Three Montezuma youth will be wrestling at the AAU Kids State Wrestling Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 28 - March 1 in Des Moines. Ryan Desrochers and Walker Sutfin will take to the mat beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. Bo Plants will wrestle starting at 3:30 p.m., all in HALL A of the EMC Expo Center (formerly Hy-Vee Hall). Hall A is on Level 2 and is the old basement of Vets Auditorium. Desrochers, pictured at left, is in third grade and will wrestling in the 90-pound weight class. He placed fourth in District 6 on Feb. 8. Sutfin, middle, will compete in the A-110-pound class and is in fourth grade. He finished first in District 6 action on Feb. 8. Plants, right, a seventh grader, will compete in the 130-pound weight class. He placed second in District 6 action on Feb. 8 to advance.

      KayLynn Osborn enjoys a smile with her daughter, Amelia, at the annual Montezuma Fire Department Sweetheart Pancake Breakfast at the station on Sunday, Feb. 15. Joining KayLynn and Amelia was grandpa and grandma, Kevin and Kathy Osborn, and dad, Eric, pictured at left.

       The Montezuma PAC is excited to host Dan Kirk, The Juggler with The Yellow Shoes, in a fun morning assembly at Montezuma Elementary School on Tuesday, March 3. Kirk will be bringing his juggling and comedy routine to the elementary school.

      Lynnville-Sully's Dawson James finds himself wrapped up with Montezuma's Tommy Heemstra, no. 22, in a Class 1A District 7 Championship game at Lynnville-Sully on Tuesday, Feb. 24. The Hawks scored early and often to go up 13-2 in the first period, before Montezuma came back, shutting down the previously unbeaten Hawks to win the game, 62-56. The Braves move on to tackle Bellevue Marquette Catholic in Substate action at Iowa City High School on Saturday, Feb. 28. Game time is 6 p.m. The winner advances to state.

     ​  Beginning with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18, the season of Lent is a time of reflection and recognizing our own separation from the Holy within us. It requires us to be present in the moment, to shut out the distractions and just take time to listen to what the Creator and Sustainer of our lives may want to say to each of us. Some choose to give up chocolate, smoking, or some other type of personal fast during the 46 days to Easter Sunday, but mostly out of rooted traditions, and not for some meaningful purpose to draw closer to what brings us peace in our lives and with our loved ones and neighbors. 
      Our community and our world needs peace more than ever right now. We are divided at every turn it seems. At one time, being divided meant Hawkeye or Cyclone, Cardinals or Cubs, pineapple on pizza (or not). But today the division runs deeper, algorithms control our thoughts and selective rage over this or that has become the norm. Even our ecumenical connections that were once pillars of solidarity in our communities have become divided over who is included as part of belief, while ignoring one another’s shared values in faith. We could use a good cleansing. 
       Recently, 24 Buddhist monks completed a 2,300-mile walk to bring awareness to our need for peace. The group began their journey in Texas last October and walked 109 days in a variety of weather conditions, mostly barefoot, and ending in Washington D.C. on February 12th. Upon their arrival, a spokesperson for the group said, “peace is always with us. It’s been with us, never left us, never leaves us. We are too busy chasing. So, now, all we need to do is just slow down.”
      During this season of Lent and beginning with Ash Wednesday, all are invited to slow down for a short walk for peace, each Wednesday evening at 5 pm at Bonham Memorial Trail in Montezuma. The walk will begin at the Clark Street trailhead and will make a round trip journey to Barnes City Road and back. 
       The walk will occur in silence, so no devices, no earbuds, etc. Just listen for the footsteps of others near, far and walking beside one another, or take the time to silently pray. Making eye contact with other walkers, or a simple greeting of “peace be with you” is encouraged. The walk will go on in rain, snow, or shine. Much can be learned by listening to the languages of nature if you just pay attention; just dress accordingly. 
       Walk coordinator, Terence Blain Herrera shared, “these weekly walks are intended to bring us closer to the way of peace in our community, and to remember we never walk alone in this life. The weekly walks are not sponsored by any church or denomination in the community. I just wanted to invite others into finding a time to practice a way of mindfulness with the hope that we can strive to share in peace. All are welcome to participate, faith or no faith. This is not a fundraiser, not a race, not a competition, but a pathway of discovering peace together again. When I think of experiencing greater peace, I always go back to the old carol, “Let There Be Peace on Earth (and let it begin with me).” Terence adds, “If you are unable to physically walk each week, ask a participant to hold a photo or a note with your name written on it so that all may be carried along the same path.” 
        The final walk will be Wednesday April 1, and just before the beginning of the Christian Easter Triduum of Maundy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday.

​        Montezuma wrestlers Braxton Plants and Wesley Ross are shown with wrestling coaches, Mike Plants, left, and Tyler Foubert, right. Plants, a senior, is returning to state for a second year and Ross, a sopomore, is wrestling at state for the first time. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker
 
       Known as Big Hammer and Little Hammer, Braxton Plants, a senior, and his teammate, Wesley Ross, a sophomore, have both qualified for state wrestling competition in Des Moines.
        Best of friends and teammates on the Montezuma Braves Wrestling team, the two wrestlers are headed to state competition at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, Feb. 18-21.
         Class 1A competition gets underway on Thursday, Feb. 19 beginning at 9 a.m.
Braxton Plants
         Plants returns to Des Moines for a second year after finishing in fourth place in 2025. 
      The son of Mike and Kelly Plants, the senior wrestler finished the regular season with a 56-1 overall record. He wrestles in the 215 pound class.
          Plants finished his prep career with a 150 wins and 100 pins.
          The Montezuma wrestler comes from a family of wrestlers.
          His dad, Mike, the head coach of the Braves, wrestled at Montezuma, making it to state his senior year in 2000. He has a younger brother, Bo, who wrestles for the Braves.
         His older brother, Brett, finished his prep career on the mat in 2025. He is now working alongside his dad coaching the Montezuma wrestlers.
          When ask about the opportunity to return to state, Plants said it one more chance to win a bracket and a championship.
           Plants started wrestling at an early age.
          When asked what he enjoys the most about wrestling, Plants said he enjoys working hard and hanging out with his friends.
Wesley Ross
            Ross, who wrestles in the 126 pound weight class, has wrestled for 13 years, starting at age 3.
            This is his first trip to wrestle on the big stage.
            He is the son of Brad and Nicky Ross.
            Ross finished the regular season with a 38-11 record.
            When asked about his love of wrestling and going to state, Ross said he really loves the sport.
          “It means a lot to me to go to state,” he said. “I get to go with my best friend and I get to experience wrestling on the big stage.”
            When asked about the names, Big Hammer and Little Hammer, Ross said it is names that Coach Plants came up with for both wrestlers.
            Plants said he and Ross are best friends and the two feed off each other in practice and competition.
            “It feels special,” said Plants.
            “It means a lot,” said Ross.
         Coach Plants said he is proud of both boys, saying that they have worked really hard during the off season, only taking off one week since last year.
            “It’s pretty special for them and for the Montezuma wrestling program,” noted Coach Plants.

By Kelly Kaup
 
     Montezuma Speech had an excellent day at State Large Group contest held at Clear Creek Amana on Saturday, Feb. 7.
        Six teams walked away with a 1 rating: Choral Reading; Mya Smothers, Ethan Desrochers, Easton Hudnut, Gracie Wilson, Isaiah Wilson, Ryanne Williams, Broox Stockman, Dayton Reif, and Jacob Meyer; Musical Theater team; Jayden Doll, Letisia Wilson, Ryanne Williams, and Mya Smothers; Musical Theater team; Owen Desrochers and Bryn Fantazia; Radio Broadcasting; Carson VanDerHart, Landon Wilkerson, Claire Erselius, Caio Araujo, Improv Team; Owen Desrochers, Easton Hudnut and Daytin Reif and Inprov Team; Bryn Fantazia, Jayden Doll, Letisia Wilson, and Alison Wickham. 
       Two teams received a 2 rating; Short Film; Amy Longfellow,  Lacie Longfellow, Landon Wilkerson,  Colbie Shaull; Musical Theater; Gracie Wilson,  Isaiah Wilson, Ethan Desrochers,  Jacob Meyer,  Lola Miller,  Marley Stowell, and Grace Burnett.
       Both improv groups have been nominated for Performing All-State. They will perform at Iowa State on Saturday,  Feb.,  21.

By J.O. Parker
 
      A Montezuma graduate and dean of Constance Lane Elementary School in Rockford, Ill., was recently honored with the Aspiring Leader Award.
        The award was presented to Mitch Wilson, a 2008 graduate of Montezuma, on Jan. 28 by the president of the Illinois Principals Association Kishwaukee Region.
       The Kishwaukee Region covers five counties in the Rockford area. The award was presented at an IPA program in West Dundee, Ill.
       The Aspiring Leader Award is a prestigious recognition that celebrates emerging leaders who show strong potential, dedication, and a commitment to positive change in their schools and communities. It honors individuals whose early accomplishments signal a bright future in educational leadership.
     When asked, Wilson said he doesn’t know who nominated him for the honor, only to say that it was multiple community leaders.
     “At Constance Lane Elementary in Rockford Public Schools District 205, Dean Mitch Wilson leads with courage, creativity, and connection,” noted those who nominated him. “Serving a school community of 640 students—nearly a third of whom are Swahili-speaking and facing the daily realities of poverty and trauma—Mitch’s leadership centers on belonging, joy, and the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”
      Wilson is the founder of Soka Umoja (unity through soccer), an after-school positive behavior and leadership program designed to bridge cultural differences between school expectations and Swahili-speaking immigrant families that attend the school.
        He started the program in February 2025 with $1,500 from a school principal to fund a coach and another $500 for indoor soccer balls called futsal.
          “It is like a soccer ball with a bladder inside,” noted Wilson. “When you kick it, it doesn’t go all over the place.”
        Wilson said the idea behind the after-school program is to help Swahili-speaking immigrants connect their school work with soccer.
         Wilson said the students come together and talk about behavior and working in class. We are trying to build connections so that the Swahili-speaking students understand that education is going to help them succeed in America,” said Wilson.
        Wilson said the district hired Emanual Mukizea, a social worker who grew up in East Africa in a refugee camp. Mukizea had been working at the school for about a year and this new position aligned perfectly with the other work he is doing in the district.
        Through soccer, mentorship, and teamwork, Soka Umoja is helping students build character, confidence, and cultural pride.
     “The program’s success reached far beyond the building—earning coverage on Stateline News and recognition at Northern Illinois University’s Pick Museum of Anthropology in its “How We Rebuild” exhibit, celebrating communities rebuilding through identity and education,” said Wilson.
          When asked about receiving the honor and what it meant to him, Wilson said he was surprised.
         “Afterwards it was kind of a shock,” said Wilson. “I didn’t really know how to feel, how to process it.”
       “I’m honored because working through these barriers has been meaningful work, especially alongside Emmanuel Mukiza, who has served as a true bridge for students often viewed as outsiders,” said Wilson. “I’ve seen the switch happen. I’ve watched students connect their behavior to their choices and begin to make real, lasting change. I’ve seen it across grade levels, and that’s exactly why I got into this work, to have a greater area of influence and provide affective triage when students need it most.”
         Wilson holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Mo. and is currently working on his Master’s in School Administration at Northern Illinois.
        A recent assembly held at the school included a cultural dance from the music team, a Swahili song of victory from the choir, student relays celebrating each house’s character traits and finally, the entire school dancing the Cha-Cha Slide led by the student council.
        For Wilson, this wasn’t just about inclusion—it was about participation. He believes educators must PLAY—not just supervise, but engage side-by-side with students in laughter, learning, and movement. That is how trust and culture are built.
       In 2020, Wilson received a Teacher of the Year honor from the W.G. Pearson School in Durham, N.C.
Wilson is married to Heather and the couple has a son, Beckham, age 3.

​        Jayson Arendt performs during a recent American Idol audition. Arendt is the son of Brad and Rachel Arendt of Fuquay-Varina, N.C. Brad is a 1989 graduate of Montezuma where he was a four-sport athlete. Jayson plays professional baseball and performs with the Banana League of Savannah, Ga. Jayson’s performance earned him a Golden Ticket and a trip to Hollywood. Submitted photo.

By J.O. Parker
 
      A North Carolina performer with ties to Montezuma scored the winning run while earning a trip to Hollywood during a recent audition on American Idol.
       Jayson Arendt, 24, son of Brad and Rachel Arendt of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., caught the judge’s attention when he entered the audition room followed by his Texas Tailgater teammates with the Savannah Banana League.
         The group performed a line dance routine joined by judge and musician Luke Bryan, who boosted about his dancing skills afterwards. Arendt then introduced himself and chatted with the judges, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Bryan.
         Arendt played his guitar while performing “Fire Away” by country musician Chris Stapleton.
Following the audition, Richie said Arendt had a nice voice.
         “You have a distinguished voice and we don’t have anything like that yet,” said Ritchie.
         After gathering her thoughts, Underwood suggested that Arendt take his music seriously.
       “You guys are obviously so much fun and I love it,” said Underwood. “I want to hear more. I want to know who you are as an artist.”
         Bryan said when he first started, he used to try and sing everything as loud as he could.
        “It took me years to kind of to go, you know, I don’t have to sing everything loud every time,” said Bryan. “I can calm it down.”
         All three judges gave Arendt a “yes,” which earned him a Golden Ticket and trip to perform in Hollywood. 
         Arendt is not allowed to release dates or results of participating in the show.
        When asked about the American Idol experience, Arendt said his favorite part was getting to meet super talented artists across the board.
        “I have made a lot of friends from it,” he said.
Montezuma ties
         Arendt comes from a long-line of athletes at Montezuma.
      His grandfather, Jim, was born and raised in Montezuma.  Jim played four sports at Montezuma and graduated in 1960.  He met his wife, Sally, at Central College.  The couple had three children, Jill, Brad and Jamie. The couple lived their lives in Montezuma, then retired in 2001 and moved to North Carolina.
      Brad, Jayson’s father, is a 1989 graduate at Montezuma where he was a four-sport athlete. He is considered one of the best to wear the blue and white. He went on to play football at Central College in Pella.
Jamie is a 1990 graduate and a five-sport athlete for the Braves. He helped lead the Braves to a Class 1A State Basketball Championship in 1990 under then head coach Al Rabenold.
        Jamie was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school. He played five years of minor league baseball while also playing football and basketball at Central College in the offseason.
        Brad and Jamie are both in the Montezuma Hall of Fame.
       Jill, who graduated in 1986, and family moved around some in the early days and are currently living in Kansas City. Her family spent many years in Greensboro, N.C. and also Indianapolis and Iowa City.
      Arendt attended Holly Springs High School in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., where he played baseball. He played college baseball for the University of North Carolina – Wilmington. His brother, Bryan, followed in his footsteps and played baseball at UNC-Wilmington, graduating in 2025.
      Bryan was drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2025. He will be heading to spring training in Arizona in late February.
        “He is just getting started on his professional baseball career,” said his father, Brad.  
        Arendt’s love of music, singing and performing led him to join the Savannah Banana League in 2025.
        Banana Ball is a barnstorming exhibition baseball league based in Savannah, Ga.. It was founded by Jesse and Emily Cole in 2016 as a collegiate summer team based in Savannah and competed in the Coastal Plain League until 2022.
      Today, the league has six teams: the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, the Texas Tailgaters, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns. The teams all play each other at venues across the United States during the season.
        Banana Ball puts a fun twist on traditional baseball with new rules featuring a two-hour time limit, no walks, no bunting, no stepping out of the box, no mound visits and best of all, fans can catch a foul ball for an out.
         Arendt currently resides in Savannah, Ga., where he is working out and training for his second season with the league.
          When asked about joining the league, Arendt said it was just the right opportunity.
          “I get to sing and play baseball at the same time,” he said. “It is something that is close to my heart.”
Arendt said the whole point of the league is making sure the fans are engaged.
         When not touring with the Savannah Bananas, Arendt and his band perform at various venues around the region and do shows of his own.
        “We are so proud of Jayson’s musical efforts,” said Brad. “These opportunities are completely self-created, simply chasing his dream and not accepting “NO” for an answer. Same with younger brother, Bryan, and his professional baseball dreams. Fight thru obstacles, challenges, and find a way to continue the chase.”  
“I learned many of these life lessons in my years in Montezuma, added Brad. “People like Darrell Brand, Al Rabenold, Jerry Rohach, Ron Willrich, and the late Gayle Creswell, and many others… taught me these life lessons.  I have tried to teach those same lessons to my boys.”