 Montezuma's Ellen Cook keeps in eye on the ball in a home game against North Mahaska. The Bravettes lost to the Warhawks, 55-37, for the first lost of the year.
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 Montezuma dancers competed in Class 1 Jazz, Pom and Hip Hop at the 46th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships. All the dancers are pictured, from left, front row: Emily James, Elizabeth DeJong, Addyson Probasco, Abby Cheney, Kaleah Shoemaker, Lily Shoemaker, Ellen Cook and Tayler Wickham. Back Row: Izzy Roorda, Camryn Brennan, Haley VanDerHart, Laila Kercheval, Kylee Larmore, Taya Sincox, Allyson Larmore, Katie Reynolds, Hayley Burnett. Not Pictured: Mia Boulton and Coral Lowry. Montezuma also had two soloists, Kaleah Shoemaker and Lily Shoemaker, who both performed with Lily bringing home a 3rd place finish. By J.O. Parker The Montezuma Dance program knocked it out of the park, earning five Division 1 ratings, a 5th place in Hip Hop and a 3rd place in the solo division with a performance by Lily Shoemaker at the 46th Annual Iowa State Dance Team (ISDTA) State Championships. The Iowa State Dance & Drill Team Association’s Iowa High School and College State Dance Team Championship was held Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Montezuma performed all routines on the first day of the competition. Montezuma had team performances in Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop and two soloists performance by sisters Lily Shoemaker and Kaleah Shoemaker. “We were fortunate to bring home a Division 1 Rating in all five of our performances we took to Wells Fargo on Dec. 1, said dance instructor Macy Taylor. “Our Hip Hop team brought home a 5th place this year. We went against some tough competition, but as always we will be refocused and ready to go for next year.” Teams are divided into classes based on school enrollment. They are evaluated and judged by industry professionals from all corners of the United States.   Tillie Wenke, 2, and Milo, 1, enjoy meeting Santa an Mrs. Claus during their stop at the Montezuma Memorial Hall as part of the Montezuma Hometown Holiday events on Saturday, Dec. 4. Tillie and Milo are the children of Zach and Ashley Wenke.  Alyssa Latcham, 10, was crowned the 2022 Iowa Junior Miss United States Agriculture at the Midwest Miss US Agriculture program and pageant competition, Dec. 3-4, at the Mozingo Event Center in Maryville, Mo. The daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham, Alyssa also received a number of honors including Iowa People’s Choice and overall People’s Choice. She also received awards for Top Fun Fashion, Top Evening Wear, Top Onstage Introduction and was named Overall Junior Miss. Alyssa will travel to the national competition in Orlando in June, where she will compete in her age division with girls from all over the United States. By J.O. Parker
Alyssa Latcham is carrying around a big smile these days. And it’s for a good reason. Alyssa, 10, the daughter of Curtis and Amanda Latcham of rural Montezuma, was crowned the 2022 Iowa Junior Miss United States Agriculture at the Midwest Miss US Agriculture program and pageant competition, Dec. 3-4, at the Mozingo Event Center in Maryville, Mo. The four states that were present were Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. The weekend was broken down into four different areas of competition. Alyssa competed in an interview, state fun fashion, on stage introduction and evening wear competitions. She also had to answer an impromptu question while on stage. Alyssa dressed in a sheep costume for the state fun fashion competition to highlight that Iowa is 10th in the United States for sheep production. She shows sheep in 4-H and has her own herd. “Prior to the event, there was a competition held for People's Choice Award,” said Alyssa’s mother, Amanda. “People's Choice was based on votes via online and also a donation of canned goods.” This part of the competition was open to all 56 contestants of all different ages. “With the help of our amazing community, Alyssa was able to donate 1,648 canned goods to be taken to a food pantry located in Maryville,” Amanda said. “The entire truck bed was full.” Alyssa is a fourth-grader at Montezuma Community School. Alyssa received the title of Iowa People’s Choice and overall People’s Choice. She also received awards for Top Fun Fashion, Top Evening Wear, Top Onstage Introduction and was named Overall Junior Miss. Alyssa's platform is farm safety and she is looking forward to teaching people of all ages to be safe while on a farm. “Things happen fast on a farm, you always need to pay attention,” said Alyssa. Amanda said Alyssa has been around farming her entire life and farm safety is something that's very important to her. With this title, Alyssa will travel to the national competition in Orlando in June, where she will compete in her age division with girls from all over the United States. “If you would like Alyssa to visit your farm or attend any events, she would love to have the opportunity to advocate for agriculture,” noted Amanda. “She is also looking for service projects she can help with. Alyssa would like to thank everyone who helped her on her journey so far.”  The kitchen at Montezuma’s Memorial Hall recently received a facelift thanks to a $5,741.90 grant from the Greater Poweshiek Community Alliance. The grant made it possible to repaint the kitchen, replace the flooring, install new cabinets and replace the countertops. The labor was provided by the City of Montezuma employee Erik Kriegel, who did the work during evenings and weekends when the building was not in use.
“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss – Decorated by: Be Brave Dance Team and Miss Macy & Dancers By J.O. Parker If you plan to visit the Montezuma Public Library soon, bring a box or can or two or three of non-perishable food and vote for your favorite book-themed Christmas tree during the “Library of Trees” currently on display. This year’s event features 12 decorated Christmas trees, all based on a book and decorated by a area businesses, families and indviduals. “The trees will be up in the library until Jan. 3, so people can "vote" by bringing in non-perishable food items, and drop in the decorated box by the tree they are voting for,” said Montezuma Library Director Christine Grimm. “The last day they can vote is Jan. 3. And they can vote multiple times.” The tree that has the most food will be crowned the “Library of Trees” Champion. All collected food donations will go to the Montezuma Food Pantry. Trees on Display “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss – Decorated by: Be Brave Dance Team and Miss Macy & Dancers “Frosty The Snowman” – Decorated by: Elise Mathes “Harry Potter” – Decorated by: Evan Haughey “A Charlie Brown Christmas” – Decorated by: Brielle Haughey “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Decorated by: Friends of the Montezuma Public Library “Dragons Love Tacos” – Decorated by: the Jacobsen Family, Bryce, Kristy, Melody, Felix, Amos and Eben “The Tiny Seed” by Eric Carle – Decorated by: The Savants: Caleb, Morgan, Tristan, Noah and Mason “All Creatures Great and Small” by James Herriot – Decorated by: Three Sisters “Santa’s Lazy Gnome” – Decorated by: Bryn Schmidt “Frosty The Snowman” – Decorated by: Jade Schmidt “What To Do With A Box” – Decorated by: Poweshiek County Conservation “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Decorated by: Montezuma Food Pantry, Darla Wilson  Carole Tindle, right, who had worked at the Montezuma State Bank for more than 40 years, greets Opal Septer during a harvest meal and retirement reception in Carole’s honor on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Joining them is Joan Bonnett of Brooklyn. Carole spent part of her last day on the job visiting with friends, past co-workers and community members who stopped by to wish her well in retirement.  Carole Tindle, a long-time employee at the Montezuma State Bank, third from left, is shown with current bank employees, from left: Joel Kercheval, Courtney Sutfin, Carole Tindle, Tammy Sutfin, Mackenzie James and Kyle Cook at a harvest meal and retirement reception in her honor on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the bank.  Montezuma Mayor Jacki Bolen holds a Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Award presented by Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand on Friday, Nov. 12 recognizing the city for its efforts to save taxpayers’ money. The City of Montezuma received the best overall performing city award for submitting 42 efficiency measures. Not pictured is Kevin Kudart, superintendent of Montezuma Light and Power. By J.O. Parker
Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand hand-delivered two pieces of homemade pie to leaders of the City of Montezuma on Friday, Nov. 12 at the Montezuma City Hall in recognition of their Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) Award. The City of Montezuma received the best overall performing city award for submitting 42 efficiency measures. Auditor Sand made good on his campaign promise and established the PIE program in 2019. It serves to guide Iowans as well as state and local governments on the steps they can take to save money and promote efficiency. Seventy-nine counties and 267 cities took Auditor Sand’s opportunity to share how they are using practical tips and tricks to reduce waste, by filling out the Office’s “PIE” chart. Iowa’s local governments also developed “PIE” recipes to be shared by their creators with other public entities statewide. Cost-cutting measures range from shutting off the lights to reduce energy costs, to the creation of policies that reduce travel expenses. Cities and counties were awarded points, based on the number of cost-cutting measures implemented in 2019 and 2020. “It’s always nice to be recognized for being efficient and saving the taxpayers’ money,” said Montezuma Mayor Jacki Bolen. “Kevin Kudart, superintendent of Montezuma Light and Power, and his team have worked hard to transform our city into the world of LED lights. Our office staff has maintained the city office to keep it more efficient as well. Their efforts save us money in the long run. We are very fortunate to have everyone on board and putting taxpayers first.” The pumpkin pie was prepared by Montezuma’s Annette Deering. |
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