Liberty Newsletter: Volume 173
February 2, 2026
Iowa City Liberty High School
Email: colbert.justin@iowacityschools.org
Website: https://liberty.iowacityschools.org/
Location: 1400 South Dubuque Street, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: (319) 688-1350
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LibertyHighSchool2017
X: @ColbertJust, @ICLibertyHS
Instagram: liberty_bolts
DANCES
- April 18 - Prom @ The Highlander Hotel (7:30-10:30 PM)
SENIORS
- March 2 - Senior photo due to Yearbook (Send photos to jabbari.anna@iowacityschools.org)
- May 20 - Senior Awards & Scholarship Recognition Evening
- May 29- Senior’s Last Day
- May 29 - Graduation Rehearsal (Xtream Arena @ 8:30 AM-10:00 AM)
- May 31 - Liberty High Graduation (Xtream Arena @ 12:00 PM)
MIDTERMS & END OF TRIMESTERS
- March 3 - End of 2nd Trimester
- April 23 - Midterm
- June 5 - End of 3rd Tri. & Last Day of Classes (2-hr. early release)
Community Engagement Survey
Dear Families, Students, Staff, and Community Members,
We’re excited to launch a new opportunity for engagement with our community, and we’d love your input. This is a chance to share your experiences and priorities so we can better understand what matters most to our school district community. Your feedback will help guide our work to ensure we’re continuing to meet the needs of students, families, and staff.
Use this link to provide your input: https://hanover-research.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_78wQbOYOkNuUiX4
This survey is being conducted by Hanover Research, an independent research firm. All responses will remain confidential. Hanover will collect the data and share results with the district only in an anonymized form, so individual responses will not be connected to names or identifying information.
Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable perspective.
Book Bowl 2026
On Thursday, January 15 Liberty High hosted the inaugural ICCSD High School Book Bowl. The Book Bowl was a trivia contest among teams who read all the titles on the Iowa High School Book Award list. Liberty's Thunderbooks team took on the Book Wyrms from West High, and eventually won the ICCSD High School Book Bowl by just a few points. The team from West High were formidable opponents and traded the lead with the Thunderbooks throughout the competition.
In addition to the competition, all participants also were treated to a Zoom presentation with bestselling author Sharon Cameron. A former classical pianist, Cameron turned her talents to writing as a second career. Her office is a home library with many books which she uses for research and enjoyment. She spoke about her year long research for Artifice, the story of forged art during World War II.
The author visited Amsterdam for research before a serendipitous meeting with a man living 15 minutes away who provided firsthand accounts of historical figures who appeared in the book.
Each of the bowl participants received a copy of Artifice. Visit the author's website to hear her read the first chapter of the book: https://sharoncameronbooks.com/.
Wind Ensemble IBA Conference Selection
The 2025-26 Liberty Wind Ensemble has made history as the first band from Liberty High School selected to perform at the state Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference!
After recording and submitting several musical selections, they are one of just three 4A concert bands in the state selected to perform at the conference in May. They will be a clinic band for one of two Young Conductor’s Clinic sessions working with new teachers on conducting techniques.
This is a huge achievement and honor, and a testament to the hard work these students have put in throughout the recording process - congratulations to all students as well as Band Directors Ryan Arp and Nick Carlo.
Liberty's Unified Sports Teams!
Join Liberty High School's Unified Sports Teams!
Make new friends, stay active, and have fun with Liberty High School's Unified Sports Teams! Students of all abilities compete, learn, and grow together. Whether you're an experienced athlete or trying something new, this is for you!
What Are Unified Sports?
Unified Sports unite students with intellectual disabilities (Unified Athletes) and those without (Unified Partners) to train and compete together, promoting inclusion and teamwork.
Sign Up for Our Bowling & Track Teams!
Bowling Team
Season: Winter
Open To: All Grades
Level: Varsity Sport
Details: Join for a fun, friendly environment. No experience needed—just enthusiasm!
Track Team
Season: Spring
Open To: All Grades
Level: Varsity Sport
Details: Participate in various events and make new friends while staying fit.
Join Liberty High School's Unified Sports Teams today and be part of a movement making a difference!
Informational Meeting:
Wednesday, February 4th during Liberty Time
Where: H222
Upcoming Team Mental Health Workshop
On Thursday, March 12, the BigO Foundation is hosting a Team Workshop for student-athletes from 4:30-6:30 PM. The workshop will be led by the JCK Foundation. The JCK Foundation is committed to fostering open, supportive conversations around mental health--empowering yong people and their communities to build resilience and break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Following the student-athlete workshop, an evening presentation at 7:00 PM will follow. The evening presentation is designed for parents, teachers, and coaches. Please see the attached resources for additional information.
Speech Team: Large Group Districts (1/24/26)
After a successful day at their District Speech Contest on January 24th in Wapello, IA, the Liberty Speech Team advanced 7 Large Group events onto the State Contest. These events include Group Improv, Radio Broadcasting, Readers Theatre, and Short Film.. This year’s Large Group State Contest will be held at Clear Creek Amana High School on Saturday, February 7th. Friends, family, and the community are invited to attend! The Liberty Speech Team is coached by Schuyler Fynaardt and Olivia Gonzalez. For more information or details regarding Liberty Speech, contact Schuyler via email: fynaardt.schuyler@iowacityschools.org
Girls Wrestling- MVC Conference Champions
On Saturday, January 24 the girls wrestling team traveled to Cedar Rapids Kennedy for the annual MVC conference tournament. The team accumulated 238 points and earned their first MVC Conference Championship in program history! Cedar Falls took second with 228.5 points and Linn-Mar was third with 208 points.
Seniors Taylor Cavanh and Evelyn Eggleston also took 1st place in their respective weight class.
100-Ella McGonegle placed 🥉
105- Taylor Cavanh placed🥇
110- Evalynn Karam placed 🥈
115- Kate Eggleston placed 🥉
120- Sophie Norman placed 8th
125- Kaitlyn Raue placed 🥈
130- Rebekka Steele placed 6th
135- Acasia Lukalaba Ndomba placed 4th
140- Evelyn Eggleston placed 🥇
145- Callum Wu placed 🥉
155- Peyten Van Dyke placed 🥈
170- Mabel Howard placed 8th
190- Emma Sanders placed 6th
235- Abigail Carr placed 🥉
Idaho Wilderness Trek
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Trek is a 10-day conservation trek for high school students to one of the largest wilderness areas in the U.S. Through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church (SBFC) Foundation, Johnson County Conservation (JCC) is able to offer a trip that combines wilderness backpacking with a trail stewardship experience.
See the attached brochure below for additional information as well as how to apply.
Student Member of the Iowa State Board of Education
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026-2027 Student Member of the Iowa State Board of Education. The student board member's term runs from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. During that time, the State Board meets approximately 12 times with most meetings taking place in the Grimes State Office Building in Des Moines. The deadline to apply with all required documents is February 27, 2026. Additional details regarding the application process, and the application itself, is available on the Department's State Board of Education webpage (at the very bottom of the webpage): https://educate.iowa.gov/boards/state-board-education.
If questions come up, please don't hesitate to connect with Jeremy Anzevino at jeremy.anzevino@iowa.gov who will be happy to assist you.
Optimist Club Photography Contest
The North Liberty Optimist Club is sponsoring a photography contest for students in grades 6-12. A cash prize is offered for the club's favorite, as well as the people's choice award. The people's choice award is voted on by individuals attending their annual pancake breakfast.
Click here to access the photography contest information and entry form.
Penn Elementary Fun Night Volunteers Needed
Penn Elementary's biggest fundraiser of the year is back! Fun Night will be held February 20th from 6:00-8:00pm. We need over 100 volunteers to make Fun Night a success. There are so many fun ways to volunteer that evening. You can volunteer on your own or make it a fun activity with friends. Please look over the sign up below and see if this is something you are able to help with. Penn Fun Night 2026 Signup
If you have any questions please email the Fun Night volunteer coordinator at bulman.angela@gmail.com.
Paid Summer Internship Opportunity- Iowa Insurance Divison
The Iowa Insurance Division has paid internship opportunities available for high school juniors and seniors that are at least 16 years of age. Interns will receive one-on-one mentorship, personalized training, early exposure to a possible career pathway and the opportunity to earn an Associate Professional in Insurance Regulation Designation. The internships will begin in the summer of 2026 but the time to apply is now. Please submit your resume by February 27, 2026. For more information or to apply please send your resume and cover letter with attention to Linda Heintz at internships@iid.iowa.gov.
You can also view the attached letter for additional information.
ICCSD Ombuds Office
Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help. Check out our Ombuds webpage to learn more!
The Ombuds Office is a general concern office and conflict resolution resource for District constituents, including students, parent/guardians, and employees regarding school and/or District-related matters.
Liberty Lightning Virtual Spirit Store
Check it out by clicking on this link: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/iowa/northliberty/liberty-high-school or by clicking the image below.
The Liberty Fund
Support Student Programs. Leave a Legacy. Donate today!
The Liberty Fund needs your help! We want to ensure all Liberty students can participate in school activities where belonging and school pride come together through both academic and co-curricular activities.
The Liberty Fund has provided grants to students and groups to support student access to opportunities through fundraising. Here are a few program examples that grants have supported:
- New Student/Freshman Orientation
- National French Competition Exam
- Liberty Lightning Technical Theater
- Garden Club
- African American Literature Classes & Black Student Union
- Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference
Make a tax deductible donation to The Liberty Fund today! Donate at The Liberty Fund Website or email for more information at libertyhighfund@gmail.com.
Liberty High PSTO
PSTO’s February meeting is coming up!
Thursday, Feb 19 | 12:00 PM | Zoom
Everyone is welcome — drop in if you can. https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/99895552850
Fun Fundraiser Alert!
“Build a Bloom” is happening Friday, Feb 13 during lunch in the cafeteria. Students can create a simple flower bouquet for someone they appreciate — a favorite teacher, lunchroom staff member, friend, or someone special.
Cash & Venmo accepted. All proceeds support Liberty’s PSTO.
Teacher Appreciation Shout-Out
A huge thank you to Summer Knight for her years of dedicated service as our Teacher Appreciation Chair — her efforts have meant so much to so many.
We’re excited to welcome Jenny MacCourt as our incoming Teacher Appreciation Chair!
Follow us on Instagram: @libertyhighschoolpsto
Want to stay in the loop about important updates and upcoming meetings?
Join our email list: https://forms.gle/pCqK3q2U99dk75Lu8 or email us! libertyhspsto@gmail.com
