Booster club continues to support MHS activities

The Blue and White Booster Club created a float for the Homecoming parade while some members rode on the float and threw out candy. (Jered Engelking photo)

by Bryan Stanford

The Montezuma Blue and White Boosters helps  the Montezuma community more than many community members may know.

It all started in the fall of 1997 when Al Rabenold took over the athletic director position at Montezuma High School. The booster program supports any group that represents Montezuma and helps each group buy uniforms, equipment and other miscellaneous items. 

They have recently funded the weight room project and hotel rooms for state wrestling participants. The booster club also funded the new banners in the gym and the new indoor cage for golf, football, baseball and softball.

The Blue and White Booster club raises money through operating the concession stand for the majority of Montezuma hosted athletic events. They also sell clothing for every sport, while collecting all of the profit. 

The booster club sponsors the kickoff meal for the Gatorade fall and summer athletic activities and has a 3-point pizza shoot sponsored by Casey’s, that is held during the halftimes of basketball games.

The Blue and White Booster club sells “M” yard signs and attachments to show pride for Montezuma athletics throughout the community. 

The most important thing that the booster club does to help Montezuma student athletes is offer the Blue and White Scholarship to help athletes further their education. 

This year the booster club has given $13,700 to Montezuma activities.

There are several levels of membership within the Blue and White Booster club. Membership fees go directly to the Blue and White account to support activities. 

Membership forms are available at registration in the fall, at Manestreet Hair Designers or in the high school office throughout the year.

One last piece of advice to seniors

by Hope Kriegel & Alexa Wheaton

Part 4 of a series

We live, learn and grow as time passes without realizing what is happening. We sometimes forget to take the time to remember where we used to be compared to where we are now, the advice we received that helped us through and the many obstacles we faced over the years. 

Here is another look at the class of 2001 and where they have been since they graduated from Montezuma High School. 

Adam Criswell

Adam saw himself graduated from college as a police officer or in the business management field. He also thought he might be married with a child and working toward his master’s degree. 

Now that it has been 10 years Adam has been a police officer and defensive tactics instructor in Johnston, Iowa for five years. Adam is working to get his masters in management. 

Adam’s life has changed to working most of the time. Adam says his biggest change will be a year from now when he gets married. 

Adam’s advice to seniors is to enjoy the time you have in high school and college because you only get those days once.

Heather (Rempp) Ellis 

Heather said she knew she wanted to do something in communications/marketing in a business setting, but wasn’t sure what that meant. She was open to see where her education took her. 

Now, Heather is a Relationship Manager for Commerce Bank in Kansas City, Mo. She is also married with a daughter. She covers a wide territory in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma. 

Heather’s advice to the seniors is to make sure you further your education after high school. She says to have confidence in your own abilities and use them to your advantage as you go through life. 

Finally, Heather tells the class of 2011 to always be yourself, be honest and confident in who you are and this will allow you to go far. 

Jennifer (Linder) Bos

Jennifer couldn't remember where exactly she thought she would be in 10 years but guessed it was something along the lines of: go to college, get married and have kids. Today, she is married to her best friend with two healthy daughters and has a job she enjoys. Jenny is also on the United Way of Greater Grinnell’s board. 

She says her life changed by the things she didn’t expect, such as, the passing of her mother, raising her younger sister, taking care of her father and recently changing her career to an IT Auditor. 

Jennifer tells the seniors to get a college education. Figure out who you are and what you are passionate about. She says, “The sooner you realize that life isn’t fair or easy, the sooner you can overcome the challenges. Through the good and bad, try to learn something from each experience.”

Thank you to the class of 2001 for sharing your stories and advice with us.

All the way to Orlando

by Jered Engelking

Everyone enjoys a reward for years of hard work and that is what the band program intends to do. Plans are forming for a June 1-6, 2012 band trip to Orlando, Fla. for 9-12 grade students of the 2011-2012 year. 

A total of 26 people are attending this trip, 20 of whom will be students, along with band director Scott Stanton and five chaperones. 

The 20 students include: Katie Benson, Morgan Benson, Elijah Bryan, Mariah Hirsch, Norman Martin, Elizabeth Ostrem, Sidney Roorda, Coleton Tompkins, Natalie Wheeler, Nathan Wheeler, Kaylene Corbin, Jade Crandall, Sidney Ehret, Seth Fahlenkamp, Tyler Geiger, Lucas Goodman, Clara Johnson, Jack Little, Trevor Moyer and Shayla Townsend.

The band has taken  many trips like this in the past such as to Winnipeg, Manitoba and Hershey, Pa. for competitions. This trip will cost roughly $1,500 per person as they will be busing to their destination.

“These kinds of trips are really a reward or an incentive trip for years of hard work learning to play an instrument. What [students] learn is how to work together toward a common goal and how to support each other through teamwork,” said Stanton.

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I am in favor of passing the Montezuma School bond issue that will be put to vote April 5. I believe that the education of our youth is the very foundation of our success and the heartbeat of our community. To achieve greater success, the community must come together to provide a modern facility and an acceptable learning environment. 

When a family gains employment or moves into the community for any reason, what is the first item of consideration? The school, both the physical plant and the curriculum will become major when deciding where to purchase/rent a home.  You can work in Montezuma, but that does not mandate that your family must locate here. 

 Grinnell, BGM and HLV school districts have Debt Service areas in their budget and those districts are to be commended for making necessary updates and repairs to their buildings and facilities. Montezuma Community Schools has fallen behind in both repair and new structure. 

Montezuma currently has no Debt Service area in their budget. We have an opportunity with the bond issue to correct this situation and move the community forward. 

Recently I was asked the following two questions by a Montezuma student: What would happen to Montezuma schools if we could not get renovations done?  How would this affect the community? Here is my answer…

It is my opinion that if the bond issue fails and if the subject of redistricting rises in this political environment, Montezuma Community Schools in its current condition of disrepair would be placed immediately on the radar. Worst case scenario, if we do not invest in our own future two things would most assuredly happen: 

1. The community will be sending its youth to Grinnell or Brooklyn for education.

2. As a result of redistricting property owners would pay Debt Service. Both BGM (1.78388) and Grinnell (1.52143) have a Debt Service levy incorporated and voted by their citizens. Both also have a Voted Physical Plant levy that adds to the total.

Bottom line – as the school is – so is the community. Positive action now may be the determining factor for years to come.

There are citizens with far more wisdom than me, but it doesn’t take rocket science to know the community would be greatly enhanced in the eyes of potential residents given a bit of community pride in our schools. 

There are hundreds of reasons for the voters of our school district to pass the bond issue. Every single one of those reasons either walk, ride bikes – buses or cars to and from their homes each day that school is in session. If you believe in those reasons then you must make every effort to support this issue.

Thank you for the opportunity to make my points. I strongly urge everyone to join with me in saying YES to our school and to our future on April 5. 

Best regards and good luck to all of our students.

Lana Taylor – 1968 MHS Graduate

607 S 4^th St.

Montezuma IA 50171