The second annual flying beatles benefit

The 2nd Annual Beatles Benefit Show will be held on Friday, May 6th at 7pm. Co-Creators and managers, Sarah Murray and Perry Burkhum are organizing this event to be held in the ALHS Auditorium. Free- will donations for admittance into the program will be given to the ALHS music department. Come and enjoy this completely run student show and our school music program.

AL Students in University of Iowa Honor Band

On Saturday, February 26th, six ALHS students participated in the University of Iowa Honor Band at Iowa City High School. The 108 high school musicians rehearsed for six hours and presented a concert along with the UI Symphonic Band. ALHS students include Olivia Petersen, Samantha Kunkle, Ashley Cross, Shannon Holmes, Natasha Konfrst, and Luke Thallas.

AL Principal Mullen to Retire; New Principal Named

Todd Barnett will be the new Abraham Lincoln High School principal, beginning July 1, 2011. He will replace Pat Mullen who announced this month he will retire at the end of this school year after serving as principal for two years. Barnett is currently the principal of the Tucker College and Career Center and supervisor of the district’s career and technical education programs.

Barnett has been with the Council Bluffs Schools since 1992, teaching social studies at Wilson Junior High and then at Thomas Jefferson High School. He was also a coach and became the dean of students at TJHS in 2003, an administrative intern in 2004 and an assistant principal in 2006. He was named Tucker Center principal and CTE supervisor in 2009. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Current Abraham Lincoln High School assistant principal Cyle Forney will be the new Tucker College and Career Center principal. He has been with the district since 1989, serving as a high school administrator at Thomas Jefferson and at Abraham Lincoln since 1994.

Forney’s administrative roles at A.L. will be assigned to Dr. Jason Plourde, current principal of Washington Elementary School, which will close at the end of this school year. Plourde has been with the Council Bluffs Schools since 1997 and became an elementary principal in 2007. Barnett will add one member to his administrative team to serve the school’s 1,400 students.

FOOTBALL PLAYERS SIGN TO PLAY AT COLLEGE

On Wednesday, February 2nd, Abraham Lincoln football players signed national letters of intent to play college football.

Iowa State
Jamison Lalk
Parents: Lyman and Lori Lalk

Northern Iowa
Austin Ebertowski
Parents: Jeremy and Lindsay Ebertowski

IWCC
Devin Thomas
Parents: Derrell Thomas and Kristy Large

Dan Hopper
Parents: Don and Jan Hopper

AL CHOIR STUDENTS SING OUT IN COMMUNITY

Congratulations to the following students for their audition, acceptance and performance with the UNO Honor Choir. They performed at the Holland Center in Omaha on Sunday, January 23, 2011: Fawn Vargas, Emily Croson, Jocelyn Gibler, Luke Petersen, Payton Shively, Caroline Seilstad, Alexis Bascue.

Congratulations as well to the Ashley Cavanaugh for her Saturday, January 22, 2011 with the Northwestern Missouri State Honor choir in Maryville, MO and to Jesse St. Clair and Brian Williams for their leads in the Chanticleer Theatre production of Little Women.

AL HOLDS OPEN HOUSE FOR KIRN 8TH GRADE STUDENTS

Friday, January 21st was an exciting night at Abraham Lincoln High School. Kirn Middle School eighth graders were invited to see the progress on the construction project at AL which essentially will be completed before fall 2011. In addition, most of the elective teachers currently assigned to AL were present to entice the students with the many opportunities which will be available to them during high school.

AL provides a strong curriculum in the core subjects of language arts, math, science and physical education. Evidence of this exceptional curriculum is demonstrated with AL leading the area in offerings of dual credit (high school and college) and Advanced Placement college courses. In fact, nine AL students were recognized last year as AP scholars by the College Board.

Mr. Mullen, AL principal, discussed the fine traditions as well as exceptional core curriculum at Abraham Lincoln. After brief introductions, perspective students and their parents were encouraged to take a walking tour of the four distinct wings of the newly remodeled school.

A Wing: Includes the Social Studies on the ground floor and will include the Business, Math, World Languages as well as Special Education services on the first floor. The second floor houses the Ninth Grade teams as well as the new and exciting Emerging Technology academies.

B Wing: Includes the Guidance Center, Media Center, Science, Language Arts, the Main Office as well as the remodeled Journalism Academy featuring the Crimson and Blue yearbook, the Echoes newspaper, and Lynx TV.

C Wing: Is highlighted by the AFROTC, the Construction Lab, Computer-adided Design classroom as well as two classrooms for Family and Consumer Sciences.

D Wing: Houses the Field House, Auditorium, classrooms for Band, Choir, Orchestra, Drama and will include a second gym at the end of the project. At the present time this gym houses temporary classrooms for Math.

Turnout for the event was excellent. Counselor Ginger Morgan reminded parents and perspective students that AL counselors will be at Kirn Middle School starting the first week of March to help with the registration process.

The avians of the night was captured by inviting our guests to stay for the Boys Varsity Basketball game, featuring the AL Lynx vs TJ Jackets. The final score was 78-61--of course the triumphant victory stayed in the house of the Lynx. Way to go, Lynx! (Photo by Christian Schlater)

AL STUDENTS WIN AT DECA COMPETITION

Congratulations to the following Deca Members for their accomplishments at the Deca District III Compeition. The results were:

Erin Addison --First Place in Retail Merchandising
Jamie Beck and Shanon Smith--First Place in Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Savannah Dierks & Marisa Beller--First Place in Trour & Travel Marketing
Alex Olsen and Tyler Dolch--Second Place in Sports & Entertainment Marketing
Hayley Ross--Fourth Place in Retail Merchandising
Ali Valdez--Fourth Place in Quick Serve Restaurant Management
Josh Hiers--Fifth Place in Accouting Applications
Alexis Prazak--Fifth Place in Retail Merchandising
Lisa Chapman--Fifth Place in Retail Merchandising
Ryan Fee--Fifth Place in Principles of Business Management
Jordan Rehfeldt & Kylie Martin--Fifth Place in Tour & Travel Marketing
Paige Wambold--Honorable Mention in Food Marketing
Jenna Hyde & Heather Meyers--Honorable Mention in Hospitality Marketing

AL STUDENTS COMPETE AT COMPUTER SCIENCE QUIZ BOWL

On November 10th, AL students Matt Nohr, Kevin Dickey and Brice Johnson took 3rd place at the UNO Computer Science Quiz Bowl. The three students competed against teams from surrounding metro high schools, rapidly answering questions related to programming and computer science history. Winners were presented trophies and prizes by Chris Russell, general manager of the Google data center in Council Bluffs. This second annual competition was the concluding event of a week-long promotion of computer science education. It was a great opportunity for AL students to meet other area computer science students, as the field is still new at the high school level. Pictured left-to-right: Matt Nohr, Kevin Dickey, David Shreffler (teacher) and Brice Johnson.

ALHS DANCE TEAM PLACES AT STATE COMPETITION

dance The ALHS dance team received a 4th place finish on their pom routine in the State Dance Competition in Des Moines on Friday, December 3rd. The team also received Division I ratings on their hip hop and jazz numbers. The girls did a great job representing their school and Council Bluffs!

[Back Row:] Courtney Wilson, Megan Michael, Brianna Harding, Jamie
Smith, Maddison Furlur, Sami Myers, Jordan Rehfeldt, and Cristina
Kellar. [Front Row:] Macey Reynolds, Chelsea Budd, Ashley Cavanaugh, Kelsey
Tekippe, Lauren Wilson, Brooklynn Clark, Carrie Hermsen, and Amber
Michael

ALHS MUSICIANS AT ALL STATE PERFORMANCE

Getting into the All State Choir, Band, or Orchestra is the highest honor a high school musician can earn. Students begin learning the difficult audition material in late August and continue practicing until the October auditions. On October 23, thousands of high school musicians across Iowa auditioned for All State. Less than 800 made it. These highly talented and skilled musicians will head to Ames, Iowa on November 18 and will spend the next two days rehearsing... from early morning until the evening hours. On November 20th, the choir, band and orchestra gave a concert in the Hilton Coliseum on the ISU campus.

Row 1: Shannon Holmes, Joslyn Gibler. Row 2: Lexi Raygor, Ashley Cross, Olivia Petersen Row 3: Colin Dall, Luke Thallas, Seamus St. Clair, Brian Williams. (Not pictured: Austin Farwell. Alternates: Colin Dall and Ashley Cross)

AL DRAMA PERFORMS I REMEMBER MAMA

This past weekend, Abraham Lincoln High School drama put on a very successful set of performances of the dramatic classic I Remember Mama. Students developed and worked the production over an 8 week time period. Between the cast and the crew there were over 50 students involved in the production. Congratulations!

AL COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS ATTEND CAREER EXPO

The fourth annual Student Career Expo, "Your Future Now", was held Tuesday, November 30th. AL students in Web Design, QBasic, Java Programming, Java Web classes and the Tucker Center Cisco Networking academy attended the all-day event at the Mid America Center.

"Students will have the opportunity to explore various careers in Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Business, Agriculture, Health Science, Bio Science and Entrepreneurialism and be exposed to regional businesses as they gain an awareness of the many different job opportunities awaiting them." On Tuesday students attended break-out sessions with presenters from local technology businesses and representatives from local universities and colleges. Students made invaluable connections, some of even seeking out future internships. Overall it was a great experience where students learned about what they could do now to help their future grow.

LADY LYNX VOLLEYBALL 2010 STATE QUALIFIERS

The Lady Lynx Volleyball team defeated Sioux City East on Tuesday, November 2. The team will now travel to US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, November 10th for the first round State Tournament game against Ankeny at 12pm. This marks the 3rd time in 4 years the Lynx have gone to the State Tournament! [Nonpareil Article]

DANCE TEAM RECOGNIZED AT NDA CAMP

The Abraham Lincoln dance team girls performed well this year at the National Dance Association (NDA) camp. The camp was held at Lake Okoboji, June 29- July 2. Nine teams participated in the camp from Iowa and Nebraska. Coached by Kerri Jo Watts, the team earned a Superior ribbon and choreography award. Many of the girls received individual awards such the Leadership award, All-American award, and Superior Showmanship. Congratulations on all of their achievements!

AL SENIOR CHELSEA COLPITTS WINS STATE DISCUS

AL Senior Chelsea Colpitts won the state 4-A class for discus Thursday's at Drake Stadium. Colpitts’ winning mark of 148-8 broke the school record at Abraham Lincoln by nearly three feet and topped her previous career-best by more than eight. It was also the fourth-longest winning throw among large school champions in the history of the state meet and the second-longest in that class since 1987. Read more about Chelsea's throw in an article published in the Omaha World Herald.

AL STUDENTS COMPETE AT BLUFFS ENGINEERING DAY

On May 6th students from AL's PLTW Pre-Engineeirng Academy attended the 3rd annual Bluffs Engineering Day at Lewis Central High School. Students from AL's Civil Engineering and Architecture class presented this year's solutions for a community building. After surveying, polling and testing soil, students designed and modeled their solutions and prepared for the competition. Alejandro Banderas, Brandon Floyd and Jamison Lalk won the Universal Design Award for their state-of-the-art athletic center, including basketball and volleyball courts, a fitness and weightlifting facility, children's play area and more. Cameron Burris, Jennifer Smith, Tyler Warnke and Jordan White won the Most Innovative Design Award for their public media center, consisting of a library, coffee shop, reading lounge, children's area, sound-proof recording studio, conference center and classrooms.

For their Engineering Design and Development course project, Erin Addison and Logan Combs won the Most Innovative Solution Award designing a fractal antenna to improve the standard car radio antenna, based on the antennas found in today's cell phones and other wireless devices. These three teams will now go on to represent AL at the 2010 Iowa PLTW Virtual Student Symposium.

AL STUDENT RALLIES PARTICIPATION IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK

AL student Hannah Zimmerman is working hard to promote the Council Bluffs "Great Strides" walk organized nationally by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She is devoting her time to supporting this event aimed at raising awareness and support for a cure of this life-threatening disease. The cause is dear to Hannah's heart, having a close family friend struggling with CF for many years.

The walk event will be held at North Shore Park in Lake Manawa on May 15th, 2010. Check in will start at 8:00 AM and the run/ walk will start at 9:00 AM. Registratino for a 5K and 10K course around Lake Manawa can be completed online. Strollers and dogs are welcome. The race is free, but each participant is encouraged to collect donations from friends and family. All proceeds go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for researching a cure. If you would like to donate, send money to Abraham Lincoln High School, Attn: Hannah Zimmerman. Make checks payable to “CB’s Great Strides for CF”.

AL BANDS PARTICIPATE IN BIG APPLE MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Abraham Lincoln High School Concert Band and Jazz Band under the direction of Terry Hanzlik recently participated in the Big Apple Music Festival in New York City, New York. The music festival was sponsored by Performing Arts Consultants Company. The bands performed for three adjudicators/music educators from Seton Hall University, Columbia University and the New York City School system. The results were excellent as the concert band received a Division I rating and 1st Place in the concert band contest, with the Jazz Band receiving a Division I in the jazz band contest. Luke Thallas, 11th grader at ALHS, was voted the outstanding soloist of the music festival.

AL SENIOR COURTNEY OLSON PROMOTES ATHLETIC SAFETY

On March 8th, Courtney Olson presented to soccer girls and parents on the dangers of concussions incurred while playing soccer and the need for protective headgear. During her presentation, Courtney shared shocking statistics that revealed that soccer concussions occur frequently with 36 injuries per 100,000 players and fall second only to American football with 47 injuries. Recently, Courtney suffered a concussion, having experienced a prior concussion in her sophomore year that created vision difficulties, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and learning struggles. This second concussion could mean being out the rest of the season in soccer. However, the message she gave stressed not only of short term struggles and health problems that a concussion could cause but also more serious problems resulting in long term brain impairment, personality changes, and most serious of all, death. In her speech, Courtney said, "In a sport where such terrible injury can occur, and we protect our shins with shin guards, why not protect something that is far more precious: our brain?"

AL SENIOR CONNER GILES RECOGNIZED FOR CELLO PERFORMANCE

Giles Superintendent Martha Bruckner introduced Abraham Lincoln High School Senior Conner Giles, who performed at the District's Student Art Talent Showcase prior to the meeting. According to teacher Stephanie Krijan, Conner has studied cello since the fourth grade. He is currently the first chair cello for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra and is a two-year all-stater. Conner has received numerous division one ratings on solos and ensembles and he recently auditioned for a cello scholarship both to the University of Iowa and Nebraska. Conner's father James Giles is the orchestra teacher at Wilson Middle School.

AL SPEECH TEAM PERFORMS AT STATE COMPETITION

Speech Abraham Linclon High School Speech students qualified in three events February 6th at the state speech contest in Ankeny. Reader's Theater recieved a Division I rating and qualified as Non-Performing All-State. The members of that group were Allison Goldapp, Jordan Kinney, Ronda Long-Birdsall, Danielle Rice, Hannah Goldapp, A.J. Jones, Brian Williams, Seamus St. Clair, Hannah Zimmermann, Morgan DeBoer , Melanie Krohn and Shannon Holmes.

The Radio broadcasting group tilted K-9 Also received a Division I rating and was chosen as Perfoming All-State. This group was made up of Ronda Long-Birdsall, Baily Kinney, Ally Evens, Melanie Krohn and Kelsey Tekippe.

The second Radio Broadcasting group tilted K-Meal earned a Division I rating as well. This group was made up of Allison Goldapp, Danielle Rice, Shannon Holmes and Merissa Beller.

Students were supported by coaches Connie Jo Podendorf and Dirk Waller.

KIRN STUDENTS ATTEND ALHS ENGINEERING EXPO

AL students visited Kirn 8th graders Tuesday, January 12th to share some of the exciting opportunities available to students in AL’s Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Academy.

Current students from Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering Design, Digital Electronics, Civil Engineering & Architecture and Engineering Design & Development classes talked with Kirn students about the engaging activities kids encounter and what they learn in each class. Several AL students also demonstrated their class projects, including a T-Shirt cannon which was the summative project of a pneumatics unit and an electronic personal safety device that was a student’s final project from the previous year.

The morning ended with AL students presenting hands-on displays, giving 8th grade students the chance to experience a wide assortment of projects developed throughout the year in each course. For more information about the PLTW Pre-Engineering Academy or course registration, please contact David Shreffler (dshreffler@cbcsd.org) or Lorraine Duitsman (lduitsman@cbcsd.org).

ALHS DANCE TEAM PERFORMS AT STATE COMPETITION

The ALHS dance team performed well at the state dance competition December 4th at Vets Auditorium. They received fifth place in their pom routine, third place in their production number and a division 1 rating in their jazz routine.

ALHS ORCHESTRA AND BAND STUDENTS HONORED

Congratulations to the following Abraham Lincoln Orchestra students for being selected to be part of the Northwest Honor Orchestra which will be held in LeMars on January 21, 2010. Honorees include: Jesse St. Clair, Kayleigh Sabo, Molly Giles, Lexi Raygor, Evan Giles, Ryan Wood, Conner Giles, Seamus St. Clair and Nathan Wink.

Congratulations also to those students who auditioned for the Southwest Iowa District Honor Band. Forty two students from ALHS auditioned and 25 students were selected. Students selected from Abraham Lincoln High School were Brandon Swanson, Brittany Rupp, Olivia Petersen, Natasha Konfrst, Payton Shively, Zane Rau, Shannon Holmes, Philip Dickinson, Alex Beck, Colin Dall, Austin Farwell, Ashley Cross, Jordan Kinney, Emily Koontz, Allison Goldapp, Hannah Zimmerman, Luke Thallas, Conner Snyder, Taylor Matuzeski, Sam Kunkle, Isabella Taylor, Nate Stuart, Cody Hollinger, Alex Cleveland and Zach Williamson. The Abraham Lincoln High School band continues to lead the Southwest Iowa region for the 10th consecutive year with the most students selected for this district honor band.

AL STUDENT ANNA JO COWAN FIGHTS TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS

The 16-year-old Council Bluffs junior chose to undertake a project for a Talented and Gifted Seminar at Abraham Lincoln High School to research and draft a law to present to Nebraska state lawmakers.

It would “require all liquor and retail establishments to be civilly liable when the establishment over serves a patron to the point of intoxication and that patron is then involved in an alcohol-related accident killing or injuring an innocent third party.”

It's called a dram shop law, and she hopes to see the Nebraska Legislature take up the issue when it convenes in January.

Anna Jo presented in front of Project Extra Mile on November 11th, has lobbied senators for support, has been an active force in the media, and is currently taking up a letter writing campaign to urge Nebraska senators to support the bill.

Nebraska might get that law. Former Nebraska State Sen. Lowen Kruse has spoken with the Cowan women and said Anna Jo “has a solid plan, and she presents it well.”

AL STUDENTS COLLECT NEARLY 4000 GOODS IN CANNED FOOD DRIVE

ALHS student Aurora Owens, a freshman, with the support of National Honor's Society, and students and staff at ALHS, helped to raise nearly 4,000 canned food goods for Catholic Charities Food Basket in Council Bluffs, IA. Aurora chose this project as part of her TAG Seminar class and helped to organize the drive. The competition between 5th hour classes came down to a close race with Mr. Wilder's and Mr. Cameron's classes running neck in neck, each raising nearly 800 cans a piece! Wilder's class won the can collection and will be receiving a pizza party for their efforts on Tuesday, November 24th. Teachers Charlotte Mull-Young, Kristy Courter, and Lorraine Duitsman helped to spur the competition on by getting staff involved as well. All around, it was an outstanding school-wide effort to help those in need. Thank you everyone for your generosity!

AL JOURNALISM STUDENTS BRING HOME HONORS

Abraham Lincoln journalism students placed well in the JEA/NSPA Fall National Convention that was held in Washington DC on November 12-15, 2009.

It was a record breaking convention with over 6,347 students in attendance making it the largest convention on record. There were 2267 students competing in the write off contests with only 769 awards were given.

Erin Kinen: 3rd Place, Commentary Writing
Sabina Grenaderova: 3rd Place, Literary Magazine Illustration
Morgan Hively: 3rd Place, Yearbook Copy/Caption (Clubs)

In addition to their impressive third place finishes in DC, the AL journalism students also participated in the Midland Lutheran College 44th Annual Journalism Day held September 24, 2009. The following students brought home honors in five categories:

First Place Honors: Dan Hopper, Best Sports Story
Second Place Honors: Mallory Miller and Nicole Paulson, Best Yearbook Layout
Third Place Honors: Matt Wettengel for Best News Story, Shanon Smith for Best Sports Story and Sarah Murray for Best Photo

AL VOLLEYBALL GIRLS QUALIFY FOR STATE

Congratulations to the Abraham Lincoln High School Volleyball team for qualifing for the State Volleyball Tournament. The team earned the spot with an impressive season record of 37 wins and 12 losses. They lost in the first round match vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday but not before winning the first two of the fives games.

Front L to R: Michaela Kennedy, Emily Olsen, Hannah Christiansen
Middle L to R: Maddie Whiteaker, Natalie Storey, Chelsea Colpitts, Lauren Meeke
Back L to R: Sierra Nighswonger, Jordan Gillenwater, Katie Steenbock, Amber Michael

DANCE TEAM MEMBERS PERFORM AT MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

Seven dance team members from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson will be dancing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The members include Joie LeRette-Hutchinson a Junior at Thomas Jefferson, and Seniors Shannon Howe and Alaysia Rehfeldt, Juniors Lauren Wilson and Chelsea Budd, and Sophomores Sami Myers and Jordan Rehfeldt all from Abraham Lincoln. The seven members have joined together since they all qualified this summer at their dance team camps. All of them have been working very hard to raise funds to pay for their registration fees and airfare. They have held car washes and raffles, sold cookie dough, held jewelry parties, and sold pizza cards. They are continuing to hold fundraisers and could use everyone's support. The girls are all excited for this opportunity which includes two additional performances in New York City as well as the Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year's Macy's Parade will take place and be televised on November 26th at 8:00 am CST.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN STUDENTS PLACE IN STATE TENNIS MEET

Abraham Lincoln students Alex and Collin Crowl did very well at the recent State Tennis Meet in Cedar Rapids. Alex, who is in 9th grade, and Collin, who is in 11th, qualified for State in Doubles for Class 2A. In their first match, they lost to Linn Marr 6-3, 7-6 in a 7-4 tiebreaker. They then came back in the consolation bracket winning 3 matches against two teams from Waterloo-West and one from Iowa City-West, respectively. They placed 6th overall falling to Bettendorf in their final match. With the highly competitive field, this is a great accomplishment.

BASEBALL FIELD DEDICATED

The new home of Lynx Baseball was dedicated on June 5th with a ceremonial first pitch and a gift from Abraham Lincoln graduate, booster and accomplished softballl Hall of Famer Ann Fatovich. She, along with Head Coach James Larsen, Activities Director Jeff Novotny, District construction project manager Neal Evans, Board of Education vice president and Lynx parent Mark McGee; and Dugout Booster Club president and parent Howard Hively threw the ceremonial pitch to Lynx seniors and coaches.

According to Mr. Novotny, Lincoln Field is much bigger than a new facility for the AL baseball program. "It is a sign of the dedication by the school district, Board of Education and Lynx Dugout Club members to make the facilities in the Council Bluffs Community School District second to none," he said. "Lincoln Field would not have been possible without all stakeholders working together for the sake of our students. This field is a perfect example of everyone working towards the one goal of giving our students the best."