Sandhorst, Gabriel Hiner

Spontaneous Speaking: Michael Njus, Corina Timm, Ethan Stravers

Radio News: Rebecca Anderson, Anders Lovstuen, Simon Kutz

Individual Improv: Jack Sovern, Joe Stammeyer, Liam Chamberlain

Receiving a II (good) rating:

Expository Address: Luke Arendt

Review: Braunwyn Darrington

Solo Musical: Alex Kane

Acting: Elsa Johnson

Public Address: Klaara Short

Results for Decorah Speech Performers Grade 9

Receiving a I (excellent) rating:

Original Oratory: June Breitenbach-Dirks

After Dinner Speaking: Caleb Johnson

Prose: Ezra Harman-Wood

Literature Program: Mikayla Hiner

Solo Musical: Mikayla Hiner, June Breitenbach-Dirks

Acting: Caleb Johnson

Storytelling: Klara Kelly

Receiving a II (good) rating:

Acting: Ezra Harman-Wood

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