Tomorrow's NHS leaders step forward

Halley Ogan, Alexis Ferguson, Hope Kriegel and Paige Watson light their candles after being announced as new initiates into the National Honor Society. (Alexa Wheaton photo)

by Rachel Ranfeld

Wednesday, April 20, the National Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony. During the service, Alex Peck and Katurah McKee presented Kaylin Hansen, Nathan Wheeler, Stephen Vavroch, Austin Battreall, Aly James and Natalie Wheeler with their junior membership cards. New initiates include Hope Kriegel, Paige Watson, Bryan Stanford, Corbin Tompkins, Alexis Ferguson, Rachel Ranfeld, Halley Ogan, Tyler Swenson and Norman Martin. 

This year, Allison Pargeon took over as advisor with a few changes to the NHS mannerisms. The original qualifications and the faculty’s nominations still apply, such as sophomores had to have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be eligible; juniors and seniors needed a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Before the ceremony, each eligible student wanting to be considered for membership was required to fill out an online application for the school faculty to analyze when deciding who made the cut. This application was divided into five categories, which asked the students to explain how they each exemplified characteristics of service, leadership, character and citizenship. 

Scholarship was the criteria that made the students eligible to fill out the application. This maintenance of a healthy GPA shows that each student shares a commitment to learning – that they like to learn and recognize new knowledge is essential to a successful life.

Service is the willingness and work done to help others through genuine altruism. It shows the commitment of volunteering for the idea of a better tomorrow.

Leadership is a sacrifice portrayed by a show of self-confidence when others hesitate to step up and take the lead. A leader is always needed in life to guide people in enhancing any situation.

Character is a collection of the qualities: morality, ethics, cooperativeness, honesty, reliability, trustworthiness, courtesy, equality, concern, respect and citizenship. Basically, a person of good character upholds a respectful and clean lifestyle that would be a good role model for any student.

Citizenship is a demonstration of responsibility and mature participation through community organizations and school clubs. This shows an understanding of the importance of civil involvement, democracy, freedom and justice.

Braves dominate the Early Bird Relays

Mitch Stevens lands his winning jump of 17' 9"  in the long jump event. (Bryan Stanford photo)

by Bryan Stanford

The Montezuma Junior High track teams hosted the first annual Early Bird Relays April 14, 2011. The Braves hosted four other teams at the boy/girl meet, winning the meet as a team. The Braves won the meet with 164 team points, while Iowa Valley finished second with 127 points. The track team had seven first place finishers. 

The Braves competed strongly in all field events. In the Discus, Joe Peck placed second with a throw of 96’ 6’’ and Steven Kopp placed sixth with a throw of 79’ 7’’.  Peck also competed in the Shot Put and placed first with a heave of 40’ 10’’. In the Long Jump Mitchell Stevens placed first with a jump of 17’ 9’’ and Bobby McCulley placed third with a jump of 14’ 0’’.  The Braves had two athletes place in the High Jump: Luke Goodman placed fifth with a jump of 4’ 6’’ and Seth Fahlenkamp placed sixth with a jump of 4’ 4’’.

The Braves started the running events strong with a fourth place finish in the 4 X 800 Meter Relay by Skyler Romberg, Brody McKeag, Travis Lewis and Cass McKeag and a first place finish in the Shuttle Hurdle Relay by Vincent Bushong, Jake Hasley, Goodman and Mikey Lyons. They won the event by 9.3 seconds. Stevens ran away with the 100-meter dash title, with a time of 12.50 seconds. In the 1600 Meter Medley, the Braves’ relay team of Lewis, Sidney Roorda, Brody McKeag and McCulley placed second with a time of 5:24.28. The team had two place winners in the 400 M dash, Fahlenkamp and Romberg, Fahlenkamp winning the event. The Braves’ relay team of Roorda, Frank Gillum, Jacob Shaver and McCulley placed second in the 4 X 200 Meter Relay. Cass McKeag placed fourth for the Braves in the 1600 M run. The newest event in the JH meet was the 10 Flight Hurdles; Montezuma had two place winners. Lyons won the event with a time of 17.41 seconds, while Vincent Bushong placed fifth with a time of 19.05 seconds.

In the 200 M dash, Stevens and Gillum placed for Montezuma. Stevens won the event with a time of 26.18 seconds. Montezuma’s relay team of Shaver, Gillum, Tyler Geiger and McCulley placed second in the 800 Meter Medley, with a time of 2:14.91. The Braves had two place winners in the 200 M hurdles, with Goodman placing second and Jake Hasley placing third. 

In the 800 M run, the Braves placed two, Skyler Romberg finishing fourth and Lewis finishing fifth. Montezuma placed second in the 4 X 100 Meter Relay with a time of 59.19 seconds. Lyons, Hasley, Fahlenkamp and Stevens ran the event.  The Braves finished the meet strong with a second place finish in the 4 X 400 Meter Relay with a time of 4:45.89. Goodman, Geiger, McCulley and Fahlenkamp competed in the event. 

Overall, the Braves competed well throughout the windy night and look to improve their times as the season continues.

JH Bravettes receive second place at home

by Andrea Farrington

Junior High Bravettes opened the track season with a second place, 111  point finish on April 14, just one point behind Iowa Valley with 112. 

Alex Brenner received 1^st place with a 76’ 6” throw in discus, Kaylene Corbin received 3^rd place with a 23’5” throw in shotput. 

Second place finishes were earned by Jade Crandall, Clara Johnson, Sidney Ehret and Aliya Pargeon in the 4x800 Meter Relay. Pargeon in the 1500 meter run and 1600 meter Distance Medley Relay with runners Alex Brenner, Taylor Ives,  Pargeon and Alisha Arendt placed third. 

Katie Maschmann finished first in both the 100 meter dash and 200 meter hurdles. 

Mackenzie James placed second in the 100 meter dash and first in the 200 meter dash. 

To end the meet Keira Blanke, Maschmann, Arendt and James placed first in the 4x100 Meter Relay. 

Coach Reif said, “Every event we entered had a girl place, which means everyone contributed to our score. Great team effort from every girl.”