Liam HalawithMaroon Echoes News On Sunday, November 24th, the “Monarch Run For a Greener Downtown” kicked off at MPCHS. People gathered in the high school parking lot adorned in running gear and their signature T-shirts provided by the organizers if the registered early.
On the mark of Ready, Set, Go! The participants set off in a steady sprint down the 5K course, spreading milkweed pods, a staple for butterflies, along the path. People who didn’t want to run could walk a 1k course spreading milkweed along their path as well. As they finished up they were provided with water, hot chocolate, and baked goods. Senior Auroura Vansickle says that she got the idea from a RAGBRAI team that distributed milkweed pods to help the monarch population, “We thought that would be a good way to tie everything together.” The event was organized to provide funds for a project coined “Green Rooftops for Downtown” organized by Seniors Maggie Cristoforo, Caroline Richtman, Auroura Vansickle, and Junior Olivia Larson. They plan to create lightweight planters to place on the rooftops of businesses on the Mount Pleasant square. These planters can be filled with any type of plant but they plan on using succulents and other plants that are better at absorbing water. The planters are designed to decrease watershed off of the rooftops, purify the air downtown, and to make the Mount Pleasant business district more Eco-friendly. “It’s going to make the whole town greener,” says Vansickle, the main organizer for the run. They already have one business signed up, Paul Revere’s pizza has agreed to have a planter placed on their rooftops. The upkeep for the planters will be provided by the high school Alliance for Sustainability club or AFS. The club will provide volunteers to care for the planters for area businesses, doing so free of charge. The club's main goal is to, “Change the environment and greenery of Mount Pleasant.” This project is also a part of the Civic Engagement, Leadership, and Life-skills, or the C.E.L.L. class. The class is taught by Mr. Scott Stribe a Social Studies teacher at the High School. The class is organized to, "Look for problems local and nationwide that students want to fix.” They learn communication, problem-solving, and real-world skills through the hands-on course. This all culminated in a successful event and the AFS team plans on getting more and more businesses to sign on and to begin construction in the spring.
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Marshall FluhartyMaroon Echoes Assistant Editor This Year’s Fall play, Witness For The Prosecution by Agatha Christe is a fantastic mystery/drama about a man named Leonard Vole who becomes very close with an older woman named Emily French.
When Emily dies unexpectedly, Mr. Vole is immediately suspected of killing her. He goes to trial and there we learn that he was recently added to her will. Vole’s wife defends him on trial, using fake letters to prove his innocence to the court. He is acquitted, but while celebrating a younger woman walks on stage and kisses Vole. His wife, surprised and angered, asks him why he kissed her? He then explains that he doesn't need her anymore, ending the play in a dramatic flair of passionate tensions. The high school's rendition was brought to life by Luke Ryon, Yorke Prough, Tristen Davis, Piper Wiley, Jaci Childres, Chloe Ward, Alyssa Striegel, Andrew Raunbeuler, Jamie Johannes, Olivia Larson, Blake Bentler, Logan Lee, Logan White, Jacob Richtman, Jon Myers, Lilly Pereira, and Grace Kelley is student director. This small team all worked together very well to make a successful play in such a short amount of time. Senior Yorke Prough, who played Mr. Justice Wainwright, the judge, spoke very highly of his experience. “It was a lot of fun, being a senior, but it was also exhausting with the hours-long practices.” “I was Mr. Justice Wainright, the judge. It was pretty important especially for the outcome.” Yorke says, though not spoiling the ending. He, like other actors, were incredibly happy with their parts and the outcome of the play. Junior Grace Kelly, the student director, also had a few things to say on the matter, “My job is to act as the mini Mrs. Depriest. I have to stay on top of everyone's lines, making sure the cast remembers and practices their parts, I even made a Quizlet to help a performer remember their long paragraphs of lines.” She continued on about her duties, “I have to be strict, we all love to have fun, but I have to be sure that we stay on task and get some serious work done.” Grace Kelley relished the finished product, “I'm very proud of how the play turned out and how much the cast grew and improved over the course of a few months. I'm looking forward to this spring's musical!” Liam HalawithMaroon Echoes Editor On Friday, November 1st, MPCHS culinary arts students participated in the 2019 Iron Chef Competition at Indian Hills Community College, taking 3rd place overall. Courses: They Prepared a starter of Roasted Butternut Squash Soup garnished with Parsley, Lime and Garlic Gremolata dashed with Roasted Pecans.
Main Course: Oven Roasted Herb Buttered Spatch-cooked Cornish Game Hen with Orange-Cranberry Sauce. Chipotle Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Honey & Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Desert: Caramel Apple Cheesecake Served with a Caramel Sauce & Roasted Pecans. Those who attended the event are: Carlos Gonzalez, Arlouny Phosy, Kearrah Wilson, Alexis Wohlleber, Teresa Morris and Kylee Moziort . Great Job! Liam HalawithMaroon Echoes Editor Bright and early Tuesday, November 12th, morning, veterans and students gathered in the Mount Pleasant Community High School Commons for the annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast.
Regular people from all walks of life and from all branches of the military came together this morning. They all had one thing in common: they choose to serve their country and that day the community chooses to honor their service. A hearty breakfast Buffett was prepared by the high school Culinary III students, directed by their teacher Mrs. Marjorie Beckman. The event was organized by Mrs. Jessi Rich, an English teacher at the high school, who herself served in the Iowa Army National Guard for several years before going back to school to become a teacher. According to Rich, the event was organized, “To connect our students with community members who have served.” Students and staff were asked to sign up and bring a veteran they admired. They were encouraged to provide a photo for a Wall of Honor that is updated every year with photos of service members. High school students were also encouraged to sign a note of thanks on a banner that was on display for all to see. Every single person in the room had a story to tell, one of hardship, discipline, and grit. Here are a few examples: Mr. Ronald Welker was stationed in Germany in the 1980s, during the heights of the Cold War. He worked in military intelligence, and to this day he’s not allowed to discuss any details. Mr. Fred Ochsner worked in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer and mechanic. He loved traveling all over the globe going from base to base. In 5 ½ years, he traveled from Germany to Kentucky to Texas and then to Korea. His transition into normal civilian life was difficult, “It was hard to go from active duty with a set structure, and set responsibilities, to civilian life where you don’t have any of that.” To conclude the event the Chamber Choir sang the Star-Spangled Banner and God Shall Wipe All Tears. They were directed by Marlene DePriest. Mr. Jones and the FFA bused tables for the event. Mrs. Patterson collected photos for the photo wall. A very special thank you to our local veterans for your service, and to the many other teachers and students who helped with the planning, execution and brought guests. Thank you for your support! Marshall FluhartyMaroon Echoes Assistant Editor Senior, Abby Ryon is a powerhouse at MPCHS. A cross-country and track star; as well as a clarinetist in the marching band and symphonic band as well as a bass guitarist in jazz band and show band. In her free time, she enjoys reading and swimming laps in the pool.
Ryon earned a seventh-place at the State Cross-Country meet this year in Fort Dodge. Coming in second overall at the Class 3A qualifying meet. “It’s an honor really, a blessing, to end my school career on a high note.” says Ryon. Abby also attended the state track meet last year, earning a fourth-place finish in the 1500 meter race. Some goals she has before graduating high school include breaking some of the school’s track records,like breaking the 1500 record, and if she achieves that she’ll be a qualifier for the Drake Relays in spring. Starting in her freshman year, she was a big boost to the Cross-Country team, having eight girls and only one on varsity. She encouraged her friends and classmates to join Mt. Pleasant and in doing so has grown the team to what it is today. MP Girls were conference champs this year and dominating the scoreboard at every race. With Ryon running laps around the competition, she’ll be missed at MPCHS, but she’s not going far. Her plans include going on to the University of Iowa for college where she will continue her education and running career. Abby Ryon has become a fixture at MPCHS, but the year’s not over yet. Catch her again on the running track this spring, but you might need a go-cart to keep up! Issabelle SanchezMaroon Echoes Reporter Erin Andresen is a very active junior at MPCHS. She is very involved in many different groups at the school, such as band, cheer, choir, and more. Even though she has a lot on her plate Erin knows how to handle it, “You just have to plan out your time day by day.”
Erin is originally from Mount Pleasant so she always enjoyed being a Panther because she, “Gets to be involved in her community with lots of great people.” She is very involved in the marching band where she is the junior drum major. She likes band because she gets to learn leadership skills and have fun, “We are all a family and we all love what we are doing.” Erin plans on being a drum major during her senior year as well. Even though her favorite class is Band, she is also interested in History classes ever since she was younger. She says because “I was always interested in learning about why everything happens for a reason.” She hopes to attend college for a teaching degree in History. She says “It's important to teach high school students because it helps them give them the material they need to get ready for the future.” Erin’s musical passion goes beyond the classroom; she has been playing the piano since she was in 7th grade. When she is not practicing instruments she loves to hang out with her family and relax. Erin would like to travel to any historical place such as Pearl Harbor, Hawaii or any war monument. Even though she would rather stay home on weekends, she also enjoys being outside to hike or to shop. Her advice for underclassmen is to “Be yourself. Don't worry about not wanting to fit in with the group or that you have to be cool or anything. You are going to meet so many people and become friends.” Erin likes to promote positive anywhere and everywhere she goes. Erin Andresen is an example of what it means to be a panther! Go Panthers! Jude BeasleyMaroon Echoes Artist With the recent success Kirby: Star Allies for the Nintendo Switch, it’s worth noting the preluding installment, Kirby: Planet Robobot.
Planet Robobot was the final Kirby game released for the 3DS, before the focus was turned to the Switch. Although Planet Robobot was met with mixed reviews when it came out in 2016, it’s one of my personal favorites of the franchise, rivaled only by Kirby: Super Star. Why do I believe Planet Robobot is such a fantastic game? Nintendo always has a knack for developing subtle but incredibly in-depth characters, and their work with the Kirby franchise is no exception. The Kirby series itself seems to have a habit of using cutesy names and themes to mask how intense the storylines and characters really get. I don’t want to spoil anything (in case you’re three years late to the party) but there was a lot of twists and turns in Planet Robobot that almost made me throw my console against the wall. Gameplay wise, Planet Robobot was relatively easy to play. The controls were simple and the actual game itself was just as any other Kirby game. A platformer with puzzles and copy abilities. However, I will admit that I was fooled by how easy the levels actually were, because when I got to the real boss fights, they were nothing like the previous battles in the game. The normal levels were pleasant to play- something you could do if you were just relaxing and sitting around- but the boss fights are completely different. So the game has a bit of a lurch when it comes to actual difficulty, but then again, that is a hallmark of the Kirby franchise. The soundtrack is amazing. The music is just the same as all the other games, but recomposed to fit the metallic, robotic theme of the game, and it really enriched the experience Planet Robobot gave me. Overall, Kirby: Planet Robobot was definitely worth my time, money, and tears of rage at the Meta Knight boss fight. Mecha Knight? Is that spoilers? Whatever. It’s a good game, go buy it! Marshall FluhartyMaroon Echoes Editor October 31st; the time of year where you can let your inner demons out and be rewarded for it. Where kids dress up as ghoulish demons, swashbuckling pirates, and pretty princesses. I’m talking about Halloween, where children travel from door to door to collect candy from their neighbors as a reward for asking for a treat instead of tricking them. Recently, instead of fun and celebration, there has been an “epidemic” in the news surrounding this spooky holiday, poisoned and drugged candy.People appear to be taking the time to tamper with the sweet treat everyone wants; so instead of being a delicious treat, it becomes, metaphorically speaking, the poisoned apple. This trend started over forty years ago in 1970. In New York, there were two unconfirmed incidents where kids were poisoned by their candy. Then two days later a young child died of heroin, his uncle said it was within his candy, but it was later discovered that his uncle had in fact left out his drugs and the child consumed it.
According to CNN, in 1974, another child died in Houston from poisoned candy, his father poisoned him with cyanide in a pixie stick. After that, the story of the “Candyman Killer” quickly went around and communities banned the tradition of “trick-or-treating” altogether. The New Jersey governor signed a bill saying that jail time will be given to those who tamper with candy that will be given to trick-or-treaters. Though forty years of speculation about poison candy and child deaths, there have been no confirmed incidents involving poisoned candy or razor blades within candy. It has become an urban legend, where only a small number of rumored incidents happen and it explodes out of proportion, into countrywide anxiety. Author Jan Harold Brunvand believes that though urban legends can and usually are based on real incidents, they are often based on real-world fears. The urban legend of tainted candy began in the ’70s, which was a very fearful time for the US with The Cold War fears and The Vietnam War ending just years before, the general public felt victimized and began to feel unsafe at home. It’s very unlikely that today someone will put poison or drugs of any kind within the sacks of sweets the children carry around. The price of such drugs as edibles and heroin are much too expensive for someone to purposely give that to your child. The price of cannabis edible gummy squares is twelve dollars alone for a small pack. This coupled with other high drug prices compounds the fact that it is highly unlikely for your child to get drugged from their Halloween candy. “The false case of the poisoned candy legend is another way that American fears manifested: as an easily understood threat to innocence,” says W. Scott Poole, writer for CNN health. Liam HalawithMaroon Echoes Editor On Sunday, November 3rd, runners and support staff gathered in the main corridor of MPCHS waiting to go for a run in the crisp 50-degree weather.
The event was organized by Mount Pleasant teachers Michele Peterson, Rebecca Bos, and Brittney Roberts. Peterson wanted to have a 5k but wanted to help others along the way, “We wanted to promote health and healthy movement.” So after the cancelation of the marching band invitational, they decided on giving part of the proceeds to the MP Music Boosters, and then the After-Prom Raffle for the other part. Registration was $20, and each group received half. Peterson expects to raise more than $100 each group. Mrs. Bos is excited to go on the run with her son Henry, “It’s a great way to get out and move and get healthy while supporting the school and our community.” Those who registered are automatically entered into the After-Prom Raffle to win one of four $500 prizes that will be drawn at a board meeting in December. All Snacks and drinks were donated by Hy-Vee Food Store, here in Mount Pleasant. They provided bananas, granola bars, and water. Some of which were handed to the runners as they finished by Henry Bos! All of the participants were very positive in their experience and hoped to run again next year. |
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November 2020
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