Education

Waukon High School Prom 2021 is scheduled for Saturday, April 24. Parents of high school students are again hosting the annual substance-free Post Prom event at the Waukon High School gym immediately following Prom, from 11 p.m. until 3:30 a.m. the next morning.

Very strong past support from parents of Waukon High School students, as well as from local businesses and civic organizations, has resulted in the continued success of providing Prom-goers a safe alternative for celebrating the annual event. That support has provided these young adults with games, food, entertainment, games and prizes at the Post Prom event each year.

Assistance is needed for the event in two main areas:

The Waukon Middle School presented the play “A Thousand and One Nights of Reality Television” by Lesley James, published by Youth Plays, Friday, March 12. The production featured Scheherazade, who oversees the production of hundreds of reality TV shows, and if she doesn’t come up with a new one each and every night, the Sultan will have her job. The producer comes up with some clever ideas in a mix of fairy tales and reality television. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year’s production was not open to the general public, only to family members of the cast and crew.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, April 19.

Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel matters: Amy Love was hired as an elementary teacher ($61,722), and Brenda Good was hired as a bus driver. The board also accepted the resignation of Joan Schwartz from her teaching position and as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor, due to retirement, and Jerry Keenan from his varsity bowling coach position.

The board approved Sunday usage of the football field for varsity football. The board also approved usage of the football field October 6 for the Fields of Faith event. The 2021-2022 AEA Purchasing and Luther College Student Teaching agreements were also approved under the consent agenda.

More than 40 cast, crew and band members from the Waukon High School Musical Theatre Department will present “West Side Story” this weekend, including performances Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and a Sunday Matinee April 18 at 1 p.m. The production is being brought to the Waukon High School auditorium stage under the guidance of Director Sarah J. Bieber, Assistant Director Louise Wild and Choreographer Adam Hooten.

The playwright, Arthur Laurents, wrote a story of two hostile teenage gangs fighting for leadership among the corners, bridges and buildings of New York’s West Side. Composer Leonard Bernstein composed music to capture the harsh realities of life among the New York City streets.

Kee High School senior Owen Henkes received All-State Individual Speech recognition for his Improvisational Acting following his performance at the State Individual Speech Contest that took place Saturday, March 13 at Postville High School. This is his second recognition for Improvisational Acting, as he received the honor last year as well. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no All-State Festival this year, but medals, certificates and other All-State materials were sent to each All-State honoree. Photo courtesy of Kee High School.

Waukon High School Prom 2021 is scheduled for Saturday, April 24. Parents of high school students are again hosting the annual substance-free Post Prom event at the Waukon High School gym immediately following Prom, from 11 p.m. until 3:30 a.m. the next morning.

Very strong past support from parents of Waukon High School students, as well as from local businesses and civic organizations, has resulted in the continued success of providing Prom-goers a safe alternative for celebrating the annual event. That support has provided these young adults with games, food, entertainment, games and prizes at the Post Prom event each year.

Assistance is needed for the event in two main areas:

The Waukon High School Musical Theatre Department will present “West Side Story” Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. and a Sunday Matinee April 18 at 1 p.m. The production is being brought to the Waukon High School auditorium stage under the guidance of Director Sarah J. Bieber, Assistant Director Louise Wild and Choreographer Adam Hooten.

The musical comes to life in silence, and the tension between the Jets and the Sharks comes alive at the snap of a finger. This snapping rhythm sets the tones of the mayhem beginning to take place under the foggy, hot and humid summer sky in Puerto-Rican New York.

The playwright, Arthur Laurents, wrote a story of two hostile teenage gangs fighting for leadership among the corners, bridges and buildings of the West Side. Waukon High School’s Ryan VanderVelden, as “Bernardo”, and Ethan Hooten, as “Riff”, star as leaders of the Sharks and the Jets street gangs.

Nine Waukon High School students took part in the State Individual Speech Contest that took place Saturday, March 13 at Postville High School. Of those nine, two performers received the required two judges nominating them for All-State Honors as Outstanding Performers this year. Pictured individually above, left to right, Vivian Kahn received All-State nomination in the Original Oratory competition, and Abby Wiemerslage received All-State nomination in both Storytelling and Reviewing. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no All-State Festival this year, but medals, certificates and other All-State materials were sent to each All-State honoree.

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) has announced the availability of NEICAC Scholarships supported solely by employees and friends of Community Action. The application and criteria for eligibility are available through the County Family Service Offices or the Administrative Office in Decorah (563-382-8436), online at https://www.neicac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-Scholarship-Filla..., or at high school guidance counselors’ offices. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 23 to be considered.

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation (ACCF) is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors who will be attending a college or university pursuing a degree in natural resources or a related field. One $500 scholarship will be offered to a senior from each of the area high schools in Allamakee County in the Postville, Allamakee Community, and Eastern Allamakee Community School Districts.

Students who would like to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to visit www.allamakeecountyconservation.org, the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center, or their school’s guidance counselor for an application. Applications will be accepted until April 1 and recipients will be notified by May 1.