Luther College’s Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE) invites the public to “One Evening in Area X,” a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Jeff VanderMeer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall. The lecture is a free event, but tickets are required. Seating is limited.
“Whether you’re an avid reader of speculative fiction or environmental nonfiction, a keen birder, an outdoors explorer, or a climate advocate, this Earth Day event will engage and enliven you,” said Andy Hageman, the CEPE director and professor of English at Luther.
VanderMeer will discuss the social roles of fiction in uncertain times, the critical need for biology and ecological thinking, the ethics of rewilding yards, the ecstasies of birding, and more during the “One Evening in Area X” conversation. Hageman is facilitating the dialogue with VanderMeer. Following an audience Q&A session, VanderMeer’s books will be available to purchase and have signed.
“One Evening in Area X” is a rare chance to encounter Jeff VanderMeer in person in the Midwest.
VanderMeer is best known for his Southern Reach series, four novels that explore themes related to the environment and our future. The Southern Reach is a secret government agency that manages expeditions into Area X, a weird coastal zone where something has happened that totally changed its ecology. The series’ first novel, “Annihilation” (2014), focuses on four women (an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist and a biologist) on an expedition to record their observations of Area X. In their efforts to understand the terrain and avoid being contaminated by Area X, the expedition members discover a topographic anomaly and life forms that surpass understanding.
“Annihilation” won both the Nebula Award and Shirley Jackson Award in 2014. The novel was made into a film released by Paramount in 2018. The fourth book in the series, “Absolution,” was published in 2024 and named a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist. “Annihilation” and “Absolution” are available for purchase at the Luther College Book Shop.
Called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker, VanderMeer has lived in Florida since he was in middle school, attending the University of Florida in Gainesville before moving to Tallahassee in 1992. He has given lectures related to climate change and storytelling at Vanderbilt University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Key West Literary Seminar, Yale University and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
“One Evening in Area X” is a rare chance to encounter VanderMeer in person in the Midwest.
“The fact that Jeff VanderMeer will be in Decorah to interact with Luther students and the broader community is an honor and a real thrill,” Hageman said.
Reserve your seat for the April 22 lecture at tickets.luther.edu or at the Luther Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life. Contact the ticket office at tickets@luther.edu or 563-387-1357 for more information. For those who can’t attend in person, the lecture will be livestreamed.
Master musician, storyteller and Taos Pueblo elder Robert Mirabal teams up with the New York-based string quartet ETHEL to perform “The Red Willow” in Luther College’s 2024–25 Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall.
In this unique expression of 13 years of friendship and collaboration, master musician, actor, artist, and storyteller Robert Mirabal, an elder of the Taos Pueblo, teams with the New York-based string quartet ETHEL.
“Collaboration is central to Robert Mirabal and ETHEL, and with ‘The Red Willow,’ their signature mastery transcends geographical boundaries. Music and storytelling blend in an ambitious program that will leave you reinvigorated,” said Susan Potvin, director of programming and outreach. “You don’t want to miss this performance.”
Mirabal is a renowned Native American flute player and flute maker from Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. He is a two-time Grammy Award winner and was twice named the Native American Music Awards’ Artist of the Year. His performance in PBS’s musical production “Spirit: A Journey in Dance, Drum, and Song” remains a benchmark of Native American traditional and rock fusion.
Established in New York City in 1998, ETHEL sets the standard for contemporary concert music. The quartet is made up of Ralph Farris (viola), Kip Jones (violin), Dorothy Lawson (cello), and Corin Lee (violin). Since the group’s inception, ETHEL has released nine feature recordings and performed as guests on more than 50 albums. The group won a Grammy Award with jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
Before the performance, enjoy a gourmet three-course dinner in the Peace Dining Room at Dahl Centennial Union. The menu features shaved asparagus with roasted walnuts, roasted salmon served with lemon braised artichokes, baby Yukon potatoes, and fried leeks. Dessert is a lemon-blueberry tart. Dietary accommodations are available upon request.
Buy tickets for the April 11 performance and for the pre-show dinner at tickets.luther.edu or at the Luther Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life. Contact the ticket office at tickets@luther.edu or 563-387-1357 for more information.
The Decorah High School Music Department participated in the Iowa High School Music Association State Solo and Small Ensemble Music Festival on Saturday, March 29, at Independence High School. Other schools participating were Anamosa, Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Independence, Vinton-Shellsburg, Dubuque Wahlert, Waukon, West Delaware, and Cedar Rapids Xavier. This is an adjudicated festival in which students receive one of five division ratings for their performance: Division I “Superior” rating, Division II “Excellent” rating, Division III “Good” rating, Division IV “Fair” rating, and Division V “Poor” rating. The ratings are based on a point scale.
It was a successful day for the DHS Music Department. Each judge is allowed to present one “Outstanding Performance” award for the performance they deem to be the most superior of the festival. Of the overall nine judges in the vocal, orchestra, and band categories, six of them awarded this exceptional honor to DHS musicians. Receiving “Outstanding Performance” awards include Grant Zilka: Baritone Saxophone Solo, Natalie Goodner: Vibraphone Solo, Gwen Thompson: Vocal Solo, Mikayla Hiner & Gwen Thompson: Vocal Duet, Junior Treble Clef Ensemble, and Concert Choir Chamber Singers.
Receiving a Perfect Score for their performance include Grant Zilka: Baritone Saxophone Solo, Aitor Cuevas: Trumpet Solo, Gwen Thompson: Vocal Solo, Kealy Hines: Vocal Solo, Mikayla Hiner & Gwen Thompson: Vocal Duet, and Senior Treble Clef Ensemble 9.
Students were accompanied on piano by Dean Beckman, Mike Ellingsen, Chris Hadley, Lani Himegarner, Xiao Hu, Miko Kominami, Linda Martin, Jessica Paul, David Severtson and Nicholas Shaneyfelt.
Division I – Superior Ratings:
Solos
Marimba: Natalie Goodner, Kealy Hines, Olivia Rissman, Grace Stockman, Jerald Thompson; Vibraphone: Natalie Goodner; Soprano Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Alto Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Tenor Saxophone: Grant Zilka; Baritone Saxophone; Grant Zilka; Flute: Jay Hawthorn, Mikayla Hiner, Olivia Volkmann; Piccolo: Jay Hawthorn, Sophia McGee; Trumpet: Aitor Cuevas; Oboe: Ansel Kowitz; Violin: Spencer Christensen, Liam Huang, Naomi Kutz, Lauren Severtson, Gwenyth Thompson; Cello: Lulu Bellrichard, Andie Gegax; String Bass: Nina Sessions, Ezra Vorvick; Soprano: June Breitenbach-Dirks, Mikayla Hiner, Kealy Hines, Greta Jones, Gwen Thompson, Jillian Volz, Margret Zook; Alto: Emma Cline, Amelia Wadsworth; Tenor: Spencer Christensen, Lawrence Christman, Andy Kruger, Jameson LaBelle; and Bass: Oliver Brummel, Davis Coppola, Derek Hrdlicka, Noah Potvin, Jack Sovern, Davis Walter, Ezra Vorvick.
Ensembles
Flute Choir; Millennium Percussion Choir; Saxophone Quartet (Zilka, E. Christman, Breitenbach-Dirks, D. Walter); Percussion Quintet (Hines, Chamberlain, Rissman, Stockman, N. Goodner); French Horn Duets: Sandhorst & Wadsworth; Flute Duet: Hawthorn & Volkmann; String Duets: Severtson & Kutz, Davis & Brown, Sessions & Vorvick, L. Bellrichard & Sessions; Violin Quartet (Weis, Opheim, P. Bellrichard & C. Ko); Cello Quartet (L. Bellrichard, Cline, Harmening & Hahn); String Ensemble (Huang, Christensen, C. Riley, Franzen, Kuennen & Vorvick); Royal Chamber Orchestra; Elegie Chamber Orchestra; Vocal Duets: M. Hiner & G. Thompson, Brummel & Kruger, G. & C. Thompson; Madrigal Singers; CC Chamber Singers; VC Chamber Choir; Ninth Gr. Bass Clef (L. Nalean-Carlson, Peterson, Sabelka, Ewing, M. Goodner, Hrdlicka, Burkholder, D. Walter, Wilkins); Ninth Gr. Treble Clef (Evelsizer, Carlson, Dowden, Cord, C. Ko, McGee, C. LaBelle, R. Newhouse, K. Johnson); Sophomore Treble Clef (Lundtvedt, Severtson, Volz, Volkmann, Searcy, Stockman, Timm, Cline, A. Hanson, Rissman); Junior Treble Clef (Breitenbach-Dirks, Hiner, E. Christman, Klara Kelly, Albert, Lesmeister, Wemark); Junior Bass Clef (Malanaphy, J. LaBelle, Duder, Mercado-Arneson, Milburn, Nalean-Carlson, Harman-Wood, C. Johnson, Sassaman); Senior Treble Clef 6 (E. Downing, Suhr, Bakken, Wicklund, C. Holland, Brodbeck); Senior Treble Clef 9 (C. Sheffield, G. Thompson, Zook, Jones, Hines, E. Johnson, Blikre, Steines, Wadsworth); Senior Bass Clef (Kruger, B. Newhouse, Hammel, Brummel, D. Coppola, Chamberlain, Krieg, Vorvick, Sovern); Vocal Trio (Hiner, G. Thompson, C. Thompson); and Vocal Quartet (Kruger, Brummel, Chamberlain, Vorvick).
On March 19th, several 8th grade Decorah Middle School students participated in the regional National History Day competition held at NICC. Twenty students were recognized as finalists in the competition and will participate at the NHD state meet in Ames on April 28th. This year’s theme is “Rights and Responsibilities in History.”
State Qualifiers and their projects include the following:
Individual Performance
Ruth Kueny: Nellie Bly: Advocating for Human Rights Through Investigative Journalism
Group Performance
Charly Courtney and Kelbi Schuman: Mildred Fish-Harnack: Restoring Rights in Germany
Individual Documentary
Sofia Hageman: American Indian Boarding Schools: Identity Erasure
Nathaniel Crose: The United States Constitution: Pioneering Freedom of Expression in Civil Society
Per Weir: Island Trees Board of Education v. Pico
Group Documentary
Robert Davis and Leonard Nimrod: Women Code Breakers of Arlington Hall
Individual Websites:
Rosie Burkholder: Rosie the Riveter
Noah Alexander:Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters: The Brave Native American Men, and Post-Civil War Struggles
Individual Exhibit
Harper Menke: Amelia Bloomer and the Fight for Women’s Rights
Group Exhibit
Jacksyn Fromm, Hayden Wenthold, and Carter Rissman: Texas Western
Austin Bohner and Sam Johanningmeier: Daniel Inouye: Fighting for the Rights of Americans
Group Website:
Lula McAbee and Jaedyn Hageman: The Removal of Homosexuality From the DSM
Individual Paper:
Kylie Zoulek:The Murder of Gertrude Bestor
Kenyon Bartels: The Rural Electrification Act of 1936
Photo ID (l-r):
Front Row: Kenyon Bartels, Noah Alexander, Nathaniel Crose, Jacksyn Fromm, Austin Bohner Middle Row: Sam Johanningmeier, Carter Rissman, Hayden Wenthold, Kelbi Schuman, Charly Courtney, Ruth Keuny, Lula McAbee Back Row: Robert Davis, Leonard Nimrod, Rosie Burkholder, Harper Menke, Sofia Hageman, Kylie Zoulek, Jaedyn Hageman Not pictured: Per Weir
Luther College will honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage and history in April with lectures from national experts, a community event featuring cuisine from Asian countries, and other events. While May is widely recognized as national AAPI month, Luther celebrates in April before the conclusion of the college’s academic year.
“I hope the greater Decorah community will take advantage of this month’s events, which are all related to meaningful human connection,” said Adrianna Tam, assistant professor of music and faculty advisor to ASAA.
Tibetan Buddhist scholar Jan Willis will present “Black, Baptist, and Buddhist: How I Learned Non-Violent Activism” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall.
Willis will discuss key moments in her life – marching with civil rights leader Martin Luther King in Alabama, being the only woman among the founding members of the Black Students Association at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and meeting Tibetan Buddhist teachers in India – and explain how these moments gave her an academic and spiritual home.
Tibetan Buddhist scholar Jan Willis will present “Black, Baptist, and Buddhist: How I Learned Non-Violent Activism” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, in the Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall.
“Jan Willis has devoted herself to a life of nonviolence informed by her civil rights work as a young person and later by her commitment to Tibetan Buddhism. Her lecture is a rare opportunity for Luther students, faculty, staff and the Decorah community to hear firsthand from an accomplished scholar-practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism and social justice activist,” said Scott Hurley, associate professor in identity studies and religion at Luther. “Dr. Willis truly embodies the Bodhisattva Ideal – a way of living that is dedicated to ending suffering for all beings.”
Willis is a professor emerita of religion at Wesleyan University. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cornell University before earning a Ph.D. at Columbia University.
Willis has studied and taught Buddhist teachings for more than 40 years. She has also published five books. Her latest book, “Dharma Matters: Women, Race, and Tantra,” was published in 2020.
The “Black, Baptist, and Buddhist: How I Learned Non-Violent Activism” lecture is sponsored by the Sihler Family Endowed Lecture, OEN Fellowship, and the religion and identity studies departments at Luther College.
Other AAPI events scheduled in April include:
As a specialist in East Asian studies, Jeffrey Wasserstrom has written, co-authored, edited or coedited more than 10 books.
“Youth Activism in Asia from the 1980s to the 2020s: Repeated Patterns and Dramatic Development,” a lecture presented by University of California-Irvine Chancellor’s Professor of History Jeffrey Wasserstrom at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, in Olin 102. Join us to learn how youth activism in Asia has evolved from the late 2010s to the present. Wasserstrom will discuss historical context, comparing Asian movements to those in the United States, and analyze the role of popular culture.
This lecture is sponsored by Luther’s Asian Student Association and Allies (ASAA), the Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (CEPE), the Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES), and the history department.
As a specialist in East Asian studies, Wasserstrom has written, co-authored, edited or coedited more than 10 books. His newest book, “The Milk Tea Alliance: Inside Asia’s Struggle against Autocracy and Beijing,” will be released on June 10, 2025.
Movie: “Vai” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, in Valders 206. Filmed by nine female Pacific filmmakers across seven Pacific nations, “Vai” (2019) focuses on the journey of empowerment through one woman’s lifetime.
“Eats, Education and Engagement” at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at The Landing Market. Through a partnership between CIES, ASAA, The Landing Market, and the Oneonta Valley Literary Foundation, the “Eats, Education and Engagement” event features a meal of Vietnamese, Indonesian and Filipino cuisine.
The price is $10 for adults; $5 for students (with ID) attending any college or university and children 17 and younger. Books by a variety of authors of Asian and Pacific Islander descent will be available to attendees at no charge. The limit is one book per attendee.
The 88th annual Decorah FFA Awards Program was held at the Decorah High School Auditorium on Monday, , at 7 pm. About 250 guests were in attendance, including parents, family members, community sponsors, business leaders, and members. The Conduct of Meetings Team consisting of President Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Vice-President Bentley Smith, Secretary Brock Anfinson, Treasurer Brooks Dodd, Reporter Brooks Courtney, Sentinel Natalie Holthaus, and Advisor Jordyn Roberg officially opened the awards program.
Chapter President Kamryn Werges welcomed everyone in attendance. The 2024-2025 officer team then presented Greenhand FFA Degrees and Chapter FFA degrees to the recipients. This year’s eighteen Greenhand FFA Degree recipients include Brock Anfinson, Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Courtney, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Ethan Hill, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Ella Mann, Zander McConnell, Brandi Nehls, Kayden Osborne, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and Bentley Smith.
The Decorah FFA awarded twenty-one Chapter FFA Degrees to members. This year’s recipients include Hadley Alexander, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Michael Clement, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Dominick Duffield, William Hahn, Noah Heiselman, Aiden Helgerson, Braden Hemesath, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Ryan Rocksvold, Isabella Schnitzler, John Toby Schnitzler, and Peyton Schultz.
Eden Scheidel then awarded the leadership awards to members who successfully served as leaders within our chapter as an officer and/or a committee chairperson. Members receiving leadership pins for completing their first year of service include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, Lauren Holthaus, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Annika Schmelzer, and Jordan Sims.
Members recognized for more than two years of leadership service to the chapter include Kiele Eberling, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Thea Zidlicky and Karlie Einck introduced the members who had perfect meeting attendance this past year. These members include Allison Bigler, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Izabella Kos, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Mara Lovstuen, Jerikah Dodd, Karlie Einck, Nick Farley, Lauren Holthaus, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, and Kamryn Werges.
Madelynn Dahl and Brinlee Courtney presented scholarship pins and certificates to all of the Decorah FFA members who made the honor roll this past year. Members receiving this honor and a pin include Allison Bigler, Dylan Brincks, Brooks Dodd, Colton Elsbernd, Logan Frye, Jacob Hageman, Aiden Helgerson, Natalie Holthaus, Izabella Kos, Blaine Leidahl, Mara Lovstuen, Landyn Quandahl, Jordyn Roberg, Isabella Schnitzler, Daric Sheffield, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and Bentley Smith.
Members receiving a scholarship certificate for being on the honor roll multiple years include Hadley Alexander, Rylee Averhoff, Ryan Bigler, Henry Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Andrew Carolan, Kale Christopher, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Nick Farley, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Lauren Holthaus, Tristan Hunter, Jackson Irwin, William Kruse, Lyla Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Karter Orris, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Peyton Schultz, Jordan Sims, and Jake Teslow.
Rylee Averhoff presented the Academic Achievement Awards. The senior academic awards are awarded from the Iowa FFA Association and are presented to the seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, have been an active member for at least 3 years, and have an active SAE. Recipients who received a certificate and a medal include Austin Helgerson & Jordan Sims.
Gabe Monroe presented the top 10 fruit sales awards after announcing the chapter had sold a total fruit sales amount of $59,416. Members receiving fruit sales awards include 1st – Jordan Sims, 2nd – Taylor Sloan-Dahl, 3rd – Karlie Einck, 4th – Karlee Bullerman, 5th – Rylee Averhoff, 6th – Brinlee Courtney, 7th – Peyton Schultz, 8th – Gabe Monroe, 9th – Allison Bigler, and 10th – Bentley Smith.
The Decorah FFA Letter was presented by Lauren Holthaus. In order to letter, members must be an active member in FFA. This year twenty-four members lettered in FFA. These members include Rylee Averhoff, Andrew Carolan, Brinlee Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Mara Lovstuen, Lyla Lovstuen, Ella Mann, Gabe Monroe, Hunter Quandahl, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Each FFA member has a requirement to keep records on either a job placement, agribusiness ownership, or a livestock or crop project. Members then submit their record books for evaluation. Hadley Alexander announced the top record books for each class. They include senior Kiele Eberling, junior Eden Scheidel, sophomore Gabe Monroe, and freshman Allison Bigler.
Jerikah Dodd presented the Star Greenhand award to Natalie Holthaus. She also presented the Star Chapter Farmer award to Kamryn Werges, the Star Chapter Placement award to Lyla Lovstuen, and the Star Chapter Agribusiness to Eden Scheidel.
Lyla Lovstuen congratulated this year’s proficiency award winners. This year’s chapter proficiency winners include the following: Hadley Alexander (Ag Services), Thea Zidlicky (Beef Production Placement), Brinlee Courtney (Dairy Production Entrepreneurship), Ryan Bigler (Dairy Production Placement), Noah Heiselman (Diversified Ag Production), Kiele Eberling (Diversified Livestock Production), Rylee Averhoff (Goat Production), Andrew Carolan (Grain Production), Eden Scheidel (Poultry Production), Karlie Einck (Sheep Production), Kamryn Werges (Small Animal Production), and Jordan Sims (Swine Production Entrepreneurship).
Eden Scheidel, Brinlee Courtney, Lyla Lovstuen, and Gabe Monroe thanked the senior class for all their leadership over the years and congratulated them on all their accomplishments. This year’s 2025 Decorah FFA seniors who were recognized include Kiele Eberling,
Logan Frye, William Hahn, Austin Helgerson, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Ella Mann, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, and Kamryn Werges.
Annika Schmelzer presented the Star FFA Alumni and Supporters award to Mason & Jaden Falck and Keagen Einck. Kiele Eberling then recognized our 2025 Friends of Agriculture Award Recipient David Forde.
The 2024-2025 Chapter officers then presented the Honorary FFA Degree. The Honorary membership is for any farmers, school superintendents, principals, members of boards of education, chapter advisors, teachers, staff members in agricultural education, business people, and others who are helping to advance agricultural education and the FFA and who have rendered outstanding service. They may be elected to honorary membership by a majority vote of the members present at any regular meeting or convention. This year’s recipients were Nick and Allysen Lovstuen.
During the 2025 FFA Awards Program, attendees had the opportunity to hear from a special guest speaker, Creed Monroe, an alumnus of the Decorah FFA chapter and current Iowa FFA Northeast State Vice President. He shared an inspiring message about the impact of FFA and agricultural education, highlighting the leadership and career opportunities available to students. His speech encouraged members to stay involved and challenged others to take advantage of the many opportunities FFA has to offer.
Chapter Advisor Joni Bruvold thanked all the volunteers and individuals who have supported the chapter throughout the last year. Following Ms. Bruvold’s speech, the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters came to the stage to provide an update. There also was a live auction to raise money for Decorah FFA Senior Scholarships through the Decorah FFA Alumni and Supporters.
After watching the year in review video, the new officer installation took place before the banquet was adjourned. The 2024-2025 officers installed the following 2025-26 officers: President –Kamryn Werges to Gabe Monroe, Vice President – Eden Scheidel to Annika Schmelzer, Secretary – Karlie Einck to Karlie Einck, Treasurer – Gabe Monroe to Lauren Holthaus, Reporter – Brinlee Courtney to Jerikah Dodd, Sentinel – Derek Tieskoetter to Brinlee Courtney, and Assistant Officer – Lyla Lovstuen to Rylee Averhoff. The officer team performed the closing ceremonies and concluded the banquet with the Pledge of Allegiance.
2025 Decorah FFA Best Record Book Winners:
Allison Bigler, Gabe Monroe, Eden Scheidel, and Kiele Eberling received best record book awards.
2025 Decorah FFA Friends of FFA Award Recipient: David Forde
2025 Decorah FFA Honorary FFA Degree Recipients:
Nick and Allysen Lovstuen received the Honorary FFA Degree.
Row 3: Andrew Carolan, Karlie Einck, Austin Helgerson, Mara Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel
Row 4: Rylee Averhoff, Brinlee Courtney, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Logan Frye, Gabe Monroe
Absent: William Hahn, Blaine Leidahl, Rashell Lippe, Ella Mann, Hunter Quandahl, Elora Schnitzler
2025 FFA Academic Achievement Recipients: Austin Helgerson and Jordan Sims
Keagen Einck received the 2025 Decorah FFA Star FFA Alumni and Supporters Award. Also receiving this award but absent for the photo are Mason and Jaden Falck.
2025 Decorah FFA Star Award Recipients:
Natalie Holthaus, Kamryn Werges, Lyla Lovstuen, and Eden Scheidel received a 2025 Decorah FFA Star Award.
2024-2025 Decorah FFA Top 5 Fruit Sales:Row 1: 5th – Rylee Averhoff, 4th– Karlee Bullerman, 3rd – Karlie Einck, 2nd – Taylor Sloan-Dahl, and 1st – Jordan Sims.
2024-2025 Decorah FFA Proficiency Award Winners
Row 1: Rylee Averhoff, Hadley Alexander, Karlie Einck, Kiele Eberling, Andrew Carolan, Jordan Sims
Row 2: Brinlee Courtney, Kamryn Werges, Thea Zidlicky, Eden Scheidel, Noah Heiselman, Ryan Bigler
Decorah FFA members receiving the Chapter FFA Degree
Row 1: Hadley Alexander, Madelynn Dahl, Andrew Carolan, Peyton Schultz
Row 2: Michael Clement, Aiden Helgerson, Mara Lovstuen, Isabella Schnitzler
Row 3: Brinlee Courtney, Jackson Irwin, Braden Hemesath, Noah Heiselman
Row 4: Tristan Hunter, Gabe Monroe, John Toby Schnitzler, Dominick Duffield
Absent: Kale Christopher, William Hahn, William Kruse, Karter Orris, Ryan Rocksvold
Decorah FFA members receiving the Greenhand FFA Degree Row 1: Brandi Nehls, Izabella Kos, Natalie Holthaus, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Jordyn Roberg
The newly-formed Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization from Decorah High School traveled to Cedar Rapids to attend the State Leadership Conference from March 23-25. The students participated in contest events and leadership sessions. Two students placed third in the state in their events.
Brody Darling entered the Iowa Event Pride of Iowa, where contestants were required to highlight Iowa ingredients. He prepared lefse pulled pork burritos with corn slaw and au jus, winning third place. Asmere Jensen also won third place in her event, Iowa Event Food Truck. Her food truck was named Birria Bliss, and she prepared birria tacos.
Other FCCLA members who participated include Brooklyn Anderson, who participated in the Iowa Event Food Truck. She named her food truck The Somber Bayou and prepared beignets with homemade chocolate sauce. Emma Neebel and Miranda Teepe also participated in the Iowa Event Food Truck. Their truck was called Doughy Pastries, and they partnered to prepare Quarkkäulchen, a German potato and cheese pancake.
FCCLA advisor Doreen Fullhart shared, “We went into the experience not knowing what to expect, but we came away with new knowledge, confidence, and a vision for the future. The FCCLA organization opened our eyes to many new possibilities, including scholarship and community service opportunities.”
Group FCCLA (l-r): Miranda Teepe, Emma Neebel, Brooklyn Anderson, Brody Darling, and Asmere Jensen
Asmere Jensen and Brody Darling Third Place Winners
Ine Eriksen Søreide, the first woman to serve as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, will give the 2025 commencement address at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 25, at Luther College’s Carlson Stadium.
Ine Eriksen Søreide
“As we enter into a year of commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian migration to America, we are excited to welcome a veteran member of the Norwegian government to speak to our graduates,” said Luther College President Brad Chamberlain. “Ine Eriksen Søreide brings to us a unique perspective on the value of community on the world stage from her time in roles as Norway’s Minister of Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
Eriksen Søreide is the chair of the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense. She served as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2021.
Prior to that position, Eriksen Søreide was the Minister of Defense from 2013 to 2017. She chaired the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense from 2009 to 2013 and the Standing Committee on Education, Research and Church Affairs from 2005 to 2009.
Born in Strømmen, Norway, Eriksen Søreide received her law degree from the University of Tromsø. She was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 2001.
No tickets are required for the outdoor commencement ceremony. The event will be livestreamed. More information is available at commencement.luther.edu.
