Education News

The Iowa FFA Ag Impact Leadership Event was held at Iowa State University, Ames, on Monday, April 15, 2019. Eleven chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event (CDE). Ag Impact is a CDE that challenges Middle School FFA members to explore the importance of agriculture in our state, county, and communities. ...

With help from a friendly robot named Dash, 17 Clover Kids from four counties practiced their skills in programming, problem-solving and creativity. They were participating in the Iowa 4-H Wonder League Robotics Exposition, held April 6 in Ames. “Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development strives to be a leader in providing young people opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also know as STEM. ...

A creative display at the Storm Lake Elementary School library helps to encourage reading, while the walls are covered with book reviews written by students, profiling their favorite stories.

Buena Vista University Army ROTC Cadet Jacob M. Heath was one of 10 ROTC members in Iowa to receive the Governor’s Cup ROTC Award for outstanding achievement. Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg made the presentation on April 12 at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa National Guard, in Johnston...

The Storm Lake High School Building & Trades class has received a reprieve - for the second time in less than a year. The program is completing a home building project on the last lot it has available in an agreement with the city. Discussion has touched on the prospect of folding the program into the local Habitat for Humanity program so students could still learn about construction skills, but no longer be able to earn class credits or progress toward an Iowa Central Community College degree as the class now offers.. ...

As a further commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School chemistry students have been working on a real-world application of mixtures, solutions, freezing point depression and STEM careers that use these concepts...

Master Gardeners are passionate about serving their communities and sharing best gardening practices. They share their time and expertise as volunteers in the community. Master Gardeners spearhead community beautification projects, community gardens, youth education, local food events and much more...

The Iowa Department of Education is expected to grant “conditional approval” for the Iowa Principal Leadership Academy, after an accreditation visit that was held in 2018. The Prairie Lakes AEA board was informed of the situation at a meeting this week...

The Storm Lake Music Department recently performed in the state IHSMA solo/ensemble contest held at Sioux City North High School.  Students performed for a judge and received a rating for their performance.   Band Ratings: Soloists receiving a division I rating (superior):  ...

The Storm Lake Community School District’s focus on project-based learning continues to pay off in big ways. The latest example unfolded recently at the National History Day district competition, where 26 Storm Lake students qualified for state. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Triumph and Tragedy in History.” Students spent hours researching topics before condensing their work into completed projects. ...

This year’s Ridge View Mock Trial team participated in the Iowa State Bar Association’s annual High School Mock Trial regional competition at NIACC college in Mason City. This year’s civil case “Kelly Crown v. Bryce Cutter d/b/a Charity Operations Network” was given to all high school teams in December to prepare for trial this March. ...

A crowd of preschool-age kids packed the latest installment of Nature Tots at the Storm Lake public Library this week, where county Naturalist Katie Struss brought a friendly rabbit to meet the children, in recognition of the approaching Easter holiday. Nature Tots is an ongoing program at the library. / Pilot photo by Dana Larsen...

With the student loan debt burden currently standing at $1.5 trillion and growing $100 million each year, the price of education is at the front of most student’s minds. With a new bundling program starting this year, Iowa Central Community College is aiming to alleviate some of that burden...

Ridge View choir students traveled to Onawa on April 6 for the 1A State Solo/Ensemble contest. Receiving a “I” rating were Jack Henderson - baritone solo, Adorable Epps- soprano solo, Jill Galvin - soprano solo, and Jill Galvin and Anya Kistenmacher - treble duet. Receiving a “II” rating were Owen Brent for his bass solo, and the male quartet of Jack Henderson, Alex Movall, Connor Pickhinke and Ben Todd. Adrian Robinson received a “III” on her soprano solo. /Photo Submitted...

How big is our solar system? How far away are the planets? The size of space is difficult to image. Join the O’Brien County Naturalist for a hike through the prairie to discover the distance to our near and far solar neighbors. We will be creating a walking model of the solar system starting at the center and heading off down the path. You may be surprised by how far apart our planets are spread!...

Storm Lake St. Mary’s Middle School girls were exposed to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum and careers for women at The Road Less Traveled at Iowa State University last week. They spent the day on campus learning about the wide variety of opportunities open to them and even worked on hands-on projects. ...

Brook Stephens and his BVU Beavers didn’t play baseball on Saturday, as Mother Nature’s gusty winds and cool temperatures postponed a double-header with Loras to Sunday. And yet, the Saturday result for the junior from Clarinda represented a win-win situation. ...

The 9th annual Ridge View FFA Banquet was held on March 23. FFA members, families, and supporters all gathered at Ridge View High School for this special event. Being the 25th anniversary of the FFA chapter, this years banquet was attended by past officer teams, going all the way back to ‘94...

Dr. Roger Powell, assistant professor of English at Buena Vista University, recently learned that his research team has earned the CCCC (College Composition and Communication Conference) Research Initiative Grant. Powell was joined by a trio of colleagues at various institutions in proposing a study to examine how first-year composition students transfer their writing knowledge and skills to other academic or personal contexts. ...

Buena Vista University has appointed Kevin McIntyre as vice president of enrollment management, effective immediately. He has been serving in the role as BVU’s interim vice president of enrollment management since September 2018. McIntyre is a skilled leader in higher education with more than 30 years of experience in enrollment management. ...

Ridge View High School will be hosting a presentation on e-cigarettes and vaping in the Clausen Fine Arts Auditorium on Monday, April 15 at 6 p.m. in Holstein. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students. ...

A special meeting for 2019-2020 kindergarten students and their parents is scheduled for April 25 and 26 at Storm Lake Elementary School. Three sessions will be held for this parent/child event. One session will be on Thursday, April 25 at 6 pm. Additional sessions will be on Friday, April 26 at 10 am and at 6 pm. ...

Seniors 4.00 Gracie Chance Mercedes Juelfs Rachel Kenny Ashley Kestel Jake Kliegl 3.99-3.00 Kassandra Barker Maggie Jo Bendixen Matthew Brosamle Autumn Clausen Logan Cuthrell Austin Degen Kinzey Dutler Emerson Else Madeline Else Jill Galvin Nick Gisch...

Seniors 4.00 Gracie Chance Mercedes Juelfs Rachel Kenny Ashley Kestel Jake Kliegl 3.99-3.00 Kassandra Barker Maggie Jo Bendixen Matthew Brosamle Autumn Clausen Logan Cuthrell Austin Degen Kinzey Dutler Emerson Else Madeline Else Jill Galvin Nick Gisch...

After a failed bond vote on their last plan, Superintendent Stacey Cole has revealed the details of four new options for Storm Lake Community School District’s Early Childhood Education Center. The options range in total cost from $25.8 million to $38.6 million, with a range of levy increases from $1.63 to $2.88 per $1,000 property evaluation...

Some additional positions will be added in the Storm Lake schools to respond to student needs. During the March school board meeting, the board approved adding a K-F Talented and Gifted teacher. Superintendent Stacey Cole said the district has been hearing the need for additional support for upper-end students from both staff and parents. With the addition, the district will have three educators dedicated to Talented and Gifted programs covering the various K-12 grade levels...

Morningside College student Nick Baack will perform his senior recital at Morningside College at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, in Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave. Baack will be singing “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me” by Duke Ellington; “Have You Met Miss Jones?” by Richard Rodgers; “Volare” (“Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu”) by Domenico Modugno; and more...

A spaghetti fundraiser for the local Scout program will be held Sunday, March 31, 11 a.m – 1:30 p.m. at Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Cost is $6 per individual, or $18 for a family. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, bar and drink...

Michael J. Dick, age 67, of Storm Lake, died on Friday, March 15, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.  Memorial Mass was held on Monday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Lizard Cemetery in Manson. Visitation took place on Sunday, March 17, from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. ...

Phyllis Hope Petersen, age 93 passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 21, at the Northfield Hospital in Northfield Minnesota. She was born March 21, 1925, in Newell Iowa, to Russell and Lorene (Hattie Austins) Peterson. She grew up in Alta Iowa and graduated from Alta Community High School in 1942. She then attended the American Institute of Business in DesMoines Iowa and following her education worked at the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Spencer...

Two Storm Lake St. Mary’s High School students will be participating in the prestigious Iowa High School State Speech festival in the performing category in Cedar Falls at the University of Northern Iowa Monday, March 25. Senior Alondra Meléndez will be performing in the Literary Program category and freshman Logan Merten will be performing in the Storytelling category. Deb Peters is the head coach and she is assisted by Susan Slagle Boyd and Matthew Marroquin. /Photo submitted...

More than 700 Storm Lake Middle School students who hit third-quarter benchmarks hit the track and the obstacle course and much more in reporting to Buena Vista University for the second annual Beaver Olympics on March 7. Activities hosted and organized by some 55 BVU students thrilled the middle school students who participated in Beaver Olympics as their reward for reaching their third-quarter goals at the middle school...

Led by ACE mentor Mackenzie Barton, intern architect at CMBA Architects, and comprised of high school students from Spirit Lake and Spencer, northwest Iowa’s chapter of the national Architecture Construction and Engineering Mentor Program has completed its inaugural year. The program allows students a chance to get hands-on experience in their field of interest and learn from area professionals. Barton said she was excited for the program to grow and continue in the area...

FARLEY — The wheels on the bus might go round and round, but the reality for many districts in the tri-state area is that there is a significant need for the drivers of those buses. The dearth of school bus drivers arguably is felt most greatly in large districts that have expansive geographic areas to cover; districts like Western Dubuque Community Schools...

Ridge View High School National Honor Society held it’s induction ceremony Monday night, March 4 at Ridge View High School.

Andrew Bandstra may disappoint his parents by not making it to his own Buena Vista University commencement exercise on May 25. He’s got a great reason, though, an excuse all parents, including Scott and Laura Bandstra, would gladly accept. “I’ll be working that day,” Bandstra says, noting how his employer, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs professional baseball team will be in the midst of a six-game homestand at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, some 1,200 miles from the campus of Buena Vista University.. ...

Ridge View archery students who earned a state qualifying berth in 3D competition this week are, from left, Alexis Clark, Jade Droegmiller, Brayden Stowater, Tyler Kolpin, Cameron Spina, Rayann Volkert and Nathan Yockey. Not pictured are Cassie Allen, Logan Pickhinke and Brant Price. The archery team is coached by Justin Kinney...

The Ridge View mock trial team competed in Mason City on Thursday, March 7. Members of the team include: Front left: Audrey Kalin, Cassie Allen, Katlyn Wise. Back row: Austin Hansen, Kael Wiese, Logan Pickhinke, Jordan Grothe, and Emilie Sawatsky. Coaches are Steve Pickhinke and Carmen Koth. Attorney coaches are David Jennett and John Murray. Ridge View placed second out of twelve teams and will move on to the State Mock Trial competition on April 4, 5 and 6...

Ida, Cherokee, Buena Vista and Sac County youth took an adventure to Seven Oaks in Boone to ski and snow tube and then traveled to Clover Woods (formerly known as the 4-H Camp) to spend the evening and also participate in some fun team building activities. ...

DUBUQUE – Brenna Emerick, of Newell, attended the University of Dubuque President’s Academic Honors Luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 16, in Heritage Center. The academic achievements of around 30 high school students from the Midwest were celebrated at the luncheon. Each student will receive an academic scholarship for their education at UD...

The Annual Sac County 4-H lock-in was held at the Sac Community Center on February 22 with 57 Sac County 4-H youth and about 15 Sac County volunteers. A Universe of Possibilities 4-H Lock-In began Friday night at 6:30 p.m. and concluded at 8am on Saturday despite the nasty weather during the evening...

An Agriculture Student Expo event is being planned as a first for Buena Vista University. The Expo is dedicated to agricultural programs at the university. The Expo will be held Wednesday, April 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Expo will be a chance for visitors to experience a bit of a college ag class and participate in hands-on demonstrations from industry professionals in the following subjects:...

The Clay County Fair and Events Center and Positively Spencer Youth will host the ninth annual Family Fest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2. The event is free to attend and open to the public. Families can enjoy activities for all ages and learn what local businesses, groups and organizations can do for families. This year, Spencer Municipal Utilities has partnered with Nickelodeon for a special meet and greet with Diego from “Go Diego Go!”...

More than a dozen BVU alumni hosted and made connections with 15 freshmen participating in the university’s first Career and Research Exploration to Enhance Retention in STEM trip, a J-term adventure that opened eyes and doors in industrial work sites, labs, graduate school programs, and more across four states...

Buena Vista University’s School of Education is hosting the Conference on Inclusive Education on April 5-6, 2019. Registration opens March 8. The conference will feature educational sessions with tips, tools, and resources for attendees to implement in their classrooms and school districts across Iowa and the country. ...

Representatives from approximately 67 colleges, schools, and branches of the military will be at the Storm Lake High School for the annual College Day Program on Wednesday March 4, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The following will be represented: 4-year colleges, area community colleges, junior colleges, business schools, beauty schools, trade and technical schools, nursing schools, branches of the military and financial aid...

Please join us on March 14 from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the school lunchroom to enroll your child into our programs. You may enter through the doors on the north side of the school. Your child must be 4 years old by September 15 to be eligible for our no cost} full day preschool program. Please bring your child’s birth certificate and updated immunization records. If you have any questions please call the school office at 712-843-5416. We look forward to seeing you then!...

The Buena Vista Regional Medical Center Nursing Scholarship Committee will again be accepting scholarship applications during February and March for the 2019-2020 academic year. The annual scholarship award is $1000. Since its inception in 2003, 127 scholarships have been awarded to area nursing students provided entirely by donations to the scholarship program...

Buena Vista University digital media students won 38 media awards at the 2019 Iowa College Media Association (ICMA) conference on Thursday in Des Moines. In addition to eight first-place awards across categories in online media, television, and radio, the BVU digital media program earned ICMA’s First Amendment Award, and KBVU 97.5 “The Edge” was recognized as Radio Station of the Year...