Winona R-III School District

Did you miss out on a yearbook? Don't miss out on this years. 2025-2026 yearbooks are now available. Call the high school to purchase a yearbook!

Saturday, February 28th, the Alert Systems will be tested. This is only a test of the system. Please don't be alarmed. The city office have been notified of these tests also. As safety is an important concern to us, we occasionally test the system. We will be conducting tests throughout the week with students also. Thank you.

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Kamden Eugene VanWinkle 🎓 Kamden Eugene VanWinkle is the son of Jamie and Ashley VanWinkle and the brother of Karlee and Kaiden. During his time in high school, Kamden has been actively involved in our industrial art program. Outside of school, he enjoys deer hunting, riding dirt bikes, and spending time with his sister Karlee. Kamden’s favorite high school memories include winning state at the shop shows and playing basketball with his friends. His favorite teacher is Mrs. West because she always made everyone feel welcome and like they truly belonged. What he’ll miss most about school is seeing his friends and teachers each day. One important skill he learned during his time here is how to build a good-looking trailer. He’s always preferred hands-on learning, but Math has been Kamden’s favorite subject. His favorite hobby is spending time with his family on their boats or riding dirt bikes. When it comes to food, burgers top the list—if he had to choose one meal for the rest of his life, it would be a cheeseburger with ketchup, French fries, and a sweet tea. After graduation, Kamden plans to drive a truck or work on the road doing dirt work. During his senior year, his goal is to win state in shop again. The person who has influenced him most is his dad, especially through the time they’ve spent working on trucks together and talking about life. Best wishes, Kamden, for a successful and fulfilling future! 🎉

If you know anything about Winona, then you know about the volleyball program. It’s more than just a team , it’s a tradition. A standard. A legacy built on hard work, discipline, and pride. To be part of this program is something special. But to lead it? That’s something else entirely. At the helm, Coach Denning has exemplified what true leadership looks like. The countless hours in the gym. The sleepless nights breaking down film. The constant planning, adjusting, encouraging, and believing. The weight of expectations and his own determination to exceed them. He has poured his heart into this program, and it shows.
Now, that dedication has been recognized in the highest way .Coach Denning has been named Class 1 Coach of the Year. This honor is a reflection of more than wins and championships. It represents commitment, character, excellence, and a relentless belief in his athletes and the tradition of Winona volleyball. Congratulations, Coach Denning. Your leadership continues to elevate the standard and inspire everyone who walks into that gym.

DISTRICT TIME – LET’S GO WILDCATS!
It’s win-or-go-home time for the Winona Wildcats! 🔥

The Wildcats head to Van Buren tonight for the FIRST ROUND OF DISTRICTS and they’re ready to battle!
#6 Winona Wildcats vs #3 East Carter
Location: Van Buren High School
Time: 7:00 PM
🎟️ $6 Admission
Wildcat Nation, we need you loud and proud! Pack the stands, wear your purple & gold, and let’s turn Van Buren into WILDCAT TERRITORY!

BOOK FAIR TIME
We are excited to announce that our upcoming Book Fair will be coin-less! All purchases will be rounded up to support “Share The Fair” helping ensure every student has the opportunity to enjoy the fair. Come shop, support literacy, and help us share the joy of books with all of our students! We can’t wait to see you there!

🗓 March 2nd – March 5th
⏰ 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Winona Elementary Library
🌟 Family Night: Wednesday 4th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

ALL-STATE ACADEMIC HONORS
We are incredibly proud to announce that the Winona Wildcats Varsity starters have earned All-State Academic Honors with an outstanding team GPA of 3.94! To qualify for this prestigious recognition, each athlete must participate in at least 75% of all varsity matches and maintain an individual GPA of 3.6 or higher! These young ladies continue to prove that excellence doesn’t stop at the court , it extends into the classroom. They are dedicated, disciplined, and shine just as brightly in their academics as they do in competition. We are so proud of the way they represent Winona with integrity, hard work, and heart. Great Job!

🌸📸 Spring Pictures Are Tomorrow – February 19! 📸🌸
Spring picture day is almost here! Students in Pre-K through 12th grade will be taking their spring photos tomorrow, February 19.
Please note:
This will be picture taking only. Order forms will be sent home at a later date with your child’s photo printed on them, so families can view the picture before placing an order. Please make sure students come dressed and ready to smile!
We can’t wait to see all those bright, springtime smiles!

GAME DAY
It’s the last regular season basketball game of the year and the Wildcats are hitting the road to Clearwater tonight! Let’s finish the regular season strong! Game Time is set for 5:30 pm!

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Jake Allen Doyle🎓 This week’s spotlight shines on Jake Allen Doyle, son of Kevin and Kelly Doyle and Ellen Doyle. Jake is the brother of Crystal, Karra, Butch, and Jackson. In his free time, he enjoys playing games and hanging out with his friends. While he doesn’t participate in extracurricular activities, he stays busy working outside of school hours. Jake’s favorite high school memory is simply looking forward to graduation, and one thing he knows he’ll miss most is spending time with his friends. His favorite teacher is Mrs. Ipock, whom he describes as chill and kind. The biggest lesson he’s learned in school is that “honesty is the best policy.” Throughout his school career, math has been his favorite subject. When it’s time to relax, Jake enjoys watching The Flash. If he had to eat one meal every day for the rest of his life, it would definitely be tacos—his all-time favorite. After graduation, Jake plans to pursue a career as a paramedic. He hopes to earn his EMT license this year and is passionate about helping others—something people may not know about him. Jake says he would like to be remembered as a chill guy. His farewell message to underclassmen? “I graduated before you…LOL!” Jake shares that his parents have influenced him the most, as they raised him to be the person he is today, and he is truly thankful for them. On his travel bucket list is visiting the Grand Canyon, and the last book he read was The Block by Ben Oliver. Congratulations, Jake, and best of luck on your journey ahead–your future patients will be lucky to have you!

Class 2, District 2, Boys Basketball Tournament
Van Buren, HS
Feb 24th - 28th

Admission: $6.00

Game 1 #3 East Carter vs. # 6 Winona. February 24th @ 7:00 pm

Wildcats Gameday on the Road!
Tonight the Wildcats hit the road as they travel to take on Couch! We’ll kick things off with a half game of JV, followed by a full Varsity matchup. Game time is 6:00 PM at the Couch High School!

We “scooped” up some fun at our Kindergarten Valentine’s Parties! 🍨 The kids loved delivering valentines to each other’s creative Valentine boxes and then topping off the celebration with build-your-own ice cream sundaes. Extra whipped cream, extra sprinkles, and extra giggles!❤️

Today was an amazing day at preschool! We celebrated love and friendship with dancing, laughter, and yummy ice cream 🍨. The perfect way to spend our half-day together! 🤩🍦

First Grade enjoyed a beautiful Valentine's Day party. They enjoyed donuts, which they had the option to add sprinkles and other fun toppings. Each class had numerous outstanding decorated Valentine's Boxes.

BSC Tournament Continues Tomorrow!
The BSC Tournament rolls on tomorrow, and the Wildcats are back in action! All Games will be played at Eminence on February 14, 2026. Tip-off is set for 11:15 AM, so come out early, bring the energy, and support our team as they take the floor once again. This is sure to be a day full of great basketball in the BSC! Come out and watch some of the areas most talented teams battle it out!

Both JV and Varsity Wildcats pick up wins last against the Kosh Blue Jays! Go CATS!

Today marks National School Resource Officer Day. Winona R-II is fortunate to have Mr. Fears serving as our district's School Resource Officer. Mr. Fears consistently demonstrates his commitment to our district, from attending athletic events and instructing high school history classes to ensuring the safety and security of our campuses. We extend our sincere gratitude for his invaluable contributions to our district.

Wildcats Stay Strong in BSC Tourney!
Last night, the Winona Wildcats battled hard in the Big Spring Conference (BSC) Tournament, coming away with a big win over Koshkonong to keep their season alive! After a hard-fought game, the Wildcats showed great poise and intensity on both ends of the court to secure the victory and punch their ticket into the 5th place game this Saturday in Eminence at 11:15. With that momentum, the Wildcats now shift their focus today as they travel to Koshkonong for a regular-season matchup at 5:00 pm tonight. After knocking off the Blue Jays in their most recent meeting, Winona is looking to carry that same energy on the road and finish strong before the weekend.

🎓 Senior Spotlight: Wesley Kile Hough🎓 Wesley Kile Hough is the son of Bryan and Lori Hough and brother to Abby and Alexis. He has balanced school life with his love for the outdoors. In his free time, Wesley enjoys hunting, fishing, riding four-wheelers, and dirt bikes. Wesley's favorite high school memory comes from time spent in shop class alongside friends — an experience that combined teamwork, skill-building, and lasting friendships. Shop class was also his favorite subject, as it allowed him to build meaningful projects, including items for his mom. Among his teachers, Mr. Denning stands out as a favorite for the impactful conversations shared in English class. Throughout high school, he learned the importance of always trying his hardest — a lesson that will carry forward into the next chapter of life. He will especially miss the daily conversations and camaraderie with friends. After graduation, he plans to secure a good job, potentially working for UPS, while preparing for the responsibilities of adulthood. His primary goal for his senior year is to be ready for the real world. Influenced most by his parents, who consistently encourage him to do his best, he leaves underclassmen with simple but meaningful advice: “High school goes by fast.” With strong values, dedication, and a love for the outdoors, he looks forward to the opportunities ahead — including an out-of-state hunting trip on his bucket list. Congratulations, Wesley, on a job well done. 🎓