Bobcats Making Headlines

These Miller Middle School students presented at the Central Iowa Technology Fair on May 5 at Iowa State University. Pictured in the front row, from left, Carlye Castillo, Drake Polley, Kiara Juarez Parra, and Derek Peng. Back row, Stephanie Zavalza Flores, Marek Jablonski, Norah Wilson, Lilly Duff, Alivia Eaton, Jacob Swartz and Marcus Barker.

Marshalltown High School students who presented at the Central Iowa Technology Fair at Iowa State University on May 5 are pictured. From left, are Sebastian Garcia, Lucas Kramer, Lucas Thiessen, Zach Swartz, Ethan Thill, Dylan Roseburrough, Patrick Schafer, Joseph Anguiano, Jared Rice and Aaron Walker.

Franklin Elementary School students Ella Spitzli, left, and Olivia Zavala Livengood won blue ribbons for their presentation at the Central Iowa Technology Fair held May 5 at Iowa State University.

Extended Learning Program students from Franklin Elementary School, Miller Middle School and Marshalltown High School attended the Central Iowa Technology Fair at Iowa State University on May 5.

The technology fair offers K-12 students an opportunity to showcase technology-based projects created as part of their extended learning program curriculum.  Almost 300 projects are presented at technology fairs statewide.

The projects span eight different categories including web presence, programming, video/linear presentation, graphics/publishing, 3-D rendering/non-linear animation, music/sound design, mobile apps, and innovative technology use.

Listed below are award winners from Marshalltown Schools.

Judges Choice Award winners include:
– Lilly Duff, MMS, “Sonic Pi Music” in the category of music and sound design
– Marcus Barker, Derek Peng and Jacob Swartz, MMS, “Mysteries of the Brick” in the category of programming

Blue Ribbon winners include:
– Drake Polley and Norah Wilson, MMS, “The Building Blocks of XLP” in the category of video or linear animation
– Alivia Eaton and Kiara Juarez Parra, MMS, “Modern Classical Music Playlist” in the category of music and sound design
– Carlye Castillo and Stephanie Zavalza Flores, MMS, “Miller Middle School Promotional Video” in the category of video or linear animation
– Ella Spitzli and Olivia Zavala Livengood, Franklin Elementary, “Follow the Recon Rover” in the category of programming
– Sebastian Garcia and Lucas Kramer, MHS – “Jindiana Bones” – programming category
– Zach Swartz, MHS – “Runner” – programming category
– Patrick Schafer, MHS – “Fraction Dungeon” – programming category
– Dylan Roseburrough, MHS – “One Hand Band” – innovative use of technology category
– Joseph Anguiano, MHS – “The Sound of Obsolete Technology” – innovative use of technology 

Red Ribbon winners include:
– Marek Jablonski, MMS, “Animated Light Show” in the category of innovative technology Use
– Ethan Thill and Jared Rice, MHS – “Adventures in Netherwick” – programming category
– Aaron Walker, MHS – “Aircraft Sim Control Board” – innovative use in technology
– Lucas Thiessen, MHS – “Brotherhood Soundtrack: Expanded” – sound design category

Marshalltown High School students are pictured with their reimagined creations as part of the Repurpose with a Purpose contest at the CTE Extravaganza at Marshalltown Community College on May 8. Pictured from left, are Michelle Macias, Jazmyn Sink, Karlie Potter, Rubi Morelos, Lavonne Tran, Tristen Streeter and Caitlyn Traylor.

Dozens of Marshalltown High School students participated in the CTE Extravaganza at Marshalltown Community College on May 8.

The event celebrates Career and Technical Education and the skills learned in those classes, said MHS teacher Jaime Anderson.

Area schools competed in multiple events within each discipline of CTE including business, family and consumer sciences and industrial technology. Students created and taught a lesson to elementary students, baked cupcakes as part of Cupcake Wars, reimagined materials as part of Repurpose with a Purpose, welded, created saw horses, did a measurement test, created videos and took part in rapid job interviews.

“We are extremely proud of all the hard work these students have put in,” Anderson said. “They represented MHS well.”

Place winners from MHS included:
Repurpose with a Purpose: 1st place- Michelle Macias, 2nd place- Tristen Streeter
Cupcake Wars: 3rd place- Taylor Miron, Kassidy Ealy and Dalton Meyer
Welding: 2nd place- Avygail Smith and Carlos Gomez
The Measurements Test: 1st place- Decker Mann and Brayden Arnote

Place winners from MHS in the CTE Extravaganza include, front row, from left, Decker Mann and Brayden Arnote, Dalton Meyer and Michelle Macias. Back row, Carlos Gomez, Avygail Smith, Kassidy Ealy, Taylor Miron and Tristen Streeter.

Miller Middle School teacher Alex Koppy grabs a cookie prior to the school day on May 9. Cookies were delivered to the schools as part of National Teacher Day.

May 7 through 12 is National Teacher Appreciation Week and May 9 is National Teacher Day.

As part of National Teacher Day, cookies were delivered to teachers at all of the schools in the Marshalltown Community School District, compliments of the district.

“Teachers play an extremely important role in the development of the lives of children during their formative years,” said Dr. Theron J. Schutte, MCSD Superintendent. “They strive to help students successfully pursue post-secondary education, explore career opportunities and to participate in events and activities they might otherwise have not considered. Their ultimate goal is to mold students into responsible and productive citizens of our country. In recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week we thank the 400+ teachers, within the Marshalltown Community School District, for the positive difference they make in the lives of the students they serve on a daily basis.”

Miller Middle School teachers Shawna Hutchison, left, and Katie Sawer enjoy cookies as part of National Teacher Day on May 9.

Lenihan Intermediate School students who completed a year in the Ricochet student leadership group received certificates during a recognition ceremony recently.

Lenihan Intermediate School held a special graduation recognition ceremony for its student leadership group, Ricochet, recently. A total of 41 students received certificates for completing a year of leadership training and community service.

Students also presented $200 to the Splash For Life effort (splash pad), after a fundraiser at the school.

As part of the event, Lenihan invited community leaders to serve on a panel to answer questions from the students on leadership.

Included on the panel were: Lynn Jensen of Emerson, Marshalltown Mayor Jim Lowrance, Big Brothers Big Sisters Director Lynne Carroll, School Board President Bea Niblock, Marshalltown Public Library Director Sarah Rosenblum, Marshalltown Schools Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte and Times-Republican Publisher Mike Schlesinger.

Times-Republican Publisher Mike Schlesinger is pictured talking to the Lenihan Richochet student leadership group recently as part of a community leader panel. Also pictured, from left, are Lynn Jensen of Emerson, Marshalltown Mayor Jim Lowrance, Lynne Carroll of Big Brothers Big Sister, School Board President Bea Niblock, Sarah Rosenblum of the Marshalltown Public Library and Marshalltown Schools Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

Lynn Jensen of Emerson presents information about the global valve manufacturer to Lenihan students as part of a tour held on May 4. Students who have been tutored by Emerson staff visited them at the Governor Road plant.

Throughout the school year, staff from the Emerson’s Governor Road valve manufacturing plant have been visiting students at Lenihan Intermediate School to tutor the youth.

For the week of May 1-5, it was time for the Lenihan students to return the favor and visit Emerson staff.

Students visited the largest valve manufacturing facility in the world, took a tour and also were treated to pizza.

“We wanted to visit to thank them and this gives the students a chance to see where they work and what they do,” said Lenihan Principal Kyle Young.

Lenihan students and Principal Kyle Young are pictured in the lobby of the Emerson Governor Road valve manufacturing plant.

Marshalltown High School senior Drake Zeuthen takes part in college decision (signing) day on May 3 at MHS. Students announced where they were going to pursue their education at the event.

Throughout the morning on May 3 senior students at Marshalltown High School stopped by the library to announce where they were headed to college as part of college decision day at the school.

For a video a sampling of the student announcements, click here.

Lenihan Intermediate School sixth graders are pictured with trophies from the spelling bee on May 2. At right is first place finisher Hailey Weidler, next to second place finisher Jason Strand.

Lenihan Intermediate School gathered 25 of its top spellers from fifth and sixth grades for a spelling bee on May 2. After all was said and done, sixth grader Hailey Weidler won first place in the event.

Jason Strand placed second, Naomi Lucht third and Brenden Finders placed fourth in the event.

Lenihan staff members Jen O’Neal, Connie Jensen and Pam Muench served as judges while teacher Vanessa Engel was the announcer.

The students qualified for the bee via a written test taken earlier in the school year.

Marshalltown High School student Steven Barron gets his blood pressure checked by Marshall County Public Health Nurse Pat Thompson during the MHS health fair held on May 2 at the school. 

With a goal to empower students and staff to make healthy choices, Marshalltown High School hosted a health fair on May 2. It featured several booths with a wide range of information on health and wellness topics.

MHS Nurse Stacey Tool-Crawford said hundreds of students attended the fair.

“The health fair was a success with many students visiting the various booths and interacting in the games and health related activities,” Tool-Crawford said. “We had a wonderful assortment of health professionals who shared information about healthy choices for our students and staff.”

Michelle Mitchell, food service supervisor with Marshalltown Schools, presented a variety of snacks for students and information on whole grains at the MHS health fair.

Students from Marshalltown High School who attended the Women Sing event at the University of Northern Iowa on April 25 are, front row, from left, Emily Waldon, Janell Johnston, Yatnia Hernandez, Kassandra Wilkins, Sophie Blubaugh, Erin Duffy, Ireland Hootman, Hannah Gardea and Marina Rosalez. Second row, Liberty Grife, Jordan Blue, Hannah Shirar, Carissa King, Meghan Haight, Noel Diggins, Isabella Pedersen, Eva Hernandez, Lillian Mulinix and Bell Russell. Back row, Brianna Dean, Amanda Hoffman, Taylor Naughton, Hadley Wagner, Abby Murty, Olivia Stone, Molly Bach, Nyapukah Gatwech and Molly Sickles.

A total of 28 young women from the Marshalltown High School Treble and Concert Choirs attended the inaugural Women Sing event at the University of Northern Iowa on April 25. It was a day of singing and empowerment for the young women coming from 19 different schools across Iowa to share the unifying experience of singing in a women’s chorus, according to MHS Vocal Music Director Amy Ose.

Women Sing was created by UNI Director Amy Kotsonis and was designed to be an all-day choral festival open to all high school women, where they would join the inclusive community of strong, proud women that make up the UNI Women’s Chorus for the day.

They connected with young women from across Iowa as well as faculty members from multiple academic areas at UNI.

The day included rehearsals, a concert by the UNI female voice faculty members, a campus tour and a panel discussion with non-music female faculty members.

The event culminated in an evening performance in the Great Hall at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center that featured the UNI Women’s Chorus and the Women Sing Festival Chorus. MHS graduate Emily Murtha is a member of the UNI Women’s Chorus.

These Lenihan Intermediate School students qualified for the state math bee after competing in the regional math bee at AEA 267 on May 1. Pictured in front row, from left, are Locke Bloomquist, Kaiden McWilliams, Ashten Finders and Mang Sang. Back row, Annmarie Zhou, Chesni Uhde, Derek Ketcham, Jason Strand and Josh Reynolds.

Several Lenihan Intermediate School students qualified for the state math bee after competing in the sixth grade regional math bee at the AEA 267 in Marshalltown on May 1.

Teams from Lenihan, St. Francis Catholic School, BCLUW, Meskwaki Settlement School and Timothy Christian School participated in the regional bee, which included rounds of written math tests.

Lenihan teams took third and fourth place in the event and also qualified individuals for the state bee, which is May 16 in Cedar Falls. Lenihan student Jason Strand was the top overall individual finisher among all students at the regional bee.

St. Francis had a team place first and BCLUW had a second place team as the top four teams qualified for state as well as the top 16 individuals.

All regional math bee competitors from Lenihan Intermediate School.