[News] Waukee School Update - June 2007

[Wayne Cooper]

For those receiving this for the first time, welcome to my monthly update of
happenings in the Waukee School District.  Please feel free to share with
others who may be interested or let me know if you would like to be taken
off the mailing list.  Others can get on the list by sending me an e-mail.  

                

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June 1, 2007

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Well the school year wrapped up, and along with it a huge amount of end of
the year activities.  As always, I know that I missed a lot of neat events
that happened this month, especially in the elementary buildings, so please
send me a note on items I can include next month.

 

Before I roll down many of the events from the month, let me start be
stating how much I admire our students, staff and families who have
continuously looked for ways to help others over the last school year.  I
just returned from what I believe is the final event of the year where
Centennial Park was full of students who gathered to raise funds for
leukemia in honor of a class mate, Nadia Torkzadeh who was diagnosed with
leukemia in March.  Stories of similar efforts could be told from every
building in the district and charitable work never stopped from August
through May.  I don't know if this is common in every school district, but I
sure am glad our students are developing a life long goal of helping others.

 

Congratulations to all of our seniors and their parents.  Graduation was
held on Thursday evening May 24th at the Knapp Center.

Every class leaves their legacy of accomplishments at WHS, and we know this
class will leave their mark on history as they continue in the next phase of
their lives.

 

Farewell to Deb Snider who is retiring as Principal at Walnut Hills
Elementary.  Co-workers sponsored a great retirement party for Deb at the
Country Club with a wonderful tribute to years of dedicated service to our
students. 

 

The annual WHS speech awards night was held on May 1 at the Auditorium to
award and celebrate the success these students had during the year.  You may
not be aware that the Prairieview individual and group teams along with the
High School individual and group teams all had combined GPA's between 3.2
and 3.7 resulting in special academic recognition by the Iowa High School
Speech Association.  Thanks to coaches:  Jan Bishop, Brian Christensen,
Nicole Crawford, Angela Long and Kim Kramer for their great leadership this
year!

 

On May 2, our HS Symphonic Band held it's final concert for the year under
the direction of Jeff Patterson.  The evening featured our bag pipe band
with instructor Sue Seidenfeld.  Members included:  Ben Dallman, Spencer
Elmer, Trevor McGraw, Savanna Rowe, Chase Taggart, all seniors and drummer,
David Eastman.  All of the seniors were founding members of the group that
started in October, 2003.  Also performing was a flute and clarinet duet by
LiPing and LiYen Vong, recognition of seniors and concluded with a great
selection by the band.  

 

In another first for Waukee,  Winnie Lejukole was one of only 14 FCCLA
members selected from a nationwide scholarship program to spend six weeks in
Japan this summer.  Her scholarship includes her round-trip airfare to and
from Japan, placement with a Japanese host family, room and board.  The
program is funded by the Kikkoman Corporation and is worth over $4,000.  The
scholarships are only available to FCCLA members in their sophomore or
junior years of high school.  See Mrs, Carlberg or Mrs, Strange if you're
interested in joining FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of
America).  Congratulations Winnie!

 

Ivory Becker was also honored when she won the Waukee Ladies VFW Auxiliary
"Young American Creative Patriotic Art" contest.  Ivory won an award and a
savings bond. 

The Young American Creative Patriotic Art contest is a yearly contest
sponsored by the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. The participant in the contest needs
to have a teacher's signature verifying that the entry was dome by the
applicant. They may draw or paint on paper or canvas to express their
patriotism while becoming eligible for funds to further their education.
National scholarships of $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place,
and $2,500 for third place. First prize includes a plaque and airfare plus
two nights' lodging to attend the Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. The
first-place art will be featured on the cover of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW
Magazine and on the Auxiliary Web site. Entrees need to be in High School
and sponsored by a VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Ivory's entree was a colored pencil drawing of the Statue Of Liberty as a
symbol of freedom for Americans. Throughout history, even in the present,
our soldiers have fought for freedom for all. The twin towers in her drawing
are added in the background as a symbol for the present fight for freedom
for those who are not free and for the courageous people who fought to save
so many lives on Sept. 11, 2001.  

 

Thanks to the VFW Auxiliary for making this opportunity available and to
Ivory for thjs great accomplishment!

 

Thursday, May 3: Students On Stage wrapped up the year featuring the Waukee
Middle School Y-Teens Arts Clubs at Immanuel Lutheran Church The night
featured an art exhibition by the Art Club, skits and improvisations from
the Drama Club and choral selections performed by the YMCA Choir.  Following
the performances a reception was held with proceeds from a bake sale going
to Thora Thompson and family to help with medical expenses. Thora is the
infant daughter of Michelle Anthoney Thompson, middle school vocal teacher.
It was a great evening and I was impressed that the students again found a
way to help someone from our school family who is in need.  Thanks again to
the YMCA, Middle School, Immanuel Lutheran and the Waukee Arts Council for
their collaboration to make these opportunities available to our students!

 

Congratulations to Kendra Bland, sophomore at WHS who won a a $1000
scholarships from Iowa Rotary District for her essay on leadership.  Kendra
was selected from more than 175 participants.  Her essay, "Stepping Stones
to Leadership", included 5 attributes that make a leader:  actions,
sacrifice, vision, character and service.  Kendra is involved at Lutheran
Church of Hope, Waukee dance team, junior varsity cheerleading show choir,
and 4-H County Council.  What a young lady!



Following the concert I stopped at the stadium to watch our girls soccer
team take on Fort Dodge in another tight game going into overtime.  It would
be fun to see our soccer teams play before the huge 18,000 crowds that our
students saw while in Germany over spring break.

 

Also congratulations to our boys soccer team for a huge victory over #1
Ankeny on May 7.  Did you know they were rated 7th in the State before
ending the season against Hoover in the tourney?

 

Trivia question of the month:  What has been the increase in the cost of
land purchased by the district since 1995 when the current high school last
was purchased?  At that time it cost $13,873 per acre for the 58 acres of
our central campus.  In 1999 Walnut Hills land cost $19,273 per acre,
$23,500 in 2000 for Brookview, $28,200 in 2003 for a yet to build elementary
and $40,000 per acre last year for the Maple Grove property.  It's easier to
appreciate the value of our administrations long term planning when you know
the financial impact to the district.

 

The fifth Friday Night Live took the stage on the 4th featuring four one act
plays and three improve groups.  "Variations on the death of Trotsky"
featured Trevor McGraw and Liz Rioran.  "Pitch and Catch" featured Ciara
Pearce, Dessei Luna, Aarn Calvin and Kaitlin Miller.  Both were directed by
Chelsea Korpanty.  "Valey Forgery" featured Meagan Carlson, Allison Fayard
and Brianna Nelson and directed by Katie Harrington.  Improv groups
included:  Kim Cooper, Paul Spooner, Taryn Giese, Emily Carver, Emily
Johansen, Hannah Wolff, Amanda Johnson, Trevor McGraw and Aaron Calvin.  The
show was produced by Jessica Baumeister, Co-produced by Phoebe Smith with
Wayne Kischer as advisor.  It was another unique evening with bleachers on
the auditorium stage turned toward the back with created a small intimate
setting for each small group act. 

 

Weekends are not a day off for many of our students.  Saturday, May 5 found
our High School and Prairieview bands and 4 choirs all competing at the
State Large Group contest at Valley while our girls soccer team plays at the
Valley stadium. 

 

Also congratulations to our 8th grade boys track team who won the state
junior high track meet in Marshalltown on the 5th! 

And to the Freshman BOYS TRACK Team!  They placed 1st - winning the CIML
(Ia. Conference) on Tuesday.  Final standings are as follows: Waukee 120;
Valley 114; Marshalltown 113; Ames 112; Mason City 57; Ft. Dodge 40. 

 

Also to our girls track team for winning Waukee's first CIML conference
title and winning the district meet on May 11 at Waukee Stadium. and to the
high school boys track team for taking 2nd place in the district meet.  What
an accomplishment and great stadium to watch a great meet!  

 

Our girls track team won the State Pentathlon meet this Tuesday by scoring
9,993 points, over Dubuque Senior by over 1,000 points.

The team included:  Jillian Carlberg (6th place individually), Colette Gnade
(7th place), Amaura Cope (11 place), Chelle Phillips (13 place) and Allie
Williams (19th place overall and winning the high jump!)

 

Late congratulations to our 7th grade band who received the "Best of Class"
1st Place awards at the Drake Relays/ Adventureland Concert Band Festival on
April 28th.

 

Did you know that each of elementary buildings held field trips and fun days
to wrap up the school year?  I think every elementary student looks forward
to these special events.

 

Waukee Idol took the stage on May 9 with 12 acts of students in grades 6-12
and a unique(?) group of local celebrity judges.  A nearly sold out
auditorium heard Tricia Kausalik, Wil Augspurger & Allysa Kunath, Angelica
Gonzalz, Violet Saylor, Jack Oberman & Jacob Meier, Courtney Nevenhoven,
Mackie Saylor, Lansing Wei who competed in the 7-9 division.  Also Hannah
Wolff, Nick Flynn & Crew, Bekah Noack and Anna Bergman in the 10-12
division.  Receiving the Waukee Idol awards were Mackie Saylor in the
A-Division and Anna Bergman in the B-Division.  Receiving peoples choice
awards for the most cash contributed along with judges votes were:  Courtney
Nevenhoven and Hannah Wolff.  And my unofficial winner of the crowd favorite
of the night:  Lansing Wei!  Thanks to all the contestants, judges and crew
and Mr. Huth for organizing this great event to support the vocal music
program at Waukee!

 

Special congratulations to Roxanne Cumings, director of student services who
was nominated for the 2007 Iowa Central Office Administrator of the Year
award sponsored by the School Administrators of Iowa.  Roxanne was nominated
by her peers and will be recognized t the SAI awards banquet August 7 in Des
Moines.

 

Did you know that Matt E. Huth, 9th Grade Prairieview vocal instructor is
President-Elect of the Iowa Choral Directors Association?

 

And, thank to Mr, Huth, Mr, Beeken, Ms. Hall and Marilyn Kofmehl with the 1A
Mixed Concert Choir, 9th Grade Chorus, Chorale, Intermezzo and A Cappella
for a great year end Formal Concert on May 8.  At the end of the concert,
for the first time ever sung in public,  A Cappella sang  "There Is A
Season", a special number commissioned after the death of the Peterson baby
last year.  Following the concert was the annual awards presentations and
Senior Tribute, a time all of our younger students will look forward to.

 

Prior to the concert the school board handled a variety of business and also
heard a report form the "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" program conducted at
Brookview and Eason Elementary.  Thanks to Kinzee Bryte (counselor at EE),
Katie Mavis (counselor at BV), Kate DeSlover (coordinator for Big Brothers
of Iowa), and to Adam Drew, a big brother and Jackson Bell, a little brother
for sharing their stories and the impact this opportunity is having for the
students involved.  This year we have 25 matches in the two buildings with a
goal of finding many more Big Brothers - Big Sisters next year to meet the
needs of additional students when we expand the program to Maple Hills.  If
you are interested in leaning more, or would consider being involved, please
contact any of the building offices.  The time commitment is 1 hour per week
to meet with your little brother- little sister at the school.  It's another
great way to give back to others. 

 

In other business, the board received a tentative report showing
non-building facility improvements that we will try to implement over the
next 5 years.  This list includes renovating and improving the
baseball/softball complex, artificial turf and running track at the stadium
along with a visitors concession building and new stadium entrance and
additional parking.  Also the addition and renovation to the tennis courts,
conversion of the YMCA building once they relocate, and a second gymnasium
to the HS.  Also included is the purchase of at least two additional sites
for new buildings.  All of these items will be paid for with the School
Local Option Sales Tax when and if funds are available.  The timing and
final approval for each project will be done later and I'm sure additional
priorities may come up that we don't have on this list.  Our administration
does an outstanding job planning well into the future so we can help meet
the competing needs of our growing district.  

 

Did you see the great article about the WHS fashion show "Crayola Box
Couture"?  Thanks to everyone in Lisa Carberg's fashion class for putting on
a first class show for fellow students. 



Did you see Katie Suckow featured in the Des Moines Register "Who's been
hot" column May 5?  Katie was featured for her talent on the golf course
where she tied for 4th at last year's state meet and holds several school
records including low nine-hole round (33), low 18-hole round (74) and most
pars in a season (103).  Anyone want to take her on?  Rumor has it Dr.
Wilkerson is begging Katie to be on his 4-some for the Foundation Golf
Outing again this year!  Katie also came in 4th in this years State
Tournament and received elite all-state honors for the second year in a row!

 

The Warrior girl golfers placed second at Knoxville. Scoring for the
Warriors were Jennifer Gaffney, third place with a 85, Katie Suckow, fourth
place with an 86, Brianna Volk with a 97 and Jordan Foley.

 

Congratulations to Kim Cooper. Waukee Junior for being cast in the Des
Moines Playhouse "High School Musical".  Performances begin in July, so get
your tickets early.

 

Congratulations to the hundreds of our students who were confirmed this
month at their various churches.  I hope we continue to have a school
district that will give you the opportunities to live out your faith and
where you reach out to invite your friends without a church home to visit
your youth activities.

 

More congratulations and a first for Waukee when a group from the high
school decided to participate in the first Theatre 711 Project at Grandview
College. Each troupe had only one week to write, rehearse, design sound,
lights and costumes in a play between 7-11 minutes.  Each group was given a
genre (comedy, drama, romance or mystery) and was required to use a
specifically named character, prop and line in their presentation.  The
stage, which consisted of a barn with a wide range of props was revealed to
them 7 days before the performance date.  Waukee Productions included
Playwrite & Director, Megan Carlson, along with Jessica Baumeister, Adam
Vaught and Taryn Giese. 

 

Special honors to Ann Klein who represented Waukee on the Academic All-State
Awards nominees.  

 

Thanks to Megan McDonald for sending me a copy of her award winning poem
from earlier this year:

 

Michelle Kwan is very graceful when she skates

When she spins my head goes in circles as I watch her twirl

When I spin my hair whips n the air and I pretend I am her

When she jumps my eyes light up as she leaps in the air

When I jump my heart pounds and I pretend I am her

When she skates my legs shake as I watch her glide

When I skate my arms are graceful and I pretend I am her

I want to be just like Michelle Kwan one day

 

Megan McDonald

 

Congratulations to Drew Love who finished third in the Greco Roman State
Tournament May 12.  Drew goes on to wrestle at the Junior Nationals in Fargo
this July, and will compete to represent Iowa at the freestyle tournament in
June.  

 

Coming Up:

 

 

June 2  Grand Opening Entrees Made Easy -  15950 Hickman Rd  10:00 - 4:00.
50% of proceeds will go to the YMCA

 

June 6  Ice Cream Social hosted by the band parents - Waukee Elementary
6:30-07:30.

 

June 8-9  Relay for Life at Waukee Stadium  (See info below)  Bring your
family for a few minutes or the entire event!

 

June 9  Waukee All Alumni Reunion - High School

 

June 10  Waukee Library fundraiser with sale of books, hors d'oeuvres and
desserts with entertainment.  6:30.

            Contact Linda at 987-1280 or lindam at waukee.lib.ia.us to
register.

 

June 20   WAUKEE COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOUNDATION GOLF @ Beaver Creek Golf Club .
For further info call Jeff Menz @ 987-2944. 

 

 

 

 

 

JOIN THE WAUKEE COMMUNITY AS IT RELAYS TO FIGHT CANCER

 

Your opportunity to join the fight against cancer is fast approaching.  The
2007 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Waukee will be held at the
Waukee stadium complex beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8th and will
continue until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th.

 

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together
those who have been touched by cancer in our community.  At the event, we
celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society
in its mission to save lives, help those who have encountered cancer, and
empower individuals to fight back.  During the event, teams of people will
gather at the stadium and take turns walking laps.  Each team tries to keep
at least one team member on the track at all times.  

 

But, Relay For Life is much more than a walk around a track.   It is a time
to remember those lost to cancer and celebrate those who have survived.  It
is a night for people who have shared the same experience to comfort and
console one another.  During this event, we honor survivors during the
Survivors Lap and we remember all who have battled cancer during the
Luminary Ceremony.  We also celebrate life, friendship, and a chance to work
together toward a cancer-free future.

 

Most importantly, Relay For Life gives you the power to help in the fight
against cancer.   By joining together as volunteers and donors, our efforts
help the American Cancer Society strive toward a future where cancer doesn't
take the lives of our friends and family.

 

Money raised at the Relay For Life benefits the American Cancer Society's
programs of cancer research, education, advocacy, and service.

 

We would welcome you joining us at the Relay For Life of Waukee for any part
of the event - it is a memorable and moving experience.  Admission is free,
and the public is encouraged to attend.   

 

For more information concerning the Relay For Life of Waukee, including a
schedule of events, go to www.relayforlifeofwaukee.com
<http://www.relayforlifeofwaukee.com/> .  Hope to see you there!

 

Co-Chairmen

2007 ACS Relay For Life of Waukee

Sandy Swallow  987-1214

Kelley Robinson   987-3776

 

 

 

Have some news I can share?  Just send me a note and I'll be glad to share
it next month.

 

 

Wayne Cooper

Waukee School Board

 <mailto:WayneC941 at mchsi.com> WayneC941 at mchsi.com 

 

 

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