In December, Decorah Middle School’s leadership group, the Decorah Defenders, organized a fundraising campaign to support the Decorah Community Food Pantry. Students contributed cash donations throughout the month, with special events like hat/hood day and pajama day adding excitement to the effort.
The campaign raised nearly $6,000, setting a new record for this annual tradition.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and parents for their generosity,” said guidance counselor Lee Stock. “It was especially meaningful for the Decorah Defenders to personally deliver the funds to the food pantry staff and witness their important work firsthand.”
The 2025 Luther College Dorian Vocal Festival was held January 12-13 with nearly 900 high school juniors and seniors from midwestern schools participating. Each year at the festival a solo competition is held to select individuals to perform at the Festival Grand Concert. This year four singers from Decorah High School advanced to the semifinal round of twenty-two singers: Oliver Brummel, Kealy Hines, Andy Kruger, and Gwenyth Thompson. In addition, four DHS students were selected as Honorable Mention: Liam Chamberlain, Caleb Krieg, Ezra Vorvick, and Margret Zook.
Decorah High School will present “City of Stars,” a memorable evening of musical theater, jazz and popular music, and delicious food on Sunday, February 2 at 5 p.m. at DHS.
The event will be a star-studded, entertaining event featuring vocal ensembles and performances by Large Group Speech Musical Theater students. The audience will enjoy a meal of rosemary focaccia, deviled egg with vegetable crudités in Louie dressing, chicken cutlet with creamy five cheese pasta garnished with broccoli florets, and tiramisu with Bordeaux cherries. This gourmet meal was planned and will be prepared by Decorah Community School District Nutrition Director and Culinary Specialist Chad Elliott.
Advanced tickets are $25 each and are available online at https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php. Those wanting to pay with cash or check can purchase tickets in the DHS office. Only 216 tickets are available and will be sold until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 27 or until sold out. Tables will seat six people.
Direct questions to DHS Vocal Music Teacher Jason Rausch at 563-382-3643, or email jason.rausch@decorah.school.
This week the White House named Stephanie Steines, a math instructor at Decorah High School, a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These awards honor the vital role that America’s teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators. Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.
Stephanie Steines’s teaching career spans 27 years, with the last 24 at Decorah High School teaching a variety of classes from Algebra I up through AP Statistics as well as AP Chemistry. Her current assignment includes Precalculus, AP Statistics, and Algebra I.
Steines aims to create an active learning environment in which students are engaged in discourse with a focus on development of mathematical understanding. Students in her classroom work together to explore concepts and develop problem solving skills. She encourages students to maintain a growth mindset while they learn from their errors and build a stronger, deeper understanding of mathematics. She has served as a reader for AP Statistics, scoring responses from AP exams every summer since 2014, gaining insight into the exam. She also sits on the board for the Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics and currently serves as the Nominations & Election Coordinator. Steines is currently a member of Action Group 1 for the Iowa Higher Education Mathematics Transition Advisory Council, which focuses on the transition between high school and introductory collegiate level mathematics. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and chemistry from Luther College and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa.
With this award, teachers will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation, a certificate signed by the President, a trip to Washington, D.C. to celebrate their accomplishments, and join a prestigious cadre of more than 5,200 teacher-alumni from across the nation. While they are in D.C., they will participate in professional development activities and network with fellow STEM educators from across the nation.
Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation’s teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. Stephanie Steines represents the most outstanding teachers America has to offer and serves as both a model and an inspiration to students and fellow teachers.
DHS Principal Brad Hurst commented, “Mrs. Steines is an extremely dedicated and hard-working teacher in our math department and goes the extra mile every day to ensure students of all mathematical abilities can succeed in her classroom. She thoughtfully designs each lesson and activity with the needs of her students at the forefront of her planning and preparation. She meets each student where they are and ensures they are challenged with rigorous instruction and supported with care and compassion. The faculty, staff, and students of Decorah High School and the Decorah Community are incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Steines here, and we collectively celebrate the well-deserved achievement and honor she has earned.”
Several preschools in the Decorah area will be hosting Open House events during the last week of January and in early February, providing an excellent opportunity for families to explore the early childhood education options available in the community. These events will allow parents and children to meet staff, tour facilities, and learn more about each preschool program.
Decorah area preschools offer high-quality educational programs that help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. All children who turn four by , are eligible to receive a minimum of 10 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool education for the upcoming school year.
“We’re excited to offer this opportunity for families to come and see firsthand the wonderful preschool programs in our community,” said Shanna Putnam Dibble, Director of Preschool Programming. “Each preschool offers a unique learning experience, and these Open Houses are a great way for families to explore their options and find the best fit for their child.”
Preschool Open Houses:
Head Start (Now located in the Sunflower Building)
Four Decorah High School students and two Decorah Middle School students traveled to Waterloo to compete in the State Special Olympics Bowling tournament on Saturday November 23rd.
Competing and placing for Decorah High School were Donnie Hrdlicka (2nd), Paxton Remick (2nd), Kamryn Leuenberger (4th), and Wyatt Pleggenkuhle (4th). Competing for Decorah Middle School were Sky Pasche (1st), and Aiden Farley (2nd).
Special Olympics Coach John Dunt stated, “Our athletes worked really hard for this opportunity and competed well against some very tough competition. They are very appreciative of all the school has done to allow them to have this experience and are now looking forward to their Track and Field competition in the spring.”
DMS SO State Bowlers: Aiden Farley and Sky Pasche
DHS SO State Bowlers:Front row: Kamryn Leuenberger and Paxton Remick
