The 47th annual Northwest Iowa Choral Directors Association 7th/8th grade Honor Choir took place on November 5th at Storm Lake Community High School. The guest director for the Treble Clef Choir was Ms. Kelsey Legore. She is an educator, conductor and performer based in Cedar Rapids. The accompanist for the Treble Clef choir was Mr. Chris Miller.
    The guest director for the Bass Clef choir was Mr. Luigi Enriquez. He is the director of multiple choirs in the Iowa City and Coralville area. The accompanist for the Bass Clef choir was Laura Garred.
    There were 36 schools participating in the Honor Choir event this year with almost 350 talented junior high singers in the combined choirs. The MVAO middle school students who were chosen to be in the Northwest Iowa Honor Choir were: SopranosJosie Johnston and Jada Kovarna; Altos-Charley Bahrke, Raylyn Kelm, Natalie Streck and Kiana Zawodny.
    The day was spent learning new music literature, new vocal techniques, and fine-tuning their performance skills for the evening concert. The program songs for the Bass Clef Choir included "Jonah!", "Journeyman's Song", and "Seize the Day".
    The program songs for the Treble Clef Choir included "I Started Out Singing", "When I Am Silent", and "I'm On My Way". The combined Bass and Treble Clef choirs performed "River In Judea".
    Congratulations to these students for being selected for such an honor.
    Photo submitted by Mrs. Crista Else. Thanks, Crista!

    The K-5 students in the MVAO elementary buildings took part in a Vote for Books unit in their libraries. During the month of October, students were read six selected titles and then were able to vote for their favorite. The winning title in each building received an award to be placed on the front cover, and the catalog was edited to note the award. The students were excited about their books.
    The winning title in the Anthon center, displayed by Mrs. Admire's class, was The Quacken by Justin Colon.
    The winning title, displayed by Mrs. Gran's class in the Mapleton center, was Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets by Ryan T. Higgins.
    Photos supplied by Mrs. Angie Oberreuter. Thank you!

    The second grade students in both of the MVAO elementary centers and in the COU elementary building were surprised with a special gift on World Kindness Day, Wednesday, November 13. Each second grader went home with a new book of their very own. The Dickson and Luann Jensen family donated enough copies of the book, "Just Like Caitlin" by Ally Obermeier for all of the second graders in the state to have one. The book tells Caitlin's story and includes themes of having dreams, working hard, and valuing relationships over winning. The students were excited to get a book about this person that they have heard a lot about recently.     In addition to the books for the second graders, each library received a copy of the book, as well. We are grateful for this generous donation to our school and students.
    Photos submitted by Angie Oberreuter. Thank you!