Marshalltown High School art teacher Wade Judge has been named an Emerging Iowa Artist for the Des Moines Arts Festival. He is pictured with two of his acrylic pour paintings.

For the second straight year, Marshalltown High School art teacher Wade Judge has been named an Emerging Iowa Artist for the Des Moines Arts Festival.

Judge, who is working on his master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, specializes in acrylic pour paintings.

Judge said he has been surprised both years by this honor. He has taught at MHS for 6 years and received his bachelor’s degree from UNI. He hopes his own art inspires his students at MHS.

“Hopefully they get a taste for it as well,” Judge said.

The Des Moines Arts Festival will be held June 28-30. The Emerging Iowa Artist program offers artists the opportunity to showcase their talent at the festival. The program is open to Iowa residents currently enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Other art related news
The Artists for Education annual silent art auction will be on May 9 with all proceeds going to cover the expense of bringing a guest artist next year to work with the MHS students.

This year’s auction will take place at Midwest Frame and Gallery at 506 S. 9th St. in Marshalltown. The event will be from 5 to 6 p.m., but bidders can stop in early to place a bid. Bidding will end at 6 p.m. on May 9.

Dr. Lindsey Heinrichs presented to students on the topic of animal prosthetics at Miller Middle School on May 7. She is a 2007 Marshalltown High School graduate who works for Animal Clinic The Vet.

Dr. Heinrichs is 2007 Marshalltown High School graduate

A local veterinarian provided real world experience to 7th grade science classes at Miller Middle School on May 7. Dr. Lindsey Heinrichs of Animal Clinic The Vet presented to the classes throughout the day with a focus on animal prosthetics.

The 7th grade science department is working on a Defined STEM project on animal prosthetics. The project goals are to expose students to real world applications and careers while working in a project based learning environment.

Students will be working on a technical drawing design of an animal prosthetic, then make a prototype out of clay. Heinrichs is a 2007 Marshalltown High School graduate who received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University.

Marshalltown High School senior Sloan Vry shows her Panther pride as she is pictured with University of Northern Iowa admissions counselor Derris Hawkins-Smith during senior decision day at MHS.

Marshalltown High School was a bevy of activity on May 7 with several events going on during the school day.

The senior decision day returned as graduating seniors posed for photos with signs indicating where they were taking their next step. College admission counselors were also on hand to speak with the seniors.

Nearby, those same seniors were picking up their cap and gown in anticipation of graduation, which is at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 in the MHS Roundhouse.

MHS seniors Leslie Rebelo and Yvonne Ramirez announce their plans to attend Marshalltown Community College

Fifth and sixth grade graduates from the student leadership group Ricochet at Lenihan Intermediate School.

The Lenihan Intermediate School student leadership group known as Ricochet graduated 57 students during a ceremony held May 2.  Students completed leadership training and several student-driven service projects throughout the year.

“We did several fundraising projects, planned a school dance, restocked our school’s food pantry, cleaned our school grounds, and did a small scale book drive for our students who had homes destroyed by the tornado,” said Lenihan teacher Diane Simpson. “The year was capped off by our yearly leadership panel where students get to hear from community leaders about their leadership experiences, and then the graduation ceremony.  It was another great learning year.”

Community leaders included in the leadership panel discussion (from left, above) were: City Council member Bill Martin, Marshalltown High School Associate Principal Deb Holsapple, Marshalltown Police Department Sgt. Casee Veren, Marshall County Sheriff Steve Hoffman, Big Brother Big Sisters Director Lynne Carroll, KFJB Operations Director Kyle Martin, Marshalltown Schools Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, Emerson Human Resources Manager Sarah Erikson and Lenihan PE teacher Casey Moberly.

Marshalltown High School seniors Emily Miller, second from left, and Phoebe Osgood, third from left, have been named national qualifiers in National History Day after the state championships in Des Moines on April 29. Also pictured are Lynne O’Hara, left, of National History Day and Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Chris Kramer, right.

Seven Marshalltown Community School District students competed at the National History Day Iowa championships held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on April 29.

Marshalltown High School seniors Emily Miller and Phoebe Osgood were national qualifiers in senior group performance for their project titled “Pardon my sanity in a World Insane: The Life and Legacy of Emily Dickinson.”  Emily and Phoebe will now compete in the national championship held at the University of Maryland, June 9-13.

Other students also had noteworthy performances. MHS junior Lucas Kramer was a national qualifier alternate for his senior individual exhibit titled “The Cuban Missile Crisis: How Effective Compromise Prevented Nuclear Tragedy.” In the junior division, Miller Middle School students Averi Bolar and Jason Strand were finalists in the junior performance division with “Hans & Sophie Scholl: The Power of Words.”

Also competing in the senior division was Mary Kate Gruening in senior individual exhibit titled “Helen Keller: Overcoming Tragedy by Using a Triumphant Voice” and Erin Stanley in senior individual website titled “The Iowa Hog Lift: How a Calamity Created an International Friendship.”

The state contest represents a culmination of students’ hard work over the entire year. They started in September by choosing topics related to this year’s theme “Triumph and Tragedy in History.” This was followed by extensive research, development of a thesis, and finally creation of their products as well as an annotated bibliography.

“Marshalltown should be very proud of these students’ accomplishments,” said MHS Extended Learning Program teacher Susan Fritzell.

This year’s National History Day projects will be presented at the MHS library on Wednesday, May 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. These presentations will be open to the public.

Emily Miller and Phoebe Osgood in their presentation dresses.

Lucas Kramer

Averi Bolar and Jason Strand

Mary Kate Gruening

Erin Stanley

Marshalltown Schools staff are pictured with Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise and Governor Kim Reynolds at the announcement of a $50,000 Computer Science grant for Lenihan Intermediate School. Pictured from left are David Stanfield, Erica Finders, Dr. Theron Schutte, Dr. Ryan Wise, Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Governor Kim Reynolds, Jenny Allen, Kyle Young, Sue Cahill and Dee Burt.

Lenihan Intermediate School in Marshalltown among recipients of $50,000

News Release from Iowa Department of Education

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced the six schools selected to each receive $50,000 grants through the Computer Science is Elementary project. The Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and the Iowa Department of Education are partnering with business and industry on this project to transform six high-poverty elementary schools into models of innovative computer science instruction. The goal is to create opportunities for students and a statewide network of computer science expertise.

The six schools, which Gov. Reynolds named at the 2019 Future Ready Iowa-STEM Summit, are:

•    Denison Elementary in the Denison Community School District.
•    Lenihan Intermediate in the Marshalltown Community School District.
•    Cora B. Darling Elementary in the Postville Community School District.
•    East Union Elementary in the East Union Community School District.
•    Perry Elementary in the Perry Community School District.
•    Richardson Elementary in the Fort Madison Community School District.

“Computer science is a new basic skill that’s required for success in a workforce constantly impacted by innovation and technology,” said Gov. Reynolds. “With tomorrow’s workers sitting in today’s classrooms, we must prepare our students to be continuous learners and adaptable for the disruptive economy of the future.”

The Computer Science is Elementary Project aligns with Future Ready Iowa, which sets the goal of 70 percent of the workforce having education or training beyond high school by the year 2025. The initiative also focuses on strengthening preK-12 education and career exploration and preparation.

“To continue Iowa’s prosperity, we must invest in our students and their futures. By introducing computer science in our elementary schools and giving young Iowans access to these in-demand skills, they will be ready for the unlimited opportunities awaiting them in our state,” said Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg.

Thirty schools applied for the awards, which are possible thanks to generous support from private-sector partners that raised $350,000 total: Collins Aerospace as the lead sponsor, Principal Financial Group, MidAmerican Energy, Kemin Industries, Microsoft, Google, ITC Midwest, Alliant Energy, Technology Association of Iowa, Verizon, Paragon IT, AT&T, School Administrators of Iowa, Workiva, Pella Rolscreen Foundation, Merchant Bonding and Bankers Trust.

Loess Hills Computer Programming School, the inspiration for the Computer Science is Elementary project, also will receive a $50,000 grant to serve as a project resource.

The six schools selected to receive the $50,000 planning grants will implement their programs no later than the 2020-21 school year with regular school funding.

Tyler Bell, a 2010 Marshalltown High School graduate, is Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Iowa. (Photo by Justin Torner, University of Iowa Photography)

2010 MHS graduate an
Assistant Professor
at the University of Iowa

So much for the old adage that playing video games will never get you anywhere.

Just ask Tyler Bell, a 2010 Marshalltown High School graduate who is now Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Iowa.

He said a love of playing video games and learning how they worked and also his grandfather’s interest in computers spawned his own interest in the technology. That interest never waned.

“Thanks to my grandpa and video games, I always enjoyed playing with computers growing up,” Bell said. “My goal was to find a career that I could use computers and technology to help change lives.”

Life as Assistant Professor
In his current role as an assistant professor, Bell’s time is split between conducting research and teaching in the classroom at the University of Iowa.

“In my lab, we get to work on extending our scientific field while applying our research to solve real-world problems,” Bell said. “In the classroom I get to teach, interact with, and hopefully help inspire the next generation of engineers. I am very fortunate to call this my job.”

His research is on the cutting edge of technology.

“My current research focuses on 3D measurement, 3D communications, virtual reality, and augmented reality,” Bell said. “Although people often mention the research looks like ‘something out of Star Wars,’ I find the work interesting because it can also have real impact to society. For example, this research has been used for applications in forensic science, agriculture, medicine, entertainment, and the arts.”

Time at MHS
Bell said the Marshalltown Community School District has many outstanding teachers to help him build a foundation for his learning. One of those inspirational instructors that he pointed out is MHS math teacher Nancy Sills.

“Mrs. Sills inspired me not only with her teaching but also with the positive and enthusiastic attitude she brought into the classroom each day,” Bell said. “She is an excellent example of an educator that loves her job and truly cares about the success of her students.”

Sills, who still teaches at MHS, said Bell was a standout student.

“Tyler Bell was a wonderful student because he worked hard and cared about learning,” Sills said. “I knew that Tyler would be very successful and have an impact on the world.”

Earning three degrees
After MHS, Bell attended Iowa State University and received a bachelor’s degree in computer science in just two years thanks to college credit he earned while at MHS. He then earned a master’s degree in human computer interaction from ISU in 2014. While at ISU, he helped create a mobile app known as MyState which has been installed on tens of thousands of devices. Bell then went on to earn his doctorate in computer engineering from Purdue University in 2018.

“Without the opportunities provided by MHS, I would not have had the appropriate foundation to pursue these endeavors,” Bell said.

Tyler Bell, left, talks with University of Iowa undergraduate student Nick Gorman. (Photo by Justin Torner, University of Iowa Photography)

New members of the French honor society are pictured after an induction ceremony held on April 24. Pictured from left is Marshalltown High School French teacher Naomi Musal and new inductees,   Maria Aguilera Torres, Rene Hernandez Andrade, Uriel Campos Padilla, America Dominguez Mendoza,  Jose Palmerin Andrade, Liz Vargas Perez, Emma McWherter, Taylor Naughton, Itzy Avalos, Andrea Ordaz Jimenez.

The third induction ceremony of the French honor society known as Société Honoraire de Français (SHF) occurred on April 24 at Marshalltown High School. President Olivia Stone, Vice-President Donovan Gavagan and Secretary Carmen Araiza Solorio each read or conducted parts of the ceremony with MHS Principal Jacque Wyant conferring the certificates and membership cards.

New members that were inducted into the society included Maria Aguilera Torres, Itzy Avalos, Uriel Campos Padilla, America Dominguez Mendoza, Emma McWherter, Taylor Naughton, Andrea Ordaz Jimenez, Liz Vargas Perez, Jose Palmerin Andrade and Rene Hernandez Andrade. Both Melissa Hernandez and Daniela Lagunas will accept their honor at a later date.

Membership requires a high grade point average in all semesters of French as well as a very good overall GPA.  Students can wear honor cords at graduation by staying active and pursuing French 3 or beyond. The group is led by MHS French teacher Naomi Musal, who said she is very proud to have a growing French program at the school.

The Marshalltown High School cyber defense team placed first out of 30 teams at the IT-Olympics held at Iowa State University on April 27. Pictured from left are team members Keaten Collinson, Marek Jablonski and Wesley Kodis.

Marshalltown High School had a successful showing at the IT-Olympics at Iowa State University on April 27 with first and third place finishes.

Cyber defense takes 1st
The MHS cyber defense team placed first out of 30 teams at the competition and includes junior Keaten Collinson and sophomores Marek Jablonski and Wesley Kodis.

“Cyber defense is the apex of IT-Olympics,” said Susan Fritzell, Extended Learning Program teacher at MHS. “The team has been working every night for the past two weeks to set up their network and secure it against hackers. The fact that our team won the competition shows they have an excellent understanding of network security and also work well as a team.”

Helping out as mentors for the team are Adam Kithcart (of General Dynamics in Des Moines) and MCSD Technology Department leaders Josh Wesley and Mark Krukow.

The MHS robotics team took third place out of 16 teams and includes, from left, Marcus Barker, Austin Christen and Jacob Swartz.

Robotics team places 3rd
The MHS robotics team placed third out of 16 teams in that competition and includes freshmen students Marcus Barker, Austin Christen and Jacob Swartz.

“I am also really excited about our robotics team,” Fritzell said. “These three ninth graders created and programmed a great robot for the primary challenge in the morning, but they also did an incredible job working together in solving the afternoon challenge in just four hours time.”

Sixth graders in a science class at Lenihan Intermediate School in Marshalltown look at plans as they build a robot during school on April 25. Pictured from left are Tyler Faltys, Brea Parks, Sydney May and Alex Merical.

The goal is create a working robot that can be controlled via a remote. This robotics project is underway in the sixth grade science classes at Lenihan Intermediate School taught by Brandon Goldman.

Students are spending several days looking at plans and building the robot as part of Project Lead the Way.

“It’s such a cool program,” Goldman said. “It’s hands-on and so fun to watch them learn this.”

Students are working together in groups of four and when the robot is built they will control it to do certain tasks on a mat.

“It’s challenging,” said sixth grader Sydney May as she worked to put the robot together with her group.

The Marshalltown Community School District is a state leader in STEM instruction, starting from the preschool level all the way through high school and even dual credit college courses at Marshalltown High School through a partnership with Marshalltown Community College.

Lenihan teacher Brandon Goldman points out the robot design plans to sixth graders Miles Griego, center, and Yadier Rivas.