Bobcats Making Headlines

MHS students Megan Emerson and Chandler Fisher have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament.

Marshalltown High School students Chandler Fisher and Megan Emerson have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament to be held in Dallas, Texas June 15-19.

Fisher and Emerson qualified by placing in the top two for Duo Interpretation at the recent East Iowa District Tournament in Iowa City. Their performance has them acting out historically significant events utilizing a previously published script.

“They put together a wonderful performance,” said MHS coach Brianna Yates. “They work very well together.”

Fisher, a senior, has now qualified for nationals for the second year in a row.

“It’s a lot of fun.” Fisher said. “I feel very proud to represent Marshalltown High School, especially on a national level.”

Emerson, a junior, has qualified for nationals for the first time.

“I’m really excited,” Emerson said.

MHS took three students to the East Iowa District tournament in four events. Elliot Weidenaar competed in two rounds of Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Emerson competed in three rounds of Dramatic Interpretation and three rounds of Duo Interpretation, and Fisher competed in two rounds of Original Oratory and three rounds of Duo Interpretation.

“This is our seventh consecutive year qualifying for nationals, and this year I have challenged our team to make it past the preliminary rounds,” said Dr. Janelle Hawk, director of forensics at MHS. “That means that they need to be in the top 60 after the end of Tuesday’s competition. I really think we can do it this year.”

While qualifying for the National Tournament is a great honor, it is also a burden on the speech and debate budget, Hawk said. The team is looking at ways to raise the extra funds needed to pay for the transportation and hotel fees. They will be holding tip nights at Pizza Ranch, and would welcome any and all donations from the community. Donations can be sent to Marshalltown High School, c/o Dr. Hawk, 1602 South 2^nd Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

The Marshalltown Community School District will hold its annual Youth Art Show from Feb. 28 through March 25 at the Fisher Community Center.

A free opening reception is planned for the public from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Fisher Community Center. The show is held in conjunction with Youth Art Month.

The show features approximately 300 works of art from students throughout the district, grades kindergarten through 12. Each art teacher chooses the finest examples produced in their classroom during the past year for display at the show.

The show is open during regular business hours at the center for the next month.

A committee from Central Office and the Marshalltown School Board will choose a collection of outstanding artwork from the show. These award-winning pieces will be labeled with a golden sticker for the opening reception and will all be framed and placed on display at Central Office following the show.

Four Miller Middle School students took part in the Science Bowl at Iowa State University on Feb. 21. Pictured, from left, are students Hannah Gardea, Patrick Schafer, Caleb Summers and Trevor Ketcham.

Four Miller Middle School Extended Learning Program students went to the Ames Laboratory on the Iowa State University campus to participate in a Science Bowl sponsored by the United States Department of Energy on Feb. 21.

The Ames Lab/ISU Middle School Science Bowl is one of 50 regional competitions held across the nation. It is a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where students answer questions about life science, physical science, Earth and space science, energy, mathematics and general science.

The Miller students won one match and lost two. Competing from Miller were Hannah Gardea, Trevor Ketcham, Patrick Schafer and Caleb Summers.

“I am very proud of the effort put forth by my students at the Science Bowl,” said Miller ELP teacher Ann Jackson. “This was their first time participating and as we left campus for the day all of them were excited to come back and participate again. I call that success.”

Scott Johannes, student resource specialist at Marshalltown High School, has been named the Golden Apple award winner for this month from WHO-TV.

Scott Johannes, student resource specialist at Marshalltown High School recently received the Golden Apple Award from WHO-TV.

The story on his work and award is airing today on WHO-TV. To view the story click on the following link.

http://whotv.com/2015/02/20/teacher-helps-at-risk-students-awarded-golden-apple/

Lenihan Intermediate School art teacher Pam Muench is pictured with students Xander Harwell, center, and Megan Sills. The two students had work selected to be part of a statewide display during Youth Art Month in Des Moines in March.

Two students from Lenihan Intermediate School have produced art selected to be on display in Des Moines in recognition of Youth Art Month.

Fifth grader Xander Harwell and sixth grader Megan Sills had work selected for the March exhibit, which is coordinated by the Art Educators of Iowa.

Both students have been invited to attend a reception on March 7 for the opening of the show.

Harwell’s print piece will be on display at the State Historical Building while Sills’ foil relief piece has been selected as a Governor’s Award winner. Sills will be invited to a reception with Gov. Terry Branstad and have her work on display in the governor’s office area in the State Capitol building.

“It’s a way to celebrate Youth Art Month,” said Lenihan art teacher Pam Muench, who teaches both students. “This art show gives students the opportunity to present and share at a state level.”

Marshalltown Schools will have its own display for Youth Art Month at the Fisher Community Center in March, with a public reception planned from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 28.

Pictured is work by Lenihan student Megan Sills. It’s a foil relief piece that was selected for the Governor’s Award.

A group of Marshalltown High School and Miller Middle School students visited the State Capitol on Feb. 10 to talk about an anti-bullying bill.

MHS senior Cecilia Martinez was selected to speak at a press conference with Gov. Terry Branstad.

A total of 24 Marshalltown High School and Miller Middle School students were invited to the State Capitol to take part in an anti-bullying day by Gov. Terry Branstad on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

The students attended the governor’s press conference on the Bully Free Iowa Act and also met with key legislators to talk about the proposed anti-bullying bill. Other school districts invited were Waukee, Sioux City and Cardinal.

MHS senior Cecilia Martinez was invited by the governor to speak at the press conference. Martinez was selected to speak after the governor visited Marshalltown last fall and heard her present at an anti-bullying forum.

Also speaking during the press conference were Gov. Branstad, First Lady Chris Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sioux City Schools Superintendent Paul Gausman.

“This is the year that we can stand up to bullying,” Gov. Branstad said.

Marshalltown was selected to take part in the event due to its strong Not in Our Town anti-bullying initiative.

To see Cecilia’s speech, click here.

Aaron Buzbee offers tips on the restaurant business to sixth graders at Lenihan Intermediate School recently.

Sixth graders in the extended learning math program at Lenihan Intermediate School have been learning what it takes behind the scenes to run a restaurant.

The class is working on a pop-up restaurant project in which students created surveys in order to decipher what types of restaurants or cuisines would be preferred among teachers and students at Lenihan. They analyzed their data and used the information to create their own restaurant. They were then given an imaginary budget of $15,000 to cover the start-up costs. Students were also given rental prices of spaces in Marshalltown.

The students have had various speakers and entrepreneurs from Marshalltown join them to offer advice on rentals, inventory, budgeting, taxes and various other matters a restaurateur must consider.

This week, Aaron Buzbee of Zeno’s Pizza talked to the students. Students asked a wide variety of questions about staffing, the purchase of materials and his background.

“Seeing a young businessman like Aaron making a difference in Marshalltown is a big inspiration to my students,” said Lenihan extended learning teacher Vanessa Engel.

This restaurant project will continue throughout the school year with students working both in pairs and individually.

“By the end of the year students will have the survey, a design of their space and usage in square feet, a menu with pricing, a budget, a logo, an advertisement, inventory and recipes,” Engel said. “I think this will be a great learning experience for everyone.”

Lenihan Intermediate School sixth-grade students research the restaurant business with help from local businessman Aaron Buzbee, left.

Marshalltown High School competed in the district large group speech contest on Jan. 24 at Montezuma High School and came away with a successful showing. Two of the three MHS entries made it to state and earned a Division I rating (short film and group improv).

Receiving a Division I rating in short film were MHS students Keyara McDowell, Ryan Levis, Andrew Barber, Tanner Gaunt, Elizabeth Drennon, Danielle Durnin, Jake Harvey, Lucero Sanchez, Julio Alvarez, Julio Avalos, Martin Torres, Andrew Bramon, Eduardo Espinoza, Edgar Alvez, Aung Koko Thant and Jayvier Nelson.

Receiving a Division I rating in group improv were MHS students Maria Urbina, Angel Hernandez, Taylor Miron, Adrian Nunez, Ryan Levis and Austin Brown.

The radio broadcast team of MHS freshmen Maria Urbina, Taylor Miron, Brian Trowbridge and Adrian Nunez earned a Division II rating.

“I am so proud of all their hard work and dedication,” said MHS speech coach Jocelyn Frohwein.

Here is the link to the award-winning short film on zombies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mpuhLDDUWM

Marshalltown High School Jazz I and II performed at the Iowa High School Music Association State Jazz Band Festival on Jan. 26 at Greene County High School in Jefferson.

Along with several other bands they performed for three judges and then received a clinic from a fourth judge.  MHS Jazz II performed for comments only and MHS Jazz I received a Division I rating for the 14^th time in the last 16 years.

The bands will compete in the Tallcorn Jazz Festival at the University of Northern Iowa on Feb. 20 and then in late March perform with Southside Transit, the MHS Show Choir here in the MHS/Community Auditorium.

The annual Miller Middle School spelling bee was held on Jan. 15 during an all-school assembly.

Eighth grader Caleb Summers was the champion and classmate Olivia Stone took second place and will serve as the alternate.

Final-round spellers advanced from the initial 120 students participating in the preliminary rounds on Jan. 9. Other Miller students who reached the final round included: Joseph Barlow, Jay Drummer, Trenten Finders, Derrick Garth, Angela Gutierrez, Lucas Kramer, Paige McWilliams, Emily Miller, Elizabeth Munos, Sean Nyuon, Cindy Verdinez, and Ray Wiegand.

Summers will advance to the state competition in Ames this spring sponsored by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication Spelling Bee Program. Summers won the Miller bee for the second year in a row.

“The spelling bee is a great opportunity for students to get involved, show pride, stay connected and showcase academic skills,” said Cherilyn Reed, instructional coach at Miller, who led the bee along with Miller teacher Lucas Johnson.

Caleb Summers won the Miller Middle School spelling bee held Jan. 15.

Olivia Stone placed second in the Miller Middle School spelling bee on Jan. 15.