Issue 9 October 26, 2018 A publication by the students of Maquoketa Valley High School ‘Beauty and the Harriers prepare for state Beast’ to take stage next week by Kristin Lucas The MV drama department is proud to present the production Beauty and the Beast. In this musical, a sweet girl named Belle (played by Molly Anderegg) becomes a prisoner in an enchanted castle to save her father from the beast who has taken him captive. Belle befriends the talk- ing objects in the castle and begins to see a softer side to the beast. Showtimes are November 1, 2, and 3 at 7pm and November 4 at 2pm. Tickets are $5 are are available in the office Coach Dever, Ethan Doyl, Chance Downs, Mason Lubben, Jon Seibert, Derek now for purchase. You can also purchase Mensen, Nolan Ries, Tate Trenkamp and Coach Meehan pose with their state tickets at the door. At intermission, lighted qualifier banner at last week’s state-qualifying meet in Iowa City. They will run in roses will be for sale for $5; they may be the 1A race tomorrow afternoon in Fort Dodge. (photo courtesy of Wilson Photog- used interactively in the second act. raphy) Come be our guest as the drama department brings this classic story to life! Student council news you can use by Kelly Winter Hot Chocolate & Treats to Halloween Costume Contest help those in need As all may know, Halloween is Student Council has already been just around the corner! Our students have thinking been out and about going to haunted houses ahead and and corn mazes, just enjoying the spooky has planned season. We’re going to continue that spirit some ac- into our classrooms. tivities for On Wednesday, October 31st all our student students are invited to dress in their best body. As a costume! Every student who is dressed up school dis- will be judged by some anonymous people trict, we are in our high school and there will be a boy great about helping each other out and we and girl winner in each grade level. want to extend that this Christmas Season. Teachers are also welcome to The student council, as well as many of dress up and similar to the students will be you, wants to support needy families from judged by the student council and one win- our district. We will be sending gift cards ner will be chosen. to those families anonymously. To fund this Hope to see y’all dressed up and idea the student coucil will be selling hot festive! Also to note, Junior are required chocolate every Friday morning and sell- to change from their costumes into nice ing treats every Friday at 3:00. This will clothes for the career fair, but may return to be starting next Friday, November 2nd. their outfits afterwards. Happy Halloween! Logan Johnson and Molly Anderegg Please, please, please come and support rehearse a scene from Act I. these families. Take this opportunity and show your Wildcat love! by Maddie Lahr Trying Something New by Brooklyn Sands Marching Band Takes the Field Everyone will face challenges There is a new sight to see this year in their life, big and small. It is whether at the Maquoketa Valley home football games. or not we want to take on those chal- The marching band has finally made its re- lenges and try new things or back down turn, with a half time show that the crowds at when things get tough. Kathy Jurgens, a MV haven’t seen in years. In the recent past retired sixth grade educator at Maquo- MV didn’t have a halftime performance dur- keta Valley, decided to try something ing football games. Since the high school got new and spend six weeks of her time a new band director he has made many good substituting in a high school Spanish changes have been made to the program, one class. of them being bringing back the marching After spending 34 years (1984-2018) in the educa- band. tion system, she was like a kid in the candy store who could Mr. Ford came to MV last year and not stay away! “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was has made many great changes to the band program. Out of those changed, in third grade. Every teacher I had every year became my one thing that is getting the most attention is definitely the marching band. favorite teacher ever!” excitedly announced Jurgens. The program has made many strides in the last year and a half with Mr. Although entering a high school Spanish class as Ford being here. Many people in the community are also noticing the a retired middle school social studies teacher might seem work he is doing. Tina Weber says, “Every show you guys get better.” The terrifying, Jurgens took a leap of faith. “I had some trepida- band is getting a lot of support now from the student section as well as the tions about it when Pam first asked me to do it but mostly older generation. Mr. Meehan, a retired teacher from MV who is well re- because of the subject matter. I would have had the same spected by the community, voiced his opinion to Mr. Ford about the band. reaction if she’d ask me to do math or chemistry or any- “You guys sound really good this year.” thing I wasn’t that familiar with in the high school courses. Mr. Ford says, “Marching band has 100% boosted their confi- I am thoroughly enjoying it though, so I’m glad that I’m dence throughout the year.” He also stated that the band is more com- here.” fortable with performing now than what they were last year. He believes After spending some time in the high school, Ju- getting out there and showing the community what they can do helps with rgens explains that it is nothing to be afraid of. She enjoys confidence greatly. He also stated that being in marching band has forced seeing the high school students each day and being able to the band to use more air when playing their instruments. Making the band catch up with them and laugh. As a matter of fact, she says louder and sound more confident. that she looks forward to coming back when her grandkids Mr. Ford also stated that he has no future plans to have the march- grow older and take up less of her time. ing band compete. “This way we can still have the football players, cross Middle school differs drastically from high country runners, and the other band students who wouldn’t want to go full school. Speaking from experience, Mrs. Jurgens realizes out marching band.” If the band were to compete there would be practices that the difference between the two is the level of maturity. every morning and afternoon to perfect every little detail about the band. After being given the opportunity to teach at both levels, Many other schools in the area do compete, but because they compete she cannot pick a favorite. “I enjoy both levels actually. Af- they lose valuable members who are involved in other things. That is just ter subbing in the lower grades, I’ve realized I prefer fifth something that Mr. Ford doesn’t want to sacrifice; he wants the band to be grade and above. I don’t feel like I can accurately compare diverse and involved in many other activities here at MV. the two levels because I’ve never taught my own classroom This year the MV marching band has two drum majors who help full time in the high school like I did all those years as a assist Mr. Ford in conducting the band, Maddie Lahr and Madeline Geller- fifth and sixth grade teacher.” son. Madeline stated she would recommend younger students in band to Although she is enjoying her time here, there are a try being a drum major, “I was always a quiet person and I didn’t really few things that make her temporary job as a substitute dif- talk to other people. It forces you to communicate and it made me come ficult. She explains that some students who do not always out of my shell.” Being a drum major does put some weight on your shoul- complete their work are the students that are extremely ca- ders, because the band is looking to you for tempos and as a way to stay pable of achieving academic success. This saddens her as together. Some people wouldn’t change it for the world. You become a kids are very talented! While some children might make role model for the younger students to look up to and ask questions to. the experience a struggle at times, Jurgens knows how to There are many times where Mr. Ford is busy and a drum major goes handle situations like these. and answers a question that he doesn’t have the time to answer. A lot of Jurgens has learned many valuable skills that has the time drum majors are more there to keep Mr. Ford on track and to helped her succeed at her job. Over the years, she has real- make sure that he remembers to talk about everything that he wants to talk ized that sometimes she needs to take a step back in certain about. There are many ways to get involved in leadership positions in high situations. “Certain students can’t help the things they do or school, and being a drum major is one of them.