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.

Seniors hold presidential election at MHS

Nathan Wheeler (above left) and Stephen Vavroch (above right) used campaign posters and took positions on important issues as they ran for the 2012 presidential election held on Feb. 16.

by Andrea Farrington

Posters and fliers fill the school to announce that there are two new candidates for the 2012 presiential election.  These candidtates are not politicians but seniors involved in government class.

New history teacher Leah Farrington has decided to have her senior government students participate in a presidential election because she feels the students learn more by participating in role-play activities than they do in a traditional class setting. Also, they learn about the election process, see the content and apply it to the 2012 presidential election. 

Farrington said, “This is one of my favorite activities to teach because I enjoy seeing the students develop into the different roles and responsibilities of a presidential election.”

This semester is the second time that the activity will take place.  Destiny Romberg and Matt Armstrong ran as candidates during the first semester government class.

This semester’s presidential election consisted of two candidates, Stephen Vavroch and Nathan Wheeler. Students really enjoyed this activity because everyone gets involved and its something different from the traditional note taking.

The big brother candidate Stephen Vavroch is planning to improve the environment, create more jobs and lower taxes. He chose his topics by looking at current issues in our world today and has been spending his time campaigning, creating commercials, and reaching out to the American people. His slogan is, “Stephen Vav-rocks your world!”

Survivor candidate Nathan Wheeler is looking to better America by promoting ethanol, going green, furthering the Farms to Schools Act and keeping jobs in America instead of outsourcing. He looked at what he would like to see change in America and implemented the topics into his campaign. He has been spending the majority of his time making commercials, going around to different people talking about his views and making signs. His slogan is, “Don’t be a squealer. Vote for Wheeler!

The election ended on Thursday, Feb. 16 as class members voted for the canditates they most supported.  The results ended with Stephen Vavroch as the 2012 president with 65 percent overall votes, leaving 35 percent of votes for Wheeler.

Focus on the Future

by Morgan Sanders 

With less than three months left of school, there are many things for seniors to be thinking about, where to go to college, where they will live and financial aid just to list a few. 

As soon as students enter high school, they are forced into thinking about what they want to pursue after high school. 

Freshman year, students take a class called Careers where they learn how to make a resumé and  do activites to help them prepare for possible future jobs. 

Sophomore year, students go on a job shadow for English class to learn more about what they think they want to do. This is important because it puts a student in the atmosphere of the job they are planning to do and will show them if they even like it.   

Junior year, students are allowed to go on college visits to learn more about where they would like to go to college. Senior year, students go on college visits and need to find out where they are going to go to college and what for. 

College is expensive. Right now, seniors are working on receiving as much free money as they can from scholarships. The community and colleges themselves gave out $278,000 in scholarships last year. There are many ways to achieve help to pay for college. Students must take advantage of the opportunities they are given. It will help in the future once they finish college. They will be able to start their lives with less debt than if they didn’t put in any effort during high school.