Education

The Junior High Band (pictured above) and the Sixth Grade Band (pictured below) from the Allamakee Community School District each earned Superior ratings at the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) Large Group Contest held Tuesday, March 13 at the Waukon High School gymnasium. This is the tenth consecutive year that both bands have earned the highest available rating at this contest. A total of nine middle school bands from throughout northeast Iowa participated in the annual event. Submitted photos.
 

East Elementary School fifth grader Mercedes Wilkins of Waukon is currently being featured as Artsonia’s Artist of the Week for fourth-sixth grades. Some of her artwork, including the “Straw Weaving” project she is displaying in the above photo, will be featured on the Artsonia website, www.artsonia.com/museum/aotw/, during this week of March 25-31 after she received one of the top vote totals in the weekly contest. She will also receive a plaque and a $50 gift certificate from Blick art supplies, and the Allamakee Community School District elementary art program, under the direction of Carlyn Lechtenberg, receives a $100 art gift certificate as well. Submitted photo.

by Brianne Eilers

MARCH 5 SPECIAL SESSIONS
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met in closed sessions for special meetings Monday, March 5 regarding the selection of a new superintendent to lead the district. During the 6 p.m. meeting, the motion to offer a two-year contract for the position of superintendent to Robert Jay Mathis at an annual salary of $149,500 was approved. See sidebar story in shaded box at right for additional information on Mathis and his hiring.

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors officially hired area native Jay Mathis for the district's Superintendent position at the board's regular monthly session Monday, March 19. Mathis and retiring ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold will be transitioning the rest of the school year before Mathis officially begins his duties July 1 of this year.

Iowa State University Allamakee County Extension and Outreach is hosting a financial workshop, "Making Ends Meet." For those who would like to get more for their money, save money for their financial goals, have money ready for emergencies, develop a plan for spending and saving and be more confident about their money, this program, taught by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Sciences Family Finance Specialist Jeannette Mukayisire, is designed to help.

During this two-part workshop, attendees will learn how to make their money work for them. The workshop is free to the public and will meet at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office in Waukon, located at 218 Seventh Avenue SE, Suite #102, Tuesday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 29 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Waukon High School junior Sean Liddiard, pictured in the center of the above photo at the State of Iowa competition for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and VFW Auxiliary Voice of Democracy student essay contest where he was awarded first place earlier this year, represented the VFW Department of Iowa at the national level of competition held in early March during the 2018 VFW Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The son of Dan and Kelly Liddiard of Waterville, he was one of 53 finalists for the national level of the essay competition, and he was one of 17 essayists in that national competition to win a $1,000 scholarship, being awarded the Department of Tennessee Cooper T. Holt - John Furgess Scholarship. All 53 national finalists were awarded scholarships ranging from the $30,000 top prize to $1,000 scholarships. Robyn Anzulis of Woodbine, MD represented the VFW Department of Maryland and was awarded the $30,000 T.C.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering "Air Fryers & InstaPots: Avoiding the ‘Single Use Syndrome’" Tuesday, March 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.

Those who own an Air Fryer and/or an InstaPot, or who are thinking of getting one, can explore a range of easy-to-prepare meals and snacks that will make these appliances worth the space they take in the pantry. To register online for “Air Fryers & InstaPots: Avoiding the ‘Single Use Syndrome’” (#59647) or for more information, visit www.nicc.edu/solutions, call NICC Business and Community Solutions at 800-728-2256, ext. 399 (Calmar campus) or the NICC Waukon Center at 563-568-3060.
 

St. Patrick School in Waukon will be hosting its annual 5K walk/run Saturday, March 31. The event will be open to all ages and the race will begin at 8 a.m.

Registration for the event can be accomplished by filling out the registration form below and returning it, along with a check made payable to St. Patrick School for the appropriate registration fee, to St. Patrick School, c/o Katie Fahey, 200 Second Street SW, Waukon, IA 52172. The registration fee, which includes a long-sleeve t-shirt, is $20 ($15 for youth shirt sizes) if paid by March 26. Registration will also be held from 7-7:45 a.m. the day of the race at the St. Patrick School Upper Building gymnasium, but registration after March 26 will not guarantee receipt of a long-sleeved t-shirt and will be charged an additional $5 fee.

Retiring Allamakee Community School District Superintendent of Schools Dave Herold will be among three school administrators honored by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) later this week with the Bernie Saggau Award of Merit at the Iowa High School Boys State Basketball Tournament being held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. The award presentation will take place during halftime of the Class 4A State Championship game, which is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m. Friday, March 9.

Named after the former Executive Director of the IHSAA following his retirement in 2004 after a 41-year career leading the governing body of Iowa high school male athletics, the Bernie Saggau Award of Merit is the highest honor the IHSAA bestows. It is awarded by the Board of Control to individuals for their service to interscholastic athletics and support of education-based activities for students.

The United States Air Force (USAF) Band of Mid-America’s Shades of Blue jazz ensemble (pictured at right) will present a joint concert in collaboration with the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) bands in the Waukon High School gymnasium Monday, March 12, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This is a family-friendly, all-ages event. The Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble will perform immediately following the Allamakee Community School District Parade of Bands Concert, at approximately 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Submitted photo.