Education

High school students graduating in spring of 2022 are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) $2,500 scholarship, awarded to 27 eligible Iowa high school seniors and renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

“Iowa leads the nation in agricultural production, and that is because of the innovation and strong work ethic of emerging young leaders,” says IFBF President Brent Johnson. “Iowa Farm Bureau is proud to award nearly $500,000 in annual scholarships to these students whose agricultural knowledge will strengthen the industry and Iowa’s rural communities.”

The Allamakee Music Boosters will be holding their Annual Prom Dress Sale this Friday, February 4, from 6-8 p.m., and Saturday, February 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Waukon Banquet Center. This sale welcomes gently used prom and semi-formal dresses to be offered for resale, allowing shoppers an alternative to buying new dresses at higher prices.

Prom and semi-formal dresses can be dropped off Thursday, February 3 from 6-8 p.m. and again Friday, February 4 from 4-6 p.m.  Consignors are charged $5 for each dress they wish to sell, and they can set their own price on each dress they want to sell.

For each dress that sells, the consignor receives the price they set on their dress less a 10% commission that is given to the Allamakee Music Boosters for coordinating this event. Anyone in the tri-state area is welcome to attend this event for consigning dresses, shopping for a dress or both.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, January 18, a day later than its usual Monday meeting day due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance. Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Joe Egan, Pam Jones and Joseph Howard as substitute bus drivers and Andrea Nolan as an elementary paraprofessional. The board also accepted the resignation of Kasie Criswell from an elementary paraprofessional position and Jon Snitker from the eight/ninth grade softball coach position.

The following Sunday requests were approved: sixth grade basketball for Sundays in February and March and a high school band trip to La Crosse, WI. The following agreements were also approved: William Penn University Student Teacher Agreement and Retiree HRA and Special Pay Plan Amendments.

Elizabeth Blake, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator for Allamakee County Farm Bureau, joined the four kindergarten classes (one of which is pictured above) at West Elementary School in Waukon Thursday, January 13 to share a presentation on sheep. Some of the major points she touched on with students are what sheep eat, how they are cared for, what they are used for, and what some of the benefits are.

“The students were very engaging as I asked them questions about what they already knew and what they were learning throughout the presentation,” Blake said. “The vocabulary words seemed to go over very well, and the kids were very excited to learn more about each word. I had a great time and cannot wait to go back to teach the kids more about agriculture.”

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular meeting of the board of directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at the Kee High School ICN Room in Lansing Monday, January 17. Board business included a variety of approvals beginning with approving the summer overnight baseball trips to Eddyville June 3 and to Hillcrest Academy June 17.

In personnel items, the board approved a contract for Sydney Garrett, Kindergarten Teacher. An additional kindergarten classroom was needed because of increased enrollment at that grade level.

The public hearing for the 2022-2023 school calendar was set for February 21, just prior to the next regular board meeting, which will be held at the former Lansing Middle School location at 696 Main Street. That next board meeting will be held at that location so board members can visit the site of the Kee Connect program.

The Kee High School Speech program has its busy competition season underway, beginning with the Conference Large Group Contest this past Saturday, January 15 in Postville. Kee’s events received six “I” ratings and one “II” rating. The Conference contest is considered a preparation for Upper Iowa Conference schools before they compete at the District level, where all teams will compete again.

District Contest is scheduled for this Saturday, January 22 in Cascade, with State Contest slated for February 5 at Decorah High School. The teams have been practicing since the beginning of November.

State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald recently opened the 2022 Robert D. Blue Scholarship for applications. Applicants must be a current senior or former graduate of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.

Treasurer Fitzgerald is a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship.

“We’re looking for students who exemplify greatness,” he said. “Aaron Eilerts is a notable example. He spent his time volunteering and giving back to those in his community before tragically losing his life when a tornado struck the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp on June 11, 2008. People like Aaron, who dedicate themselves to serve others, are strongly encouraged to apply.”

Kerry Allen Magner, son of Rose Magner and James Magner of Waukon, was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Civil Engineering with a Geotechnical Engineering Emphasis from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla, MO December 17, 2021.

Magner is a Waukon High School graduate and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, a Master of Science degree in Geological Engineering from Missouri S&T, and a second Master of Science degree in Explosives Engineering from Missouri S&T.

Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January or February 2022. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Registration is required. No walk-ins allowed. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees to complete certification requirements.

“Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period or take and pass an exam once every three years,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State University and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program.

Continuing Education is required in order to keep a Private Pesticide Applicators license current annually. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office will be offering three face-to-face opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course, led by Extension Field Agronomist, Joshua Michel.

State law requires that attendees be in their seat at the start of the program. The course will run for approximately two and a half hours, and attendees must stay for the entire program. Individuals only need to attend one of these sessions to complete the education requirement.

The trainings will be held at the Freedom Bank Community Room in Waukon. Pre-registration is recommended by calling 563-568-6345. Allamakee County will be hosting the following dates and times: January 19 at 9:30 a.m., February 1 at 1:30 p.m. and February 1 at 6:30 p.m.