Author: Decorah Community School District

Twenty-eight students from Decorah were recently selected for participation in the 37^th annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. Over 2,400 students were nominated by their directors for 720 positions in the four Opus Honor Choirs. Selections were made by means of a recorded audition.

This was the seventeenth year that Decorah had students audition for the Opus Honor Choirs. Throughout this time more than 393 students from Decorah have been accepted through recordings submitted by Dean Beckman, Jason Rausch, and community youth choir directors. This year, twenty-two students were selected from Decorah Middle School by recordings submitted by Dean Beckman, the second highest number of students accepted into the honor choirs by one teacher in the state of Iowa in 2023. Six ninth grade students were selected by recordings submitted by Jason Rausch at the Decorah High School. The following students were accepted.

6^th Grade:  Niva Anderson, Jorgan Lee-Juve, Kaya Olson, Lillianna Richmond, Abby Shaw, Haylyn Stowe, Hayven Stowe, and Iris Wadsworth

7^th Grade:  Nathaniel Crose, Tristan Hanson, Hanna Lensch, Simon Potvin, Veda Shimek, and Graham Torkelson

8^th Grade:  Kennedy Carlson, Kylie Cord, Ella Evelsizer, Cooper Ewing, Derek Hrdlicka, Kaya Johnson, Logan Nalean-Carlson, and Davis Walter

9^th Grade: Spencer Christensen, Lawrence Christman, Emma Cline, Olivia Rissman,

Colin Thompson, and Jillian Volz

In addition, one student was selected as a solo finalist to audition for the concert: Derek Hrdlicka in grade 8. Derek was selected to sing in a soli section of four students in the final concert.

Guest conductors of the choirs included Tami Meiners, Carroll Community School District, 5th & 6th Grade Honor Choir; Thad Wilkins, Mt. Vernon Community Schools, 7th & 8th Grade Bass Clef Honor Choir; Abby Sheppard, Sioux City Community Schools, 7th & 8th Grade Treble Clef Honor Choir; and Matt Walker, Iowa City Community School District, 9th Grade Mixed Honor Choir. The 2023 Opus Honor Choirs performed on November 16th in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in the Iowa State Center in Ames. The Opus Honor Choir Festival was made possible by the Iowa Choral Directors Association, Inc.

Photo ID: Opus 5-8 graders

Row 1 (l-r): Simon Potvin and Logan Nalean-Carlson

Row 2 (l-r):  Ella Evelsizer, Kennedy Carlson, Kaya Johnson, Davis Walter, Cooper Ewing, Derek Hrdlicka, Hanna Lensch, Veda Shimek, and Kylie Cord

Row 3 (l-r):   Nathaniel Crose, Abby Shaw, Iris Wadsworth, Haylyn Stowe, Hayven Stowe, 

Niva Anderson, Jorgan Lee-Juve, Kaya Olson, Graham Torkelson, and Tristan Hanson

Not Pictured: Lillianna Richmond

Photo ID: Decorah 9th Grade Picture

Row 1 (l-r):  Emma Cline and Jillian Volz

Row 2: (l-r)  Olivia Rissman and Lawrence Christman

Row 3: (l-r)  Colin Thompson and Spencer Christensen

In May of 2023 the Iowa Legislature passed Senate File 496 which, in part, requires all public school libraries in Iowa to remove any books with a drawing or written description of a sex act. With no list of books provided by the state nor specific guidance from the Department of Education, each district in Iowa was tasked with developing their own process to interpret and implement the law.  

Decorah Community School District decided the best approach was to form a committee for this work. The following people serve on the committee: Tim Cronin, superintendent; Brad Hurst, Decorah High School principal; Shannon Horton, teacher librarian; Liz Fox, instructional coach; Rebecca Newhouse, Luther College instructor; and Cindy Goodner, school board president.

The committee began their work by reading and discussing the written law, as well as consulting with the district’s attorney. An initial list of titles to review was compiled using the Des Moines Register’s database of library books removed from Iowa school districts that had already made and reported their decisions. 

So far, 29 titles have been removed from the Decorah High School Library that are considered non-compliant according to section 702.17 of SF 496, definitions of a sex act. In addition, the committee has begun to consider books from various curricula that may not be in the library collection but still need to be reviewed. 

A comprehensive record of all titles removed or being reviewed by the committee is linked here:  DCSD Books Removed (as of 12/04/2023)

Shannon Horton, teacher librarian stated, “The committee has made a sincere effort to comply with the law and will continue to meet as books come to our attention. These were difficult decisions to make as all books in our collection have been previously vetted using professional reviews and consideration.”

Superintendent Tim Cronin added, “I appreciate the staff for their dedication to this task. This is not easy or enjoyable; however, it is important.”

Shannon Horton, teacher librarian, at DHS library

The Decorah High School Music Department will present a winter choral concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 18 in the DHS Auditorium. The concert will feature Ninth Grade Bass Clef Choir, Ninth Grade Treble Clef Choir, Viking Chorus, and Concert Choir. Audience members will hear music by Ernani Aguiar, Kyle Pederson, Marianne Forman, Craig Hella Johnson, Carolyn Jennings, Laura Farnell, and Andrea Ramsey. “Gaston” from Beauty and the Beast, a sea chanty; Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run”; and arrangements of familiar seasonal pieces will be featured. The concert will conclude with Concert Choir and alumni singing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” – a DHS tradition.

The DHS Madrigal Singers will perform carols in the auditorium beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Conductors for the concert are Jason Rausch and Dean Beckman, and collaborative pianist is Chris Hadley. Guest percussionists are Liam Chamberlain, Alex McGohan, and Julia Severtson. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Viking Chorus

Ninth Grade Choir

Concert Choir

DHS Alumni join Concert Choir in song

On Decorah 3, 2023, sixteen Decorah Band students participated in the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters’ Association Honor Band. This honor band features some of the top musicians in Northeast Iowa, which includes two middle school and two high school level concert bands. Students were selected from nominations from their director and then auditioned for their chair in the band.

These groups rehearsed all day and then performed at an evening concert at Oelwein High School. This year’s honor band guest directors were Drew Balta from Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Ryan Meyer from Denison, Iowa; Dr. Richard Mark Heidel from the University of Iowa; and Dr. Melissa Gustafson-Hinds from O’Fallon, Illinois.

Mr. Bliven stated, “I was extremely pleased with the number of students selected from our program. These are some of the hardest working and talented students we have in our 8th grade and high school bands. Many of our students sat at the higher end of their respective sections, and every group performed exceptionally well that evening. I’m super proud of all these students for giving up a Saturday to gain this kind of experience. They sat around students from all different schools within Northeast Iowa and performed for some great guest conductors.”

High School Picture (l-r):

Noah Potvin, Lily Sandhorst, Natalie Goodner, Brenna Parker, Ansel Kowitz, Lucas Hanson, and Mr. Bliven, director. Unable to attend: Grant Zilka.

Middle School Picture (l-r):

Nils Peterson, Rachel Weis, Kira Dowden, Sophia McGee, Max Goodner, Isaac Bently, Davis Walter, Addisyn Ivy, Katherine Pattison, Raelyn Newhouse, and Mr. Bliven, director.

On , while attending the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters’ Association Honor Band, Decorah Middle School 8^th grader Nils Peterson was selected into the All-Iowa 8th Grade Honor Band. In order to audition for this honor band, students must be in 8th grade, be selected into the NEIBA Middle School Honor Band, and prepare a selected etude. In addition, Sophia McGee and Addisyn Ivy were invited for a recall audition to be considered for this honor band. Peterson will perform with the honor band at the Iowa Bandmasters’ Association Conference in Des Moines in May.

Mr. Bliven stated, “This is an extremely difficult honor band to get into, and we had several Decorah students give great auditions. This band is equivalent to the high school All-State band, and I was overjoyed to hear that Nils was selected. He is so talented and he will represent himself and the Decorah Band program so well. I’m excited for him to have this opportunity.”

Nils Peterson

NOTICE: The opportunity for public viewing and to provide written comment of the revised Decorah Community School District Special Education Service Delivery Plan is available at the DCSD Central Administration Office (1732 Old Stage Road) between , and .

Three Decorah Middle School teams competed at the state mock trial competition in Des Moines on November 27 and 28.  All finished in the top 15 at the state competition.

Two teams placed in the top ten, earning state trophies. The team of Poppy Bellrichard, Isaac Bentley, Maxwell Goodner, Oscar Grimstad, Kaya Johnson, Sophia McGee, Raelyn Newhouse, Oak Pasche, Nils Peterson, and Davis Walter won the eighth-place trophy. The team of Austin Bohner, Isaiah Bonnet, Rosella Burkholder, Charly Courtney, Nathaniel Crose, Robert Davis, June Fassbinder, Lula McAbee, Kelbi Schuman, and Veda Shimek placed ninth. The team of Matthew Burkholder, Pranav Caton, Brody Darling, Leah Garcia-Prats, Eva Hurley, Addisyn Ivy, Breyden McCain, Shree Patel, Kate Pattison, and Bristol Parker finished 14th. 

Several DMS students earned individual awards. Davis Walter was recognized as an outstanding attorney of the competition. Matthew Burkholder and Kaya Johnson earned outstanding witness awards.

DMS students ready to compete at state competition.

DMS Mock Trial students show off their awards after the state competition.

High school coaches (l-r): Grace Blikre, Lily Sandhorst, and Myla Leitz.

Every year 7th graders at Decorah Middle School immerse themselves in a cross-curricular project aimed to sharpen their skills while also experiencing the benefits of philanthropy.  Students in Mrs. Carrie Reed’s Global Studies class examine how water can create inequalities in societies by impacting health, education, hunger, and poverty. These same students read and analyze the novel “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park in Mrs. Pamela Dambek’s language class. The project culminates in students walking from the middle school to the Upper Iowa River to collect water to carry through town on their way back to school. 

Two years ago the 7th graders raised over $5000 from donations from family and community members and other fundraisers: enough to build one well through the nonprofit organization Water to Thrive.

Recently the class of 2027–who are now 9th graders at Decorah High School–received information about how their donation became a reality: a well that benefits over 600 people in Uganda. 

Jennifer Kondelis, Programs Assistant, and Susanne Wilson, Executive Director of Water to Thrive communicated this to the teachers and students: “In addition to providing clean, safe water to hundreds of people, your well has significantly reduced the amount of time women and children spend collecting water. Women have gained the time they need to take better care of their families and engage in income-generating activities. Children now have more time to go to school and be absent less often as water-related diseases become a thing of the past.”

They added, “Included in the cost of these projects is hygiene and sanitation training for the community. Training is also provided to a local water committee (half women) that is responsible for keeping the water project in good working order, as well as establishing a maintenance fund for on-going sustainability.”

“We are grateful to have you as a partner as we commit to bring clean water to those who so desperately need it,” they concluded.

According to their website www.watertothrive.org, “Water to Thrive transforms lives in rural Africa by bringing the sustainable blessing of clean, safe water to communities in need by connecting them to social investors, congregations, schools, individuals, and community groups with a heart to make a difference.”

Plaque in Uganda showing DMS contribution to well.

Children in Uganda collecting water from the well that DMS students sponsored.

Ugandan women collect water at the well DMS students sponsored.

The Decorah FFA and Community Club members once again joined forces to organize a school-wide “food” drive to help others in their community. Students and staff donated money for this cause, knowing that a financial contribution would afford more buying power for items truly needed.

The high school students and staff donated over $2,345to the Decorah Community Food Pantry. “We always appreciate the generosity of students, staff, and even family members during this annual event,” shared Liz Fox, Community Club advisor. 

“I think it’s amazing we can come together as a school to raise the buying power of 23,453 for the food pantry.  It’s a wonderful tradition that I hope can be carried on throughout the years,” commented Braunwyn Darrington, FFA Food Drive Committee member.

More information about the Decorah Community Food Pantry can be found at https://www.decorahpantry.org/

Photo ID (l-r): Abbeke Jensen, Grace Stockman, Braunwyn Darrington, Camren Darling, Brooke Anfinson, Abby Northup, and Asmere Jensen

On Saturday, October 21 at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo, sixteen Decorah High School and Decorah Middle School Special Olympians competed in the Northeast Iowa Regional Bowling event. First place winners for Decorah High School include Klaressa Miller, Jude Ryan, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Haley Stinson, Kamryn Leuenberger, Paxton Remick, and Peyton Rentschler. Placing 2^nd for the Vikings were Donnie Hrdlicka, John Lippe, and Braden Ramstad; and placing 3^rd was Brandon Thomas.

Placing 1^st for Decorah Middle School in the Regional Bowling include Aiden Farley, Sky Pasche, Zoey Lollar, and Johnathan Bean. Daniel Bean placed 3^rd for DMS. Also making the trip and not competing was Luke Thompson.

On November 18^th, the first-place finishers from DHS once again traveled to Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo to compete in the State Bowling competition. Winning Gold for Decorah were Kamryn Leuenberger and Paxton Remick. Winning Silver was Peyton Rentschler, winning Bronze were Wyatt Pleggenkuhle and Haley Stinson, and placing 4^th was Klaressa Miller.

The Decorah Special Olympics team would like to thank the Decorah High School and Middle School administrators, the All Sports Booster Club, and King Pin Entertainment Center for their continued support and encouragement for a successful season.

The Special Olympics team will be in competition again on March 3^rd for the Northeast Iowa Regional Track and Field Competition held in the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

DHS Senior Brandon Thomas carries the Special Olympics torch for the Opening Ceremony of the Regional event.

Group Photo – Front Row (l-r): Peyton Rentschler, Theo Green, Paxton Remick, Kamryn Leuenberger

Middle Row (l-r): John Lippe, Donnie Hrdlicka, Carly Mann

Back Row (l-r): Essa Miller, Haley Stinson, Brandon Thomas, Jude Ryan, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Braden Ramstad

DMS Special Olympic Bowlers (l-r): Daniel Bean, Johnathan Bean, Aiden Farley, Sky Pasche, and Zoey Lollar. (not pictured Luke Thompson)