Page 2 ..........Senior events
Page 5...........Advice for underclassmen
Page 9..........”Fairy tale” prom
Page 12.........Dexter’s birthday bash
May 19, 2023
Volume 106, Issue 6
Students donned their best attire for this year’s prom held at The Stern Center on Saturday, May 6.
Various photos submitted by students
May 19, 2023
Where: The Bartlett PAC
When: May 16th @7 p.m.
To start the ceremonies we have convocation on the 16th of May in the Bartlett Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will honor seniors who are accepting awards such as Departmental Honors, Presidential Academic Awards, Scholastic Awards, Scholar Athlete Awards, and the Tracy Eckert Award. There are also multiple scholarships being presented such as the Nursing Scholarship and the Jack Dye Memorial Scholarship.
Finals Schedule:
May 30
• Period 6-7 Finals
May 31
• Period 3-5 Finals
• Seniors Dismissed After 5th.
June 1
• Period 1-2 Finals
• Period 3 Make-Up Finals
The attendance incentive exempts seniors from taking finals who have met the following criteria:
1. Have a C or better in the class.
2. Have not missed more than 5 days in the class
3. Have no more than 5 tardies per class.
4. Have no more than one referral per class.
Where: Wharton Field House
When: June 2nd at 9 a.m.
All seniors are required to be in attendance for graduation practice on June 2 at Wharton at 9 AM to go over the commencement ceremony and to prepare for one of their final expereinces as a Moline Maroon.
Where: Vibrant Arena
When: June 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
The graduation ceremony is on June 3rd at the Vibrant Arena. Haley Petersen, the 2023 class president will be speaking along with the other student speakers Brock Luna and Jack Curnyn. The Board of Education President Andrew Waeyaert and the Superintendent Dr. Rachel Savage will also be there to recognize the accomplishments of the class of 2023. Brock Dzekunskas, the Commencement Committee Chair, will give the closing speech, and the dismissal to send off the seniors. Good luck to all the seniors starting a new chapter in their lives! We are all grateful that you were able to spend time with us as Moline Maroons.
Although we all want to celebrate, we also have to remember to stay safe and follow the rules.
• Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the student entrance.
• All seniors must report to the Vibrant Arena Conference Room by 6:45 p.m. for check-in.
• Bring NOTHING with you to the ceremony, as there is nowhere to store things, and you will not be able to return to the conference rooms.
• Wear your cap and gown to the ceremony. No decorations are allowed except for golden tassels and departmental honors medals.
• After the ceremony, graduates will be ushered through back hallways to retrieve their diplomas.
• Graduates may then meet up with family at the northwest corner or front of the arena.
May 19, 2023
This school year has been an absolute blur, but it wouldn’t have happened without our fantastic faculty. The Line O’ Type staff interviewed the retiring staff and would like to thank them for their years at MHS.
Dion Firch, our dedicated mathematics teacher, has been teaching for 26 years and is a Moline Alumni, graduating “long ago.” Her family was full of teachers, and she eventually followed suit. Mrs. Firch’s favorite memories at Moline have been watching the band play on opening day and walking through to soak in the noise. She advised students not to believe that they must have a plan and to instead take a year to determine a path. Of all the joys of working at Moline, she explained that she will miss the kids and faculty the most.
Nikki Lambrecht, MHS’s hard-working bookkeeper, initially became a hall monitor for Moline after having children but moved into the bookstore just a few years later. In total, she has
been working at MHS for 26 years, but can’t place her finger on a favorite memory. She loves when, once or twice a year, her name is listed as Veronica and no one can identify her! Her plans for retirement include spending time with her friends and parent living in Arizona. Like Mrs. Firch, she will miss the friends she has made here at school.
Carolyn Mesick, our lovely librarian and media specialist, plans to enjoy her life after work by “cleaning my house” and traveling to every state. She is currently at 36 out of 50! She explained that she works to set up career expos to help kids consider the possibilities she didn’t, encouraging every student to get experience by volunteering, looking for internships, or looking for employment. She distinctly remembers setting up a display near the “M” where she found a picture of the old auditorium, which opened almost exactly 60 years before the Bartlett Performing Arts Center, and this was her memory of choice.
Tamara Nelson, the wonderfully kind life skills teacher, voiced that it was her first-grade teacher that ignited her passion for teaching. However, college is what brought her to teach in the special needs program, which has become the highlight of her instructing career, most notably, watching her kids’ success
in Special Olympics. After she retires, she plans to travel and go east to explore the country. Like her colleagues, she said that she will miss her students and faculty the most. We thank her significantly for her time at MHS and her dedication to her students and colleagues. Thank you again and enjoy your retirement. .
Jeff Weller, the magnificent mathematician, started teaching because of the prospect of coaching and has been teaching at Moline since 1998! He’s established himself as a great coach and better teacher in his time. He expressed that his favorite memory was coaching baseball with the late Derek Lindauer. After retirement, he plans to hunt, and fish around the area in ad-
dition to following his kids sports teams. On behalf of the entire student body, we would like to thank these faculty for the hard work and time they’ve sunk into helping us succeed. We as students owe everything to our teachers and we hope they enjoy their retirement as much as we enjoyed their time at MHS .
In life, few experiences are as formative as high school – but does that make it defining? Though often thought of as the most critical period in a young person’s life, the impact of high school can sometimes be overestimated. While attending high school undoubtedly shapes and molds individuals in significant ways, its influence should not be overstated. Instead, we must acknowledge that while high school is crucially impactful for many students, it is essential to recognize its limitations relative to shaping an individual’s destiny.
High schools serve several purposes: they provide educational opportunities, social interaction with peers at similar developmental stages and help develop necessary skills like time management or interpersonal communication. However, assuming “high-schooler” labels and experiences define individuals perpetuates potentially harmful stereotypes about who they are bound to become. To avoid this trap where one could pigeonhole themselves into a specific identity before even exploring who they truly want to be, it’s crucial for students of all ages to always keep an open mind towards personal growth beyond those four walls of, in this case Moline High School.
Therefore, when considering high school’s impact on one’s future accurately, we need to examine beyond just academic achievements and look at how much the experience has helped shape us through our interactions with others and personal development. When you think back on your time at Moline, no doubt, some of those times are shadowed by negative emotions.
Many of us went through personal changes, new and first time relationships, tumultuous friendships, or had stressful classes. But though not every experience was great, they all offered a learning opportunity to take into the “real” adult world. We learn how to walk away from trouble,
apologize when we’re wrong, and forgive and forget.
The most important thing I learned in high school is that everything constantly changes and that’s a really good thing. On occasion, these four years felt repetitive and even endless at times, but I look around at my friends and at myself, and I don’t recognize us as the freshman we once were. People change and lives change and places change, but it’s all necessary to keep everything moving towards what it’s meant to be.
Change can be awkward and nerve-wracking; it can feel like it’s moving too slow and too fast at the same time. But in a year from now, we will already be looking back and shaking our heads about what it was like to be in high school.
To think it’s all over is strange, but it’s just the next cycle of change as we continue to grow into our future selves. Hopefully, your experiences have given you a small glimpse of the world and the confidence to dive in head first.
American author John Maxwell once wrote “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” So as the changes continue to come, because they will, face each one with what you learned, and always with an open mind. In our lifetime we are guaranteed to face many new challenges in our world and in our own individual lives, but don’t be afraid of what’s to come; prepare yourself by taking every obstacle as just that: something to get around or through.
Growing with change is a personal responsibility; it requires you to often face your fears and make hard decisions. This next step in our lives is going to be the most exciting one yet, but it also may be the hardest for some of us. When the change feels like too much or impossible to face, have faith that it isn’t and that we are all with you changing as well, and soon enough the hard parts will be memories and the change will be familiar.
-Editors-In-Chief: Siri Chintala & Sophia Brockway
-News Editors: Sanaj Kapur & Andrew Grau
-Feature Editors: Abby Comp, Natalie Rotramel & Anandi Hogheem
-Entertainment Editors: Harry VanVooren & Micah Thieme
-Focus Editor: Maranda Bargren
-Sports Editors: Akhil Kumar
-Advisors: Heidi Norcross & Heather Breidenbach
Copy Editor: Simon Zimmerman
This is it. It’s been a long-awaited four years, and now it’s time to leave. I’ve learned a lot since freshman year and being slapped in the face with a pandemic that lasted for what felt like a never-ending cycle of rising Covid-19 cases. But despite going through a global pandemic that started during my freshman year of high school, I’m glad I made it to this day. As a freshman walking through the halls, it felt exhilarating as I got to meet new people and experience a more rigorous level of learning. One thing I can say for sure is that I am not the same person who walked through our school doors during freshman orientation. The notion that high school changes people is very accurate. I have experienced this phenomenon with the environment and the people around me. In the end, we all grow up, and today, I am going to address what underclassmen could do in order to live up to their last few moments at Moline.
First things first, relationships evolve
Let go, and move on. As we all know, high school is full of changes, and everyone is experimenting and exploring their identity and personality. People outgrow each other, and that is completely okay. I remember merely weeks ago I was walking to class when I saw a friend that I met in sixth grade, and the smiles we both exchanged felt like a full-circle moment, realizing all the time that has passed by. But on a future scale, people come and go, so it’s important to stay and enjoy the little things, or as my friends always say, “live in the moment.”
As I’ve mentioned before, high school is a place dedicated to exploring students’ abilities, so it is important to realize your potential. Find things that you enjoy and delve into your interests. Although four years may seem like a long time, mine are about to end. Trust me, it’s not a long time. Most of my time was spent craving academic validation and finding opportunities that may benefit my future, and one thing I’ve learned is that consistency and self-discipline go a long way. While it may seem uncomfortable at first, know that it is okay to quit. Realizing the time restraint established for high school, it is only reasonable to pursue your own interests because life is short, and
therefore high school is too. It’s important to save time here, despite facing adversity. Senioritis, burnout, or even laziness affects everyone, and although it may seem inevitable, so try and refrain from procrastination. Organization plays a significant role in staying on top of your schoolwork. Take this editorial for example, I have procrastinated writing this piece due to the tremendous amount of senioritis I am
Now, being given a set time frame and a plethora of opportunities, it’s a great concept to romanticize school. Go beyond expectations, and don’t feel limited by the learning experienced in the classroom. Most teachers have a goal to instill a similar sense of accomplishment in their students. Along with taking advantage of possibilities, don’t be afraid to try new things or ask for help. School is what you make it. It’s your four years, and you get to decide how you spend your time. With that being said, make sure to challenge yourself once in a while, and put in the effort and time to extend your abilities and interests. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
With a school full of various clubs, get involved! As a freshman, I didn’t truly branch out and join clubs that I initially thought I wouldn’t be interested in, but after quarantine, I tried my best to take advantage of clubs and activities at school. I joined the Line O’Type during my junior year of high school and took on the role of a news reporter. Last year, most of the news articles I wrote consisted of Covid-19 updates and major changes within the educational environment. Now, given the freedom of writing about any interest with no limitations, the role of being a co-editor-in-chief has widened my perspective of our community.
currently experiencing with school ending in less than a month. Honestly, I won’t gatekeep here. I personally love using Google Keep, Google Calendar, and Notion to plan out my days and to-do lists. Applying to most given assignments, whether it’s a project or a lengthy essay, starting early is definitely a huge advantage, for this way, it is easier to divide the task into smaller chunks.
Last but not least, balance is key. As you progress through various classes, hone in on your time management skills in order to maintain consistency and a balanced schedule. Most students refer to their junior year as their hardest year, and for me, that was indeed the case. Apart from taking multiple A.P. classes, I had tennis season in the fall, speech, and debate for most of the first semester, and classical Indian dance practices multiple times a week until midApril. During this time, I turned to most of my friends and teachers for moral and academic support.
Line O’Type is the official school-sponsored paper of Moline High School. The paper is published by the students under the supervision of faculty advisors for the Moline High School community. The staff will strive to accurately report school, local, state, and national news that affects high school students. Line O’Type Signals is also a forum open to students, faculty and administration to encourage the airing of opinions respresenting all sides of an issue.
All submitted material must be signed, due to a code passed by the school board. All responses or questions regarding editorials should be directed to your Editors-in-Chief, Sophia Brockway and Siri Chintala and faculty advisors, Heidi Norcross and Heather Breidenbach.
Ultimately, as a graduating senior, I am passing down my experience with high school to all of the underclassmen at Moline High School. While I do believe that the pandemic has caused most of the anxiety I experience to this day, it has also compelled me to try new things and branch out, so try finding reason to make the most of your high school years since you only have a few, and they will also pass by before you realize you’re graduating in less than three weeks. Here’s to creating a better, self-driven high school experience.
Augustana College:
Sawyer Carver
Aislinn Baker
Maranda Bargren
Evangelina Marti-
nez
Anandi Hoogheem
Paige Melton
Taelyr Molina
Evan Finley
Isabel Rios
Maddux Dieckman
Zoey Edwards
Nabila Saam
Hanna Wilson
Julia Fairchild
Juanita Rivera
Alison Locander
Noelia Avila
Beloit College:
Aubre Threatt
Black Hawk College:
Dominik Miklebost
Sophia Samolitis
Brock Dzekunskas
Abi Rangel
Jaqueline Raya
Camila Gutierrez
Olivia Gratton
Jozelynn Sanderson
Giovanni Gonzales
Kirsten Schmidt
Griffin Fortin
Aden Ehrmann
Nico Cordova-
Cantu
Sarah Spurgetis
Mason Daniels
Hannah Ortiz
Makayla Mendoza
Marissa Summers
Macyn Walston
Miles Ethridge
Ava Belowske
Conner Schimmel
Mason Woods
Itzel Herrera
Julian Aguirre
Ziraily Meza
Haley Petersen
Julian Aguirre
Amarie Johnson
Jaimari Hall
Blanche Doriane
Gato
Isabelle Seemann
Madison Eddleman
Belinda Trigueros
Antonio Soberanis
Bryleigh Harper
Bryan Klutse
Sadie Durham
Gage O’Neal
Jordyn Harris
Grant Shoemaker
Jacob Remaly
Liberty Stauffacher
Vanessa Chris-
tensen
Ashlyn Metz
Collin Ducey
Taylor Welsh
Ivan Sanchez
Grace Jordan
Diego Gomez
Julianna Miller
Katelyn Jones
Kadiatou Sow
Harel Martinez
Carthage College:
Winter Roland
Chase Portner
Central College:
Brock Luna
Clemson University:
Eryn Robertson
Coe College:
Sam Gerstel
Colorado State University:
Avery Daniel
Earlham College: Caylee Brandes
Florida Gulf Coast University: Grant Raber
Howard University: Corynn Holmes
Illinois State University:
Elle Spence
Savanna Wynn
Charlee Moon
Gigi Tertipes
Indiana Wesleyan University: Emma Bear
Iowa Central Community College: Carver Banker
Iowa State University: Nivena McCoy
Kirkwood Community College:
Brenna Ross
Loyola Chicago: Tanijah Callahan
Northern Illinois University: Alisha Loehrl
Northwestern University: Diego Davila
Pittsburg State University: Jasper Ogburn
Pratt Institute: Matthew Callahan
Purdue University: Diya Vishwakarma
Saint Louis University:
Simra Babu
Scott Community College: Camdyn Murphy
Elijah Barnett
Southern Illinois University -
Carbondale: Kiersten Bailey
Southern Illinois University -
Edwardsville:
Megan DePoorter
Tyanna Alger
Janice Tsogbe
St. Ambrose University: Samara Thompson
Texas Christian University: Ryleigh Robertson
University of Alabama: Lily Oswald
University of Aurora: Mark Runkle
University of Colorado Boulder: Gabi Gragg
University of Denver:
Alyson Benson
University of Dubuque:
Amna Habona
Nailah Anders
University of Illinois-Chicago: Grant Welch
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign: Luke Manecke
Chelsey Highly
University of Iowa: Graham Crippen
Owen Freeman
Brock Harding
University of St. Thomas: Alex McChurch
University of Northern Iowa: Zander Anselmi
University of Vermont: Abby Comp
Utah State University: Zachary Bitner
Western Illinois University:
Nadya Herrera
Schuyler Kirgan
Ariella Ducoing
Neena Cameron
Olivia C. Haney
Anjila Dawadi
Undecided college:
Abby Rodell
Sarah Boggs
Sonia Rosales
Natalie Rotramel
Jakob Neihaus
Ciin Nuam
Midwest Technical Institute:
Emily Perez
Estela Juarez
Alyssa Holton
Morisson Technical Institute:
Angel Lopez
Nascar Technical Institute:
Bradley Griffin
Vet Tech Institute of Houston:
Selena Tovar
Unspecified trade:
Jorge Rosas
Jada Ramirez
Mason Heald
Diego Salazar
Daniel Vargas
Lathaniel Castillo
Travis Carlson
Army: Julian McKenzie
Bryce Swanson
Alexander Waters
Air Force:
Brock James
Connor Pauley
Marine Corps:
Levi Blunt
National Guard:
Fatoumata Bah
Triniti Gaylord
Paula Sparrow
Work:
Joseph Spiegel
Mason Myers
Kayden Poling
Isaiah Kleiber
Justin Hollars
Zele Rodocker
Chad Ramsden
Tayvian York
Oscar Patino
Collin Jones
Alexander Harris
Triston Crews
Sebastian Aguilar
Dallas Eis-rich
Payton Smith
Fernando Pizano
“My junior year during the blood drive and me and my friends took a group picture with the person in the blood costume.”
- Emily Ortiz
“Being in the 202122 Homecoming football float.”
- Nate Parker
“Freshman year at the UT soccer tournament Mamadou Dia tripped on the ball and landed face-first on the ground.”
- Jorge Rosas
“Winning the first state championship in school history.”
- Owen Freeman
“Finally participating in MHS theatre traditions and making the best friends during PUFFS.”
- Winter Roland
“Playing volleyball during gym with my friends.”
- Jozelynn Sander-
May 19, 2023
By: Micah Thieme LO’T Entertainement Editor
Nintendo’s highly anticipated sequel to the popular game “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is out in Stores now! This new game “Tears of the Kingdom” has been one of the most awaited games since 2019, featuring further improvements to the vast open-world exploration, one of the most favored features of the first “Breath of the Wild”.
The trailer for the game’s announcement was released in 2019 and the game is finally out as of May 12, 2023. The trailer
showed us that Ganondorf, one of the main protagonists through all Legend of Zelda games, will supposedly be resurrected. Players will as always be playing as Link, the main protagonist, and will be exploring Hyrule and hopefully taking down Ganondorf.
The creators have said that there will be many improvements to the game including: accessibility to all areas high and low, enhanced gameplay mechanics, and a deeper narrative. As said, the creators have promised much more exploration of the skies above you, including much
higher mountain ranges to climb, and the caves below which are featured in the game’s trailer. Supposedly there will be much more game mechanics and even the ability to craft and merge weapons for more defense opportunities. As for the deeper narrative, I hope it can hold up to “Breath of the Wild”s amazing and vast storyline while still having almost unending side quests to make sure you never get tired of the game. Finally, One of the things I am most excited about is the all-new graphics to the game’s already beautiful landscap-
ing. “Breath of the Wild” already had some of the most breathtaking views no matter where you were, and so far from what I have played, “Tears of the Kingdom” is already topping it! Although I haven’t gotten far into the game yet after the first cutscene showing the origins of Hryle I was eager to get right to it after the launch. And from what I have played Nintendo has taken the aspects from “Breath of the Wild” and exceeded every expectation. With all new changes to the map there is still so much exploring needed to be
done! So go experience the depths of the Zonai skies and Ganondorf’s deep and deadly chasms!
So if you are at all
interested, get on your Switch, buy “Tears in the Kingdom”, and explore the brand-new depths of the Nintendo world.
Two films are coming out this summer on the same date. The first is “Oppenheimer,” It is based on a true story about the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was the mission that led to the release of the atomic bombs during World War II, resulting in the deaths of millions of Japanese civilians.
The movie has already recieved high accolades for its historical perspective focusing on J. Robert Oppenheimer, whose work on the atomic bomb led to the eventual destruction of Naga-
saki and Hiroshima.
“Oppenheimer” dives into the work behind creating the deadliest weapon in history and the catastropic results of its use along with
its continuous impact on society in today’s world.
This movie has been heavily hyped on its own but has earned even more attention due to its simultanious release date with another heavily-hyped film, “Barbie.” Both movies are slated for release on July 21.
Very little is known about the plot for the first ever, live-action “Barbie” film which is based on the Mattel dolls from the 1950s, except that she is being expelled from Barbieland because she is not quite perfect. The lead Barbie is played by Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling plays the lead Ken role. .
I personally would much rather watch “Oppenheimer,” not only because I love history, but also
because “Barbie” seems to appeal more to kids.
The debate surrounding which movie is “better” evolved from the social media powerhouse TikTok where thousands weighed in on which movie they plan to see on opening week, only leading to more anticipation and hype for both movies.
The producers of “Oppenheimer” are expecting and hoping to earn at least four hundred million dollars just to make a profit on the movie, a mind blowing amount to just be able to profit off of the movie as its
budget for the movie was one hundred million.
Producers hope this movie is going to change how people view scientists, both back then, and now, and they hope movie-goers
will take a close look into the dark side of science, the ambition of men, and the deaths of millions of innocent lives.
Although I am more excited to see “Oppenheimer” in theaters, the “Barbie” movie does have some amazing actors that I truly do respect as they have starred in many other movies that influenced me greatly such as Will Ferrell, who starred in the famed Christmas film, “Elf,” and Simu Liu, who played Shang-Chi in Marvel’s box office hit, “The Legend of Ten Rings”along with other countless notable actors. Whichever movie audiences attend, they are sure to be entertained in movie theaters again.
So go see a film this summer and enjoy the movie-making magic!
In the past four issues, I have reviewed a different, local coffee shop. Though I enjoyed an excuse to go buy coffee, I’ve gained a lot from visiting coffee shops all around the Quad Cities.
During the past seven months of writing coffee shop reviews, I’ve met amazing people who are passionate about their businesses. Now, whenever I’m craving coffee, I enjoy going to local small businesses because I have a higher appreciation for the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into them.
That being said, I’ve visited four unique local coffee shops while writing reviews for Line O’Type: Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen, Wholly Grinds Coffee Shop, The Brewed Book, and Redband Coffee Co.
For the last issue of the year and my last article for Moline High School’s Line O’Type, I will be ranking these four coffee shops based on my drink, experience, and willingness to revisit.
Out of all of the coffee shops I reviewed, my favorite is definitely Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen. Not only was my drink wonderful the first time I visited, but my orders have been consistently delicious ever since. Whether I order a latte, a chai, or even a smoothie, I am always happy with my amazingly, appetizing drink.
Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen provides delightful drinks, but the shop itself is another aspect to love. The industrial decor with different types of comfortable seating, create a welcoming environment.
It’s the perfect place for
every occasion. I love going there to study, to have a quick coffee with a friend, or to sit down and eat with family. Thus, I’ve never had a bad experience with Vibrant Coffeehouse & Kitchen, and I will continue being a frequent customer, which is why it wins number one.
Taking place as my second favorite is Wholly Grinds Coffee Shop. I had an exquisite, iced mocha and although I haven’t revisited it quite as frequently due to the location, Wholly Grinds takes second place due to my spectacular experience whenever I visit.
Their customer service is absolutely wonderful. I’m always met with a very happy and friendly worker, and when I leave, it’s always with a smile on my face. They don’t have the best seating options and their location is out of the way, but their cheery staff
keeps me returning.
Numerous people told me to review the coffee shop that ranked third and despite the lower ranking, I was not disappointed.
When I visited Redband Coffee Co., I tried their New Orleans style iced coffee. I liked my drink and it was fun to try something new, but if I revisit I probably wouldn’t get it again.
I do want to return during the summer to try out their walk-up window, as it’s very convenient if you want to get a coffee while walking along the river. However, I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy a coffee from Redband Coffee Co., which is why I ranked it third.
Finally, the last coffee shop I reviewed and the place that will rank fourth out of four is The Brewed Book. It was very hard to rank The Brewed Book
last as I love both coffee and books, but compared to the other coffee shops, it’s last on the list.
A bookstore combined with a coffee shop created an almost perfect ambiance. However, the metal and wooden chairs weren’t the most comfortable, and I wouldn’t want to sit in them to read for an extended period of time.
I definitely recommend visiting it and I plan to return eventually, but compared to the other coffee shops, my overall experience was adequate.
Ultimately, I enjoyed every second of writing coffee reviews for the
Line O’Type this year. I branched out of big chain coffee shops to try unique, local shops where I met incredible community members. Driving around the Quad Cities to obscure locations in order to try spectacular coffee was an adventure I’ll never forget.
Two weeks ago on May 6th, Moline held its 2023 prom dance. Though the weather had been stormy and cloudy, on that Saturday, the sun came out and created the perfect weather for prom day and pictures.
Students went all around the Quad Cities with their friends to take pictures before the dance. Some groups went to Oakwood Country Club, Crow Valley Golf Course, John Deere Headquarters, and Trinity
Hospital in Bettendorf.
Some groups went all out and went to fancy restaurants such as Monarch, Biaggi’s, and Me and Billy, whereas other students kept it casual and ate dinner at Steak ‘n Shake, Village Inn, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
This year, the theme of the dance was “A Fairy Tale Evening.” Thus, the venue was magically decorated with string lights, white tulle hanging from the ceiling, and a fancy chandelier to top it all off.
However, the entire dance process wasn’t all a perfect fairy tale. Prom was scheduled to be held at Modern Woodmen Park, but due to the devastating flooding of the Mississippi River, it was impossible to get to the park. Luckily, we were able to book The Stern Center in Rock Island at the last minute, and it was a great location to give students a fairy tale happy ending.
Prom started at 7 pm and it lasted until 10 pm. Though it was hot because
of the immense amount of dancing students, there were refreshments served such as water and cans of pop.
The music was controversial among students; some loved the music selection, but others were greatly disappointed with the little diversity of music genres.
To end the night, “American Pie” was the last song played as the remaining students began to leave. It was the perfect song to end the MHS 2023
By: Natalie Rotramel LO’T Feature Editor
The final show for the 2022-2023 school year is here! Unlike the other shows, a full length production directed by Moline Theater staff, One Acts is a bundle of ten-minute shows that are all directed by students. This year there will be seven shows performed, ranging from heartwarming, to silly, to psychedelic. The audience can laugh, cry, or be wooed by the wonderful productions of students working together.
The process of One Acts itself is a simple one: MHS Seniors may write or find a script to then put on with a cast of their peers, giving seniors directing and leadership experience while also opening the door for students to participate in smaller, more intimate shows before being thrust into a full production.
Director and playwright, Anandi Hoogheem, expresses her enjoyment in gaining a new experience, stating, “Throughout most
of high school I was focusing on crew, so it’s exciting getting back to the acting side and gaining insight in the world of directing!”
And while directing your peers is not an easy task for many seniors, with help from staff and enthusiasm from students, the cast come together to make the whole experience enjoyable.
Director, Winter Roland, says, “Being on the other side of the theater experience reminded me why I love theater: there’s a bond between
Directors and One Act cast members pose after the second day of auditions. Courtesy of Maroon Theater on Instagram my cast too unique to be broken.”
The dedication and
effort put in by all the students is truly commendable, so make sure
to stop by and check out One Acts on Friday. May 26!
1. Watch a teen summer romance movie based on your zodiac sign! Found to the right ;) -->
2. Go to the drive-in movies or create your own drive in at home with a projector!
3. Plan a picnic with friends or family!
4. Change up your look! Get a haircut, pierce your ears, or hunt for a new style!
5. Visit the farmer’s market!
6. Go hiking at Blackhawk State Park, Maquoketa Caves State Park, Starved Rock, Matthiessen State Park, Wild Cat’s Den, or Devils Glen Park.
7. Bike along the Mississippi River or the Hennepin Canal!
8. Support a local business!
9. Read a book (even if it’s just listening to an audiobook)!
Aries
“High School Musical”
Taurus
“Dirty
Virgo “Enola Holmes”
Libra
“The Fault in Our Stars”
Scorpio “Twilight”
Sagitarrius
“Fear Street”
Capricorn
“But I’m a Cheerleader”
“She’s the Man”
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Your horoscope as a teen romance flick!
By: Anandi Hoogheem LO’T Feature Editor
May 19, 2023
The Moline Boys Tennis Team has had an outstanding season with a series of impressive victories. Their first dual on April 7th against Rockford Auburn resulted in a 7-5 victory, and they continued their winning streak on April 11th against Alleman Catholic, securing a 7-2 win.
The team then faced Davenport Central on April 24th, once again dominating with a 9-0 victory. In their conference match against Rock Island on April 26th, Moline continued their winning streak with another flawless 9-0 win.
The team celebrated their senior night on May 2nd, where they honored the seniors Deepak Badri, Zach Bitner, Ezra Pottebaum, Ishank Pujari, and Maner Soe. The seniors were introduced and had their favorite tennis memories and shared theirplans after highschool. Following the celebration,
Moline went on to sweep United Township, with the senior players being prominently recognized on the courts.
The Moline Boys had an exceptional performance at the home court invite on Saturday May 6th. Senior Deepak Badri claimed first place in number one singles, while junior Jeffery Stroup secured third place in number two singles.
Badri reflects on his first place finish by saying “This season, I tried to just forget about the expectations and play my best. I think that is what allowed me to win the Moline Invite because even though I was down, I had the mindset of never giving up.”
Additionally, Moline’s sophomore Akhil Kumar and senior Ishank Pujari achieved a close second place in doubles, losing to Geneseo in the championship match 6-3, 6-2. Junior players Jathin Kollarapu and Ankit Rajavanshi, maintained the team’s
success, finishing third overall in their doubles bracket.
On Friday, May 12th and Saturday, May 13th the Moline Boys competed in the WB6 conference tournament held in Galesburg. Due to the rainy weather on Friday, the matches were moved inside. Unfortunately, the doubles team of Akhil Kumar and Ishank Pujari experienced a loss in the first round against Quincy’s Knapp and Stark, losing 6-3, 6-4.
On a brighter note, the doubles team of Ankit Rajvanshi and Jathin Kollarapu performed well, defeating Sterling and United Township to secure a spot in the semifinals. However, they were unable to advance further, as they lost to Geneseo’s Slaymaker and Mosbarger in the semifinals.
In the singles category, Moline’s Jeffrey Stroup faced defeat in the first round against Quincy’s singles player William Hanlin. On the other hand, Senior Deepak Badri won against United
Township’s number two singles player and Geneseo’s Vergane, earning a place in the semifinals.
Unfortunately, Badri fell short in the semifinals against Sterling’s number one player, Brecken Peterson. Overall, Badri finished fourth in the singles draw after losing to Lucien Tarnow of Rock Island with a score of 6-4, 6-1 in a third place match.
In the WB6 conference, the Moline Boys tennis team secured a third-place finish. Quincy claimed the second-place position, while Geneseo emerged as the conference champions for the second consecutive year.
On Friday May 19th and Saturday May 20th, the Moline Boys tennis team will
have the opportunity to showcase their skills as they compete in the sectionals tournament on their home courts. They are eagerly looking forward to the event, aiming to perform their best and send as many players as possible to state.
We give our best wishes to the boys tennis team as they
participate in the sectionals, and we also congratulate them on their outstanding season. Their hardwork and dedication have been seen throughout the season, and we hope they continue to showcase their talent at the upcoming tournament. Good luck to the Moline Boys Tennis team!
May 19, 2023
Mahieu decided that it was time to celebrate Dexter’s milestone birthday with the community and school he loves. Maheiu helped plan a party for Dex at Wharton Fieldhouse on Thursday, May 4th from 6-8 pm and invited the community to attend. Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati was even there to celebrate Dexter and to declare May 4th as “Dexter Johnson Day”
as members of the MHS marching band played “Happy Birthday” to Dex.
ter loved every moment.
Dex has a lot of support and love from the commuity.age for our community. For example, Coach Schimmel, a ‘91 MHS graduate commented on Dexter’s greatness, saying, “He has a very big heart; he is always supportive of Moline athletics and is a symbol of our school and city.”
Dex is a big morale booster for our sporting programs, and he always knows how to inspire a crowd. Senior state chamption basketball standout Owen Freeman says that Dexter is, “A special person to this community, and we want to show him all the love he shows us.”
By: Morrison Fry LO’T ReporterMoline Softball’s season is winding down as the girls prepare to play
to stay ahead. This game was first-year coach Jordan Wages’ first conference win.
The team faced Geneseo for its last home game. The
niors have helped shape the Moline Softball program, but the program has also helped shape them into not only better ball players, but people.
The girls have had many fond memories with the program. Several seniors responded to the following two questions: What have been your favorite memories from this season, and what will you miss?
Spurgetis says, “My favorite memory so far this season is beating Rocky 10-0,” and, “My most memorable moment would have to be hitting a home run on my senior night.”
There are countless people who make significant contributions to their community, but there are those whose support stands out above the rest. MHS class of ‘69 graduate Dexter Johnson is one such icon in the city of Moline and to MHS.
Dexter is known to most as one of MHS’s most loyal and dedicated superfans.
As he reached 70 years of age on May 4th, retired teacher and coach, Marty
Members of the community of all age s gathered to celebrate Dexter’s big day by bringing him cards and gifts, and to eat some Happy Joe’s Pizza and cake. Dex-
Dexter Johnson is a shining example of how one person’s support can make a difference. His love for all things Moline is an inspiration for us all. Thanks, Dexter, for all that you have done and continue to do for the city and Moline and MHS. We hope you had an amazing birthday!
their very last games. This year’s team did very well throughout the season with some satisfying victories and a few tough losses. The team received a new coaching staff. and new techniques, but the same concept remained… representing Moline with pride, which is exactly what the girls did this season.
Moline started off a little shaky with a few losses early, but the girls quickly rejuvenated during a home game facing Rocky, whom they destroyed with a score of 10-0. This game was a statement piece for Moline. The team had both their defense and offense working with them, and Sophomore Kayley Reynolds pitched the shutout for Moline (2-2, 1-1 Big 6), striking out seven with one walk and five hits allowed. The team’s hitting was also excellent, allowing them
team’s first game against Geneseo was rough, losing 0-14. In this game the team was struggling with a variety of things, but mainly their hitting. However, the next time Moline faced Geneseo in a home game, Moline came out on top with a score of 127. Moline put forth a fight, and this time they scored runs early, which allowed them to stay ahead of the game, and ultimately come out with a huge conference win. Senior Taelyr Molina said her favorite memory this season had to be beating Geneseo for her last-ever home game.
This season the team has five seniors, four of them being Macy Walston, Taeylr Molina, Brenna Ross, and Sarah Spurgetis, along with the four seniors Jordan Harris, a junior who is graduating early this year, so the team has decided to consider her a senior. The se-
Brenna Ross says she will “miss the supportive coaching staff this year and always having a fun time.” The seniors all had great things to say about the Moline softball program, and how they will miss it tremendously.
They all expressed what a great feeling it was to be a part of a team like the Moline softball team.
As the Moline Softball team brings its season to a close, the girls and coaches plan to carry the same mindset and work ethic into the next season, as Moline softball wants to keep, “Setting the tone.”
The Maroon’s post season starts on May 24th, against UT. Currently, the softball team stands third in conference play, but they are hoping to show their talents in the upcoming post-season. Make sure to wish the girls softball team good luck as they head into post season play!l
