Administrators, staff, students and members of the communities that comprise the IKM-Manning School District gathered Friday afternoon to celebrate Making Connections with STEM Day. Superintendent, Dr. Tom Ward, said their success with STEM is only possible through the vision of the Board of Directors and the commitment of the Gala committee in raising necessary funds. Southwest Iowa STEM Hub Manager, Deb Frazee said it is exciting to see what is next for the district as she introduced special guest, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is the co-chair of the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. Reynolds said she is thrilled to finally be able to visit the school and see the strides made, especially in the last three years. IKM-Manning, she said, has knocked it out of the park.
Reynolds noted the most important thing to be produced through STEM initiatives are the partnerships and relationships developed within the communities.
All of the communities that make up the district have pulled together to financially support the programs as well, helping the district win recognition for participation in 22 of the Governor’s STEM Scale-up Initiative programs. The Gala committee held their first fundraiser last year.
And these partnerships, she says are what is going to make them successful in the future.
Reynolds spent the remainder of her time at the school visiting the project booths of students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and then met with IKM-Manning and Southwest Iowa STEM Advisory board members and the Gala committee. The next gala event is planned for Saturday, April 2 at Memorial Hall in Manilla. Tickets for the dinner, silent auction and Dueling Piano performance are $25 each and can be purchased at the Manning Pharmacy or from Gala Committee members. A full listing of those members can be found below.
Gala Committee Members:
Rod & Lori Hinners
Rose Miller
Rod & Beth Williams
Dan & Taya Vonnahme
Zach & Carissa Meiners
Jeremy & Melissa Puck
Todd & Jean Stadtlander
