Montezuma hosts its first academic fair

Cami Shaver works on her academic fair project that incorporates history and photography to demonstrate the history of camera angles.

by Kayla Werner

Last year, Montezuma held Pi Day, a math fair, but this year they decided to change it up by hosting an academic fair including all subjects.

Students are allowed to choose a topic that includes any two academic subject areas that they want to focus on and incorporate into their projects. 

School officials decided to change from Pi Day, the math fair, because they knew some students had a hard time with the total focus on math. This year it is easier because they have the freedom to choose the subjects that they would like to use and really catch their attention and imagination. 

One example of a project is senior Cami Shaver, who will combine the subject areas of history and photography to develop a project on the history of specific camera angles.

The students have a schedule that they will need to follow if they want to complete the project in time for the juding and display. On Feb. 17 students need to have their supplies and models organized.  The school will supply tri-fold boards for the students to use for their presentations.  The students should be ready to assemble their display boards by Feb. 20. 

From Feb. 27 through March 2, students will practice their presentations, and they will present to their adviser classes March 5 through March 9. During the week of March 12 through March 16, the projects will be presented to judges, who will judge on criteria including the information or experiment procedure, presentation, and bibliography. Finally, students will be presenting to the public at the school from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on March 20, taking the place of the usual parent-teacher conferences for an evening.

The display board is required to be no more than three feet in length, at least three feet tall and has to be free standing. They must also include the title, a brief overview of the project, research, materials, procedure, data, conclusions and acknowledgements. 

While some students aren’t thrilled about the academic fair, others are ecstatic. A few have really gotten into their projects and can’t wait to present them. The projects have many different themes, from video games to genetics and anywhere in between. 

Senior Bridgette Moore said, “I’m glad that we actually got to choose something that interested us, instead of just math. I am working with health and anatomy to research how organic and non-organic foods affect your body.”

Students will be dilligently working on their projects during adviser time and free time during school to create presentations for the public to enjoy as the day of the Academic Fair nears.

Bond issue passes with 62.5%

by Andrea Farrington

The high school gym was filled with applause and cheering on Tuesday, Feb. 7 during the home basketball game against HLV, when it was announced that the bond issue election held that day had passed. 

It was required that there be at least 60% “yes” votes for the bond to pass. The third time around, the most recent election, there were 62.5% “yes” votes.

With each new bond issue proposal, the “yes” votes have gradually increased.  As the amount for the bond issue decrased, it gained support from the community.  In Sept. 2010 there were only 40% “yes,” and in April of 2011 there were 56% “yes” votes. This year there were 972 votes total, 608 votes being “yes” and 364 being “no.”

Superintendent Dave Versteeg said, “It is an important investment in our school and community. The money will be put to good use improving the facility.”

It is predicted that some of the smaller projects for the school will begin this summer; however, the  large projects including electrical, plumbing and ventilation will not start until the summer of 2013. The school board will be discussing what project they will start with during their meeting on Feb. 15.

The construction on the school should be done within the next two or three years.

I am personally very enthusiastic that the bond passed because I would like the school I attended all my life to be open for as long as possible. I am proud of this school and community and would not like to see it fall to pieces because students have to transfer to other schools. Thank you to those of you that voted yes on the school bond issue, it is much appreciated.

Speech & Drama competes at State

by Natalie Kirton

On Saturday, Feb. 4, all 11 large group Speech & Drama teams traveled to Washington High School in Cedar Rapids to perform for State Competition. 

Each group acted in front of three judges, as well as other contestants and audience members.
Every group did their best, improving performances from Dress Rehearsal Night and even District competition. 

Judges were given a ballot to comment on as they viewed different performances from across the southeast portion of the state. They were also given a rating from I-III, with I being excellence. 

Three groups were rated three straight I’s, the best possible score you can achieve at competition. They were Reader’s Theatre in “The 11^th”, Freshmen Choral Reading in “Magic Theatre”, as well as an Improv group consisting of Niall Lyons, Zach Gibson, and Matthew Armstrong.

Four teams received two I’s and a II, which is an overall I rating: Varsity Choral Reading in “Move,” Short Film in “Dreamscape,” the Ensemble group “Party for Three” and the Improv group of Kaylee White, Cassie Corbin, and Dayton Pringle. 

Three groups got two II’s and a I: Radio Broadcasting “KFIT,” the Ensemble group “The Supers,” as well as the Ensemble “Elevator Games.”

Musical Theatre, performing “Legally Blonde,” received three II’s from the judges.

Some groups receiving an overall I rating are then invited to the All-State competition held in Ames on Feb. 18. 

Normally, I-rated contestants are told the Monday after State performances whether or not they can advance to All-State competition, but due to winter weather, the southwest State competition had to be postponed until Saturday, Feb. 11.

On Sunday evening, it was announced that Varsity Choral Reading, Freshmen Choral Reading, and Reader’s Theatre were nominated for All-State Non-Performing. Altogether this has been a great season for the large group Speech & Drama teams.

JV Braves dominate against Tri-County

by Bridgette Moore

On Monday, Feb. 6 the JV Braves dominated the Tri-County Trojans at Thornburg in their second to last game, with a score of 46-25. 

In the first quarter Siraj Thomasen made six points, Dillion Wilhelm made a total of four points and Joe Peck made two points. 

In the second quarter Bryant Suftin made six points, Wilhelm made four points and Peck made two points.  Going into half time the Braves and the Trojans were tied with 12 points .

The Braves pulled ahead and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.

 In the second half,  Peck made six points. Thomasen and Jay Lebahn followed with three points. Wilhelm, Seth Fahlenkamp, Bryan Gregson, Mikey Lyons and Luke Goodman each made two points.

Turn of the Page: 'Super Mario'

by Elizabeth Ostrem and Kayla Werner

“Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America,” by video game aficionado Jeff Ryan, tells the history of the legendary video game company Nintendo and its most recognizable, overall-wearing mascot, Mario.

The book starts by tracing back to one of the earliest successes in video game history, Atari’s “Pong,” all the way to Nintendo’s latest advance, the Wii, and making note of games and gaming systems, successful and failed, throughout. Although the primary focus is on Nintendo, which originally started out as a small playing card manufacturer,  it also mentions the fierce rivalry it has between other companies (e.g. Sony, Sega and Microsoft) that still exists today.

Liz:

I found this book to be illuminating, albeit a bit tedious to read at times. There were so many things about Nintendo and Mario that I didn’t know before reading the book; for example, there was a movie released in 1993 called “Super Mario Bros” that entails Mario and brother Luigi having to, brace yourselves, rescue the princess and stop a tyrant from taking over the world.

I thought it was pretty well detailed although I would have liked it to have elaborated more on some of Nintendo’s other memorable games and figures (Kirby, Pokémon, etc.). I’ve played numerous Mario games before, so reading about the iconic plumber’s origin was something I found particularly interesting. If you’re not the kind of person that enjoys reading about history or just aren’t into video games, though, this book probably isn’t up your alley.

Kayla:

“Super Mario: How Nintendo conquered America” isn’t the most interesting book out there, but it does have its moments. I don’t suggest reading this book unless you like gaming because it’s about the history of Mario. There were some funny parts in the book, and reading about some of the games made me want to play them. The funny parts make up for some of the more boring parts, though. 

I have to say that it was an overall good book, but I honestly wouldn’t read it in my free time again. I do recommend it to those of you that like gaming and Mario.

PAC brings Opera Iowa to Montezuma

Strong Man, Jodi Juggler, and the Clown try to convince Sid the Serpent that he should not sing in the opera performed Feb. 20 for the elementary students.

by Kayla Werner

Each year, the Montezuma Elementary Parents Advisory Committee (PAC) brings in a large group presentation for the elementary as part of their student activities. This year, on Monday, Feb. 20, they brought in Opera Iowa from the Des Moines Metro Opera for a performance and workshops. 

Melanie Moretz, a member of PAC, said, “Our goal is to expose our elementary students to a variety of different cultural events.” 

They set up workshops for the students for forth through sixth grade to teach about the music, stage set up and acting aspects of opera prior to the show. The workshops were held in three locations: the old study hall, the vocal room, and the band room.

The opera was performed in the junior high auditorium at 2:00 p.m. for the kindergarten through sixth graders.  The opera was called “Sid the Serpent who Wanted to Sing.” The story follows a circus performer named Sid the Serpant, who travels around the world trying out different instruments while trying to find his own voice.  During his journey, he meets a strong man, a juggler, and a clown.

“Most students probably have not been to an opera, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to experience one,” said Moretz.

The students and teachers enjoyed the day of opera during the workshops and the presentation of the show. Their enthusiasm for the event even showed to the opera company as they noted that the students were great participants.

Six inducted into the Torch Club

New National Honor Society members, from l to r: Colleen Johnston, Katelyn Gregory, Courtney Petersen, Destiny Romberg, Kendra Cranston and Macy Taylor are inducted during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 24, and light their candles representing knowledge.

by Andrea Farrington and Bridgette Moore

On Friday, Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m., two seniors, one junior and three sophomores were inducted into the National Honor Society during a ceremony in the junior high gym.  Community members, students and staff were present for the induction. 

To be selected into the NHS, also known as the Torch Club, sophomores must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or above and seniors and juniors must obtain a grade point average of 3.25 or higher. The sophomores accepted will be probationary members for one year before becoming full members. 

If a student meets these standards, then they must fill out an application  explaining how they demonstrate leadership, service, scholarship and character in their daily lives.  

These applications are then reviewed by a panel of five teachers. The students that teachers felt fulfilled these four qualities were selected into the NHS.

The students that were selected for demonstrating these qualities this year were seniors Kendra Cranston and Destiny Romberg; junior Macy Taylor; and sophomores Colleen Johnston, Courtney Petersen and Katelyn Gregory.

Juniors Halley Ogan, Tyler Swenson and Norman Martin were inducted as full members this year after their probationary sophomore year.

These new members join with the current NHS members Natalie Wheeler, Nathan Wheeler, Stephen Vavroch, Rachel Ranfeld, Alexis Ferguson, Aly James, Kaylin Hansen and Austin Battreall.

During the ceremony, students lit candles representing the lamp of knowledge and the four characteristics required for acceptance into NHS.  Older members spoke on the importance of those characteristics as a standard for the Torch Club and the school.

The high school band played for the induction ceremony, and the event ended with a reception with cake for the new members.

A major aspect of the Torch club is community service. Past activites the Torch Club has been involved in include blood drives held in the high school gym and helping deliver meals  for the Meals on Wheels program.

Successful fundraising for cancer

by Natalie Kirton

For the past three weeks, Montezuma students have been celebrating life through fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This fundraising project, called Pennies for Patients, began on Feb. 6 and ran through Feb. 24. 

Each grade competed against each other to raise the most money to be donated to the society. This was done by setting up boxes in each homeroom for students to drop money in. 

Students aggressively put money in, hoping to be the class with the biggest donation. The senior class brought in the most, having a total of $119.41. In second place was the seventh grade, who brought in $88.60. 

From third place to sixth place consecutively were tenth grade with $81.91, eighth grade with $71.73, ninth grade with $60.75 and 11^th grade with $55.62. 

In total, Montezuma students brought in $478.02 to give to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Other donations were made through having a guessing jar full of change in which students paid a quarter to guess the amount inside to raise money for their grade.  Students also sold hot chocolate, as well as poems and balloons for Valentine’s Day. These products made $391.14.

All together, Montezuma will be donating a grand total of $869.16 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This money will go towards researching and finding a cure for cancer.

Why do we stereotype?

by Andrea Farrington

“I am a blonde, so I am stupid.” “I wear black, so I an emo.” “I am skinny, so, therefore I am anorexic.”

Have you heard any of these commonly used stereotypes? 

What are stereotypes? They are simplified, fixed beliefs about a group of people. Think for a minute about these specific stereotypes: overweight people, men, old people, teenagers. We all form an overall opinion about each of these groups and not enough on the individuals themselves. For example, some old people may be grumpy, but that doesn’t mean all of them are. 

Stereotyping is used everywhere, such as in the workplace, school, community, states and even countries. To my main point, why do we categorize all students into “preps”, “nerds”, “emos”, “jocks”, etcetera? 

Everyone is different; no individual wants to be like everyone else. We all have our own opinions on things,  have different senses of style, eat different foods. 

Since I am a senior this year, the stereotypes I am classified as today will mean nothing when I leave this small town of Montezuma. I will soon be labeled as different things. 

We can’t let stereotypes form who we are and who we become as a person. We as people need to learn how to overlook the stereotypes and see the people behind their labels. We will soon realize that if we overlook these labels we learn more about people and the society itself.

Track is taking off

by Bridgette Moore

On Wednesday Feb. 22 the Montezuma Girls Track team started their first practice. Coach Megan Carlson returns for a second season of track. It is expected to be a team of 16 girls.

The only senior out this year is Elizabeth Ostrem, who has been out for track since seventh grade. She is nervous, excited and looking forward to her last year of track season. 

Jennifer Maki, a home-schooled junior, joins the team for her first year of track at Montezuma High School.  

Maki said, “I’m looking forward to getting to know the team and to get stronger and faster because I love running and sports.” 

Monika Fetzer, sophomore, looks forward to her third season of track.  

She said, “Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong. After each meet, I want to be able to say; I gave it all I could, I gave it my best.” 

Alex Brenner, a freshman member of the team is looking forward to doing hurdles and putting together a record-breaking 4x1 team.” 

Carlson is excited to start working with the new freshmen that will be out for track. Their first meet will be the High School Indoor Track and Field Invitational at Wartburg on March 13.