Education

Grace Howe, a 2019 graduate of Waukon High School who is graduating this month from Iowa State University in Ames, has been named a recipient of the Award for Academic Achievement from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Student Council. This award recognizes a student for their cumulative grade point average (GPA), scholarships received, honors received at Iowa State, as well as the number of semesters on the Dean’s List.

Award recipients were recognized on College of Agriculture and Life Sciences social media channels, in communication to college alumni, and at the college Convocation event held Friday, December 16.

The following article, reprinted with permission from its author, summarizes Grace Howe’s college experience and the benefits she received from that experience:

Multiple internships pave the way for future career

Saturday, December 3, members of the Waukon Middle School and Waukon High School bands participated in the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (NEIBA) District Honor Bands. The students rehearsed all day and presented a concert to the public that evening. Middle school band members participating are pictured in the photo above and included, left to right, Trent Schullo - euphonium, Tate Ellingson - French horn and Trinity Protsman - flute. High school band members who were selected are pictured in the photo below and included, left to right, Logan Lubahn - tuba, Moriah Downing - clarinet, Bailey Sherman - flute and Cody Huinker - trombone. The students are instructed by Middle School Band Director Tim Lund and High School Band Director JoAnn Sherman. Submitted photos.

The Allamakee Community School District added 13 new educators to its staff at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Throughout a time frame of several weeks since the school year began, the Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA), in cooperation with The Standard newspaper, has been introducing these new school district staff additions to the public through an article series in this newspaper. This week’s installment in the series, published below, will feature a pair of third grade teachers new to the staff at East Elementary School in Waukon who are also natives to the Waukon area, Kris Rausch and Carley Sweeney, in addition to another area native, Laiton Ihde of Decorah, who is a new fourth grade teacher at East Elementary School in Waukon.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, December 19. All board members were present and the revised agenda was approved.

Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Erin Andregg as Middle School Para; Edwin Frick as Varsity Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach; Maria Baker as Elementary Title/Special Education Teacher; and Stephanie Iverson as an Elementary Para. The following resignations were also accepted: Randy Nordheim, Varsity Volleyball Coach; Beth Christoffer, 21st Century Budget/Evaluation Coordinator; and Lori Cahoon, Elementary Para. The board also approved a lease agreement between Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and ACSD, regarding the NICC Waukon Center.

This is the 18th year for the alumni scholarship instituted by the Allamakee Scholarship Fund (ASF), Inc. Board of Directors. The award is made to a Waukon High School graduate who participated in ASF, Inc. while in high school and received an award as a graduating senior.  The scholarship is available to college sophomores through graduate level students.

The ASF, Inc. Board feels it is important to continue the encouragement to ACSD graduates as they continue their education, not just as they start their post-high school program. The group wishes to encourage participation in community service and college activities that are part of their educational growth and preparation for career and community life.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will again host the Home Gardening Webinar Series, beginning in January and ending in March.

Designed for anyone who is interested in gardening or horticulture, the series aims to inspire and educate. Throughout the series, participants will hear from experts at Iowa State, the University of Illinois, North Dakota State University, Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Reiman Gardens. The sessions are free and open to the public, although registration is required.

Four sessions in January will cover edible topics including building and using cold frames, growing microgreens inside, growing and preserving herbs, and designing an edible landscape.

A program offering $1,000 scholarships is now open to Iowa high school seniors. Students not only have a chance at much-needed funds for college but can also learn ways to reduce college loan debt through the program.
Iowa high school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Know-How between now and March 31. Once registered, students will receive instructions via email on completing two online modules. Scholarship recipients will be determined by random drawings among students who have completed the modules.

The two modules, Student Loan Game Plan and the Return on College Investment tool, are designed to help students and families determine maximum recommended levels of student loan debt and to also find ways to minimize debt to repay.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering two High School Drivers Education options for Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) students starting Monday, January 9-February 27, and Monday, March 6-April 26. The course will be held from 5-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays during those timeframes.

To satisfy the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, students must attend 30 hours of classroom instruction and six hours of Behind the Wheel (BTW) driving experience. Attendance is required at all sessions. Students must have an Iowa driver’s permit before the first class.

The deadline for paid registration is January 2 and February 27 (for free and reduced lunch, students should contact the school office). To register call NICC Waukon Center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies, and local fire and ambulance departments in northeast Iowa are working together with Northeast Iowa Community College to address an ongoing workforce shortage of certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic professionals.

The need for more trained EMS personnel to meet increasing demand in northeast Iowa communities follows a similar trend throughout the state. Winneshiek Medical Center (WMC), for example, maintains a paramedic service in Decorah and draws upon EMS volunteers in the communities of Decorah, Burr Oak, Bluffton, Calmar, Castalia, Festina, Fort Atkinson, Frankville, Jackson Junction, Highlandville, Ossian, Ridgeway and Spillville to meet demand for pre-hospital care. WMC employs 28 staff members in its ambulance service, but one-third of these personnel are expected to retire in the next five to seven years, according to Steve Vanden Brink, a 31-year veteran leader at WMC and Director of Ambulance.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions Vice President Wendy Mihm-Herold, Ph.D. has stepped down from her position at NICC to become the Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) new President and CEO. Mihm-Herold begins her new role January 23, 2023.

Mihm-Herold has served as vice president for Business and Community Solutions for NICC since July 2010. She is an executive officer with more than 32 years of experience in public and private nonprofit sectors with extensive experience in fundraising, grant writing and grant administration, legislative advocacy for policy and funding at the local, state and federal levels, building innovative partnerships and public relations.