Bobcats Making Headlines

More than 100 volunteers gathered in the Marshalltown High School cafeteria to package 20,000 meals for the hungry in Marshall County on Wednesday. The event was coordinated by student philanthropy groups from Marshalltown, East Marshall, and West Marshall high schools and was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Marshall County (CFMC) and the Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation.

After conducting research, the student philanthropy groups – including Marshalltown’s Students Teaching and Empowering Philanthropy (STEP) – determined that they would work to address food insecurity in Marshall County.

The students selected Meals From the Heartland to host Wednesday’s mobile meal packaging event, due to the fact that their taco-mac food package was extremely well received by recipients. The young philanthropists then secured donations of $5,000 from the Martha Ellen-Tye Foundation, Mechdyne, Great Western Bank, and the Rotary Club of Marshalltown.

The students then recruited over 100 volunteers to participate in the meal packaging event. Finally, they developed a distribution plan for the meals, all of which will remain in Marshall County. Some of the organizations that will be receiving the taco-mac packages include: SEAL Little Free Pantries, East Marshall Backpack Program, Emergency Food Box, House of Compassion, Iowa State Extension Service, Salvation Army and Marshall County Veterans Affairs.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts put forth by the students to make this event a success. The community embraced this project and partnered with the students at every phase,” said CMFC Executive Director Julie Hitchins. “Thank you to the financial sponsors for their support, the Marshalltown Community School District for providing a venue and all the volunteers that assisted with the meal packaging! We are truly better together!”

Several Marshalltown High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) Monday evening at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center.

Each of the 25 Marshalltown High School inductees was selected for their commitment to the NHS pillars of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. The NHS was founded in order to recognize and encourage students’ academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy.

The program’s keynote address was given by MHS Class of 1981 alum, National Wrestling Hall-of-Famer, and lifelong educator Larry Jackson.

Following an introduction by fellow Class of 1981 alum Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, Jackson spoke about the positive impact his teachers and coaches had on him during his time as a Bobcat student. He also encouraged the NHS inductees to continue serving the wonderful Marshalltown community.

“You are truly second to none,” Jackson said to the inductees, adding that the students’ positive attitudes and focus on service “can be the energy that pushes you to great accomplishments.”

Marshalltown High School NHS President and senior student Phoebe Hermanson also spoke at Monday’s program, as did MHS Principal Jacque Wyant. Hermanson and fellow NHS officers Veronica Herrera, Alivia Eaton, and Taylor Jones administered the Induction Pledge. MHS Extended Learning Program teacher Susan Fritzell presented certificates to each inductee.

Congratulations to all of the 2022 NHS inductees! More photos from the program and a full list of this year’s new NHS members can be seen below:

The MHS Drama Department’s Spring Play, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime,” was presented this weekend in recognition of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month.

The performances were followed by professional panels focusing on mental health, held in partnership with the Marshalltown Police and Community Services Team (MPACT), including the MPD and Youth & Shelter Services (YSS) of Marshall County.

For more photos from the Spring Play, click here!

Marshalltown High School students explored exciting, close-to-home career opportunities during a career fair at the Roundhouse on Wednesday.

Dozens of local and regional employers were on hand to describe the careers they offer, the education and experience sought for those careers, and the steps students could take to build a successful future working in the Marshalltown area.

Several key career fields were represented at the fair, including health care, insurance, conservation, energy, business/commerce, financial services, food service, grocery, public education, news and communications, law enforcement, emergency services, non-profit services, and local government.

Thank you to all of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who talked to Bobcat students about the great careers available right here at home! See more photos from Wednesday’s career fair below.

Approximately 300 band, orchestra, and vocal music students from Marshalltown High School and South Tama County High School had the opportunity to attend an educational session with the Musical Comedy Duo – Duo Baldo this week.

The event was sponsored by Live On Stage Marshalltown and featured renowned violinist Brad Repp and pianist/actor Aldo Genileschi, who carry on the classical comedic performances that were once given by Victor Borge, Anna Russell, PDQ Bach, and Gerard Hoffnung. These performers were known for their canny combination of great musical skill and terrific comedic timing.

The members of Duo Baldo met in Italy while they were both studying classical music. Since then, the duo has performed for sold-out audiences all over the world. This week’s show at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center was part of Duo Baldo’s second US Tour since 2018.

Live On Stage Marshalltown is in its 82nd season of bringing World Class Live Entertainment to the Marshalltown area. Each season, Live On Stage sponsors two STAR Education opportunities for area students to experience and interact with professional artists from around the world.

Local business owner Lonnie Hogeland has made yet another generous donation to the Marshalltown CSD, this time in support of the Fisher Elementary playground resurfacing project.

“I’m here to say thanks for the opportunity to help,” Hogeland said at the Monday, March 21 Marshalltown School Board meeting, where the board accepted his $4,000 donation. “I’m just wanting to give back.”

The Fisher playground project will include replacing the existing pea gravel play surface with a new rubberized surface. Buildings and Grounds Director Todd Goulding said Hogeland’s donation will allow for the installation of two additional play panels for Bobcat students.

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the donation was the latest example of the 1986 MHS graduate’s support of Marshalltown Schools.

“[Hogeland] has done a lot of work in helping add equipment and spaces for recreational play at many of our elementary schools over time,” Dr. Schutte said. 

Testaments to the Hogeland Auto Plaza owner’s generosity can be found in many places across the District, from a swing set at Fisher Elementary to the safety vests worn by crossing guards after the tragic loss of Franklin Elementary student Christian Maxon in 2019.

Thank you to Lonnie Hogeland for another generous donation!

For the second year in a row, a Marshalltown High School student has won the Poetry Out Loud state finals, the Iowa Arts Council announced today.

MHS freshman Landon Stanley took first place in this year’s contest, earning a chance to compete for a national championship and a share of $50,000 in scholarships and school prize money. MHS alum Elijah Thiessen took first place last year.

Stanley won this year’s contest with recitations of “Broken Promises” by David Kirby, “A Graveyard” by Marianne Moore, and “La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad” by John Keats. With his victory, Stanley received a $200 cash prize and $500 for MHS to purchase poetry books, courtesy of the Poetry Foundation.

He will compete virtually against students from all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and several U.S. territories in the national semifinals, which will be streamed on Sunday, May 1, at arts.gov.

This year’s virtual state competition capped off a season during which nearly 500 Iowa students memorized and recited poems for school and semi-final state competitions. The top 18 scoring students advanced to the recent state contest.

National History Day (NHD) has selected three MCSD teachers to take part in this spring’s Historical Argumentation Webinar Series.

MHS Heritage Spanish teacher Kristin Stuchis, MHS ELL teacher Shawna Hutchison and Marshalltown Learning Academy English teacher Katherine Mummert were among five teachers in Iowa, and 120 nationwide, chosen for this great opportunity.

“The teachers who participate in Historical Argumentation are all dedicated to teaching students about the nuances of creating a sound claim backed by evidence,” said NHD Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn.

The webinar series features resources from the Library of Congress. Through the course, teachers develop strategies to help their students think like a historian and develop a solid historical argument.

Upon completing the series, the teachers will have demonstrated they can use Library of Congress resources to map out a model historical argument. Participants earn professional development credits upon course completion.

Congratulations to Kristin Stuchis, Shawna Hutchison, and Katherine Mummert!

Three Marshalltown CSD staff members were recognized for going above and beyond to serve students and support their peers in the Second Quarter of the 2021-22 school year.

Miller Middle School Counseling Office administrative assistant Micki Butler, Rogers Elementary Food Service staff member Kristy DeFrance, and Fisher Elementary nurse Heather Van Buren were awarded after being nominated by their peers.

Miller behavior interventionist Chad Spear and special education teacher Derek Wrage nominated Micki Butler for the award, saying “Teachers and students often come to [Butler] for answers and advice. She is able to foster positive relationships with all types of students, which is really appreciated since she is the first person someone sees when they come into the counseling office.”

At Rogers, Kristy DeFrance was nominated for being organized, efficient and friendly. Food Service Director Lynn Large said DeFrance “… has stepped up as a leader to work with different Food Service staff members. Kris approaches her work in a selfless way.”

Heather Van Buren was nominated by Fisher kindergarten teacher Lauren McKibben.

“Nurse Heather takes the time to get to know the students at Fisher Elementary,” McKibben said. “She is constantly on the go, assisting staff and students without failing to bring a positive attitude into the room.”

Congrats to all three of these outstanding Bobcat staff members!

Marshalltown High School Athletics is proud to introduce Todd Oberthien as the next head coach of the Bobcats Baseball program.

As a former player and a coach, Coach Oberthien has exemplary leadership skills, extensive knowledge of baseball and genuine passion for the game. He currently serves as Housing Coordinator and assistant baseball coach for Marshalltown Community College.

“I am excited for the opportunity to help grow and lead the Bobcats Baseball program,” Oberthien said. “I will be looking to bring new energy and a new style of play to the team. I want kids to want to join the baseball team and know they are a part of something special. Bobcat Baseball is going to be fun, competitive, and energetic – it will be a community staple going forward.”

Oberthien’s background includes baseball coaching experience at Central College and Hartwick Ladora Victor Community School District. He also brings extensive coaching experience at camps and clinics for the Diamond Dreams Academy in North Liberty, as well as at Perfect Game All-Iowa Select in Cedar Rapids. 

“We are very excited to see what Todd will do to build and sustain Bobcats Baseball for the next generation of Marshalltown kids,” said MHS Activities Director Ryan Isgrig. “Not only will he bring his knowledge of baseball analytics, techniques, mechanics and logistics, but Todd will also sharpen our kids with life skills – leadership, teamwork, discipline and dedication – the things they need to be successful in life.”

As a player, Oberthien was no stranger to success. He graduated from Solon High School in 2013, where he earned distinction as an All-District utility player and was part of back-to-back Iowa State High School Baseball Championship teams in 2010 and 2011.

Oberthien continued his baseball career for two years at MCC. Upon graduation, he transferred to Mount Mercy University, earning a B.A. in Business and Sports Management in 2018. That same year, he was named the Heart of America Conference Honorable Mention Relief Pitcher.

“I believe Coach Oberthien will rekindle that fire that the Marshalltown community has always had for baseball,” Isgrig said. “I am confident he will cultivate a sense of pride in the Bobcats Baseball uniform and will ignite a renewed passion for the game among our student-athletes.”

The Bobcats Baseball season officially begins on May 2, 2022.