Education

The Kee High School Speech program took 24 students (making up seven teams) to the District Large Group Speech Contest held Saturday, January 20 at Decorah High School, and all 24 of those students earned advancement to the State competition being held this Saturday, February 3 at Dubuque Senior High School. Ratings earned by each of this year’s seven Kee Speech teams competing at the District Contest include the following:

One Act: “Stopping at Ellis Island” - 1; Ensemble: “Yes Means No” - 1; Ensemble - “14 More Ways to Screw Up a College Interview” - 1; St. Mary Improvisational Acting - 2; Kolsrud Improvisational Acting - 1; Walleser Improvisational Acting - 1; Radio News: “ZZZZ 101.1” - 1.

High school students who plan to pursue an agricultural major or minor after their 2024 graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s $2,500 scholarship. Awarded to 27 students, this scholarship is renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

“The future of agriculture hinges on the passion and ingenuity of the next generation,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.

Applicants must be associated with an Iowa Farm Bureau membership in good standing, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) and be accepted into an accredited higher education institution, including community colleges and technical schools.

Students must apply online by January 31 at iowafarmbureau.com/scholarships. A key aspect of the application includes an essay detailing the student’s extracurricular activities, community service, their commitment to agriculture and two character reference letters.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, January 16. Board President Al Rissman began the meeting with a moment of silence out of respect for Perry (Iowa) High School Principal Dan Marburger, who died of his injuries sustained in a school shooting January 4. Board member Beth Shafer was absent from the meeting.

Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel: Andrew Dornath, Sub/Activities Bus Driver; Erin Andregg, Middle School Paraprofessional; Peggy Sivesind, Sub/Activities Bus Driver. The board also accepted the resignation of Jennifer Davis from her paraprofessional position and Kim Rathbone, who is retiring from her Special Education teaching position.

Lansing VFW Post #5981 has announced that Marley Gramlich, an eighth grade student at Kee Middle School in Lansing, is the District 9 first-place winner of the VFW’s 2023-2024 Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest. Gramlich, who was sponsored by Gustave F. Kerndt VFW Post #5981 and its Auxiliary in Lansing, wrote her winning essay based on this year’s theme, “How are you inspired by America?” Her winning essay is printed below with this article and photo.

Gramlich was slated to next compete at the Department level in an effort to advance to the National level of the contest to compete for individual awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. Kee Middle School students Eli Schobert and Braiden Hatlan also placed second and third, respectively, in the Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest at the local Post level.

The Lawrence D. Anderson VFW Post #4117 and the VFW Auxiliary to Post #4117 recently selected the winners of their annual youth essay contest involving local students. The local winners of the contest, selected in November, advanced on to the District 9 level of competition.

The Voice of Democracy essays were authored by Waukon High School students in the freshman through senior classes and focused on the question of “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?”. Olivia Marti, a Waukon High School senior, was the top entry in the local level of competition and had her essay also place third at the State of Iowa District 9 contest. Her essay is included below.

“What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?”
by Olivia Marti, Senior - Waukon High School
Voice of Democracy Essay Contest First-Place Local and Third-Place District 9

This is the 19th 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 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 by the applying student that are part of their educational growth and preparation for future career and community life.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met in a pair of sessions during the month of December. Coverage of both meetings appears below.

DECEMBER 13 WORK SESSION
Wednesday, December 13, the Eastern Allamakee Community School District Board met at Kee High School in Lansing for a work session. Board members present included Bobbie Goetzinger, Tony Becker, Melanie Mauss, Joe Manning and Arla Wagner. Also present were EACSD Superintendent and Grades 7-12 Principal Dr. Sarah Murray, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin. Visitors included Allison Fitzwater, Ian Zahren, Andrew Boddicker and Betsy Whitlatch.

New scholarship honors farmer from Bremer County who dedicated his career to efforts in conservation

High school students in northeast Iowa who plan to pursue agriculture-related studies after graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Robert H. Rewoldt Scholarship. This new scholarship awards two students $3,000, renewable for two years, up to $6,000.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a two or four-year agriculture-related program at an Iowa-based institution and reside in one of the following counties: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard or Winneshiek.

High school students who plan to pursue an agricultural major or minor after their 2024 graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s $2,500 scholarship. Awarded to 27 students, this scholarship is renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

“The future of agriculture hinges on the passion and ingenuity of the next generation,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “As we look forward, it’s essential we cultivate young leaders who not only understand the rich heritage of farming but are also equipped to navigate the complexities of a global food system. That’s why Farm Bureau has committed over half a million dollars in scholarships each year to nurture future leaders and ensure the legacy of Iowa’s agricultural excellence.”

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. Sessions will take place every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. Central time, ending March 12.

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, Cornell University, Jung Seed, Seed Savers Exchange, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

The sessions are free and open to the public. Attendees can register to join through Zoom or join on Facebook Live.

Four sessions in January will cover edible topics including tomato diseases and disorders, grape pruning and canopy management, identifying and managing fruit and vegetable insect pests and seed saving.