Education

In 1958 the landscape of the Waterville School changed with the closing of the Harpers Ferry High School. Several Harpers Ferry students joined the Waterville High School, bringing with them, and sharing with Waterville classmates, their love of sports and the outdoors, such as the boys basketball team from 1959 pictured at right.

Now it’s like the end of the school term… making final preparations for what is ahead; not tests but the Waterville School Reunion scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26. Saturday is Waterville Day, and it is full of all things Waterville. The Reunion Banquet is Sunday at the Waukon Banquet Center. Although time is winding down, registrations are still being accepted and are required for those attending. Registration can take place at the reunion website, www.Waterville.weebly.com, with registration and payment then being mailed to Cletus Mathis at 506 Fifth Street NE, Waukon, IA 52172.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) had its 50th anniversary officially recognized recently by both the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors and City of Waukon by official proclamations signed by each entity. The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation at its May 23 regular meeting to honor NICC's 50th year of service to the county and northeast Iowa. Pictured above at that proclamation signing are, left to right, Larry Schellhammer, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson; Dan Byrnes, Allamakee County Supervisor; Erica Nosbisch, NICC Waukon Center Director; and Dennis Koenig, Allamakee County Supervisor.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Wildlife Forever® State-Fish Art® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Contest this spring. The State-Fish Art Contest uses art to ignite children’s imaginations while teaching them about fish and fishing. Entries showcased students’ favorite Iowa fish in its natural habitat. All entries were original hand-drawn artwork. Winners were selected based on portrayal of theme, creative expression, originality, visual appeal and artistic merit. Heidi Ellis, a fifth grade student under the direction of Allamakee Community School District art instructor Carlyn Lechtenberg, was awarded second place in the 4th-6th grade age group in the contest. She will receive a certificate of participation and her drawing is posted on the State Fish Art Contest website with other state winners. Submitted photo.
 

Katie Lydon, a 2016 graduate of Waukon High School and the daughter of John and Shelly Lydon of Waukon, was awarded the St. Patrick $1,000 Hammel-Zoll Scholarship for 2016 following the Senior Mass Sunday, May 15 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. She plans to attend Iowa State University.
 

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were honored by KWWL Television and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in a ceremony held Saturday, April 30. The students took part in KWWL’s 32nd annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. Madison Snitker from Waukon High School, daughter of Ted and Lisa Snitker of Waukon, was honored as a member of the 2016 Best of the Class. Best of the Class students were videotaped on the UNI campus for a series of public service announcements, which are scheduled to air on KWWL's Channel 7. KWWL Vice President and General Manager Jim McKernan noted, "KWWL is proud to be associated with an event that shines a light on these outstanding students, their families and schools." Pictured above, left to right, are KWWL Chief Meteorologist Mark Schnackenberg, KWWL news anchor Ron Steele, Madison Snitker of Waukon High School and KWWL Sports Director Rick Coleman. Submitted photo.

Kaley Benzing (center), Waukon High School (WHS) graduating senior, was recognized by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (left) and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds (right) for outstanding academic achievement at the 14th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held May 1 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 432 high school seniors from throughout Iowa this year. “Iowa Farm Bureau members believe that by investing in our youth and communities, we’re investing in the future of Iowa,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “We are so proud to honor such exceptional students and proud to be a leading contributor to educational programs and annual scholarships for our youth.”

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) is participating in the Free Summer Food Service Program again this year. Menus for the initial session of the program accompany this article. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages one through graduating seniors for free and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

To ensure that Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) programs align with local workforce needs, the Board of Trustees approved a series of recommendations by the College’s administration at its May 16 meeting.

New programs approved by the trustees and the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) include: Computer Analyst – Data Center Technician certificate at the Peosta and Calmar campuses; Entrepreneurial Cosmetology diploma at both campuses; and the renaming of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program to Engineering Technology at the Peosta campus. Also approved by the trustees, and pending Iowa Department of Education (DOE) approval, is a new Legal Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree at the Peosta campus.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly board meeting Monday night, May 16. During the Secretary’s Report, retiring Board Secretary Janice Rea welcomed Jaime Curtin as the new Board Secretary/Business Manager. Rea also noted that the district is in “a good financial position because the Board looks out for students and staff.” The Board also thanked Rea for her years of service to the ACSD.

During the Superintendent’s Report, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold noted that the State legislative session is over and that the use of Smarter Balance and the Early Literacy Initiative are still unclear. Herold further noted that Smarter Balance may be a line item vetoed by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. Herold also provided Board members with a photocopy from an upcoming Iowa History Journal that will feature a section on Waukon.

The Waterville All-School Reunion is scheduled to take place the weekend of June 25-26, and organizers say that reservations are coming in from the east and west coasts from graduates, others who attended Waterville, and from families of the first class to graduate from Waterville in 1923. Saturday, June 25 is Waterville Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for anyone who has a connection with the town. The school will be open for touring, the fire station will showcase fire and emergency service equipment, wine tasting will be hosted by Eagles Landing Winery and lunch provided by Parents for Progress. In addition, the Waterville Library and City Hall will be open for a display of Waterville’s history as well as being the “museum” of composite Waterville graduation pictures. Open Door to the Soul (formerly Waterville Lutheran Church) has been maintained by the White family and will be open as well. A game of Granny Basketball is planned for 2 p.m. in the Waterville school gymnasium.