​       Marissa Geerlings and Cody Meinecke, volunteers with the Montezuma Fire and Rescue Department, recently completed the coursework to earn their National EMS Certification. The two volunteers attended class two nights a week for six months and had to go through 36-hours of ER ride time. In addition, they had to take the practical test, a hands-on skills-based examination along with the national NREMT written exam.

By J.O. Parker
 
     Two Montezuma Fire and Rescue volunteers were recently recognized for earning their National EMS Certification.
        Marissa Geerlings and Cody Meinecke have completed the required course work to earn the certification.
      “I’m so proud of myself,” said Geerlings, who serves as an EMT and ambulance driver with the Montezuma Fire Department. “This has been something that I have been working so hard to get. Countless nights of studying have paid off.”
      As an EMT, Geerlings and Meinecke will assess a patient’s condition and administer emergency medical care at a basic level.
     “Our main task is going on ambulance calls and helping people who have emergencies get the best possible emergency care,” said Geerlings.
        Geerlings and Meinecke attended class two nights a week for six months and had to go through 36-hours of ER ride time to earn the certification. They also had to pass a number of tests including the practical test, a hands-on skills-based examination, along with the national NREMT test. The NREMT (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians) written exam covers the entire spectrum of EMS care including: Airway, Respiration and Ventilation; Cardiology and Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical and Obstetrics/Gynecology; and EMS Operations.
        “It is a sense of accomplishment,” said Meinecke. “I want to help the department and the community.”
        Meinecke has severed on the MFD for two years and the Barnes City Fire Department for 6.5 years.
        “I am currently an interior firefighter and EMT,” he said.
        He previously served as assistant fire chief at Barnes City.
      Geerlings said Joel Kercheval and Mindy Icenbice with the MFD have always been there when she had questions or was unsure of what something was.
       “I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Geerlings. “It’s not always easy being a first responder, but when it’s your second family, it’s all worth it.”

By J.O. Parker
 
      Area youngsters and the young at heart are welcome to come, meet and have their photo taken with Santa Claus during the annual Montezuma Hometown Holiday on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Memorial Hall. 
Various other activities are planned throughout the day and into the evening. They include the following:
     Santa Breakfast Buffet – 8 – 10 a.m., Memorial Hall. Visit and photo op with Santa; breakfast buffet (freewill donation) and cookie decorating.
      Hot Cocoa Special – 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Vivarium.
      Cookie Walk – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., United Methodist Church.
     Gingerbread Man Story Walk  – 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Montezuma Public Library (Self-guided book tour and take home craft).
    Open house with child & adult beverage tasting by Millstream Brewing – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Montezuma Floral and More.
      Terrance Blain – pianist presenting “Comfort & Joy II” - 2 p.m., United Methodist Church.
      Soup Supper with Live Music – 4:30 – 7 p.m., Presbyterian Church.
     Holiday Lights Aglow Tour – The fourth annual PAC’s Holiday Lights Aglow Tour around Montezuma will take place at dusk (maps will be available at the Santa Breakfast).
Stroll around the square and enjoy the specials and the tree displays in all the shops and businesses.
 
 
 
 

Montezuma's Lily Shoemaker finishes in top 10 of solo dance.

​By J.O. Parker
 
     A Montezuma High School senior and member of the dance team recently earned top 10 honors at a state qualifying solo dance event held Oct. 28 at Nevada High School.
    Lily Shoemaker, 17, the daughter of Jeff and Shelley Shoemaker of Montezuma, was one of two Montezuma seniors who performed at the qualifying event held under the direction of the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association (ISDTA).
    Coral Lowry also performed at the event.
    The two seniors were among 78 dancers from across the state who competed in Class 1 at the event. There were a total of 12 classes at the solo event.
   Shoemaker performed a contemporary dance solo at the qualifying event. She was judged on technic, showmanship and chorography.
    “I was surprised (to make the top 10),” said Shoemaker. “I knew that I put in all the effort. It’s a high honor to qualify.”
    As a solo performer, Shoemaker selected her music, costume and style. Her dance was set to the song, “Never Felt So Alone” by Labrinth.
    Shoemaker will participate at the ISDTA state dance competition on Nov. 30 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. She will learn how she placed at the solo event during the state competition.
    Shoemaker finished third in the state as a sophomore and 11th her junior year.
    Shoemaker has been dancing since she was 4-years-old. She takes dance classes at Melinda’s Dance Studio in Williamsburg.
      Her Montezuma High School dance team instructor is Macy Taylor Richards.
    In addition to dance, Shoemaker participates in vocal music, cheer, speech and drama and the musical. Her most recent role was in the musical production of “Into the Woods” as Jack’s mother.
     As for the future, Shoemaker plans to attend a 4-year college and study psychology with plans to become a forensic psychologist.
     “That is my future plans, definitely something in the future,” she said.

​     Members of the Montezuma FFA Farm and Agribusiness  Management team were named runner up champions at the 2023 National FFA Convention and Expo earlier this month in Indianapolis. Team members are, from left: Camryn Brennan, Cruz DeJong, Madison Van Zee and Makenna Johannes. Brennan finished second individually and Johannes earned seventh place individual honors. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker
 
     The Montezuma FFA Chapter team earned second in the nation honors in the Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, which was held Nov. 1 – 4.
     The Farm and Agribusiness Management team is comprised of Camryn Brennan, Cruz DeJong, Makenna Johannes and Madison Van Zee.
     In individual honors, Brennan finished second in the nation and Johannes finished seventh in the nation. The team’s success earned them a gold emblem rating and each team member was recognized as gold emblem individuals.
    The National FFA Farm and Agribusiness Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section.
     Montezuma’s Conduct of Chapter Meetings team wrapped up the convention with a silver emblem honor.
The Conduct of Meetings team is Brady Boulton, Luke Brennan, Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Luke Erselilus, Broox Stockman and Peyton Tindle with alternate Lily Ferry.
     Participants of the Conduct of Chapter Meetings Leadership Development Event (LDE) are 7th, 8th, and 9th graders who conduct an orderly and efficient chapter meeting using parliamentary procedures. Members also answered questions based upon the team presentation of parliamentary procedure and completed a written exam.

​     Members of the Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings team earned silver emblem honors at the 2023 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis earlier this month. Team members are, from left: Brady Boulton, Peyton Tindle, Luke Brennan, Lilly Ferry (alternate) Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Luke Erselilus and Broox Stockman. Submitted photo.

     A scene at grandma's house during the Montezuma Drama Department production of 'Into the Woods.'

     Students at Montezuma Junior and Senior High worked hard to bring the community Into the Woods, a challenging musical and dark comedy from James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. The show centers around everyone’s favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece.
     The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. Be careful what you wish for…
       More often than not, fairy tale characters don't feel the weight of their actions' consequences. They do as they're told, and their wishes fall into their laps. Into the Woods emphasizes that this results in discontent characters who don't understand the importance of responsibility. Everything seems to be going perfectly fine until Act 2, when the characters begin to see consequences for the choices they have made, and we get to join them for the wild ride that ensues.
      This year’s cast is made up of: Taylor Wilcox, Narrator; Lydia Singleton, Cinderella; Camryn Brennan, Jack; Kaya Latcham, Baker; Faith Ferry, Baker’s Wife; Tayler Wickham, Stepmother; Hayley Burnett, Florinda; Letisia Wilson, Lucinda; Lily Shoemaker, Jack’s Mother; Gracie Wilson, Little Red Riding Hood; Isabella Roorda, Witch; Cael Cheney, Cinderella’s Father; Laila Kercheval, Mysterious Man; Jacob Meyer, Wolf; Addyson Probasco, Rapunzel; Ethan Desrochers, Rapunzel’s Prince; Bryn Fantazia, Granny, Giant; Owen Desrochers, Cinderella’s Prince; Jayden Doll, Steward; Lola Miller, Cinderella’s Mother; Marley Stowell, Harp with Chorus Members: Addi Ver Meer, Abbi Henkle , Adalyn Hoskins, Alanna Hutchinson, Alexis Coder, Alyssa Bos, Annie Mathes, Ava DeWeese, Brea Cheney, Brielle Haughey, Brooks Wilson, Bryn Schmidt, Dayton Reif, Ella McGrane, Ella Pierce, Emma Snook, Grace Burnett, Isaiah Wilson, Keegan Gunderson Mallory Warden, Mya Smothers, Ryanne Williams, Sam Bos, Talen Holland, Tinsley Stowell.
     The show was produced by Liesl Roorda, directed by Kelly Kaup with scenic design by Brian Nolton.

       Montezuma's Sydnee Burgess drives the ball over the net against Tri-County in SICL play on Thursday, Oct. 12. The Bravettes picked up wins of 2-0 over Tri-County and 3-0 against English Valleys to take the silver bracket win. They finished the 2023 season at Sigourney on Monday, Oct. 16, falling to the Savages 3-0 in first round regional action.