Sprint encourages future payoff

by Rachel Ranfeld

In the Sprint program, also known as Talented and Gifted (TAG), Abby Clark aspires to provide her students with opportunities to develop critical and creative thinking as well as communication and technology skills they can use later in life.

“I hope my students will walk away from this class with more open minds,” said Clark. She also quotes Albert Einstein, “You cannot solve a problem from the frame of mind that created the problem in the first place.”

This class is unlike any other offered at Montezuma in the sense that the student is his/her own teacher, much like life itself. It is a challenge, but well worth the payoff if students put their best efforts forward.

Students in grades 7-11 embark on creating the structure of learning with Clark's guidance. Throughout the semester, each student will study in-depth any one topic of his/her interest. They begin by designing a layout of how they will learn the material, a rubric for Clark to grade them and a final product to display at the end of the semester. 

So far, students and their projects are: juniors Natalie Kirton with sign language and Rachel Ranfeld with proofreading; sophomores Katie Benson with medical college research and Alyssa Lyddon with photography; freshmen Colleen Johnston with college research, Elijah Bryan with the successes, failures and consequences of D-Day, Damionn Burk with the impacts of music, Courtney Peterson with college research and Katelyn Gregory with veterinary research; 8^th graders Vincent Bushong with the history of warfare, Trevor Moyer with the basics of physics and Morgan Benson with natural disasters; and 7^th graders Cole Corbin with camping tools and parks, Trent Salsman with physical education and Tyler Geiger with politics.

Winter Sports Week brings fun to halls

by Andrea Farrington

Winter Sports King and Queen are James McCain and Shannon Sutfin.

Nearing the end of winter sports season brings fun and enthusiasm to the school by way of Spirit Week, not to mention our first snow day of the year.

Last week students roamed the halls in pajamas, dressed as cowboys, sported miss-matched outfits and promoted blue and white day. 

In previous years, king and queen candidates were chosen by whoever received the most money in their jar outside the high school office. This year paper ballots were distributed to all 9-12 grade students and the people with the most votes were crowned winter sports king or queen. 

Students voted Friday during the school day. Crowning of the king and queen was held on Feb. 4 after the game. 

Love for agriculture brings student teacher

Lindsey Crawford of Iowa State University observes Ag. teacher Rick Swenson as he instructs his classes.

by Natalie Kirton

A new face has recently cropped up in Montezuma’s AG classroom. Lindsey Crawford, a student at Iowa State University, has partnered with Rick Swenson to gain hands-on experience when working with students. 

“I had an excellent mentor and agriculture teacher when I was in school. I wanted to become a teacher to give that same opportunity to students,” said Crawford. 

Before graduating high school, Crawford participated in FFA for six years. She was a district officer and worked around the state in livestock evaluation, conduct of meeting and soils. She received the American FFA Degree, the highest honor in FFA. 

Upon graduation, Crawford took her love for agriculture a step further, and decided to leave her hometown of Rensselaer, Ind. to attend Iowa State University and become an agriculture teacher.  

She will be here until the beginning of May, attending meetings, creating lessons plans and learning the basics of teaching others. In her free time she likes showing cattle and pigs, golfing and even baking.

Once Crawford has received her degree, she will start looking for a school similar to Montezuma. She is hoping for something in a rural community, but the size of the school does not matter. 

In the meantime, she is enjoying the variety of tasks she has been given during her stay, including preparing students for contest, working in the classroom and getting to know the students. 

JV Braves steal the clean win

by Bryan Stanford

The JV basketball team continued to improve, as they faced the North Mahaska Warhawks and walked away with a 54-42 victory on Monday, Jan. 24. The Braves jumped out to a 32-17 first half lead and never looked back. 

Defensively, the Braves had only two team fouls in the first half and continued to play clean.

Offensively, the Braves had a productive night. “It was fun to see everyone score, while the players got excited for their teammates,” Coach Dale DeJong said. 

Coleton Tompkins led the squad in scoring with 11 points, while Zach Gibson was close behind with 10. 

Coach sees JV girls improving

by Hope Kriegel

The JV Bravettes came ready to play basketball at BGM on Jan. 18 but came home empty handed after losing, 21-17. 

Offensively, the Bravettes waited for open shots. Courtney Petersen and Carly Steele were the leading scorers with 5 points each. 

On defense the girls held the Bears scoreless in the second quarter. However, they were also guilty of committing 17 fouls, giving BGM the opportunity to pull ahead late in the fourth quarter.

Coach Stew Timm said, “The girls showed the effort tonight that, as a coach, I can really be proud of. With hard work and desire the wins will start to follow.” 

JH girls split wins with EV

by Hope Kriegel

The JH girls basketball teams battled at English Valleys on Jan. 20.

The 7^th grade team came home victorious, winning 10-6. Katie Maschmann led with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 9 steals. Aliya Pargeon swiped 6 steals. Megan Baker also had 5 rebounds on the night. 

Defensively, the Bravettes held the Bears scoreless in the first, second and fourth quarters. 

The 8^th grade girls lost 45-13. Brittany Bender led the way with 9 points and 5 rebounds. Alex Brenner had 5 steals and Clara Johnson came down with 4 rebounds.

Both team records now stand at 5-2. 

3-point spread seals win

by Rachel Ranfeld

On Thursday, Jan. 20, Joe Peck and Luke Goodman led the 8^th grade boys to a 38-35 victory over the English Valleys Bears. 

Peck came away with 19 points and 23 rebounds. Goodman had 11 points, 15 rebounds and 2 assists.  The team total of rebounds was an astounding 64. This win brings their season record to 4-2.

Tyler Thompson carried the 7^th grade boys in a 26-23 win against the English Valleys Bears with 13 points and 16 rebounds. 

Bobby McCulley, with 7 points and 10 rebounds, and Brody McKeag, with 6 points and 2 assists, contributed to the tight win that leaves the season record standing at 2-3.