News

Although there are many things about winter that inspire complaints, there are a few things that places without cold weather just cannot offer -- like the view of trees covered with a layer of snow or frost.

While the attention is mostly focused on the high school musicians at the NEIBA Jazz Band Festival, there is also plenty of action for Middle School students, as well. While the high school students were competing in the VSHS auditorium, the middle school jazz bands from six schools, including VS Middle School, took turns performing for the judges.

The communities of the VInton-Shellsburg School District are full of school pride and hope this week as the Vikings prepare for their State Tournament game on Tuesday. Even the snowman in front of the Vinton Lutheran Home dressed up in black and gold to cheer on the Vikings! Following is a poem written to go along with the jolly friend, from everyone at the Vinton Lutheran Home Communities!   WE WISH OUR GRANDSONS AND THEIR TEAMMATES GOOD LUCK AT STATE From their Grandparents and friends at The Vinton Lutheran Home Communities   I represent all at the Vinton Lutheran Home Standing tall and proud, second to none.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Jazz Band won the 2013 NEIBA Jazz Festival for the first time in school history (since consolidation), and earned an automatic berth to the 2013 Iowa Jazz Championships on Saturday afternoon. Sax players Claire Andreesen and Alyssa Cantrell were selected as two of the five outstanding soloists for the day, and Nick Gardner was selected as the top soloist for the entire NEIBA Jazz Festival for his sax solo; he also performed a clarinet solo.

Congratulations to the VSHS Chamber Singers on being selected as one of five ensembles in the region to take part in the Luther College Choral Invitational. Each year, Luther considers hundreds of choirs throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota. Looking for musical excellence and high quality character, choral conductors of the Luther College faculty select who they feel represent these qualities.

The Vinton-Shellsburg track team began its first practice session of 2013 with an event that does not earn points in any upcoming meet: Shoveling. Several inches of snow covered the track, and the boys began their afternoon by moving the snow.

On Monday, March 11, the Vinton City Council will hold a short special meeting to approve $2 million in bonds for street repairs. Council members said during the regular meeting on Feb. 28, that they hope to be able to to around 20 linear blocks with that amount. City leaders have not yet prioritized which streets to repair but plan to do that soon.

Several staff members at Click Stop in Urbana, including former Vinton-Shellsburg Viking athlete David Urlaub, have created a video tribute to the Starting 5 Vikings. The employees imitate the pre-game introductions of Grant Sagan, Kelyn Rickels, Max Kearns, Max Griffith and Nolan Sagan, and end with words of encouragement for the Vikings, who play Harlan Tuesday in Des Moines.

VPRD is making its final call for registrations for the upcoming Pee-Wee Mini Sports program. This program will be held at the Vinton Recreation Center from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM on the dates of March 4, 11, 18, and 25. The cost is $13 for the program and is open to any youngsters ages 3-5. Participants will learn basic motor skills such as throwing, kicking, batting and catching.

As the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings prepare for their State Tournament game vs. Harlan on Tuesday, Viking families hope the rest of the V-S district will join them in flying the black and gold banners.  The flags with the V-S logo can  be seen in several locations throughout the area.