Students stack up!

Fourth grader Michelle Taylor makes a tower of cups during the cup stacking unit in elementary P.E. class.

by Cami Shaver

Parents, you might be wondering what in the world physical education students, kindergarten through eighth grade, are talking about when they say they are sport/speed stacking in gym class.

Elementary gym teach- er Megan Carlson said, “This is the first year for the [Guinness] world re- cord here at Montezuma, but I plan to continue being part of it as long as possible.”

She said cup stacking is great because it requires students to use both sides of the brain. This fact is very true and even proven with a University of Wis- consin study by Dr. Brian Udermann. He found that by cup stacking, a child’s hand-eye coordination and reaction time im- proved by 30 percent.

When a child is cup stacking they develop a greater percentage of the right side of the brain, which includes aware- ness, focus, creativity and rhythm.

Also this sport helps train the brain for oth- er sports and activities where kids use both sides of their brain, such as us- ing a computer or playing an instrument.

Sport stacking also in-

volves elements like pat- terning and sequencing which helps with math and reading skills.

The students start do- ing a 3-3-3 stack where cups are “up stacked” and “down stacked” from left to right or right to left (in- dividually) in three stacks made up of three cups in each stack.

Then students move on as quickly as possible to the 3-6-3 where cups are “up stacked” and “down stacked” from left to right or right to left in three stacks made up of three cups on the left, six cups in the center, and three cups on the right.

After they finish the 3-6-3, they go on to the cycle stack, a sequence of stacks combining a 3-6-3 stack, a 6-6 stack, and a 1-10-1 stack, in that order. Stackers end the cycle stack with cups in a 3-6-3 “down stacked” position.

This event is actually hosted for Guinness World Records to break the re- cord for “Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations in One Day. ”

Their record for this year was 300,000 and Guinness beat it by 16,757 people. Just in our school about 100 kids helped Guinn

Student groups sponsor "Cans for Christmas"

by Andrea Farrington

Christmas season is about helping others around you. While Christmas is a season of festivities for many, we have others who are feeling lonely, more than any other time of the year.

The spirit of sharing during this season should never be forgotten. Student Council advisors Beth Orr and Derek Bates suggested Student Council members participate in something that benefits the community.

Council members also felt that if they combined

efforts withFFAmembers and advisor Rick Swenson, the outcome would be greater.

Student Council President Courtney Latcham said, ”We feel it is important to give something back to our community and as leaders of our school, we should take initiative.” They have decided to have a food drive, “Cans for Christmas.”

The main goal is to bring joy and holiday spirit to the families in need. The canned goods will be donated to the Montezuma

Food Pantry a couple of days before Christmas and distributed to local families who are less fortunate.

The goal is to have each student donate at least one can of food or dried goods. With the help of students, parents and community members, Student Council and FFA members hope to collect greater amounts.

Goods canbedelivered to Vannoys, Manestreet Hair Designers and the elementary or high school offices. Cans are due by Tuesday, December 21.

Color Guard dazzles with fifth place

The Montezuma Color Guard squad consists of, front row, l to r: Tiffany Heishman, Katelyn Gregory, Aly James, Carly Steele, Brynna Steele and Colleen Johnston. Second row: Katie Benson, Teona Sutfin, Julie Audas, Shannon Sutfin, Shena Bryan and Krista Engelbarts. Third Row: Emily Long, Natalie Wheeler, Katy McKee, Aly Breese and Courtney Latcham.

by Calli Zimmerman

The Montezuma color guard squad traveled to Des Moines Friday for their annual state compe- tition.

The 2011 State Dance and Drill Team competi- tion was held Thursday

and Friday between Wells Fargo and Hy-Vee Hall.

Montezuma competed Friday, Dec. 3 in Hy-Vee Hall at 11:12 a.m. They were in Class 1 color guard and they competed against 10 other schools.

They were judged on

Paige Marie Watson

Paige Watson is the daughter of Brian and Dawn Watson and Karla Bauer. She has three sib- lings, Bree, Camden and Ryan. She was born on May 22 of 1993.

Her awards and achievements throughout high school have consisted of A and B honor roll, and All Conference Academic Team in Volleyball. Her extracurricular activities have included volleyball for four years and soccer for two.

Her favorite activity is being with friends. Her best memory is “being able to move back to Mon-

appearance, choreogra- phy, originality, content, technique, execution, movement and show- manship.

The color guard team will be performing Dec. 17 and Jan. 14 during half- time of the boys games.

Students prepare for holidays

by Jered Engelking

On Dec. 9, vocal and band students of Junior and Senior high will per- form a winter concert. Instructors are Mrs. Be- hounek and Mr. Stanton.

Junior high band will play three songs on their own and one song com- bined with the high school band.

The three songs are “Matrix March” by Ed Huckeby, “Ultimatum” by Robert Smith, and “Power Trip” by Dean Sorenson.

The three songs are “Hark, The Herald An- gels Sing” by Mannheim Steamroller, “Songs of the American Civil War” by a collection of authors, and Deck the Halls by Mannheim Steamroller. The combined song will be “Joyful and Triumphant” by Huckeby.

Junior high choir will be singing three time hon- ored Christmas songs, which include: “Cold and

Still the Night,” “Echo Carol for Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad.”

The high school choir will be singing six songs, three of which belong to the Messiah Book. “And the Glory of the Lord,” “For unto Us a Child is Born,” and “Hallelujah Chorus.” The other three are, “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “12 Days After Christmas,” and “Singing on Christmas Morn.”

Bravettes battle the Bears to open season

by Bryan Stanford

The junior varsity Bra- vettes started the season with room to improve in their 26-12 loss to the BGM Bears.

Offensively, Carly Steele and Courtney Pe- tersen led with 5 and 4 points each. The team was aggressive all game, as they were able to reach the free throw line 14 times throughout the game.

Defensively, the Bra- vettes kept the Bears caged in the first half by

holding them to 7 points at the break, while forcing turnovers.

The JV squad totaled 22 steals with Steele and Abbi Nelson leading the way with 9 and 6. The Bravettes pulled in 23 re- bounds; Paige Snook and Petersen led the team with 9 and 6.

“This was the first time this group of girls all played together. I loved the effort they gave,” Coach Stew Timm com- mented.

JH Bravettes start with a victory

by Alexa Wheaton

The Montezuma Junior High Bravettes opened the 2010 season with an eighth grade 41-8 win and a seventh grade 28-16 win at Tri-County on Nov. 30.

Mackenzie James, Brit- tany Bender and Alex Brenner led the eighth grade team. James had 14 points, while Bender and Brenner each added 8.

Brenner and James also

led rebounders with 5 each while Kaylene Corbin had 4 rebounds. Brenner paced the team with 11 steals.

Veteran Coach Dwight Flemmer was pleased with the first outing and said everyone got a lot of playing time.

Katie Maschmann dominated the seventh grade match with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 steals.