By J.O. Parker
BGM Speech and Drama recently participated in the IHSSA (Iowa High School Speech Association) Large Group District and State contests. The IHSSA Large District Contest was held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Montezuma High School with BGM sending three teams in the Group Improvisation category. “Dramatic Intensity,” featuring Lorelai Gerard, Addison Day and Abby Smith received a 1 rating. “The Farce Force,” featuring Axton Bartachek, Olivia DeGeeter, Madison Hawkins and Megan Hanlon also received a 1 rating from district judges. “Never Safe, Never Boring,” featuring Neveah Bendorf, Morgan Akers and Emily Britts was also recognized with a 1 rating. State Contest All three groups advanced and performed at the state contest with “The Farce Force” receiving three First Place or 1 ratings from all three IHSSA State Judges. The state contest was held on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School. “While we looked forward to the possibility of an All-State Nomination, we did not receive the honor,” noted Beth Byers, BGM Speech and Drama coach. “However, we remain hopeful that we may attain the honor at the close of the 2022-23 IHSSA Large Group Contest Season.” As a side note, Beyer said last year during the 2020-21 IHSSA Individual Event Season, Rose Britts was named All-State Individual Improvisation. “We were honored and elated to receive the All-State nomination,” noted Byers.
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Submitted by Kevin Hosbond
Grinnell High School brought 14 groups to the State Large Group Speech Contest held at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School on Saturday, Feb. 5. This was one of four contests held across the state as part of the Iowa High School Speech Association contest series. Of the 14 entries, three received a Division II rating, and 11 were awarded Division I ratings. Five groups were selected for All-State honors at the All-State Festival to be held at Iowa State University on Saturday, Feb. 19. All five were designated as “performing.” All groups also received overall Division I ratings at the State contest. Of significant note is that 20 out of the 59 student participants on the team this year were bestowed All-State honors, amounting to more than one third of the team. For the fifth year in a row, Choral Reading received an All-State nomination. The cast of “Them,” includes Chloe Alger, Sarah Ashing, Emily Cooper, Kailyn Corey, Maddie Davis, Joel Dressler, Kiran Elfenbein, Mary Jacobson, Kiran Jones, Brittany Kifer, Thea Larsson, Judith Perez-Valentin, Kayla Sieck, and Peter Simpson. The piece was written and directed by Kevin Hosbond, head speech coach. Representing GHS at All-State in the area of Group Mime is the cast of “The Leviathan,” which features Bridget Blanchard, Kiran Elfenbein, Kalli Hart, Thea Larsson, Cora Miller, and Kaeden Peterson. Ninth grader Cora Miller will also represent GHS at All-State in the area of Solo Mime with her piece titled “The Mousetrap.” Each mime selection was written by Hosbond and the students. Also receiving All-State Performing honors was the Ensemble Acting “Whatever / Two Hanged Women,” featuring Iris Mackenzie and Olivia Mick and directed by Hosbond with assistance from GHS English teacher Jennie Flinspach. Finally, in the area of Musical Theatre, Bridget Blanchard and Kaeden Peterson will perform “Once,” at the All-State Festival. This piece was directed by Hosbond with assistance from volunteer coach and GHS Choir teacher Michael Gookin and Flinspach. Other results from the State Contest are as follows: Both Radio Broadcasts “Triple S Radio,” featuring Nicolle Donnelly, Avery Otto, Della Pease, and Nolan West, and “BDC Podcast” featuring Beaux Blanchard, Billy Lopatto, and Owen Shepardson, earned a Division II rating. Continuing in the digital categories, the film “Together,” based on a poem by Claire Baechtel, and featuring Baechtel, Kaia Chang Roper, Kailyn Corey, Mia Greenwell-Sherman, and Ellie Mintle earned a Division I rating. Flinspach assisted this group. Two Group Improvisation teams directed by Flinspach were performed at State. The team “Holy Trinity,” with Jack Dahlby Albright, Roman Mackenzie, and Reece Madren received a Division I rating. “Angelic Wind” with Will Dahlby Albright, Justine Raney, and Nathan VanderLeest earned a Division II rating. The Ensemble Acting scene “The Crucible,” directed by Flinspach, and featuring Roman Mackenzie and Jeslyn Voogd, earned a Division I rating. The Readers Theatre “A Little Scare,” written and directed by Flinspach received a Division I rating. It features Mia Greenwell-Sherman, ValiJo Hauersperger, Ketsia Kiphanzu, Natalie Nieuwsma, Amelia Skouson, Ella Stephens, Rhianna Raney, Nathan VanderLeeset, and Jeslyn Voogd. The Musical Theatre “How to Succeed…,” featuring Joel Dressler, Maggie Kaup, Olivia Mick, Natalie Nieuwsma, Brody Petig, Catherine Schubert, Peter Simpson, and Isaac Zaret also received a Division I rating. The team was directed by Hosbond with musical direction by Gookin. GHS’ One-Act Play “Emotional Baggage,” which was directed by Flinspach, also received a Division I rating. The cast includes Tiernan Boggs, Justin Durr, ValiJo Hauersperger, Iris Mackenzie, Reece Madren, Erin Nicklas, and Ella Stephens. The tech crew includes Claire Behrens, Beaux Blanchard, Damien Jones Ramirez, Liz Sieck, Molly Turley. The Grinnell FFA Chapter recently participated in the 2022 Iowa Pork Congress Judging Contest. There were 552 individuals competing and 128 teams.
Grinnell finished the competition with first, second, fourth and ninth place finishes overall. Here are the results: Team 1 - First place - Nicolle Donnelly (who was also Top Individual), Nina Walton and Kolton Kline - Each member of the team will receive a $500 scholarship. Team 2 - Second Place - Dominick Clayton, Ireland Sebetka, Lexi Spooner and Colton Sieck - Each member of the team will receive a $250 scholarship. Team 5 - Fourth Place - Kyle McDonald, Ben Kelne and Kaiden Brobst - Each member of the team will receive a $125 scholarship. Team 3 - Ninth Place - Sadi Flanagan, Nick Brennecke, Gabe Gilman and Blake Owens. That's a grand total of $2,875 in scholarship money earned! “These students worked incredibly hard to achieve this and we are proud of them all,” noted FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. “Shout out to Nicolle for not only making it her goal to be the top individual but achieving it, too.” Sub-Districts Members of the Grinnell FFA had a great day at Sub-Districts on Feb. 7 at the DMACC FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Grinnell participates in the South Central District. Following are the results: Chapter Program - Lexi Spooner, Ireland Sebetka and Sophia Louden - Gold advance to Districts, Lexi Kephart - Public Speaking - Gold advance to Districts. Derek Doty - Creed Speaking - Silver alternate to Districts. Conduct of Meetings - Mackenzie McClelland, Tristan Graff, Taylor Smith, Colton Sieck, Abby Hatcher, Carter Hansen and Olivia Renze – Silver. Chapter Quiz - Wyatt Eaton - 1st Gold, Andrew Peterson - 5th, Blaine Graff – 11th. By J.O. Parker
Kennedy Roland, a sophomore at South Dakota State University and 2020 Grinnell High School graduate, has recently took her love of cheering to a new level. Roland and the SDSU Jackrabbits placed fourth nationally out of 18 schools in the Open All Girl Game Day Division at the 2022 UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) Collegiate National Cheer Finals, Jan. 14-16 in Orlando, Fla. at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. “Kennedy and her teammates faced many challenges this year – injuries, sickness, balancing school, practice and games,” noted SDSU Cheer Coach Quiana Pardee. “Our team was the first SDSU Cheerleading program in school history to compete in person at the 2022 UCA College Nationals hosted in Orlando, Fla.” The fourth-place finish comes on the heels of a national championship in the Open All Girl Game Day Division at the 2021 UCA Collegiate National Cheer Finals, which was held in April and done virtually due to the pandemic. SDSU competed against three other teams to win the top prize. “Last year, we competed for the first time in school history in the online division and won,” Roland said. “The online division was due to the pandemic and provided a great opportunity for my team to start competing.” Roland, 19, is the daughter of Dan and Jeralene Roland. At GHS, Roland was part of the football cheer and the competition team. She opted to attend SDSU to experience life in a new place and to be more independent. “SDSU was a great option for me because it is out-of-state but has a tuition reciprocity program for neighboring states, making it more affordable compared to other schools,” Roland said. “It is big enough to provide many unique opportunities, but still small enough that I see people I know when on campus. The all-girl cheer team was also a motivator for coming here, as my skill set fits better on an all-girl team.” Roland is majoring in human biology on the pre-chiropractic track with a minor in chemistry. “After completing my undergraduate degree, I plan to attend professional school to earn my Doctor of Chiropractic degree with a sports emphasis as well as a massage therapy degree,” she said. “Once my education is complete, I hope to work with a professional sports team.” At SDSU, Roland cheers at football and men’s and women’s basketball games as well as many university events. “I love the game day environment,” she said. “It is surreal to be on the field in a stadium filled with people who love the Jacks. I also love using athletic skills to entertain a crowd.” Members of the Grinnell – BGM Boys’ 200 and 400 Free Relay Teams are joined by Terry the Tiger, the GHS mascot, at the district meet at Grinnell College on Saturday, Jan. 29. Pictured are, from left: Blake Smith, Brody Petig, Justin Durr and Alex Smith. Submitted by Travis Smith The Grinnell – BGM Boys Swim Team had a strong conference meet and just missed taking 2nd place as a team by five points with a score of 339. They were edged out by Vinton-Shellsburg High School who garnered 344 points. The meet was held on Saturday, Jan. 29 at the Grinnell College Natatorium. Following are the results: The 200 Medley Relay (Kaden Heishman, Justin Durr, Blake Wilson, Alex Smith) took 3rd place (1:43.95) and crushed the state time from last season. The 200 Free Relay (Blake Wilson, Brody Petig, Justin Durr, Alex Smith) fended off Vinton and Williamsburg to repeat as champs for the 3rd straight year in the event with a time of 1:33.08. The 400 Free Relay easily finished in first but was disqualified for an early exchange. The time was right with their season best. Justin Durr broke into the 57s in his 100 Fly and took 3rd place. Kayden Heishman lowered his season best and took 3rd place in the 100 Back. Brody Petig swam a season best in the 50 free and took 6th place. Alex Smith and Brody Petig finished well in the 100 free taking 4th and 5th place. Isaac Rhinehart smashed his 100 breast time and broke under 1:10 for the first time ever. "Overall, it was a great meet for the Tigers,” noted Travis Smith, boys’ swim coach. The Grinnell – BGM Boys Swim Team participated in the state-qualifying meet at Southeast Polk High School on Saturday, Feb. 5. Pictured are the Grinnell – BGM swimmers who qualified for the All-Conference Academic Team (earning a 3.5 GPA or higher). Pictured from left, front row: Coach Travis Smith, Alex Smith, Kiran Jones, Alex Crites, Timo Mobley-Benoist. Back row: Kaden Heishman, Blake Wilson, Justin Durr, Peter Simpson, Tamer Bush and Liam Saunders. Photo submitted by Sarah Smith
Submitted by Kevin Hosbond
Grinnell High School registered 59 students across 18 entries for its first District Large Group Speech Contest held at Pella High School on Saturday, Jan. 22. This was the first level of competition as part of the Iowa High School Speech Association’s collection of contests held across the state. Of the 18 entries, four received a Division II rating, and 14 were awarded Division I ratings which advances those groups to perform at the State Large Group Contest on Saturday, Feb. 5 at Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Assisting head coach Kevin Hosbond is fellow English teacher Jennie Flinspach. Also assisting is volunteer coach Michael Gookin who helps with music direction. This year’s student assistant director is ValiJo Hauersperger (ninth ensemble acting). Based on the varied talents this year and lack of contest experience last year, Flinspach and Hosbond decided to combine the ninth and varsity teams into one group. This allowed them to better fill certain events, such as musical theatre and readers theatre, and allowed it to serve as a sort of training ground for the ninth graders by casting them beside their upper level peers. The team entered three Radio Broadcasts this year. These radio shows are developed as part of the curriculum in the GHS speech class taught by Hosbond. “The Walk of Life” featuring Tiernan Boggs, Kaia Chang Roper, and Ellie Mintle earned a Division II rating. “Triple S Radio” featuring Nicolle Donnelly, Avery Otto, Della Pease, and Nolan West, and “BDC Podcast” featuring Beaux Blanchard, Billy Lopatto, and Owen Shepardson, both earned a Division I rating. Continuing in the digital categories, GHS entered two Short Films. “Higher Stakes” by Emory Clements, Max Deitrich, RJ Raney, and Isaac Zaret earned a Division II rating. The film “Together” based on a poem by Claire Baechtel, and featuring Baechtel, Kaia Chang Roper, Kailyn Corey, Mia Greenwell-Sherman, and Ellie Mintle earned a Division I rating. Flinspach assisted both groups. Three Group Improvisation teams directed by Flinspach were entered this year. The team “Hex Girls” with Maddie Davis, Emma Lewis, and Owen Shepardson earned a Division II rating. “Holy Trinity” with Jack Dahlby Albright, Roman Mackenzie, and Reece Madren, and “Angelic Wind” with Will Dahlby Albright, Justine Raney, and Nathan VanderLeest, both earned Division I ratings. Three varsity Ensemble Acting scenes were also entered this season. “Whatever / Two Hanged Women,” directed by Hosbond, featuring Iris Mackenzie and Olivia Mick, and “The Crucible,” directed by Flinspach, featuring Roman Mackenzie and Jeslyn Voogd, both earned Division I ratings. The scene “Valley Forgery,” directed by ValiJo Hauersperger, and featuring Claire Behrens, Maggie Kaup, and Ketsia Kiphanzu, earned a Division II rating. GHS entered a Readers Theatre written and directed by Flinspach titled “A Little Scare.” It features Mia Greenwell-Sherman, ValiJo Hauersperger, Ketsia Kiphanzu, Natalie Nieuwsma, Amelia Skouson, Ella Stephens, Rhianna Raney, Nathan Vander Leese, and Jeslyn Voogd and earned a Division I rating. GHS also entered a Choral Reading written and directed by Hosbond titled “Them.” It features Chloe Alger, Sarah Ashing, Emily Cooper, Kailyn Corey, Maddie Davis, Joel Dressler, Kiran Elfenbein, Mary Jacobson, Kiran Jones, Brittany Kifer, Thea Larsson, Judith Perez-Valentin, Kayla Sieck, and Peter Simpson and also received a Division I rating. Two Musical Theatre groups were entered this season. Both received Division I ratings. The team of “Once,” features Bridget Blanchard and Kaeden Peterson, and “How to Succeed…”, features Joel Dressler, Maggie Kaup, Olivia Mick, Natalie Nieuwsma, Brody Petig, Catherine Schubert, Peter Simpson, and Isaac Zaret. Both teams were directed by Hosbond with musical direction by GHS Choir teacher Michael Gookin. GHS also entered a One-Act Play this season, presenting “Emotional Baggage,” which was directed by Flinspach. The cast includes Tiernan Boggs, Justin Durr, ValiJo Hauersperger, Iris Mackenzie, Reece Madren, Erin Nicklas, and Ella Stephens. The tech crew includes Claire Behrens, Beaux Blanchard, Damien Jones Ramirez, Liz Sieck, Molly Turley. The performance earned an overall Division I rating. And finally, in the area of mime, the team entered one Group Mime performance and one Solo Mime; both received Division I ratings. “The Leviathan” features Bridget Blanchard, Kiran Elfenbein, Kalli Hart, Thea Larsson, Cora Miller, and Kaeden Peterson. Cora Miller presented “The Mousetrap” as the solo entry. All pieces were written and directed by Hosbond with the ensemble. By J.O. Parker
Making life better for others is something that Dion Schrack, the long-time administrator of St. Francis Manor, has taken to heart. Dion, who celebrated his 40th anniversary as administrator of St. Francis on Jan. 1, has been instrumental in growing St. Francis Manor from a 51-bed nursing facility to a successful 31-acre continuing care retirement community. Countless projects and services have been created under Dion’s leadership including the following:
“Since St. Francis Manor is a free-standing nursing facility with no contract with a management company, Dion has been responsible for the management, marketing, financial accounting, human resources, personnel recruitment, master planning, survey and regulatory compliance and legislative lobbying for 40 years,” said Fran Conn, Chair of the St. Francis Manor Board of Directors. “Dion has a heart bigger than life and a compassion for people that doesn’t stop,” added Fran. “His vision, past and future, of St. Francis Manor, Seeland Park, and the Hammond Center are great examples of his devoted life-long work as administrator. We can never thank him enough for all he had done and continues to do.” Dion was raised in Tama and graduated from South Tama High School in 1976. He received his Associates Degree from DMACC in Boone before attending Florida International University in Miami for hospital administration. After a year, Dion decided hospital administration wasn’t his calling and he came back to Iowa and completed a 9-month internship through DMACC before testing to become a licensed nursing home administrator. “You might say being an administrator was in Dion’s blood as his grandfather was administrator of Tama Nursing Home and his mother, Rosie Schrack, was a nurse and long-time administrator at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama where Dion worked while attending college in Boone,” noted his wife, Shelley, who serves as administrative assistant. St. Francis Manor board member Bernice Mithelman heard about Dion through his mother. At that time, Dion was serving as administrator of River View Manor in Pleasant Valley, and hadn’t considered making a change, but he liked that St. Francis Manor was a non-profit, community-owned facility and interviewed for the position. “Roger Zimmerman was chair of the St. Francis Manor Board of Directors when I was hired and I remember hearing years later from Roger’s wife, M.J. Zimmerman, that Roger came home that night and said he just hired a kid to run St. Francis,” laughed Dion. “I also remember the board meetings were held over the lunch hour and our dietary staff served the board members a meat and potatoes dinner. After several months, Roger said to me that they didn’t need such a big meal and could just have a tossed salad as they’d done in the past. I smiled and told Roger that the dinner meal was cheaper to serve than lettuce and I was watching the food costs! I think Roger knew he hired the right kid for the job!” In addition to Zimmerman and Mithelman, other community leaders serving on the board when Dion began as administrator on Jan. 1, 1982 were Dick Seeland, Jim Tedford, Jim Tederman, Mary Flanagan and Allyson Sawtell. Dion credits having great board members who are progressive and community-minded to his longevity at St. Francis. Dion’s proudest accomplishment is using his God-given talents to help and care for people. “I have taken care of a lot of people over my 40 years and I’m grateful for the relationships I have with many residents’ family members,” said Dion. “In fact, I am now caring for the second generations of families. Hopefully I will be able to retire before I get to the third generation!” When asked, Dion said his greatest satisfaction is when customers, family members, or community residents talk about the great service they received or witnessed from the staff at St. Francis Manor. “I am very blessed to work with a great staff with caring hearts,” he said. As for the future on campus, Dion would like to see single family homes built on the last five lots of Seeland Park’s Phase VI. Dion also strives to have financial stability of all the campus entities and to keep attracting the best employees to continue providing the best services in a very difficult regulatory and work environment. Dion and Shelley Schrack have been married for 32 years and the couple has two daughters — Mariah (Alex) Karumuna and their son, Kyler, who live in Bondurant and Maddie, a sophomore at Northwestern College in Orange City. “Our girls grew up working in the nursing home,” said Dion proudly. “They both started as dietary aides when they were 14-years-old and then became certified nurse aides soon after they turned 16. The residents are always glad to see Maddie when she works at St. Francis Manor during her college breaks.” |
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