By Stacey becker Career highlights 1969-77: English teacher at Grundy Center (Iowa) High School. 1978-86: Librarian at Hempstead High School. 1986-87: Librarian and department head at Jefferson Middle School.

Sarah Longfield, who graduated from Hempstead High School in May, was recently rewarded by the National Merit Scholarship Program for her academic achievements. She joined five other area high school graduates who were named National Merit Scholars in late May.

By REBECCA CARTON; SYDNEY SMITH Fight brain drain Every fall, parents and teachers encounter the age-old problem of young students struggling to get back into the groove of learning after summer.

By David Olson Principal, Hempstead High School I believe strongly in alternatives for students. Twenty five years ago, I came to the Dubuque Community School District after five years of teaching in an alternative program in Illinois.

By stacey becker It's that time of year again.Countless students across Dubuque will celebrate the last day of school today and the exhilarating freedom of their impending summer break.Some of the students will shout as they walk out of their classrooms for the last time, while others will silently smile.It's a day of mixed emotions for Dubuque Community School District Superintendent John Burgart.