Education

McKayla Stock’s strategy to gain a head start on her college education while still a student at Waukon High School was helped along by a strong concurrent enrollment agreement between her school and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC).

Heaping portions of ambition, drive, compassion and the motivation to begin a career as a nurse also helped Stock to realize her dream. The 2014 Waukon High School graduate earned 33 dual enrollment college credits by the time she set foot on the NICC Calmar campus and, this May, completed an Associate Degree of Nursing.

Waukon High School graduated senior Chase Pladsen has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. In the fall, Pladsen will study Animal Science at Iowa State University in Ames.

Rich Strike, a 1979 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Marvin "Bud" and Marge Strike of Waukon (with whom he is pictured), was recently honored with a Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching. Rich Strike is currently a mathematics teacher at Cedar Falls High School, continuing a 33-year tenure down that career path that follows in the footsteps of his father, who was a long-time mathematics teacher at Waukon High School. The younger Strike was one of 10 teachers from Black Hawk County to be recognized with the Gold Star Award this year, emerging from a list of more than 1,300 nominations made by students, parents, community members and colleagues. He and his wife, Jane, live in Cedar Falls. They have two children, a son, Paul, and a daughter, Cara.

In 1958 the landscape of the Waterville School changed with the closing of the Harpers Ferry High School. Several Harpers Ferry students joined the Waterville High School, bringing with them, and sharing with Waterville classmates, their love of sports and the outdoors, such as the boys basketball team from 1959 pictured at right.

Now it’s like the end of the school term… making final preparations for what is ahead; not tests but the Waterville School Reunion scheduled for Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26. Saturday is Waterville Day, and it is full of all things Waterville. The Reunion Banquet is Sunday at the Waukon Banquet Center. Although time is winding down, registrations are still being accepted and are required for those attending. Registration can take place at the reunion website, www.Waterville.weebly.com, with registration and payment then being mailed to Cletus Mathis at 506 Fifth Street NE, Waukon, IA 52172.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) had its 50th anniversary officially recognized recently by both the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors and City of Waukon by official proclamations signed by each entity. The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation at its May 23 regular meeting to honor NICC's 50th year of service to the county and northeast Iowa. Pictured above at that proclamation signing are, left to right, Larry Schellhammer, Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson; Dan Byrnes, Allamakee County Supervisor; Erica Nosbisch, NICC Waukon Center Director; and Dennis Koenig, Allamakee County Supervisor.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Wildlife Forever® State-Fish Art® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Contest this spring. The State-Fish Art Contest uses art to ignite children’s imaginations while teaching them about fish and fishing. Entries showcased students’ favorite Iowa fish in its natural habitat. All entries were original hand-drawn artwork. Winners were selected based on portrayal of theme, creative expression, originality, visual appeal and artistic merit. Heidi Ellis, a fifth grade student under the direction of Allamakee Community School District art instructor Carlyn Lechtenberg, was awarded second place in the 4th-6th grade age group in the contest. She will receive a certificate of participation and her drawing is posted on the State Fish Art Contest website with other state winners. Submitted photo.
 

Katie Lydon, a 2016 graduate of Waukon High School and the daughter of John and Shelly Lydon of Waukon, was awarded the St. Patrick $1,000 Hammel-Zoll Scholarship for 2016 following the Senior Mass Sunday, May 15 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. She plans to attend Iowa State University.
 

Valedictorians or top graduating seniors were honored by KWWL Television and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in a ceremony held Saturday, April 30. The students took part in KWWL’s 32nd annual “Best of the Class” celebration on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. Madison Snitker from Waukon High School, daughter of Ted and Lisa Snitker of Waukon, was honored as a member of the 2016 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. KWWL Vice President and General Manager Jim McKernan noted, "KWWL is proud to be associated with an event that shines a light on these outstanding students, their families and schools." Pictured above, left to right, are KWWL Chief Meteorologist Mark Schnackenberg, KWWL news anchor Ron Steele, Madison Snitker of Waukon High School and KWWL Sports Director Rick Coleman. Submitted photo.

Kaley Benzing (center), Waukon High School (WHS) graduating senior, was recognized by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (left) and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds (right) for outstanding academic achievement at the 14th Annual Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony held May 1 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 432 high school seniors from throughout Iowa this year. “Iowa Farm Bureau members believe that by investing in our youth and communities, we’re investing in the future of Iowa,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “We are so proud to honor such exceptional students and proud to be a leading contributor to educational programs and annual scholarships for our youth.”

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) is participating in the Free Summer Food Service Program again this year. Menus for the initial session of the program accompany this article. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children ages one through graduating seniors for free and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.