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Monday, January 9, 2012

Speech and Drama showcases large group events



Top: Kendra Cranston helps free Abbi Nelson from a trashcan during the varsity choral reading “Move” at the Speech and Drama dress rehearsal on Jan. 5.
Middle (l to r): Zach Gibson, Alexis Ferguson and Niall Lyons portray superheroes and super villains during their ensemble acting piece “The Supers.”
Bottom (l to r): Bridgette Moore, Morgan Sanders and Natalie Wheeler sing to “Omigosh You Guys” during their musical theater performance of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”


by  Natalie Kirton
On Thursday, Jan. 5, directors Liesl Roorda and Derek Bates presented to the community this year’s large group Speech and Drama participants. 
The annual dress rehearsal began with a dinner of Maid Rites, chips and a variety of desserts. Then, student groups were split between the junior high gym and the school lunchroom. 
Performing first in the gym was the Freshman Choral Reading group with their piece, “Magic Land.” Performers include Clara Johnson, Alex Brenner, Steve Kopp, Vincent Bushong, Joe Peck, Seth Fahlenkamp, Kaylene Corbin, Cheyenne Peters, Trevor Moyer, Sidney Roorda, Mikey Lyons and Luke Goodman. “Magic Land” is a collage of different fairy tale-like stories tied together with the theme of magic. 
Next were two Group Improvisation acts. The first group consisted of Dayton Pringle, Cassie Corbin and Kaylee White. The second group was Matthew Armstrong, Niall Lyons and Zach Gibson.
“Party of Three” was an ensemble piece played by Macy Taylor, Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Matthew Armstrong and Stephen Vavroch. This piece is about a married couple being interrupted by an obnoxious diner at the next table. 
The Reader’s Theatre group performed a skit titled “The 11th,” a serious piece compiled of different memories from September 11, 2001. These included a woman boarding a plane and sitting next to a woman who she believes to be an Arab, as well as a school principal stressing over whether or not to release their students.
Group members include Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Destiny Romberg, Bridgette Moore, Kaylin Hansen, Macy Taylor, Mariah Hirsch, Nathan Wheeler, Tiffany Heishman, Lex Jack, Cassie Corbin, Julie Audas, Colleen Johnston and Sage Comstock. 
The last performance in the gym was a Choral Reading piece called “Move,” which transitions through inspirational Christian songs dealing with some of life’s harder choices.
The participants in this group include Shena Bryan, Aly James, Kendra Cranston, Natalie Wheeler, Abbi Nelson, Stephen Vavroch, Coleton Tompkins, Alexis Ferguson, Emily Long, Brynna Steele, Kaylee White, Courtney Petersen, Nathan Wheeler and Shane Lyons. 
The ensemble group consisting of Niall Lyons, Alexis Ferguson and Zach Gibson kicked off the performances in the lunchroom. Their piece was titled “The Supers” and focuses on three superheroes angry about a life-long dispute over a Yo-Yo. 
The Musical Theatre group sang tunes from “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” This group was made up of Natalie Wheeler, Bridgette Moore, Kendra Cranston and Morgan Sanders.
Next was an ensemble group coached by Earlene Taylor performing “Elevator Games.”  Members of the group include Shena Bryan, Madison Dawley and Carly Steele, who play three strangers stuck in an elevator together. 
The last performance was the Radio News Broadcasting group led by Anya Johnson. The audience was able to listen to a recording of a fitness and health broadcast, performed by Colleen Johnston, Becky Kopp, Lex Jack, Tiffany Heishman and Garrett VanMaanen. 
These students are anxiously awaiting  their first contest, which is held at Grinnell High School on Jan. 21.

Teacher Talk: Earlene Taylor



by Chelsey Moore
This year marks Earlene Taylor’s second year as the Oasis Room instructor at Montezuma High School. Taylor grew up in Montezuma and attended high school at Montezuma. In high school she was involved FFA, student council, National Honor Society, Brave New Leaders, volleyball, basketball, track, speech and drama and school plays and musicals. 
After she graduated from Montezuma Schools in May of 2004, she started attending college at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa where she studied psychology and counseling psychology. Taylor worked at the preschool on campus, studied and spent time with friends while she was attending Grinnell. 
After Taylor graduated in 2008 from Grinnell, she began going to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. While attending Indiana University she did an internship at Eastern Green Community Schools. Taylor then graduated from Indiana University in 2010 to earn her masters degree in Counseling. 
Taylor said, “I became a teacher because my advisor in college suggested I look into school counseling because it matched my interests.” 
She returned to Montezuma, Iowa, because of family and a job opportunity.
Taylor has enjoyed her time here but most enjoys getting to know the students.
Taylor said, “In my free time I like to hang out with my puppy, Ava Mae, spend time with friends and family and read.”

JV Braves fight Warriors


by Colton Talbert
The JV basketball boys fought a close game on Jan. 3 after being on break from their last game back on Dec. 20. They outplayed HLV on their court in Victor and pulled out a win 27-20. The game was played at HLV in the downstairs gym while the varsity girls were also in action. 
Coach Dale DeJong was pleased with the game and  said,  “I thought our guys played well together, and it was great to get a win coming off of Christmas break.”
The Braves had  several key players contribute to the win on both ends of the floor. Point leaders were sophomore Siraj Thomasen and freshman Jake Hasley with six points each and freshman Joe Peck  and sophomore Dillon Wilhelm with five points each. Sophomore Bryan Gregson was  the assist leader on the night with five of the team’s eight assists. Rebound leaders were Hasley (9), Thomasen (6), Peck (6)  and Gregson (4). 
Coach DeJong said, “We have to get better at finding a guy in our area and blocking out, and we will work on that in practice. All in all, our guys continue to practice and play extremely hard, and I look forward to getting even better as the season progresses.” 
The JV Braves will be in action on Jan. 12 at English Valleys at 6:00.