Woodbury students raise $1,542.69 for splash pads

Jackie Ibarra and Isabella Pantoja present Leigh Bauder and Misty Smith with a check for $1,542.69 toward splash pads.

Jackie Ibarra and Isabella Pantoja present Leigh Bauder and Misty Smith with a check for $1,542.69 toward splash pads.

As Marshalltown students prepare for Summer Break, students at Woodbury are working hard to support safe, fun options for their peers.

On Tuesday students celebrated a big step toward that goal, presenting a check for $1,542.69 to Splash 4 Life, an organization raising money for splash pads in the Marshalltown community.

“You are true examples of leadership and caring and love in this community,” Leigh Bauder, one of the Splash 4 Life leaders, told the students. Bauder and Misty Smith formed Splash 4 Life in 2012 after the drownings in the Iowa River.

Woodbury’s contribution toward the splash pads comes after a week of collecting change and cash contributions from students. Jackie Ibarra and Isabella Pantoja, Woodbury fourth graders, organized the project. Isabella’s brother, Andres, was one of the children who drowned in the Iowa River two years ago. (Read more about Jackie and Isabella’s fundraiser in the Marshalltown Times-Republican).

Splash 4 Life is continuing to raise money for the splash pads and is currently in the running for Ty Pennington’s “The Ultimate Give Back Challenge”. Projects are submitted and voted on for the chance to receive up to $50,000 and the help of Ty Pennington, host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Five other winners will receive up to $10,000 each for the project.

Voting is ongoing. A link to where to vote can be found on the Splash 4 Life Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Splash4Life2012)

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Triple threat: MHS student earns three Microsoft certifications

Raffael Nueser holds two of his three MOS certificates.

Raffael Nueser holds two of his three MOS certificates.

Raffael Nueser is the first Marshalltown High School student to receive three Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications utilizing Microsoft IT Academy.

MHS was one of 150 schools in Iowa to receive funding for Microsoft IT Academy curriculum materials. Access to the academy gives students and teachers access to more than $44,000 in materials, training and e-learning resources.

MHS is also a Certipoint testing center, which means students who utilize the IT Academy can take the certification exam at the school free of charge. Without being a Certipoint center students would need to travel for MOS testing.

MOS certification is available on all Microsoft Office products. Nueser earned his certification in Word, PowerPoint and Excel while in Ann Heying’s Advanced Word Processing course. Other students in Heying’s class are working on IT Academy as well and hope to earn certifications soon.

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Sticky situation for Franklin principal: Holmgren taped to chair for a good cause

IMG_7195Through the years, Franklin Elementary School Principal Tim Holmgren has not been afraid to embarrass himself as long as it raises money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Holmgren took it to another level Wednesday as he let students duct tape him to his chair throughout the afternoon.

Students donated $5 per piece of tape to have the honor to put their principal in a sticky situation.

Read the full story in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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MHS Class of 2014 heads out into world: MHS graduates 357 Sunday

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The last graduating class of Marshalltown High School in the current Roundhouse sent the gym out on a high note, said MHS Principal Aiddy Phomvisay during the 139th annual commencement ceremony Sunday.

A total of 357 seniors were honored with diplomas for the Class of 2014, which Phomvisay said is one of the biggest classes in recent years.

Read the full story in the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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$1.6 million for Class of 2014

ScholarshipsAt MHS Awards Night 81 seniors were recognized for scholarship earnings totaling almost $1.6 million, with more than $800,000 earned for their first year alone! Well done, Bobcats!

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‘Best buds’ look out for each other: Hoglan fourth graders have bond

When Pedro Torres and Manuel Morales met two years ago they became fast friends. Now, the fourth graders at Hoglan Elementary School have a strong bond.

Their teacher, Gena Graglia, said the two represent what friendship means.

Read their full spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Anson students plant garden near playground: Produce will be used to make salsa

There’s a new attraction near the playground at Anson Elementary School but it’s not a slide or a swing.

Anson students, along with two Marshalltown Hy-Vee staff members, planted a salsa garden Thursday morning.

Read the full story in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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School district honors longtime, retiring staff

Staff with the Marshalltown Community School District came together Wednesday to honor longtime employees and those retiring this year at the Marshalltown Education Association spring tea.

Read the full story in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Miller hosts 7th annual Soccer Shootout

More than 140 students participated in the 7th annual Miller Middle School Soccer Shootout Wednesday, May 7, at Franklin Field.

The tournament ran from 2:45pm to 6:45pm, with eight boys teams and four girls team competing in the tournament. Tournament officials were Rafael Martinez and Creighton Jenness and event organizers were Nicki Allen, Todd Rosenberger and Bruce Vopava.

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Marshalltown students excel at CTE Extravaganza

Design with Denim students.

Design with Denim students.

Marshalltown Community College hosted the second annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Extravaganza Wednesday, April 30, with area schools showcasing their talents in areas ranging from welding to cake decorating.

Marshalltown Community School District, GMG, East Marshall, West Marshall and BCLUW participated in the extravaganza, with numerous Marshalltown students earning awards and accolades.

L to R: Teacher Dee Burt, Paola Diaz, Salina Anderson, Anna Rodriguez Saldana, student teacher Jaimie Anderson.

L to R: Teacher Dee Burt, Paola Diaz, Salina Anderson, Anna Rodriguez Saldana, student teacher Jaimie Anderson.

Ten students participated in the “Design with Denim” competition, where students were asked to sew a creative, functional item using recycled denim. Paola Diaz placed first, Salina Anderson placed second and Anna Rodriquez Saldana  placed third. Also participating were Jennifer Lazarde, Xochitl Ibarra, Luisa Luis Ambrosio, Michelle Chavarria, Alondra Sanchez and Avery Smith Chu Htoo.

Conner Overstake and Derek Mann placed first in the welding competition and Devon Downs and Austin Baker placed third. Ellan Garcia and Jhony Ramirez also competed.

The team of Melisa Fonseca, Maria Marroquin Perez, Emily Murtha and Kim-mee Schmitt placed first in the Accounting II test. The test consisted of a variety of second- year accounting concepts. Their individual scores were averaged together to get a team score.

L to R: Emily Murtha, Kim-mee Schmitt, teacher Rachel Nelson-Loupee, Maria Marroquin Perez, Melisa Fonseca.

L to R: Emily Murtha, Kim-mee Schmitt, teacher Rachel Nelson-Loupee, Maria Marroquin Perez, Melisa Fonseca.

The team of Leah Barkema, Kaley Mead, and Wynn Tan participated in the individual test for Accounting I. The test consisted of end-of-fiscal period accounting procedures.

In the Business Presentation Event students were to create a video game or app and then market it to a panel of judges.  Even though the students were not asking the judges for money, it was somewhat like the show “Shark Tank” where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to potential investors.

Nolan Lammert, Elizabeth Drennon, Lino Rivera Reyes, Tegan Yeager, and Alec Reynolds participated in cupcake wars. Working with the theme (entertainment), students incorporated cartoons, sports, video games and music into their designs. Judges evaluated entries on the use of the theme, how easy it was to eat, cake and frosting quality and overall creativity.

L to R: Lee Roy Ruiz, Eulalio Angel, Brody Gethman.

L to R: Lee Roy Ruiz, Eulalio Angel, Brody Gethman.

Brody Gethman, Lee Roy Ruiz and Eulalio Angel won first place in the sawhorse building competition.  Other participants from Marshalltown included Dylan Whetstine, Chase Clark, Richard McDonald, Devan Mann, Manuel Garcia, Edgar Andrade, Harry Metzger, Jake Kessler, Josh Mason, Gerardo Moreno and Marco Andrade.

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