Author: Decorah Community School District

The High School Music Listening Contest regional event took place on Friday, Jan. 19, at seven regions across Minnesota, Iowa, 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 13 teams of three students each competing at Decorah High School at the Region 5 competition. Organizers said this was the biggest group from any school, and it is the largest number of teams from DHS thus far. This is the fifth year Decorah students have competed in the contest. They are coached by Nicole Cody, a member of the music faculty at the high school.

Ten of Decorah’s 13 teams placed in the top 10 of the competition out of 15 teams participating from four schools. Earning first place with a score of 94/100 were Nora Lesmeister, Mason Myers, and Karmyn Bakken. Two Decorah teams tied for second place with a score of 89/100: Alex McGohan, Elizabeth Pritchard, and Jensen Korsness; and Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Ansel Kowitz, and Evon Leitz. The Decorah team of Julia Severtson, Lauren Severtson, and Grace Stockman placed 3rd with a score of 88/100. 

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 argue about Robert Schumann vs. Johannes Brahms or laugh at the comedic parts of a Medieval piece of music about two very good dogs.”

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, . Because of this rule, the team who scored in 11th place, Wisconsin Hills Middle School, will advance to the championships along with Decorah’s first place winning team. The 2nd place teams and the 3rd place team were chosen as wildcards because of their high scores and will compete at Augsburg as well. 

According to Cody, the contest is an ideal opportunity to enrich students’ experiences with classical music in a fun and competitive environment. This statewide 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.

MLC Full Group: All thirteen MLC teams from DHS

MLC First Place Team: Nora Lesmeister, Mason Myers, Karmyn Bakken 

MLC Second Place Tie: Alex McGohan, Elizabeth Pritchard, and Jensen Korsness

MLC Top Teams: Lauren Severtson, Julia Severtson, Grace Stockman, Mason Myers, Nora Lesmeister, Evon Leitz, Ansel Kowitz, Aidan Nalean-Carlson 

The Decorah Community School District Board of Directors and administration continue to monitor possible membership changes in the Northeast Iowa Conference, which has a long and proud history spanning more than a century.

Founded in 1920, the NEIC was the state’s first interscholastic conference, and Decorah is a charter member. The league consisted of the same seven members from 1970, when Waukon joined, until 2022, when Oelwein departed the conference. Waverly-Shell Rock will cease its NEIC membership at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.

In recent weeks, the Howard-Winneshiek Board of Education authorized its superintendent to formally request admission to the Upper Iowa Conference. In response, the Charles City Board of Education granted approval to its superintendent to inquire about moving to the North Central Conference.

Potential new conference membership options for the Decorah Community School District are limited due to the district’s geographic location. The administration and board will continue to monitor these developments, seek feedback from the community, and evaluate the district’s options moving forward.

The Decorah High School chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 60 new members during its annual induction ceremony Tuesday, January 23, at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

This year’s program included speeches by the NHS officers: President Brynn Storhoff, Vice-President Simon Kutz, Communications Director Spencer Rix, Treasurer Libby Phillips, and Maverick Elizabeth Pritchard.  Music featured included an orchestra ensemble and a performance by the Madrigal Singers.

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. President Brynn Storhoff commented, “I am proud of the work the Decorah NHS has accomplished thus far. I look forward to working with the new inductees and am confident we will achieve great things as an organization.”

The new National Honor Society inductees include Hannah Arendt, Karmyn Bakken, Edyn Bateman, Bridget Bentley, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, Charlie Brandel, Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Louis Bucksa, Davis Coppola, Gabrielle Dixon, Carter Dlhy, Jaidyn Duvel, Bryce Elsbernd, Sophia Fahey, Kelley Gates, Natalie Goodner, Gavin Groux, Shelby Hageman, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Leah Holland, Abbeke Jensen, Sara Johanningmeier, Dakota Johnson, 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, Andrew Rhodes, McKenzie Riley, Kellen Roffman, Ellie Rolfs, Lily Sandhorst, Klaara Short, Jordan Sims, Domenik Smith, Kamryn Steines, Ella Stille, Leah Suhr, Nathan Swarbrick, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Amelia Wadsworth, Kera Walter, Kinsey White, Addison Wicklund, and Grant Zilka.

Current National Honor Society members include Brooke Anfinson, Lucas Arendt, Annaleissa Arnold, Brady Bohner, Caden Branum, Annika Brynsaas, Grace Brynsaas, Cody Carolan, Brock Christensen, Olivia Christopher, Peter Essa, Jorja Folkedahl, Lydia Frank, Madelyn Fromm, Bethany Hanson, Brody Hanson, Brayden Hartl, Gabriel Hiner, Elayna Hook, Kathryn Kelly, Sydney Kipp, Simon Kutz, Evon Leitz, Danielle Losen, Anders Lovstuen, Alexander McGohan, Lydia Monreal-Rice, Creed Monroe, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Brenna Parker, Libby Phillips, Elizabeth Pritchard, Jeramiah Rediske, Spencer Rix, Julia Severtson, Naomi Simon, Joseph Stammeyer, Brynn Storhoff, Grace Stortz, Will Teslow, Corina Timm, Fisher Tweten, Abbie Valkosky, Ciara Wedmann, Henry Weis, Yazmeen Whitsitt, Paige Wrightsman, and Kaiden Youngblood.

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

NHS Inductees 1 Photo ID (l-r):

Front Row: Hannah Arendt, Edyn Bateman, Bridget Bentley, Elizabeth Bjork, Grace Blikre, Charlie Brandel, Elliana Brodbeck, Oliver Brummel, Louis Bucksa 

Middle Row: Davis Coppola, Gabrielle Dixon, Carter Dlhy, Jaidyn Duvel, Bryce Elsbernd, Sophia Fahey, Kelley Gates, Natalie Goodner, Gavin Groux, Shelby Hageman 

Back Row: William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Leah Holland, Abbeke Jensen, Sara Johanningmeier, Dakota Johnson, Annika Keefe, Ansel Kowitz

NHS Inductees 2 Photo ID (l-r): 

Front Row: Andrew Kruger, Reid Kuehner, Jakob Maret, Emily Myers, Mason Myers, Beau Newhouse, Savannah O’Reilly, Lillian Olson, Amelia Pankow, Jackson Pipho 

Middle Row: Andrew Rhodes, McKenzie Riley, Kellen Roffman, Ellie Rolfs, Lily Sandhorst, Klaara Short, Jordan Sims, Domenik Smith, Kamryn Steines, Ella Stille 

Back Row: Leah Suhr, Nathan Swarbrick, Gwenyth Thompson, Jerald Thompson, Amelia Wadsworth, Kera Walter, Kinsey White, Addison Wicklund, Grant Zilka

Inductees not pictured: Karmyn Bakken and Elsa Johnson

Current Members 1 Photo ID (l-r): 

Front Row:  Brooke Anfinson, Lucas Arendt, Annaleissa Arnold, Brady Bohner, Caden Branum, Grace Brynsaas, Cody Carolan, Brock Christensen, Olivia Christopher, Anders Lovstuen

Back Row: Peter Essa, Jorja Folkedahl, Lydia Frank, Madelyn Fromm, Brody Hanson, Brayden Hartl, Gabriel Hiner, Elayna Hook, Kathryn Kelly, Sydney Kipp, Evon Leitz, Danielle Losen 

Current Members 2 Photo ID (l-r): 

Front Row: Alexander McGohan, Lydia Monreal-Rice, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Brenna Parker, Jeramiah Rediske, Julia Severtson, Joseph Stammeyer

Back Row: Grace Stortz, Will Teslow, Corina Timm, Fisher Tweten, Ciara Wedmann, Henry Weis, Paige Wrightsman, Kaiden Youngblood

Current members not pictured: Annika Brynsaas, Bethany Hanson, Creed Monroe, Naomi Simon, Abbie Valkosky, and Yazmeen Whitsitt

NHS Officers (l-r): Elizabeth Pritchard, Libby Phillips, Simon Kutz, Brynn Storhoff, and Spencer Rix

Decorah early childhood and elementary students have been participating in Dream Week festivities to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Preschool through fourth grade students and families were invited to attend a Dream Week Hour of Service where they participated in a variety of projects to support local organizations. They made tie blankets for Project Linus to share with children in need, created Valentine cards and decorations for residents of local nursing homes, packed birthday bags (complete with cake mix, frosting, candles, and balloons) for the Decorah Community Food Pantry, and advocated for (and snuggled with) some of the animals up for adoption at the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa.

Decorah schools also collaborated with Luther College for Dream Week Guest Readers. Luther students and faculty visited John Cline and Carrie Lee elementary schools to share stories celebrating diversity, kindness, and love.

Co-facilitator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Decorah schools Shanna Putnam Dibble stated, “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to fighting for equality and respect for all individuals. Celebrating Dream Week and learning about the life and legacy of Dr. King in our elementary schools helps to foster an appreciation for diversity and a foundation of respect and kindness for all. Dream Week was a great opportunity for learning while also spreading kindness throughout our community!”

Putnam Dibble shares dog treats with Jasper, one of the many wonderful animals up for adoption at the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa.

Dream Week participants make Valentine’s Day cards for local nursing home residents.

Carrie Lee students created tie-blankets to give to Project Linus to share with children in need.

Avery and Stacy Williams helped pack birthday bags filled with cake mix, frosting, candles, and balloons, to help ensure everyone in our community can enjoy a birthday cake on their special day.

John Cline and Carrie Lee students enjoyed having guest readers from Luther College.  Readers shared books about diversity, equity, kindness, and love.

John Cline and Carrie Lee students enjoyed having guest readers from Luther College.  Readers shared books about diversity, equity, kindness, and love.

The 2024 Luther College Dorian Vocal Festival was held January 7-8 with nearly 1000 high school juniors and seniors from Midwest schools participating. Each year at the festival a solo competition is held to select individuals to perform at the Festival Grand Concert. This year two singers from Decorah High School advanced to the semi-final round: Bethany Hanson and Gabriel Hiner. Due to impending weather, the semi-final and final rounds did not occur. In addition, six DHS students were selected as Honorable Mention: Oliver Brummel, Connor Evelsizer, Kealy Hines, Sydney Kipp, Libby Phillips, and Julia Severtson.

Photo ID:

Front (l-r): Kealy Hines, Bethany Hanson, Julia Severtson, Sydney Kipp

Back (l-r): Oliver Brummel, Gabriel Hiner, Connor Evelsizer

Missing from picture: Libby Phillips

The Decorah Collaborative Preschool Partners will be holding their open houses during the first few weeks of February.

All Decorah Collaborative Preschool Partners are part of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program and provide a minimum of 10 hours per week of high-quality preschool programming for four-year-old children. Children must turn four by to attend.  Many programs also offer optional “wrap-around” care for a fee.

Parents, guardians and prospective students are invited to visit and explore Decorah’s preschool offerings on the following dates and times.  More information about each preschool program is available on their websites.

Kinderhaus: February 3rd from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

http://kinderhausdecorah.com/

Northeast Iowa Montessori School: February 3rd from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Homepage

Nisse Preschool: February 7th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

https://www.nissepreschool.org/

St. Benedict Preschool: February 1 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

https://st-ben.pvt.k12.ia.us/

Sunflower: February 6th from 4-7 p.m. (this will be held at the new center)

https://www.sunflowerchildcare.org/

West Side Early Childhood Center: February 1st from 5-6 p.m.

West Side Early Childhood Center

DCSD will have a two hour delay start on Tuesday, January 16th.  The district will have virtual learning for those two hours.  We anticipate sticking with the delayed start but we start buses and recheck wind chills in the morning and any changes will be made by 8 AM. Look for more information for the virtual part of the day.

Decorah High School boys tennis coach Matt Anderson has been selected by the Iowa High School Athletic Association as the National Federation of High Schools Iowa Tennis Coach of the Year. 

Coach Anderson completed his second year at the helm of the Decorah boys tennis program in the spring of 2023 after two years as an assistant.  During the spring of 2022, the Vikings were District Champions and Sub-State Qualifiers while qualifying two individuals for the state tournament.  10^th grader Caden Branum was the runner-up in the singles tournament. 

In 2023, Anderson helped lead the Vikings to a fourth place finish in the Class 1A team tournament while helping guide the doubles team of Landon Baker and Daniel Skrade to a runner-up finish and Caden Branum to the State Championship in singles competition. 

Anderson is now a nominee for the NFHS Midwest Sectional Tennis Coach of the Year.  He is assisted by Brett Wilker and Scott Herrmann. 

Anderson is now a nominee for the NFHS Midwest Sectional Tennis Coach of the Year.  He is assisted by Brett Wilker and Scott Herrmann. 

Photo ID (l-r): Assistant Coach Scott Herrmann, Singles State Champion Caden Branum, Head Coach Matt Anderson, Doubles Runners-up Landon Baker and Daniel Skrade, and Assistant Coach Brett Wilker

Decorah High School’s 34^th Annual Madrigal Dinner will take place on Sunday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m. at Decorah High School. (Those in attendance should please be seated by 4:50 p.m.)

Advanced tickets are $25 each and are available online at https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php. Those who wish to pay with cash or check can purchase tickets in the DHS office. Tickets are available now and will be sold until noon on Wednesday, January 24. Each table will seat six people.

Each ticket includes a meal fit for a king or queen: wassail punch, field greens salad, herbed focaccia bread, roasted loin of pork with chimichurri sauce, mashed red potatoes, steamed green beans & carrots, pumpkin or chocolate chip cheesecake, and coffee. Advanced orders of vegetarian entrées and gluten-free options are available when purchasing tickets.

Diners will be entertained not only by the music of the Renaissance performed by vocalists, strings, and brass; but also by the comedic play “Weekend at (Sleeping) Beauty’s.”

The public is cordially invited to join the DHS Music Department on a journey to 16th century England.

Madrigal dinner musicians

Madrigal dinner royal court

Decorah Schools will cancel all classes for Friday, , due to the predicted snow and blowing winds. All buildings and District offices will be closed. Stay safe, everyone!