Maple Valley-Anthon Oto’s

501 South Seventh Mapleton, IA

Ram Write-UpDecember 2015 Issue 3

Ram Write-Up Staff:

Editor-in-Chief: Ali Boysen

Layout/Copy Editor:Ali Boysen

Technical Editor:Jaycee Prescott

Staff Reporters:Jerrod Black

Kyle Drees

Nick Hollingshead

Joe Kovarna

Alexa Lloyd

JoJo McKibben

Anavin Mounivong

Jenna Mounivong

Jacob Schaffer

Advisor: Lois Moser

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By Kyle Drees

If you heard Beatles music coming from the elementary stage you were probably listening to the MVAO high school choir. On Monday, October 26, the high school choir held their first concert, the Pops Concert. The night was full of solos, duets, Men’s Choir, Ladies Choir, and the Concert Choir. The concert started off with some great solos and duets. The first performance of the night was by Alexa Lloyd and Jaycee Prescott. They sang Stand by Rascall Flatts. For most people starting a concert with a duet would be pretty scary, but this was the third straight year for Lloyd and Prescott. When Lloyd was asked how it is to start a concert she said, “It is pretty nerve racking.” Lloyd handled the nerves just fine and rocked her duet with Prescott. Lloyd performed two more duets and a solo. Her next solo was with Brett Weaver; they sang Don’t Go

Breakin’ My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee. Her third duet of the night was with Ali Boysen; together they performed Wings by Little Mix. For Lloyd’s solo she sang My

Sister by Reba McEntire.

Weaver sang Viva La Vida by Coldplay for his solo. Skyler McDermott sang Bubbly by Colbie Caillat. McDermott was asked how she thought her solo went and she responded with, “I was scared, but I think it went okay.” The last solo of the night was Between the

Lines performed by Ali Boysen. There was one more solo performed at the Pops Concert. It wasn’t in the program and it was performed by someone very unexpected. Shayla Brown surprised the entire crowd, including her parents, when she walked onto the stage. Brown sang She Will be Loved by Maroon 5. Brown said the reason she did this was to surprise her parents. Not only did she surprise them, but she also made them very proud. The Concert Choir sang four songs at the concert. They sang Raging Fire by Phillip Phillips, The Heart of the Matter by Don Henley, I Lived by One Republic, and

Imagine by John Lennon. The Concert Choir was also split up into a boys sectional and a girls sectional. Each group performed one song. The girls sang

Try by Colbie Caillat and the boys sang Ticket

to Ride by The Beatles. Since it was the first performance of the year there were some things that could be improved on. McDermott said that the choir could work on memorizing the words of the songs. When Brenna Lansink was asked what could be improved on she said that we needed to show more emotion when we sing and look happier. Mr. Smeltzer said, “There is always room for improvement and I don’t believe there is such thing as a perfect concert.” The only improvement he could think of was for the choir to express more when singing. Even though there were things that could be improved on the concert was still a success. Mr. Smeltzer said, “There were a couple glitches, but nothing major. The solos and duets were sung very well.” Overall Mr. Smeltzer said he was happy with the concert especially for the first one of the year. The MVAO choir has started the year out with a great concert. Good job to all of the singers that sang and keep up the good work!

Students croon their tunes

Page 2 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By Jennalie Mounivong

In this month’s Ram Walking, students were tested to see how well they know the middle names of their fellow peers. Our contestants are Freshman Jayce Ingram, Sophomore Brandon Krusen, Junior Skyler McDermott, Senior McKenzie Lewis, and one of our Student Aids, Jenny Collins. The students’ whose middle names were used are Freshmen Haley Ann Drenkhahn and Brecken John Hayes, Sophomore Ben David Sadler, Juniors Kyler Eugene McDermott and Anne Melissa Weber, and Senior Shailynn Mae Capron. The names were set up the names in a pretty simple way. Boys on one side and girls on the other, then the middle names were mixed up and the contestant had to try to put the middle names to first names, almost like a matching game. First contestant is Skyler McDermott. “I know Anne’s is Melissa,” stated McDermott. “Then Shailynn’s is Mae and Haley’s is Ann,” she finished. Correct! “Okay, then Kyler’s is Eugene and,” she paused for a bit, “Ben’s is David? Then Brecken’s would be John.” All correct, 6/6 total. Next up is Ms. Collins. “I don’t know most of the students so this is going to be hard,” she laughed. “So, I think Shailynn’s is Melissa, and then Haley’s is Ann, because Anne’s wouldn’t be Ann. Then that would leave her with Mae.” Close, but not close enough. Next, Ms. Collins will be guessing

boys’. She pointed at Kyler’s name and said, “I’m trying to think of his family’s names. But, it’s not any of those.” She sat for a bit then spoke up, “Okay, I’m going to go with Kyler Eugene, Brecken John, and then Ben David.” Correct for the boys’ names, but a 4/6 total. “So these are not in order? Yikes!” says the next contestant, Jayce Ingram, “I think, Shailynn’s is Mae, umm, Anne’s is probably Melissa, and then Ann would belong to Haley?” All correct! “Okay, for boys…” she paused for a bit, “Ben, probably has David? Brecken, probably John, and then Kyler Eugene.” All correct, 6/6 total! Up next is Brandon Krusen. “Brecken… I don’t know this is ridiculous,” he laughed. “Shailynn Mae. Haley Ann? Then finally Anne Melissa.” Correct so far! “Okay, then Ben John Sadler, Brecken Eugene Hayes, and Kyler David McDermott.” Good try! The total score is 3/6. The final contestant is McKenzie Lewis. “First, I know Haley Ann Drenkhahn,” said Lewis confidently. “Then it would be Shailynn Mae and Anne Melissa Weber I think... I don’t know.” So far so good! “Then I think, Ben John and Brecken David?” Nicely executed, 4/6. Overall, all of the contestants did a really good job. There is a tie for winners between McDermott and Ingram, both receiving a perfect score.

Ram Walking

By Jacob Schaffer

Kaitlin Ladd 1Cameron Golden 2Logan Kollbaum 6Jackson Krusen 6Cheyanne Ward 6Samuel Hopkins 7Juan DelaGarza 8Karlee Wolf 12Rebekah Schram 15Thad Gray 19 Olivia Oberreuter 21Rachael Swearingen 29Andrew O’Neal 31

December birthdays

Nick Hollingshead

The movie Crimson Peak was full of twists and turns that used the elements of horror, romance, and suspense to make a very spooky cocktail. The lead cast consists of Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing, Tom Hiddleston as Sir Tomas Sharpe, and Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharpe. I thought that the casting of the movie overall was pretty solid. I like Tom Hiddleston as he is one of my favorite actors. He plays his part as the mysterious Sir Sharpe quite well. Wasikowska as Edith worked very well. She played the part of a quiet book loving author who also has her own desires to feel love. Chastain played the manipulative and eerie Lady Shape greatly. The cast all played their parts and made it all theirs. The setting takes place in the mid-1800s during the industrial revolution as Sir Sharpe was in the development of his innovative clay harvesting machine. While the main setting is in Eastern North America, later the setting changes to Allerdale Hall in England, which is the family Sharpe home. The movie uses the horror theme as its main theme while dashes of jump scares and the ever so loved romance theme appeared here and there. The movie also uses its scare theme not just in the jump scare aspects, but in its ability to make you feel uncomfortable

with its bloody and very gory portray of mysterious spirits of murdered people. The main character Edith has the ability to see ghosts and she is very distraught over this ability. She has had it ever since her mother’s passing. It can be guessed due to the traumatic events of said death in the family. Overall I have to say that the movie isn’t a must see at the soonest possible moment, however it should be seen sometime. The movie wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be, but that isn’t necessarily bad because with that people who like the scare theme but hate getting jump-scared constantly can enjoy the mystery and the murder. The gore is not something to be reckoned with. I recommend that if the viewer does not like blood to an extent than the viewer either does not watch or prepare for quite the ride. After all, the movie is called Crimson Peak. I like the movie and I’d see it again. The cast was good, the setting was eerie, and the pace of the plot progression was steady.

Movie Review~Crimson Peak

Skyler McDermott

Brandon Krusen

Mrs. Collins Jaycee Ingram

McKenzie Lewis

Answers to Christmas CrosswordAcross: Down:1. Coal 1. Christmas lights2. Mistletoe 4. Snowman3. Ornaments 5. North Pole7. Star 6. Jinglebells11. Presents 8. Antlers13. Grinch 9. Ho Ho Ho15. Rudolph 10. Eggnog17. Gingerbread 12. Elves18. Stockings 14. Christmas tree21. Candycane 16. Frosty22. Naughty 19. Santa23. Poinsettia 20. Snow 23. Wreath

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Page 3 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By JoHannah McKibben

“There is a dirty Buick in the parking lot with its lights on,’’ came over the intercom one morning. Karlee Wolf laughed hysterically as she knew that was her car. From that day is when the nickname Dirty Dan came about. Wolf owns a sliver Buick that she attained from her parents, Jeff and Lee Wolf. She has been driving the Buick for three years. One thing Wolf does not like about the Buick is that the brakes don’t work sometimes. This has caused some of her favorite memories with the Buick. Sometimes when Wolf drives she can hear noises coming from her trunk. “It sounds like metal clanking,” says Wolf. Also the Buick’s tire pressure signal is always low but really the tire pressure is not low. One morning she picked up her friend to go to school. She stopped at the stop sign at Mr. Oberg’s corner but her brakes didn’t work and she hit an icy patch. Dirty Dan slid right into Mr. Oberg’s corner. This is one of many of Wolf’s favorite memories with the Buick. Another one of Wolf’s favorite memories with Dirty Dan is when she and her friend went into the ditch. Typically going into the ditch is not a favorite but for her it was. On an odd day during May it was snowing. JoHannah McKibben and Wolf were heading to Mckibben’s house in Mapleton. They were driving on the Danbury Blacktop when Wolf hit an ice spot. She overcorrected to not go into a treacherous ditch but the car was still pulling towards the ditch she overcorrected again and went into a less treacherous ditch. Wolf looked at her friend and said, “We are okay, we’re okay.’’ McKibben agreed that they were okay. Wolf says, “It was scary but now I can look back on it and laugh.’’

By: Jerrod Black

The venture to college, on the MVAO high school trip to Briar Cliff University and Western Iowa Tech Community College was very informative and interesting. As the MVAO students went on their college trip their bus ride to Sioux City was extremely energetic getting to converse with friends and ready for the future school opportunity’s to look forward too. Students first went to Briar Cliff and got to experience a lot of what a private college life would actually be. First the college representative introduced himself to the students and went through an introductory presentation he’d created for this specific event. It started off with a jeopardy game to have fun and make the students think. The representative talked about scholarships for the students and what requirements would have to be met. He also talked about “FAFSA” and how this governmental aid could become a huge benefit to kids who are in need of it.

After the presentation the college rep had some college students give MVAO a tour of the college, speaking about the history of the school’s building. Students showed MVAO around the building. This tour included class rooms, the college church, campus dorms, and the athletics hall. After the tour, Briar Cliff treated MVAO to their buffet at the

Above, Wolf proudly poses with “Dirty Dan”

Heap of the Month

college. The visit to Briar Cliff was over and the trip

would soon travel to the Western Iowa Tech Community College. The greetings from Western Iowa Tech were really welcoming. As the representative of WITCC took MVAO to a room to introduce everyone, he spoke of the benefits the college had to offer and the outstanding reputation WITCC has gotten over the years.

WITCC is a fairly new college and is still building to this day. In many ways it’s favored to this generation due to its modern day structures. The campus is very spread out compared to Briar Cliffs campus. The newly built dorms that WITCC has added to their campus caught the attention of the MVAO students when they were walking during the tour. The bedrooms are spacious, clean, and there’s even a lounge in the buildings to relax with friends. After the tour of the college the tour guides took MVAO back to the representative and had a quiz set up for all the MVAO students on what they’ve learned from the visit at WITCC.

After the quiz, WITCC handed out packets to answer any questions students would have for the college. As WITCC said their goodbyes, MVAO took their packets and ended their day of college visits and traveled home.

Students look to the future

Breyfogle, Kuhl receive awardsBy Anavin Mounivong

How does a football team evolve from a 1-8 record from the previous season to qualifying for the state play-offs the next season? Not only does this take players that have heart but coaches who are dedicated, determined, and knowledgeable of the sport. Two of Maple Valley-Anthon Oto’s coaches received two prestigious awards Assistant Coach Scott Breyfogle received Assistant Coach of the Year in class-A district 1. Coach Dave Kuhl received the runner-up district Coach of the Year. Coach Breyfogle was nominated by Coach Khul. “For me, its an award that really just reflects on the kids. It shows me the improvement that they’ve had drastically over the last year. It shows that they really wanted it,” said Coach Breyfogle. Coach Breyfogle spent many hours of his personal time to help the team reach their potential. He depicted each and every play of the opposing teams each week and stayed up many nights working on the best way to put a stop to the rivaling teams’ offense. Though he may have given up some of his own time he surely hasn’t regretted the decision. He

was very proud of how far the MVAO team has progressed. Coach Kuhl was nominated by Logan Magnolia’s Coach Straight. When asked about how he felt when he received the award he replied with, “Personally, all it means to me is that you guys are getting better, getting ready for the next step.” Coach Kuhl received runner up out of seven teams, eight including MVAO, and 3 of those 7 teams also qualified for state play-offs. This award was voted and decided upon by the class-A district 1 by coaches. Coach Kuhl took a lot of time out of his day to set up MVAO’s offense to diminish the opposing teams’ defense. Whether it be “running it down their throats” or throwing it deep, he calls the shots. These two coaches along with the others of MVAO all know that there is more work to be done.

By Jacob Schaffer

The Maple Valley-Anthon Oto Quiz Bowl team competed in their first competition on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Mapleton’s Quiz Bowl team this year consists of NiKayla Aguirre, Rebecca Whitney, Danielle Steffes, Brett Weaver, Shayla Brown, Kyle Drees, Jacob Schaffer, Adam Ehlers, Anavin Mounivong, Nicholas Hollingshead, and Joseph Kovarna. The tournament was held at Logan Magnolia. There were a total of 32 teams, two of which were from MVAO. Team A consisted of Brown, Schaffer, Whitney, Kovarna, and Mounivong. Team B consisted of Drees, Ehlers, Aguirre, and Steffes. Each team participated in four placing matches and both advanced to tournament play. In the first four games, both teams won one out of four matches. Team A lost 40 to 75, lost 60 to 130, lost 25 to 150, then won 55 to 50. They won their first round of the tournament 75 to 35 then lost 80 to 110. Team B won their first match 70 to 10, lost 35 to 80, lost 20 to 80, lost 60 to 65. They lost in the first round of the tournament 40 to 75. The next tournament will be on December 5. Good luck to the Quiz Bowl kids on the rest of the season.

MVAO competes at Logan

“For me, its an award that really just reflects on the kids,” -Breyfogle

Page 4 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By Jerrod Black

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud” is Kassi Marie Pranschke’s favorite saying by Maya Angelou. The parents of Pranschke are Alice Pranschke (Mom) Bob Pranschke (Dad) and Trisha Johnston (Sister). The favorite childhood memory of Pranschke is when her dad got her a cat (Freddy). Her dad hated cats and only liked dogs, so when her dad came home with a cat she was overly excited. Pranschke’s favorite high school memory is finally joining a sport which was track and cutting 24 seconds on her 800, plus getting first in her heat. Unique things about Pranschke are she loves to run even though she has asthma, when things seem impossible Pranschke looks through it and peruses to achieve what she wants. Pranschke’s birthday is June 29th, 1998. Teachers describe Pranschke as hardworking, quiet, and nice. Pranschke’s parents also say that she’s hardworking, funny, and outgoing. Some of Pranschke’s biggest fears are snakes and spiders. Places Pranschke has traveled to South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, and Nebraska. The closest friends to Pranschke are Jaycee Prescott, because she is always there and helps Pranschke through things and Jerrod Black, because he understands everything and gets how things actually are. Pranschke’s favorite school activities are track, cross country, FFA, and speech. Pranschke’s future plans are wanting to go to college and get a degree in accounting.

By Anavin Mounivong

“Today is a good Dave, I’ll show you…” What a miraculous use of MVAO slang. Who might say something like that? Conor Laurence Collins. Collins was welcomed into the world on March 3, 1998. Collins has two siblings: one brother, Chase, and one sister, Annie. Collins is the younger of his two siblings, making him the pampered child of the family. His mother and father are Jill and Shawn Collins. His parents would describe him as a responsible kid who has good friends. Growing up Collins’ favorite childhood memories consist of spending quality time with Kyle Drees and Michael Swanson. Something that unexpected about Collins is that he was once a hockey player. Collins is a busy induvial that enjoys doing many extra-curricular activities throughout his high school career, those activities being; basketball, golf, baseball, and choir. His most memorable experience in his high school duration was going to Iowa State games with Michael Jones and Swanson. His closest friends consist of Swanson and Nick Hollingshead because they’ve shared such a close bond throughout his life. His friends would describe him as athletic, “silent but deadly”, a “salt block”, and has a good sense of humor. They say he is “silent but deadly” because at one moment he would be quiet but when you least expect it he would surprise the classroom with a hilarious comment. Teachers would describe him with a dry sense of humor, very quiet, and has a nice smile and knows how to use it. Some interesting things to know about Collins is that a very common type of phobia. Collins suffers from a phobia known as arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. He also has traveled to two states, Chicago, Illinois and Orlando, Florida. Collins future plans are to go to USD, though he doesn’t know what he wants to major in quite yet.

Senior spotlightsConor Collins

By Nick Hollingshead

August 12, 1998 saw the day Marissa Rae Ferris was brought into this world to the loving arms of Melissa and Chuck Ferris. Ferris’ immediate family consists of her mother Melissa, her father Chuck, her brother Calvin, and her sister Jaeden Ferris. A cute saying of Ferris’ is “It slays me”. “Becky Verschoor used to say it slays me all the time and I thought that it was hilarious so I picked up on it” says Ferris. Ferris’ favorite childhood memory is when she had her third birthday party and her grandparents bought her Dorothy’s outfit and dog from The Wizard of Oz, and she got to “walk” down the yellow brick road. She also had a Wizard of Oz themed birthday cake. Ferris’ favorite high school memory is when the softball team beat Treynor to go to State. Something unique about Ferris that is not well known is that she and her mother both share the same birthday. Teachers often say that Ferris is a hard worker, always turns things in on time, and is determined. Her parents would describe her as being funny, kind, smart, and fun to be around. Ferris’ biggest fear is heights.

Ferris’ has traveled to Florida, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Her favorite place to go to is Florida. Her closest friends consist of Emalee Funderman, Connor Beeck, Conor Collins, and Michael Swanson. Funderman and Ferris have played sports together since fifth grade. Ferris says that Beeck is fun to be around. Ferris says that Collins is also fun to be around and that they have known each other since preschool. Swanson “is funny and helps me with my calculus homework” says Ferris. Her school activities consist of volleyball, basketball, softball, National Honor Society, gold club, photojournalism, and drill team. Her future plans are to go to nursing school.

Marissa Rae Ferris

By Jennalie Mounivong

Fast, funny, and athletic. What do you get when you add all these up? Marvin Deshawn Gaines Jr. Gaines was born October 20, 1996. He is the son of Marvin Gaines and LaShawn Haley. Growing up, Gaines says his favorite memory is going to Lake Michigan and just swimming and hanging out. Gaines enjoys traveling and has traveled to Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Gaines can be described as quick, a very good athlete, nice, and an overall great guy with all good qualities. “Marvin is very thorough, hard-working, and he always gets things done,” says Coach Manchester. Gaines says he’s the type of guy that can become friends with everyone. “Everyone’s my friend; I just like getting along with anyone I can,” says Gaines. Something unique about Gaines that most people don’t know is that he didn’t play sports prior to moving to Mapleton. Also, Gaines has trypophobia, otherwise, feeling

uneasy with holes or irregular patterns of small holes. Throughout his high school years, Gaines has been participating in many school activities and sports including: football, basketball, track, baseball, and Co-Ed. By far, Gaines’s favorite high school memory is going to the State Basketball Championship in 2015. Gaines’s future plans include going to college to play football, but he’s not sure which one yet. Gaines is the kind of guy that always makes someone happy when they’re upset. Don’t be surprised if anyone hears him walking up and down the halls just randomly shouting, “I GOTTCHU!”

Marvin Deshawn Gaines

Kassi Pranschke

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud”- Maya Angelou

Senior spotlights continue onto next page...

Page 5, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By Jacob Schaffer

On December 2, 1997, Cameron Lee Golden was born. His father is Brandon Golden and his stepmother is Casey Golden. He has four siblings; three brothers and one sister. His siblings are Brent, Darin, Aiden, and Ellie Golden. One thing you may not know about Golden is that he has an osteochondroma. An osteochondroma is tumor located near joints. Golden’s tumor is located in his knee and it the size of a fifty cent piece. Fortunately, it is a benign tumor. He is still deciding whether or not he wants to get surgery to remove it. Golden is described as a great friend, son, and student. His closest friend is Lane Christopherson. He is Golden’s best friend because they grew up together and used to be neighbors. His friends describe him as caring and supporting. His parents would describe him as talkative, hardworking, and loving. His teachers say he is respectful, sincere, and candid. A majority of Golden’s acquaintances think that he is a stellar guy. Golden has two greatest fears. The first is speaking in front of large crowds. It is especially frightening for him when he has to speak in front of people who are older than he is. His next biggest fear is not graduating. This has motivated him to do as well as he can in school. Golden has made many great memories

By Alexa Lloyd “Ohana means family and family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten.” from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch is this seniors favorite quote. Senior Jaycee Abbigayle Erin Prescott was born on July 24th, 1998, to Cindy (Book) Schumacher and Ben Prescott and step father Jack Schumacher. The same date as her Grandfather, being one month premature and weighing five pounds and four ounces. Prescott is the second oldest of six with an older half-sister, Maddie, a younger sister, Kassi, a younger half-brother, Damien, and two younger half-sisters, Kloe and Jersie. Prescott’s furry family members include a black cat named Kitty, a white kitten named Kenny, a Chihuahua mix named Riley and a chocolate merle Chihuahua named Chance. Prescott’s favorite childhood memory was the year her mom rented the shelter house in Anthon for her birthday. At the party her and her guests played musical chairs, had Care Bear cupcakes, which her mom shoved in her face. Her mom’s boyfriend also barrowed a

horse named Barney to ride; which her sister fell off of. Freshman year for Halloween Prescott and her cousin, Dannie, dressed as a box of nerds; her being the pink side and Dannie the purple side. This was Prescott’s favorite high school memory. Prescott says she has only been to two places outside of the state. These are when she went to Chicago her freshman year on the choir trip, and when she went to Story, Wyoming for the Prescott family reunion.

Throughout high school Prescott has participated in football cheerleading, wrestling cheerleading, basketball cheerleading, choir, chamber choir, Ram Singers, and Book Bash.

Prescott feels some things that are unique about her are: that she was born with her Achilles tendons too short, she had back surgery for her scoliosis and now has pins and rods in her vertebra, the surgery made her grow three inches, and she is also obsessed with Lilo and Stitch.

“If life was easy, where would all the adventures be?” and “Hakuna Matata; it

Senior spotlights continued...

so far. His favorite childhood memory was when his dad taught him how to ride a bike. He taught him by putting a bike on top of a slide and pushing him down. YIKES! It must have worked well because he never had problems riding his bike since. His favorite high school memory was making the high school state playoffs in football his senior year. Those are somethings he will never forget. Golden enjoys traveling. He has travelled to Minnesota, Texas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Louisiana. During Golden’s time in school he has been active in football and golf. After high school he plans on going to college or work. He isn’t completely sure what he wants to do yet. Golden is thought of as a great kid by his friends and family and has made many great memories at MVAO.

Cameron Lee Golden

Jaycee Abbigayle Erin Prescott means no worries for the rest of your days.” are some of Prescott’s favorite saying.

Prescott’s mother would describe her as smart, beautiful, loving responsible, mature, and hard headed. Her father would describe her as driven, warm hearted, intelligent, strong and beautiful. Her step-father would describe her as courageous, responsible, and a know it all.

Kassi Pranschke would describe Prescott as smart, funny, clumsy, and hardworking. McKenzie Lewis would say she is outgoing. Harley Christiansen would describe her as smart, beautiful, a dork, and someone with an amazing personality.

Mrs. Moser would describe Prescott as quiet, easy going, contentious, someone who doesn’t complain, takes criticism well, does her work and someone who is on task.

Prescott’s closest friends include Kassi Pranschke, because they have been friends since the sixth grade and they have never fought. Prescott says they are also very close because “she doesn’t judge me.” Another one of her closest friends is Alexa Lloyd because “She is always nice, she doesn’t judge, and we have sung together at the Pops Concert all

four years of high school.” Prescott’s biggest fear is letting people

down. The reason this is her biggest fear is because she doesn’t want people to think little of her.

Prescott’s future plans include completing her degree in social services at Iowa Central. Good Luck Jaycee!

By Jennalie Mounivong

Ever wanted to hear an incredibly vocally gifted singer? Just call Trey Michael Boysen! Boysen was born was born in Sioux City on January 3, 1998. Boysen’s immediate family includes his father, Dennis Boysen, his mother, Jennifer Boysen, and his twin brother, Tristine Boysen. When asked about his favorite childhood memory, Boysen said he enjoyed flying out to

Georgia to visit some of his relatives. Boysen has also traveled many places including: Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois. Boysen can be described as outgoing, talkative, and a great singer. He’s the kind of person who’s not afraid to be himself. “Trey is the coolest trick out there,” says Nick Hollingshead. “He is a very nice guy. He is very fun to be around and he’s really trustworthy,” describes Jordan Goslar. “He’s fun to have in class, he’s very hard working, and he always stays on task,” says choir instructor, Mr. Smeltzer. Boysen says his closest friends are Bradley Goslar, Jordan Goslar, Kelsey Davis, and Tristine Boysen because they have all remained friends throughout the school year. Boysen is involved in choir, chamber choir, and jazz choir. He has also auditioned for the All State music festival. His future plans include going to Western Iowa Tech Community College for Criminal Justice.

Trey Michael Boysen

Page 6 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By Alexa Lloyd

Why do we decorate trees around the

holiday? What is a poinsettia and why are

they a holiday plant? Why are the traditional

Christmas colors red and green?

Evergreen trees have been used for winter

festivals for thousands of years; dating all the

way back to Ancient Rome where fir trees were used for decoration during the festival of

Saturnalia, the festival of Saturn in December.

Evergreens have been used for decoration

such a long period of time, but no one really

knows exactly when fir trees were used as the first Christmas trees. Originally these trees were hung upside down from chandeliers or

chains.

The poinsettia is the native plant of Central

America. This plant has beautiful red or white

colored flowers, but the colored part of these plants is actually not a flower at all. The colored parts of this plant are called bracts,

or modified leaves. There is a Mexican legend relating to the

poinsettia. It tells us that there once was a

girl named Pepita who had nothing to give to

the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services, so

she went out to and picked a small handful of

leaves from the roadside and arranged them

into a bouquet. Embarrassed that she had

nothing else to give, she laid the bouquet at

the bottom of the nativity. Then suddenly

the weeds became bright red flowers and everyone knew it must have been a miracle,

and from that day on the flower was known as ‘Flores de Noche Buena’ or Flowers of

the Holy Night.

The traditional colors of the Christmas

are red and green. The colors red and green

are used because evergreens such as holly,

mistletoe, and ivy were used to decorate and

brighten things up and to remind people that

spring would come! The Romans also used

evergreen branches as a sign of good luck.

Holiday questions answeredBy JoHannah McKibben

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, had

a very shiny nose.” Hearing that on the T.V

and realizing it has all begun, the Christmas

classics will be airing soon.

The top ten rated Christmas classics are:

It’s a Wonderful Life, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas,

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,

Home Alone, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story, Frosty the Snowman, and Miracle on 34th Street. This

list may not be agreeable to everyone but it’s

the list.

Two students and a staff member of Maple

Valley Anthon Oto were asked, “What is your favorite Christmas classic?’’ Alvin

Pegram, sophomore at MVAO, said Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was his favorite

classic. This is his favorite because as a child

he and his family and would watch it every

Students share Christmas favoritesyear before Christmas. It was a tradition for

his family.

Skyler McDermott, junior at MVAO, said Elf is her favorite Christmas classic. She likes

Elf because it is hilarious. One of her favorite parts is when Elf buys his dad lingerie.

Mrs. Scholl, teacher at MVAO, enjoys A Christmas Story. This is her favorite

Christmas classic because it is good-humored

film. Her favorite part is when Ralphie is convincing his parents to buy him a Red

Ryder B.B. gun.

There are many good classics out there but

everyone has a different opinion and taste for

what they like best.

By Joseph Kovarna

It’s been a decade since an MVAO musician was accepted into an All-State

ensemble. Well, the drought is over!

But that’s old news! The All-State Music

Festival has come and gone, and the local

participants, Alison Boysen, soprano, and

Joseph Kovarna, trombone, have received

their medals. However, there’s more to it than

just the concert. These students might have

listened to their music as a full performance,

but they’ve never met most of the others that

they’ll be performing with.

And that’s why they practice for two

days…

Okay, not really two days, but twelve and a half hours total over that period. That’s still

a lot playing/singing!

Friday rehearsals do indeed begin early, a

little after 8:00, and last until lunch, which

is either 11:00, 11:30 or 12:00 depending on

your ensemble. Practices resume an hour and

a half later, and last another three. Supper

time rolls around, which make for another

90 minute break. Two more hours of music-

making passes and the students are dismissed

for the night.

Saturday, or, as it’s known to the All-

Staters, concert day. The morning’s rehearsals

are a repeat of Friday’s: three hours followed

by lunch. This is where the similarities end,

however.

After they’re done eating, the students get

dressed up. For the men and women in the

orchestra and band: tuxedoes and dresses.

For the members of the chorus: their robes.

This is for the dress rehearsals on the floor of Hilton Coliseum. Hilton is where the

band has been rehearsing all this time. These

dress rehearsals are closed; meaning no

members from other ensembles can listen

in. For instance: during the orchestra’s

closed rehearsals, members of the band and

chorus weren’t allowed inside the arena.

They were permitted only in the concourse

at that time. The same rules were enforced

during the chorus’ and the band’s closed

rehearsals. After the last run-throughs of their

music, supper awaits them in CY Stephens

Auditorium, which has been the chorus’

rehearsal building over the weekend.

Finally, it’s concert time! First up: the

chorus and the orchestra performing America

the Beautiful, directed by Dr. Peter Eklund.

Next, the orchestra alone. Directed by Dr.

Lucia Matos, a Brazilian native, they played

Pines of Rome, a four-movement piece by the

Italian composer Ottorino Respighi. This one song, in its entirety, lasted a little over twenty

minutes!

After the orchestra was finished, it was the chorus’ turn. They were directed by Dr.

Eklund throughout their program. The first of their songs was a piece they were handed on

the first morning of rehearsals: Gloria (from

Mass in D) by Antonín Dvořák, which ran directly into their next song, I Will Lift Mine Eyes by Jake Runestad. Next, they sang Baba Yetu (from Civilization V) by Christopher

Tin. The ladies go to take a little rest for the

next piece: Ave Maria by Franz Biebl, which

was sung by the men. Adding the women

back in, their next song was O Filii et Filiae

by Ivo Antognini, which ran directly into

another song with the same name, but written

by Volckmar Leisring and edited by Dr.

Eklund. After the double-up of Latin pieces,

the women of the chorus had their chance to

shine with the song, I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart by Moses Hogan

and arranged, again, by Dr. Eklund. The

men rejoined for their final piece, Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) by Leonard

Bernstein and arranged by Robert Page.

Now it’s the band’s turn. Directed by Dr.

John Lynch of Australia, they kicked off

their portion of the concert with Through The Looking Glass by Jess Turner. This was

followed by Affirmation by Wayne Oquin, who the director knows personally. Next was

something Dr. Lynch called “An Australian

Set”: Mock Morris by Percy Aldridge

Grainger, followed directly by In Stillness by

Brian Hogg. To close out the band’s section,

they played Aurora Awakes by John Mackey.

Lastly, to end the 69th All-State Music

Festival, the band and chorus, under the

direction of Dr. Eklund, performed Battle Hymn of the Republic by Peter J. Wilhousky.

Boysen, Kovarna jam at All-State

Top right: Joe Kovarna and Ali Boysen

pose before the concert.

Bottom right: the “madhouse” after the

concert where people flood to the floor.

Page 7 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

CHRISTMAS

PUZZLE

By JoHannah McKibben

Across1. When you are naughty you receive this from Santa2. Kiss your lover underneath this3. Hung up on a Christmas tree7. Put on top of the tree11. Given away on Christmas13. A green Who, that hates Christmas15. A red-nosed reindeer17. A type of cookie or can be used to build a house18. Full of candy and fun things from Santa21. Red and white object that you eat22. When you receive coal for Christmas you’ve been24. A magical train that brings you to the North Pole

Down1. Hung all over during Christmas4. Has a carrot for a nose5. Where Santa Claus lives6. Famous song was written, A _______ rock!8. On top of a reindeer’s head9. Santa’s famous saying10. Famous Christmas drink12. Santa’s helpers14. You hang ornaments on this16. The snowman that came to life19. Wears a red suit and is very jolly20. Covers the ground during the winter months23. Hangs on the door24. Christmas plant from Mexico

Google.com

Answers can be found on page 2

Page 8, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley-AnthonOto Schools

The RamPage Staff would like to thank the follow-

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one to shop at these local businesses !!

4 Way Stop Shop

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JostensLansink Tree Service, Danbury

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Maier Family Pharmacy

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Mapleton Press

Medical Oriented Gym (MOG) at BurgessMeyer Family Farms

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Nurture Your Body Massage LLC~Emily Sandvold, L.M.T.O’Neal Farms

Pioneer Products, Bill & Sandy OrtnerRick’s Computers, Inc.

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Sexton Oil

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Welte VaultWolf Tree Service

Works of Heart/Jill Sadler

Gold Sponsors Gold Sponsors

Barry Motor Company, LLCBerne Coop

Bill/Nancy O’ConnellBruning Farms/ML Bruning

Correctionville Nursing & Rehab/Specialty CareCrop Production Services, Anthon, Correctionville

Danbury C-StoreHawkeye Bar

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Second Time Around Furniture & MoreStaley’s Food Service

Woopti-Do Salon/The Busted Pearl