Education

Sunday April 27, 21 members of the the Waukon FFA chapter departed from Waukon High School to take part in the annual Iowa FFA State Convention on the Iowa State University campus in Ames. Riley Bodley and Katelyn Gordon attended as the delegates for the chapter, which required them to vote on a number of different issues, including the 2014-2015 State Officers. Erika Johnson won gold and Christa Heffern won silver in the state level Greenhand Quiz.

The Waukon Junior High eighth grade students welcomed Iowa Senator Michael Breitbach Thursday, May 15. During his presentation in the Waukon High School Auditorium, Senator Breitbach provided background on himself and discussed those things that guided him to public office. He shared with the eighth grade students how Iowa’s legislature works, discussing the many things he both enjoys and struggles with as he works for his constituents. A variety of questions were asked by students about specific issues.

Marcus Weymiller (center), Waukon High School (WHS) graduated senior, was recognized by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (right) and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds (left) for outstanding academic achievement at the Eleventh Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony April 27 at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 435 high school seniors from throughout Iowa.

by Brianne Eilers

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were once again honored by KWWL Television and Wartburg College in a ceremony held Saturday, April 26. The students took part in KWWL’s 30th annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the Wartburg College campus in Waverly. Marcus Weymiller from Waukon High School, son of Dave and Laure Weymiller of rural New Albin, was honored as a member of the 2014 Best of the Class. Best of the Class students were videotaped on the Wartburg campus for a series of public service announcements, which began airing May 5 on KWWL.

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were once again honored by KWWL Television and Wartburg College in a ceremony held Saturday, April 26. The students took part in KWWL’s 30th annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the Wartburg College campus in Waverly. Colin Brennan from Kee High School, son of Marty and Karen Brennan of Lansing, was honored as a member of the 2014 Best of the Class. Best of the Class students were videotaped on the Wartburg campus for a series of public service announcements, which began airing May 5 on KWWL.

A Waukon area native has been awarded a Gold Star for his efforts in the classroom, but on the opposite side of the desk from that traditional award typically handed out for academic achievement.
Jeff Welch, a 1987 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Margaret Welch and the late Robert Welch of Waukon, has been honored as one of 10 winners of the 2014 Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching in Black Hawk County. Welch is a sixth grade teacher at Bunger Middle School in Evansdale, part of the Waterloo Community School District.

Members of the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H program in Allamakee, Howard, Mitchell and Winneshiek counties recently completed their first year of a two-year 4-H citizenship program. As a portion of the program, participants visited the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines and met with their State Senators and Representatives. While meeting their legislators, members discussed current issues and concerns and the role that government plays in their lives.

The Senior Awards Program for the Class of 2014 at Waukon High School (WHS) is scheduled to be held in the high school auditorium Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. All students, parents, families and community members are invited to attend the event.
Allamakee Dollars for Scholars and many community groups will present awards to members of the WHS Senior Class that evening. In addition, honors and achievements by WHS Class of 2014 members will be recognized.

Kee High School’s Post Prom was held Sunday, April 27 from midnight until 4 a.m. Guests played table games and entered raffles using play money. The silent auction prize packages were also very popular with the guests. Special entertainment was provided by hypnotist Chip Flatow from Texas. Everyone attending was given an opportunity to guess the number of candies in a jar and Jameson Peterson won $100 for guessing closest to the actual number. Door prizes were awarded throughout the evening and everyone drew a number to win a prize package at the end of the event.