STC Middle School advances to final round of voting for People’s Choice All-Star Community Award
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TOLEDO -- So close to winning it all! Toledo's South Tama Middle School transformation is in the final round of the 2026 People's Choice All-Star Community Award Tournament sponsored by the Iowa League of Cities. After beating out Fort Atkinson, Carroll, and Bettendorf, Toledo is now up against Muscatine and their Sports Center. To show civic pride and help Toledo win the award, go to the Iowa League of Cities Facebook page and like the picture of the STC Middle School.
Both Toledo Economic Development Director Katherine Ollendieck and STC Superintendent John Cain commented on the middle school's recognition.
"The Iowa League of Cities People's Choice Award is more than the recognition, it's a public celebration of our shared effort, values, and achievement. The Facebook initiative is driven by "Likes" and we have moved through the bracket to face off against Muscatine in the final two. The local effort to like and share the news has been the key to our advancement through the brackets. This culture of appreciation has inspired celebration about how incredible our South Tama County Middle School is. This pride is blended with excitement, connection, and engagement. It's a tangible sign our values and initiatives are recognized beyond our borders, but I think we've already won," said Ollendieck.
Cain shared a similar message.
"It gives us great pride to know that the South Tama County Community Middle School project is one of two projects in two Iowa communities left in the race for the People’s Choice Award sponsored by the Iowa League of Cities," he said. “Restoring the former abandoned juvenile home into our middle school was truly a community decision and had the community support to make it reality. Now, we need to pull together as a community to vote for it and allow the Tama and Toledo communities to be recognized at the state level for this great accomplishment."
Most likes win, and as of presstime, Toledo sits just behind Muscatine with 783 likes, behind Muscatine’s 799. The final voting round ends Sept. 24 at noon, with an announcement of the winner made at the annual Iowa League of Cities Conference and Exhibit Sept. 23-25 in Bettendorf.
So, get online and vote, and tell everyone you know to do the same.