Education

Monday, May 15 the Waukon Middle School 10th Hour Program’s Drama Club presented the play “All the Bases” by Alan Haehnel (Brooklyn Publishers) to their families and community members. The play was based on a survey that was conducted in an effort to create the perfect production. The cast begins by reading the “survey results” they got from the audience in response to the question, “What do you want from a play?” Based on these responses, the cast creates a checklist and presents a play meeting all 15 audience requirements. The hilarious result is that its a “short-cheap-educational-safe, non-schedule-interfering, colorfully-costumed-interesting-set, photogenic, Shakespearean, self-esteem-building, combative-musical-repartee-filled, stars-your-precious-child, contains-no-scratching-or-picking-of-the-embarrassing-variety...show!” Drama Club leaders say the students did a wonderful job and had a fun time creating their own costumes. Submitted photo.
 

Nathan Helgerson (center), Waukon High School graduating senior and son of Erik and Janelle Helgerson of rural Lansing, was recognized by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (right) and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg (left) for outstanding academic achievement at the 17th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held April 28 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 424 high school seniors from throughout Iowa at this year’s ceremony. “Iowa Farm Bureau members are proud that their organization showcases its commitment to youth and education in many ways, including the half million dollars in scholarships we provide each year. Our 17-year title sponsorship of the Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony is just one way we celebrate Iowa’s exceptional high school students,” said IFBF President Craig Hill.

The Waukon High School and Middle School art students under the direction of Carlyn Lechtenberg invited students from West and East Elementary Schools over to their art room again this semester, but this time to “fly” on over and see/take pictures with the students’ Kelsey Montague-inspired wings (pictured below). The wings are part of Montague’s “what lifts you” campaign and are designed to spread a kind, motivational, inspirational, uplifting message. Students have been coming over the last couple weeks of the school year to view the middle/high school artwork that is on display, interact with the large “wing” art display and play a game with the older students to create their own inspirational feathers (as pictured above). The wings were also on display in the Waukon High School gym for the Waukon High School graduation ceremonies held Sunday, May 19. Submitted photos.
 

The Waukon High School Music Department traveled to Decorah for the Iowa High School Music Association Large Group Festival Friday, May 3. Each ensemble performed for three judges during the event and those judges’ scores were averaged to reach a final rating for each group. The Mixed Concert Choir (pictured at center), JV Women’s Choir (pictured at right below) and the Concert Band (pictured above) each received a Division I rating, the highest rating that can be achieved at State contests.

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Education met Thursday morning, May 9 for a special meeting. Board members approved hiring Jennifer Garin as the Waukon High School Principal, replacing retiring principal Dr. Mike Hardy. The board also accepted Garin’s resignation from her position as Waukon Middle School Principal and Activities Director.

The board also approved the transfer of teacher Angela Adney from kindergarten to second grade while also approving the realignment of the elementary section to four sections of kindergarten and five sections of first grade at West Elementary due to enrollment numbers. Via telephone, Jon Muller of Iowa School Finance Information Services (ISFIS) gave an overview of financing options for the proposed solar energy project.

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were honored by KWWL Television and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in a ceremony held Saturday, April 27. The students took part in KWWL’s 35th annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. Madisen Ahlstrom from Waukon High School, daughter of Brian and Vicki Ahlstrom of Waukon, was honored as a member of the 2019 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 and can also be found on KWWL.com. Quincy Media Regional Vice President Jim McKernan noted, “KWWL is proud to be associated with an event that shines a light on these outstanding students, their families and schools.” In its 35 years of recognizing academic excellence, KWWL’s Best of the Class has honored over 4,400 top graduating seniors.

Whether high school students’ career goals include becoming a biologist, teacher, accountant, welder or a nurse, the opportunity to take college courses while in high school brings them even closer to their dream job, more quickly and affordably.

More than 2,800 high school students took advantage of these opportunities from 2017-2018 because of concurrent enrollment agreements between the schools and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Last year, 2,848 students out of 6,045 total NICC students, or 47 percent, were high school students. Students who work closely with advisors at their high school, and with the College’s success coaches, can earn credits that apply to an NICC career and technical program, or a transferable associate’s degree.

The Waukon Lions Club hosted its annual Waukon High School Honors Banquet at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon Wednesday, May 1. Students ranking in the top 15% academically of Waukon High School’s 2019 senior class were honored at the event. The evening included a meal served by the Presbyterian Women and an inspirational talk by guest speaker Jay Mathis, Superintendent of the Allamakee Community School District and a Waukon High School Class of 1982 graduate. The honored seniors shared with the audience their future plans and then were presented certificates by Waukon High School Principal Dr. Mike Hardy and Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson. Pictured above are the honored students with speaker Jay Mathis. Left to right - Front row: Megan O’Neill, Michaela Dehli, Leslie Halverson, Molly Brodahl, Madisen Ahlstrom, Aubree Cota; Back row: Brigid Berns, Micah Treptau, guest speaker Jay Mathis, Nathan Helgerson, Lauren Griffith, Lauryn Behrend.

The Waukon High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter continued to prove itself as one of the top chapters in the state of Iowa with a second-place finish at the FBLA State Leadership Conference held in Coralville March 28-30. The Waukon chapter claimed more than 60 award-winning finishes by its members within the top six of a variety of project and testing competitions, including 13 event championships.

The annual State Leadership Conference is an opportunity for students to compete against other students from around the state of Iowa in various business-related tests, presentations and speeches. Many projects were done throughout the past couple of months and then presented to judges at the Conference. Events also included case studies and written tests.

by Waukon High School Publications students Olivia Opat, Madelyn Helgerson and Janett Farning

Throughout the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD), both students and staff have been celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6-10. Students across the school district commented on the topic of why they appreciate their teachers.

Two children from elementary school shared why they appreciate teachers, including a student named Cole. He stated, “Teachers are like water. You need them to survive. They have traits that make them unique. They teach their passion and that passion may be one of yours.”

Another elementary student, Leah, stated, “I appreciate my teachers because they know more than we do and they are trying to teach us some of the knowledge.”