Brothers Ethan Descrochers, left, and Owen, second from right, are pictured with their speech coaches, Kelly Kaup, second from left, and Liesl Roorda, right. The brothers were double nominated for the 2026 IHSSA Individual All-State Speech Festival.

​By J.O. Parker
 
      Montezuma brothers Owen and Ethan Descrochers achieved the rare honor of being double nominated for the 2026 IHSSA Individual All-State Speech Festival recognizing them among the top performers in the state.
      A double nomination means that they were recognized for outstanding performances receiving at least two "I" ratings or nominations from judges in two separate contest categories.
     Individual All State Festival was held on March 30 and was hosted by UNI. There were 594 students honored with All State nominations, representing 209 schools.  Only 494 of those nominations were able to perform. There are 14 individual categories that students can perform in. Each student can perform in up to two categories. Individuals perform in front of a critic who is a professional in the field in which they are performing.
       Owen, a senior, was nominated for his Solo Musical Theatre performance of the song “Moving Too Fast” from Jason Robert Brown’s The Last Five Years. Solo Musical Theater is a theatrical performance where the performer utilizes music in the form of song and acting.
     He was also nominated and performed his prose piece “The Toothbrush that You Just Threw Away has Some Questions About the 7 12-ounce Mountain Dew’s in Your Trashcan”. Prose is the oral interpretation of a selection of prose chosen by the speaker. Script is used. The selection may not exceed 6 minutes. The critic that Owen performed his Pose piece for was Kelsey Bigelow, Spoken Word and Page Poet from Des Moines.
     “I was nominated for musical theatre and performed my acting,” said Ethan, who is a sophomore. “My musical theatre piece was called “Along the Way” from the musical, Edges. My acting piece was called “Funerals are Better with Tater Tots.”
      Acting is a memorized presentation of a scene or monologue that can be either serious or humorous in tone and is eight minutes in length. Ethan performed his acting piece for critic Robin Spahr from The Des Moines Playhouse.
      “It was exciting and nerve-racking,” said Ethan when asked about performing at all state. “I’m very grateful for this experience.”
      Owen added, “It was nerve-racking to say the least, but it was awesome seeing how many people are that talented. I have wanted to go to solo all-state speech as a performer since being in musical theatre. To me, making double all state means that my performance was strong enough to make all state when most people don’t even make state. It’s a huge achievement. I never thought I’d get to this point.” 
      Owen has been acting for five years. When asked about his favorite memories of his past plays, Owen said, “I can’t quite pick a favorite memory, but I remember the week before the musical every year it’s always fun seeing the musicals come together.”
       “My favorite musical memory is probably being funny with my brother and our friends,” said Ethan, who started acting in the musicals during his 6th grade year, making this year five as well.
        When asked what he likes most about acting, Ethan said, “I like learning how to say each and every word in the piece. It adds so much more emotion.” 
        Owen added, “I like singing and doing my best portray of the character I am acting as.”
Owen is planning on attending William Penn University to study exercise science to pursue a career in physical therapy.
        “I plan to continue acting at William Penn,” said Owen. “I will be performing in their musicals.”
Ethan, who has two more years of high school, said, “I think musicals are so much fun and would love to continue participating in them. Do speech. You won’t regret it!”
      Liesl Roorda coached Owen in Prose while Kelly Kaup coached Owen in Musical Theater and Ethan in Acting and Musical Theater.
     “Getting to All State is not an easy task,” said Kaup. “Getting a double All State nomination is a rare achievement. These boys worked incredibly hard to deserve this achievement. It was so special that they could share that for Owen's senior year. We have had so much fun working with these boys through the years.”

​        Montezuma author Jamie Brennan is shown with her newly published farm-life coloring book entitled “Diamond B Ranch: Life on the Farm.” The paperback book features 27 pages filled with cute farm animals, bold, easy-to-color pages, and fun activities, all of which are perfect for young artists. Animals featured in the book include horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, cats and dogs. The book is available on Amazon for $9.99 or can be purchased directly from the author.

​By J.O. Parker
 
      An opportunity to learn more about creating user-generated content has led to a Montezuma woman publishing a farm animal coloring book.
      Jamie Brennan was recently taking part in a course geared toward creative projects when she came up with the book idea.
       “It was one of those lightbulb moments where everything just clicked,” said Brennan.
Her new book, “Diamond B Ranch: Life on the Farm,” was released in March and is based on Brennan’s love of farm life.
        Brennan said the user-friendly coloring book is geared toward children, but it can be enjoyed by a range of ages.
      “The illustrations area simple and fun enough for younger kids, while still being engaging for older children who enjoy coloring.”
        When asked how she came up with the book title, Brennan said, she and husband, Chris, have a small hobby farm on the south edge of Montezuma that they call “Diamond B Ranch.”
          “I wanted something simple, so “Diamond B Ranch: Life on the Farm” just seemed to fit.
           The book illustrations were created using AI tools to generate the initial images.
       “I then customized each page in Canva by adding my own elements and details,” noted Brennan. “I worked through every page individually to make sure it reflected my vision and the feel of my own farm.”
The paperback book features 27 pages filled with cute farm animals, bold, easy-to-color pages, fun activities, all of which are perfect for young artists.
           Animals featured in the book include horses, cattle, pigs, chickens, cats and dogs.
Brennan said this is her first published book.
          “Being my first books makes it especially exciting and meaningful to me,” she said.
          When asked, Brennan said she would love to continue creating more books in the future.
          “This experience has definitely inspired me to keep going and explore new ideas,” said Brennan.
      When asked what she enjoyed the most about putting the book together, Brennan said the most rewarding part has been seeing an idea come to life.
       “Taking something that started as a simple concept and turning it into a finished book has been incredibly fulfilling,” she said.
        “This project has been a reminder that it’s okay to try something new and put yourself out there,” added Brennan. “With my kids getting older and an empty nest on the horizon, I’ve been trying to explore new creative outlets and find things that keep me inspired and busy. I hope this book brings a little joy, creativity and fun to the kids and families who use it.”
         The book is available on Amazon for $9.99 or can be purchased directly from the author.

by J.O. Parker
 
     Mark your calendar for the upcoming Roots Market at the Poweshiek County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The first 50 shoppers will receive a fun swag bag.
       The market is under the direction of Channing Fraker, owner of Channing’s Customs and Company, which is located at 803 4th Avenue in Grinnell. 
      “Now that I have my brick and mortar building in Grinnell,” said Fraker. “I wanted to bring an event to town for my customers in the community.”
       The market is based off a similar event which is called Roots and River Market and is currently held in Marengo in the fall.
       “We have had three successful events that have brought us 450 shoppers in Marengo,” said Fraker. “It made sense to bring that kind of event to Grinnell.”
        Some of the items that will be available for sale at the Grinnell event include custom signs, woodworking, boutique clothing, fragrances and vintage goods.
            There will also be a coffee truck, food truck, adult beverage truck and live music.
          Channing’s Customs and Company is a marketplace that offers hand-crafted, vintage and repurposed gifts and décor.
            “I have over 10 Iowa-based small businesses selling their goods at my store,” said Fraker.
            The store opened in 2024 and moved to its current location in the spring of 2025.
            Admission fee to the market is $8 with $2 being donated to Mason’s Light House.
        “We hope to see everyone at the first Roots Market,” said Fraker. “Come enjoy hand-crafted and boutique good, live music, food and drinks from local vendors.”
            For more information, contact Fraker at [email protected].