Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools
FDPS events play a crucial role in helping our mission to support student achievement by promoting investment in the Dubuque Public Schools
This event is a fundraiser that supports the FDPS and allows our organization to fulfill our mission of supporting student achievement by promoting investment in the Dubuque Public Schools. The foundation supports district projects and programs that go beyond the school district’s budget. Some examples of our support include field trips, hands-on learning projects, new books and technology, after-school programming, classroom grants, essential items for success in school, and funding for music and arts education. Making sure we have resources available to help students succeed gives our students and staff a competitive edge, ensuring that our schools are attractive to families for years to come. Last year we raised $75,000! With your support, we can do it again!
Purchase your Ticket HERE:
https://buytickets.at/foundationfordubuquepublicschools/2057199
2026 Hometown Alumni Award Recipient: Dr. Steve Leifker
Dr. Steven Leifker was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa. In his time in the Dubuque Community School District, he attended Audubon Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Hempstead High School (class of ’05). After graduating, he attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and then dental school and residency at the University of Iowa. He was named Chief Resident during his time in the Pediatric Dentistry Department.
During his time at Iowa, he married his high school sweetheart, Katie (LeGrand) Leifker (Hempstead Class of ’04). In 2014, he and Katie returned to Dubuque, and Steve began practice as a board-certified pediatric dentist at Dubuque Pediatric Dentistry.
Steve and Katie stay entirely too busy in all the best ways with their four children. Ethan, 14, Kai, 12, Ava, 8, and Madelyn, 6. All the kids attend Dubuque public schools, and even the family dog is employed. Wall-E, the Leifker Family golden retriever, is the therapy dog at Kennedy Elementary. It is through Wall-E that Steve and Katie get experience true fame, even if Wall-E is the real celebrity.
Steve has maintained a strong tie to Dubuque Schools because of the support and affirmation gained from his teachers in his time as a student. Despite the disadvantage of growing up in a low socioeconomic home, Steve had access to the very best education with the most passionate educators at Audubon. The expeditionary learning with Deb Fordice, the constant encouragement of Cheryl Werner, and the investment every teacher made in every student laid the foundation for Steve’s success. It was this support in his early years that fueled his commitment to treat the dental needs of underserved patients across Iowa.
Steve attended Jefferson and Hempstead, and it was in junior high and high school that he cultivated a deep interest in the arts. It was through academic and vocal music scholarships that Steve was able to attend college. These days most of the singing he does is the Frozen soundtrack in the office for nervous kids during their dentist appointments. Nevertheless, the creative outlet in school was invaluable. The arts in our public schools need our help more than ever.
When Steve is not in the dental office, you can usually find him driving to a swimming pool, ice arena, or soccer field for his kids’ activities. In the rare instance that he has a free moment, Steve is cooking for his family or reading a book with a strong cup of coffee.
Steve is incredibly grateful to be the Distinguished Hometown Alumni Recipient of 2026. Let this short biography be his love letter back to the Dubuque Community School District and his teachers along the way. He is forever indebted to the educators of this district!
2026 Friend of Dubuque Public Schools Award Recipient: Mantea Schmid
Mantea Schmid grew up in Mishawaka, Indiana, attending public schools from kindergarten through graduate studies. She graduated from Mishawaka High School, Indiana University, and Western Michigan University.
In 1989, she moved with her husband to Dubuque, Iowa, where Jack worked at the headquarters of the family business, Crescent Electric Supply Company. While raising their two sons, John III and Alex, Mantea devoted much of her adult life to championing the arts. She has served as Board President of the Dubuque Museum of Art, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra League, and the Dubuque Arts Council.
Art and music have long been a shared passion for Mantea and Jack, and the organizations she has supported have played an essential role in strengthening arts education for the youth of the community.
202 Young Philanthropist: Olana Loebach
Hi! I’m Olana Loebach, a fifth grader at Lincoln Elementary. I like to code, fix electronics and read Harry Potter. I really enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my rabbit, Loki. He is really cute! I like to help others because I think everyone should feel good.
Olana was nominated by her principal, Mrs. Megan Elsinger, for her exceptional approach to student activism. Rather than waiting for change, Olana took a grassroots path—demonstrating hard work, determination, and a passion for inspiring others. She wrote a grant to the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) to secure materials needed to pick up and properly dispose of trash on Lincoln’s school campus. After being awarded the grant, she went a step further by recruiting a team of classmates who now help collect trash weekly during recess.
