Bobcats Making Headlines

This spring, four MHS Class of 2021 graduates left high school with an associate’s degree in-hand thanks to the Marshalltown CSD’s dual-credit partnership with Marshalltown Community College (MCC).

This year’s dual graduates are Diana Espinoza, Klaudia Hernandez, Madison Hunter, and Ruth Tha. These four incredible young adults will have a major edge as they explore post-high school career paths.

“I plan to transfer to the University of Northern Iowa and double-major in social work and psychology,” Espinoza said, adding her decision to pursue a college degree in high school allowed her and her family to save money.

Tha said she immediately looked into the MHS dual-credit program when she heard about it from her friends.

“It is a really good opportunity that the school gives to the students to advance their studies,” she said. “I realized that I could save so much time and money. I was able to finish this degree because of help from my friends, teachers, and counselors.”

Tha added that she plans to attend Iowa State University to continue her post-secondary education. 

Hunter also said she was interested in the dual-credit program because of the amount of time and money she would save.

“My message to younger students would be to take any advantages you’re given. You don’t have to get your degree, even though it’s a great opportunity, even taking some dual credit classes will help you in the future,” she said. “I am now going to UNI in the fall as a junior and jumping right into my major with the only cost of my Associates Degree being some summer classes. Working hard now will make your life easier in the future!”

With an associate’s degree and high school diploma in-hand, Hernandez has her sights set on a pre-med track.

“I plan on attending the University of Iowa and majoring in biochemistry,” Hernandez said of her immediate next step. “Going into high school, I already had somewhat of a plan on what I wanted my career to be. I knew it was a lot of school in the future, so I wanted to try and take some [college courses] to lessen that.”

All four of this year’s dual-graduates highly encouraged their younger peers to take the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. Congratulations to these impressive Bobcat graduates!

A dozen longtime Bobcat staff members are stepping into retirement this year, and their service, positive impact on students, and roles as great coworkers were celebrated Tuesday afternoon during the MEA-MCSD Retirement Tea.

This year’s retirees include Doug Bacon (MHS), Pam Brewer-Michael (Central Office), Mickie Carlson (MHS), Raquel Chairez (Miller Middle School), Kathy Cox (Miller Middle School), Lori Ferneau (Rogers Elementary), Diane Hart (MHS), Jim Lankelma (Woodbury Elementary), Gary Mertens (MHS), Brenda Sjoblom (MHS), Lisa Williams (Miller Middle School), and Rod Whitmore (MHS/Marshalltown Police Department).

Several of the retirees were joined by coworkers at Tuesday’s event – the coworkers shared happy memories, examples of great teamwork, lessons learned, and funny anecdotes from their time with this year’s retirees.

In addition to celebrating retirees, Joe and Janelle Carter were named this year’s Friend of Education award recipients at the Tea, and students Frances Jackson and Megan Sills were announced as MEA Scholarship recipients.

Congratulations to all of this year’s retiring Bobcats! We are grateful for your years of service to students and wish you the very best in retirement! See below for more photos from Tuesday’s Retirement Tea. See more photos from Tuesday’s Retirement Tea here.

Pending MCSD School Board approval, the Marshalltown Activities Department and Marshalltown High School are proud to introduce Luke Cross as the new varsity wrestling head coach for the Bobcats.

Cross will replace Mike Mann, who retired in 2021 after nearly a decade at the helm of Bobcats Wrestling. For the past two years, Cross has served as a volunteer assistant coach with MHS wrestling and has been active in the local youth wrestling program here in Marshalltown. 

Cross is a Colorado native, but he is no stranger to Iowa. He wrestled throughout his collegiate career at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. In 2003, Buena Vista recognized his leadership skills and character with the Courage Award; in 2004, he earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in history and a concentration in education and exercise science.

Coach Cross brings with him a wealth of wrestling knowledge and training. From 2004 until 2019, Cross taught social studies at Eagle Valley High School in Gypsum, Colorado, where he also gained experience as both assistant- and head wrestling coach.

Cross has already led 70 student-athletes to state tournament competition and had 27 state tournament place-winners in his young coaching career, including four champions and five runners-up. In his final year at Eagle Valley, Cross marshaled his team to a third-place finish in the state wrestling tournament. 

“After a two year hiatus from the full-time coaching scene, I’m excited and honored to be the next MHS head wrestling coach. I value having an active role in the community,” said Cross. “Building and strengthening the character of young people is important to me.”

He added the lessons he learned in wrestling served him well throughout his life, and he hopes to impart that experience upon the Bobcat wrestlers. Cross said he looks forward to the adventure ahead.

Cross and his wife, Sara, reside in Marshalltown with their five young children. He is eager to build on the legacy of MHS Wrestling and the strong foundation secured by Coach Mann. He hopes to grow the program and foster a broader network of community support.

“I’m blessed to have a supportive wife and children beside me during this next chapter, and I’m especially proud to say ‘Go Bobcats!'” Cross said.

Hundreds of Bobcat students took their next step in life’s journey at the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony Sunday.

For the second year in a row, Bobcat graduates walked across the commencement stage in a unique setting – Sunday’s ceremony was held outdoors at Leonard Cole Field, rather than the usual setting of the MHS Roundhouse. Other than the open-air setting, the event proceeded much like the traditional commencement ceremonies of previous years.

“We are the first student class to go through a full school year during a pandemic; we made it through because we are strong Bobcats,” said student speaker Elizabeth Banakeng, whose speech touched on the power of togetherness and self belief. “Bobcats, we can accomplish great things if we believe in ourselves.”

School leaders also praised the Class of 2021, as well as the graduates’ families, for all the effort they put in throughout both this year and all of their years in school.

“These students have shown grace and patience,” said MHS Principal Jacque Wyant, adding the students experienced both hybrid and virtual learning this school year, in addition to the normal in-person learning they were used to.

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the Class of 2021 graduates carry top-quality education and experiences with them as they move on to their post-high school lives. He said the unique experiences from the pandemic further strengthen the graduates’ readiness for post-secondary life.

“Today is a celebration you have earned,” Dr. Schutte said. “I congratulate you and wish you continued success in your future.”

In addition to the inspiring words shared by school leaders and graduates, impressive musical performances also featured at Sunday’s ceremony, including from MHS Band and vocal music students. Graduates Elijah Thiessen and Deonte Dean teamed up to give a touching performance of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” for their peers and the families gathered in the stadium.

Special recognitions were also given to parents and guardians, students who plan to join the military, honor students, class officers, National Honor Society members, dual-graduates who earned an associates degree in high school, and students who earned accolades like a Seal of Biliteracy medal or Silver Cord.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021! Navigating an entire senior year of high school during a pandemic brought plenty of challenges, but the Class of 2021 Bobcats handled this school year with patience, grace, and grit. We can’t wait to see the future successes of these newest Bobcat graduates!

Check out more photos from the Bobcats Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony below!

For more photos from the Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony, visit the MCSD Facebook page.

Dozens of Marshalltown High School students were celebrated this week at the school’s annual Awards Night.

Awards included Seal of Biliteracy honors, Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) recognitions, Silver and Gold cord awards, and thousands of dollars in post-secondary scholarships, among other accolades. In all, 43 students earned scholarships – the one-year award total came to more than $300,000, and the four-year total came to $944,000.

See a full list of honors earned by these awesome students and more photos from Thursday’s celebration below, and remember to tune in for this Sunday’s 2021 Commencement Ceremony!

2021 MHS Awards Night honorees:

Mariana Albarracin: Flora Davis Forman Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $2,000; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion

Maggie Augustine: UNI Panther Success Award – $1,000; Folks Scholarship – $1,000; Andrea Struss Kirchner Scholarship – $500; Marshalltown Evening Lions Club – $750; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion

Itzary Avalos: Roskopf-Williams Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Lonnie Hogeland Jr. Memorial Scholarship – $250; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion

Valeria Becerra: Iowa State Science Bound Scholarship – Full Tuition; ISU Human Science Dean Scholarship – $4,000; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Samantha Bradley: Iowa State Engineering Merit Scholarship – $5,200; Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Silver Cord

Hollie Braga: Jessie Bayne Elfers Scholarship – $5,000; Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Marshalltown Evening Lions Club – $750; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion

Uriel Campos-Padilla: University of Iowa Advantage Iowa Award – $8,000; University of Iowa Scholars Award – $2,500; University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; University of Iowa Music Scholarship – $500; Marshalltown Matins Kiwanis Scholarship – $750; Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce – $25; Bobcat Ready; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $4,000; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Drew Carson: Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Loyal S. & Helen Fairall Memorial Scholarship – $3,800; Roskopf-Williams Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Ann C. Keyser Memorial Scholarship – $5,000; MVP Medallion; Life Serve Donor of Distinction

Avery Case: Harlietta Helland Memorial Scholarship – $500; Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Iowa State University Liberal Arts & Sciences Excellence Scholarship; Bobcat Ready; Our Savior Lutheran Church/Fern Thompson Scholarship – $750; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $4,000; MVP Medallion; Governor’s Scholar Recognition Program Plaque

Hector Cena Saenz: Jodi & Jana Kerr Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; B’nai B’rith – Jerome Rovner Memorial Scholarship – $500; Roskopf-Williams Scholarship – $1,000; Marshalltown Education Partnership Scholarship – $3,105; Bobcat Ready; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Austin Christen: Iowa Student Loan Senior Scholarship – $2,000; Bobcat Ready; Lyle Hogeland Memorial Scholarship – $250; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $4,000

Alondra Covarrubias Vargas: Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Natalie Duncan: Jessie Bayne Elfers Scholarship – $5,000; Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $2,000; Life Serve Donor of Distinction; MVP Medallion

Tatum Englund: Iowa State Engineering Merit Scholarship – $5,200; Johnson-Engel Scholarship Endowment in Engineering – $2,000; RACOM Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Life Serve Donor of Distinction

Diana Espinoza: Linda Bloom Scholarship – $1,000; UNI Panther Success Award – $1,250; UNI RISE Award – $4,000; UNI-TED Award – $2,000; Bobcat Ready; Kevin Lageschulte Memorial/BBBS Scholarship – $500; Silver Cord

Kyra Feldman: Fortunaire Foundation Scholarship – $3,500; University of Iowa Scholars Award – $2,500; UI.Raise.Me Scholarship – $700; Linda Bloom Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Avon Burt Award – $1,000; Jerry Johnson Memorial Scholarship – $850; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $4,000; Silver Cord

Noah Hermanson:
Nick Norris Junior Rotarian Scholarship – $2,000; University of Iowa Old Gold Scholarship – $5,000; Bobcat Ready; Seal of Biliteracy Medal; Silver Cord

Juan Hernandez: Roskopf-Williams Scholarship – $1,000; MCC First Congregational Church Scholarship – $325; Marshalltown Education Partnership Scholarship – $3,105; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Marek Jablonski: Iowa State National Merit Scholarship – $3000; Robert W. Morris Presidential Scholarship; Emerson Electric Company National Merit Scholarship; L/CPL Darwin L. Judge Scholarship – $500; National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist; Emerson BA Burcell Memorial Scholarship – $2,500; Bobcat Ready

Katherine Odaly Joya Flores: Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship – $11,723; Advantage Iowa Award – $8,000; Iowa Scholars Award – $,2500; Bobcat Ready; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion

Drew King: John Deere Ag Tech Program – Full Tuition and Tools

Wesley Kodis: Joe & LuAnne Meyers Scholarship – $1,600; ISU Freshman Merit Award – $2,000; Bobcat Ready

Kynlie Ladehoff: University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; UI.Raise.Me Scholarship – $206; Bobcat Ready; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

John Loney: University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; University of Iowa AIB College of Business Scholarship – $1,000; Heart of Iowa Educational Grant – $500; Consumer’s Energy Academic Scholarship – $1,000; Harlietta Helland Memorial Scholarship – $500; Bobcat Ready

Erika Marroquin: Bobcat Ready; Life Serve Donor of Distinction; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Jordan May: SMART Bowling Scholarship – $190; Bobcat Ready; Silver Cord

Emma McWherter: University of Iowa Need-Based Academic Award – $3,881; University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; University of Iowa Raise.Me Scholarship – $136; Bobcat Ready; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion

Justin Melde: University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; Rose and Harry Druker Scholarship – $2,500; Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready

Ana Palmerin Andrade: University of Iowa Advantage Iowa Award – $5,000; Bobcat Ready; Forest & Martha Halverson Scholarship – $2,000

Hae Tha Lay Paw: ISU Multicultural Vision Program Scholarship – $8,000; Bobcat Ready; P.E.O. Chapter BB Marion Gibbs Memorial Scholarship – $1,500; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Jordan Perry: University of Iowa Pentacrest Award – $1,000; University of Iowa Need-Based Academic Award – $6,000; Bobcat Ready; Life Serve Donor of Distinction

Haley Reed: Bobcat Ready

Freddy Ross: Bobcat Ready

Katia Saldana: Roskopf-Williams Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Hannah Taylor: Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Lonnie Hogeland Jr. Memorial Scholarship – $250; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion

Jovanny Tellez: Bobcat Ready

Elijah Thiessen: Marshalltown Rotary Foundation Scholarship – $1,000; Bobcat Ready; Marshalltown Men’s Chorus – $500; Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship – $4,000; Silver Cord; MVP Medallion; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal; Governor’s Scholar Recognition Program Plaque

Kaitlyn Tiernan: Phyllis Perry Hulton Memorial Scholarship – $1,000; Marshalltown Bobcat Tennis Academy – $250; Bobcat Ready; Life Serve Donor of Distinction

Kaylee Tyda: Marshalltown Education Partnership Scholarship – $3,105; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion

Ethan Wertzberger: Loras College – $22,600; Bobcat Ready; Life Serve Donor of Distinction

Carson Williams: University of Buffalo Athletic Scholarship – Full Ride; Bobcat Ready

Kylee Witt: Iowa Central Community College Bowling Scholarship – $2,500; Iowa Central Community College Academic Scholarship – $800; Iowa Central Community College Academic Room Scholarship – $400; Iowa Central Community College Human Services Scholarship – $300; USBC Bowling Program Smart Bowl Scholarship – $170; PEO Chapter LT – $500; Bobcat Ready; Lyle Hogeland Memorial Scholarship – $250; Silver Cord

Stephanie Zavalza Flores: UNI Rise Award – $4,000; UNI Images Minority Grant – $2,000; UNI Panther Success Award – $1,500; UNI-T.E.D. Scholarship – $2,000; Bobcat Ready; MVP Medallion; Silver Cord; Seal Of Biliteracy Medal

Longtime educator and former Marshalltown CSD teacher and principal Bonnie Lowry was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Marshalltown School Board Wednesday evening.

Lowry will fill the vacancy left by former board member Nicolas Aguirre earlier this spring.The board held two interviews ahead of Wednesday’s appointment; in addition to Lowry, Marshalltown resident and parent Christine Roberts was interviewed.

During her interview, Lowry pointed to her extensive experience as an educator and administrator at Marshalltown Schools. Out of her more than four decades in the education field, 33 years were spent at MCSD; Lowry was the principal of Marshalltown High School from 2004 to 2011, and she was a teacher prior to taking up that position. 

Currently, Lowry serves as a special education coordinator for the Meskwaki Settlement School and plans to retire this summer. She said she wants to continue working to maintain and improve educational opportunities for Bobcat students. 

Lowry’s first board meeting will be on Monday, June 7. The newly-filled school board seat will be up for election in November; that election is for a full four-year term on the board.

Marshalltown High School senior Elijah Thiessen and Associate Principal William Terry have collaborated to create a great remix of the MHS school hymn “MHS of Thee.”

Thiessen had a vision to create a song that would both celebrate the graduating Class of 2021 and inspire future Bobcats. “MHS of Thee – Remix” is a feel-good song that pays homage to the original school hymn with an updated Hip-Hop feel. This song is a one-of-a-kind original, and it shows why Marshalltown High School is Bobcat Strong!

The official remix music video is up on the Bobcat News Network YouTube channel now – click here to check it out! Don’t forget to like and subscribe to BNN to keep up on all things Bobcats!

Bobcat students 12 and older at Lenihan Intermediate School, Miller Middle School, and Marshalltown High School got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Friday.

The vaccines were available for free to the students through MCSD’s partnership with Meskwaki Health Services. Friday’s clinic was part of the District’s efforts to vaccine access to as many willing and able students as possible.

Other efforts include last week’s vaccine clinic at Marshalltown High School – also in partnership with Meskwaki Health Services – and clinic in partnership with Hy-Vee for Marshalltown, East Marshall, West Marshall, Green Mountain-Garwin, and St. Francis Catholic School students on Saturday, May 22 at the MHS Roundhouse Team Room.

As the school year comes to a close, MCSD remains committed to student, staff and community health and safety. We will continue to share opportunities for students to get vaccinated when details are available.

We are proud of the hundreds of Bobcat students and staff who have been vaccinated thus far – these efforts are crucial to fighting the ongoing pandemic and returning to normalcy at school! See more photos from today’s student vaccinations below:

Dear MCSD families, (Español abajo)

Due to legislation presented, approved and signed by the Iowa Legislature and Governor last night, the Marshalltown CSD will HIGHLY RECOMMEND students’ and staff continue to wear masks for the remaining days of the 2020-21 school year.

All other existing mitigation strategies will stay in effect through the end of the school year and gain greater importance, with this new legislation in place. Students and staff are asked to do their best to provide appropriate social distancing and continue to use desk shields and wash their hands frequently, as most of our students have not yet had the opportunity to become vaccinated. We also expect students and staff to respect the choices of others regarding mask use in school.

REMINDER: MCSD is hosting two vaccine clinics in the coming days: 

• Tomorrow, Friday, May 21 we will provide free vaccines to students ages 12 and older who have turned in a vaccine consent form to their school nurse’s office (consent forms are due TODAY by 3:30 p.m.). That clinic is possible through a partnership with Meskwaki Health Services.
• From 8 a.m. to noon this Saturday, May 22, registered students from the Marshalltown, East Marshall, West Marshall, and Green Mountain-Garwin public schools, as well as St. Francis Catholic School, will be able to get a vaccine at the MHS Roundhouse. The Hy-Vee student registration form for that clinic can be found here.

We are deeply grateful to our students, their families, and our staff for keeping with the COVID-19 safety measures put in place this school year. It has been a unique and challenging year, and the Marshalltown CSD is fortunate to serve such a resilient, caring community. Thank you!

ESPAÑOL

Estimadas Familias de MCSD,

Debido a la legislación presentada, aprobada y firmada por la Legislatura y la Gobernadora de Iowa anoche, el Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Marshalltown RECOMIENDA ALTAMENTE que los estudiantes y el personal continúen usando máscaras durante los días restantes del año escolar 2020-21.

Todas las demás estrategias de mitigación existentes permanecerán en efecto hasta el final del año escolar y serán de mayor importancia con esta nueva legislación. Se pide a los estudiantes y al personal que hagan todo lo posible para practicar el distanciamiento social adecuado y continuar usando los escudos de escritorios y lavándose las manos con frecuencia, ya que la mayoría de nuestros estudiantes aún no han tenido la oportunidad de vacunarse. También esperamos que los estudiantes y el personal respeten las decisiones de otras personas con respecto al uso de máscaras en la escuela.

RECORDATORIO: MCSD organizará dos clínicas de vacunación en los próximos días: 

• Mañana, viernes 21 de mayo, proporcionaremos vacunas gratuitas a los estudiantes de 12 años o más que han entregado un formulario de consentimiento de vacunación a la oficina de la enfermera de su escuela (los formularios de consentimiento deben entregarse HOY antes de las 3:30 pm). Esa clínica es posible gracias a una asociación con Meskwaki Health Services.
• Desde las 8 a.m. hasta el mediodía  este sábado 22 de mayo, los estudiantes registrados de las escuelas públicas Marshalltown, East Marshall, West Marshall y Green Mountain-Garwin, así como la Escuela Católica St. Francis, podrán recibir una vacuna en la MHS Roundhouse. El formulario de registro para estudiantes de Hy-Vee para esa clínica se puede encontrar aquí. 

Estamos profundamente agradecidos con nuestros estudiantes, sus familias y nuestro personal por cumplir con las medidas de seguridad de COVID-19 implementadas este año escolar. Ha sido un año único y desafiante, y MCSD tiene la suerte de servir a una comunidad tan resistente y solidaria. ¡Muchas gracias!

Another major step in fighting the coronavirus pandemic was taken Friday afternoon as several Marshalltown High School students – ages 16 and older – received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines were free to students thanks to MCSD’s partnership with Meskwaki Health Services. Several students said they were happy for the opportunity to be vaccinated prior to the end of the school year. 

A follow-up clinic for students to get their second dose of the vaccine is scheduled for Friday, June 4. Students vaccinated on Friday and their families will be sent more information about the follow-up clinic in the near future, and further opportunities for students to get vaccinated will also be shared once details are available.

We are so proud of all of the Bobcat students who were willing to sign up for and get a vaccine this week. More vaccinations will create a safer school environment for all students, staff, and Marshalltown Community members!