Ames Community School District Receives STEM BEST Program Award
Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council announced Ames Community School District’s Science in the City as one of the 22 STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) Program models for 2021. The STEM Best Program supports school-business partnerships that allow teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side on curriculum and projects that give students actual workplace experience. In the projects, students also gain an understanding of the opportunities and required skills for careers in STEM fields.
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Free Little Libraries
The Ames High School Key Club Little Free Libraries Project started uniquely. In 2019, Key Club officers applied for and received a Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) grant for $500. The YOF grant is an endowed fund for Key Club International held within the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. YOF grants spur action to identify services that need to be done in the community. Key Club identified an opportunity to create a reading corner with their funds.
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Mental Health Club at Ames High
For students across the country, this pandemic school year reinforced the importance of focusing on mental health. At Ames High, seniors Tatum Lillibridge and Jamey McCalley serve as student leaders of the Ames High Mental Health Club after first joining the group a year ago.
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Lyle Fedders named as new Activities Director of Ames High School
The Ames Community School District is excited to announce Lyle Fedders as the new Activities Director of Ames High School. He is currently the Director of Activities and Equity at Des Moines East High School, a position he has held since 2013.
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Richard Day: Ames High Music Man
Performing arts were minimal in the early years of Ames High School. Small groups would perform as a chorus or cornet band, dependent on student interest. Orchestra was formed in 1903, and band in 1920. Participant numbers were low due both in part to lack of initial interest and the inability to secure instruments. That began to change when a new band director, Richard Day joined Ames High. While the band’s main purpose was to assist the Pep Club in putting pep into school, with Day’s leadership, they began turning out at a full array of athletic events and other activities.
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Science in the City
Ever sit in a science or math class when you were in school and wonder, either quietly or out loud, when will I ever use this? Davis Verhoeven, a senior at Ames High School, aims to showcase exactly how science, math, engineering, and technology (STEM) are used every day and in almost every career through a self-founded after-school program called, Science in the City.
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Ames High Named “Best” High School in National Report
The 2021 U.S. News and World Report Best High School rankings have been released and Ames High School has been named fifth in the state and 1,431st in the nation. The Ames High earned a “Best” ranking, a commendation reserved for the top 40% of schools in this ranking program. U.S. News “Best” badges are widely recognized as symbols of excellence in U.S. education.
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A Decorated Musician: Ames High Senior Seth Durbin
At a time when most high school seniors are planning for graduation and what lies ahead, Seth Durbin leaves 2021 not only as an Ames High School graduate, but also as a decorated pianist. Playing piano for 10 years, the Ames High senior has received multiple awards in just the past two months.
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Masked Hero: Andrea Lowe
Superpower: Generate weird and random teaching examples. Understanding the how and why concepts work together, rather than just presenting facts and numbers, can create long-lasting learning for students. This is how Ames High Earth and Space Science teacher Andrea Lowe approaches the classroom. “I'm spending more time teaching the hows - how to use technology wisely and beneficially, how to complete certain actions or functions, how to find information when you don't have immediate access to the teacher.”
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The Making of An All-Stater
Acceptance into the Iowa All-State Music Festival is one of the most challenging goals for high school musicians to achieve. Each year, many Ames High students rise to the challenge as they embark on the journey to earn All-Stater status. The end goal is to make it to the Festival, a compilation of Iowa’s top high school band, orchestra, and chorus musicians. Yet, few make it. According to the Iowa High School Music Association, in 2019, 4,586 students auditioned, representing 286 of the state's high schools. Out of that, 601 students were accepted into the All-State Chorus, 278 into the All-State Band, and 226 into the All-State Orchestra. At AHS, approximately 12 percent of the students in band, orchestra or chorus audition, and even fewer make it to the Festival. A tedious preparation process requires all musicians to practice both in and out of school, starting as early as summer. Optional clinics, workshops, and camps help musicians effectively learn their music for the late-October audition. On top of their rigorous rehearsal schedule, students are challenged to keep up with academic, athletic, and personal obligations. Why do they do it? The consistent answer is a passion for music. “Music has always been a big part of my life,” said senior clarinet player, Sofiya Palasyuk. This same sentiment was echoed by other AHS students auditioning, including Yunjae (Daniel) Lee, violin; Sofiya Palasyuk, clarinet; Cassidy Peterson, alto; Madelyn Timmermans, trumpet; and Adam Wolf, tenor. Together, they have a combined eight years of experience performing at the Festival. Performing in the Festival each year of high school, also known as a four-time All-Stater, is one of the highest honors. Lee hopes to make 2020 his fourth appearance in the All-State Orchestra.
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