Educator reflects on career of encouraging students Sandy Lantz, Fourth Grade Teacher Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer After 40 years in education, West Lyon elementary teacher Sandy Lantz plans to retire after this school year. Lantz began her teaching career in...
Three decades of helping every student learn Audra Thorson, Special Education Instructor Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer West Lyon teacher Audra Thorson will be retiring from her position after 32 years in education. After graduating from Augustana University, Thorson...
The 73 graduating seniors of West Lyon High School toss their caps in the air after commencement exercises. (Photos/Tristan Taylor) Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer West Lyon conducted commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 13, with the community gathering to celebrate...
Students earn Seal of Biliteracy PROFICIENT TIMES TWOPictured are the West Lyon High School seniors who earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy for 2023. Left to right: Josue Santos Alvayeros, Sam Meester, Madeline Johnson, Madison DeJong, Aide Palma, and Cloe Blom....
Spring field work underway in Lyon County Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor A familiar sight — tractors and planters in the fields — has returned across the state in the last few weeks. With several dry days last week, farmers were able to start or resume planting and...
West Lyon graduate wraps up year of serving as Iowa FFA Reporter PASSION FOR FFA AND LEADERSHIPRachel Teunissen, a 2022 graduate of West Lyon High School and Alvord native, concluded a year of serving on the Iowa FFA officer team. She is pictured at the conclusion of...
PERFECTLY POSEDSam Meester lifts his prom date, Ella Leuthold, into the air during the prom grand march Saturday, April 15. Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer The annual prom grand march at West Lyon High School Saturday, April 15, gave friends and family an opportunity to...
Wildcats claim back-to-back Class 2A championship, a first for first-year director Pictured are members of the 2023 West Lyon Jazz Band. Front row, left to right: Amelia Ageson, Blake Van Roekel, Sam Meester, Brad Balster, Ella Leuthold, Ms. Jade Bolin. Second row,...
Caleb Moser demonstrates the process of sheep shearing to a group of ag students at West Lyon on Thursday, March 30. He explained how one sheep can be done in about one minute, with the quickest being 30 seconds. Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer Class was in session for...
Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor As a kid, Valerie Meinerts was easily distracted by all things hair and nails. “Instead of cleaning my room as a kid, I’d be doing my nails or my hair,” she said. “It’s something I’ve loved to do ever since I was a kid.” Meinerts...
West Lyon jazz choir prepares for state vocal jazz championships OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCESJana TerWee performs at the Emmetsburg Extravaganza. The vocalist received the Outstanding Female Soloist award. (Photo/Submitted) Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer Following a...
Teacher, new classes focus on ag in the modern age ENTHUSIASM FOR ALL THINGS AG EDUCATIONWest Lyon agriculture teacher Shauna Steiner chuckles with her students while teaching during the food and fiber class. After introducing the processes, her class began work on...
Historic harvest is reason to celebrate in alternative ag class SUCCESSFUL FIRST HARVESTThe West Lyon alternative ag class recently assembled and maintained a hydroponics system and successfully grew lettuce. The crop was harvested and served as part of a special...
A Lyon County motor grader clears a snow drift from a Lyon County blacktop Thursday, February 23. (Photo/Jessica Jensen) Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer This past week saw yet another major winter storm hit the Midwest, and Lyon County was no exception. With another...
Jason Knueven leads the First LEGO League at West Lyon. He tries to instill the core values of discovery, innovation, impact, teamwork, inclusion and fun into all of his students. (Photo/Tristan Taylor) Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer Ask anyone what they used to play...
A new steeple was installed atop Bethel Reformed Church in Lester on Friday, February 10. Look for a story on the steeple’s journey to Lester and why a new steeple was needed for the church in a future edition of the Herald. (Photos/Jessica Jensen)
Tena Leusink holds one of the finished pompom Huskies. Tristan Taylor | Staff Writer The Iditarod is a yearly sled dog race that occurs every March. The competition winds through Alaska, starting in Anchorage and ending in Nome. The event draws fans and support from...
PICTURED LEFT: Jana TerWee and West Lyon girls' wrestling coach Tim Negaard give each other a hand shake after TerWee won her first-place match at 190 pounds at the Iowa Girls' High School Athletic Union Super Regional 2 in Sioux City Friday, Jan. 27. TerWee became...
Shelly Weideman and Kelly Lynch stand outside their new bakery, My Favorite Baked Goods. They plan to open by early March. Tristan Taylor | Writer There is a new store coming to main street Larchwood. My Favorite Baked Goods will be opening as a new bakery. Sisters...
Discussion dominates local Eggs and Issues forum Jessica Jensen | Managing Editor More than half of those attending Eggs and Issues Saturday, Jan. 28 were current or former educators or school administrators. It’s been one of the hot topics in the Iowa state...