1967 "My Impression of Norway" Poster Contest Winners

1967 Nordic Fest Barnetog, photo courtesy John Nelson

Involvement of youth in summer holidays is a beautiful tradition. Many Decorah young people, including possibly ones pictures above, were involved in the first Nordic Fest in 1967. The following article appeared in the Monday, May 22, 1967 issue of the Decorah Public Opinion and is used with permission:

"My Impression of Norway" was the theme of an art work contest in which 190 children in the Decorah Elementary Schools participated.

Mrs. Thorpe Running, third grade teacher at the West Side Elementary School, chaired the contest, which was sponsored by the Nordic Fest Steering Committee. 

Prizes in each grade level will be given with $5 for first, $2 for second and $1 for third.

Winning entries will be displayed in downtown store windows during the Nordic Fest.

First Grade: First prize, Chip Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Norris; teacher, Mrs. Grove. Second price, Le Ann Melby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Melby; teacher, Miss Soles. Third price, Brian Hovden, teacher, Mrs. Pfister.

Second Grade: First prize, Eric Allan Reitan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip J. Reitan, teacher, Mrs. Winger. Second prize, Cheryl Sersland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sersland; teacher, Mrs. Thompson. Third prize, Patty Larson; teacher, Mrs. Rowse.

Third Grade: Firs prize, Ricky Nelson, teacher, Mrs. Running. Second prize, Kathy Ellen Drew, daughter of Mrs. Betty Drew; teacher, Mrs. Cronin. Third price, Jay Dansdill, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Dansdill; teacher, Mrs. Running. 

Fourth grade: First prize, Russell Kimber, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kimber, Jr.; teacher, Mrs. Peterson. Second prize, Robyn Sand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sand; teacher, Mrs. Fjelstul. Third prize, Daniel Houlihan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Houlihan; teacher, Mrs. Peterson.

Fifth grade: First prize, Linda Hayes; teacher, Sr. Mary Alexia, R.S.M. Second prize, John Barund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barund; teacher, Sr. Mary Alexia, R.S.M, Third prize, Craig Hovda, son of Rev. and Mrs. Alden Hovda; teacher, Mrs. Running.

Sixth grade: First prize, Patrick C. Henely, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Henely; teacher, Sr. Mary Leonice. Second prize, Rick A. Hovda, son of Rev. and Mrs. Alden Hovda; teacher, Mrs. Kelly. Third prize, Le Ann Wagnsness, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Wangsness; teacher Mrs. Kelly. 

Is your name on this list, or do you know someone listed here?