Wisconsin V Yoder

Business awards for June 26, 2011

George Kelly Hall has been named a finalist for Ruan Transportation Management System's National Driver of the Year. The company selected 11 finalists from its 3,700 drivers. Hall is based out of Ruan's Des Moines terminal. Finalists will be honored at a ceremony July 12-13 in Des Moines.

Lucas Droessler of Storm Lake, Justin Lobaito of Altoona and Maria Beresnev of Ames, all Iowa State University journalism and communications students, won second place in the national 2011 Heineken USA/Effie Collegiate Public Service Announcement Challenge. They designed a campaign to encourage consumers to download and use the Taxi Magic smartphone app, which connects people with local taxis.

Danika Tindall, Ann Hedlund and Bailey Davis, students at Akron-Westfield Community School, won top honors at the National History Day competition for their exhibit, "Wisconsin v. Yoder: Successful Debate of Freedom of Education." Twenty-nine other Iowa students earned honors at the contest.

The Senior Corps Programs at Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa have been selected for the 2011 Governor's Volunteer Awards for outstanding commitment and service by a volunteer group. The two programs recognized are the foster grandparent program and the senior companion program, which recruit and train volunteers age 55 and older to serve their communities.

Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Local News: Akron-Westfield team places ...

(Photo contributed) Fifteen Akron-Westfield students participated at the National History Day national competition last week, with a group of three students placing first in the junior division of the group exhibit category. First row (from left): Anastasia Hoffer (fourth place), Danika Tindall (first), Jessica Hansen, Skyler Briggs and Charlie Anderson. Second row: Lexi Hageman (seventh), Jessen Wood (seventh) and Ann Hedlund (first), Bailey Davis (first), Desi Oltmanns (seventh), Daniel Martinsen. Back row: Jackson Gereau, Brenden Moore, Cali Westergard (seventh) and Hannah Koele (seventh). A team of three Akron-Westfield Middle School students took home the gold in their division -- and $1,000 -- at last week's National History Day national competition.

Sixth graders Ann Hedlund, Danika Tindall and Bailey Davis placed first in the junior division of the group exhibit competition with their entry "Wisconsin v. Yoder: Successful Debate of Freedom in Education."

First-year National History Day participant and winner Danika explained the background behind the 1972 court case.

"Wisconsin v. Yoder is based on the Amish. They didn't want to go to school beyond the eighth grade because of their religious beliefs," Danika said. "So they went from the county court, to the state court to the supreme court, and finally at the Supreme Court it was passed on the side of the Amish."

It's a significant case even today, she said.

"It has opened up a lot more choices for children, like homeschooling and the use of private schools," Danika said.

The project involved "lots and lots of research" for herself and her teammates, she added.

The research included visiting several libraries and touring an Amish community in Kolona.

"We got to tour Amish schools and talk to Amish parents and teachers that were alive during the time of Wisconsin v. Yoder to see what their side of the case was," Danika said.

One of the Amish people the three students interviewed explained to them this was the first landmark case to successfully clairify religious freedoms.

Danika said she enjoyed her first year of involvement in National History Day.

"It actually gives you a great learning experience academically, and it'll help you a lot in the future," she said.

Danika and her two teammates will each get $333 in prize money.

Four other A-W groups attended the competion, too.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

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