Decorah High School--best in Iowa!

For the third straight year, Decorah High School has received the Class 3A Bank Iowa Traveling Challenge Cup.  The award was presented to the school at a Friday afternoon assembly.

The Bank Iowa Traveling Challenge Cup is a statewide competition designed to recognize Iowa high school students for academic excellence and outstanding achievement during state competitions. All high schools are given points for their performance in academics, athletics, music, speech and debate.  Not only did Decorah High School's 1,135 points earn them the top spot among 3A schools, but it also placed them as the number one school among all Iowa high schools.

Normally the Challenge Cup includes a check for $1,500 made out to the winning school.  But Friday afternoon it was announced that--because of a bet made by Decorah High School's Mary Hermann with the Iowa High School Sports Network--the school is getting an extra $1,000 award, for a total of $2,500.

No school in Iowa except for Decorah High School has won the award three years in a row.  Iowa High School Sports Network representative Chuck Ree on Friday joked that he needed to write in his calendar on the first Friday in October of 2011 that he will be back again in Decorah.

IHSSN's Chuck Reed with Decorah HS's Mary Hermann

Bank Iowa's Rich Kreiner with IHSSN's Chuck Reed

A banner lists all three years Decorah HS has won the award

Friday's performances at the assembly included one by Decorah HS choral students