Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools

On Saturday, October 21 at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo, sixteen Decorah High School and Decorah Middle School Special Olympians competed in the Northeast Iowa Regional Bowling event. First place winners for Decorah High School include Klaressa Miller, Jude Ryan, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Haley Stinson, Kamryn Leuenberger, Paxton Remick, and Peyton Rentschler. Placing 2^nd for the Vikings were Donnie Hrdlicka, John Lippe, and Braden Ramstad; and placing 3^rd was Brandon Thomas.

Placing 1^st for Decorah Middle School in the Regional Bowling include Aiden Farley, Sky Pasche, Zoey Lollar, and Johnathan Bean. Daniel Bean placed 3^rd for DMS. Also making the trip and not competing was Luke Thompson.

On November 18^th, the first-place finishers from DHS once again traveled to Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo to compete in the State Bowling competition. Winning Gold for Decorah were Kamryn Leuenberger and Paxton Remick. Winning Silver was Peyton Rentschler, winning Bronze were Wyatt Pleggenkuhle and Haley Stinson, and placing 4^th was Klaressa Miller.

The Decorah Special Olympics team would like to thank the Decorah High School and Middle School administrators, the All Sports Booster Club, and King Pin Entertainment Center for their continued support and encouragement for a successful season.

The Special Olympics team will be in competition again on March 3^rd for the Northeast Iowa Regional Track and Field Competition held in the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

DHS Senior Brandon Thomas carries the Special Olympics torch for the Opening Ceremony of the Regional event.

Group Photo – Front Row (l-r): Peyton Rentschler, Theo Green, Paxton Remick, Kamryn Leuenberger

Middle Row (l-r): John Lippe, Donnie Hrdlicka, Carly Mann

Back Row (l-r): Essa Miller, Haley Stinson, Brandon Thomas, Jude Ryan, Wyatt Pleggenkuhle, Braden Ramstad

DMS Special Olympic Bowlers (l-r): Daniel Bean, Johnathan Bean, Aiden Farley, Sky Pasche, and Zoey Lollar. (not pictured Luke Thompson)

Decorah Middle School’s four Mock Trial teams swept the Regional Competition at Waterloo earning first through fourth place among 12 teams. Three Decorah teams advanced to the State Tournament in Des Moines November 27-29.

All four Decorah teams were undefeated against their opponents at Regionals. 

This year’s competition is based on the fictional criminal case set in Manassas, Iowa.   In the case, a referee made some bad calls in a Battle Ball game and was murdered that evening.  The defendant in the case was a huge supporter of the team who lost the game due to the bad calls. The referee also had connections with the Albanian mob who may have played a role in the murder.

The team that won first place consists of Matthew Burkholder, Pranav Caton, Brody Darling, Leah Garcia-Prats, Eva Hurley, Addisyn Ivy, Breyden McCain, Shree Patel, Kate Pattison, and Bristol Parker. Second place winners include the team consisting of Poppy Bellrichard, Isaac Bentley, Maxwell Goodner, Oscar Grimstad, Kaya Johnson, Sophia McGee, Raelyn Newhouse, Oak Pasche, Nils Peterson, and Davis Walter.  The team of Austin Bohner, Isaiah Bonnet, Rosella Burkholder, Charly Courtney, Nathaniel Crose, Robert Davis, June Fassbinder, Lula McAbee, Kelbi Schuman, and Veda Shimek took third place.  Fourth place winners include the team consisting of Crosby Butler, Sofia Hageman, Ruth Kueny, Edith Marable, Harper Menke, Simon Potvin, Abigail Stevens, Ellis Thompson, and Kylie Zoulek.

A large number of Decorah students earned outstanding witness and attorney nominations from judges. While the final results have not been released, the following students were nominated as outstanding witness: Pranav Caton, Bristol Parker, Leah Garcia-Prats, Matthew Burkholder, Davis Walter, Maxwell Goodner, Nils Peterson, Kaya Johnson, Harper Menke, Crosby Butler, Edith Marable, Abigail Stevens, Sofia Hageman, Charly Courtney, Lula McAbee, Rosella Burkholder, and Nathaniel Crose.

Outstanding attorneys were also nominated by judges during the competition.  While the final results have not been released, the following students were nominated as outstanding attorneys: Leah Garcia-Prats, Kate Pattison, Pranav Caton, Addisyn Ivy, Eva Hurley, Nils Peterson, Maxwell Goodner, Sophia McGee, Davis Walter, Poppy Bellrichard, Nils Peterson, Oak Pasche, Isaac Bentley, Sofia Hageman, Harper Menke, Simon Potvin, Ellis Thompson, Rosella Burkholder, Kelbi Schumann, Charly Courtney, Robert Davis, Veda Shimek, and Lula McAbee.

Many mentors and experts assisted the DMS students in preparing for Mock Trial competition including Attorney Jacob Stock, Attorney Jeremy Thompson, and Attorney Andrew Casper. Carole Sand and Sarah Zbornik shared their mock trial expertise with students through the season. Numerous high school students also volunteered as mentors to assist students with writing and delivery. Teams are coached by Dana Hogan with the help of Scott Boylen. Mock Trial is part of the DMS Extended Learning Program.

First Place Team: Row One (l-r): Eva Hurley, Leah Garcia-Prats, Addisyn Ivy, Kate Pattison, Bristol Parker 

Row Two (l-r): Pranav Caton, Breyden McCain, Brody Darling, Matthew Burkholder, Shree Patel

Second Place Team: Row One (l-r): Nils Peterson, Isaac Bentley, Oak Pasche, Oscar Grimstad, Davis Walter 

Row Two (l-r): High school mentor Spencer Christensen, Maxwell Goodner, Sophia McGee, Raelyn Newhouse, Poppy Bellrichard, Kaya Johnson, high school mentor Myla Leitz

Third Place Team: Row One (l-r): June Fassbinder, Veda Shimek, Charly Courtney, Lula McAbee Row Two (l-r): Robert Davis, Kelbi Schuman, Rosella Burkholder, Isaiah Bonnet, Nathaniel Crose, Austin Bohner

Fourth Place Team: Row One (l-r): Sofia Hageman, Abigail Stevens, Harper Menke, Edith Marable

Row Two (l-r): Kylie Zoulek, Ellis Thompson, Ruth Kueny, Simon Potvin, Crosby Butler

The Decorah Community School District will seek the community’s engagement as it examines and addresses the facility needs at John Cline Elementary School and West Side Early Childhood Center.

Among the most pressing and expensive challenges at the schools are infrastructure and maintenance issues. Specifically, sanitary sewer systems must be replaced up to the city’s main. The current systems create plumbing problems that include toilet leaks and sewer backups. In addition, heating systems, which are more than 30 years old, have limited climate control capabilities and are approaching the end of their life expectancy. 

Leaking roofs need to be replaced and some floors show signs of settling. Asbestos can be found onsite. Additionally, playground drainage issues cause damp, decaying leaves to collect annually in the fall, creating a foul smell.

“Both John Cline and West Side have served the Decorah community well in the past,” said Dr. Tim Cronin, superintendent. “However, as is the case at many schools throughout the state, these facilities have aged to the point that providing students with a modern learning environment has become a daily challenge for the district at both sites. In the months ahead, we will be engaging our community into these needs as we work to find potential solutions.”

The two schools have architectural challenges that create limitations for students, teachers, and staff. Many classrooms have limited setup options due to size, shape, and outlet locations. There is inadequate closet space for students to store their winter gear, and there exists an insufficient number of sinks in classrooms and stalls in restrooms.  Additionally, the sharing of the gymnasium as a lunch room impacts scheduling and staff throughout the district. Moreover, previous construction to an existing building’s core structure created multiple rooms which lack windows as well as areas with poor ventilation.

Both schools lack needed space–ranging from community rooms capable of hosting meetings and conferences to shared gymnasium and lunchroom space that will not interfere with indoor activities and recess. Limited storage space in classrooms and common areas also creates challenges, and insufficient space exists for students as they engage in many activities at the playgrounds.

District administrators and officials continue to monitor the challenges presented at John Cline and West Side and work towards potential solutions.

Please direct inquiries to Dr. Tim Cronin, (563) 382-4208 or at  tim.cronin@decorah.school.

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Decorah High School honors the enduring legacy of two exceptional students with the installation of a memorial table and benches on the high school campus near the greenhouse. This will serve as a lasting tribute to the lives of Dalton Hemesath and Karter Einck who made valuable contributions to the school community, particularly through their involvement in FFA.

Einck and Hemesath were not only strong academic talents but also examples of leadership and dedication. Their passion for agriculture and commitment to the FFA program left an indelible impact on their peers, teachers, and the community. FFA advisor Joni Bruvold remarked, “This memorial represents their welcoming personalities, especially their ability to bring people together.”

Although the majority of the funding for this project came from the Decorah FFA chapter, the chapter extends its gratitude to community members and other FFA chapters who also made contributions to celebrate the lives of these two remarkable individuals. 

Family members, current FFA officers, and FFA advisor gather to honor the memory of Dalton Hemesath and Karter Einck with the installation of table and benches.

ALL: Row 1 (l-r): Matt Hemesath, Braden Hemesath, Karlie Einck

Row 2 (l-r): Joni Bruvold, Anders Lovstuen, Annika Brynsaas, Derek Tieskoetter, Michelle Einck, Mary Hemesath

Row 3 (l-r): Keagen Einck, Travis Nordheim, Creed Monroe, Brody Courtney, Jeramiah Rediske, Ryan Einck

FAMILIES (l-r): Mary Hemesath, Michelle Einck, Braden Hemesath, Keagen Einck, Karlie Einck, Matt Hemesath, Ryan Einck

FAMILIES AND OFFICERS: Sitting (l-r): Jeramiah Rediske, Creed Monroe, Annika Brynsaas, Anders Lovstuen

Back (l-r): Derek Tieskoetter, Brody Courtney, Mary Hemesath, Michelle Einck, Braden Hemesath, Keagen Einck, Karlie Einck, Matt Hemesath, Joni Bruvold, Ryan Einck, Travis Nordheim

OFFICERS (l-r): Jeramiah Rediske, Creed Monroe, Annika Brynsaas, Derek Tieskoetter, Brody Courtney, Travis Nordheim, Anders Lovstuen

The National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The American FFA Degree is bestowed upon a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence.  Each year less than one percent of the FFA membership receives the American FFA Degree.

Melia Kruse was awarded the American FFA Degree at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo on November 4. Kruse has been an active member of the Decorah FFA and met the requirements for the highest degree through the FFA. Each recipient of the American FFA Degree will receive a gold American FFA Degree key and certificate.

To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agricultural enterprise or earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service, demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement, and have a good academic record.

Kruse is the 22nd member of the Decorah FFA who has earned this degree. Other Decorah FFA members who have earned this degree include Aaron Lovstuen, 1996-97; Sam Murray, 1997-98; Jacob Groth, 2000-01; Jeremy Peake, 2000-01; Ryan Holthaus, 2001-02; Kayla Hotvedt, 2003-04; Aric Yaw, 2003-04; Justin Holthaus, 2005-06; Mitch Hemesath, 2006-07; Gabriel Twedt, 2009-10; Dalton Frana, 2011-12; Danielle Fulsaas, 2012-13; Dustin Bigler, 2013-14; Andrew Luzum, 2013-14; Jordan Tietz, 2013-14; Aric Luzum, 2016; Isaac Luzum, 2016; Daiton Tietz, 2017; Hailey Nierling, 2019; Ashley Schwartzhoff, 2019; and Blake Courtney, 2020.

Melia Kruse of the Decorah FFA received her American FFA Degree at the 96th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

By: Jeremiah Rediske, Decorah FFA Reporter

Sixteen members of the Decorah FFA departed to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo. Members enjoyed three days filled with leadership sessions and FFA business, all while learning lifelong skills and meeting fellow members from all over the nation. Outside of convention, members had the opportunity to tour local attractions, including the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Churchill Downs, Bayer Crop Science – Windfall Soybean Production Site, and Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery.

Members who attended convention include Rylee Averhoff, Annika Brynsaas, Karlee Bullerman, Brinlee Courtney, Brody Courtney, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Lauren Holthaus, William Kruse, Rashell Lippe, Lyla Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Eden Scheidel, Elora Schnitzler, and Derek Tieskoetter.

Front row (l-r): Lyla Lovstuen, Brinlee Courtney, Elora Schnitzler, Eden Scheidel, Kiele Eberling, Rashell Lippe, Lauren Holthaus, Karlee Bullerman

Second row (l-r): William Kruse, Brody Courtney, Annika Brynsaas, Derek Tieskoetter, Rylee Averhoff, Karlie Einck, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe

On Saturday, October 21 at Independence High School, 50 Decorah High School musicians participated in the Iowa All-State Music auditions. The students prepared difficult musical selections and then competed for spots in the All-State ensembles with students from East Central and Northeast Iowa, including Dubuque and Cedar Rapids area schools.

Fifteen Decorah students were selected as members of the 2023 ensembles: Lucas Arendt, viola; Aitor Cuevas, trumpet; Connor Evelsizer, tenor voice; Gabriel Hiner, bass voice; Liam Huang, violin; Andy Kruger, tenor voice; Naomi Kutz, violin; Simon Kutz, cello; Alex McGohan, percussion; Lauren Severtson, violin; Ezra Vorvick, string bass; and Grant Zilka, baritone saxophone (alternate)

The concert will be broadcast on Iowa PBS on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 23 at 7:00 p.m. 

Front Row (l-r): Liam Huang, Violin; Grant Zilka, Baritone Saxophone Alternate; Andy Kruger, Tenor Voice; Luke Arendt, Viola; Lauren Severtson, Violin; Naomi Kutz, Violin 

Back Row (l-r): Simon Kutz, Cello; Alex McGohan, Percussion; Connor Evelsizer, Tenor Voice; Gabe Hiner, Bass Voice; Aitor Cuevas, Trumpet; Ezra Vorvick, String Bass

Derek Anderson, author and illustrator of over 30 books for children, recently visited Decorah elementary students in Transitional Kindergarten through 4th grade. Some of Anderson’s works include the Croc and Ally series, Benny McGee and the Shark series, Gladys Goes Out to Lunch, and Story County. He is also the illustrator for the Little Quack series and the Hot Rod Hamster series. He grew up in Ames, Iowa, and now lives in Minneapolis. The Decorah FEC (Family, Educator, and Community Organization) generously funded this visit.

The students enjoyed the amazing opportunity to hear from Anderson about his work as an author and illustrator. In his two presentations, he shared with them the process of creating, that it’s okay to make mistakes, and to never give up. He also demonstrated how he draws his character Ally.

To help get the students excited about Anderson’s visit, the Oneota Valley Literacy Foundation generously donated 310 of his books, allowing each student in Transitional Kindergarten through 2nd grade to receive one of his books. 

Teacher Librarian Michaela Seeman remarked, “Decorah elementary students are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community to provide these unique opportunities.”

Mrs. Delaney’s second graders show off their new books.

Derek Anderson speaks to Decorah elementary students.

Derek Anderson draws a book character.

Walking around the commons area at Decorah High School now offers a history lesson of schools from the surrounding area. From Bluffton to Burr Oak and Nordness to North Winneshiek, thirteen regions are honored with photo collages displayed on the pillars of the DHS cafeteria and gym entrance.

Adam Riley, Associate Principal and Activities Director, wanted a way to pay tribute to the schools in our area. He knew contacting Elizabeth Lorentzen, currently on the board of directors at the Winneshiek County Historical Society and formerly a Decorah art teacher for 42 years, would be just the person to help him with this project. “We can’t thank Elizabeth and others from the Historical Society enough for the work that was put in to help this vision become a reality. Our commons area is a place where people from all over our school district come to gather, and we hope these photo boards can continue to help our students stay connected and have pride in the areas that their families come from,” Riley said.

Lorentzen does research for the Historical Society, teaches the public about the architecture of Decorah, and writes for the society’s newspaper. For this project she spent twenty-five hours researching each area and finding photos to represent them. “I really liked Adam’s idea,” Lorentzen remarked.

According to Lorentzen, there used to be community bands, baseball teams (from the 1890s to the 20s and 30s), and other events that drew people together. Gathering authentic photos helps with the identification of each of those places. She also shared that during the 1850s Winneshiek County had 225 country schools until a 1960s law forced consolidation of the schools. Locust School was in use the longest in the state of Iowa.

Elizabeth Lorentzen knows well the history of the area schools and was invested in the project because it was for the high school. “The photos are important because those areas still have a very personal feel for those residents,” commented Lorentzen. “They are proud of where they come from.”

Elizabeth Lorentzen by one of the photo collages

A close up of a section of the Highlandville collage