The Montezuma Variety Show will now be at the Community Hope Church (501 N Front St, Montezuma) - not in the school’s auditorium.
     Look for the door marked “Audience Entrance” on Saturday, March 25. Doors will open at 6:15 with a 7pm start.
     Tickets are still on sale in the school office and Montezuma State Bank.

         Vendors are being sought for the Montezuma Area Home and Business Expo slated for Tuesday, March 28 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in the Montezuma Community School North Gym. The Home and Business Expo provides an informative and enjoyable opportunity for community members to explore businesses and organizations in a convenient and family-friendly environment.
     Costs per table is $40 for Montezuma Booster members and $50 for non-members. Non-profit organization cost is $25. Vendors will receive a 10-foot space and 8-foot table. Set up time is 4 – 5 p.m.
      The expo features a number of retailers, home businesses, church officials and civic groups from Montezuma and across Poweshiek County. Food will be available and giveaways will happen throughout the evening.
           To reserve a table or booth, contact Jo Ahrens at 641-623-5640 or Deb VerMeer at 641- 623-2177.

​     Masin Shearer goes airborne as he shoots a basket in District Semifinal action against Baxter at Pleasantville High School on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Masin poured in 39-points in the game and reached the 1,000-point scoring plateau. He finished his prep career at Montezuma with 1,036-points and is the 13th player in school history to reach 1,000-points.

By J.O. Parker
 
     Masin Shearer, a senior on the Montezuma Braves Basketball team, has reached the 1,000-point elite scoring club while closing out his prep career.
      The milestone came during the 82-69 loss to Baxter in District Semifinal action on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Pleasantville High School.
      Masin scored 39 points in the game and finished his prep basketball career at Montezuma with 1,036 points.
        The milestone has landed Masin among that elite basketball scorers at Montezuma.
       “Masin is a great kid,” said Braves Coach, Derrick Dengler. “He's now 11th all time on the career scoring list for Montezuma and the 13th player all time to hit 1,000 points. It's a tremendous career accomplishment and highlights how talented and hardworking of a player he is.”
        “It is a very cool accomplishment to get but wasn’t something that I was actively going for,” said Masin. “I was more focused on making the right play and winning games to continue the journey with my coaches and teammates.”
       “I’m incredibly proud of Masin and all he’s accomplished,” said his brother, Trey, who plays for the Truman State Bulldogs. “He has really grown into quite a leader these last couple seasons, and it was fun to sit on the sideline and watch him do it. I’m grateful that he and I were able to share the floor together for two seasons. They will always be my favorite couple seasons of basketball.”
       Following graduation in May, Masin plans to attend Marshalltown Community College where he will attend lineman school.

​     Masin holds the 1,000-point banner after the District Semifinal game against Baxter at Pleasantville High School. Masin finished his prep career with 1,036 points. Submitted photo.

​      Masin, right, hugs his brother, Trey, after the Montezuma Braves celebrate the school’s first Class 1A State Championship in 31 years on March 12, 2021 at Wells Fargo Arena after defeating North Linn, 44-41. Masin and Trey played together for two years at Montezuma. 

​      Montezuma’s Peoples Savings Bank is now Capra Bank. The long-time Montezuma banking institution was sold to Lynn Tut Fuller of Dubuque in mid-September 2022. The bank will continue to operate in Montezuma with the same staff and personalized service customers have come to trust.

By J.O. Parker
 
      A long-time Montezuma bank has new owners and a new name with a goal to continue to operate with the same local and personalized service customers have come to trust.
        Peoples Savings Bank at 106 S. 2nd St. is now Capra Bank.
      Brothers Mike and David Arendt, who both retired, along with the now late Bill Bolen, sold the bank to Lynn Tut Fuller of Dubuque.
       The Iowa Division of Banking accepted the application in July 2022 with Tut taking control of the bank in Mid-September 2022. The name change became official on Feb. 20. The new sign was installed on Feb. 25.
        The bank is retaining its current staff, drive thru and ATM, with plans to add new banking offerings on the horizon. Dave Arendt will remain on the board.
      Arendt and Arendt Insurance, which formerly operated out of the bank, has been purchased by Curtis Bolen and Heather (Arendt) Snook and has relocated to 401 E. Main St., directly behind Mainstreet Hair Designers. Craig Arendt will manage the insurance business.
     Tut’s involvement in the banking industry dates back four generations to his great-grandfather, who founded Dubuque Bank and Trust in July 1935.
      “We are committed to community banking,” said Tut. “We chose Peoples Savings Bank, which is also a fourth generation bank, as a platform to build the next great community bank.”
       Tut serves as the new bank President, while Dan Walsh, who is based in Dubuque, serves as Senior Vice President. Jen Hanson, who operates remotely, is Senior Vice President of Operations and Technology.
       Locally, Curtis Bolen, Heather Snook and Nicole Arendt remain at the bank and serve as Vice Presidents. Other staff remaining are Robin Bolen, Patty Powell and Peggy Watts.
       Peoples Savings Bank was founded on Jan. 2, 1946 by Melvin Arendt, father of the late Dick Arendt, Shirley Bolen and Jim Arendt. The bank operated from the building on the northeast corner of 4th and Main streets (now home of Mainstreet Hair Designers) for 27 years. The bank then built and moved into its current location in January 1973. This year marks the bank’s 50th year in that location.
     Since purchasing the bank, Tut said he spent a good deal of time in Montezuma getting to know the employees, customers and community.
        “I will spend more time in Montezuma as needed,” he said.
      Tut added that Montezuma is a great community and that the bank has great employees and a great customer base. He said the bank prides itself on being involved in the local community.
       “The Montezuma bank already has a great technical system in place to build from, making new offerings and upgrades (possible) very quickly,” he said.
       Tut said the name change was necessary to allow the bank to expand, due in part to Peoples Savings Bank sharing its name with other banking institutions, making it hard to execute a growth strategy that involves expansion into new markets.
      “Because our bank would need a different name in new markets, we felt it was important for this name change to take effect at the Montezuma branch,” noted Tut.
      Bank officials noted that customers bank account(s) and routing numbers will stay the same under the new ownership.
      “Montezuma will still be here to serve you, and will undergo some renovations and updates,” Tut said.      “And you will continue to see many familiar faces. With the exception of the three employees who recently retired, all other staff members have remained at Peoples Savings Bank.”
        Tut said he encourages current and future bank customers to check out the bank’s many online offerings at https://caprabank.com.
       “I think people from Montezuma and Poweshiek County when they see our online offerings and what we can do, they will be proud,” noted Tut. “It’s community banking done right.”
      “We are pleased the bank is going to continue,” said David Arendt. “Our family ran the bank for 76 years with four generations and we are very pleased all of the employees have been retained. We look forward to watching the bank continue to grow and support the community.”
      Capra Bank hours are: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday; and 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Fridays with the drive thru remaining open until 6 p.m. on that day.
       The Montezuma location can be reached at 888-332-2772 or via email at: Support@CapraBank.com.

        Four Montezuma High School dancers tried out in August 2022 for the All Iowa Honor Dance Team with two advancing to perform during two games at the Iowa Girls’ State Basketball Tournament, Feb. 27 – March 4.
      Ellen Cook, a sophomore, left, and Camryn Brennan, a junior, right, where chosen to dance at the tournament. The two Montezuma dancers were among more than 500 other dancers from across the state learning new choreography and then performing it at the tournament.
         “This is an opportunity for over 500 dancers throughout the state of Iowa to learn choreography in one day and then perform it in front of a series of judges,” noted Macy Richards, dance coach.
       Cook and Brennan where able to perform during halftime of the 5A Championship game on Friday, March 3 and the 4A Championship game on Saturday, March 4.

        Montezuma's Ashley Huff has been named Ambassador of the Iowa Meat Goat Association.

     Members of the Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings Team earned a gold rating and second place finish while punching their ticket to state competition in April. Pictured from left are: Brady Boulton, Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Luke Brennan, Peyton Tindle, Luke Erselius, Broox Stockman and Lily Ferry.

    Three Montezuma FFA teams and two individuals have advanced to state following Southeast District Competition on Saturday, March 4 in Muscatine.
       Following are the results:
      *Job Interview - first place, gold rating
      *Radio - first place, gold rating
      *Conduct - second place, gold rating
      *Ag Impact - first place, gold rating
      *Ag CSI - second place, gold rating
      Ag CSI - third place, gold rating (alternate for state)
      Experience the Action (ETA) - fourth place, gold rating
      *Advancing to State Convention
      Submitted photos

     Madison Johannes, left, with the Montezuma FFA, is joined by friend, classmate and FFA member, Mia Boulton, right, after the two young ladies advanced to state competition during the FFA Districts in Muscatine on March 4. Mia earned a first place finish and gold rating in the Job Interview category while Madison Johannes earned a first place finish and gold rating in Radio Broadcasting.

     The Montezuma FFA Ag Impact Team finished in first place and earned a gold rating at districts on Saturday March 4. The team's good work earned them a trip to state in April. Pictured are, from left: 
Easton Hudnut, Sydnee Burgess, Rylie Wolford, Rett Pargeon, Vivian Cook, Leah Urfer and Annaleece Kercheval.

      The Montezuma FFA Ag CSI Team earned second place and a gold rating at districts while punching their ticket to state. Pictured are, from left: ddilynn Vermeer, Marley Stowell, Abbi Henkle, Olivia Latcham, Sophia Semprini and Lauryn Larmore.

     The Montezuma FFA Ag CSI Alternate Team finished districts with a third place honor and gold rating. Pictured are, from left: ​Hayden Sutherland, Kelsie Mostek, Lexi Rose, Dayton Reif and Talen Holland.

   The Montezuma FFA Experience the Action (ETA) team picked up a fourth place finish and gold rating at districts. Pictured are, from left: Ava Pargeon, Chloe Snook, Addyson Probasco, Kylee Larmore and Wyatt Grimm.

    Tami Wilhelm, right, gives Ava DeWeese a hug after winning the championship round between the adult female class and youth/junior girls class during the Deep River Sons of the American Legion Squadron 296 Pine Car Derby on Saturday, Feb. 25.

​       Winners of the youth boys class were, from left: Reed Blythe, first place; Becket Hanchett, second place; and Jaxon Kuntz, third place.

​      Winners of the junior boys class were, from left; Karsen Ross, first place; Zion Moore, second place; and Wesley Ross, third place. 

​      Winners of the youth/junior girls class were, from right: Ava DeWeese, first place; Addilynn Ross, second place; and BellaRae Bracy, third place.  

​      Special recognition honors were awarded to five young people at the Deep River Sons of American Legion Post 296 Pine Car Derby on Saturday, Feb. 25. Pictured are, from left: Barrett Mann, Unit 296 Presidents Choice; BellaRae Bracy, 5th District Presidents Choice; Rosslynn Bracy, Most Colorful; Jaxon Kuntz (being held by dad, Sammy), Best Paint; Wes Ross, Most Patriotic.

​     Dillion Wilhelm earned Grand Champion Pinewood Derby honors at the Deep River Sons of American Legion Post 296 Pine Car Derby on Saturday, Feb. 25.

​     Montezuma Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess, who was named one of the Class 1A Iowa Girls Coaches Association Coaches of the Year for 2023, encourages her players in the Regional Championship game against North Linn on Thursday, Feb. 23. Burgess has coached at Montezuma for six years, taking the Bravettes to state four times and compiling an overall record of 127-21.

​J.O. Parker
 
     The Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) has named Janel Burgess as one of the Coaches of the Year for 2023. Burgess, the coach of the Montezuma Bravettes, represents the Southeast District for Class 1A.
     When asked about this honor, Burgess said the season is always about the kids and how much they grow.
    “Each moment of this season was a true joy because I get the privilege to coach amazing young ladies on the basketball court,” said Burgess, who led the Bravettes to the Regional championship game and a 21-4 record. “This year will always stand out to me because I do truly believe we reached our fullest potential and each young lady grew as a person and basketball player. We were also playing some of our best basketball down the stretch, which is all any team wants to do. This award is a program award because collectively we had great success.”
     Burgess, who played for Montezuma and the Iowa State Cyclones, has led the Bravettes for six years, taking them to state four times and compiling a 127-21 overall record.
“It has been a privilege to have been coached by Coach Burgess these last four years,” said Montezuma senior Madison Johannes. “ She has helped me into the player I am today. I cannot wait to see where she takes the Montezuma Girls’ Basketball program.”
“I’ve really appreciated how passionate Coach Burgess is about our program each and every day,” said senior Kallie Robison. “It takes a special person to show up every day from November – February and make us the best players and people on and off the court. She puts in countless hours in the gym and watching film throughout the year, which allows us to reach our fullest potential.”
“Not only has Coach Burgess been an amazing mentor on the basketball court, but she’s an even better person,” said Montezuma senior Mia Boulton. “Her leadership and commitment to her players is something I’ve been blessed to experience.”
In addition to coaching basketball, Burgess teaches math at Montezuma Community Schools. She was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, the Montezuma High School Hall of Fame in 2019 and was named the South Iowa Cedar League (SICL) Coach of the Year in 2020-21.
Burgess currently serves on the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association's Basketball Advisory Committee.