What's New at Dubuque Community Schools

Students from both Dubuque Senior and Hempstead High Schools will compete in the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA from April 25 – April 27th. Known as America’s Athletic Classic, this event is considered one of the top track and field events in the United States.

Congratulations to the following student qualifiers:

Dubuque Senior High School

Boys 400M Run

• Jaden Arnold
• Garrett Schumacher

Girls 1500M Run

• Leah Klapatauskas

Girls 3000M Run

• Leah Klapatauskas

Girls High Jump

• Cambel Drapeau

Boys Team 4x100M Run

• Jaden Arnold
• John FitzPatrick
• Nick Lambe
• Andrew Theisen

Boys Team 4x200M Run

• Jaden Arnold
• John FitzPatrick
• Nick Lambe
• Garrett Schumacher

Boys Team 4x400M Run

• Jaden Arnold
• John FitzPatrick
• Zack Heiar
• Garrett Schumacher

Girls Team 4x800M Run

• Emma Chesterman
• Emily Gorton
• Nevaeh Kessler
• Leah Klapatauskas

Alternates

• Mahdi Al-Atabi
• Charlie Crow
• Marshawn Dukes
• Claire Hoyer
• Noah Roling

Hempstead High School

Co-ed 400M Wheelchair

• Ally Darter

Girls 800M Run

• Julia Gehl
• Keelee Leitzen

Girls 1500M Run

• Julia Gehl
• Keelee Leitzen

Girls 3000M Run

• Julia Gehl

Boys 3200M Run

• John Maloney

Girls Team 4x100M Relay

• Savannah Bailey
• Kassidy Buchenau
• Jillian Renne
• Mallory Tomkins

Boys Team 4x100M Relay

• Thomas Brashaw
• James Eichhorn
• Landon McKay
• Brendon Zheng

Girls Team 4x400M Relay

• Julia Gehl
• Keelee Leitzen
• Ayla Osterkamp
• Mallory Tomkins

Girls Team 4x800M Relay

• Mylee Lange
• Keelee Leitzen
• Natalie Leitzen
• Eva Stevenson

Boys Team 4x800M Relay

• Charlie Driscoll
• Micah Fern
• Zack Johnson
• Owen Leitzen

Girls Team Sprint Medley Relay

• Akeelah Anderson
• Madelyn Leeser
• Ayla Osterkamp
• Mallory Tomkins

Alternates

• Piper Birkenholz
• Mya Curry
• Matthew Hanselman
• Robert Ivy
• Jashawn McCarter
• Paige Pitz

Two Hempstead High School students and one Dubuque Senior High School student have been named among more than 5,000 candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2024. Graduating seniors Hannah Davisdon (Hempstead), Charlie Driscoll (Hempstead) and Caitlyn Kono (Dubuque Senior) were recognized with the honor.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

A distinguished panel of educators reviewed these submissions and the semifinalists were narrowed down from a field of 91 selected candidates from Iowa. Caitlyn Kono was named as one of seven Iowa semifinalists and one of over 600 across the United States.

The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of up to 32 eminent citizens, appointed by the President, will select the finalists, and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the Scholars in May. All scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the online National Recognition Program. U.S Presidential Scholars are awarded the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion each June.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.

Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. For more than 59 years, this unique federal program has honored over 8,000 U.S. Presidential Scholars, who have demonstrated leadership, scholarship, and contribution to school and community. The work of the Commission on Presidential Scholars reaffirms, on behalf of the President, the Nation’s commitment to education.

 

On Saturday, March 9, the Dubuque Senior Speech Team competed in the 2024 State Individual Event Speech Contest at Hampton-Dumont CAL High School in Hampton, Iowa. The team received overall Division I ratings in 46 performances.

The Hempstead High School Speech Team had a six students receive Division I ratings in seven performances. The students were coached by Harmony Roe and Don Stanner. The contest is sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association.

The Dubuque Senior Speech Team also received 26 Outstanding Performance nominations to the 2024 Individual Event All-State Festival. The Festival was held Monday, March 25 at the University of Northern Iowa. The Dubuque Senior varsity team earned the Iowa High School Speech Association Individual Event Sweepstakes Trophy, given to the school with the most nominations to the Festival. This marks the twelfth consecutive year the Dubuque Senior Speech Team has won the Individual Events Sweepstakes Trophy.

The Dubuque Senior Speech team is only the second team in IHSSA history to win both the Large Group and IE Sweepstakes Trophy in the same year, and the only school to do it more than once (six times – 2024, 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016 and 2013). The group is coached by Hannah Burke, Aaron Dean, Greg Ernzen, Mike Grant, Maria LoBianco, Megan Schumacher, Matt Tompkins and MaryJo Williams.

The Festival is sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association, which is an affiliate of the Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union.

Congratulations to the following students on their achievements:

Dubuque Senior High School

• Kelsey Ahlers – Expository Address
• Riley Beck – Solo Musical Theatre
• Peter Boenish – Prose & Review
• Delaney Carber – Storytelling
• Sam Cavanagh – Radio News Announcing
• Alex Dixon – Acting & After Dinner Speaking
• Peyton Dixon – Storytelling
• Liam Dostal – Solo Musical Theatre
• Anna Garret-Douillet – Public Address
• Jace Holz – Review
• Norah Homb – Storytelling
• Leah Klapatauskas – Spontaneous Speaking
• Chase Kreimeyer – After Dinner Speaking & Improvisational Acting
• Maura Lawler – Expository Address
• Kaitlyn Miller – Expository Address
• Soren Obermueller – After Dinner Speaking & Prose
• Madeline Oney – Poetry
• Reid Postma – Improvisational Acting
• Jack Rothert – After Dinner Speaking
• Jacob Schreiber – Review
• Sophia Thomas – Poetry
• Bella VandenBerge – Acting

State Division I (Excellent) Rated Recognition:

Dubuque Senior High School

• Ami Bellings – Solo Musical Theatre
• Peyton Dixon – Original Oratory
• Ella Donovan – Literary Program
• Roz Hoefflin – Literary Program
• Blair Kapp – After Dinner Speaking
• Avery Kane – Acting
• Natalee Killian – Prose
• Akiko Kono – Original Oratory
• Liam Kroger – Radio News Announcing
• Ella Meyer – Spontaneous Speaking
• Jameson Norton – Literary Program & Radio News Announcing
• Josie Norton – Poetry
• Izzibelle Pregler – Acting
• Kate Putnam – Poetry
• Maddie Rupp – Improvisational Acting
• Benjamin Schaefer – Spontaneous Speaking
• Charlotte Toskey – Public Address
• Morgan Weiland – Improvisational Acting
• David Witthoeft – Improvisational Acting

Hempstead High School

• Bruce Coakley – Spontaneous Speaking
• Hannah Davisdon – After Dinner Speaking
• Maggie Morrow – Interpretive Reading Prose
• Norah Morteo – Interpretive Reading  Poetry
• Aadi Patel – Spontaneous Speaking
• Brendon Zheng – Spontaneous Speaking and Expository Address

Twenty-one students from Hempstead High School and the Alta Vista Campus recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2024 iJAG Annual Career Development Conference in Des Moines, IA.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

STATE RUNNER-UP

Hempstead High School

LOVE Project | Lifting Our Voices for Equity
A plan to address a challenge within their community to create a more inclusive world

• Laila Saunders | 12th grade
• Ayiana Sandridge | 12th grade
• DaShawn Mays | 11th grade
• Wyleah Jaeger | 11th grade

 

Congratulations to our students on presenting in the following categories at the state-level conference:

STATE COMPETITORS

Hempstead High School

Business Plan
A 10-page written business plan and presentation

• Tobin Ludovissy | 11th grade
• Caleb Blackburn | 12th grade
• Taylor Pline | 11th grade

Creative Decision Making
A creative solution to a problem presented at the time of competition

• Anna Klein | 11th grade
• Jenaleigh Williams | 12th grade
• Megan Sawvel | 11th grade

Project Based Learning Showcase
A presentation how project based learning was used to instruct

• Olivia Skemp | 11th grade
• Ana Bermudez | 12th grade
• Mariano Jeban | 12th grade

Career Preparation
A powerpoint and presentation about their future career

• Kora Leslein | 11th grade

Financial Literacy
A computer test on financial literacy concepts

• Carter Kane | 11th grade

Alta Vista Campus Students

Business Plan
A 10-page written business plan and presentation

• Landon Dotson | 12th grade
• Mercedez Burgess | 11th grade
• Kemonte Pearson | 11th grade
• Ricky Woods | 11th grade

Career Preparation
A powerpoint and presentation about their future career

• Maxx Dunlap | 12th grade

Employability Skills
A completed resume, cover letter, and live interview

• Nora Hanselmann | 11th grade

 

You might say it has been another banner year for the Dubuque Senior High School speech team.

On Saturday, February 17th the Dubuque Senior Speech Team performed at the 2024 Iowa High School Speech Association Large Group All-State Festival at Iowa State University. The team of 84 Senior High students proudly represented and entertained audiences in performances ranging from Ensemble Acting to Musical Theatre. The Senior High Speech Team proudly closed the ceremony by claiming the Critic’s Choice Banner for outstanding performance of the day in the Category of One Act Play.

The Revolutionists claimed the Critic’s Choice Banner in the category of One Act Play. It is a moving story of art, feminism and changing the world through four very real women who lived boldly in France during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. It was written by Lauren Gunderson. The performance featured students Ami Bellings, Peter Boenish, Wyatt Branscomb, Peyton Dixon, Anna Garrett-Douillet, Avery Kane, and Isabella VandenBerge. It was directed by Mr. Aaron Dean. Critic was Connor Wang, Sound Designer and Video Engineer from Broadway’s How to Dance in Ohio.

Dubuque Senior was also awarded the E. Wayne Cooley Large Group Sweepstakes Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the school receiving the most All-State Nominations to the IHSSA Large Group Festival making Dubuque Senior the 2024 Large Group State Champions.

Iowa High School Speech Association Information:

• The Critic’s Choice Award is given by a theatre professional to the top performance of the day in each category.

• This is the fourth One Act Play Banner for Dubuque Senior, one of the original IHSSA categories from the first festival back in 1981. It was last awarded to Senior in 2016.

• The award is a traveling championship banner which Dubuque Senior will return to the All-State Festival next year

• This marks the 37th banner win in in IHSSA history for Dubuque Senior High School and the 18th in the last 12 years.

• This is Dubuque Senior’s eighth Large Groups Sweepstakes State Championship. (1984, 2001, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)

The Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education is proud to announce Theressa Northouse, a technology coach at Marshall Elementary School, has been named as a recipient of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries. The award is given to six educators each year who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Now in its 10th year, the award is given annually to one full-time, licensed preK-12 teacher from each of the six STEM regions in Iowa. Each recipient is honored for their efforts to foster enthusiasm and inspire a passion for STEM that goes beyond the classroom and helps prepare students for future high-demand careers.

Northouse was recognized for her efforts in going above and beyond in providing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiences at Marshall Elementary School. She has established several STEM clubs at her school, including a Coding Club, a Girls Who Code Club, and a Robot Club. Northouse’s work in the teaching of computer science is done with equity in mind, because she believes in the importance of students being able to see themselves in jobs that involve STEM.

Northouse has always collaborated with companies like John Deere and The National Inventors Hall of Fame to bring real-life, hands-on opportunities to the classroom. Her grant writing also produced Finch, Sphero, and DASH robots to ensure coding and robotics at all grade levels, while infusing creative challenges for the kids to keep them engaged. Northouse was described by her nominator for this award as “bringing tremendous energy to the classroom to keep kids engaged and wanting more STEAM.”

As a recipient of the 2024 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, Northouse will receive $1,500 to use for her classroom and $1,500 for personal use.

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About the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council

Established in July 2011 via Governor’s Executive Order, the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council leverages public-private partnerships of educators, companies and Iowa students and families to ensure that every Iowa student has access to world-class STEM education opportunities. The Council’s work supports strong college and career pathways for students and growth for state and local economies. The 44-member STEM Council is co-chaired by Governor Kim Reynolds and Foundation Analytical Laboratory Owner and Director of Technical Services Diane Young. For more information, visit https://iowastem.org.

About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

 

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Renee Wagner as the new principal of Irving Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, pending approval by the Board of Education at its March meeting. Wagner, who currently serves as an instructional coach at Drexler Middle School in Farley, Iowa, replaces Susan Meehan, who was recently named administrator of the district’s new Seedlings Preschool Center.

As principal of Irving, Wagner will be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operations of the school, which serves approximately 410 students and has over 85 professional and support staff.

Wagner assumes this role after serving as an instructional coach at Drexler Middle School since 2020. Prior to that, she was an instructional coach at Western Dubuque High School from 2014-2020. Prior to her role in instructional leadership, she served as a teacher at Drexler Middle and Intermediate School from 2010-2014 and was a Title I reading teacher at Cascade Elementary School.

“Renee brings a students-first philosophy that is guided by her strong track record of building positive relationships and her expertise in proven instructional practices,” said Superintendent of Schools Amy Hawkins. “That, combined with her positive attitude and excitement for learning make her the right fit to lead Irving into the future.”

Wagner holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary and middle level education from the University of Northern Iowa, a K-8 reading endorsement from Clarke University, and a master’s degree in education (educational administration) from Loras College.

The Dubuque Community School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Rich Hatcher as the new principal of Kennedy Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year, pending approval by the Board of Education at its March meeting. Hatcher, who currently serves as assistant principal at Western Dubuque High School, replaces Nick Hess, who was recently named principal of Marshall Elementary School in the district.

As principal of Kennedy, Hatcher will be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day operations of the school, which serves approximately 585 students and has over 81 professional and support staff.

Hatcher assumes this new role after serving as assistant principal of Western Dubuque High School since 2017. Prior to his time in the Western Dubuque Community School District, he was a student needs facilitator at Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque from 2014-2017 and was an instructional coach and talented/gifted facilitator at Jefferson from 2007-2014. Prior to that, he was a science and geography teacher at Williams Intermediate School and F.L. Smart Middle School, respectively, which are both in Davenport, Iowa.

“Rich is an energetic, relationship-driven administrator who thrives on building connections with families, student and staff,” said Superintendent of Schools Amy Hawkins. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Dubuque Community School District and we are excited for all he will bring to this role at Kennedy.”

Hatcher holds a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, a master of educational leadership degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill.

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2024 Bowling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

3A State Girls Championship

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL – 4th Place

Individual 3A Girls State Qualifiers

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Zoie Bettcher
Alison Hedrick
Mackenzie Lang
Clara Pregler

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL
Chloe Hansen

Individual 3A Boys State Qualifiers

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Zach Wlochal

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL
Alec Bowman

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2024 IHSAA Boys State Swimming Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

State Finishers

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL

200-Yard Freestyle Relay – 2nd Place

• Brandon Decker
• Owen Leitzen
• Kyle Powers
• Logan Westhoff

100-Yard Freestyle 

• Kyle Powers – 10th Place
• Owen Leitzen – 12th Place

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

200-Yard Medley Relay – 9th Place

• Walter Freund
• William Fry
• Zack Heiar
• Jarrett Herber

100-Yard Breaststroke – 11th Place

• Zack Heiar

100-Yard Butterfly – 12th Place

• Zack Heiar

State Qualifiers

HEMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL

50-Yard Freestyle

• Brandon Decker
• Mason Lemm
• Kyle Powers

100-Yard Backstroke

• Jake Dolphin

100-Yard Breaststroke

• Brandon Decker

100-Yard Butterfly

• Mason Lemm
• Logan Westhoff

100-Yard Freestyle

• Owen Leitzen
• Kyle Powers

200-Yard Freestyle

• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Owen Leitzen
• Logan Westhoff

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Brandon Decker
• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Owen Leitzen
• Kyle Powers

200-Yard Individual Medley

• Jake Dolphin
• Zach Wenger

200-Yard Medley Relay

• Brandon Decker
• Jake Dolphin
• Henry Gilbertson
• Mason Lemm

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Henry Gilbertson
• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Owen Leitzen
• Kyle Powers

500-Yard Freestyle

• Dustin Coyle
• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Zach Wenger

DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

50-Yard Freestyle

• Jarrett Herber

100-Yard Backstroke

• William Fry

100-Yard Breaststroke

• Zack Heiar

100-Yard Butterfly

• William Fry
• Zack Heiar
• Jarrett Herber

200-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Duncan Freund
• Walter Freund
• Zack Heiar
• Cole Marshall

200-Yard Medley Relay

• Duncan Freund
• Walter Freund
• William Fry
• Jarrett Herber

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Duncan Freund
• William Fry
• Zack Heiar
• Jarrett Herber