Students gain college experience and journalism knowledge

by Morgan Sanders

This year, journalism students are given the opportunity to have the life of a college student for five days during the summer, made possible by  the University of Iowa’s Summer Journalism Workshops. 

For 12 years, yearbook participants have attended yearbook camps through Jostens, mainly at Coe College, but these were only for yearbook. 

This is the second year Montezuma will be attending the University of Iowa Journalism camps. 

University of Iowa allows students more variety of camps in things other than just yearbook. 

The camp will be held from July 24-28. Attendees will stay in the Currier Residence Hall and will be accompanied the new English/journalism teacher, Anya Johnson.

“At first, it was all overwhelming but in the end I was glad I had the opportunity to go,” said Teona Sutfin, Blue & White designer, about the college experience last summer. 

Students made lasting friendships with people from all over the United States; some students came all the way from Washington state. Students in the 2010-2011 Journalism class have the option to attend. 

Students attending this summer are, Natalie Kirton and Morgan Sanders for Graphic Design, Rachel Ranfeld for Advanced Writers' Workshop and Cami Shaver for Photojournalism. 

Last summer, Jered Engelkind, Teona Sutfin and Alexa Wheaton attended   

Wheaton, Editor-in-Chief of Dreamcatcher said, “I enjoyed going to the journalism camp because it gave us a good start to the yearbook. It was nice to have other yearbook editors there to base ideas off each other and to come up with new ideas for the yearbook.”

Block scheduling excites students for the next school year

by Jamie Van Dee 

With everyone’s brains ticking with new ideas, we have a new junior high/ high school schedule for the 2011-2012 school year: block scheduling. 

According to Principal Brian Moretz, block scheduling will increase academic time, students will have more time with their teachers, no classes will be split over lunch, and students who go to Grinnell for Iowa Valley Community College classes won’t miss any class time at MHS. Due to some teachers being shared with the elementary, 1^st hour is the regular 45-minute class, and 5^th hour is 55 minutes. Those two classes will be held every day. 

Block classes will be held every other day - like college classes - and they are 85 minutes long. Study hall for high school students will be the advisor time held daily from 12:10 to 12:35 p.m. 

Junior high students will have study hall 5^th period everyday unless they are involved in band or vocal; then they would have study hall every other day. If students are in both, they would not have study hall, but they would have advisor time from 12:35 to 1:00 p.m. daily.  

When upcoming seniors were asked what they thought of block scheduling and if they thought it would be beneficial, their responses were: 

Cami Shaver said, “I’m really excited about it, especially because of all the freedom future seniors will have. I think it will help everyone academically because we will have time to do our work in class and ask our teachers for help.”

“I think block scheduling will give students and teachers more time to get things accomplished with having some classes every other day and some everyday,” said Andrea Farrington.

Garrett VanMaanen said, “I think it will help us in science classes, but in other classes it will be really long and boring. I think it is a good thing but I won’t know until I experience it.” 

Teachers will be training for teaching in block scheduling in August. The training will include a teachers' in-service and Moretz is looking for a person who is familiar with block scheduling to come in and talk about how to teach in a block and what kind of techniques that shoud be used. The goal with the block scheduling is to incorporate more hands-on activities. 

Young Bravettes keep making improvements

by Hope Kriegel

On April 21 the JH girls track team traveled to Belle Plaine and continued to make more improvements. The young Bravettes ran in fair weather conditions and gathered 83.5 team points for a 4^th place finish among 8 teams. 

The young team had five first place finishes on the night. Alex Brenner was strong in discus, bringing home a first place finish. The 4x200 relay that consists of Keira Blanke, Katie Maschmann, Clara Johnson, and Mackenzie James finished 12 seconds ahead of the second place team. 

The 4x100 relay team; Blanke, Mashmann, Alisha Arendt, and James ran a solid 59 seconds to also come in first. Maschmann remains undefeated in the 200-meter hurdles and James is undefeated in the open 200. 

Another highlight of the evening was Aliya Pargeon cutting eight seconds off her mile time in just one week. Maschmann also placed 3^rd in the long jump with James coming in right behind her in 4^th. 

Coach Ashley Rief commented, “Every meet the girls are going out there and trying their best and you can see that in our points. I am so proud of the girls and am looking forward to the rest of the season, hopefully with better weather.”

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.”

FFA members are successful at 2011 State competition

Student teacher Lindsay Crawford prepares Business Management members Alex Peck and Calli Zimmerman for taking a practicum to get ready for their State FFA Convention. (Alexa Wheaton photo)

by Alexa Wheaton

On Wednesday, April 13, the Montezuma FFA contest participants left for Ankeny to work on final details for the 2011 FFA State Convention. Twenty-nine students began early Thursday morning, either for their contest, studying for an upcoming contest, attending the FFA career show or supporting fellow teammates. 

Following a long day at the convention, students departed for the hotel to continue studying and preparing for Friday’s events. Students invested  long hours since January practicing and preparing for these two days to hopefully earn a first place and to advance to nationals. 

Business Management

The Business Management team brought home another state title to join the previous 17 consecutive wins at the state competition. The Business Management contest consists of two tests. The team was given two hours to complete a 75-question multiple choice test; 15 minutes to complete a 7-question team test based on material that was given a week prior.

Following the team activity, students were given 15 minutes to complete a 5-question multiple choice test individually. The team consisted of Nathan Wheeler, Stephen Vavroch, Carrie Graham and Kendra Doty. Individually, BGM students Graham and Doty placed first and second; Wheeler placed sixth. 

Wheeler said, “At times it was very stressful to know that we could be the team to end the streak, but with Mr. Swenson’s help, we had confidence that we would come out with a successful win.”

Agriculture 

Communications

On the first day of the convention, Agriculture Communications students were given a 30-minute test based on proofreading and editing and another 30-minute test on the basic knowledge on the communication field.

Friday led a busy day with Agriculture Communications at the Polk County Convention Center starting with a 7 a.m. press release where students were allowed to take as many notes as possible in the 15 minutes that were allotted. After the presentation, students were given 45 minutes to create practicums: a news story, press release, radio broadcast and graphic design. 

Following the 45 minutes of practicum, the team gave a 15-minute presentation on a topic that they had been rehearsing and followed by 5 minutes of questions from the judges. The team placed first along with Natalie Wheeler placing first and Halley Ogan placing sixth individually. The team will advance to nationals in Indianapolis in the fall. The team consisted of Tyler Swenson, Ogan, Wheeler, Kendra Cranston and Aly James. 

Agriculture Sales

Agriculture Sales began the contest a week early by taking a 50-question test online. On the second day of the contests the team began with a 15-minute practicum, such as: customer relations, prospecting or order taking. Following the practicum the team individually did a 7-minute sale on their rehearsed product. 

Once the team reunited, they gave a team presentation on a topic they were given to memorize the night before. The team placed sixth at the state competition. The team consisted of Norman Martin, Eric Osborn, Kaylin Hansen, Calli Zimmerman and Alex Peck. 

Conduct of Meetings

On Thursday the freshmen team conducted a 10-minute FFA meeting followed with 5 questions about the FFA organization. The Conduct of Meetings team, Courtney Petersen, Karah Hansen, Colleen Johnston, Abbi Nelson, Tiffany Heishmann, Julie Audas, Mitch Gibson, Kaylee White and Katelyn Gregory, placed third of twelve teams.  

This contest is not eligible for national competition.

Job Interview

Nathan Wheeler began the contest early while designing a cover letter, formatting a resume and giving 3-4 references all prior to competition.

On the first day of competition Wheeler had 20 minutes to fill out a job application form and then was interviewed by a panel of four judges for 10 minutes. Following the interview judges asked questions for 5 minutes based on the position applied for. Wheeler placed fifth at the state competition. 

Ag Broadcasting

Aly James participated in the Radio Broadcasting CDE on Thursday. All radio broadcasters sat through an actual radio broadcast and are given the script and are allowed to cut, copy or mark on the script to create their own 4-5 minute broadcast consisting of a news story, weather report and a commercial. James placed eighth. 

Individual Sales

Thursday afternoon Alexis Ferguson defended Montezuma during the Agriculture Sales event. Ferguson was given 12 minutes to sell Heartland's Health Salsa to the judges. Ferguson placed second. Ferguson said, “Ag. Sales has given me the ability to handle myself professionally while dealing with a sales product. It also helped me with my personal ability to work with people I have never worked with before.”

Rising Star

Tyler Swenson represented the Montezuma FFA Chapter on Friday during the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star is designed to recognize sophomore FFA members. Six finalists that make it out of districts are interviewed by the Boone FFA Alumni Chapter. The award is based on the FFA involvement and their SAE record book. 

Iowa Degree

Courtney Latcham, Shannon Sutfin, Alexa Wheaton, Calli Zimmerman and Alex Peck were given one last chance to wear their FFA jackets and represent Montezuma while accepting their Iowa Degree. This award is based on the SAE record books that students have been working on since they were freshmen. The Iowa degree is the highest award that the Iowa FFA chapter can award members.

Student teacher Lindsay Crawford said, “Being new to the Montezuma FFA Chapter, I was very impressed with all the FFA members and their competition. I enjoyed watching where each member started the season and where they were on contest day. I am very proud of all their hard work and efforts.”

Final advice from seniors

by Hope Kriegel

As final preparations are being made for graduation, the class of 2011 is counting down their last days at Montezuma High School. They are about to begin the next chapter in their lives and have some things they think younger students should know about high school. They share their hopes for where they will be in ten years and what they will leaving behind and miss. 

Kayla Evans

Kayla says, “I see myself somewhere other than Iowa, maybe even in another country, working happily.” She wants the younger students to get involved with something because high school isn’t just about books. Kayla will miss seeing all her friends the most. 

Kirk Salnave

In 10 years, Kirk wants to be working in Des Moines or somewhere that offers him a good job with his wife and child. He tells the freshmen, “It might seem pointless to take the time, but these are the years that shape who you are.” Kirk is going to miss messing around with his friends, playing sports and just being with the people he grew up with.  

Alex Peck

Alex wants to have a job and be settling into a medium-sized town about the size of Grinnell in 10 years. He also would like to be moving up to a management position, so that in 15-20 years he can have the experience and knowledge of how to run a business so he can start his own business. Alex’s advice is to take foreign language because if you don’t, it will come back to bite you when you apply for college so take it even if you hate it. 

He also says, “Take English and agriculture classes because they teach you many skills you will need later in life. Dave Ramsey (Personal Finance) is a very good class as well because it helps you understand how to invest and stay out of debt.” Alex will miss knowing everyone so well but says he is ready for college. 

Marisa Bushong

Marisa predicts herself to be back in Monte with a nice house and a family of her own with a great job working as a registered nurse in 10 years. She tells the freshmen, “Don’t be scared to live your life to the fullest. High school can be rough but you will make it through.” Marisa is going to miss her friends and all the great memories we have made the most.  

Bret Rhodes

Bret thinks he will still be in the army in 10 years. He says, “After high school, it is either college or work so work the hardest to be your best.” Bret will miss his friends the most.  

They are happy to say they are moving on to the next stage in their lives but they know they will miss the comfort of growing up in a small town where they know everyone they pass in the halls. They leave their advice and best wishes for the future classes.