Author: Decorah Community School District

Decorah High School has named Mason Myers as the recipient of the Norman C. Bradish Scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. He is the son of Mindy Myers and Jim Myers.

Myers is currently deciding where he will attend college, but he plans to major in either mathematics or international relations. He has applied to Princeton, Carnegie Mellon University, and Yale. He has been very active at Decorah High School and in the Decorah community. He has successfully completed a multitude of college credit and AP courses and was named an AP Scholar with Honors, a National Merit Semifinalist, a Hagan Scholarship finalist, and received the National Recognition Award through the College Board Corporation. He has been involved in the Silver Cord volunteer recognition program, Envirothon, Robotics, Community Club/TAATU, Speech, Music Listening Contest, and National Honor Society.

“I feel very honored to receive this scholarship,” Myers stated. “I’d especially like to thank the Bradish Scholarship Trust for giving me this award. It will be instrumental in allowing me to pursue a brighter future, and it has inspired me to keep trying my hardest in high school, college, and beyond.”

Norman Bradish created a scholarship to be awarded to a graduate of Decorah High School who possesses high academic ability and curiosity, is liked by peers and adults, and displays high standards of character. The recipient must agree to attend a non-religious college outside the state of Iowa. In addition, the student must remain unmarried until finishing their studies.

Six art students from Decorah High School are recipients of Scholastic Art Awards, presented by the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Those receiving Gold Key awards include Addison Maki, “Frederick the Frog”: photography; Ezra Hegdahl, “Knight/Chocolate Horse”: sculpture; and Dillan Johnson, “Untitled”: photography.  Brooklyn Anderson received a Silver Key award for her drawing entitled “Black and White.” Receiving Honorable Mention are Evynne Downing for her mixed media entry entitled “Sisters,” and Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez for digital art: “Alcohol Abuse.” Gold Key works will be judged at the national level in New York City.

DHS art instructor Erik Dutcher stated, “I am proud of all the Decorah students that submitted artwork.”

Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and

writers while they were teenagers, including Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick,

José Parlá, Amanda Gorman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol.  Dutcher added, “I’m so excited to count my students among these esteemed Scholastic Art & Writing Awards alumni!”

Scholastic Art Winners (l-r): Evynne Downing, Addison Maki, Dillan Johnson, Ezra Hegdahl, Shelby Jochola-Rodriguez, Brooklyn Anderson

Addison Maki, Frederick the Frog, Photography, Gold Key

Ezra Hegdahl, Knight/Chocolate Horse, Sculpture, Gold Key

Dillan Johnson, Untitled, Photography, Gold Key

Tori Watson has been selected as the new elementary principal of both John Cline Elementary and West Side Early Childhood Center. 

Watson brings over a decade of experience in education and currently serves as the principal of the Lied Education Center and director of special education at Waverly-Shell Rock Schools. In these roles, she provides leadership for a K-12 specialized behavioral program and oversees district-wide special education services. Watson has a strong background in elementary education and special education, with advanced degrees from the University of Northern Iowa.

As a leader, Watson has developed and sustained Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to address the academic and social-emotional needs of students. She has also collaborated with families, educators, and district staff to design inclusive learning experiences and ensure adherence to special education regulations. Her involvement extends to district-level committees on strategic planning, facilities improvement, and service delivery models, reflecting her commitment to continuous school improvement and creating a positive school climate that nurtures both academic achievement and social-emotional well-being. She has led initiatives such as implementing restorative practices to build community, integrating life skills programs to promote independence, and piloting evidence-based curricula tailored to diverse learner needs. These initiatives have promoted student success, enhanced teacher satisfaction, and strengthened family partnerships.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to step into the role of principal at West Side and John Cline Elementary,” said Watson. “Decorah holds a special place in my family’s heart, and this opportunity is truly a dream come true for us. In a community as close-knit as Decorah, our schools serve as more than just places of learning–they are the heart of the town. I look forward to fostering strong relationships with families, staff, and community partners to ensure our youngest learners have the best possible foundation for success. My hope is to continue to foster an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired. I am eager to get started and to be an active part of this incredible community.”

Watson will be relocating to Decorah with her husband Cleighton and children Riggins, Callahan, and Vienna.

The High School Music Listening Contest regional event took place on Friday, Jan. 24, at seven regions across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Utah.

Nearly 90 teams participated in the contest this year, representing 35 different schools, home schools, and private music studios.

Decorah High School had six teams of three students each competing at Pine Island High School at the Region 6 competition. This is the sixth year Decorah students have competed in the contest. They are coached by Nicole Cody, a member of the music faculty at the high school.

Three of Decorah’s six teams placed in the top of the competition out of 22 teams participating from six schools. Earning second place with a score of 87/97 were Lauren Severtson, Naomi Kutz, and Grace Stockman. Two additional Decorah teams earned wild card spots in the Championship: Mason Myers, Karmyn Bakken, and Grace Blikre with a score of 77/97; and Olivia Volkmann, Emma Cline, and Jayden Lundtvedt with a score of 71/97. 

Cody remarked, “I am incredibly proud of all the teams. Their performance at the contest was remarkable. They learn so much, so quickly, and we have so much fun listening together. It never gets old to watch students learn about the crazy circumstances, involving both illness and goats, that launched Leonard Bernstein’s career or get excited by an incredible composer who lived nearly 1000 years ago.”

The top two scoring teams from two different schools from the regional contests automatically advance to the championship competition held at Augsburg University in Minneapolis on Friday, February 7th, 2025. The Region 6 first place team of Rochester Area Home School will advance to the championships along with Decorah’s second place winning team. Scores are compared from all regions, and because of their top-20 place finish across all competing schools, the other two Decorah teams were chosen as wildcards.  

According to Cody, the contest is an ideal opportunity to enrich students’ experiences with classical music in a fun and competitive environment. This contest connects high school students with classical music and enhances their ability to identify composers, periods, and styles. In the fall, teachers or coaches recruit three students to form a team. Team members receive a study guide and access to all the musical selections they will need to compete effectively.

The mission of the Music Listening Contest is to assist teachers in their efforts to expand the music experiences of students—primarily through the use of Western art music, commonly referred to as classical music. The contest materials cover classical music, global perspectives, and a variety of musical influences. The objective of the contest is to inspire students to become lifelong participants in the musical experience.

On Tuesday, January 28, 36 members of the newly formed Decorah High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) traveled to NICC’s Calmar campus to compete at the District Leadership Conference. The conference included workshops, a keynote speaker, networking activities, and competitive events. In live presentation events, Decorah students came home with three first place finishes and five second place honors.  In objective test events, 18 students placed first, 11 placed second, seven came in third, and seven finished in fourth place.  All of these entries qualify for the state-level competition at the Iowa FBLA State Leadership Conference, held in Cedar Rapids from March 30-April 1.

To prepare for state competition, students will take the judges’ feedback to polish their events further. Those who place in the top four in each event at the state level will qualify to compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California on June 29-July 2.

DHS FBLA adviser and business teacher Alyssa Marso commented, “I am so impressed by DHS students’ enthusiasm to participate in FBLA! Many of our chapter’s members have very busy schedules – between other school activities, athletics, and working. The students not only joined a new student organization, committing to attending monthly meetings, but also put in a lot of time and energy outside of school hours to develop their projects and presentations. I am very proud of this great group of students!”

At the district contest, the live presentation first place winners include Kelby Kerndt, Addy Lukes-Smith, and McKenzie Tollefson in Broadcast Journalism; Hunter Quandahl in Client Service; and Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Business Presentation. Those earning second place are Oliver Bollinger, Ian Giddings, and Mitchell Stemper in Digital Video Production and Data Analysis; Sara Johanningmeier, Addy Lukes-Smith, and Ellie Rolfs in Graphic Design; Jaidyn Duvel, Sophia Fahey, and Savannah O’Reilly in both Social Media Strategies and in Website Design.

Many Decorah FBLA members also participated in objective test events at the district level. Winning first place include Max Grimstad in Banking & Financial Systems; Mitchell Stemper in Business Management and Organizational Leadership; Bryce Elsbernd in Computer Problem Solving; Brynnah Hanson in both Entrepreneurship and Hospitality & Event Management; Brayden Miculinich in Future Business Leader and Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure; Sophia Fahey in Healthcare Administration; Kahri Oberbroeckling in both Introduction to Business Communication and in Introduction to Event Planning; Kennadi Schuman in Introduction to FBLA; Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Financial Math; Addy Lukes-Smith in Marketing; Hunter Quandahl in Parliamentary Procedure;  Jaidyn Duvel in Personal Finance; Jackson Pipho in Securities & Investments; and Ian Giddings in Sports & Entertainment Management. 

Those earning a second place include Hunter Quandahl in Agribusiness; Jace Buddenberg in Banking & Financial Systems; Jackson Pipho in Entrepreneurship; Savannah O’Reilly in Healthcare Administration; Addy Lukes-Smith in Hospitality & Event Management;  Keaton Riehle in Introduction to Business Communication; Erika Valdez in Introduction to Event Planning; Gavin Luzum in Introduction to Financial Math; Max Grimstad in Securities & Investments; Oliver Bollinger in Sports & Entertainment Management; and Austin Helgerson in Supply Chain Management.  

Third place winners include Bryan Ajzac in Accounting I; Austin Helgerson in Accounting II; Brynnah Hanson in Business Communications; Grant Remington in Business Management; Jenna Leuenberger in Introduction to Business Communication; Dak Sabin in Personal Finance; and Keaton Nalean-Carlson in Sports & Entertainment Management.

The following placed fourth at the competition: Gavin Luzum in Accounting I; Kelby Kerndt in   Entrepreneurship; Jaidyn Duvel in Hospitality & Event Management; Kennadi Schuman in both Introduction to Business Communication and Introduction to Marketing Concepts; Savannah O’Reilly in Personal Finance and Cashton Riehle in Sports & Entertainment Management.

Other students who participated in district competitive events include McKinley Massman, Andrew Olson, Hunter Matthews, Stella Pole, Sydney Thompson, and Jasera Tweten.

Per Iowa law, all secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs are required to offer a recognized Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) by the start of the academic year 2024-25. Through the agriculture science program, Decorah’s FFA has been in existence since 1937. Along with FBLA through the business department, the other strands of the Decorah High School CTE have also started CTSOs. Human Services offers FCCLA and SkillsUSA for students active in the Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering, & Manufacturing program. 

The FBLA website states: “FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.”  Many thanks go out to practice “consultants” who helped students prepare for competition, including from Decorah Bank, Jessie Joyner and Bethany Stock; from the Chamber of Commerce, Jessica Rilling and Hannah Tulgren; from Winneshiek County Development, Maddie Putnam-Keck; and from Reset Iowa/Mill Street Mocha/Sugar Bowl, Brittany Todd.

On January 27th, the 7 O’clock Jazz Band, under the direction of Matthew Cody, traveled to North Fayette Valley High School to participate in the Iowa High School Music Association’s State Jazz Band Festival. 

The band performed their set for three expert judges and were given comments and a rating.  Students earned a division 1–Superior–rating from all three judges. 

“The band played great tonight!” said Cody. “It’s a good feeling when all of their hard work, effort, and time come together with a result we can be proud of regardless of the rating. But we’re thrilled the judges liked what they heard.”

The students who form the 7 O’clock Jazz Band are as follows: on alto saxophone–Grant Zilka and Elsa Christman; on tenor saxophone–June Breitenbach-Dirks and Mikayla Hiner; on baritone saxophone–Davis Walter; on trombone–Evan Madsen, Vivian Searcy, and Colin Thompson. In addition, Aitor Cuevas, Nils Peterson, Max Goodner, and Klara Kelly play trumpet; Oliver Brummel plays guitar; Natalie Goodner plays the piano; Jameson LaBelle and Liam Chamberlain play drums; and Ezra Vorvick plays the bass.

The 7 O’clock Jazz Band, along with the middle school jazz band, will host the annual Jazz Coffeehouse held on Thursday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the Decorah High School cafeteria.  Performances will include music performed at the festival along with famous charts from the Big Band era. 

Decorah Community School District’s Nutrition Team received two Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards for improving the nutritional quality of their school meals. Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), Decorah received the Innovative School Lunch Makeover Award for work in reducing sodium levels by incorporating unprocessed proteins and fresh produce items into school lunch menus while increasing participation.

Decorah also received the Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award for the department’s addition of several scratch recipes on their breakfast and lunch menus. Decorah’s utilization of local ground beef, ground turkey, turkey, sour cream, heavy cream, milk, cheese, yogurt, whole wheat flour, eggs, apples, lettuce, cabbage, melon, kiwi berries, corn, peaches, potatoes, pears, cranberries, herbs, garlic, kale, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in these menus showcases an incredible assortment of fresh and healthy meal choices for Decorah students.

“We congratulate Decorah’s Nutrition Staff,” said Rob Bisceglie, Executive Officer and President for Action for Healthy Kids. “The HMI Recognition Awards are an opportunity to showcase innovative school nutrition practices that provide children with access to nutritious school meals,” he added.

“One of America’s best opportunities to improve child health is by supporting schools in providing tasty and nutritious meals,” said Cindy Long, administrator of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service. “These Recognition Awards highlight the remarkable achievements made by Decorah’s Nutrition Team in offering nutritious meals that students enjoy, and we look forward to them sharing their best practices to help other schools follow in their footsteps.” Long added that each school day, USDA school meal programs reach around 30 million children from all communities and backgrounds across the country.

“I am grateful for the recognition of our hard-working staff and supportive community,” said Chad Elliott, Decorah Nutrition Director and Culinary Specialist.

As an award recipient, Decorah will receive national and local recognition and travel stipends to attend a national Healthy Meals Summit in Las Vegas, NV. Healthy school meals are an essential part of the school environment and a proven tool for improving a child’s health, growth, development, and educational outcomes. AFHK and USDA are committed to working together to strengthen school meals and investment in a bright future for our children.

About USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of 16 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC, and SNAP. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being.

About Action for Healthy Kids

Action for Healthy Kids is dedicated to improving children’s health and well-being by bringing together and mobilizing educators, families, and other key stakeholders to help children lead healthy lives. Through its core programming and family-school partnerships, Action for Healthy Kids has impacted more than 20 million children in 55,000 schools nationwide to address systemic challenges in underserved communities. In 2023, AFHK joined in a cooperative agreement with USDA Food and Nutrition to help implement the Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, designed to improve the nutritional quality of school meals through food systems transformation, school food authority recognition, and technical assistance. To learn more about its growing network of volunteers and champions, visit: actionforhealthykids.org.

The Decorah High School chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 49 new members during its annual induction ceremony Tuesday, January 28, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

This year’s program included speeches by the NHS officers: President Lily Sandhorst, Vice-President McKenzie Riley, Communications Director Hannah Arendt, Treasurer Andrew Kruger, and Mavericks Natalie Goodner and Grant Zilka.  The Madrigal Singers, under the direction of Jason Rausch, provided an upbeat musical performance.

In order to be inducted into the National Honor Society, a student must have maintained a high grade point average and must have demonstrated effective leadership, scholarship, character, and service. Members are selected by a committee of faculty members after a review of applications.

The Decorah NHS is involved in a number of initiatives, including volunteerism, building community, and tutoring. 

The new National Honor Society inductees include Ariana Albert, Ava Bahr, Tristan Baker, Reid Berns, Riley Berns, Kaitlyn Bjork, Carson Bohner, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Olivia Brynsaas, Jace Buddenberg, Ava Carolan, Elsa Christman, Jerikah Dodd, Brooklyn Fromm, Ian Giddings, Max Grimstad, Mikayla Hiner, Clara Hjelle, Caleb Johnson, Klara Kelly, Trevor Kuennen, Jameson LaBelle, Nora Lesmeister, Madysen Lippe, Lauren Luzum, Addison Maki, Alexander Maki, Caden Malanaphy, McKinley Massman, Mack McElree, Chloe Medina, Noah Milburn, Keaton Nalean-Carlson, Riann Oberbroeckling, Andrew Olson, Kyle Pattison, Stella Pole, William Robinson, Isabelle Sailor, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Anastasia Simon, Michell Stemper, Natalie Stevens, Dylin Thompson, Jasera Tweten, Kaylie Wemark, Renae Wilson, and Nathan Wymer.

Current National Honor Society members include Hannah Arendt, Karmyn Bakken, Edyn Bateman, Bridget Bentley, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, Charlie Brandel, Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Louis Bucksa, Davis Coppola, Carter Dlhy, Jaidyn Duvel, Bryce Elsbernd, Sophia Fahey, Natalie Goodner, Gavin Groux, Shelby Hageman, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Leah Holland, Abbeke Jensen, Sara Johanningmeier, Elsa Johnson, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz, Andrew Kruger, Reid Kuehner, Jakob Maret, Emily Myers, Mason Myers, Beau Newhouse, Savannah O’Reilly, Lillian Olson, Amelia Pankow, Jackson Pipho, McKenzie Riley, Kellen Roffman, Ellie Rolfs, Lily Sandhorst, Klaara Short, Jordan Sims, Domenik Smith, Kamryn Steines, Ella Stille, Leah Suhr, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Amelia Wadsworth, Kera Walter, Kinsey White, Addison Wicklund, Grant Zilka, and Margret Zook.

Liz Fox and Shannon Horton are the faculty advisers of the Decorah chapter of the National Honor Society at Decorah High School.

Decorah High School speech students participated in a District Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, January 25th held at Turkey Valley High School.

The performers had an excellent showing, earning 31 Division I ratings out of 33 total entries. The ninth-grade team performed in nine entries, and the varsity team performed in 24 entries. Each ninth-grade and varsity entry receiving a Division I rating will perform at the State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, February 8th, at Decorah High School.

“We are extremely proud of our students and their showing on Saturday,” said the speech coaches. “They brought their best to the contest, sharing their talent and professionalism.”

Cast lists for these varsity groups moving to state contest are as follows:

Choral Reading “Emotional Warfare: Welcome to High School” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Natalie Goodner, Tommy Hammel, Camryn Holland, Klaara Short, Klara Kelly, Ezra Harman-Wood, Ava Hanson, Jillian Volz, Jayden Lundtvedt, Emma Cline, Olivia Rissman, Lauren Severtson, and Margaret Hahn.

Ensemble Acting “How to Get Away with a Murder Mystery” was directed by Lyra McKnight.

Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Elliana Brodbeck, Klaara Short, Shawn Holzer, Alex Mercado-Arneson, and Ryan Northup.

Ensemble Acting “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” was directed by Kristen Underwood.

Participants include Elsa Christman, Nora Lesmeister, Isis Timm, Kaylie Wemark, and Margaret Hahn.

Ensemble Acting “These Shining Lives” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Kristen Underwood. 

Participants include Teagan Menke, Noah Potvin, Vivian Searcy, Grace Stockman, Olivia Volkmann, and Jillian Volz.

Group Improv was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Kristen Underwood. 

Participants performed in three groups. 

Group One: Oliver Brummel, Liam Chamberlain, Jack Sovern, Beau Newhouse, and Ansel Kowitz

Group Two: Jackson Irwin, Tommy Hammel, Grace Stockman, Kyle Pattison, and Landyn Hook

Group Mime “Family Bonding” was directed by Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood.

Participants include Elsa Johnson, Myla Leitz, Isis Timm, and Kaelyn Kuhn.

Group Mime “The Library” was directed by Lyra McKnight and Kristen Underwood.

Participants include Leah Suhr, Ariana Albert, Marley Harmening, Nina Sessions, and Teagan Menke.

Solo Mime “Flight Frenzy” by Clarence Nimrod – directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “The Red Shoes” by Vivian Searcy – directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Solo Mime “Miss Adventurfuls” by Margret Zook – directed by Molly Holkesvik, Gabriel Twedt, and Carrie Kauffman.

Musical Theater “Once” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Liam Chamberlain, Gwenyth Thompson, Mikayla Hiner, Jameson LaBelle, Caleb Johnson, Ezra Vorvick, Emma Cline, and Colin Thompson.

Musical Theater “Something Rotten” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman.

Participants include Oliver Brummel, Spencer Christensen, Davis Coppola, Greta Jones, Andy Kruger, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Elsa Christman, and Kealy Hines.

One Act Play “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” was directed by Kristen Underwood.

Participants include Hannah Arendt, Elliana Brodbeck, McKenzie Riley, Ezra Vorvick, June Breitenbach-Dirks, Caleb Johnson, Noah Potvin, Elsa Johnson, Greta Jones, Grace Blikre, and Lily Sandhorst.

Radio Broadcasting “KREK” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Karmyn Bakken, Evynne Downing, Camryn Holland, Leah Suhr, Sam Cline, Lyla Lovstuen, Lulu Bellrichard, and Evan Madsen.

Radio Broadcasting “KMCD” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Asmere Jensen, Mason Myers, Jerald Thompson, Addison Wicklund, Gavy Smith, Stella Pole, Deborah Hougen, and Oskar Swanson.

Radio Broadcasting “KORN” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Grant Zilka, Ezra Harman-Wood, Lily Sandhorst, Eden Scheidel, Kamryn Steines, Kyan Oftedahl, Carter Riley, and Claire Storhoff.

Readers Theater “The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette For Young Ladies of Mad Science” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Hannah Arendt, Davis Coppola, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz, Andy Kruger, McKenzie Riley, Margret Zook, Grace Blikre, Mikayla Hiner, Jameson LaBelle, Nora Lesmeister, Kaylie Wemark, Lulu Bellrichard, Gwenyth Thompson, and Sawyer Courtney.

Short Film “Anxious” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Johanna Bergan. 

Participants include Thomas Davis, Jack Hammell, Evynne Downing, Asmere Jensen, Marley Harmening, Lyla Lovstuen, Jerald Thompson, Ariana Albert, Kylie Lemke, and Kyan Oftedahl.

Short Film “Cyber-Bully” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Marri Feuerhelm, Drew Zwart, Deborah Hougen, Alynne Brandel, Will Robinson, and Gavy Smith.

Short Film “Fractured Connections” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Chester Kvamme, Will Duder, Logan Smith, Patrick Gallagher, Shawn Holzer, Alex Mercado-Arneson, Ryan Northup, Hector Vargas, and Izzy Alley.

TV News “Iowa Adventures: Cinema Road Trip” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt. 

Participants include Natalie Goodner, Jayden Lundtvedt, Clarence Nimrod, Beau Newhouse, Grant Zilka, Alynne Brandel, Marri Feuerhelm, Stella Pole, Will Robinson, Drew Zwart, Jack Hammell, Thatcher Brown, Sawyer Courtney, Olivia Rissman, and Oskar Swanson.

TV News “Iowa Cold Case: Decoding a Murder” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt.

Participants include Elliot Berland, Ava Hanson, Kaelyn Kuhn, Naomi Kutz, Myla Leitz, Landyn Hook, Jack Sovern, Kamryn Steines, Carter Riley, Lawrence Christman, Nina Sessions, Claire Storhoff, Spencer Christensen, Sam Cline, and Lauren Severtson.

Cast lists for other varsity groups who performed at District contest are as follows:

Group Three Improv, directed by Molly Holkesvik, Kristen Underwood, and Lyra McKnight, includes Olivia Volkmann, Klara Kelly, Patrick Gallagher, Chester Kvamme, and Evan Madsen.

Cast lists for the 9th grade groups moving onto State contest are as follows:

Choral Reading “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Poppy Bellrichard, Kennedy Carlson, Leah Garcia-Prats, Max Goodner, Kaya Johnson, Kora Kelly, Claire Ko, Charlotte LaBelle, Ana Leibold, Gavin Wilkins, and Cooper Ewing.

Ensemble Acting “The Substitute” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Johanna Bergan. 

Participants include Pranav Caton, Eva Hurley, Kaya Johnson, Rachel Weis, and Stella Witt.

Group Improv was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Kristen Underwood.

Participants performed in three groups. 

Group One: Ava Burreson, Nils Peterson, Pranav Caton, and Eva Hurley

Group Two: Isaac Bentley, Brody Darling, and Raelyn Newhouse

Group Three: Max Goodner, Matthew Burkholder, and Sophia McGee

Radio Broadcasting “KHTL” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie Kauffman. 

Participants include Kira Dowden, Emma Neebel, Evelyn Opheim, Kate Pattison, Cassie Stammeyer, Anders Wicklund, and Gavin Wilkins.

TV News “Iowa Extreme: The Land Hurricane” was directed by Molly Holkesvik and Gabriel Twedt. 

Participants include Poppy Bellrichard, Isaac Bentley, Kira Dowden, Leah Garcia-Prats, Jay Jensen, Evelyn Opheim, Kate Pattison, Nils Peterson, Ava Burreson, Simone Downing, Ezra Hegdahl, Frankie Kollasch, and Cooper Ewing.

Short Film “The Final Goodbye” was directed by Molly Holkesvik, Lyra McKnight, and Johanna Bergan.

Participants include Matthew Burkholder, Brody Darling, Jay Jensen, Ana Leibold, and Stella Witt.

Cast lists for other 9th grade groups that performed at District contest are as follows:

Readers Theater “The Wild Robot” was directed by Gabriel Twedt and Carrie

Kauffman. Participants include Kennedy Carlson, Kora Kelly, Claire Ko, Charlotte LaBelle, Sophia McGee, Emma Neebel, Raelyn Newhouse, Oak Pasche, Rachel Weis, and Derek Hrdlicka.

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., John Cline and Carrie Lee Elementary Schools took part in Dream Week, a series of guest readers and community service projects aimed at spreading joy and helping those in need. Throughout the week, students from both schools engaged in a variety of service activities designed to uplift the community and honor Dr. King’s legacy of service and equality.

Among the many impactful projects, students made decorations with residents at local nursing homes, assisted in cleaning toys and bookshelves at the public library, read to and played with preschoolers at West Side Early Childhood Center, and created homemade dog and cat treats and toys for the humane society. In addition, students assembled birthday bags (including cake mix, frosting, and candles) and Valentine’s sugar cookie kits for the food pantry, helping to bring joy to families in need.

Shanna Putnam Dibble, the event organizer, expressed gratitude to Thrivent and an anonymous donor for supporting the projects. “This week was truly special,” said Dibble. “Over 500 students and teachers participated in service projects, demonstrating Viking Pride by giving back to our schools and community. It was an incredible way to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and continue his mission of service and love.” 

Cleaning toys at Toys Go ‘Round.

Making dog treats for the Humane Society

Making Valentines at the nursing home.

More Valentine creation at the nursing home

Reading to students at West Side