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.
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 8th 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.”
Luther College students and Decorah community members at Culture Fest on Sept. 23, 2023, where the campus and community engaged with diverse cultures and traditions through food, performances, art and educational opportunities.
DECORAH, IOWA—A new study from the NAFSA: Association of International Educators shows that Luther College international students contributed $8.2 million to the U.S. economy by supporting 32 jobs during the 2022-23 academic year. Luther also ranked top four in the state of Iowa.
“I know the Luther and Decorah communities are more vibrant, more engaged, more diverse, more connected and more globally aware as a result of the 185 international students from 62 countries who currently live and study with us,” said Jon Lund, director of international admissions at Luther. “I frequently hear from faculty and staff on campus and members of the Decorah community how pleased they are that our international students decided to call this place home for four years.”
Luther ranked fourth for the state for economic impact of its international students, following only Iowa State University, University of Iowa and Grinnell College.
Each year, NAFSA conducts a study on the economic impact of international students. The 2022-23 study found that more than one million international students across the country contributed more than $40 billion to the U.S. economy through more than 360,000 jobs.
International students bring key cultural and academic contributions to Luther and the Decorah community as well.
“Luther’s new strategic framework outlines that the college is ‘grounded and global’ in its approach. This highlights how Luther welcomes international students who are grounded in the Decorah community,” said Karen Hunt, vice president for enrollment management at Luther. “International students both benefit from and contribute to Luther’s distinct and transformative education.”
The study found that for every three international students in the U.S., one job is created or supported. Data also shows that international students’ financial contributions rose almost 10 percent compared to the previous year. In Iowa alone, international students contributed more than $250 million and directly created 765 jobs.
“International students support the local economy and add vibrancy of culture to the community. They cultivate direct and substantial connections between dozens of countries and Decorah. There is not a more authentic way to share Decorah than to have the daily experience told to friends and family abroad,” said Jessica Rilling, executive director for the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce. “Decorah is pleased to welcome students from around the world and appreciates all the ways that they shape the collective narrative of this place.”
About Luther College
At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
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 .
DECORAH, IOWA — A new podcast presented by Luther College’s Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (The CEPE) in partnership with Luther’s radio station, KWLC, released its first season this spring with seven episodes. Featuring recent Luther graduates, “The Podeia Podcast” aims to reveal to current and prospective students that everyone has difficult or embarrassing moments in college and that these are often vital parts of learning and building community.
“The Podeida Podcast” asks recent alumni to share stories from their time at Luther College.
Planning for the podcast began in the spring of 2022 with the premise to feature alumni who graduated within the last 10 years as guests who recount their awkward moments during their time at Luther and discuss how they handled these moments and what they learned from the experience.
“I know almost every student listens to podcasts, and the purpose of Podeia is to bring in recent graduates and hear from them. Current and prospective students can relate to their stories in an entertaining and fun way,” said Andy Hageman, director of The CEPE and Luther College professor of English.
The first episode featured Emily Tope, an English major from Luther College who graduated in 2015. She discussed how she handled the situation of not being prepared for her Luther lab elective class and her own experience taking the lab elective. Other episodes discussed how to deal with college decisions from breaking rules to managing loneliness and much more.
Luther students and alumni collaborated on the production of the podcast. Dominique Stringer, class of 2022, hosted, wrote and produced the first season. Asher Elliott Smith, class of 2024, edited “Podeia” and Methembe Moyo, class of 2023, served as the production assistant. Alum Andrew Murray, class of 2018, composed the theme song.
The name “Podeia” is a play on Paideia, which is a longstanding set of core curriculum courses taken by all Luther students, but the show is not affiliated with the curriculum.
“The wordplay of mashing up ‘pod’ from ‘podcast’ with ‘Paideia’ lines up with the audience we’re trying to reach consisting of current and prospective Luther students,” Hageman said.
The second season of the podcast “Podeia” will begin production in January and is set to release episodes in the spring of 2024. The new season will have a new host, as well as group interviews featuring multiple alumni in one episode.
At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
DECORAH, IOWA — A new podcast presented by Luther College’s Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (The CEPE) in partnership with Luther’s radio station, KWLC, released its first season this spring with seven episodes. Featuring recent Luther graduates, “The Podeia Podcast” aims to reveal to current and prospective students that everyone has difficult or embarrassing moments in college and that these are often vital parts of learning and building community.
“The Podeida Podcast” asks recent alumni to share stories from their time at Luther College.
Planning for the podcast began in the spring of 2022 with the premise to feature alumni who graduated within the last 10 years as guests who recount their awkward moments during their time at Luther and discuss how they handled these moments and what they learned from the experience.
“I know almost every student listens to podcasts, and the purpose of Podeia is to bring in recent graduates and hear from them. Current and prospective students can relate to their stories in an entertaining and fun way,” said Andy Hageman, director of The CEPE and Luther College professor of English.
The first episode featured Emily Tope, an English major from Luther College who graduated in 2015. She discussed how she handled the situation of not being prepared for her Luther lab elective class and her own experience taking the lab elective. Other episodes discussed how to deal with college decisions from breaking rules to managing loneliness and much more.
Luther students and alumni collaborated on the production of the podcast. Dominique Stringer, class of 2022, hosted, wrote and produced the first season. Asher Elliott Smith, class of 2024, edited “Podeia” and Methembe Moyo, class of 2023, served as the production assistant. Alum Andrew Murray, class of 2018, composed the theme song.
The name “Podeia” is a play on Paideia, which is a longstanding set of core curriculum courses taken by all Luther students, but the show is not affiliated with the curriculum.
“The wordplay of mashing up ‘pod’ from ‘podcast’ with ‘Paideia’ lines up with the audience we’re trying to reach consisting of current and prospective Luther students,” Hageman said.
The second season of the podcast “Podeia” will begin production in January and is set to release episodes in the spring of 2024. The new season will have a new host, as well as group interviews featuring multiple alumni in one episode.
At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
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
