Education News

Iowa Central Community College’s Honors Program is a highly esteemed program within the college that aims to allow exceptional undergraduate scholars to reach their full potential through innovative educational opportunities and personally enriching experiences. Designed to challenge students intellectually, those in the program will explore advanced topics, gain relevant experience, and expand their worldview...

St. Mary’s Dance team won a State Championship for small school Hoopla and 2nd place in Class 1 Pom, performing two routines at State competition. Front, from left: Emily Nothwehr, Grace Murray, Ariana Elsden, and Ellie Bacon. Back: Danika Demers, Sydney Hurd, Lupita Gonzalez-Hernandez, Natalie Green, and Elly Richardson.The team is coached by Victoria Stille...

A movie career used to start with a ticket to Hollywood. Now, all that young Iowans need is a good idea and a short video. One- to 5-minute films are being accepted now through Jan. 15 for “The Film Lounge: Student Challenge,” which encourages Iowa students in grades 7-12 to hone their creativity for the big screen...

Buena Vista University Concert Band presented its “Winter Celebrations” concert Sunday in Schaller Chapel, with Joe Vannatta of Washington High School in Cherokee guest- directing. Selections included “Albanian Dance,” “Nostalgia,” “Looking at the Stars,” “Silent Night in Gotham,” and “Play!”...

Alliant Energy is seeking applications for their 2019 Innovation Scholarships. They will award up to 25 $1,000 scholarships to students who think big and give back. Applicants will be asked to write a short essay that identifies a problem in their community, then presents an innovative solution using science, technology, engineering and/or math. Other selection criteria include leadership in community service and volunteering, grade point average and standardized test scores...

The Shirley Sorbe Memorial Scholarship is open to any high school senior residing in Buena Vista County planning to attend a vocational school, college or university. Deadline for application is March 15, 2020. Scholarship applications have been sent to guidance counselors at all area high schools...

“Blended learning” is gaining a foothold at Storm Lake High School this academic year. The hybrid courses combine in-class, online and independent study, and are designed to help prepare students for college studies that are increasingly taking place online...

On October 29, members from the Ridge View FFA chapter traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 92nd National FFA Convention and Expo. On the way to convention, the chapter toured the Floyd County Museum in Charles City, Iowa, Rock Island Arsenal, the John Deere Pavilion, Lagomarcino’s Confectionary, Komatsu, and the Caterpillar visitor center...

4.0 Seniors Albers, McKenna Brummer, Russel Grothe, Jordan Kofmehl, Kate Wiese, Katlyn Wunschel, Kenzee 3.9-3.0 Seniors Allen, Cassandra Bailey, Beth Blackmore, Hanna Blum, Dawson Droegmiller, Jaden Gross, Logan Hansen, Chance Hinkeldey, Taya Kron, Veronica...

Storm Lake High School hosted its National Honor Society induction November 14 at the high school auditorium, with speaker Seith Monahan and the traditional candle lighting and charges to scholarship, service, leadership and character. Inductees include seniors Magan Coyle, Antonio Gonzales, Esteban Huerta, Cathleen Manivong, Jaceline Medina, Kao Xiong. ...

A local 4-H team composed of Cherokee County 4-H member Zach Erpelding and Sac County 4-H members Kaydon Erpelding and Levi Steinkamp brought home first prize from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s first-ever AgOvation competition. AgOvation is a research-based competition that challenges youth to explore and develop innovative science-based solutions to agricultural problems that they identify in their own communities. ...

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that more than 5,800 Iowa students have received the new Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship for fall 2019. Early numbers show more than $6.6 million has been awarded for the fall semester, helping pave the way for more Iowans to acquire the education and training needed for good-paying, high-demand jobs. ...

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has announced applications are now available for its 4-H scholarship program. Over 100 scholarship opportunities valued at over $110,000 will be awarded. The various scholarship awards range in amounts from $500 to $10,000. Some of the scholarships are open to students pursuing any field of study, while others are open to students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food and nutrition, ag business, animal science and journalism...

On October 12, the Ridge View FFA soil judging team traveled to Iowa State University in Ames to compete in the state soil judging competition. The team placed fourth overall and will travel to Oklahoma City in May for the national competition. In addition, Katlyn Wiese was the state soil judging champion individual. Russell Brummer was the individual high score on the knowledge exam and placed seventh overall...

The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) named Buena Vista University senior Olivia Wieseler the national 2019 Arthur H. Barlow Student Journalist of the Year this week.  The award, first of its kind for a BVU student, recognizes Wieseler in noting her “example represents the highest standards of journalistic ethics, service, leadership, and technical skills.”...

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council has awarded Storm Lake Middle School’s eighth-grade math class with its Scale Up Math Award. With the award, 54 students will have access to the integrative Desmos-Illustrative digital math program starting in the next few weeks...

Buena Vista University earned the Chairman’s Award from the Iowa Lakes Corridor Corporation in recognition of several achievements the University experienced throughout the past year. BVU President Joshua Merchant, on behalf of the University accepted the award, which came during the organization’s Annual Business Recognition Luncheon at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer on Wednesday...

On Tuesday, November 5th, eighteen Storm Lake middle school choir students participated in the Northwest Iowa Choral Directors’ Association 7th & 8th grade Honor Choir hosted at Storm Lake High School. These students prepared choral music and performed in an evening concert with 550 Northwest Iowa middle school singers. ...

Each year the Northwest district and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate Greenhand Fire Up Conferences for FFA members in the Northwest district. Northwestern College welcomed 259 students from 32 FFA chapters from all over the Northwest district on October 15...

Six Storm Lake Middle School students were recently selected for participation in the 32nd annual Opus Honor Choir Festival. Pictured above, back row: Seanna Lincoln, Ana Quej Flores, Grace Kenkel. Bottom row: Ellie McClellan, Emma Dierking, Hailey Anderson...

A petition calling for the Okoboji Middle School building to be sold via a public bid process will have its day at the polls next week. The issue will share the Nov. 5 ballot with three open seats on the Okoboji School Board. The petition for public bid was submitted to the Okoboji School District shortly after the school board voted July 19, 2018, to sell the property to the Imagine Iowa Great Lakes Beautification group for $1.1 million. ...

Local Breanna Horsey, of Storm Lake, completed a summer internship at City of Storm Lake. Horsey was one of 179 Buena Vista University students to complete an internship during the 2018-19 academic year.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she will not sign an executive order that would ban the sale of flavored vaping products but that several state agencies are developing plans to deal with the health risks tied to using electronic cigarettes. Reynolds says she met Friday with state public health officials to discuss the illnesses reported in Iowa from vaping and how to address the problem...

The doors at Storm Lake Elementary School boast a new milestone - a record 1,000 students in the building. Staff and students celebrated a character program, becoming the “I” in “kind” - literally.

As a BVU student, Ida Rogers-Ferguson traveled to Poland, Austria, Germany, Greece, Israel, and the Czech Republic. She made her way to Auschwitz, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. As winner of the University’s prestigious J. Leslie Rollins Fellowship, she made her way to the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland, over the summer, To learn concepts surrounding place-based learning...

The October Literacy music event was held at East Early Childhood School on Friday, October 18th. Mrs. Jorgensen’s class helped recite the nursery rhyme, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. Everyone joined in for the yoga exercises for “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. ...

Storm Lake High School will stage “Cheaper by the Dozen” at the high school auditorium, Nov. 8 and 9 7 p.m. Based on the real-life family of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, Cheaper by the Dozen is a classic dramatic comedy about a family of 14.  The story is largely based around their inventor father, who is well-known for bringing better efficiency to factories and keeping his family of 12 children running just as efficiently. ...

Buena Vista University’s Ella Wiebusch took academic trips to Ireland and New York City as a junior last year. As a senior, she’ll soon be off to the Republic of Madagascar, part of a three-week visit to the island off the coast of East Africa. Between those treks, Wiebusch, a digital media major who serves as co-editor in chief of The Tack, will direct award-winning efforts by the University’s online newspaper staff...

Robots, drones, electronics, insects, physics, art and other hands-on activities were part of STEAMfest on Saturday at Iowa Central Community College.

Storm Lake Elementary School now has its own “Free Little Library,” built by staff member Mrs/ James’ father. Children will be able to borrow and trade books.

October is meant to be the scariest month of the year, but State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to make sure paying for higher education is not something to be spooked about. “Families already have enough stress and anxiety in their lives and figuring out how they’re going to afford higher education for their kids and grandkids shouldn’t be one of those,” Fitzgerald said. ...

November 8, Laurens-Marathon will be hosting the Pocahontas County STEM Festival - a day of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. TK/PREP K-6th grade students from PAC, L-M and Pocahontas Catholic will be engaging in a day of hands-on/minds-on input delivered by 30+ county and state businesses and education organizations. ...

Storm Lake’s school population has expanded faster than ever, according to newly-certified numbers reported to the board of education this week. Enrollment is 2,470 resident students, up 132 students from last school year, which was already overflowing the elementary and middle schools...

Buena Vista University has named Jean Bral vice president of Extended University Programs (EUP), a new divisional operating structure created to better serve BVU’s online, site, and graduate school programming. Bral, who served as director of operations for BVU’s online, site, and graduate school programs from 2011 to 2018, became executive director of the University’s graduate programs in 2018 and helped oversee an enrollment increase to 337 students, second most all-time...

Iowa Central Community College’s fall drama production over the past weekend, “Falling Awake,” was written by an Iowa Central graduate and former performer on the same stage - Aaron Westrum. Westrum and ICCC theatre director Teresa Jackson enjoyed a collaboration over the summer, adapting the story for a student production...

Storm Lake High School drama students are rehearsing for the fun, lighthearted and touching drama “Cheaper By the Dozen.” Don’t miss this audience favorite showing November 8th and 9th.

Buena Vita University will host its first Agriculture Student Expo, Wednesday, October 23, on the Storm Lake campus. High school students are being invited to attend the event dedicated to agricultural programs at Buena Vista University, including the new Institute for Agriculture, Food and Resource Management. ...

Conner Ellinghuysen has been named director of admissions at Buena Vista University. Ellinghuysen comes from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minn., where he has served as associate director of admission. The Lewiston, Minn., native has been with Saint Mary’s working in a variety of admission and advancement positions before and after graduation in 2015...

A wide smile crosses Jorge Ceballos’ face as he discloses his dream job. “Dentist,” he says, eyes glimmering. “I want to be a dentist.” How will he get there? Ceballos, a Buena Vista University senior, will one day open his dental practice after making connections in Cuba, Carroll, Storm Lake, and, most recently, Argentina, where he served as an intern for Enjoy Dental, one of 179 internships completed by BVU students in the 2018-19 academic year...

Iowa Central Community College honored its 2019 Hall of Fame nominee notable alumni Saturday at the college. “For more than 50 years, Iowa Central has helped students get to the next step to achieve their dreams and be a vibrant part of their community. Our Hall of Fame event provides Iowa Central, fellow alumni, faculty and staff a chance to recognize their contributions and accomplishments,” notes Iowa Central President, Dr. Dan Kinney...

CommUnity Education along with Tyson of Storm Lake will be offering a Turkey Shoot Free Throw Contest on Saturday, November 10 at the Storm Lake Elementary School. The Turkey Shoot is a free family activity for parents or grandparents to participate in with their son/daughter or grandson/granddaughter. ...

Buena Vista University (BVU) has again been selected as a NASPA Lead Initiative Institution for the 2019-20 year. Additionally, Dr. Ashley Farmer-Hanson, assistant vice president of Student Success and director of Community Engagement, has been chosen to serve on the National Board for Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE)...

Iowa Central Community College’s Honors Program is a highly esteemed program within the college that aims to allow exceptional undergraduate scholars to reach their full potential through innovative educational opportunities and personally enriching experiences. Designed to challenge students intellectually, those in the program will explore advanced topics, gain relevant experience, and expand their worldview...

Storm Lake Community Education will be holding a Sports Gear Swap on October 12, 10 a.m. - noon, to help get used gear into the hands of people who can use it. There is no cost to participate, according to CE Director Joe Kucera. During this time, anyone can:...

On Thursday September 19th, FFA members helped the ISU Extension with Farm Safety Day which was held at the ISU Allee Farm for area third graders. Newell Fonda FFA members assisted with teaching three sessions. Animal Safety was taught by Lexi Roberts and Paige Roberts. ...

On Tuesday, September 17th and Wednesday September 18th, members of the Newell Fonda FFA assisted Iowa State University Extension with hosting Ag Citing Day at the ISU Allee Farm south of Newell. Area fourth graders came to the farm to learn about a variety of agriculture topics...

Kelle Wedeking was recently named director for the Ready, Set, Grow! Learning Center. She will oversee both the Alta day care and the new site planned for the Methodist Manor campus in Storm Lake. Kelley graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Child Adult and Family Services. ...

BVU’s University Marketing and Communications team, alongside representatives from all areas of the University, worked with the national higher education branding firm, Ologie, for the past 10 months to enhance the existing brand. The result of this effort includes the development of new logos for the University and BVU athletics teams, along with extensive framework to build a cohesive voice and common design approach across all University communications. ...

The State Board of Education recently approved performance levels that determine how many students met expectations on Iowa’s new state test, the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). The board adopted performance levels based on a recommendation from a committee of Iowa educators and the test’s developer, Iowa Testing Programs at the University of Iowa. ...

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has launched a drive to get schools involved in registering young voters. The Iowa Legislature passed a law in May 2017 that lowered the voter registration age to 17 as of Jan. 1 of this year. Under the new law, those who will be 18 in time for the next general election also may participate in primary elections...