Montezuma's Gavin Strong chest bumps Max Anderson late in the fourth quarter as the teams take a timeout. The Braves were down as many as a dozen in the second period before turning on the afterburners in the second half and picking up the 72-61 District Semi-Final win over the Moravia Mohawks. The Braves will play Baxter in the District Championship game at Pleasantville High School on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. 

     The Montezuma Bravettes bench and fans celebrate during the regional-semifinal game at home against Springville on Friday, Feb. 17. The Bravettes beat Springville, 45-42, to advance to the regional championship game on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Benton Community High School. Game time is 7 p.m.

     Montezuma's Jordan Ranfeld shots a three-point basket in second-round playoff victory over the Midland Eagles on Tuesday, Feb. 14. The Braves won the game, 75-29, to advance to play Springville.

     Montezuma's Kohen Holland looks to pass the basketball in first-round playoff action at home against BCLUW on Monday, Feb. 13. The Braves advanced with a 60-35 victory over the Comets. 

​     Camryn Brennan makes a point during a rehearsal session with the Musical Theatre production of “Chicago, Cell Block Tango. The group performance earned Montezuma All-State non-performing recognition at the State Large Group Speech Contest on Saturday, Feb. 4. Camryn is joined by Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda and Hayley Burnett. Not pictured are Laila Kercheval and Addyson Probasco, both who took part in the production. The Choral Reading production of “Save Us a Seat,” also received All-State non-performing honors 

By J.O. Parker
 
     Montezuma High School Speech and Drama has been recognized for two large group events advancing in non-performing roles at the All-State Large Group Festival at Iowa State University on Saturday, Feb. 18.
   Musical Theatre - “Chicago, Cell Block Tango,” with Hayley Burnett, Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda, Laila Kercheval, Addyson Probasco, and Camryn Brennan has earned All-State non-performing recognition.   
    Choral Reading - “Save Us a Seat,” written by Earlene Taylor and Dianne Singleton, with Zoe Roberts, Lily Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Hayley Burnett, Haylee Walters, Kaya Latcham, Claire Erselius, Camryn Brennan, and Faith Ferry have also earned All-State non-performing recognition.
    “These are extremely difficult to earn and are well deserved,” said Montezuma Speech Coach Kelly Kaup. “Congratulations.”
    On Saturday, Feb. 4, the Montezuma Speech team traveled to Cedar Rapids, Washington High School with eight teams to compete in State Large Group Contest.
    “These students worked exceptionally hard and gave some of their best performances yet,” said Kaup. 
The following groups earned a Division 1 rating:
    Choral Reading category: “Save Us a Seat” - Zoe Roberts, LIly Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Hayley Burnett, Haylee Walters, Kaya Latcham, Claire Erselius, Camryn Brennan, and Faith Ferry.
    Musical Theater category - “Chicago, Cell Block Tango,” with Hayley Burnett, Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda, Laila Kercheval, Addyson Probasco, and Camryn Brennan.
    Musical Theater category - “Side Show” with Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia, Owen Desrochers.
     Improv - Justine Theis, Laila Kercheval.
     Improv - Addyson Probasco, Taylor Wilcox, Claire Erselius, Lola Miller.
     Mime - “Life in Snapshots” - Bryn Fantazia, Loki Harris.
The following teams earned a Division II rating:
    Improv - Tayler Wickham and Owen Desrochers. 
   Radio Broadcast - Haylee Walters, Kaylynn Wanders, Loki Harris, Isabella Roorda, Cruz DeJong, Jack Erselius and Carson Van Der Hart.

     The musical theater group made up of Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia and Owen Deshroshers earned a Division 1 rating and is state bound after their performance of “Side Show.”

By J.O. Parker
 
      On Saturday, Jan. 21,  Montezuma High School traveled to South Tama High School for the IHSSA (Iowa High School Speech Association) District Large Group Speech competition. 
      Montezuma had nine teams perform at districts. Eight teams qualified to move on to state, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.
       Kelly Kaup had the privilege of coaching Musical Theater and Improv. The musical theater group made up of Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia and Owen Deshroshers is state bound after their performance of “Side Show.” 
      “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago, also coached by Kaup, and featuring Izzy Roorda, Camryn Brennan, Lily Shoemaker, Hayley Burnett, Addyson Probasco and Laila Kercheval. They also received a Division 1 rating.
       The three improv teams were also very successful. They all received Division 1 ratings and are moving on to state. Team One consisted of Laila Kercheval and Justine Theis. They performed a hilarious scene to the prompt of going through security at Thanksgiving. Team Two’s subject was out sang everyone in improv by performing the prompt getting directions from an Opera Singer. Those performing were Addyson Probasco, Taylor Wilcox, Lola Miller and Claire Erselius. And Team Three, consisting of Tayler Wickham and Owen Descochers, made us laugh with their wonderful characters performing the prompt can't find your glasses while driving. 
      Radio Broadcast was performed by Haylee Walters, Loki Harris, Carson VanDerHart, Kaylynn Wanders, Jack Erselius, Cruz DeJong and Izzy Roorda. They were coached by Liesl Roorda and received a Division 1 Rating. 
   “Life’s Arrangement” written by Earlene Taylor and Dianne Singleton was The Choral Reading. It was coached by Liesl Roorda and Dianne Singleton. Students performing were Faith Ferry, Zoe Roberts, Lydia Singleton, Lily Shoemaker, Kaya Latcham, Camryn Brennan, Claire Erselius, Haylee Walters and Hayley Burnett. They received a Division 1 Rating.
     Mime “Life in Snapshots” was coached by Dianne Singleton. Performers Bryn Fantazia and Loki Harris received a Division 1 Rating. 
       “I was so proud of Bryn and Loki,” Singleton said. “They performed with the edge of new 
experience as both students have never competed in Mime before.”
     Singleton also coached the Acting Ensemble, “Garage Sale,” who received a Division II rating. It was performed by Taylor Wilcox, Zoe Roberts and Madalyn Flemming.
      “Districts is an event that also has upsets,” added Singleton. “This ensemble was performed well. The room erupted in laughter as their story unwound but they were given a Division 11. No matter the division rating, our teams did a wonderful job and demonstrated dramatic skill and concentration. We have many reasons to be proud of the speech and drama students of Montezuma High School.”

​     In the Mime category, Loki Harris and Bryn Fantazia performed “Life in Snapshots,” earning the duo a Division 1 rating and trip to state on Saturday, Feb. 4.

​       Members of the Montezuma FFA Chapter are gearing up for National FFA Week, Feb. 18 - 25. Pictured are, from left, front row: Mia Boulton, Maguire De Jong, Owen Cook, Carsten James, Colton Benson, Madison Johannes, Kallie Robison; Row Two: Laila Kercheval, Jordan Ranfeld, Camryn Brennan, Sam Bos, Cruz De Jong, Madison Van Zee, Makenna Johannes, Alivia Cline, Ashlee Eilander; Row Three: Bryson Stockman, Ellen Cook, Elizabeth De Jong, Addyson Probasco, Taya Sincox, Ava Pargeon, Kylee Larmore, Emily Jo James, Madison Cheney; Row Four: Justine Theis, Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Sara Bos, Lindsey Henry, Chloe Snook, Lily Ferry, Peyton Tindle, Luke Erselius, Broox Stockman, Brady Boulton, Isaac Wedgewood, Luke Brennan. Row Five: Linkyn Bru, Wyatt Grimm, Rett Pargeon, Lauren Daniels, Gracie Wilson, Analeece Kercheval, Letisia Wilson, Leah Urfer, Sydnee Burgess, Rylee Wolford, Vivian Cook, Brodie Saringer; Row Six: Isaiah Wilson, Abbi Henkle, Marley Stowell, Lexi Rose, Sophia Semprini, Kelsie Mostek, Lauryn Larmore, Olivia Latcham, Dayton Reif, Talen Holland, Kaden Latcham, Jocelyn Nigg, Jenna Saringer.

​      Members of the Montezuma FFA Chapter Officers are, front row, from left: Makenna Johannes, Reporter; Madison Johannes, Secretary; Owen Cook, Sentinel; Mia Boulton, President; Maguire De Jong, Vice President; Kallie Robison, Reporter; Alivia Cline, Treasurer; Back Row: Assistant Officers Ellen Cook, Laila Kercheval, Bryson Stockman, Camryn Brennan and Madison Van Zee.

​      Mia Boulton, front center, is joined by her teammates and coaches following the 57-46 road win at Iowa Valley. Pictured are, from left, front row: Ellen Cook, Alivia Cline Madison Johannes, Mia Boulton, Laila Kercheval, Harlea Pargeon, Abby Pope. Back row: Assistant Coach Greg Long, Claire Erselius, Jadyn Sharer, Izzy Roorda, Head Coach Janel Burgess, Kallie Robison, Shiressa Wetering, Jordan Ranfeld, Ashlee Eilander and Assistant Coach Tim Burgess.

By J.O. Parker
 
    Montezuma’s Mia Boulton has earned a national championship in FFA and was a cross country state qualifier. She has played twice at state basketball with her sister during her prep career. The senior on the Montezuma Bravettes Basketball team just reached another milestone when she scored her 1,000-points on the hardwood.
      The milestone came in a 57-46 road win at Iowa Valley on Saturday, Feb. 4.
     “Mia has worked extremely hard to be a complete player and during her senior year she has truly displayed what the total player looks like in the Bravettes uniform,” said Bravettes Head Coach Janel Burgess. “She can score on all levels of the court, which has been accomplished through trust and hard work. Mia has always been a great shooter, she is now a player who can score with the midrange game as well as going to the rim to score a layup or get fouled.”
        “I’m so proud of Mia and I am even happier that we could be a part of each other’s accomplishments for the two years we played together,” said her sister, Elise, who plays for the Simpson Storm. “She and I have many assists to each other. Along with smiles and memories to last a lifetime. Another fun fact is that we both scored our 1,000th point against Iowa Valley.”
      “It’s an honor to reach the 1,000 point milestone in my basketball career,” said Mia. “I’m thankful for all the support from my coaches, teammates, family, friends and fans.”
       “She has done many great things while walking the hallways of Montezuma,” added Coach Burgess. “What makes Mia extremely special is her kind and caring heart.”

​       Montezuma’s Mia Boulton reached the 1,000-point scoring mark in a 57-46 road win at Iowa Valley on Saturday, Feb. 4. She joined her sister, Elise, who completed the feat in 2020 against Iowa Valley.

​     Montezuma’s Mia Boulton is shown with her coaches, from left, Assistant Coach Greg Long, Head Coach Janel Burgess and Assistant Coach Tim Burgess. Mia scored her 1,000 career point in the game on Feb. 4 at Iowa Valley.

      A scholarship check for $200 from the Montezuma Lions Club was presented to Sawyer Tindle, in center, on Saturday, Jan. 21 by club representatives Bill Schultz, at left, and Boyd Sparks, at right. Sawyer, 18, the son of Jeff and Megan Tindle of Montezuma, has successfully completed his first semester at the John Deere supported John Deere Tech School at Northeast Iowa Community College at Calmar, Iowa. Sawyer, a 2022 graduate of Montezuma High School, is the first recipient of the Lions’ scholarship program, established in 2022. Photo by Roger Allen

​        Montezuma Lions Club members, Dennis Latcham, left, and Pastor Boyd Sparks, right, hold up a couple of tractors being sold by silent auction at the Montezuma Lions Toy and Craft Show. The tractors were among more than 40 items donated by Leila Henkle, the wife of the late William “Bill” Henkle, a long-time Montezuma Lions member and supporter. Half the proceeds from the auction was earmarked for the Lions and the other half was slated for the future American Legion Post home.