U.S. Department of Education Announces 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Decorah High School Among Those Recognized

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 356 schools as the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. 

Decorah High School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2024. This marks the second time it has received this honor, having previously won in 2011. Notably, Decorah High School is one of only five schools in Iowa to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School for 2024. Decorah High School’s profile can be found on the Blue Ribbon School website

Principal Brad Hurst said, “This award reflects the hard work of our students, faculty, and staff, along with the tremendous support provided by our parents and community. We commend our district colleagues, coaches, and activity sponsors for their role in our students’ success. Our collective efforts have built a foundation of excellence, preparing our graduates for success in any endeavor they pursue beyond the walls of Decorah High School.”

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education and serve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

DHS Blue Ribbon School

Unified Champions Basketball Game, SpongeBob Cast, 2024 Valedictorians

Women’s wrestling to become Luther’s 11th female varsity team in 2025–26

Luther College President Jenifer K. Ward announced today the addition of women’s wrestling as the college’s 11th varsity sport for women for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.

“Luther has a long legacy of supporting its students’ desire to belong to teams, to learn discipline and resiliency and to compete,” Ward said. “We were among the first colleges to establish varsity teams for women, beginning in 1964 — well before Title IX legislation required us to. We will soon celebrate our 60th anniversary offering our women opportunities to participate in varsity athletics.”

Along with announcing the addition of the program, Ward established milestones for the upcoming months.

“This will be a planning year in 2024-25,” Ward said. “Our timeline is to use this fall and winter to get the word out to recruits that the program will begin next fall. We will begin a nationwide search for our first women’s wrestling coach this winter, so that we can hire as soon as possible after this wrestling season, and we will field our first team in the 2025-26 academic year.”

Athletic Director Renae Hartl and men’s wrestling coach Dave Mitchell joined Ward in her online announcement.

“With both the NCAA and the American Rivers Conference set to add women’s wrestling as a championship, the moment to join in is now,” Hartl said. “And with renovations underway at the future Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness, including an expanded wrestling training space, the timing is perfect.”

I have seen the growth of girls wrestling in the state of Iowa first-hand and I know many of the great coaches leading girls high school programs in Iowa and beyond,” Mitchell said. “We offered a girls’ wrestling team camp in 2023, and it grew significantly this year. One of the top questions I get asked by girls and coaches at camp, and by our alumni and Luther wrestling fans, is, ‘When is Luther adding women’s wrestling?’”

For Luther, the addition of women’s wrestling takes the college to 22 total varsity sports, with 11 for women and 11 for men. It comes two years after the college added both men’s and women’s bowling as varsity teams.

“We’re proud to add to Luther’s legacy of being a college that promotes new athletic opportunities for women,” Hartl said. “With Luther adding the sport, the state of Iowa will lead the nation with the most collegiate women’s wrestling programs to date. With the recent announcements by the A-R-C and NCAA, I know this can open up recruiting opportunities for students from other states to come to Decorah.”

Mitchell added the attraction will also be local.

Our wrestling community is eager to have opportunities for our local and regional girls to study and compete, and the timing is perfect to provide those opportunities right here,” Mitchell said. “The coach who leads this new program is coming into a strong wrestling support system in a strong girls wrestling region. For example, we have in Decorah both the girls state team champions and the girls wrestling coach of the year, Gene Adams, who was an All-American himself here at Luther.”

The visibility and strength of Luther’s existing men’s program provides another support for the decision.

“Luther is known nationwide for excellence in wrestling, and in the future, we expect to see that excellence on both the men’s and women’s teams,” Hartl said.

Aerial view of Luther with athletic facilities and fields

This aerial view shows Luther’s extensive athletics facilities and fields in November 2020. Renovations began in 2024 on the Regents Center, which will become the Gerdin Fieldhouse for Athletics and Wellness.

“The construction for our Gerdin Fieldhouse is underway, and those plans include a wrestling facility expansion and a dedicated women’s wrestling locker room, so the time is right to move swiftly to align our programming with our facility renovation,” Ward said.

At the recent NCAA Convention, the national organization endorsed the creation of divisional championships at each level. When approved this fall, women’s wrestling became the 91st national championship offered by the NCAA, and Division III will lead the way with more than 60 member institutions sponsoring the sport.

Competition schedules cannot be determined until later this year, as both the A-R-C and NCAA are finalizing details of participation in their respective first years of competition. The total number of first-year participants may also be a factor.

“We won’t know for a while whether this will begin as open competition or also include team duals,” Hartl said. “What we do know is young women will have the opportunity to put on that famous Luther blue singlet and compete like a Norse.”

State and national organization leaders expressed their support for Luther’s addition of women’s wrestling.

The addition of women’s wrestling at Luther College will no doubt have a generational impact for female athletes to come,” said Erin Gerlich, executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletics Union (IGHSAU). “As we look across our state and our country over recent years, girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing programs offered in sports. In Iowa alone, we have consistently seen the number of high school female wrestlers grow exponentially each year and reports from the youth wrestling community show no signs of girls wrestling slowing down anytime soon.”

“On behalf of our NWCA Board of Directors, I extend a heartfelt thanks to the Luther College administration for recognizing and embracing the rising popularity of girls and women’s wrestling in a state that has always been synonymous with the sport,” said Mike Moyer, executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. “Anytime we add more opportunities for young women to further their educational and athletic goals in college, it’s a win for our students and a win for our sport.”

Girls wrestling has grown exponentially in high schools since the IGHSAU sanctioned it, expanding from from 58 schools to 204 schools with teams and another 61 with cooperative sharing agreements.

“Iowa has become a leader in the collegiate world for women’s wrestling[LB1] , which allows our Iowa girls even more opportunity to pursue their wrestling dreams at the next level,” Gerlich added.

To learn more about Luther women’s wrestling, go to LutherNorse.com for updates and to find questionnaires for prospects interested in next year’s team.

Additional Information 

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Three DHS Seniors Named Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit® Scholarship Program

Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Three Decorah High School seniors–Oliver Brummel, Mason Myers, and Jack Sovern–are among those recognized with this distinction. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. 

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 94 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and all National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists and will earn the Merit Scholar title.

A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. 

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

DHS National Merit Scholarship Semi finalists

Photo ID (l-r): Oliver Brummel, Jack Sovern, Mason Myers

Venezuelan singer Nella kicks off Center Stage Series on September 27

Nella in a red dress with yellow flowers

Nella performs in the 2024-25 Center Stage Series on Sept. 27. 

Nella, 2019 winner of the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist, will be the first act in Luther College’s 2024-25 Center Stage Series, performing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. 

Born in Venezuela, Nella is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston. Nella’s music is a warm, rich blend of her native country’s folklore, the sounds of her generation, and influences from Spain’s Andalusia region. Nella’s songs are deeply personal, carrying elements of her homeland’s musical tradition while connecting across cultures and borders. 

“I’m really excited to start the Center Stage Season with Nella. Her vocal quality and musicianship are mesmerizing,” said Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming.  “She’s touring with Gilad Barakan on guitar and the two of them will spend some time with Luther students in the afternoon as part of our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. I love it  when artists are enthusiastic about connecting with our community; Nella has been wonderful.”

In May 2019, Nella released her debut album, Voy, with its title track earning a spot on the New York Times’ list of the best songs of 2019, coming in at #14. She followed this success with the release of Doce Margaritas in 2021, her first album with Sony Music, featuring 12 songs written by Javier Limón and collaborations with Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan guitarist Cheo Pardo. 

Before her debut album, Nella appeared in the Spanish feature film Everybody Knows, starring Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, performing songs written by Latin Grammy winner Javier Limón. Shortly after, she launched her tour dubbed Me Llaman Nella (They Call Me Nella), which featured songs from the film, other Limón-penned tunes, and Venezuelan folk songs. This two-year tour took her to the USA, UK, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, and Mexico.

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DCSD Press Release #10 DHS Celebrates Homecoming Week 2024

Homecoming week activities for Decorah High School students will begin with the Viking Olympics on Sunday, September 15. This event aims to encourage team building among students across all grade levels.  

As the week continues, students and staff will have the opportunity to cheer on sports teams and celebrate school spirit.  Athletes on the volleyball, football, cross country, and swimming and diving teams will compete throughout the week.

The coronation ceremony will be Friday afternoon with a pep assembly and parade to follow.

Queen candidates from the senior class include Leah Holland, daughter of Steve and Krista Holland; Sara Johanningmeier, daughter of Scott and Kerri Johanningmeier; Greta Jones, daughter of Brian and Jennifer Jones; McKenzie Riley, daughter of Adam and Jessica Riley; and Ella Stille, daughter of Brandon and Michelle Stille.

King candidates from the senior class include Joshua Adam, son of Mike and Janet Adam; Louie Bucksa, son of Jared and Alecia Bucksa; Davis Coppola, son of Tony and Kelly Coppola; William Hahn, son of Brent and Amanda Hahn; and Grant Zilka, son of Keith and Jessica Zilka.

Junior class attendants are Ariana Albert, daughter of Chopper and Rhonda Albert, and Cael LaFrentz, son of Raef and Joie LaFrentz.

Representing the sophomore class as attendants are Kaelyn Kuhn, daughter of Tom and Karen Kuhn, and Gavin Knutson, son of Justin and Tasha Knutson.

Riley Christopher, daughter of Chance and Amber Christopher, and Bennett Coppola, son of Tony and Kelly Coppola, will represent the class of 2028.  

The Homecoming parade will start at 2:30 p.m. at the high school and follow the traditional homecoming parade route down West Water Street and River Street. 

The Decorah Vikings football team will take on the Mustangs of Independence High School at 7:30 p.m. The Decorah 9th grade team will play at 5 p.m.

The Homecoming queen and king, their court, and their parents will be presented at halftime of the varsity game, along with a performance by the Decorah High School Pride of the Vikings marching band.

DHS Senior Homecoming Court 24

Photo ID (l-r) DHS Senior Homecoming Court:

Front row: Louie Bucksa, Davis Coppola, Joshua Adam, William Hahn, Grant Zilka

Back row: Ella Stille, Greta Jones, Leah Holland, McKenzie Riley, Sara Johanningmeier

9 11 grade Homecoming attendants 24

9-11 Attendants:

Front row: Bennett Coppola, Gavin Knutson, Cael LaFrentz

Back row: Riley Christopher, Kaelyn Kuhn, Ariana Albert

DCSD Voters Approve Two Ballot Measures in September 10 Election

Voters in the Decorah Community School District approved both measures on the ballot during the September 10 special election.

According to preliminary election results provided by the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, each public measure for DCSD received approval of at least 70 percent.

Public Measure D, which asked voters to renew the district’s Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) through 2051, received 1,829 votes in favor (75.48%) compared to 594 (24.52%) opposed. This measure required 50% approval to pass. A Revenue Purpose Statement specifies how school districts can spend revenue provided by the state’s Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund.

Public Measure E sought permission from voters to increase the district’s debt service levy limit from $2.70 to $4.05 per $1,000 of taxable property value. Support for the measure totaled 1,678 votes (70.56%), while there were 700 votes against (29.44%). Approval of at least 60% was needed to pass.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support that was shown by our residents on election day,” said Dr. Tim Cronin, Superintendent. “We have had many great conversations about the future of our schools in recent months, and it is clear that our community cares deeply about education and the students our district serves.”

The measures approved on September 10 are the initial steps in the district’s plan to construct a new school for students in PK-2 that would replace John Cline Elementary and West Side Early Childhood Center.

DCSD voters will next consider a $38 million bond referendum on Tuesday, November 5. More information about this project can be found at www.decorahcsdfuture.org.

DHS Envirothon Team Wins Exceptional Merit Award

The accolades continue to roll in for Lucas Arendt, Connor Evelsizer, Gabriel Hiner, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, and Anders Lovstuen, members of Decorah High School Envirothon team DNR. After winning first place two years in a row at state competition, the team competed in international competition. This summer they finished in a very respectful 13th place in New York, improving from a 19th place finish last year in New Brunswick. They also were just awarded the Exceptional Merit Award, given to teams who demonstrated exceptional teamwork, outstanding spirit, and other remarkable qualities at the 2024 National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon Annual Competition. 

The officials had this to say about team DNR: “Iowa exemplified great teamwork throughout the competition. They supported and looked after each other no matter what. They acted as a cohesive unit, showing what it means to be a team. For being an exceptionally kind and courteous team, they are granted the Exceptional Merit Award.” Teams from four other states also won this award.

Advisor Larry Berland remarked, “This honor is very well-deserved. These students worked so well as a team. It has been a real pleasure to work with these individuals throughout the years.” 

Team DNR

Photo ID (l-r): Team DNR members Connor Evelsizer, Aidan Nalean-Carlson, Lucas Arendt, Anders Lovstuen, and Gabriel Hiner

Rebecca Nagle to speak on “Justice on Native Land” at Luther College’s 2024 Farwell Distinguished Lecture

Rebecca Nagle head shot

Rebecca Nagle

Rebecca Nagle will speak about “Justice on Native Land” for Luther College’s annual Farwell Distinguished Lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Author of the new book By the Fire We Carry (release date Sept. 10), Nagle is an award-winning writer, podcaster, advocate and citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The evening will be moderated by Andrew Hageman, associate professor of English and director of Luther’s Center for Ethics and Public Engagement.

Nagle’s writing about Native representation and tribal sovereignty has been featured in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and more. As the host of the chart-topping podcast This Land, Nagle tells the story of a Supreme Court case about tribal land in Oklahoma, the small-town murder that started it, and the surprising connection to her own family history. In This Land‘s second season, Nagle takes listeners through the 40-year history of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the federal lawsuit, Brackeen v. Haaland.

In addition to her work toward Native American representation, Nagle lends her voice to fighting violence against women. She is the co-founder of FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture, and spearheaded The Monument Quilt, a collection of over 3,000 stories by survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence, written, painted and stitched onto red fabric. 

From Joplin, Missouri, she currently lives in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she works for her tribe on language revitalization.

The Farwell Distinguished Lecture will be held in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, and is free and open to the public. By the Fire We Carry will be available for purchase in the lobby before and after the presentation.

The Elwin D. and Helen Farwell Lecture Endowment

The Elwin D. and Helen Farwell Distinguished Lecture Series Endowment was established in 1981 in recognition of the contributions the Farwells made to the Luther community. Elwin D. Farwell was president of Luther College 1963–1981.

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Luther College’s newest emeriti professors share stories of caring and creative students

Luther College’s Board of Regents has approved emeritus status for five long-serving faculty members at Luther, who have retired as of this summer: Barbara Bohach, Michael Engelhardt, Lise Kildegaard, Beth Lynch and Rebecca Sullivan.

“We want to express our deepest appreciation for their dedication and service to Luther College over the years,” President Jenifer K. Ward said. “I know many generations of students have benefited from their commitment to their craft and their own love of learning, and we wish these colleagues well as they start their next chapters in life.” 

Barbara Bohach 

Barbara Bohach head shot

Barbara Bohach, professor emerita of education

Barbara Bohach, associate professor emerita of education, began teaching at Luther in 1992. She started as a clinical professor, after 11 years of teaching in elementary classrooms. She loved the two-year position so much that she expressed an interest in staying on as an instructor. She continued her own education at the University of Northern Iowa to earn a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. 

“I enjoyed teaching future teachers during those first two years because of their enthusiasm for making a difference in children’s lives,” she said. “This caring attitude possessed by our students never changed over the course of 32 years. We have grads who become outstanding teachers and leaders in their school districts and make Luther proud!”

Bohach enjoyed partnering with local teachers — some of them former students of hers — to help Luther elementary education majors realize the rewards and challenges of teaching literacy to elementary students. These experiences integrated educational theory, research and practice as the college students worked in classrooms.  

“When I observed my students working with their assigned student(s), it made me smile,” Bohach said. “The teacher-student conversations that I overheard showed me that my students were connecting with their learners and applying the language arts concepts and content that we’d been learning in class.”

Michael Engelhardt 

Michael Engelhardt head shot

Michael Engelhardt, professor emeritus of political science

Michael Engelhardt, professor emeritus of political science, taught courses on American politics and foreign policy.  

“I came to Luther in 1988 in the middle of a huge drought, and that was the big topic of conversation,” Engelhardt said. “I was looking everywhere for a tenure-track job, and this opened up. I stayed because of my students and colleagues, especially the students.” 

During most of his years at Luther, Dr. Engelhardt taught a January Term course entitled, “It’s a Conspiracy!?” Using critical thinking methods, he led the students in examining political conspiracy theories. 

“One of my favorite memories is when a student, Sam Scheffler, asked me when I was going to do my ‘last lecture’ at Luther. When I told him I didn’t have anything planned, he urged me to do one,” Engelhardt said. “I worked out the details and gave a lecture on the history and future of NATO. It was very gratifying to find students interested enough in what I had to say to come to something not required. Sam even brought his grandfather to the lecture.” 

Engelhardt earned his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research interests have been in the areas of military intervention and nuclear nonproliferation. He has published several articles in these fields, and has co-authored a text in American politics. He also coached Luther’s Mock Trial team and was faculty adviser to the Luther College Republicans.

Lise Kildegaard 

Lise Kildegaard headshot

Lise Kildegaard, professor emerita of English

Lise Kildegaard, professor emerita of English, started teaching at Luther in 1993. She earned her Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago. She taught first-year students in Paideia courses and upper-level British literature courses. 

“Reading and writing, analyzing and discussing — these are the arts of the citizen, and for over 30 years at Luther College, I had the privilege of sharing the classroom with students as they worked to improve their skill at these necessary arts,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the energy and the insights of students, and I especially loved how class discussions helped us deepen our thinking and encouraged us to build community.” 

Kildegaard shared a story that occurred on her last day of teaching during the spring semester of 2024 to exemplify “the random acts of goofiness that often showed up in the classroom.” 

“In the final moments of my very last class this spring semester, the students surprised me with a flash-mob-style recitation of the first 20 lines of Milton’s epic poem, ‘Paradise Lost’ — after which they jumped up to dance to a rap song they had written about our class in 18th-century British lit. It was a perfect Luther College moment — a mash-up of art and learning and joyful noise.” 

Lise Kildegaard stands with a classroom of students

Students taught by Professor Lise Kildegaard (front center, holding book) honored her on the last day of classes in spring 2024.

Kildegaard combined her Danish heritage with her scholarly work through her fine translation of the celebrated Danish writer Louis Jensen’s Square Stories. This work was adapted into a student theater production. She developed a curriculum around Square Stories and flash fiction, which she implemented at numerous K-12 schools in Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and New Mexico.   

Beth Lynch 

Beth Lynch, professor emerita of biology, joined Luther’s biology department  in 2001. She received her Ph.D. from University of Minnesota in ecology, evolution and behavior. She regularly taught courses in botany and ecology, including the introductory biology course “Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity.” During January Term, she enjoyed teaching winter biology in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Northern Minnesota.

Her research in plant ecology focuses on the paleoecology of fire-dominated ecosystems and on the conservation of native plant communities in Northeastern Iowa.

Two rows of people stand in the woods.Two rows of people stand in the woods.

Professor Beth Lynch (lower left, kneeling) and her ecology class in 2017.

One of her favorite memories from Luther happened during a January Term course she was teaching in the Minnesota Boundary Waters. She and her students were playing broomball on a frozen lake, when they noticed the Northern Lights. 

“Someone noticed the Northern Lights and immediately all of the ruckus of the game stopped as the students stood and watched in awe as the lights danced,” Lynch said. “For many it was their first time seeing them. I loved seeing everyone so quiet and attentive to their surroundings.”

Rebecca Sullivan 

Rebecca speaks at a microphoneRebecca speaks at a microphone

Rebecca Sullivan, professor emerita of library and information science

Rebecca Sullivan, professor emerita of library and information science, helped first-year students develop their writing skills, benefiting them for the rest of their careers. She would eventually go on to serve as director of the Paideia program. 

“I first came to Luther in the fall of 1986 to teach writing and first-year Paideia,” Sullivan said. “Every first-year student at Luther participates in this discussion-based course to develop skills in argumentative writing, careful reading and critical thinking. I value that common experience. I have been delighted to share in each student’s discovery of their own abilities.” 

Sullivan was once a first-year student at Luther herself, as she earned her bachelor’s degree from the college in 1984. She would go on to earn a Master of Arts in American studies from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Library Science from the University of Illinois. She became a full-time professor at Luther in 2004.

She also taught methods courses for students majoring in English education, Young Adult literature, and upper-level Paideia courses on social sustainability and “The Search for Happiness.” 

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