(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School Foundation and Alumni Association honored the “Teacher of the Year” during a banquet and awards program held last evening. Retiring Middle School Social Studies teacher Mark Vonnahme was
presented with the prestigious “Decades of Excellence Crystal Bell” acknowledging his excellent career with education. Vonnahme told last night’s gathering that he always tried to
strive for three things during his tenure of teaching. He says the first objective is to show up for work, and he credits his father for that objective.
Vonnahme informed the gathering of his second objective in teaching.
The honored teacher plans to retire at the end of this school year, and he says there is never a teacher who chooses to teach because of the money. The “Teacher of the Year” said he has had many suggestions as to what he could do following
retirement.
Vonnahme says teaching offers a great deal of satisfaction.
The importance of relationships is what Keith Renken, the honored Distinguished Alumnus, says is what helped him succeed in business. Renken, who now hails in California, says the lessons learned while growing up in Le Mars helped him develop his character as a business executive.
Renken says he returns to Le Mars about twice a year to meet with family and friends, and to conduct business. He says when he returns, he does enjoy visiting the Plymouth County Historical Museum, not just to admire the collection of artifacts, but to reminisce about some memories, since the museum used to serve as the Le Mars Community High School.
Distinguished Alumnus Award – Keith Renken, Class of 1953, (center) was presented the award by the Le Mars Community School Alumni Association. Julie Bietelspacher (left) and Kelsey Langel (right) represented the Alumni Association and the Le Mars Community School Foundation.
25 Years of Service To Le Mars Community School District. Pictured are Darcy Reuter (left) and Wilbur Petersen (right) as they hold their awards acknowledging 25 years employed at Le Mars Community School District. Missing is Brian Orban and Brad Small.
Le Mars Community School District’s “Employees of the Month” Recipients. Front row: (left to right) Rosemary Cronin, Mike Weaver, Mark Vonnahme, and Judy Prins. Back row: Rhonda Beach, Eric Peterson, Karen Pitts, Amy Davis, and Jill Brown. Missing is Beth Collins.
Top 5% Academic Seniors – (left to right) Megan Friedenbach, Kyle Marek, Tessa Hansen, Mary Meis, Kelli Susemihl, Sydney Rand, and Emily Van Otterloo.
Cole Berkenpas delivers his After Dinner Address: “Seniors with Nothing to Lose” from his speech contest entry.
Kajsa Hallberg shares her Original Oratory entry from speech contest entitled: “Feminism is not a Scary Word.”
Megan Connor shared her Musical Theater speech entry: “The Girl in 14G.”
Le Mars Community High School Brass Sextet provided musical entertainment during the awards banquet. Those performing included Tessa Hansen, Madilyn Brown, Sarah Benton, Cole Berkenpas, Dalton Glawe, and Landon Parmelee. Also performing for the attendees enjoyment were members of the Saxophone Quintet consisting of Drake Oswald, Cameron Albus, Diana Loutsch, Giselle Sanchez, and Kristen Heimgartner.
