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 26 – April 29th. 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

Girls 1500M Run

• Leah Klapatauskas

Boys Shot Put

• Cohen Pfohl

Boys Team 4x100M Run

• Jaden Arnold
• Ben Francis
• Nick Lambe
• Deyon Moore

Alternates

• Marshawn Dukes
• Noah Roling

Hempstead High School

Co-ed 400M Wheelchair

• Ally Darter

Girls 800M Run

• Keelee Leitzen

Girls 1500M Run

• Keelee Leitzen

Boys 1600M Run

• John Maloney

Boys 3200M Run

• John Maloney

Girls Team 4x100M Relay

• Akeelah Anderson
• Ayla Osterkamp
• Jillian Renne
• Mallory Tomkins

Girls Team 4x400M Relay

• Camdyn Kay
• Keele Leitzen
• Brooke O’Brien
• Ayla Osterkamp

Girls Team 4x800M Relay

• Evie Henneberry
• Camdyn Kay
• Keelee Leitzen
• Brooke O’Brien

Girls Team 800M Sprint Medley Relay

• Akeelah Anderson
• Brooke O’Brien
• Ayla Osterkamp
• Mallory Tomkins

Alternates

• Isabel Brauhn
• Maddie Digman
• Julia Gehl
• Zach Johnson
• Maddie Leeser
• Aubrey Schlichte

The Dubuque Community School District was recently recognized for its communication efforts in the 2023 Iowa School Public Relations Association (ISPRA) Communication Contest, honoring outstanding school communication throughout the state.

The district received 9 awards in the contest, with each entry evaluated and scored independently by school communication professionals in other state chapters of the National School Public Relations Association. Based on a scoring rubric, winning entries can receive (from lowest to highest honors) an Award of Merit, an Award of Excellence, or a Blue and Gold Award, given to entries recognized as best in the state for receiving the top overall score of 5 out of 5.

The district was honored with the following:

BLUE AND GOLD AWARDS

• • Photography: Dubuque Senior High School Madrigal Dinner
  • Video (Long): Say Something
  • Social Media: Goals for the Year Campaign (12 post campaign)
    • Post 1, Post 2, Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, Post 6, Post 7, Post 8, Post 9, Post 10, Post 11, and Post 12

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

• • Video Series: Teacher of the Year Finalists
  • Video Series: Sign Language Instructional Series
  • Video (Short): Fulton Elementary Farewell 
  • Video (Long): Together, We Can Achieve Anything
  • Excellence in Writing: Superintendent Farewell Editorial
  • Special Purpose: Kindergarten Sign-Up

“As a district, we believe that having outstanding schools relies on having an engaged, informed community,” said Mike Cyze, chief communication officer. “We work hard to proactively and transparently communicate to those we serve and we are pleased to be recognized for our work in doing so.”

High school students from the Hempstead High School Physics Team recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2022-23 State Physics Competition at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) on Tuesday, April 11th.

The competition included a series of five physics events that stressed creativity and ingenuity as well as an understanding of physics related principles. Over 230 students were present with 24 schools representing Iowa. The top eight scorers in each category added to the team points which helped the Hempstead High School Physics Team earn first place out of twenty teams.

As a result, ten $1,000 scholarships will be gifted to ten students that choose to go into a STEM related field at UNI. The team also had two students earn individual medals as place winners for being one of the top three teams in their categories.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

State Team Championship

Hempstead High School Physics Team

Hempstead High School Physics Team with team trophy

Individual Medal Winners

Measurement Team #1 – 2nd Place

• Jett Didelot | 10th grade
• John D’Souza | 10th grade

Bridge Team #1 – 3rd Place

• Jett Didelot | 10th grade
• John D’Souza | 10th grade

From L-R individual medal winners John D’Souza and Jett Didelot

Top 8 Place Finishers

Catapult Team #1

• William Houselog | 10th grade
• William Scott | 11th grade

Mousetrap Team #1

• Brett Tomkins | 11th grade
• Rylan Mours | 10th grade

Mousetrap Team #2

• Paul Mueller | 11th grade
• Andrew Chipperfield | 10th grade

Soda Straw Team #1

• Brett Tomkins | 11th grade
• Ryan Mullen | 11th grade

Soda Straw Team #2

• Dawson Fish | 11th grade
• Charlie Driscoll | 11th grade

Bridge Team #2

• William Scott | 11th grade
• John Maloney | 11th grade

Bridge Team #3

• Hannah Davisdon | 11th grade
• Ryan Mullen | 11th grade

Measurement Team #2

• Hannah Davisdon | 11th grade
• Ryan Mullen | 11th grade

Measurement Team #3

• Rylan Mours | 10th grade
• Aiden Quam | 11th grade

State Competitors

Catapult Team #2

• Hannah Davisdon | 11th grade
• Rylan Mours | 10th grade

Catapult Team #3

• Paul Mueller | 11th grade
• Andrew Chipperfield | 10th grade

Mousetrap Team #3

• John Maloney | 11th grade
• Dawson Fish | 11th grade

Soda Straw Team #3

• Aiden Quam | 11th grade
• Rian Velde* | 10th grade

*Denotes student that attends Dubuque Senior High School

Hempstead High School Physics Team ready for competition

On Saturday, March 11, the Dubuque Senior Speech Team competed in the 2023 State Individual Event Speech Contest at Starmont High School in Arlington, Iowa.  The team received overall Division I ratings in 45 performances. The contest is sponsored by the Iowa High School Speech Association.

The Dubuque Senior Speech Team also received 24 Outstanding Performance nominations to the 2023 Individual Event All-State Festival. The Festival was held Monday, March 27 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 eleventh consecutive year the Dubuque Senior Speech Team has won the Individual Events Sweepstakes Trophy.

Hempstead High School had a single student advance to the 2023 State Individual Event Speech Contest in two separate categories and receive an Outstanding Performance nomination to the 2023 Individual Event All-State Festival. The individual student was coached by Harmony Roe and Don Stanner.

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 (five times – 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016 and 2013). The group is coached by Aaron Dean, Greg Ernzen, Maria LoBianco, James Riley, 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:

Individual Events Sweepstakes Trophy

• Dubuque Senior High School

Dubuque Senior High School Individual Event Sweepstakes Trophy

All-State Recognition:

Dubuque Senior High School

• Riley Beck – Solo Musical Theatre
• Peter Boenish – Prose
• Seattle Bontemps – Original Oratory
• Sam Cavanagh – Radio News Announcing
• Alex Dixon – After Dinner Speaking & Expository Address
• Peyton Dixon – Storytelling
• Avery Kane – Acting
• Leah Klapatauskas – Spontaneous Speaking
• Chase Kreimeyer – After Dinner Speaking
• Lucia Kuehn – Acting & Public Address
• Scout Kuehn – Storytelling
• Evelyn Maddux – Acting & Solo Musical Theatre
• Kaitlyn Miller – Expository Address
• Soren Obermueller – After Dinner Speaking & Improvisational Acting
• Paige Putnam – Acting & Poetry
• Jacob Schreiber – Review
• Aidan Seville – Improvisational Acting & Solo Musical Theatre
• Emma Ward – Original Oratory

Hempstead High School

• Hannah Davisdon – Radio News

State Division I (Excellent) Rated Recognition:

Dubuque Senior High School

• Mira Brock – Original Oratory
• Delaney Carber – Storytelling
• Ella Donovan – Literary Program
• Kalea Dostal – Poetry
• Conner Frederick – Radio News Announcing
• Anna Garrett-Douillet – Public Address
• Roz Hoefflin – Public Address
• Norah Homb – Storytelling
• Natalee Killian – Prose
• Leah Klapatauskas – Literary Program
• Scout Kuehn – Solo Musical Theatre
• Iris Lammer-Heindel – Literary Program
• Maura Lawler – Public Address
• Ella Meyer – Original Oratory & Spontaneous Speaking
• Josie Norton – Poetry
• Anna O’Connor – Literary Program
• Henry Raber – After Dinner Speaking
• Maddie Rupp – Expository Address
• Teddy Ruppel – Prose
• Isaiah Schlimm – Spontaneous Speaking

Hempstead High School

• Hannah Davisdon – Review

Thirteen students from Hempstead High School recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2023 iJAG Annual Career Development Conference in Des Moines, IA.

Congratulations to our students who will be advancing to the National Conference in Orlando, FL next month:

STATE WINNER

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

• Kialah Hill | 12th grade
• Ava Runde | 12th grade
• Laila Saunders | 11th grade

Hempstead High School iJAG LOVE Project Winners

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

STATE COMPETITORS

Prepared Speaking
A speech about how iJAG has impacted their lives

• Mariano Jeban | 11th grade

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

• Ayiana Sandridge | 11th grade

Career Preparation
A powerpoint and presentation about their future career

• EzrahLynn Stowers | 11th grade

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

• DeMarion Williams | 11th grade
• Byren Hayes | 12th grade
• Jenaleigh Williams | 11th grade

Financial Literacy
A computer test on financial literacy concepts

• Derick Lomax | 11th grade

Business Plan
A 10-page written business plan and presentation

• Coriana Smith | 12th grade
• Analicia Bermudez | 11th grade
• Lyanna Bellamy | 11th grade

Hempstead High School iJAG state competitors

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2023 IHSAA Boys State Swimming Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

State Finishers

Hempstead High School

200-Yard Freestyle Relay – 6th Place

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

200-Yard Medley Relay – 11th Place

• John Maloney
• Brandon Decker
• Mason Lemm
• Kyle Powers

Dubuque Senior High School

200-Yard Medley Relay – 10th Place

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

State Qualifiers

Hempstead High School

50-Yard Freestyle

• Brandon Decker

100-Yard Breaststroke

• Brandon Decker

100-Yard Butterfly

• Logan Westhoff

100-Yard Freestyle

• Kyle Powers
• Owen Leitzen

200-Yard Freestyle

• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Owen Leitzen

200-Yard Individual Medley

• Abd Ul-Haq
• Zach Wenger

400-Yard Freestyle Relay

• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Zach Wenger
• Mason Lemm
• Owen Leitzen

500-Yard Freestyle

• Michael Rhett Gilbertson
• Zach Wenger

Dubuque Senior High School

100-Yard Backstroke

• William Fry

100-Yard Breaststroke

• Zach Heiar

100-Yard Butterfly

• William Fry

200-Yard Individual Medley

• Zach Heiar

High school students from Dubuque Senior and Hempstead recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2023 IGHSAU Girls Wrestling State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

State Finisher

Dubuque Senior High School
Hannah Reel (wt. 115) – 7th place

State Qualifiers

Dubuque Senior High School
Kenedy Stolk (wt. 110)
Jolee Strohmeyer (wt. 145)

Hempstead High School
Ayla Osterkamp (wt. 135)
Paige Howieson (wt. 155)
Lydia Hefel (wt. 190)
Katelyn Brokus (wt. 235)

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2023 Bowling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

3A State Girls Championship

Dubuque Senior High School – 1st place

3A Girls State Bowling Champions

Individual 3A Girls State Finishers

Dubuque Senior High School
Jaquelyn Hochrein – 2nd place
Clara Pregler – tied for 5th place

Individual 3A Girls State Qualifiers

Dubuque Senior High School
Mackenzie Lang
Morgan Bettcher

Hempstead High School
Libby Leach
Madison Ninneman

Individual 3A Boys State Qualifiers

Dubuque Senior High School
Zachary Wlochal

Hempstead High School
Gavin Wardle

High school students from Hempstead and Dubuque Senior recently returned from an impressive showing at the 2023 IHSAA Boys Wrestling 3A State Championship.

Congratulations to the following students on these honors:

3A State Dual Championship

Hempstead High School – 7th Place

Hempstead High School Wrestling Team

Individual 3A State Finishers

Hempstead High School
Jojo Lewis (wt. 220) – 2nd place
Josiah Schaetzle (wt. 160) – 3rd place
Mitch Pins (wt. 106) – 6th place
Evan Bratten (wt. 113) – 8th place
Mitchell Murphy (wt. 120) – 8th place

Individual 3A State Qualifiers

Hempstead High School
Landon Reisen (wt. 126)
Dawson Fish (wt. 138)
Cole Rettemaier (wt. 182)

Dubuque Senior High School
Mason Besler (wt. 120)
Beau Healey (wt. 160)
Cohen Pfohl (wt. 285)

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

On Saturday, February 18th the Dubuque Senior Speech Team performed at the Iowa High School Speech Association Large Group All-State Festival at Iowa State University. The team of over 75 Dubuque Senior students proudly represented and entertained audiences in performances ranging from One Act Play to Musical Theatre. The Dubuque Senior Speech Team closed the ceremony by earning three Critic’s Choice Awards for outstanding performance of the day in the categories of Ensemble Acting, Radio Broadcasting and Solo Mime.

Dubuque Senior All-State Banner for Ensemble Acting

In the category of Ensemble Acting, Over the River and Through the Woods claimed the Critic’s Choice Award. The play, written by Joe DiPietro, is a warm-hearted, boisterously funny, and touching story about intergenerational relationships and deep familial love. The performance featured students Lucia Kuehn, Scout Kuehn, Soren Obermueller, Aidan Seville, and Emma Ward. It was directed by Aaron Dean. The critic was Tiffany Johnson, Assistant Professor of Theatre at Iowa State University and Artistic Director of the Pyramid Theatre Company of Des Moines.

Dubuque Senior All-State Banner for Radio Broadcasting

In the category of Radio Broadcasting, KWOZ was awarded the Critic’s Choice Award. The performance imagines a witty, whimsical news broadcast from the Land of Oz featuring beloved characters from the classic film. The newscast featured Aidan Dolan, Maddie Fast, Joplin Halstoos, Maura Lawler, Makayla Makovec, Brice Shaw, Hannah Tracy, and Nate Williams. It was directed by Greg Ernzen. The critic was Calyn Thompson, an anchor at WHO-TV 13, Des Moines.

Dubuque Senior All-State Banner for Solo Mime

In the category of Solo Mime, The Price of Perfection received the Critic’s Choice Award. This moving performance examined the pressures of body image and the toll it takes both physically and mentally. The performer was Elise Norman. It was directed by Megan Schumacher. The critic was Paul Kalina, Associate Professor of Movement Studies at the University of Iowa.

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 honors at the IHSSA Large Group Festival, making Dubuque Senior the 2023 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 tenth Ensemble Acting Award for Dubuque Senior, a category dating back to 1984.
• This is the fourth Radio Broadcasting Critic’s Choice Award for Dubuque Senior, a category dating back to 2005.
• This is the fifth Critic’s Choice Award in Solo Mime for Dubuque Senior, one of the original IHSSA categories from the first festival back in 1981.
• The three Critic’s Choice Awards tie the school record for these honors awarded at a single festival. Dubuque Senior has achieved this feat four times. (1984, 1987, 2015, 2023)
• The award includes a traveling banner which Dubuque Senior will return to the All-State Festival next year.
• This marks the 34th, 35th, and 36th Critic’s Choice Award win for Dubuque Senior High School and the 17th in the last 11 years.
• This is Dubuque Senior’s seventh Large Groups Sweepstakes State Championship. (1984, 2001, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023)