Author: Decorah Community School District

By: Morgan Moen, Decorah FFA Reporter

Twenty-four Decorah FFA members participated in the District FFA Convention on Saturday, March 11^th at Beckman Catholic High School. The chapter competed in eight leadership development events and three quiz contests. Two members also served as chapter delegates, and two members were balloted for Northeast District FFA office.

The four contests advancing to the state competition in Ames include the Treasurer’s Book: Anders Lovstuen – 1st place, gold rating; Ag Sales: Annika Brynsaas – 2nd place, gold rating; Job Interview: Jeramiah Rediske – 2nd place, gold rating; and Secretary’s Book: Addison Wemark – 2nd place, gold rating.

The chapter also competed in the following leadership development events: Chapter Website: Travis Nordheim – silver rating; Conduct of Meetings: Lyla Lovstuen, Rylee Averhoff, Karlie Einck, Thea Zidlicky, Jerikah Dodd, Annika Schmelzer, and Raleigh Lensing – silver rating; Public Speaking: Kayleigh Smith – silver rating; and Reporter’s Book: Morgan Moen – participation.

Ten members participated in the three quiz contests. Three participated in the Greenhand Quiz, which is an FFA knowledge exam. Kamryn Werges earned 1^st place with a gold rating, Eden Scheidel placed 5^th with a gold rating, and Karlee Bullerman received a silver rating. Three members also participated in the chapter quiz, an FFA and parliamentary procedure knowledge exam. Logan Frye placed 7^th with a gold rating, and Kiele Eberling and Rashell Lippe received silver ratings. Four members participated in the Farm Business Management Test. The team of Morgan Moen, Justin Nierling, Addison Wemark, and Dalton Zidlicky placed 4^th overall. Morgan Moen placed 9^th individually.

Brody Courtney and Addison Wemark served as the Decorah FFA’s official district delegates and attended the Northeast District Business Session.

District Officer Election Results

Three Decorah FFA members ran for Northeast District FFA office. In February, Anders Lovstuen, Creed Monroe, and Travis Nordheim completed several rounds of interviews during which they took an FFA knowledge test. After the first round of selection, Creed Monroe was put on the ballot for Northeast District Secretary, and Anders Lovstuen was put on the ballot for NW Sub-District Vice President. At District Convention, both Creed and Anders gave a two-minute speech to delegates and answered two rounds of questions.

Creed Monroe was elected to serve as the 2023-2024 Northeast District FFA Secretary. He was officially installed at the conclusion of the District FFA Convention.

The Decorah FFA will now compete at the State FFA Leadership Conference on April 16-18, 2023 at Iowa State University in Ames.

In a recent team-building activity, National Guard members Alec Zwanzinger and 2020 Decorah graduate Kalea Oftedahl visited Decorah High School to engage students in challenging exercises. 

Students formed human bridges in the school’s gymnasium and crawled under them, strengthening their physical and mental abilities. Beyond physical fitness, this activity built essential life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership. These skills are fundamental to success in many areas of life, including academics, careers, and relationships. 

They also underscore the educational component of physical education. Through daily activities such as these, physical education classes offer an excellent opportunity for students to develop critical life skills, preparing them for the challenges that await after high school. As students continue engaging in such activities, they build on their knowledge and experience, becoming better equipped to face future challenges with confidence and success.

With summer just around the corner, this is the time for Decorah area teens in grades 6-11 to consider applying for a Decorah Community School District Foundation ExCel grant to attend summer enrichment experiences.

Last year the Foundation awarded over $19,000 to area teens to attend camps, classes and

enrichment programs with a focus on art, drama, engineering, foreign language, music, outdoor learning, science, technology, or writers’ workshops. Sports camps are not eligible for this grant.

Camps must be located outside of Winneshiek County. Students should choose their camp and apply to attend, then complete an application for an ExCel grant. Students at Decorah High School, Decorah Middle School, St. Benedict’s, and homeschoolers supervised by Decorah Schools are eligible to apply.

More information about the ExCel Grant can be found at https://decorah.k12.ia.us/district/foundation/.

Applications are due by 4:00 pm on .

On Monday, March 13, the DHS speech team and coaches learned that judges at Saturday’s Individual Speech State contest selected a record eighteen Decorah performances as outstanding, receiving All-State Speech nominations.

Coaches Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, Carrie Kauffman, Rachel Breitenbach-Dirks, and Lyra McKnight shared, “We are beyond thrilled with these results. We are celebrating this school record; our previous record was thirteen back in 2021.”

They continued, “The talent, hard work, and creative spirit of our students continue to amaze us all. We are thankful for all of the support along the way from our school, families, and community.”

Every All-State nomination–performing and non-performing–are of the same importance and distinction. Students are deemed as performers or non-performers based on the confines of the festival schedule.  The festival will occur onMarch 27 at the University of Northern Iowa.

The students who received All-State nominations are as follows:

DECORAH

Performing

Ada Lovelace: Acting

Brynn Storhoff: Poetry

Corina Timm: Spontaneous Speaking

Diep Doan: Original Oratory

Ella Grouws: Solo Musical Theatre

Elliana Brodbeck: Reviewing

Henry Weis: Storytelling

Jenna Hartz: Original Oratory

Junior Battle: Expository Address

Libby Phillips: Solo Musical Theatre

Margret Zook: Storytelling

Simon Kutz: Radio News Announcing

Non-Performing

Davis Coppola: After Dinner Speaking

Ezra Vorvick: Poetry

Jake Magner: Acting

Jensen Korsness: Reviewing

Kathryn Kelly: Poetry

DECORAH 9th

Performing

Mikayla Hiner: Solo Musical Theatre

The Decorah Middle School 7th and 8th grade students will be presenting “A Night of Plays” on Thursday, March 16, at 7:30 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.

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

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.

The junior/senior robotics team from Decorah High School, the Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men and Women, competed at the state robotics competition in Coralville on Saturday. The championship competition featured the top 48 robotics clubs in …

On March 5^th, 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–1^st in shot put and 2^nd in the 100 meter dash, Francesca Wilkerson–2^nd in shot put and 2^nd in the 50 meter dash, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle–1^st in shot put and 1^st in the long jump, Donnie Hrdlicka–3^rd in the softball throw and 2^nd in the 50 meter dash, John Lippe–1^st in shot put and 1^st in the 50 meter dash, Braden Ramstad­–2^nd in shot put and 2^nd in the 100 meter dash, and Kamryn Leuenberger–1^st in the tennis ball throw and 1^st 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–1^st in shot put and 1^st in the 100 meter dash, Zoey Lollar–3^rd in long jump and 3^rd in the 50 meter dash, and Luke Thompson–1^st in long jump.

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

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.”