Bobcats Making Headlines

Chloe Kuehner, a 2014 Marshalltown High School graduate, recently graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Next up is law school at Creighton University.

2014 MHS graduate enrolls at Creighton University

Chloe Kuehner doesn’t back away from a challenge.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a 3.99 grade point average and a degree in Communication and Media Studies this past May, she now plans to attend the School of Law at Creighton University, also in Omaha.

The daughter of Tim and Angie Kuehner graduated from Marshalltown High School in 2014.

She has yet to pinpoint what job she wants to zero in on after receiving that law degree, but hopes to somehow be able to help people in her career.

“I want to find something I’m passionate about and keep an open mind,” Kuehner said. “I think a law degree can be useful in quite a few different jobs.”

Chloe with a conference swimming team runner-up plaque.

She received the 2018 School of Communication Outstanding Communications Studies Undergraduate Award while at UNO, while also participating on the UNO swim team for four years. She was a four-time state meet qualifier while swimming at Marshalltown High School before becoming a collegiate athlete in the pool.

MHS girls swimming coach Angie Nelson remembers Chloe as a talented swimmer who had a great attitude.

“She was extremely dedicated to the sport and was a very hard worker,” Nelson said. “She spent many hours training and learning all she could about how to improve, how to gain an edge and how to excel –  just as she has in her young life with her other endeavors. She was a pleasure to coach, fun to watch develop as an athlete and a great example of hard work and desire equals success.”

Chloe also had a passion for writing at MHS, which was spurred on by writing for the student newspaper “Pebbles” and her English teachers at the school.

“It was a good foundation,” she said.

Kuehner also is very appreciative of being exposed to the diverse student population in Marshalltown.

“I think that really prepared me for what the world is really like,” Kuehner said. “It really expands your world.”

Chloe said she loves to come back to Marshalltown and attend her brother Tate’s baseball games and visit with the MHS staff who helped her along the way.

“They truly do care about you,” she said of the MHS staff.

She starts law school in mid-August and she is ready to keep learning.

“I’m excited for that next step,” Kuehner said.

Amanda Noriega, right, provided two days of training for dual language staff at Marshalltown Schools on June 12 and 13.

Marshalltown Schools dual language teaching staff participated in two days of training on June 12 and 13.

The training, conducted completely in Spanish, was presented by Amanda Noriega from the Center for Applied Linguistics based in Washington DC. The training focused on literacy instruction.

“She has a lot of experience with dual language, specifically with teaching Spanish,” said Woodbury Elementary School Principal Anel Garza.

Also participating in the training were staff from the West Liberty School District.

Marshalltown is a state leader in providing dual language programs for students, starting with the kindergarten level at Woodbury Elementary School.

Marshalltown Schools staff who were recipients of the Superintendent’s Star awards on June 6 included, from left, Casey Moberly, Kevin Beye, Reuben Canadé, Elizabeth Overstake and Eric Weeden.

The Marshalltown Community School District honored service award recipients, heard from speaker Major Sean Quinlan, and recognized other staff during the end of the year employee gathering on June 6.

Superintendent’s Star Awards
New this year was the presentation of the Star Awards from Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. These five employees go above and beyond at their job, display a strong moral compass, work ethic and character. The winners were Kevin Beye of the Transportation Department, Reuben Canadé from Buildings and Grounds, Lenihan PE teacher Casey Moberly, Franklin Instructional Coach Elizabeth Overstake and MHS Juvenile Court Liaison Eric Weeden.

Staff were also recognized for 20, 25 and 30 years of service.

Pictured are staff who received 20 year service awards. Front row, from left, Pam Brewer-Michael, Jennifer Estabrook, Maggie Parks, Tracy Simbides and Dan Terrones. Back row, Eric Smith, Marcie Sienknecht, Kelly Konicek, Chris Carroll, Michael Loupee, Gregory Schafer and Brenda Sjoblom.

Pictured are 25 year service award recipients, from left, Darlene Gilliland, Janice Jones, Mark Chardoulias and Matt Tullis.

30 year service award recipient Dee Coulter

Keynote speaker Major Sean Quinlan, retired U.S. Marine

The keynote speaker was retired U.S. Marine and former Des Moines North football coach Major Sean Quinlan. He spoke about the importance of building relationships with students and staff so that everyone can feel that they matter.

Employee of the Quarter award winners are, from left, Hector Campos from MHS, Ashley Chyma from Anson and Joanna Ruddick from Woodbury.

Three employees from the Marshalltown Community School District received Employee of the Quarter honors for the fourth quarter of the school year recently including Hector Campos, Ashley Chyma and Joanna Ruddick.

Hector Campos
Campos is an English Learner teacher at Marshalltown High School. He was nominated for the award by MHS teacher Emily Hackbarth.

“He is dedicated to and passionate about his work, and that shows in his relationships with students,” Hackbarth said in her nomination. “He always pushes students to do their very best, and is thoughtful and considerate in his approach to getting students engaged in the classroom.”

Ashley Chyma
Chyma is counselor at Anson Elementary School. She was nominated for the award by Caitlin Mull and Jordan Wentzien at Anson.

“Ashley goes above and beyond in our building,” Wentzien said. “Our students absolutely adore her and love to see her come in our classroom.”

Joanna Ruddick
Ruddick is a preschool teacher at Woodbury Elementary School. She was nominated by Amy Bachman, paraeducator at Woodbury who works closely with Joanna.

“Joanna always goes above and beyond to make sure that the instruction she gives her students is enriching and meaningful,” Bachman said. “While still teaching, she is always open to learning new approaches and techniques to help make the education she provides the best the students can get.”

Pictured during the award presentation to Hector Campos are, from left, MHS teacher Emily Hackbarth, Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, MHS Principal Jacque Wyant, Hector’s son Uriel, Hector Campos, MHS Associate Principal Justin Boliver, Hector’s daughter Ariana, Human Resources Director Anthony Spurgetis, Hector’s wife Isabel and MHS Associate Principal Deb Holsapple.

Presenting Ashley Chyma with the award, are from left, Anson Principal Ronnie Manis, Ginna Randall, Erica Sanchez, Ashley Chyma, Jordan Wentzien, Rachel Olson, Matt Cretsinger and Dr. Theron Schutte.

Presenting Joanna Ruddick with the award are, from left, Human Resources Director Anthony Spurgetis, Woodbury Elementary Principal Anel Garza, Preschool Program Director Emily Banks, Joanna Ruddick, Paraeducator Amy Bachman and Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

Two family members of Amy Canadé stand next to a bench dedicated in her honor at Fisher Elementary School. Amy worked in food service at Fisher. Pictured are Amy’s husband Reuben Canadé, left, and her father, Bob Rush.

The memory of a Fisher Elementary School food service professional who passed away earlier this year now lives on through a bench located outside of the school near the playground.

Amy Canadé died on February 22 at the age of 37. She impacted so many lives at the school. A group gathered recently to honor her with a bench dedication, which was purchased by her family.

“The kids really loved her and they knew her by name,” said Amy’s husband Reuben Canadé. “She absolutely adored children.”

Amy’s dad, Bob Rush, was also at the dedication along with many staff from buildings and grounds and food service from Marshalltown Schools. The staff donated a plaque placed on the wall above the bench.

Fisher fourth grader Frankie Glenn read a card she made for the Canadé family that included information on how she felt about Amy.

“Although we are apart your spirit lives with me forever,” the fourth grader said as she read the card during the dedication ceremony.

Amy Canadé

Fisher Elementary School fourth grader Frankie Glenn reads a letter honoring Amy Canadé as Reuben Canadé and Bob Rush listen during a bench dedication event honoring Amy.

Beau Ragland is pictured at his residential college at Yale University. The 2016 Marshalltown High School graduate just completed his second year at Yale University.

MHS graduate Beau Ragland completes second year at Ivy League school

With two years down and two years to go, Beau Ragland has reached the midpoint now as a student at Yale University.

The 2016 Marshalltown High School graduate is majoring in economics and global affairs at the Ivy League college in New Haven, Connecticut. He has a strong interest in entrepreneurship, which has grown in his time at Yale.

“A lot of people go into finance at Yale and go to work at Wall Street,” he said. “Ideally, I’d like to do something on my own.”

Ragland is not waiting until he graduates from Yale to dabble in the business world. He has started a company known as Voyista, which helps travelers plan all-in-one, affordable backpacking European and Latin American adventures. Ragland himself has visited 23 different countries in the past two years, so this business is his way of passing on what he’s learned.

“It takes all the hassle out of traveling,” Ragland said of his company.

Beau also lends his business acumen to a Marshalltown business, C Eye Care, which is run by his mom, Cynthia Ragland.

Time at MHS

Beau credits his time at MHS for allowing him to succeed at Yale, especially the dual credit opportunities offered at MHS and Marshalltown Community College.
“Most of my courses my junior and senior year in high school were college courses, which definitely prepared me for going to Yale,” Ragland said.

He also said he was fortunate to complete online college courses offered through the Extended Learning Program at MHS.

MHS Extended Learning Program teacher Susan Fritzell remembers Beau as a gifted student whose love of learning led him to take advantage of the opportunities at MHS.

“Beau really exemplifies a student who took advantage of all the opportunities that MHS has to offer and, judging by his success in college, his involvement paid off,” Fritzell said.

His future

With two more years left in college, Ragland foresees his entrepreneurial interests growing into the future.
“It has unlimited upside, really,” he said of entrepreneurial business work. “You are not constrained.”

To view Beau’s travel company’s website, visit Voyista.com

Pictured seated are donation recipients during a special assembly at Lenihan Intermediate School held on May 23. Students from the Ricochet student leadership group (back row) presented $2,500 in donations to three organizations. Pictured in the front row are, Chris Voggesser, president of Make-A-Wish Iowa, Blaine Fisher and his mother Kandy Fisher, of Make-A-Wish Iowa, Leigh Bauder and Isabella Pantoja of Splash 4 Life and Shelly Deal of the Animal Rescue League.

The Lenihan Intermediate School student leadership group Ricochet held a special donation assembly at the school on May 23. Students donated a total of $2,500 to three organizations as a result of fundraisers it held throughout the school year.

The group donated $1,500 to Make-A-Wish Iowa and $500 each to Splash 4 Life (splash pad fundraising) and the local Animal Rescue League. Lenihan teacher Angie Lovell said Ricochet is all student driven and told the group she was proud of them.

“Kids raising money for kids is amazing,” said Chris Voggesser, president of Make-A-Wish Iowa, who presented Lehinan with a special plaque as he received the $1,500 donation.