From the Desk of the Superintendent...
November 24, 2015
DECEMBER 2015 DISTRICT DISPATCH
Our certified enrollment is up this year. The number of resident and open enrolled “in” students stands at 779.91. That is an increase of 7.44 students from the 2014-15 school year when we served 772.47 students. Looking back, we served 734.7 students in 2013-14 and 754.3 students in 2012-13. (Partial weighting applies in situations such as a homeschooled student who takes a class at the high school.) The aforementioned number reflects students for whom we receive state funding because they live within the boundaries of our school district or they attend Underwood as a result of open enrollment. In addition, four-year-old boys and girls in prekindergarten qualify for partial weighting.
This past fall the Underwood Eagle Marching Band under the direction of Kevin Sparks, flag choreographer Damon Harrington, and drum majors Hannah Sealock and Maddy Marsh had another excellent season. Junior mellophonist Keegan Konsor was awarded the outstanding marching award at the 60th annual Clarinda Band Jamboree where the Marching Eagles garnered their first division I rating of the season. The following weekend saw the Eagles earn another division I rating and place third overall at the Loess Hills Fieldfest in Glenwood. The grand finale came the following weekend at the Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA) Marching Festival which was also held in Glenwood. The Marching Eagles came home with their third division I rating of the season. The 60 members of the marching band, led by a committed group of 15 seniors, helped continue our high school’s tradition of excellence by earning their eleventh consecutive state division I rating at the IHSMA Marching Festival. Congratulations marching band members!
The fall variety show, 2015 Road Trip USA, under the direction of Eric Wyler and accompanied by Arla Jo Clausen, was a great success. This entertaining and diverse production was performed on October 30th and November 1st and showcased the high school concert choir, the marching band, and the dance team. Three main sections were featured by the concert choir including Surfin’ USA, Country, and Broadway. Songs which were performed included “Surfer Girl,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” and “Theme from New York, New York.” A very significant student vocal music honor was achieved this fall by Hannah Sealock for the fourth year in a row. Hannah was selected as a member of the prestigious Iowa High School Music Association’s All-State Choir and performed in the Hilton Coliseum at Iowa State University on November 21, 2015. Hannah is the first ever four-time IHSMA All-Stater in Underwood High School history. Congratulations, Hannah!
Special fall season sports honors were awarded to several Underwood student athletes. In cross country, Karley Larson, Kiley Cook, Mary Grace Martin, and Thomas Conn qualified for the state cross country meet in Fort Dodge with Karley placing third among all the girl runners. The girls’ cross country team finished first in the Western Iowa Conference and the boys finished second in the WIC. In volleyball, the team brought home third-place regular season honors in the Western Iowa Conference with Emma Bonnet and Brooke Cooper earning first-team WIC honors and Sydnie Collins, Madeline Stephens, and Alexis Morales-Foote receiving honorable mention recognition. The football team ended the regular season as the undefeated district champions and played two state playoff games before finally being defeated by a very good team from Hinton. First-team all-district honors went to Tyler Conn, John Schnack, Nick Pedersen, Thad Bohbot, J.T. Waters, and Colin Opstvedt; second-team all-district recognition went to Isaiah Humphrey, Noe Guzman, J.J. Martin, and Jesse Jensen; and players named to the honorable mention roster included Trevor Erwin, Erik Darrington, Roger Freese, Adam Owen, Cale Nelson, Shawn Larsen, and Brandon Magnuson. Academic all-conference and all-district recipients included Brooke Cooper, Madeline Stephens, Cole Martin, Robi Fanslau, Lacey Jensen, Jesse Jensen, J.J. Martin, Lance Parish, Clay Yates, Nick Pedersen, J.T. Waters, and John Schnack.
On behalf of the employees of the school district, the school board members, and my family, I wish each of you the very best during this holiday season.
