Decorah High School officially receives another Challenge Cup trophy

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Just 25 points out of 1,365 meant the difference between Decorah High School earning the Class 3A Bank Iowa Traveling Challenge Cup for 2014-2015 and finishing second to Waverly-Shell Rock.

So school officials on Thursday morning pointed out it took effort from everyone to earn the trophy for the sixth time in the last eight years.

The Challenge Cup is a statewide competition designed to recognize Iowa high school students for academic excellence and outstanding achievement during state competitions.  Points are assigned for every activity in which a school reaches a state competition, advances in a state competition, receives Division I ratings and earns academic recognition from either the IHSAA, IGHSAU, IHSSA and IHSMA.  Winning schools in each of the state's four classifications (1A, 2A, 3A and 4A) are determined based on the best combined score.

33 of Decorah High School's extra-curricular activities contributed to its points.  650 of the 1,365 points were awarded for academic achievement.

Bank Iowa representative Renea Huinker presented the trophy Thursday morning to student body representatives.