Author: Decorah Community School District

Second Semester

“A” Honor Roll (3.75 GPA or above)

Freshmen:
Ariana Albert, Tristan Baker, Reid Berns, Riley Berns, Carson Bohner, Oliver Bollinger, June Breitenbach-
Dirks, Olivia Brynsaas, Jace Buddenberg, Tanner Caddell, Elsa Christman, Jerikah Dodd, William Duder,
Ethan Falck, Ian Giddings, Max Grimstad, Mikayla Hiner, Clara Hjelle, Caleb Johnson, Jenna Johnson, Klara
Kelly, Trevor Kuennen, Jameson LaBelle, Nora Lesmeister, Madysen Lippe, Lyla Lovstuen, Lauren Luzum,
Addison Maki, Caden Malanaphy, McKinley Massman, Noah Milburn, Danika Mueller, Keaton Nalean-
Carlson, Kyle Pattison, Naomi Pedlar, Christopher Phillips, Stella Pole, Landon Quandahl, William Robinson,
Amelia Roe, Isabella Sailor, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Garrett See, Thomas Sexton, Anastasia Simon,
Archer Sims, Mitchell Stemper, Peyton Webb, Kaylie Wemark.

Sophomores:
Hannah Arendt, Ava Bahr, Karmyn Bakken, Bridget Bentley, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, Charlie Brandel,
Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, William Chamberlain, Davis Coppola, Carter Dlhy, Phuong Doan, Jaidyn
Duvel, Bryce Elsbernd, Andie Gegax, Natalie Goodner, Gavin Groux, William Hahn, Kealy Hines, Camryn
Holland, Landyn Hook, Abbeke Jensen, Shelby Jochola, Sara Johanningmeier, Elsa Johnson, Annika Keefe,
Ansel Kowitz, Andrew Kruger, Reid Kuehner, Jakob Maret, Emily Myers, Mason Myers, Beau Newhouse,
Savannah O’Reilly, Andrew Olson, Lillian Olson, Amelia Pankow, McKenzie Riley, Kellen Roffman, Ellie Rolfs,
Lily Sandhorst, Chloe Sheffield, Klaara Short, Domenik Smith, Ava Steine, Kamryn Steines, Ella Stille, Leah
Suhr, Ivy Sullivan, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Ezra Vorvick, Kera Walter, Addison Wicklund,
Nathan Wymer, Grant Zilka, Margret Zook.

Juniors:
Brooke Anfinson, Lucas Arendt, Brady Benzing, Brady Bohner, Trinity Boyle, Caden Branum, Cadence
Brauer, Annika Brynsaas, Grace Brynsaas, Olivia Christopher, Gabrielle Dixon, Peter Essa, Jorja Folkedahl,
Lydia Frank, Bethany Hanson, Brody Hanson, Eily Hegdahl, Gabriel Hiner, Elayna Hook, Luke Jensen, Sydney
Kipp, Simon Kutz, Evon Leitz, Danielle Losen, Anders Lovstuen, Alexander McGohan, Aidan Nalean-Carlson,
Brenna Parker, Liberty Phillips, Danielle Rix, Naomi Simon, Joseph Stammeyer, Brynn Storhoff, Nathan
Swarbrick, Corina Timm, Abbie Valkosky, Alexis Walker, Ciara Wedmann, Henry Weis, Yazmeen Whitsitt,
Kaiden Youngblood.

Seniors:
Julia Alberts, Rebecca Anderson, Justin Berlage, Isabella Bishop, Hailey Bohr, Grady Brauer, Leslie Campbell,
Sophia Christman, Diep Doan, Amelia Dugger, Bryar Duwe, Nev Harper, Jenna Hartz, Madison Heim, Erik
Hjelle, Ethan Holthaus, Grace Hoyland, Lily Iverson, Adam Jones, Allison Kalvelage, Alexandra Kane, Jackson
Knoke, Ada Lovelace, Jacob Magner, Morgan Moen, Sami Mount, Nathaniel Myers, Kortni O’Connell, Julia
Phillips, Mya Redenius, Chloe Reiser, Ty Remick, Ellen Rooney, Chezny Ryant, Sylvia Sandhorst, Autumn
Schaller, Thea Schissel, Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Mairi Sessions, Daniel Skrade, Hope Stahl,
Ethan Stravers, Brock Taylor, Jaden Weis, Emma Wold, Ramsey Zilka.

“B” Honor Roll (3.00 to 3.74 GPA)

Freshmen:
Isabelle Alley, Ryan Bigler, Kaitlyn Bjork, Alynne Brandel, Henry Brynsaas, Ava Carolan, Kale Christopher,
Livia Dix, Nicholas Farley, Marri Feuerhelm, Luke Franzen, Brooklyn Fromm, Ezra Harman-Wood, Ava
Holthaus, Shawn Holzer, Deborah Hougen, Olivia Huinker, Kirver Jochola, Sierra Jump-Gerleman, Kelby
Kerndt, Yoseph Ko, Lucy Kollasch, Chester Kvamme, Cael LaFrentz, Abigail Larson, Will Larson, Raleigh
Lensing, Eutiquio Lozano, Jessalyn Lozano, Alexander Maki, Mack McElree, Chloe Medina, Cain Monreal-
Rice, Jackson Naber, Ryan Northup, Kade O’Hara, Kyra O’Hara, Riann Oberbroeckling, Olivia Paulsen, Jared
Pavlovec, Anthony Putnam, Kendal Quam, Olivia Quam, Dak Sabin, Ashton Saltou, Shaelynn Shonerd,
Willow Shroyer, Natalie Stevens, Haylee Stravers, Lily Swenson, Jake Teslow, Dylin Thompson, Sydney
Thompson, Jasera Tweten, Hector Vargas Escobar, Renae Wilson, Isaiah Yos Eddy, Thea Zidlicky, Moi
Zierath, Drew Zwart.

Sophomores:
Joshua Adam, Bryan Ajzac, Addyson Albertson, Edyn Bateman, Braedyn Batterson, Louis Bucksa, Kaden
Burckart, Elizabeth Burke, Paris Christopher, Samuel Cline, Gatlin Dahlberg, Evynne Downing, Kiele Eberling,
Erin Egan, Sophia Fahey, Brody Hageman, Shelby Hageman, Thomas Hammel, Brynnah Hanson, Mikael
Havens, Austin Helgerson, Asmere Jensen, Dillan Johnson, Greta Jones, Rebecca Kane, Caleb Krieg, D’mitry
Lesser, Addison Lukes-Smith, Ella Mann, Audrianna Marsh, Alexander McGrath, Joey Mount, Steven Munoz,
Abby Northup, Keaton Orris, Jackson Pipho, Grant Remington, Jordan Sims, Kathy Sitan Muj, Gavy Smith,
Jack Sovern, Gracie Thorson, Amelia Wadsworth, Kamryn Werges, Kinsey White, Garrett Willie, Rayden
Wood.

Juniors:

Elizabeth Andrusishin, Annaleissa Arnold, Cade Averhoff, Tori Battle, Douglas Bentley, Benjamin Bockman,
Matthew Bockman, Cody Carolan, Brock Christensen, Mason Cote, Camren Darling, Braunwyn Darrington,
Nyeli DeLaGarza, Kathleen Delphey, Connor Evelsizer, Addysen Finholt, Cora Fisher, Madelyn Fromm, Kelley
Gates, Sydney Gerard, Anika Grinna, Lucas Hanson, Brayden Hartl, Aya Hawthorn, Parker Heiselman,
Clairissa Huffman, Dakota Johnson, Montana Jump-Gerleman, Kathryn Kelly, Isaac Knaack, Jensen Korsness,
Landon Kuennen, Quinton LaBelle, Hunter Lemke, Julissa Lozano, Treyton McCain, Caleb Meyer, Faith
Meyer, Lydia Monreal-Rice, Creed Monroe, Anopa Mtisi, Callum Nimrod, Travis Nordheim, Elizabeth
Pritchard, Kaiden Quandahl, Jeramiah Rediske, Andrew Rhodes, Daniel See, Kayleigh Smith, Jefferson
Staton, Grace Stortz, Hayley Stowe, Robin Suhr, Thomas Swinburn, Will Teslow, Fisher Tweten, Jimmy
Valdez, Garrett Waskow, Paige Wrightsman.

Seniors:
Jaden Baker, Landon Baker, Quinnten Baumann, Cedrik Beiwel, Lange Betts, Ashley Bjork, Ethan Bockman,
Hailey Bower, Abbigail Brauer, Casey Brickley, Mason Brown, Rebecca Bruening, Chloe Dixon, Bailey
Donaldson, Cale Donlon, Kaeley Downing, Morgan Eggert, William Einck, Thomas Esslemont, Haley
Gossman, Ella Grouws, Sydney Hageman, Dahlyn Headington, Alexandra Irwin, Amy Jensen, Blake Jermier,
Tate Johnson, Brinley Krivachek, Sally Laybourn, Franklin Lesmeister, Sophia Lewey, Maggie Lovstuen,
William Marx, Britann Mettille, Rachel Mikkelson, Grace Neal, Benson Newhouse, Justin Nierling, Michael
Njus, Kylie O’Hara, Hope Putnam-Heins, Caelyn Quandahl, Miaja Quandahl, Lincoln Robinson, Megan Roe,
Lane Rolfs, Nicholas Rollins, Julia Schwarz, Otto Sim, Annalise Skrade, Brady Stille, Gareth Sweet, Madison
Tollefson, Kiah Tweten, Elias Vorvick, Addison Wemark, Paige Werner, Rorie Wiedow, Max Wilson, Abigail
Woosley, Benjamin Wymer, Dalton Zidlicky

First Semester

“A” Honor Roll (3.75 GPA or above)

Freshmen:

Ariana Albert, Tristan Baker, Reid Berns, Riley Berns, Carson Bohner, Oliver Bollinger, June Breitenbach-
Dirks, Henry Brynsaas, Olivia Brynsaas, Jace Buddenberg, Tanner Caddell, Elsa Christman, Jerikah Dodd,
William Duder, Ethan Falck, Brooklyn Fromm, Ian Giddings, Max Grimstad, Mikayla Hiner, Clara Hjelle, Caleb
Johnson, Klara Kelly, Trevor Kuennen, Jameson LaBelle, Raleigh Lensing, Nora Lesmeister, Madysen Lippe,
Lyla Lovstuen, Lauren Luzum, Addison Maki, Caden Malanaphy, McKinley Massman, Noah Milburn, Danika
Mueller, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Kyle Pattison, Naomi Pedlar, Christopher Phillips, Landon Quandahl,
William Robinson, Amelia Roe, Isabella Sailor, Ashton Saltou, Annika Schmelzer, Garrett See, Thomas
Sexton, Anastasia Simon, Archer Sims, Mitchell Stemper, Lily Swenson, Jasera Tweten, Peyton Webb, Kaylie
Wemark.

Sophomores:
Hannah Arendt, Karmyn Bakken, Bridget Bentley, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, Charlie Brandel, Elliana
Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Davis Coppola, Carter Dlhy, Phuong Doan, Jaidyn Duvel, Bryce Elsbernd, Natalie
Goodner, Gavin Groux, Landyn Hook, Sara Johanningmeier, Elsa Johnson, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz,
Andrew Kruger, Reid Kuehner, D’mitry Lesser, Jakob Maret, Emily Myers, Mason Myers, Beau Newhouse,
Savannah O’Reilly, Andrew Olson, Amelia Pankow, McKenzie Riley, Kellen Roffman, Ellie Rolfs, Lily
Sandhorst, Jordan Sims, Ava Steine, Kamryn Steines, Ella Stille, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Kera
Walter, Addison Wicklund, Grant Zilka, Margret Zook.

Juniors:
Brooke Anfinson, Lucas Arendt, Annaleissa Arnold, Brady Bohner, Seth Bolson, Caden Branum, Annika
Brynsaas, Grace Brynsaas, Olivia Christopher, Peter Essa, Jorja Folkedahl, Lydia Frank, Bethany Hanson,
Brody Hanson, Aya Hawthorn, Eily Hegdahl, Gabriel Hiner, Elayna Hook, Luke Jensen, Dakota Johnson,
Kathryn Kelly, Sydney Kipp, Simon Kutz, Evon Leitz, Danielle Losen, Anders Lovstuen, Alexander McGohan,
Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Travis Nordheim, Brenna Parker, Liberty Phillips, Elizabeth Pritchard, Kaiden
Quandahl, Andrew Rhodes, Danielle Rix, Naomi Simon, Joseph Stammeyer, Brynn Storhoff, Nathan
Swarbrick, Will Teslow, Corina Timm, Abbie Valkosky, Alexis Walker, Ciara Wedmann, Henry Weis, Yazmeen
Whitsitt, Kaiden Youngblood.

Seniors:
Julia Alberts, Rebecca Anderson, Justin Berlage, Isabella Bishop, Hailey Bohr, Grady Brauer, Casey Brickley,
Leslie Campbell, Sophia Christman, Diep Doan, Amelia Dugger, Bryar Duwe, Ella Grouws, Sydney Hageman,
Jenna Hartz, Erik Hjelle, Grace Hoyland, Lily Iverson, Amy Jensen, Jackson Knoke, Brinley Krivachek, Sally
Laybourn, Ada Lovelace, Jacob Magner, Morgan Moen, Sami Mount, Nathaniel Myers, Grace Neal, Kortni
O’Connell, Julia Phillips, Mya Redenius, Ellen Rooney, Sylvia Sandhorst, Autumn Schaller, Thea Schissel,
Carter Schmelzer, Hannah Schnitzler, Mairi Sessions, Annalise Skrade, Daniel Skrade, Hope Stahl, Ethan
Stravers, Gareth Sweet, Brock Taylor, Elias Vorvick, Jaden Weis, Addison Wemark, Emma Wold, Ramsey
Zilka.

“B” Honor Roll (3.00 to 3.74 GPA)

Freshmen:
Isabelle Alley, Rylee Averhoff, Mason Avila, Cassandra Bean, Ryan Bigler, Kaitlyn Bjork, Alynne Brandel,
Karlee Bullerman, Ava Carolan, Kale Christopher, Nicholas Farley, Marri Feuerhelm, Luke Franzen, Patrick
Gallagher, Ezra Harman-Wood, Ava Holthaus, Deborah Hougen, Olivia Huinker, Kirver Jochola, Jenna
Johnson, Sierra Jump-Gerleman, Kelby Kerndt, Yoseph Ko, Lucy Kollasch, Chester Kvamme, Cael LaFrentz,
Kaylee Larson, Will Larson, Abigail Larson, Eutiquio Lozano, Alexander Maki, Mack McElree, Chloe Medina,
Morgan Miculinich, Cain Monreal-Rice, Jackson Naber, Ryan Northup, Kade O’Hara, Kyra O’Hara, Riann
Oberbroeckling, Olivia Paulsen, Stella Pole, Anthony Putnam, Kendal Quam, Olivia Quam, Dak Sabin, Elias
Sassaman, Eden Scheidel, Shaelynn Shonerd, Willow Shroyer, Natalie Stevens, Haylee Stravers, Alina Tallier,
Jake Teslow, Sydney Thompson, Dylin Thompson, Paisley Timp, Noah Vilardo, Mason Vote, Renae Wilson,
Thea Zidlicky, Drew Zwart.

Sophomores:
Joshua Adam, Bryan Ajzac, Addyson Albertson, Ava Bahr, Edyn Bateman, Braedyn Batterson, Louis Bucksa,
Elizabeth Burke, Ella Carlson, William Chamberlain, Paris Christopher, Bradan Darling, Evynne Downing, Erin
Egan, Sophia Fahey, Brody Hageman, Shelby Hageman, William Hahn, Thomas Hammel, Brynnah Hanson,
Austin Helgerson, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Asmere Jensen, Abbeke Jensen, Shelby Jochola, Greta
Jones, Rebecca Kane, Caleb Krieg, Addison Lukes-Smith, Carly Mann, Audrianna Marsh, Maran Martin, Joey
Mount, Steven Munoz, Abby Northup, Lillian Olson, Kyla Phillips, Jackson Pipho, Elora Schnitzler, Chloe
Sheffield, Klaara Short, Kathy Sitan Muj, Domenik Smith, Jack Sovern, Leah Suhr, Ivy Sullivan, Gracie
Thorson, Derek Tieskoetter, Ezra Vorvick, Amelia Wadsworth, Kamryn Werges, Kinsey White, Garrett Willie,
Nathan Wymer.

Juniors:
Elizabeth Andrusishin, Cade Averhoff, Tori Battle, Brady Benzing, Benjamin Bockman, Trinity Boyle, Cadence
Brauer, Cody Carolan, Brock Christensen, Mason Cote, Kathleen Delphey, Gabrielle Dixon, Connor Evelsizer,
Addysen Finholt, Cora Fisher, Madelyn Fromm, Kelley Gates, Anika Grinna, Lucas Hanson, Brayden Hartl,
Parker Heiselman, Avah Hove, Clairissa Huffman, Montana Jump-Gerleman, Isaac Knaack, Jensen Korsness,
Landon Kuennen, Quinton LaBelle, Hunter Lemke, Braylon Lepa, Julissa Lozano, Treyton McCain, Caleb
Meyer, Faith Meyer, Lydia Monreal-Rice, Creed Monroe, Anopa Mtisi, Callum Nimrod, Jeramiah Rediske,
Timothy Round, Daniel See, Kayleigh Smith, Grace Stortz, Hayley Stowe, Robin Suhr, Thomas Swinburn,
Fisher Tweten, Garrett Waskow, Paige Wrightsman.

Seniors:
Jaden Baker, Landon Baker, Kyleigh Batterson, Quinnten Baumann, Lange Betts, Ashley Bjork, Ethan
Bockman, Hailey Bower, Rebecca Bruening, Aiden Burroughs, Chloe Dixon, Bailey Donaldson, Cale Donlon,
Kaeley Downing, William Einck, Thomas Esslemont, Haley Gossman, Nev Harper, Dahlyn Headington,
Madison Heim, Ethan Holthaus, Alexandra Irwin, Skyla Jevne, Adam Jones, Alexandra Kane, Franklin
Lesmeister, Sophia Lewey, Maggie Lovstuen, William Marx, Carson Merritt, Britann Mettille, Rachel
Mikkelson, Benson Newhouse, Justin Nierling, Michael Njus, Kailyn O’Gara, Kylie O’Hara, Hope Putnam-
Heins, Caelyn Quandahl, Miaja Quandahl, Chloe Reiser, Ty Remick, Lincoln Robinson, Megan Roe, Lane
Rolfs, Nicholas Rollins, Casey Roney, Chezny Ryant, Otto Sim, Brady Stille, Madison Tollefson, Kiah Tweten,
Paige Werner, Rorie Wiedow, Max Wilson, Abigail Woosley, Benjamin Wymer, Dalton Zidlicky.

On April 7th, twelve 4^th grade students from Carrie Lee Elementary Extended Learning Program, led by Mrs. Kari O’Hara, competed in the Noetic Learning Math Contest.

Henry Moellers was the team winner and also won a National Honor Roll title.

The following students received National Honorable Mention, awarded to approximately the top 50% of participating Mathletes:  Gray Bassford, Carson Bateman, Eva Butler, McKenna Carson, Easton Farley, Roxie Nichols, Alice Peterson, Charlie Peterson, Taylor Vick, Viola Vrtis, and Sawyer Zoulek.  All other students received a participation certificate for their great effort.

Noetic Learning Math Contest is a national mathematics contest for elementary and middle school students. The goal of the competition is to encourage students’ interest in math, to develop their problem-solving skills, and to inspire them to excel in math. This spring, a total of 35,384 students participated in the contest, with 3,750 students earning the prestigious National Honor Roll title, and 14,330 students earning the Honorable Mention title.

O’Hara remarked, “Congratulations to all the winners! The contest results demonstrate the students’ excellent problem-solving skills and math talents. They also show that the students can rise to the occasion and can meet the challenge.” More detailed information about the Noetic Learning Math Contest can be found at http://www.noetic-learning.com/mathcontest

On May 17^th, Decorah Middle School 7^th graders left school and walked to the Upper Iowa River to gather and carry water. The was the culminating event of a fundraiser with a goal of raising $5000 so a well could be built in Africa.

With the help of the Decorah community (businesses and individuals), students raised over $6,790.  Water to Thrive will use the first $5,000 to build a well in either Ethiopia, Uganda, or Tanzania, and the remaining money will roll over into next year’s fundraiser.

7^th grade Global Studies teacher Carrie Reed remarked, “I would like to communicate a huge thank you to the community members that supported us in this learning.”

Decorah High School seniors Jackson Knoke and Hope Stahl have been given Academic All State recognition by the Iowa High School Golf Coaches Association. 

To qualify, a golfer must be a senior who participates in at least half of the varsity meets and who maintains a 3.75 GPA or higher. Rich Gaard is the DHS boys’ golf coach, and Scott Pierce is the girls’ golf coach.

There are 11 lots of miscellaneous items.

Silent bids are due to 510 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA 52101, by noon on Monday, .

Items must be picked up by noon on June 29th, 2023. If interested in viewing in person, please call (563) 382-4165 or (563) 382-4208 to set up a time.

Lot #1

Stand-alone parts washer. Manufacturer – Kleerflo.  Model – Cleanmaster.

Microwave oven.  Manufacturer – Amanna. Model Radar Range.

Bench grinder.  Manufacturer – Baldor.

Lot #2

Tires. Qty 4. Brand – BF Goodrich.  Size 245/75R17

Tires. Qty 4. Brand – Goodyear.  Size 10R22.5

Thermal glass bus widows – various sizes.  Qty 3.

Lot #3

Floor jacks. Qty 2. Brand unknown

Transmission jack. Qty 1. Brand unknown

Oil barrel pump. Qty 2. Brand Bennett.

Lot #4

Steel Table on casters. Qty 1. Size approx 24” X 48”

Misc oil, fuel, and coolant filters of various manufacturers and sizes.

Lot #5

Steel upright lockers Qty 7. Contains misc bus parts inside lockers

Lot#6

Wooden banquet table Qty 1.

Brooms

Headlights and misc wiring

Lot#7

Wooden desk/table Qty 1. The desk contains switches from the early 80s in drawers – qty and description not available

Lot #8

Sturdy wooden architect table – some pipes, along with misc bus parts and air compressor hoses 3/8” in diameter, are included with the table

Lot#9

Misc bus seat covers and bus mirrors Qty undetermined. Manufacturer: Undetermined

Lot#10

Misc shock absorbers, brake calipers, brake pads, steering parts, leaf springs, and other suspension parts – Qty and Manufacturer

undetermined

Lot #11

Misc bus parts – an abundance of random mid-80s bus parts

Decorah High School Commencement is this Sunday, May 21st at 2:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium.

Spectators will be able to watch commencement live by accessing the following link:

Decorah High School Commencement

On Thursday, May 18th, the Decorah High School band department will be performing their annual “Outdoor Patriotic Concert.”  This concert will begin at 12:00 pm and will be located at the intersection of Washington and Water Street. 

The Decorah High School Concert Band will feature patriotic music, including a salute to armed forces, marches, gospel/spiritual, the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and more. 

This free concert is open to the public. The community is invited to stop by to enjoy some great patriotic music and is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.  In case of rain, this performance will be moved to the auditorium at the high school. Notifications will only be sent out if the concert is to be held in the auditorium due to weather. 

On Thursday, May 18th, the Decorah High School band department will be performing their annual “Outdoor Patriotic Concert.”  This concert will begin at 12:00 pm and will be located at the intersection of Washington and Water Street. 

The Decorah High School Concert Band will feature patriotic music, including a salute to armed forces, marches, gospel/spiritual, the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and more. 

This free concert is open to the public. The community is invited to stop by to enjoy some great patriotic music and is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs.  In case of rain, this performance will be moved to the auditorium at the high school. Notifications will only be sent out if the concert is to be held in the auditorium due to weather. 

Mr. Bliven remarked, “We are extremely excited to perform this patriotic concert this year.  Please stop by and see us while enjoying our beautiful downtown and all of the stores.”

Decorah educator Tyler Wedemeier has been recognized by the Iowa Academy of Science with an Excellence in Science Teaching Award. The award is based on Wedemeier’s strong educational background combined with his commitment to science education and to professional development. In addition, he was recognized for the creation of a stimulating environment for learning science and a mastery of educational strategies and appropriate assessments.

Wedemeier partnered with Winneshiek County Conservation in the development and delivery of an award-winning unit of instruction. The Iowa Association of Naturalists and the Iowa Conservation Education Coalition granted the 2021 Chris Holt Youth Environmental Education Award to his Dry Run Watershed History and Flood Mitigation unit.

Wedemeier was also a partner in implementing a Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant obtained by Winneshiek County Conservation. Titled “Bundled, Place Based, and Assessable: A New Model for Environmental Education in Iowa,” the grant reached 63 teachers and naturalists throughout the state of Iowa with workshops, collaborative learning, and materials.

Before becoming an instructional coach for the Decorah Community Schools, Tyler was recognized as an effective and well-loved classroom science teacher. “It was his precise attention to science standards, meaningful assessments, and data driven instruction that served as a model and inspiration for other teachers,” remarked Birgitta Meade, Environmental Studies instructor at Luther College. She continued, “In addition to his technical expertise, Tyler has delightful gifts of warmth, caring, and pragmatism that inspire others. He leads by example in order to bring out the best in everyone.” 

Barbara Bohach, Associate Professor of Education, shared, “I have been so impressed with Tyler’s teaching prowess and dedication to furthering the quality of science education for elementary teachers and their students. He was in the first group of Luther elementary majors to teach in a community partnership between The Norman Borlaug Foundation and local 5th graders when he was a student at Luther College. As an adjunct instructor this spring, he now leads our current prospective elementary teachers. It is amazing to see Tyler now coming ‘full circle’ from his time with us as a preservice teacher to his role now as a teacher-leader and model of expert teaching. He is so deserving of this recognition.”

Members of DHS’s Community Club take pride in finding ways to give back to the community, and senior leader Rorie Wiedow took the lead in organizing a fundraiser to do just that.  Members sold frosted cookies provided by Kailynda Davis, a Decorah graduate and owner of Kai’s Kreations in Cedar Rapids.

As students purchased cookies to share with their classmates, they also voted for one of four local entities to receive the profits of the fundraiser.  The organization which received the most votes was Helping Services of Northeast Iowa, which also provides support for the work Community Club does in the area of tobacco education and prevention.

Ultimately, bakery owner Kailynda Davis (who happens to be Rorie’s aunt) donated the cookies to the project, resulting in 100% of the profits–$195–going to Helping Services.