Education

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.”

The Allamakee County Master Gardeners and the Waukon High School FFA chapter have combined their efforts this year to host a plant sale scheduled for this Saturday, May 11 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the 4-H Building at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon. The Master Gardeners have been busy planting herbs and vegetables, while the FFA members have been busy with the flowers.

Since the closure of Luster Heights in Allamakee County, the Master Gardeners have been able to start seeds in the Waukon High School greenhouse. Prior to that closure, residents of Luster Heights started the plants in their own greenhouse. The Allamakee County Master Gardeners appreciate the Waukon FFA chapter sharing its greenhouse with the Master Gardeners for this venture.

The family of Walter “Red” Rixen and Dr. James Rixen, father and son, will continue to honor their memory and legacy of community support with a new endowed scholarship being made available to Waukon High School graduating seniors. The “Red” Rixen and Dr. Jim Rixen Scholarship will be first distributed at this year’s Waukon High School Senior Awards Program through the Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc.

Walter “Red” Rixen was born in Harlan and served in the U.S. Army during WWII.  He began his teaching and coaching career at Waukon High School, where his 1953 and 1957 Waukon Indian football teams played to undefeated seasons. After completing a Master’s degree in Administration at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Red went on to be a school principal at St. Ansgar, for many years at Grinnell High School, and also at Davis Elementary. He and his wife, Helen, retired back to Waukon.

Sixth grade students from New Albin Elementary recently enjoyed their afternoon learning all about clay, as well as creating their own pottery masterpiece. George Blair, a renowned potter from New Albin, had the students and teachers awed at his talents. The students had a great experience thanks to the generosity of this local artist. Submitted photos.