Montezuma American Legion Auxiliary Unit 169 President Bea Hensel and American Legion Commander Ron Hensel prepare to place the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier as a token of our enduring memory during the 2022 Montezuma Memorial Day services. Montezuma will host Memorial Day Services on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m.

Following is a list of area Memorial Day services.
 
Montezuma
     Montezuma Memorial Day services will be held at the Masonic IOOF Cemetery near the maintenance building on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. The Montezuma Blakely Stevens Post 169 of the American Legion and its Auxiliary are hosting the services.
          Invocation will be under the director of American Legion Post 169 Chaplin Boyd Sparks.
American Legion Post 169 member Larry Steen will sing “God Bless America.”
       Hawkeye Girls’ State Representatives, Samantha Bos and Coral Lowry, will read “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.” Boys’ State Representatives, Kaya Bryan, Braxton Simpson and Landen Morrison will follow with the reading of “General Logan’s Orders.”
        Placing of the Wreath on the “Grave of the Unknown Solider” will be under the direction of Blakely-Stevens Unit Auxiliary President Bea Hensel.
        The guest speakers are the 11 members of Post 169 who recently went to Washington, D.C. on the “Honor Flight.”
       The Post 169 firing squad will deliver the three-volley salute. The Montezuma High School Band, under the direction of Carri Burnett, will perform several patriotic numbers, including Taps.
         The Benediction will follow by Chaplin Boyd Sparks.
      In closing, American Legion Post 169 member Larry Steen will lead those gathered in the singing of America’s “National Anthem,” while the colors are lowered at half-staff.
      Following services in Montezuma, American Legion members will travel to cemeteries at West Liberty, Sheley and Ewart for the playing of Taps.
       On Friday, May 26, at 3 p.m., veterans and volunteers will be placing flags on the Montezuma Square, at the cemeteries and on veterans’ graves.
 
Brooklyn and Malcom
      A flag raising ceremony will be held at the Brooklyn Community Estates Nursing Home at 9 a.m., on Monday, May 29 with assembly time at 8:30 a.m. The group will then proceed to the Brooklyn Cemetery for Memorial Day services at approximately 9:15 a.m.
        Speaker for the services will be pastor Josh Gerard of the New Beginnings Church. Others participating will be the BGM High School Band, Poweshiek Pioneers 4-H Club, Madison Moovers 4-H Club and the Girl Scouts. The Legion Auxiliary will place the wreath (in honor of all the service men and women who have answered the last call) with the American Legion Posts 294 and 733 firing squads giving the three-volley salute.
        The BGM High School Band and Legion firing squads will proceed to the Malcom Cemetery, where they will participate in the services at 10:30 a.m.
In case of rain, the services will be held at the high school in Brooklyn and at the Legion Hall in Malcom.
 
Slack-Light, Dresden, Guernsey and Deep River
        The Deep River Morrison Schrader Post 296 of the American Legion is hosting Memorial Day services at four area cemeteries on Monday, May 29.
      The day will begin at 9 a.m. at Slack-Light Cemetery (meet at the Deep River Legion Hall at 8 a.m.) followed by stops at Dresden Cemetery at 9:30 a.m., and Guernsey Cemetery at 10 a.m.
The Deep River service will be held at Golden Rod Cemetery (Community Center if bad weather) beginning at 11 a.m.
       Commander Richard Cheney will conduct ceremony orders followed by the “National Anthem” performed by the Montezuma High School Band under the direction of Carri Burnett. 
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, led by Girls’ State representative Laila Kercheval, will follow with Post Chaplain Pastor Larry Webber leading the invocation.
     Girls’ State representative Jordan Ranfeld will read “Freedom is not Free.” Auxiliary President Tammi Quinlan will read “Flanders Field” and Francene Cranston will read “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.”
      Commander Cheney will welcome all and introduce Auxiliary President Tammi Quinlan, SAL Squadron Commander Bob Wilhelm, 5th District Auxiliary Commander Gary Quinlan and 5th District President Jacki Bolen. They will pay respects to recently departed Veterans and Auxiliary members.
     “Freedom is Not Free,” will be read by Girls’ State representative Jordan Ranfeld. Unit 296 Auxiliary President Tammi Quinlan will read “Flanders Field.” “Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address will be read by Unit 296 Auxiliary member Francene Cranston.
       Guest speakers will include Past National Commander David Rehbein and his wife, Ann, who is the current National Auxiliary Vice President for the Central Region.
     The Montezuma High School Band will perform patriotic numbers with Legion/SAL and Auxiliary representatives depositing wreaths at the markers.
       Auxiliary President Tammi Quinlan and Tami Wilhelm and Legion Past Commander David Maxwell and Adjutant Ed Evans will deposit Wreathes at markers.
        Prayer for the Nation will be under the direction of Pastor Michelle Williamson with the United Church of Deep River.
      Sergeant at Arms will give the "Salute our Departed Comrades.” The three-volley salute will follow with Legion Post 296 Bugler Zach Van Waardhuizen presenting Taps with echo.
       Set out Poppies and the Avenue of Flags will take place on Friday, May 26 at 5 p.m. Flag pick up will be Monday, May 29 at 5 p.m.
 
Grinnell
The Grinnell American Legion Post 53 and the VFW Post 3932 invite area residents to Memorial Day services on Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at Grinnell Central Park stage. If it rains, the event will be held at the Elks Lodge.
In addition, there will be a Wreath Laying presentation along with a playing of Taps at 3 p.m. at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. This ceremony is part of the National Taps Across America Ceremony.
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Victor
The Victor American Legion Post 54 is hosting a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the American Legion Post at 601 3rd St. After the service, there will be a short ceremony across the street from the Victor Memorial Cemetery with the laying of the wreath to the Unknown Soldier along with the three-volley salute and Taps

     Darrell Brand, seated, a long-time now retired teacher, administrator and coach at Montezuma, visits with former teacher, coach and athletic director, Al Rabenold, during the Darrell Brand Relays at Montezuma on Monday, May 8. Brand has been involved in track and field for area schools for many years.

By J.O. Parker
 
      Montezuma and BGM were among a strong line of runners who took part in the Darrell Brand Relays on Monday, May 8 at Montezuma.
    The Montezuma boys’ track team won the meet with a 131 points and the Montezuma girls’ finished in second place with 116 points.
   On the boys’ side, the meet featured Montezuma, BGM, North Mahaska, HLV, Belle Plaine, Keota and Ottumwa. On the girls’ side, the meet featured Montezuma, Colo-Nesco, Keota, Belle Plaine, HLV, North Mahaska, Sigourney and Ottumwa.
    Montezuma’s Kenny Criswell finished first in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11:23. In the 4x200 meter relay, BGM finished first with a time of 1:38.82. BGM finished first in the 4x800 meter relay with a time of 9:31.39 while Montezuma came in second with a time of 10:16.29.
     BGM’s Cooper Winter finished in second with a time of 15.95 in the 110 meter hurdles while Montezuma’s Garrett Watt finished with a time of 16.31, which earned him third-place honors.
     On the girls’ side, Mia Boulton finished second in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:50.62. Montezuma’s Claire Erselius finished first in the 1500 meter run with a time of 6:01.19 and Ellen Cook took the top prize in the 3000 meter run with a time of 12:22.16.
    In the long jump, Montezuma’s Chloe Snook finished in first place with a jump of 15-05.50. Izzy Roorda of Montezuma had a jump of 14-10.00 for a third place finish.
    Following are the overall results for both Montezuma and BGM:

Girls
100 Meter Dash
Camryn Brennan, JR. – Montezuma – 14.27 (7th)
Lily Ferry, Freshman – Montezuma – 14.85 (9th)
Haileah Eichenberger, Freshman – Montezuma – 14.96 (10th)
Addyson Probasco, So. – Montezuma – 15.84 (14th)
Makenna Johannes, JR. – Montezuma – 16.16 (15th)
200 Meter Dash
Haileah Eichenberger, Freshman – Montezuma – 32.50 (9th)
Addyson Probasco, So. – Montezuma – 33.51 (13th)
Makenna Johannes, Jr. – Montezuma – 33.64 (14th)
Sam Bos, Jr. – Montezuma – 35.98 (17th)
400 Meter Dash
Ellen Cook, Jr. – Montezuma – 1:09.81 (4th)
800 Meter Run
Mia Boulton, Sr. – Montezuma – 2:50.62 (2nd)
1500 Meter Run
Claire Erselius, Freshman – Montezuma – 6:01.19 (1st)
3000 Meter Run
Ellen Cook, Jr. – Montezuma – 12:22.16 (1st)
100 Meter Hurdles
Lydia Singleton, Jr. – Montezuma – 19:22 (4th)
Sam Bos, Jr. – Montezuma – 20:68 (12th)
Hayley Burnett, So. – Montezuma – 21.75 (15th)
400 Meter Hurdles
Alivia Cline, Jr. – Montezuma – 1:24.00 (3rd)
Ashlee Eilander, Jr. – Montezuma – 1:26.32 (4th)
4x100 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 57.61 (4th)
Montezuma ‘D’ – 1:00.81 (10th)
Montezuma ‘B’ – 1:01.09 (11th)
Montezuma ‘C’ – 1:06.86 (14th)
4x200 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 1:57.15 (1st)
Montezuma ‘B’ – 2:05.84 (3rd)
4x400 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 4:29.04 (1st)
4x800 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 12:12.62 (1st)
800 Sprint Medley
Montezuma ‘A’ – 2:05.85 (4th)
Montezuma ‘B’ – 2:14.32 (7th)
Distance Medley
Montezuma ‘A’ – 5:03.40 (1st)
4x100 Meter Shuttle Hurdle
Montezuma ‘A’ – 1:22.82 (3rd)
High Jump
Lily Ferry, Freshman – Montezuma – Scratch
Long Jump
Chloe Snook, Freshman – Montezuma – 15-05.50 (1st)
Izzy Roorda, Jr. – Montezuma – 14-10.00 (3rd)
Hayley Burnett, So. – Montezuma – 12-01.25 (9th)
Taya Sincox, So. – Montezuma – Scratch
Shot Put
Tayler Wickman, So. – Montezuma – 15-11.00 (13th)
Taylor Wilcox, So. – Montezuma – 25-08.00 (14th)
Sam Bos, Jr. – Montezuma – 25-03.50 (15th)
Madison Muilenburg, Freshman – Montezuma – 22-07.00 (19th)
Discus
Sam Bos, Jr. – Montezuma – 72-07 (8th)
Tayler Wickman, So. – Montezuma – 69-03 (11th)
Taylor Wilcox, So. – Montezuma – 66-11 (13th)
Ashlee Eilander, Jr. – Montezuma – 59-00 (16th)
Madison Muilenburg, Freshman – Montezuma – 56-00 (18th)
 
Boys
100 Meter Dash
Kenny Criswell, Jr. – Montezuma – 11.23 (1st)
David Rose, So. – Montezuma – 11.64 (3rd)
Alex Black, Jr. – Montezuma – 12.42 (10th)
Nathan Findlay, Freshman – BGM - 12.67 (11th)
Briar Simpson, So. – Montezuma – 12.93 (13th)
Lucas Flaig, Jr. – Montezuma – 12.96 (14th)
Isaac Wedgewood, Freshman – Montezuma – 13.93 (15th)
Lars Taylor, So. – Montezuma – 14.91 (18th)
Logan Findlay, Jr. – BGM – Scratch
200 Meter Dash
Jack Erselius, Jr. – Montezuma – 24.70 (2nd)
Carter Michalek, So. – Montezuma – 24.81 (3rd)
Logan Findlay, Jr. – BGM – Scratch
Landen Cooling, freshman – BGM – Scratch
400 Meter Dash
Bryson Stockman, So – Montezuma – 1:01.30 (4th)
Kohen Holland, So. – Montezuma – 1:04.09 (7th)
Gavin Strong, Sr. – Montezuma – Scratch
Dominic Coleman, Jr. – BGM – Scratch
800 Meter Run
Dominic Coleman, Jr. – BGM – 2:07.63 (3rd)
Ashten Kalinay, Freshman – BGM – 2:19.91 (6th)
Colton Benson, Sr. – Montezuma – 2:31.73 (9th)
Luke Erselius, Freshman – Montezuma – 2:33.38 (10th)
Lars Taylor, So. – Montezuma – 2:56.63 (13th)
1600 Meter Run
Hessel Boelen, Sr. – BGM – 5:21.49 (1st)
Jayden Ross, Jr. – Montezuma – 5:37.21 (2nd)
Carter McKee, Jr. – Montezuma – 5:59.03 (5th)
Jusiah Wetering, So. – Montezuma – 6:17.30 (7th)
Dominic Coleman, Jr. – BGM – Scratch
3200 Meter Run
Colton Benson, Sr. – Montezuma – 12:10.19 (1st)
Carter McKee, Jr. – Montezuma – 12:11.69 (2nd)
110 Meter Hurdles
Cooper Winter, Sr. – BGM – 15.95 (2nd)
Garrett Watts. Jr. – Montezuma – 16:31 (3rd)
Dakota Heishman, So. – BGM – 17.46 (4th)
Damien Knox, freshman – Montezuma – Scratch
400 Meter Hurdles
Bryson Stockman, So. – Montezuma – 1:04.95 (2nd)
Kadon Folkman, So. – BGM - 1:05.99 (3rd)
Ian VanErsvelde, Jr. – BGM – Scratch
4x100 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 45.36 (1st)
BGM ‘A’ – 46.30 (3rd)
BGM ‘B’ – 49.82 (6th)
Montezuma ‘B’ – 55.91 (10th)
4x200 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 1:37.99 (1st)
BGM – 1:38.82 (2nd)
4x400 Meter Relay
Montezuma ‘A’ – 4:01.80 (4th)
BGM – DG
4x800 Meter Relay
BGM – 9:31.39 (1st)
Montezuma ‘A’ – 10:16.29 (2nd)
800 Sprint Medley
BGM ‘A’ – 1:57.43 (5th)
Montezuma – DQ
Distance Medley
BGM – 4:18.62 (3rd)
Montezuma ‘A’ – 4:46.87
4x110 Meter Shuttle Hurdle Relay
BGM – 1:07.45 (2nd)
Montezuma ‘A’ – 1:09.02
High Jump
Dakota Heishman, So. – BGM – 5-08.00 (1st)
Garrett Watts, Jr. – Montezuma – 5-08.00 (2nd)
Damien Knox, Freshman – Montezuma – Scratch
Long Jump
Garrett Watts, JR. – Montezuma – 18-02.75 (2nd)
Ty Heishman, Freshman – BGM – 16-11.75 (5th)
Cole Mumm, Freshman – BGM – 13-07.00 (9th)
Nathan Findlay, Freshman – BGM – 11.75 (10th)
Damien Knox, Freshman – Montezuma – Scratch
Shot Put
Connor Cooling, Sr. – BGM – 44-11.00 (1st)
Layne Jocom, Sr. – BGM – 35-10.75 (7th)
Ben Cadden, Freshman – BGM – 30.00.50 (13th)
Lucas Flaig, Jr. – Montezuma – 29-11.00 (14th)
Briar Simpson, So. – Montezuma – 29.08.50 (16th)
Isaac Wedgewood, Freshman – Montezuma – 28-03.00 (17th)
Axton Bartachek, Sr. – BGM – Scratch
Discus
Layne Jocom, Sr. – BGM – 127-06 (2nd)
Lars Taylor, So. – Montezuma – 85-01 (9th)
Connor Cooling, Sr. – BGM – 81-07 (13th)
Lucas Flaig, Jr. – Montezuma – 81-05 (14th)
Axton Bartachek, Sr. – BGM – 80-06 (15th)
Isaac Wedgewood, Fresh – Montezuma – 80-05 (16th)
Briar Simpson, So. – Montezuma – 79-11 (19th)
Kierren Sacora, Jr. – BGM – Scratch

      The Montezuma Boys’ Golf team hosts the state qualifier banner, the first in school history for the golf program, after finishing third at district at CAM Anita in western Iowa last week. Pictured are, from left: Coach Randy Masterson, Max Anderson, Jack Erselius, Cruz DeJong, Maguire DeJong, Owen Cook, Carsten James, Brady Boulton and Coach Liesl Roorda. Submitted photos

​By J.O. Parker
 
         “It’s a been a very good season,” said Randy Masterson, coach of the Montezuma Boys’ Golf team, after the Braves punched their ticket to state following a third place finish at districts last week.
          This is the first golf team in Montezuma school history to make it to state.
         The team includes Max Anderson, Jack Erselius, Cruz DeJong, Maguire DeJong, Owen Cook, Brady Boulton and Carsten James.
Liesl Roorda helps Masterson with the coaching duties.
          Masterson, who is in his third season leading Montezuma, said most of the golf team is the same as last year, minus Eddie Burgess. 
        He said the Braves fell just short of making it to state last year and coming into the 2023 season, the team had their sights set high.
           “Their main goal is to win state, not just get there,” said Masterson.
           “They worked hard during the offseason,” he added.
       They finished the 2023 season with a 45-7 record, which included winning the SICL and sectionals. Masterson said five of the seven loses came at the hands of bigger 3A schools.
            Districts were held at CAM Anita in Western Iowa.
         Montezuma finished third behind champions South Hamilton, who finished with a score of 318 and CAM Anita, who finished with a score of 325. Montezuma had 328.
      “We beat South Hamilton at sectionals by 20 strokes, but they ended up getting us at districts by 10 strokes,” Masterson said.
         Typically, the top two finishers advance to state unless the host team advances. With CAM Anita being the host school and advancing to state, that opened the door for Montezuma.
          “We didn’t play our best, but we were able to do good enough to get to state and we will see where we go from there,” said Masterson.
          When asked for his thoughts on the season, Montezuma golfer Jack Erselius, who started as a freshman on the junior varsity squad two years ago and worked his way to a spot on the varsity team last year, along with this year’s success, said it means the world to him to be a part of the first Montezuma golf team to advance to state.
         “After a disappointing end to the year last season, I think I realized how good we could really be and what we could’ve gotten done,” said Erselius. “To be in that position now that I had only imagined would happen has been an absolute dream.”
       Erselius said whenever he plays with golfers from other schools, they ask the same thing about Montezuma’s success.
          “I have a simple answer: ‘We all have a passion for the game and want to constantly get better.’ To be quite honest, when I look at this team, I think we are all perfectionists,” he said. “When we see something is wrong with our game, we work to improve it because the feeling of improvement is something special.”
“This year as a team, we have worked extremely hard with state always in the back of our minds,” said Cruz DeJong, a junior on the team. 
          He said at each meet, the team focused on setting the bar high in both personal and team goals with the final outcome being state qualifiers.
         “We know as a team that the job’s not finished and we have to keep working to come out on top at state,” said DeJong. “We are very appreciative of our coaches, parents and support we have received and are excited for state.”
Montezuma is one of 10 teams to qualify for state competition in Class 1A. State competition will be held at the Ames Golf & Country Club on Monday and Tuesday, May 22-23.
All teams will have staggering start times beginning at 10 a.m., both days.
According to Masterson, up to six players can compete each day on the 18-hole golf course. The top four scores both days are calculated to find a winner.
“It’s going to be tough competition,” said Masterson.

      From left, Lydia Singleton, Kaya Latcham and Faith Ferry will represent Montezuma at the 2023 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase on Thursday, June 1 at the Des Moines Civic Center. Montezuma is being recognized for the school’s achievement for its November 2022 production of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

​      Montezuma High School theater department will participate in the 2023 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, in honor of the school's achievements for its November 2022 production of Little Shop of Horrors.
   Produced by Des Moines Performing Arts as the culmination of a year-long education initiative, the Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, June 1 at 7 p.m. and will recognize a total of 94 schools from across the entire state.
    Montezuma High School will be honored in a special video shown at the Showcase, in celebration of its receipt of an Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement Award - one of the program's highest honors.
    Select students, Faith Ferry and Kaya Latcham, will represent Montezuma High School by performing in a collaborative inter-school medley led by a guest Broadway music director and choreographer.
    Lydia Singleton, who received an Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role as Audrey, will perform an excerpt from her award-winning role in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey. Lydia will also participate in the Triple Threat Award program with other advanced performing students. In addition to a special performance at the showcase, students will audition for theater camp scholarships and the opportunity to represent Iowa at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City this summer.
Montezuma High School will also be recognized with the following awards and honors: Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal role, Kaya Latcham, as Seymour and Special Recognition for Behind-the-Scenes Role, Samantha Bos, for Publicity and Promotions.
    Tickets to the Showcase are $15 and are available at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.
    The Awards Showcase will be live-streamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event on Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, July 16 at 1 p.m.

1st Annual BKO Murph!
      Printed copies will be placed at Riser Fitness in Montezuma along with some other locations. For those who are not familiar with Murph, below is some history of the popular Murph workout!
        Murph is a workout formally known as “Body Armor”. The workout is now in memory of Navy Lt. Michael Murphy who died in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005. It was said that this was his favorite workout to do, hence the name change, Murph. Murph is completed every year on or near Memorial Day. For a reference that more people may recognize, Murphy was the officer-in-charge of a four-man SEAL element during Operation Red Wing. A movie was later created telling the story of the operation, Lone Survivor.
      Our goal for this event is to bring people together from all walks of life. To create comradery, encourage one another, have fun and better ourselves all while honoring Lt. Michael Murphy and raising money for a scholarship foundation dedicated to him.
        If you have any questions whatsoever going forward, don’t be afraid to reach out! If you are physically unable to participate but would like to support, reach out via email or contact DJ directly.
https://www.facebook.com/100015552674997/posts/1550282772166797/?mibextid=cr9u03

​      A new Montezuma American Legion Post 169 building is slated for construction on the northeast edge of town. The local Legion was the recipient of a $23,480 for stormwater improvements to the new Legion Hall from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Grant.

      Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced last week that the Montezuma American Legion Post 169 has been awarded an Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Grant in the amount of $23,480 for stormwater improvements to the new Legion Hall yet to be constructed.
      The Legion hall project was one of 16 urban water quality projects across the state to receiving funding to make stormwater improvements.
The American Legion Post 169 will be the first American Legion in the state of Iowa to construct urban conservation practices. The practices will also be the first ones installed in the City of Montezuma. 
       The Legion is partnering with the Poweshiek County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. 
        The Legion will be installing two bioretention cells and an enhanced rain garden. It will also complete two acres of soil quality restoration. 
         The bioretention cells will treat runoff from the parking lot. The enhanced rain garden will capture runoff from the new building. 
        Bioretention cells and rain gardens are small depressional areas that soak up and treat rain as it runs off parking surfaces and roofs. Soil quality restoration helps to restore urban soils compacted during the construction process. 
       Without the bioretention cells, rain garden, and soil quality restoration, untreated runoff would otherwise enter the river. 
      American Legion Post 169 has made a commitment to reducing runoff and pollutants at their new location. These practices will serve as a demonstration site for other communities and American Legions across the state of Iowa. 
     The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, utilizing the state’s Water Quality Initiative (WQI) and funding from the Conservation Infrastructure Program (CIP), will provide cost-share grants that cover up to 50 percent of the total cost of each project. The overall cost of the 16 projects is expected to be approximately $14.6 million, which includes $2.8 million from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and $11.8 million from local sources.
        “Whether you live in an urban, suburban or rural area, all Iowans have an important role in protecting and improving our state’s water quality,” said Secretary Naig. “As we accelerate our statewide water quality efforts and work collaboratively with local partners, these urban cost-share grants help to leverage significant water quality investment by communities of all sizes.”
     The Department provides financial and technical assistance to the communities and organizations implementing these urban water quality practices. To receive state funding, the urban water quality projects must include education and outreach components and involve local partners. These community-based projects raise awareness about new stormwater management methods and encourage others to adopt similar infrastructure-based practices to improve water quality. These urban conservation projects include water quality practices like bioretention cells, bioswales, native plantings, permeable pavers, rain gardens, soil quality restoration, and wetlands among many other proven practices.
       Last week’s grant announcement coincides with Soil and Water Conservation Week, which Gov. Kim Reynolds has proclaimed will be recognized from April 30 through May 7 in Iowa.

      Montezuma High School Junior Kia Latcham enjoys a ride across the top of friends and classmates during 2023 prom on Saturday, April 29. Enchanted Forest was the theme of this year's prom.

​     The 2023 Montezuma FFA Outstanding Mom honors went to Allison Pargeon, left. Outstanding Parents are Mandy and Kory Robison, middle. Outstanding Dad honors went to Kyle Cook, right. 

​     Maguire DeJong was the recipient of the Rempp FFA Achievement Scholarship presented by Kevin and Terri Rempp. This is the 35th year the Rempp family has presented a scholarship to a graduating Montezuma senior.

    Mia Boulton is the recipient of the 2023 Kara Meyer Scholarship presented by Jason and Jodi Meyer, parents of Kara.

​    Debbie Iverson presents the Evans FFA Scholarships to, from left, Kallie Robison, Mia Boulton, Madison Johannes, Maguire DeJong and Owen Cook. The scholarship is named after Debbie’s late parents, Phil and Lois Evans. Debbie’s husband, Roger, is at right.

​     Kallie Robison was the recipient of the 2023 Circle U Scholarship presented by Jim and Gina Urfer, left, and son, Josh and his wife, Erica, and their daughters, Leah and Lexi, at the 2023 Parent-Member Banquet on Sunday, April 23.

​     Brady Boulton was the recipient of the Star Greenhand Award presented to a freshman in the Montezuma FFA program each year.

​     Roger and Debbie Iverson were presented with the Montezuma FFA Blue and Gold Award by Madison Johannes. The Blue & Gold Award is given to individuals, families and businesses who greatly contribute to the advancement of agricultural education at Montezuma.

​      Mr. Kelly O’Rourke, Montezuma k-12 principal, was also presented with the Montezuma FFA Blue and Gold Award. The Blue & Gold Award is given to individuals, families and businesses who greatly contribute to the advancement of agricultural education at Montezuma.

     Congrats to the Montezuma Iowa Personal Finance team who earned runner-up honors at the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge held on April 12 at Drake University. Pictured are, from left: Kennen Roadcap, Maguire DeJong, Colton Benson and Jack Erselius. They were one of 16 teams to compete at state after winning the Southeast Iowa region earlier this year. ​

     The Montezuma team of Colton Benson, Kennen Roadcap, Maguire De Jong and Jack Erselius finished as the state runner-up in the Iowa Personal Finance Challenge.
      The top qualifier from the Southeast Iowa region, the four men were one of 16 teams who qualified for the state competition on April 12.
      Arriving at state, the students were given a five-page case study complete with family situation, financial goals, assets and debts, and some additional pieces of information to analyze.
      “The boys had one hour to analyze the situation and create a presentation from scratch, showcasing their thoughts and solutions for the case study family,” said Kevin Gartman, Montezuma business teacher.
      In this particular study, the students were tasked with handling lower incomes from the parents, while still trying to save for three children's college savings accounts, trying to take a vacation, paying off several debts, debating buying a home, and deciding how to save for retirement, all while not having a currently existing budget. The team completed a full budget using information from the fictional family and presented multiple solutions to each financial goal.
     The group presentation of no more than five minutes was presented to a panel of judges, and was followed up by a handful of questions by the panel. After the completion of all 16 group presentations and a lunch break on the Drake University campus, the top four groups were announced as "podium finalists" and had to re-present for a second panel of judges. The judges convened and deliberated placing of the teams. The Montezuma team and a team from Waukee Northwest split the judge panel votes 50/50, before the Waukee Northwest group was announced as the team advancing to nationals through a tiebreaker.
     The state runner-up finish, complete with a cash prize for each individual team member and a trophy for the team, was the highest finish by a Montezuma team in the two years of Montezuma competing in the competition. While three boys on the team were seniors, junior Jack Erselius looks forward to talking his peers into competing once again next year.
    The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition followed the team throughout the competition, and you can be on the lookout for clips from the group presentation, complete with team member and team advisor interviews, on promotional materials on social media in the coming future.