Education - Pierce County Journal

UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Biology Benjamin Crain holds the gold and silver-gilt medal certificates his team won at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. The international team, Orchid Conservation Chelsea, took home five awards from the event, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious flower show in the world.

UW-River Falls professor part of gold medal-winning team at world’s most famous flower show in London

RIVER FALLS — Often referred to as “The World Cup of Gardening,” the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London is considered by many to be the most … more

6/17/26

Five faculty fellowships funded by state-sponsored Dairy Innovation Hub 

RIVER FALLS— The University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) recently awarded five faculty research fellowships to expand … more

6/17/26

Paul and Karen Dykstra pose for a photo in the UW-River Falls Falcon Center. Paul Dykstra, a 1983 graduate, two-sport athlete and longtime supporter of UWRF, will donate $1 million to establish the Falcon Athletics Endowment for Excellence focused on enhancing student-athletes’ intercollegiate athletics experience.

Falcon alum establishes $1 million endowment for UW-River Falls Athletics

RIVER FALLS — A former University of Wisconsin-River Falls two-sport athlete who has been an engaged and generous supporter of the university for more than four decades has established the largest … more

6/10/26

From left: River Falls Class of 2026 students Dean Cravens, Kailee Selleck, Andreus Schoettle, Blake Schneider and Stone Poeschel show off their diplomas after the May 31 commencement ceremony at River Falls High School.

RFHS seniors recognized for academic achievements; graduates honored May 31

RIVER FALLS — Graduating seniors in the School District of River Falls Class of 2026 were recently recognized for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership, and career preparation, … more

6/10/26

The Prescott High School Class of 2026 tosses their caps high in the air at the end of the May 22 commencement ceremony, the culmination of years of hard work.

Cardinals fly from PHS nest: Congrats Class of 2026

The Prescott High School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday, May 22. What's next for them after leaving the Cardinal nest? Isaac Akey Parents: Bridget & Jason Akey Activities: … more

6/10/26

EHS celebrates last honor roll of 2025-26

Ellsworth High School is pleased to announce those who earned honor roll status for the fourth and final quarter of the 2025-26 school year. Seniors: Hayden Almsted, Preston Antanitis, Nathan … more

6/10/26

Recent Chippewa Valley Technical College Respiratory Therapy Program Graduate, Chukwunonso Offiah, second from left, stands with CVTC Respiratory Therapy Program Director Kirsten Holbrook to his right, and two fellow classmates to his left, at the Wisconsin Society for Respiratory Care (WSRC) Conference recently, where he was named the 2026 WSRC Student of the Year.

CVTC recent grad named state RT student of the year

RIVER FALLS – At 41 years old, Chukwunonso Offiah (known as Chuk) knows firsthand what perseverance looks like. A recent respiratory therapy student at Chippewa Valley Technical College’s … more

6/3/26

Prescott's Malone Intermediate School, currently housing Grades 4 and 5, is located at 125 Elm St. N.

Prescott SB continues building sale discussions

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board May 20 heard updates from the district’s listening sessions regarding the possible sale of the Malone Intermediate School building at 125 Elm St. N. … more

By Sarah Nigbor | 6/3/26

CVTC board approves 2026-27 budget

EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College District Board approved its budget at the board meeting on Thursday. Caleb Cornelius, vice president of administration and chief strategy … more

6/3/26

Senior Class President Nathan Rollins passed the traditional propeller to the junior class president at the May 18 Senior Awards Program.

GALLERY: EHS host Senior Awards Night

Ellsworth High School honored scholar-athletes at the 2026 Senior Awards Night on Monday, May 18 in the EHS Auditorium. more

5/27/26

The cap toss provided a great opportunity to check out some of the students’ uniquely decorated caps at the May 22 ceremony.

GALLERY: Panthers graduate 123 on emotional day

Jay Ainsworth Parent: Sarah Ainsworth Activities: Football manager Who influenced you most? Ms. Poulos What will you miss? Getting fired up Future plans: Working Gabe … more

5/27/26

Ellsworth High School April Students of the Month (from left) Addy Dodge, Breken Young and Michael Jablonsky. Missing from photo: Miles Petersen.

EHS honors April, May Students of the Month

Ellsworth High School is pleased to announce the April and May Students of the Month. For April: senior Michael Jablonsky, junior Breken Young, sophomore Miles Petersen and freshman Addy Dodge. For … more

5/27/26

Sophomore Ruby Magee was named the Wisconsin Leadership Seminars Representative, which teaches students across the state leadership through pillars of responsibility, service, inclusiveness and decision making.

Academic and character success recognized by PHS at Honors Breakfast

The Prescott School District held its annual Academic Honors Breakfast on Thursday morning at The Ridgetop, giving some students a much-deserved morning off after a year of hard work inside and out … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Gregory Ruegsegger, an associate professor of health and human performance at UW-River Falls.

UWRF faculty selected for Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars Program

RIVER FALLS — Two University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty have been selected as 2026-2027 Wisconsin Teaching Fellows and Scholars (WTFS), a recognition of their … more

5/27/26

River Falls Mayor Alison Page resigned from the River Falls School Board in order to concentrate on her new position, in which she says she will advocate for public education.

SDRF to fill board vacancy after Page departs for mayor’s office

River Falls Superintendent David Bell outlined the process for filling the school board’s vacancy during Alison Page’s final meeting as a school board member May 18. Page was elected as the City … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Recent UW-River Falls graduate Nicholas Mohrhauser poses for a photo with his mother, Sarah Mohrhauser, after receiving the 2026 John Janty Memorial Scholarship May 6 at the Wisconsin Mathematics Council Celebration Banquet in Green Lake.

UWRF alum Nicholas Mohrhauser awarded Janty Scholarship

RIVER FALLS — The Wisconsin Mathematics Council, the Wisconsin Mathematics Education Foundation and the Madison Community Foundation announced that Nicholas Mohrhauser has been awarded the 2026 … more

5/27/26

CVTC students and scholarship donors chat at the CVTC Foundation annual scholarship awards reception.

CVTC students receive more than $494K in scholarships

EAU CLAIRE – Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) students received 470 scholarships and microgrants totaling more than $494,000 throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The students and … more

5/27/26

Plum City students, community volunteers and members of the Dunn County Sleep in Heavenly Peace crew came together to build 20 beds for children in need in the area.

Plum City students come together to build 20 beds for those in need

PLUM CITY — Students from Plum City High School, area volunteers and Dunn County Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) teamed up to build 20 beds at the school for children in need of one Friday. SHP … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

The groundbreaking for the new Spring Valley track took place in late April, with the whole school district in attendance.

Projects added to SVSD track to allow for hosting meets

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley School Board approved an additional $1.579 million in track projects that include lighting, a walkway, a sound system, security systems, utilities for a future … more

By Andrew Harrington | 5/27/26

Confetti took flight at the Spring Valley Class of 2026 graduation Friday night, closing a chapter on over a decade of memories.

GALLERY: Caps fly to celebrate SV’s Class of 2026

The Spring Valley High School Class of 2026 graduated on Friday, May 15 in a packed gymnasium filled with family and friends. Kalena Beyer Parents: Twain & Tanya Beyer Future … more

5/20/26