Education

By Jim Schipper
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation Board Member

Many families turn to federal and private student loans, like those offered by Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending, to cover remaining college costs after savings, earnings and other financial aid. But the options for college financing can be confusing. Here are seven tips for finding the right loans for your family.

A pair of young ladies from the 2024 graduating class of Waukon High School were awarded scholarships from the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood. The scholarships were distributed at the school’s annual Senior Awards Night held in May.

Olivia Marti was selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter EK, which has been a part of the Waukon community since it was organized in 1914.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. The competitive STAR Scholarship is for women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

Andrew Kelleher of New Albin is one of 10 students from the University of Iowa (UI) - all hailing from hometowns in Iowa - who have been granted a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which awards the recipient up to $5,000 to study abroad.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, these experiences offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, languages, and economies, fostering a deeper understanding of the world, and better equipping them with skills to excel in leadership positions within both government and the private sector.

“These Gilman recipients are incredible individuals who will study abroad in varied and unique locations,” said Teresa Kout, participant services coordinator in UI International Programs. “One of the most satisfying aspects of my position is to interact with students who are applying for the Gilman Scholarship.”

Robey Memorial Library’s “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Reading Program 2024 begins Monday, July 1 and runs through Wednesday, July 31. Activities include Reading Challenges with prizes for all ages, Kids and Teens Grab-and-Go Activity Bags, craft events and fine forgiveness. This summer’s activities are further described below.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, June 17. Board member Beth Shafer was absent.

Library patrons have anytime, anywhere access to a dynamic collection of digital audiobooks, eBooks and magazines through the library service of BRIDGES, Iowa’s eLibrary through the Libby app.

The June Live & Learn program at Robey Memorial Library in Waukon is “Getting to Know Libby” Thursday, June 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level Community Room. Learn to download free audiobooks, eBooks, and magazines; navigate the website; and use the Libby app. Those who have been using BRIDGES are welcome to attend to see what is new.

Registration for this class is encouraged. Contact Robey Memorial Library for more information at 563-568-4424, robeymemorial@waukon.lib.ia.us or through the library website, www.waukon.lib.ia.us.
 

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held two special meetings recently, one May 29 and the other June 3. The May 29 meeting with all board members present went into closed session as allowed by Code of Iowa Chapter 21.5.

A follow-up meeting June 3 was held with all board members present once again. Board members included President Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Tony Becker, Joe Manning and Arla Wagner. Also present were EACSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier and Donna Thomas, New Albin Elementary School Principal.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon invites teens in seventh through 12th grades to join the Teen Summer Book Club and Classic Book Club for Teens this summer. The library also invites students who have completed fourth, fifth or sixth grades to take part in Passport to Reading in June, July and August.

Teen Summer Book Club meets Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. June 12, July 10 and August 7. Join the club monthly for a book discussion. June’s book selection is Above all else by Dana Allison Levy; July’s book selection is Undefeated by Steve Sheinkin; and August’s book discussion is The Rosewood hunt by Makenzie Reed.

Classic Book Club for Teens meets Mondays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. July 8 and August 12. Classic Book Club for teens will be reading and discussing the classic titles The outsiders by S.E. Hinton in June, The grapes of wrath by John Steinbeck in July, and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson in August.

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon and The Oneota Valley Literary Foundation (OVLF) have partnered to host Main Street Story Walk in Waukon featuring the children’s story “I don’t want to be a frog” by Dev Petty. During the month of June, families are encouraged to read this story in the windows of various business storefronts as they stroll the downtown area. For this and upcoming Story Walks in Waukon, the OVLF will be providing a free copy of the featured book to every family that stops by Robey Memorial Library with a photo of them completing the Story Walk.

Children and families are encouraged to participate in Robey Memorial Library’s upcoming programs during the month of June. Summer Explorers is a hands-on program held selected Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the library’s Community Room.

The next Summer Explorers program is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19. The program will involve a theme of “Ocean Rescue” with Kristen Halverson, children’s author, featuring a story and ocean conservation activities.

“Ocean Rescue” is a rhyming adventurous picture book that teaches young readers about the need to protect oceans, seas, and marine life. It also includes a post-story activity and educational section to spark creative ideas for preventing plastic pollution in oceans. Visit www.kristenhalversonbooks.com for more information about the author and her literary missions.