The Grundy Register
2014
Serving Grundy County since 1928
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Grundy Center, Iowa
www.TheGrundyRegister.com
Volume 90 – Number 22
$1.00 Newsstand Price
GCHS seniors reflect on 13 years of joy, trial, tribulation
Ron Ross of Grundy Center-based AmVets Post No. 17 places a wreath on the Veteran’s Memorial at the Rose Hill Cemetery in honor of veterans who passed away during the past year. (John Jensen/The Grundy Register photo)
Memorial Day 2014
Dicks tells story of Poppies, Memorial Day traditions By JOHN JENSEN The Grundy Register GRUNDY CENTER -- The Rev. Phil Dicks of the Grundy Center United Methodist Church, presented a moving story of his grandfather, poppies and the tradition of Memorial Day in his hometown of Albia. “I grew up listening to the Story,” he said of the words he heard about the brave men and women who left their hometowns to protect our American way of life during World War I. “As a young child, I enjoyed being around those who told the Story ... because in so many ways, their story was my Story. One of my heroes was my grandfather.” He went on to talk about how
GC, DNH golf girls earn state bids Both the Grundy Center and
Dike-New Hartford girls’ golf teams earned state tournament bids Tuesday by winning their respective regional tournaments. The defending Class 1A state champion Spartans won the regional at Reinbeck by 42 shots over second-place Clarksville, while D-NH won the Eagle Grove region by 14 shots over defending state champion Alta-Aurelia. Both the Spartans and Wolverines will play in the State Tournament next Monday and Tuesday (June 2-3) at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. Complete regional and state tournament coverage will appear in next week’s Grundy Register.
Albia blossomed each Memorial Day and how everybody wore poppies, which are sold by the American Legion Auxiliary and commemorate soldiers who died during war. “Poppies adorned coveralls and caps, shirts and uniforms, because the ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary counted it among their missions to ensure that everyone proudly wore a poppy,” he said. “Utterly lost on the youngest – like myself – was the reason wearing the poppy was so important.” Dicks then told the story of his grandfather, who served during World War I, and of how he and his wife, Connie, have been trying to learn more about their families. That story led to a brief story about Private Martin Treptow, of Cherokee, Iowa, who was killed attempting to carry a message between batallions during heavy artillary fire. “It was told that on his body was found a diary,” Dicks recounted. “On the flyleaf under the heading, ‘My Pledge,’ he had written these words: ‘America must win this war. See MEMORIAL DAY page 3
By JOHN JENSEN The Grundy Register GRUNDY CENTER — Thirteen years is a long time. There are times of joy, and times of trial and tribulation. Sunday the Grundy Center High School Class of 2014 celebrated those times together one final time. They talked of the good times … and touched on the bad. Mostly, though, they simply took one final time together. “We have had the time to laugh together, cry together, and no matter how hard things get, we were always going to be here for each other,” student speaker Jessica Ackerson said. “How many people can say they had a classmate diagnosed with cancer, only to beat it and be sitting here today? Or a classmate diagnosed with diabetes during preparation for our fall musical and still play an amazing lead?” Emily Robinson said. “Our final year of high school has been filled with trials and tribulations. We have all fought different battles, from cancer to grades and everything in between. Today we look to the future and reflect on the past.” Dallas Hildebrand reflected back on his freshman year, looking up at all of the older kids. “I remember looking up at all the upperclassmen thinking it would be such a long time before we reach their age,” he said. “Now I look at all the underclassmen and wonder where all the time has gone. I wonder if they look up to us the same way we looked up to past seniors.” “Do you guys remember making our schedules for our freshman year of classes? That seemed like a big deal at the time,” Hillary Samo said. “I don’t know about you guys, but I can remember the classes I took that first trimester of my freshman year.” Samo reflected on the strength of the Class of 2014, of how it came together when times got difficult earlier this year. And she reflected on all of the accomplishments that the students have achieved. “We are a very talented and gifted class, and do nothing but make GCHS proud,” she said. Hildebrand thanked the parents,
Grundy Center High School Principal Steve VanderPol congratulates Class of 2014 Valedictorian Jessica Ackerson during Sunday’s commencement ceremonies. (John Jensen/The Grundy Register photo) the teachers and other students, talking of how the school became much more than that. “Thank you for making this my home,” he said. Robinson urged her fellow graduates to get out of their personal comfort zones and explore the world. “The world beyond these walls is waiting,” she said. “Every door, every new experience is waiting for you to take it. Don’t make excuses not to go after what you want — take a chance to go after the world.” Principal Steve VanderPol, speaking at the final commencement ceremony before his retirement at
the end of the school year, talked of a great team effort the past 13 years of the students lives. He also gave a special salute to those joining him in retirement at the end of the school year. Superintendent Cassi Murra, who is also leaving the District at the end of the school year, went a step fur-
ther in her remarks about VanderPol, who has been principal at GCHS for the past 19 years. “One of the things I would like you to know is what Mr. VanderPol and I have been talking about the past couple of years,” she said. “He See COMMENCEMENT page 3
What’s Happening Thursday, May 29 Dike Community Blood Drive Dike Community Building 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 2 Grundy County Supervisors County Courthouse • 9 a.m.
Cardiac Support Group GCMH Meeting Room • 5 p.m.
Scouts construct Memorial Day tribute
Spartans earn State bid The Grundy Center boys’ golf team earned its second straight state tournament bid last Thursday with a victory in a difficult district meet at Oskaloosa. The Spartans will play in the State Meet Friday and Saturday at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown. A story about the Spartans’ district title is on today’s back page. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are: Jared Freeman, Jesper Holke-Farnam and Austin Burroughs. Back row (l-r): Lane Bangasser, Nick Saak, Tanner Pelzer, Sam Thompson (Courtesy photo)
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Pack 3038 and Troop 1338 built a memorial for America’s fallen troops at Grundy Center’s Orion Park last week. Approximately 40 crosses were built by the AGWSR High School woodworking class and painted by the local Cub Scout Pack. The Scouts then placed in the park. Pictured above Josh June hammers one of the crosses into the ground while being assisted by Kendall Tack. (John Jensen/The Grundy Register photos)
The Grundy Register, P.O. Box 245, Grundy Center, IA 50638 Phone: (319) 824-6958 • Fax: (319) 824-6288 • E-mail: publisher@gcmuni.net, registerads@gcmuni.net, editor@gcmuni.net