Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

Mary Hogan, a hometown girl who graduated from Kee High School in Lansing, is retiring from that same school district after nine years as its middle school and high school principal. Before becoming principal, she was a special education consultant in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District for four years.

Her professional journey began with an undergraduate degree  at Clarke College in Dubuque. She received her masters and education specialist degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Her career included teaching for five years in southeast Minnesota in a special education coop as a school psychologist. She then moved to Faribault MN where she worked for 15 years as a school psychologist.

Waukon Head Start classrooms are still taking applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Head Start, operated by Northeast Iowa Community Action, is a free full day preschool program that offers a safe and nurturing environment while providing fun, active learning.

Qualified teachers partner with families to provide the best possible preschool experience for children who are three and four years old. Head Start services are funded by federal and state grants and are free for families who qualify. Transportation is available in some areas.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents are encouraged to bring proof of income and proof of their child’s birthdate.

With the COVID-19 pandemic initially modifying the graduation ceremony for the Kee High School Class of 2020 to just a virtual ceremony on the school’s originally scheduled graduation date of May 10, plans have recently been announced to hold an actual in-person graduation ceremony for the entire class Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. at the Kee High School football field. Attendance will be limited to family only and social distancing rules will be followed. Additional details will be made available by the school district.
 

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, June 15. Prior to the meeting, board members could look at one of the new LP-powered school buses recently purchased by the district.

In personnel matters, the board approved hiring Sally Dougherty as a Kindergarten teacher, Melissa Brodahl as a fourth grade teacher, Andrew Sires as freshman girls basketball coach and Quinn Brennan as assistant varsity girls basketball coach. The board also accepted the resignation of Ben Rausch from his position as assistant varsity girls basketball coach, as he has been hired as the varsity girls head coach in replacement of the retiring Greg Criswell. The board also approved the renewal of software agreements with Grantwood AEA and the SAI Mentoring and Induction Program Agreement.

Waukon Head Start classrooms are still taking applications for the 2020-2021 school year. Head Start, operated by Northeast Iowa Community Action, is a free full day preschool program that offers a safe and nurturing environment while providing fun, active learning.

Qualified teachers partner with families to provide the best possible preschool experience for children who are three and four years old. Head Start services are funded by federal and state grants and are free for families who qualify. Transportation is available in some areas.

Nutritious meals and snacks are provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Parents are encouraged to bring proof of income and proof of their child’s birthdate.

Faith Palmer, an Allamakee County 4-H member from Waukon, was awarded the Marion E. Jerome Foundation 4-H Scholarship through the Iowa 4-H Foundation this spring. Palmer is a 2020 graduate of Waukon High School and the daughter of John and Meghan Palmer of Waukon.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced the recipients of over 90 Iowa 4-H scholarships valued at more than $100,000. Over 400 applications were submitted and scholarships have been awarded to recipients from 54 counties across the state of Iowa with a wide variety of 4-H experiences.

By attending State 4-H Conference, camps and conferences, and the State 4-H Legislative Day in Des Moines, Palmer has built connections with 4-H members across the state. In the fall, Palmer will be starting her sophomore year at Iowa State University majoring in Dairy Science.

A pair of 2020 graduates from local high schools were honored with Hammel-Zoll Scholarships awarded annually to seniors graduating from those respective high schools. The scholarship awards were each $2,000 in funding assistance to help further the students’ education plans.

Ainsly Lydon, a 2020 graduate of Waukon High School and the daughter of John and Shelly Lydon of Waukon, was awarded the St. Patrick Parish Hammel-Zoll Scholarship for 2020. She plans to attend Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Calmar to pursue a degree in Nursing.

Rachel Walleser, a 2020 graduate of Kee High School in Lansing and the daughter of Ted and Stacy Walleser of Lansing, was also awarded a $2,000 Hammel-Zoll Scholarship. She intends to attend Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo to pursue a career as a Dental Hygienist or Dental Assistant.
 

The suspension and ultimate end to the Allamakee Community School District school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the Spotlight Artist series typically published in Waukon High School’s student newspaper, The Tribune, not to be featured. The Spotlight Artist for the month of May was scheduled to be senior Abbie Brainard, who was extremely active in the art program with courses and participated in a variety of contests and events outside of the school day. She also used her artistic talent to help other organizations within the school. From making posters for sporting events and the middle school play to designing the Homecoming and student council shirts, decorating the Homecoming football and graciously completing any other odd and end artistic tasks that came her way.

Iowa’s top academic students have been chosen for the 2020 Governor’s Scholar Program. The Governor’s Office, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau, are presenting this recognition which began in 2003.

Among those honorees was a pair of local students. Katelyn Benzing, daughter of Brad and Becky Benzing of Harpers Ferry received the honor for Waukon High School. Elena Rolfs, daughter of Walter and Carla Rolfs of Lansing, was named Kee High School’s recipient.

The 425 seniors being honored were selected by their high schools as the highest academic achievers. All students received a recognition plaque and certificate to commemorate their achievement sent to their home address. The in-person ceremony for this year was canceled due to COVID-19 and the ongoing guidelines concerning public gatherings. Student honorees have been announced via news release, social media and the IHSAA website.

In March of this year, Allamakee Community School District art instructor Carlyn Lechtenberg had a student randomly nominated for Artsonia’s “Artist of the Week” award and win the award based on public vote. Waukon High School sophomore Dallas Howe (pictured at right with Mrs. Lechtenberg) received a plaque and a Blick Art gift certificate for winning the weekly contest with her pop can mosaic flag design also pictured above. The Waukon High School art program received a Blick Art gift certificate as well. View all student artwork online at artsonia.com and keep up with what’s happening in the art room by following Mrs. Lechtenberg on social media. Submitted photo.