Good Morning,
Copper Rose Apparel is a business in Rock Valley, Iowa. Rock Valley is where Mel & Dennis Duba, Ethan Alumni have called home. Copper Rose Apparel is hosting a "Back The Pink" fundraiser and have chosen Mel to be this year’s recipient of the proceeds.
How the Back the Pink Fundraiser Works
Our local Rock Valley businesses have come together in an incredible way to support Mel! There are several ways you can participate:
Raffle Tickets
Local businesses have donated cash or items to be raffled off. Raffle tickets can be purchased online or in participating stores, with all raffle proceeds going directly to Mel.
Back the Pink Apparel
Graphic T-shirts and sweatshirts are available through the Back the Pink tab on their website, https://copperroseapparel.com/collections/back-the-pink . Proceeds from these items will also go directly to Mel.
Special Shopping Day — October 21
Mark your calendars! On October 21, 10% of all sales will be donated to Mel.
Raffle Drawing — October 21
The raffle drawing will take place after the store closes on October 21. The winning prizes will be drawn during a live online stream, so you can watch if you'd like!
We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the Rock Valley community and everyone who is helping Back the Pink and surround Mel with love during this journey.
Questions about the fundraiser? You can call and speak with Joane or Caci Rozeboom with Copper Rose Apparel at (712) 470-9185.
💗 Meet Mel — Our 2026 Back the Pink Recipient
This year, we are incredibly honored to introduce Mel Duba, our 2026 Back the Pink recipient.
Mel's journey began with a routine screening mammogram. She was diagnosed with Stage 1, non-aggressive lobular breast cancer, a type of cancer that can be difficult to detect on a mammogram. Thankfully, her radiologist questioned calcifications that were present, allowing Mel's cancer to be caught early.
Since then, Mel has undergone a double mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. She will begin radiation in October, followed by several years of anti-hormone medication, all with the goal of preventing recurrence.
Through everything, Mel says one of the brightest parts of her journey has been the incredible amount of love surrounding her.
Her husband, Dennis, and their two boys, Noah and Grady, have been by her side, along with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, their church family, and so many members of our community.
Mel and Dennis both grew up in Ethan, South Dakota, and moved here in 2004. Mel worked at Hegg Lab until 2019 and now works at Peoples Bank as a Lead Loan Processor. She shared how grateful she is to live, work, and go to church in a community that continually shows up for its own.
And through all of this, Mel continues to lean on her faith.
She shared something with us that we think says it beautifully:
"We may not see the path while going through it, but later when we look back, it becomes clear to see."
Today, Mel says she is doing great and continuing to follow everything her doctors recommend. Her story is also an important reminder of just how much early detection matters.
Over the next several weeks, you'll be hearing a LOT more about Back the Pink and the ways we'll be coming together to support Mel and her family.
We have already received some amazing donations for our raffle, and we cannot wait to show you what our community has started putting together.
Mel, thank you for trusting us to share your story. We are honored to Back the Pink with you.
Copper Rose Apparel is a business in Rock Valley, Iowa. Rock Valley is where Mel & Dennis Duba, Ethan Alumni have called home. Copper Rose Apparel is hosting a "Back The Pink" fundraiser and have chosen Mel to be this year’s recipient of the proceeds.
How the Back the Pink Fundraiser Works
Our local Rock Valley businesses have come together in an incredible way to support Mel! There are several ways you can participate:
Raffle Tickets
Local businesses have donated cash or items to be raffled off. Raffle tickets can be purchased online or in participating stores, with all raffle proceeds going directly to Mel.
Back the Pink Apparel
Graphic T-shirts and sweatshirts are available through the Back the Pink tab on their website, https://copperroseapparel.com/collections/back-the-pink . Proceeds from these items will also go directly to Mel.
Special Shopping Day — October 21
Mark your calendars! On October 21, 10% of all sales will be donated to Mel.
Raffle Drawing — October 21
The raffle drawing will take place after the store closes on October 21. The winning prizes will be drawn during a live online stream, so you can watch if you'd like!
We are so incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from the Rock Valley community and everyone who is helping Back the Pink and surround Mel with love during this journey.
Questions about the fundraiser? You can call and speak with Joane or Caci Rozeboom with Copper Rose Apparel at (712) 470-9185.
💗 Meet Mel — Our 2026 Back the Pink Recipient
This year, we are incredibly honored to introduce Mel Duba, our 2026 Back the Pink recipient.
Mel's journey began with a routine screening mammogram. She was diagnosed with Stage 1, non-aggressive lobular breast cancer, a type of cancer that can be difficult to detect on a mammogram. Thankfully, her radiologist questioned calcifications that were present, allowing Mel's cancer to be caught early.
Since then, Mel has undergone a double mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. She will begin radiation in October, followed by several years of anti-hormone medication, all with the goal of preventing recurrence.
Through everything, Mel says one of the brightest parts of her journey has been the incredible amount of love surrounding her.
Her husband, Dennis, and their two boys, Noah and Grady, have been by her side, along with family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, their church family, and so many members of our community.
Mel and Dennis both grew up in Ethan, South Dakota, and moved here in 2004. Mel worked at Hegg Lab until 2019 and now works at Peoples Bank as a Lead Loan Processor. She shared how grateful she is to live, work, and go to church in a community that continually shows up for its own.
And through all of this, Mel continues to lean on her faith.
She shared something with us that we think says it beautifully:
"We may not see the path while going through it, but later when we look back, it becomes clear to see."
Today, Mel says she is doing great and continuing to follow everything her doctors recommend. Her story is also an important reminder of just how much early detection matters.
Over the next several weeks, you'll be hearing a LOT more about Back the Pink and the ways we'll be coming together to support Mel and her family.
We have already received some amazing donations for our raffle, and we cannot wait to show you what our community has started putting together.
Mel, thank you for trusting us to share your story. We are honored to Back the Pink with you.
Congratulations to our math teacher Mrs. Wigen on her new baby girl. Ella Mae was born at 3:51pm weighing in at 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19.75 inches long. Congratulations to the new Mom and Dad!!
Kayler Hoeltzner is the winner of the Epic Treasure Chest!
Each student will receive at least 4 books!
Each student will receive at least 4 books!
Save the Date - October 30th (5-8pm) Pork Feed. See image for details!
The juniors are pumping gas on Oct 3 and Oct 10 to raise money for prom.
Thank you to everyone who ordered Dig Pink shirts. We raised $486.00, which will benefit Shannon Glover's cancer journey. T-shirts will be delivered next week.
Thank you to everyone who ordered Dig Pink shirts. We raised $486.00, which will benefit Shannon Glover's cancer journey. T-shirts will be delivered next week.
First Responders Event -October 10th - see image details.
Pre-game meal for this Friday, October 2nd. See image for details.
Pre-game meal for next Thursday, October 8th. See image for details.
Line Dancing Night - See image for details.
EHS Yearbook has mums for sale! 🌼🍂
We have 11 mums available for $25 each in maroon, white, gold, and pink.
They are available on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want one, grab yours before they’re gone!
Pickup Saturday 09/26 or Monday 09/28
📧 Email Kendra.Erickson@k12.sd.us to claim one.
$25 each | 11 available | Supporting EHS Yearbook
We would like to say a big THANK YOU to Iverson Auto, Iverson Powersports and Make it Mine Designs for sponsoring, assembling and detailing our new wheels here at Ethan School. This Pumper Car will be an amazing resource for our students who utilize Physical Therapy and Special Education services here at our school.
There's still time to complete your Treasure Map to start earning books and be entered to win the Epic Treasure Chest Carnival F26/S27 Assembly! The fun doesn't stop there. Help your awesome teacher earn a $100 or $200 shopping spree for your classroom.
Today, we have our 3rd Drawing Prize Winner of a Treasure Chest stuffed with cash, coins, jewels, and candy. This student completed their Treasure Map and sent out 10 invitations. Congratulations Presley Schroeder! We still have one more drawing prize to give away, the EPIC TREASURE CHEST! Be sure to complete your Treasure Map assignment tonight. You could be the big top winner!"
Coffee is open!!!!
Thanks everyone for your patience!
Thanks to some awesome community members, as Mrs. Doubtfire would say, "Help is on the way, dear!" Good news Coffee should be up soon! We will send a notification as soon as they are up and running!
Good News Coffee generator is broke. They are trying to see if the fire station has one they can plug into. If they do, they will move down there. We will keep everyone updated.
"Let's start the day with some exciting news. We now have our 2nd Drawing Prize Winner in our Book Blast! Congratulations to Lauren Tuttle for winning the Treasure Chest stuffed with cash, coins, jewels, and candy! Who wants to be our next winner? We still have two more drawing prizes to give away, so be sure to complete your Treasure Map assignment tonight for a chance to win your very own Treasure Chest like Lauren Tuttle."
We will recognize this year’s junior high football players during halftime of tomorrow night's game in Bridgewater. Players should meet at the south end of the bleachers shortly before halftime.
Attention: BOOK BLAST BIG ANNOUNCEMENT – Today is our first Drawing Prize Winner! Congratulations to Jolee Edmundson, Classroom: Kristi Anderson for completing their Treasure Map and being our first prize winner! Great job! Tomorrow, we're having our second drawing for a Treasure Chest stuffed with cash! There is still time to complete your Treasure Map, earn prizes, books, and get in on the fun. Don't wait – finish it tonight."
Wow, our Book Blast carnival is off to an amazing start! 🎡📚
Congratulations to Jolee Edmundson for winning our first drawing prize, the Book Blast Treasure Chest! 🏆✨Students are already stepping right up to help level up our readers and earn as many books as possible for our school community. There’s still time to join the fun. Register now and invite 10+ contacts to be entered into our upcoming Treasure Chest drawings! 🎟️
#booksarefun #bookraiser #bookblastadventures #epictreasurechest #treasure @go.booksarefun