Education

Grace Stegen, the daughter of Lee and Jenny Stegen of Waukon, recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Drake University in Des Moines with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Spanish. Stegen is a 2023 graduate of Waukon High School and was able to complete her undergraduate degree in only three years at Drake, due in large part to the college classes she was able to take from Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) during high school, where she earned her Associate’s Degree one week prior to graduating high school.

Stegen has now been accepted into the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where she will pursue her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. She says her goal is to practice rural medicine and impact patients the way her mother has throughout her career. Submitted photo.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 8 at Kee High School in Lansing. Board President Arla Wagner called the meeting to order.

Other board members present included Heather Lutz, Director District #2 Vice-President; Joe Manning, At‑Large Board Member; Tommy Martin, Director District #1 Board Member; and Glen Delaney, Director District #3 Board Member. Non‑voting attendees included Superintendent Jay Mathis; Michele Martin, Board Secretary and Financial Clerk; Donna Thomas, PK‑12 Principal; and Liz Hill, Special Education Director and Associate Principal.

The board approved the meeting agenda as presented. No visitors offered public comment. Consent items including previous meeting minutes, the secretary’s financial report, student activity report, food service report, and monthly bills were reviewed and approved unanimously.

LifeServe Blood Center wants to help students and their families save money while also saving lives. Students who plan and execute a successful blood drive through LifeServe during the summer of 2026 can earn scholarships and recognition while making a meaningful difference in their community.

LifeServe will award up to $500 in scholarship funds to students who organize a successful blood drive between Memorial Day and Labor Day of this year. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must recruit donors, act as the chairperson for the blood drive, and register 25 donors ($250 awarded) or 40 donors ($500 awarded).

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, June 15. Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel matters: Katy Heldt as West Elementary Secretary; 2026-2027 teacher mentors; Kloe Hemmersbach as eighth grade volleyball coach; Frank Weymiller, Ross Weymiller and Tim Bulman as volunteer football coaches; a $10 increase in teacher substitute pay to $150 and a $10 increase in teacher long-term substitute pay to $200; and an increase in paraprofessional hours for Tyme Lidsay.

Robey Memorial Library, in collaboration with the Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLS), is inviting families to take part in the Main Street Story Walk throughout downtown Waukon this June. This year’s featured book is “I’m Trying to Love Spiders” by Bethany Barton. Families can enjoy the humorous and fact-filled story as it unfolds page by page in the windows of six participating local businesses along West Main Street. The Story Walk encourages families to spend time outdoors, read together, and explore downtown Waukon in a fun and interactive way.

Participants will visit six stops along West Main Street in downtown Waukon, with each location displaying a portion of the story. As families move from one business to the next, they’ll continue following the adventure of “I’m Trying to Love Spiders”.

Six Waukon Middle School students were honored Friday, May 21 for their qualities in citizenship observed throughout the school year. This award is voted on by teachers, administration and other staff based on a series of qualities listed below:
• An Unbeatable Attitude: They come to school focused on their goals, enthusiastic about learning, and always respectful of school policies and procedures.
• Dedication to Academics: They understand the value of hard work. While they might not get straight A’s every time, they put in 100% effort to maintain a strong grade point average (GPA) and push themselves to succeed.
• Exceptional Character: They are the students who perform random acts of kindness when no one is watching. They maintain a warm, friendly rapport with peers and teachers, serving as excellent role models for the entire student body.

Karl Peters, graduated senior from Postville High School, was recognized by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement at the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held April 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Also receiving the honor this year but unable to make the trip to Des Moines to have her photo taken is Kee High School graduated senior Addison Winters.

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 429 high school seniors from across the state of Iowa.

Emma O’Neill, graduated senior from Waukon High School and the daughter of Tom and Christy O’Neill of Waukon, was recognized by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer for outstanding academic achievement at the 24th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held April 26 at the Iowa Events Center 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 429 high school seniors from across the state of Iowa.

Alaina Gebel of Allamakee County was awarded the Campbell Determan Endowed 4-H Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation at a recognition ceremony held Sunday, April 26 in Ames.

One hundred and twenty-seven Iowa 4-H scholarships valued at over $155,000 were awarded as a part of the Foundation’s scholarship recognition ceremony. Over 450 applications were submitted, and scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 60 counties across the state of Iowa.

Iowa Girls State sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary of Iowa is scheduled to be held June 14-19 this year on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines. American Legion Auxiliary Scenic Unit #722 of Harpers Ferry has selected Waukon High School junior Katie Regan, daughter of Maury and Stacey Regan of Waukon, as its Girls  State Citizen for this year’s event.

In addition to attending school, her interests also include Future Business Leaders of America, Speech and the American Sign Language Club. She is also an active member of the Allamakee County Democrats who enjoys volunteering in political campaigns.

American Legion Auxiliary Iowa Girls State is one of the premier programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary and was started by a dream of four women over 75 years ago in hopes of teaching young women about the political process. Girls State is a “learning by doing” program, which takes the girls through the political process.