Category: Luther College and Decorah Schools
Luther College Center Stage Series and Student Activities Council celebrate 40th anniversary of the Asian Students and Allies Association with live performances
DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College’s Center Stage Series and Student Activities Council will kick off a year-long celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Asian Students and Allies Association (ASAA) at Luther with performances by internationally-recognized musicians Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn and comedian Aiko Tanaka.
Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn
Center Stage Series: Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn
Musicians Wu Fei and Abigail Washburn blend Chinese folk songs with traditional Appalachian banjo music for Luther College’s Center Stage Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in the Center for Faith and Life’s Main Hall.
Fei is a trained classical composer and a master of the guzheng, a 21-string traditional Chinese instrument that dates back 2,500 years. Her compositions combine Western classical styles with traditional Chinese music to create a unique and contemporary sound. Washburn is a Nashville-based musician, most widely known for her mastery of the clawhammer banjo. She won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album for her collaboration with her husband and fellow banjo player Béla Fleck with their self-titled album. This is Washburn’s second time at Luther following her 2012 solo performance for the Center Stage Series.
Fei and Washburn will perform music from their self-titled collaborative album that was released in 2020; the record combines Fei’s guzheng and Washburn’s banjo. Fei and Washburn’s collaboration “recasts ‘world music’ as music of our shared world, highlighting our shared humanity and the transformative power of song.” The album is available to purchase on Bandcamp or stream.
The Center Stage Dinner Series is also available before the show beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Peace Dining Hall on the second floor of the Dahl Centennial Union. Both dinner and show tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life, online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing tickets@luther.edu or by calling (563) 387-1357.
Comedian Aiko Tanaka
The comedian, actress and TV personality Aiko Tanaka will perform a comedy show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at Marty’s in the basement of the Union. The event is open to the public, and general admission tickets are $5 at the door. The event is free for Luther students who have paid their student activities fee.
Born in Tokyo, Tanaka first appeared in the film “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” and was also featured in the Justin Lin-directed mockumentary “Finishing the Game” about Bruce Lee’s last film. Tanaka has also been featured on the The Jim Jeffries Show, The Howard Stern Show and Comedy Central Stand-Up Asia! Live.
History of the Asian Students and Allies Association
The ASAA was founded in February 1984 as the Asian Student Association as a way for Asian students, who, at the time, were largely Southeast Asian refugees and first-generation immigrants, to advocate and organize for themselves on Luther’s campus. They organized the first Ethnic Arts Festival, which began in 1984 and ended in 2020. In the early 2000s, the group added “allies” to their name in order to reach a wider audience on campus. More programming marking 40 years of ASAA on Luther’s campus will follow in February.
About Luther College
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 High School to host Veterans Day breakfast and program
Decorah High School will host a Veterans Day breakfast and program for veterans and their families on Friday, November 10.
Breakfast will be served to veterans and their family members in the high school cafeteria starting at 8:30 a.m.
The Veterans Day program will be held in the high school auditorium at 9:45 a.m. The VFW Color Guard will post the colors, and the DHS Wind Ensemble and the DHS Concert Choir will perform throughout the program. A special feature of this year’s program will be a video montage of local veterans, filmed by Mr. Josh Fenske’s government class and produced by Mrs. Molly Holkesvik’s media class.
An important part of the breakfast and program is to recognize military men and women who have a connection to Decorah. Those who would like to submit a photo of a family member who has served or is serving in the military to be added to the “Wall of Veterans” should bring a copy of a photo (no larger than a 5 x 7) to the Decorah High School office. Pictures can also be emailed with information to denise.gulrud@decorah.school. The following information should be included:
Name of person
Military branch
Years served or serving
Wars or conflicts fought in
The deadline to submit photos and information is Friday, November 3rd. Those with questions can contact Denise Gulrud at Decorah High School, 563-382-3643, or at denise.gulrud@decorah.school.
Parking will be available in the parking lot located on the west side of the high school. Veterans and their family members can enter through either the auditorium doors or the doors located off the west parking lot.
SpongeBob makes a splash at Decorah High School Nov. 9-11
The Decorah High School Drama program is proud to present “The SpongeBob Musical” Thursday and Friday, Nov. 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the DHS auditorium.
Audiences will enjoy the plunge into this exciting all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show, featuring familiar characters from the Nickelodeon animated series. When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!
“The SpongeBob Musical” features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, and T.I. as well as songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny, and Andy Paley.
NHS present Lunch with the Cast Nov. 11
Decorah’s chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting a pre-matinee lunch on Saturday, November 11. The Decorah High School cafeteria will be transformed into the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob’s place of employment in Bikini Bottom. The menu for lunch is a choice of hot dog or hamburger with curly fries, pineapple garnish, and milk. Guests will be able to meet and take pictures with characters from the show during the event.
Tickets
Tickets to the show are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Cost of the pre-matinee meal is $5 per person, and tickets for the meal must be purchased by Monday, November 6.
Tickets to the show and to the pre-matinee lunch will be available online through Ludus beginning Saturday, October 28 using this link: https://decorahschools.ludus.com/index.php.
Through the generosity of the Decorah Music Boosters, one adult ticket and children’s tickets are available for families who would like to attend the matinee but do not have the resources to purchase tickets. Please contact Shanna Putnam-Dibble at shanna.putnamdibble@decorah.school for assistance in obtaining tickets for the show and/or pre-show lunch.
Production staff, cast, and crew
The production staff includes Jason Rausch, music director/conductor; Karen Trewin, producer/co-director; Kristen Underwood, stage director/costume designer; Chris Hadley, technical director; Karmyn Bakken, stage manager; and Jackie Reckward, box office manager. Principal choreographer is Decorah High School senior Jensen Korsness, with additional choreography by Laurie Walter of Crave Dance Studio. Set design is by Matt Spencer of Singing Hammers Construction.
Cast members include Libby Phillips as SpongeBob, Oliver Brummel as Patrick Star, June Breitenbach-Dirks as Sandy Cheeks, Gabriel Hiner as Squidward Q. Tentacles, Liam Chamberlain as Eugene H. Krabs, Ezra Vorvick as Sheldon J. Plankton, Jensen Korsness as Karen the Computer, Vivian Searcy as Pearl Krabs, Joseph Stammeyer as Perch Perkins, Annaleissa Arnold as the Mayor, Elsa Johnson as the Foley Artist Fish (sound effects), Gwenyth Thompson as Mrs. Puff, Jameson LaBelle as Larry the Lobster, Caleb Johnson as Old Man Jenkins, Davis Coppola as Patchy the Pirate, Andy Kruger as Buster Bluetang, and Nathaniel Roberts as the French Narrator. Playing multiple roles as Bikini Bottom residents and other characters are Grace Blikre, Spencer Christensen, Davis Coppola, Mikayla Hiner, Greta Jones, Andy Kruger, Kamryn Steines, and Hayley Stowe.
Ensemble members are Ariana Albert, Elliana Brodbeck, Elsa Christman, Emma Cline, Esteban Fernandez, Natalie Goodner, Bethany Hanson, Lucas Hanson, Ezra Harman-Wood, Ella Jacobsen, Kaelyn Kuhn, Nora Lesmeister, Teagan Menke, Beau Newhouse, Clarence Nimrod, Noah Potvin, Elizabeth Pritchard, Olivia Rissman, Chloe Sheffield, Gavy Smith, Grace Stockman, Brynn Storhoff, Robin Suhr, Colin Thompson, Abbie Valkosky, Jillian Volz, and Kaylie Wemark.
Technical crews working on lights, sound, and backstage are Hanna Arendt, Elizabeth Bjork, Cody Carolan, Kathleen Delphey, Evynne Downing, Patrick Gallagher, Ava Hanson, Kealy Hines, Camryn Holland, Jayden Lundtvedt, Amelia Pankow, Olivia Paulsen, Nathan Rhodes, McKenzie Riley, Lily Sandhorst, and Kera Walter.
Creating the undersea melodies, harmonies, and rhythms are orchestra members Luke Arendt, Caden Branum, Thatcher Brown, Brian Brummel, Aitor Cuevas, Mikael Havens, Jay Hawthorne, Loren Hendrickson, Ansel Kowitz, Evan Madsen, Alex McGohan, Alex Mercado-Arneson, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Brenna Parker, Susan Potvin, Spencer Rix, Nina Sessions, Julia Severtson, Lauren Severtson, Steve Smith, and Grant Zilka.
“The SpongeBob Musical” is produced with generous support from the Decorah Music Boosters.
(l-r): Oliver Brummel, Gabriel Hiner, Libby Phillips
(l-r): Front row: Noah Potvin; Middle row: Greta Jones, Hayley Stowe; Back row: Nora Lesmeister, Clarence Nimrod, Andy Kruger
(l-r): Front row: Evynne Downing, Kealy Hines; Back row: Karmyn Bakken, Camyrn Holland, Lily Sandhorst
DHS Students Receive Tour and Generous Donation from Gemini
Three senior members of the Decorah High School’s Robotics Team, their coach Brett Wilker, and principal Brad Hurst traveled to Gemini’s plant to take a tour of their facilities led by engineer Ben Woita. “I love going on tours of Gemini’s facility with the students because of the amazing technology they use at their plant. The students were able to discuss the real-world engineering problems the company was facing, and Ben was able to describe what they were doing to solve them, just like the students will be doing when they go off to college to study engineering. The students even brought back to the Robotics team solutions to problems to try to implement on our robots,” said coach Brett Wilker.
Along with the tour, Gemini presented the representatives of Decorah High School a check for $10.000. Through Gemini’s generous donations, the Decorah Robotics Club has been able to expand to supporting two teams at the school–a freshman/sophomore and junior/senior team–that includes more than 30 students. The funding will also allow the purchase of the latest parts and more sophisticated technology to work with as well as the continuation of developing the outreach opportunities the club can provide to the school and community.
The Decorah Robotics Club competes in the international competition known as FIRST Tech Challenge. Each fall students are presented with an obstacle-course style scenario where they are asked to design, build, and program a robot that can complete the different tasks assigned. This season competition, named Centerstage, requires robots to perform a variety of tasks, including picking up hexagonal “pixels” in order to stack them on a slanted board, launching paper airplane “drones” into target zones, using sensors to determine the random positions of different obstacles, and lifting their robots off the ground by hanging from a suspended pipe.
The teams have been getting more successful each year, with the junior/senior team winning their league competition and sub-state competitions last season. Both teams are hard at work designing, building, and programming their robots for this season as their first competition is on November 11th at Waverly High School.
Gemini gives 2% of their profits to local nonprofit organizations as part of their stewardship core value.
Megan Martin, business partner for Gemini shared, “Gemini is committed to our employees and the communities we live and work in. Our charitable contributions committee has had the opportunity to partner with Decorah Schools to further advance their STEM and Robotics programs. We pride ourselves on living out our core value of stewardship, providing students the opportunity to tour our facilities and engage with our team members to better understand the career pathways available at Gemini. We’ve enjoyed developing a partnership with the students to increase their knowledge of advanced manufacturing and help build on their skills as they prepare to enter the workforce.”
Gemini is a wholesale manufacturer of solutions that identify, direct, and protect the world. For over 55 years, Gemini has been an industry leader producing made-to-order dimensional signage, plates, plaques, cast bronze memorials, industrial protective cases, and plastic parts. Gemini is a second-generation family-owned business headquartered in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, with production facilities throughout North America. For more information, visit https://geminimade.com/signage/.
Photo ID (l-r): Gemini engineer Ben Woita; Contribution Committee Member Lauryn Breitsprecher; Robotics coach Brett Wilker; DHS senior robotic club members Nathan Swarbrick, Montana Jump-Gerleman, and Brock Christensen; DHS Principal Brad Hurst; and Contribution Committee Member Jenn Zweibohmer.
Luther College senior Clara Wodny wins Sigma Tau Delta Study Abroad Scholarship
DECORAH, IOWA — Luther College student Clara Wodny, class of 2024, won a $2,000 Study Abroad Scholarship from Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society. Wodny is currently studying away at the University of Nottingham in England.
Clara Wodny
The grant covers study abroad costs for undergraduate students studying English. Wodny, a double major in English and visual communication, won the scholarship by writing an essay about “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker for her application.
The scholarship has helped Wodny cover expenses while completing the Luther Nottingham, England Year. From September through June, up to 12 Luther students study away in Nottingham and take courses at the University of Nottingham. Students also take Luther courses, such as Paideia 450, in addition to taking a course where they have the opportunity to travel throughout the U.K.
“I joined Luther’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at the end of my first year, as I already had enough credits to meet the qualifications,” said Wodny. “I was part of the Luther group of 10 students that presented papers at this year’s annual Sigma Tau Delta Convention, which was held last April in Denver, where I had two papers accepted into the conference.”
As a part of the scholarship, Wodny will write a blog post about her study abroad experience for Sigma Tau Delta’s blog, WORDY by Nature, which is scheduled to be featured in the January 2024 blog.
About Luther College
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.
New York-based The Acting Company to present “Odyssey” as part of Luther College’s Center Stage Series Oct. 26
DECORAH, IOWA—The Acting Company, the country’s premier touring classical theatre company, will present Odyssey at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in the Center for Faith and Life’s Main Hall. It will be the second performance of Luther College’s Center Stage Series for 2023–24.
The production, written and directed by Lisa Peterson, is a modern retelling of Homer’s epic. Four young women trapped in a present-day refugee camp grapple with questions of home, belonging and the hero’s journey, and find themselves acting out “The Odyssey.”
The national tour of “Odyssey” premiered last month at the Marin Theatre Company, a theatre in the San Francisco Bay Area known for presenting nationally recognized and socially relevant productions.
The production is based on a translation of “The Odyssey” by Emily Wilson, who, in 2017, was the first woman to translate the epic into English. Her work and The Acting Company’s production were recently featured on an episode of PBS NewsHour.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Kristen Underwood, Luther’s director of campus programming. “The Acting Company’s work is always outstanding, and we’re lucky to be among the first to experience this relevant new take on Homer’s classic.”
The play stars Layla Khoshnoudi, Zamo Mlengana, Anya Whelan-Smith and Sophie Zmorrod as the four women forced to flee their homelands. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, each of the performers “electrify” in their transformations. Broadway World calls the piece “engaging and beautifully staged.”
The production is free to high school students thanks to a grant from the Kurtich Foundation. Following the 90-minute production, The Acting Company will offer a Q & A.
Center Stage Dinner Series
The talented chefs on the Norse Culinary Team are back with the popular Center Stage Dinner Series. The dinners feature a multi course menu to complement each performance. A separate ticket is required. Dinner seating begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Peace Dining Room on the second floor of Dahl Centennial Union.
Both dinner and show tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office in the Center for Faith and Life, online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing tickets@luther.edu or by calling (563) 387-1357.
About Luther College
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.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky to give the 2023 Roslien Distinguished Lecture at Luther College Nov. 1
DECORAH, IOWA—Dr. Rochelle Walensky, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will give the 2023 Dr. David J. Roslien Distinguished Lecture at Luther College. Dr. Michael Osterholm, a 1975 Luther graduate and epidemiologist, will join Walensky Nov. 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life’s Main Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky
Walenksy was appointed as director of the CDC in January 2021 by President Joe Biden and served in the position until June 2023. During the event, “Reflections on a Pandemic: A Fireside Chat with Dr. Rochelle Walensky,” Walensky will explore with Osterholm the intersection of ideology and science, as well as policies and practices during the pandemic. The event is hosted by The Center for Ethics and Public Engagement (The CEPE) at Luther.
Walensky is an internationally recognized infectious disease clinician, with her research focused on how to screen, treat and prevent HIV/AIDS. She also served as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School from 2012 to 2021.
In 2017, Walensky was named chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and served in the position until 2021. During her tenure as chief, she worked on the frontlines in Massachusetts at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic before being named CDC director. She currently serves on the board of directors at Mass General Brigham.
Osterholm, who published Deadliest Enemy: Our War against Killer Germs, was named to Biden’s COVID-19 Advisory Board in November 2020 and is the McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, where as part of his work at the university serves as the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. He also serves on the Luther College Board of Regents.
The Dr. David J. Roslien Distinguished Lecture in Science and Leadership brings internationally recognized guests who have impacted society through science or leadership to Luther. Previous guest speakers include Ted Koppel, former host of ABC’s “Nightline,” and former NASA director James Hansen, who helped bring climate change into public discourse when he testified before Congress about it in 1988. The lecture is named for Roslien, who served in a number of roles during his career at Luther, including as a professor of biology, a vice president and interim president.
“It’s quite an honor to host Dr. Walensky for this year’s David J. Roslien Distinguished Lecture. Lots of students, staff and faculty have shared their deep interest with me,” said Andy Hageman, director of The CEPE and a professor of English. “They and I feel it’s a vital time to explore the ethical questions of today, where medicine, science and public policy meet.”
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.
Decorah High School’s Pride of the Vikings Marching Band Continues their Legacy of Success
On , the DHS Pride of the Vikings Marching Band performed at the Iowa High School Music Association’s Marching Band Festival in Waterloo and the Muskie Marching Invite in Muscatine.
The Iowa High School Music Association’s Marching Band Festival is a divisional rating festival with scoring ranging from poor (Division V) to superior (Division I). The Pride of the Vikings Marching Band performed well, scoring their 21st consecutive Division I rating. At the Muskie Marching Invite the band placed 5th in Class 3A out of 11 bands and 10th out of 23 overall. The band also was awarded Best Drum Majors in class 3A.
The marching show is entitled “Thor’s Hammer” from composer Randall Standridge. Soloists include Lucas Hanson, trombone; Aitor Cuevas, trumpet; Amelia Wadsworth, mellophone; Brenna Parker, alto saxophone; Jensen Korsness, color guard; and Alex McGohan, snare drum. The color guard choreography was created by Abigail Toussaint, Jensen Korsness, Evon Leitz, and Kiele Eberling. The drill was designed by Andrew Classen from Drake University.
The Pride of the Vikings Marching Band is under the direction of Dustin Bliven, Matt Cody, and Emily Hahn. The drumline is under the direction of Kassidy Steines, and the color guard is under the direction of Laurie Walter. This year’s drum majors are Elizabeth Pritchard and Grant Zilka.
Mr. Bliven states, “This was one of the best marching bands I have had the privilege of working with in my 22 years as a teacher. They worked hard every rehearsal and really bought into the show this year. Having the opportunity to compete this year was educational for this ensemble. We were able to watch other groups we haven’t been able to see perform before and learn from how they performed, which was the biggest reason for attending a new festival and competing. We were completely honored to place 5th in our class, to receive the Outstanding Drum Major award, and to receive our 21st superior rating. It truly was a wonderful day for this group, and our success really stems from our outstanding students.”
DHS to Host Speech Judge Certification
Decorah High School is hosting an Iowa High School Speech Association judge certification meeting on Saturday, October 21st at 10:00 am in the high school study hall for anyone interested in getting certified. The meeting also works as a recertification clinic for current judges who want a refresher or need to renew their license.
The speech department is always looking for judges–people who care about students, who want to help students gain communication skills, and who are up for having a lot of fun.
Even if a person has never been involved in speech before, help will be available to guide participants in learning about the variety of categories in speech and what the expectations are for judging such performances.
Certification is only $5.00, but judges get paid much more for their work during contests. Speech director Molly Holkesvik shared, “If this opportunity is even a bit intriguing to you, Decorah High School could use your help.”
Questions can be directed to Holkesvik at molly.holkesvik@decorah.school.
