Uniting the Golden Hawks
Spring 2020, Vol. 3, Issue 1
More Inside:
All-School Reunion Postponed to 2021
2020 Alumni Award Winners Announced
Dr. Cathann Kress ‘79, a leader at Ohio State University
Details. p. 2 - 3
Details. p. 4 - 9
Details. p. 13
A message from the Alumni President
Hello Alumni & Friends! We hope you are staying safe and healthy during this trying time. This is a time of uncertainty and many unknowns and the safety of the Mid-Prairie community is of extreme importance. We want to update you on the AllSchool Reunion that was planned for July 3-4, 2020. Following social distancing precautions and putting the health and well-being of the community first, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event until the July 4th weekend of 2021. Please mark this weekend on your calendar as we continue generating excitement for the reunion! A co-sponsored golf tournament between the Mid-Prairie Foundation and Alumni & Friends Association is still planned for Friday, July 3rd, at this point as well as a Pickleball tournament on Saturday, July 4th, and previously scheduled class reunions. Changes and updates to these events will be communicated through social media. We are continually looking to expand and grow the association as well as content of the newsletter. If you have suggestions or ideas for future newsletters, please reach out to your class representative or one of the board members. We appreciate your continued support of the Alumni & Friends Association! Thank you, Whitni Patterson President – Alumni & Friends Association
Golf Registration • July 3, 2020 • Kalona Golf Course Name or Business:_____________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________________
$250 for 4-Person Best Shot Team TEAM ENTRY $250 Checks made payable to Mid-Prairie Foundation Send to PO Box 150, Wellman, IA 52356 or pay online www.mphawksalumni.org/events
Payment Enclosed
Online Payment
Pickleball Registration • July 4, 2020 • Wellman YMCA Name: ______________________________ Email: _______________________________ Phone: ______________________________
Round Robin Tourney $25 Entry Fee Register by June 26, 2020
SOCIAL/BEGINNER PICKLERS (2.0-2.5 LEVEL) Checks made payable to Check In 11:30 • Play Noon to 2:00 pm Mid-Prairie Foundation INTERMEDIATE PICKLERS (3.0-3.5 LEVEL) Send to PO Box 150, Wellman, Check In 2:30 • Play 3:00 to 5:00 pm IA 52356 or pay online www.mphawksalumni.org/events
Payment Enclosed
2 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
Online Payment
Mid-Prairie Foundation Board Hayley Sieren Hershberger ‘11, president Junell Swantz Duwa ‘79, treasurer Georgia Gent, secretary Kari Hobbs Harland ‘97, member Gerry Beeler, member Terry Mangold ‘65, member Phyllis Casper, member Doug Slaubaugh ‘63, member Jeremy Statler ‘90, member Mid-Prairie Alumni & Friends Association Board Claudia Shaver Bishop ‘67, member Pam Norman Green ‘68, member Chris Yotty Brenneman ‘72, member Nancy Reif Roth ‘89, member Greg Gent ‘82, member Heather Hervey Trimpe ‘98, secretary Angie Young Goodwin ‘90, vice president Sarah Griffith Huston ‘00, member Kayla Duwa ‘09, member Whitni Patterson ‘13, president Madeline Stutzman ‘12, member Kristi Strickland, Editor & Communications
Thank you to our Alumni Veterans
These are additions and corrections to our veteran list in the 2019 Fall Issue.
Please RSVP by June 26, 2020
GOLF SPONSORSHIPS Due June 12, 2020 BRONZE $150 Hole Sponsorship, Facebook Shoutout SILVER $250 4-person Team Entry Fee, 2 Mulligans, Facebook Shoutout GOLD $400 4-person Team Entry Fee, Hole Sponsorship, 4 Mulligans, Facebook Shoutout
MID-PRAIRIE FOUNDATION & ALUMNI BOARDS
ADIN KAUFFMAN `64 Army 1966-1968, Vietnam MIKE MILLER ‘65 Army 1966-1969 GLORIA HERSHBERGER ‘66 Naval Air Reserves, (Oct. 1979 - Oct. 1982)
Buckley Air National Guard Base, Aurora, Colo.
KEVIN VEST ‘84 Army 1984-1987 MIKE LEONARD ‘88 Army RHETT LEONARD ‘16 Currently Staff Sergeant Intelligence Specialist KENZIE BONTRAGER ‘19 Public Health technician currently training in San Antonio. CONNOR PETTIT ‘18 Army TRACY JANECEK ‘69 Army National Guard 1969-1989 TERRY BECKLEY ‘77 Navy
All-School Reunion postponed to July 4th weekend in 2021 Unfortunately, the Mid-Prairie All-School Reunion will be postponed to the 4th of July weekend in 2021. The Alumni & Friends and Foundation board members decided in the best interest for those traveling and the community that it would be wise to postpone the large group events until the coronavirus situation is behind us. However, the 4-Person Best Shot Golf Tourney is still on schedule for July 3rd and the Pickleball Tourney is set for July 4th. You can register by submitting the information
listed on page two or online. The proceeds will still benefit the MP Foundation and Alumni & Friends Association. If any updates to either events are needed, they’ll be announced on the Alumni & Friends and Foundation Facebook pages and the alumni website, www.mphawksalumni.org. The alumni award winners will still be featured in the Wellman 4th of July parade. Please join us the day of festivities to congratulate the winners! Mark your calendars to join us in 2021!
Class Reunion Schedule
Class reunions will continue as scheduled and changes will be communicated by each class reunion planner or representatives. Please contact them with questions about your reunion details.
1965
1989
Class of 1965’s reunion will be July 4, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Goodwin Senior Center in Wellman. There is potential this will be postponed to the fall. The class will be notified of changes. Contact Terry Mangold at 319-863-3175 or tlmangold13@gmail.com for more details.
The class of 1989 will have their 31st class reunion during the 4th of July weekend. More details will be sent to classmates. If you haven’t received any class information in the last year, please contact Nancy to update your information. There are still classmates that have not been located. Nancy Reif Roth, nancyroth2658@ gmail.com or 319-931-5691.
1969 The Class of 1969 will have its Annual Reunion on Saturday, August 1, at Kalona Brewing Company beginning at 5:30 p.m.
1970 The class of 1970 is planning their 50th class reunion on Oct. 16 and 17, 2020. Included in the festivities will be a high school tour on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Save the date and stay tuned for more details. For more information, contact any of the following: Denny Yoder (319) 646-2778, agronomsol@netins.net, Linda Potsander (319) 698-2030, potsanderlinda@gmail.com and Dan Dickel (319) 5416150, dfoot55@yahoo.com
1975
The class of 1975 is planning their 45th class reunion on August 8th at 5 p.m. at the Kalona Brewing Company. For more details, please contact Scott Semler at 319777-1457 or scott.semler69@gmail.com.
1980 The class of 1980 is planning its 40th class reunion on Aug. 29, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. The event will be at the farm of Hal Colliver, 1726 230th St., Keota, (one mile south of West Chester School House on Hemlock Avenue and then 1/4 mile east on 230th St.) A catered meal will start at 5:30 p.m. and available thereafter. If you have not been contacted by email or US Mail, please contact James Gent at 319-653-1900 or Joe Wright at 319-698-4422.
1990
The MP Class of 1990 will be having a 30th Class Reunion at the Wellman Golf Clubhouse on July 4th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. More details will be shared through the Mid-Prairie High School Class of 1990 group page on Facebook or mailings.
2000 The class of 2000 is planning a reunion for late summer or early fall and will be communicated through email and social media. Please contact Sarah Huston with questions, sarah.m.huston@gmail.com.
2005 The class of 2005 has scheduled a reunion brunch on Sunday, July 5, at 11:30 a.m. at Kalona Brewing Company. Also, if there is enough participation, the class may also have a float in the Wellman 4th of July Parade. Please contact Carrie Schweitzer, cschweitzer@mphawks.org, with questions and if you’d like to participate in the parade.
2015 The class of 2015 will be having its first 5-year reunion on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at Kalona Brewing Company. Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 3
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Achievement Award Doug Yotty Class of 1975
Doug Yotty ‘75 is this year’s recipient of the Alumni & Friend’s Achievement Award for the success he’s had throughout his career as an accountant and his Doug Yotty work to improve the community in which he lives. After graduation, Yotty continued his education at the University of Iowa earning his BBA in Accounting and graduating in 1979. He passed the Certified Public Accounting exam in 1980. He worked for and partnered with local accounting firms in Washington for 21 years. Yotty made a change in 2000, joining Freedom Security Bank, which is now CBI Bank & Trust, as their Vice President as an Agriculture & Commercial Lender. Yotty truly enjoyed working with people and assisting them with their finances to help them succeed. He continued at Freedom until he retired in 2015. He remembers those at Mid-Prairie that helped him along the way. Those he felt impacted by and assisted in his career were his kindergarten teacher, Pat Anderson, who recognized his good math from the start, Richard Oyer in junior high and, Bob Hall and Jane Miller, in high school. Throughout a demanding career, Yotty still found time to volunteer and contribute to the community by establishing and seeing several organizations succeed. Most nota4 Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News| |Spring Spring2020 2020
bly, he is one of the founding members of the Mid-Prairie Foundation, which began 33 years ago in 1987 at a time when traditional school funding resources were decreasing. He helped see the vision of the Foundation and how it could benefit the school district and community. He served as the Foundation’s accountant from its start up until 2015. Over the years the Mid-Prairie Foundation has grown to serve the school district through various projects like the athletic track, indoor facility, Dollars for Scholars program for graduating seniors, Fund for Academic Excellence and many more. He has also been a member or his accounting expertise has contributed Doug Yotty ‘75 and his wife, Janice Kleopfer Yoto many organizations such tty ‘75, enjoy biking. as Kalona Rotary, Kalona Chamber of Commerce, dream come true is paved with sacKalona Public Library Foundation, rifice and determination,” which is a Mid-Prairie Athletic Boosters and favorite quote that he and his wife, Holy Trinity Church. The idea and Janice Kleopfer Yotty ‘75, have example of giving back was alused throughout the years and tried ways present as Yotty noted that to instill in their own family. his parents, Marvin and Eileen Yotty is fond of the Mid-Prairie Yotty, taught him the value of hard Community School District and work, a strong work ethic and the the start that it gave him. He’d like importance of giving back to your to remind other alumni, no matter community. Marvin served with the which part of the career spectrum Kalona Fire Department for most they fall, to remember where it all of his life and his mother, Eileen, began, at home. He said, when it continues to volunteer in the comcomes time, “to give back whether munity and church. it is of your time or dollars, don’t With that hard work ethic has forget the Mid-Prairie Community come the phrase, “The path to a School District.”
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Vocational Award
Brad Kinsinger Class of 2001
Brad Kinsinger ‘01 is this year’s Vocational Award winner for his outstanding achievements in his professional career. Kinsinger is currently the director of Global Agriculture Learning Center (GALC) at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, a department that he was instrumental in developing after his time spent abroad in Brazil. The goal of the program is to improve agriculture at home and abroad. He was an assistant professor of Precision Agriculture and Technology at Hawkeye Community when he traveled to Brazil with agriculture students. The impact on them and himself as an educator brought him to the realization that global agriculture opportunities needed to be expanded. The GALC at Hawkeye Community College began in 2013. The development process started after his return from Brazil while he also continued his full course load in Precision Agriculture. The growing global development led him to full-time inaugural director in June, 2017. What began as a student exchange has grown to also include educators, producers, agribusiness personnel and government officials around the globe. The collaborative effort improves agriculture in sustainable ways to continue to feed, clothe and fuel the world. The GALC has enabled Hawkeye Community College recognition of being the only community college global agricultural center in the country which has also grown the connection among colleges and universities. In addition to Brazil, these global partnerships have included the countries of Denmark, Haiti, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, and Malaysia. Kinsinger’s work and improvements to the field have not gone
Kinsinger gathers soil while in Kenya during an agricultural trip as part of the Global Agriculture Learning Center department.
unnoticed. In 2019, Kinsinger was awarded the Hawkeye Community College President’s Award: Innovation of the Year. In 2016, he was given the honor of the Ideas Unlimited Overall State Award from the Iowa Association of Agricultural Educators. Prior to that he earned the Ideas Unlimited Division Award in both 2013 and 2014. In 2015 he was named Ambassador of the Year from Hawkeye Community College President’s Award. To continue building in global agriculture, Kinsinger earned his master of science degree in International Agriculture from Oklahoma State University recently graduating in the summer of 2019. His previous education includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Education in 2005 from Iowa State University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Business in 2003 from Kirkwood Community College. Before his career at Hawkeye Community College, Kinsinger was the Agricultural Education instructor and FFA Advisor at West Branch High School. His own experience with FFA and agriculture education at Mid-Prairie helped him develop a passion for teaching the same subject. He has high regards and is thankful for his educational instructors, Mrs. Elsa Schmidt and Dr. Neil Knobloch. He continues to seek advice and guidance from them now as colleagues in the agricultural field.
Brad Kinsinger ‘01 and his wife, Jill, and children Shay, Macy and Ainsley.
Kinsinger also noted appreciation for basketball coach, Don Showalter, and his life skills he taught through basketball. Several of his guiding life principles were taught through Showalter’s “mind candy” he instilled in his student athletes. Kinsinger said his favorite part whether it was at West Branch or Hawkeye Community, has been to challenge students to think differently and deeply. He enjoys seeing authentic learning experiences both abroad and locally. He finds it rewarding to see those lessons flourish when students take their knowledge beyond the classroom back to their communities. He also recognizes and appreciates his own learning and growth that the students bring to him through their lessons and training together. Through his work, Kinsinger desires to strive for excellence to give back to others. No matter the scale of the project, working with a student on campus or with a farmer in Kenya, he seeks to improve the lives of others. He credits his children, Shay, Macy and Ainsley, and his wife, Jill, as his biggest supporter and advocate as his motivation to live a Christian lifestyle they can be proud of. Spring Spring2020 2020| |Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News 5
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Service Award
Lonnie Yoder Class of 1968
Lonnie Yoder ‘68 is the 2020 recipient of the Service Award. The focal point of his life and career has been surrounded by serving others in some capacity. Recognition of service is not far from Yoder as he also received the Quality Service Award from Eastern Mennonite University. He credits his Christian faith as the motivation and guide for his life that leads him to focus on the interest of others and serving them. After graduating from Mid-Prairie in 1968, Yoder continued his education at Drake University and graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in math education. He graduated with several honors from Drake that included, General Motors Scholar, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa-Drake University and graduating summa cum laude with 4.0 GPA. However, prior to beginning his teaching career, his home church congregation, East Union Mennonite Church, offered him the youth pastor position in 1972. He filled the youth and assistant pastor role from 197284. That role also sparked his interest and he continued his education in the field, adding a seminary Master of Divinity degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. It was also during his early career that he married alumna Teresa Boshart ‘77 in 1980. Yoder’s pursuit of higher education continued from 1984-1991 when he ended his role at East Union and worked toward an interdisciplinary PhD in religion and psychology degree at the University of Iowa, which he finished in 1991. Success followed during his PhD work with the following awards: UI School of Religion Clinical Pastoral Education Award in 1985; 6 Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News| |Spring Spring2020 2020
Mennonite Mental Health Services’ Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship in 1986-87; the UI School of Religion Louis Penningroth Award, based on potential as a counselor; the UI School of Religion Arthur Steindler Award in 1990, which is based on academic excellence and practical service in the area of teaching and the Collegiate Associations Council Research Lonnie Yoder ‘68 and his wife, Teresa Boshart Yoder ‘77 Grant also in 1990. grounds for a summer learning and He also had the opportunity to international travel experience. The work as a graduate assistant in the experience allowed him to meet and University of Iowa’s School of Religion to Professor Jay Holstein, a well-loved work with the diverse youth visiting Jamaica twice, Colombia and post-Kaand outstanding professor. He and his trina New Orleans. wife also welcomed two daughters During his time at Mid-Prairie he while earning his degree. was involved in a wide variety of activFollowing graduation in 1991, he ities and academics, that he credits to and his family moved to Harrisonburg, helping him learn character developVA (Shenandoah Valley) and have lived ment, discipline, college preparation there ever since where Yoder has been and a variety of diverse friendships. a professor and associate dean at Some of his activities include baseball, Eastern Mennonite Seminary. He has basketball, student council, Future also taught for five years in the Master Teachers of America, Hawk yearbook, of Arts Counseling program at Eastern Mennonite University. While his service Quill and Scroll Society and several others. Yoder states that he couldn’t is woven through his profession, he be more blessed with his experience. has also served in a variety of activiImpactful teachers and coaches he reties: engaging in consultant work with calls are Cal Hickman, Tim Grady, Mr. churches and church leaders, serving Statler, Mr. Milenski and Mr. Netherton. as an interim pastor of a rural MennoHe enjoys traveling and his work nite church in Virginia, leading diverse has allowed him to travel to Europe, (racially and ethnically) groups of promising high school seniors on inter- Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Haiti as well as all US States national trips (LEAP program), serving except Alaska, that remains on the as a resource person and seminar bucket list. His family even lived in Jaleader in multiple settings (hundreds maica for a year from 2001-02. He and of times), coaching city recreational Teresa have two grandchildren who league girls softball. live nearby, ages 7 and 5. A highlight for him was particiYoder said, “I am humbled and pating Eastern Mennonite Seminary’s honored to receive this award. I am Learning, Experiencing, And Participating (LEAP) program, between 2004- deeply indebted to the Mid-Prairie School District for its significant influ2010, which brought together high ence on my life.” school age youth from diverse back-
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Community Impact Award Ryan Schlabaugh Class of 1989
Ryan Schlabaugh ‘89 is this year’s winner of the Community Impact Award for the difference he makes in the community of Kalona. He began his role as City Administrator of Kalona in 2009 managing and carrying out the decisions of city council, mayor and municipalities to benefit the entire community. “I truly enjoy the position that I have in the community and the ability it affords me to work with and be engaged with other entities within Washington County for the benefit of the public.” Schlabaugh said. Most recently during the current COVID-19 situation, Schlabaugh’s leadership and care for the community was shown through his organization of the pop-up food pantry. Schlabaugh has helped lead the effort to provide food and necessities impacting Kalona and surrounding communities. Schlabaugh joined forces with Wellman and Riverside city administration to help provide to an abundance of families during this time of uncertainty. An additional recent project under Schlabaugh’s leadership led to the City of Kalona receiving an “All-Star Community” award presented by the Iowa League of Cities last fall. The award was given for how the city engaged its community members during the project of constructing the new community center. Kalona and its community center were featured in Cityscape magazine, a publication of Iowa League of Cities. Outside of his service to the town of Kalona, Schlabaugh has been or is involved as YMCA Board
Above: Ryan Schlabaugh ‘89 with his family. Lily, Ethan, Grant, Stephanie, Noah, and Drew. Right: The whole family jumped in to help get things organized for a Saturday Pop-Up Food Pantry.
Member (past chair), United Way Board Member, WEDG Board Member, MP Athletic Booster Member and numerous Mid-Prairie Community School District working committees. No matter what it is that Schlabaugh is doing, he has the community’s interest at heart. “I am motivated to create opportunities to collaborate with other communities, public entities, such as MPCSD, with the goal of making our communities better.” Besides serving the community, Schlabaugh focuses on time with his family. This was something he recognized from former Mid-Prairie golf coach and friend, Gilbert Christianson. “His energy and compas-
sion for others was infectious, but the greatest trait that I learned from Coach Christianson was his total commitment to his family. It was a lesson that I didn’t fully realize until much later in life, but one that sticks with me today,” Schlabaugh said. Spring Spring2020 2020| |Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News 7
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Athletic Award
Dallas Duwa Class of 1981
Dallas Duwa ‘81 was no stranger to the athletic field or court during his time at Mid-Prairie. Duwa’s continued pursuit and success in the athletic field earns him the Mid-Prairie Alumni Athletic Award. His love to compete and drive to improve and excel served him well while he was a multi-sport athlete. His love for athletics continued with him when he went to college to play football at Northeast Missouri State, now Truman State, in Kirksville, Missouri. His leadership earned him the role of captain while he was there and that leadership took him to a career of teaching and coaching following graduation in 1986 with a physical education degree. Duwa began his physical education teaching and coaching career at Pleasant Valley Community Schools in 1987 and remains there today. He started out as an assistant football coach and assistant track coach until the opening of head basketball coach came about in 1994. Duwa switched roles and would continue coaching boys basketball at the Bettendorf high school until 2008. During his tenure he claimed a 195114 record and an impressive record of 102-37 in the last six years leading the Spartans. While coaching at Pleasant Valley, he was the Southeast Iowa 3A4A district Coach of the Year twice in the 2000-01 and 2005-06 seasons. He also earned the MAC Coach of the Year award in the 2005-06 season when his team won the Mississippi Athletic Conference with a 16-0 record and finished as State Runner Up in the Iowa Class 4A State Tournament with an overall 24-2 record. His coaching and basketball 8 Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News| Spring | Spring2020 2020
Dallas Duwa ‘81 shows his enthusiasm during an Augustana College basketball game. Above Right: Duwa cuts down the net after a game celebrating its trip to the Division III Final Four.
knowledge reached beyond the court as Duwa also served as president of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association and was the Iowa Basketball Coaches Associations Southeast Iowa’s At-Large Director from 2000-04. His success at the high school led him to pursue coaching at the collegiate level when he became an assistant coach at the Division III school, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, in 2009 under head coach Grey Giovanine. Taking the collegiate assistant job was also a way to enjoy his own children’s sporting events and still be involved in the coaching profession. Duwa has been able to enjoy success at both programs as Augustana was the National Runner-Up twice during Duwa’s career as an assistant in 2015 and 2017. Prior to his long time career surrounded by athletics, Duwa was influenced by many Mid-Prairie personnel. One in particular was Dennis Harms, who stressed the importance of hard work and strong character both on and off the playing field.
Duwa and his wife, Amy.
Duwa is appreciative of the priceless relationships with teammates and coaches over the years. Duwa and his wife Amy have two children, Hailey and Carter. The same athletic drive has carried on to Duwa’s children as Hailey is a senior softball player at Western Illinois University and Carter is a freshman basketball player at Augustana College.
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Fine Arts Award
Bill Niffenegger Class of 1968
Bill Niffenegger ‘68 is this year’s Fine Arts award winner with contributions to the world of graphic design, software design and teaching and speaking in both areas. Niffenegger graduated from Ellsworth College, attended the University of Iowa and also completed some Master’s work at Sangamon State University. He worked Bill and Beverly Niffenegger his way through college, playing the drums and was a professional musician for 13 years, apprenticing at John Coiner Pottery, making his own ceramic sculptures and selling them. He also did apprenticing restoration of antiques at Harrison Davis Antiques in Chicago, and then becoming head of the restoration facility all before opening his own studios, Niffenegger Studio and Gallery in Minneapolis and Chicago. His resume includes a variety of restoration work including at the Governor Mansion in Springfield, Illinois and the Lincoln Historic Home in Springfield. He’s also done consulting and curating for the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum, Reagan Childhood Home, State of Illinois Center Collection Chicago and a special assistant to the Governor’s office for arts and culture. He was deputy director of the Illinois Arts Council and head deputy director programs at the National Association of State Arts Agencies convention. His self-taught graphic design work took off after he purchased his first full color computer. He did some Top: Bill’s best seller, graphic design for Clown Studios Photoshop Filter. Midin Chicago, designed software dle & Bottom: Two of packaging and wrote his first book, many book cover and “Photoshop Filter Finesse” in 1993 magazine designs. which teaches special effects using Photoshop design software. The book was a best seller in the field with 5 printings. He has spoken at computer conven-
Top: The Old Apple Barn is open to tourists all over. Left: Bill stands next to his 12-foot sculpture, Apple Boy.
tions for Macworld, Bill, Beverly and their son, Hunter, weltaught computer graphics classes at come guests from all over including Ozzy Osbourne, his son, Jack, and Kodak Center for daughter, Kelly. Creative Imaging, Santa Fe workshops and American Film Institute and has won a top international graphics award from Microtek. While in San Francisco he consulted and joined the team at Xaos Tools Software designing new generation graphics software eventually becoming the product manager and executive VP of Onflow (formerly Xaos Tools) and creating the next generation online multimedia system interface. He has been featured in numerous computer magazines Niffenegger now lives in New Mexico with his wife where they are the owners and operators of Old Apple Barn, which is a restored apple barn that is open daily selling various food, fudge, apple pies and ciders and much more. The vintage emporium features annual cherry and apple festivals and a variety of other events. They’ve expanded the site, with Bill’s restoration skills, converting a log home to Cabin Clothing, a clothing store, and also restoring a large lodge into the Wild Game Bistro and Market and the Coffee Candy Cafe. The Old Apple Barn also features Apple Boy, which is a 12-foot sculpture mascot inviting those to stop in for a visit. Niffenegger of course constructed the sculpture himself with the help of his wife, Beverly, who is an artist, paper engineer and author of 17 children’s books. He is developing a five building complex in Tularosa, New Mexico to create new ceramic sculptures and paintings as his retirement mecca as he sells the Old Apple Barn and Wild Game Bistro. He and his family will then resume traveling to add to the 25 countries they have visited. Send him an email at oldapplebarn@yahoo.com Spring2020 2020| |Mid-Prairie Mid-PrairieAlumni AlumniNews News 9 Spring
Left to right: Allen Schrock, Denny Yoder, Dan Dickel, Jerry Kron, Dave Spreacker, Dan Jirsa, Steve Yotty, Don Showalter, assistant coach Tim Grady. Photo on the right: Community members mingle with the former players.
1970 State Basketball Team Honored
The State 1970 basketball team was recognized during the Mid-Prairie Boys Varsity Basketball game on Feb. 11. The team received a standing ovation from the fans as they stood on the court during halftime. Members of the state team include Steve Mast, Jerry Kron, Don Showalter, Dick Ehrenfelt, Dan Dickel, Dan Jirsa, Greg Boyd, Steve Yotty, Dave Spreacker, Byron Miller, Allen Schrock, Reed Edmundson, Mark McAndrew, Denny Yoder, Norman Schrock, manager Randy Porter, manager Jerry Huffman, Head coach Cal Hickman, and assistant coach, Tim Grady. They finished the year with a 22-4 record with just three losses in regular season before losing the state championship game to Paullina. The team defeated Manson in the opening round of State play 71-57 and then beat La Porte City 91-73. The championship game was a close one before Paullina edged the Golden Hawks by a final score of 78-70.
Right: The 1970 state team is welcomed home by a crowd of community members and fans while a line of cars follows in support of the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks.
10 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
Front row: Jerry Kron, Dan Dickel, Dick Ehrenfelt, Greg Boyd, Mark McAndrew, Steve Mast, and Denny Yoder. Second row: Byron Miller, Dan Jirsa, Dave Spreacker, Reed Edmundson, Don Showalter, Allen Schrock and Norman Schrock. Third row: Jerry Huffman, manager, Mr. Tim Grady, JV coach and Varsity assistant, Mr. Calvin Hickman, Varsity coach, and Randy Porter, manager. JV players Fourth row: Mike Hartley, Doug Showalter, John Woodin, John Allen and Steve Curtis. Fifth row: Doug Reif, Rick Fuhr, Kenny Ehrenfelt, Dan Spreacker, John McAndrew, Phil Houseal, Bob Christner and Warren Ropp.
Pat Anderson is one-of-a-kind teacher Mrs. Pat Anderson was a familiar face and name in the Mid-Prairie Community School District for 39.5 years making her the teacher with the longest years of service. Her years of service tops the rest and she’s left a lasting impression on those around her. Anderson was at Kalona Elementary throughout her teaching career, getting her start in 1960. She taught in Kalona until she and her husband, Tracy, moved to Estherville, Iowa where she taught kindergarten and Tracy taught American History and Western Civilization at the Iowa Great Lakes Community College. The Andersons returned to Kalona in 1969 for Tracy to pursue a law degree at the University of Iowa and Pat returned to Kalona Elementary, starting with second grade for two years, first grade for nine and the remainder of the time with kindergarten until she retired in 2004. The kindergarten teacher was known to love her “kids” unconditionally and follow them through high school and beyond. “Once they were mine they were always mine and I told them they could always come to me if they ever needed anything,” she said. Her students knew she lived across the street and the invitation was always open to stop by. She still enjoys seeing former students, hearing an old memory from them and requiring a hug. She jokes about even making those much taller get on their knees to give her a hug. One unforgettable gesture was Anderson’s graduation parties for the senior classes that she had as kindergartners. “It was always fun to hear what they remembered about kindergarten and to hear about their high school years,” Anderson said. Phyllis Casper, retired elementary librarian, said all of her boys had her as a teacher, “Once you were one of Pat’s kids, she followed their progress in school and beyond. Even after she retired she still hosted a graduation party for each of her classes and gave them items she had saved from kindergarten.” Pat’s passion for teaching stems from her own rough experience as an elementary student. Her vow was to never put her students through what she felt during her school years. She tried to use a lot of humor with her students and not
over exaggerate the small issues that simply came with the age of her students. Former co-worker, Barbara Brennemen, recalls several fun phrases Pat used with her students. One of which was used when traveling from classrooms to specials classes, “Walk down the hall, stand by the wall and don’t grow too tall!” Or “Go outside and blow Photo provided by The News off the stink!” when disPat and Tracy Anderson missing her class to recess. people whether a teacher, co-worker or Brenneman also noted the best one Pat friend, you can always count on her all said and still says today, “Once you are my kindergartner, you are always mine.” the time,” Wright said. After she retired, Anderson found Also focusing on the humor, Anderother ways to serve students and her son wrote down notes, stories and saycommunity. She volunteered at the Kaings her students said. She created a lona Food Pantry, was a member of the book, leaving out the actual names, and Friends of the Kalona Public Library, the retired art teacher, John Wilson, illusBoard of the Kalona Library Foundation trated the stories. She had 600 copies and the Kalona Historical Society Board printed locally and has given away all of Directors, serving one term as presbut just two copies. She enjoys readident. She is also currently the Kalona ing the memories and hearing others recognize themselves in the stories. One Rotary Club President. She also helped her brother in his example was when an announcement efforts of starting Empowering Haiti, to came over the intercom loudspeaker. improve the lives of Haitians and help The actual message was that Mike Tethem be self-sufficient. She focused Bockhorst had a phone call on line four, on providing food to the malnourished but Pat didn’t hear the name and asked children in Haiti. Anderson has been to her class what it was. One student Haiti 13 times with the mission, taking piped up, “It’s Mike the golf course!” small gifts like trinkets and soccer balls Anderson’s co-workers enjoyed beto the children, playing and teaching ing on her team stating she was always silly songs. She began these trips while a delight to work with. “She always had still teaching and incorporated lessons great stories to keep us laughing at at Mid-Prairie leading up to the trips. lunch or on recess breaks,” said Phyllis Approximately one ton of food is sent Casper, “She also had such a practical, every 10 months through the Kids common-sense way of working with her Against Hunger program. students.” Much of her volunteer work has Casper and Brenneman both said ceased as she is spending her time Anderson was always a resource for at home taking care of Tracy and his teachers needing items for a craft or scicurrent battle with cancer. However, she ence project. She was always willing to still finds joy and the blessings during share her abundance of odds and ends this time that they are able to spend she saved in her tall storage cabinet, together. They celebrated their 60th properly organized and labeled. wedding anniversary last August. Norma Wright, a co-worker and Pat will continue to inspire former retired teacher of upper elementary students and co-workers. Brenneman grades, said Anderson always advosaid it well, “Pat was and still is a woncated for her students and did what derful educator, colleague, and friend. was best for them. Norma admired Pat I have been fortunate to know her and for her teaching and keeping in touch love her for many years.” with her students. “She’s one of those
Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 11
Ryan Gent coaching career continues in South Dakota After coaching wide receivers and leading recruiting at Abilene Christian University in Texas for three seasons, Ryan Gent ‘09 has accepted the Offensive Coordinator coaching position at South Dakota School of Mines and Ryan Gent ‘09 and Technology in Rapid his wife Lauren. City, South Dakota. “I am extremely excited about the new position at South Dakota School of Mines. This was an opportunity for me to be able to work as an offensive coordinator as well as get back closer to the Midwest. We have a lot of work to do to get this program where it needs to be, but there is good support and a solid foundation to build. Rapid City is a great city to live in and many activities to do when not busy with football,” Gent said. Gent rejoins Head Coach Charlie Flohr, who was previously the Offensive Coordinator for Northwest Missouri State. Gent was a graduate assistant coach at Northwest Missouri State while completing his Sports Administration Master’s Degree. He continued as a full time coach of the running backs and tight ends for Top: Gent instructs his players during a time out at Abilene Christian University. Above: Gent’s family traveled to Texas to support ACU. Left to right: Matt Gent the 2016 season. Gent coached at North‘05, Mason Gent, Courtney Flynn Gent ‘05, McKenna Gent, John Gent ‘78, Cathy west Missouri State for three years before Gent, Lauren Gent, Madison Gent, Ryan Gent ‘09, Brittney Gent, Danny Gent ‘04, continuing at Abilene Christian University Landon Gent. in Abilene, Texas. “The head coach at Northwest MisCoaching had always been a possibility while growing souri State took the head coaching job at Abilene Chrisup and competing. tian University in Abilene, TX and I was fortunate enough “I always had a strong interest in coaching when I was to go with him,” he said. younger and it helped that I had great coaches throughout As he prepares for his new position, Gent looks formy years of playing sports. Whether it was Coach Showward to working alongside Coach Flohr again. alter or Coach Cavanagh to the many others, I was able to “That was a big part in taking the job in South Dakota. learn so many great lessons from them,” he said, “ When I I had worked under Coach Flohr at Northwest and was got to college, I fell in love with the game of football on an fired up when he got the job. I am excited to learn and even deeper level and also had great coaches there.” grow under Coach Flohr. He has a ton of experience in When he’s not coaching, Gent and his wife, Lauren, the game and there are many things that I can continue to love to be outdoors and spending time with family and learn from him.” friends and especially their young nieces and nephews. Prior to coaching and earning his master’s in Missouri, Lauren, who is from Kentucky, is currently in real estate. Gent received his Bachelor’s degree in engineering from They are approaching their 5-year anniversary this sumIowa State University where he was also a member of the mer. Cyclone’s football team. 12 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
Dr. Kress leads at Ohio State Little did she know that coming to Iowa to live with her grandparents on the farm would be the start of a lifetime career woven with pieces of agriculture. Mid-Prairie’s 1979 graduate, Dr. Cathann Arceneaux Kress said her time on the farm made her aware of the joys and challenges of rural life and the agricultural industry. An industry that she now promotes full time. Dr. Cathann Arceneaux Kress is the Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Notably, she is also the first female dean of the college. She oversees the OSU Extension, Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster and is also a full professor with the department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership. Despite now being a Buckeye, she spent several formative years in the Hawkeye state. Kress’ parents both served in the Air Force which led her and her brother, Bob, to Iowa to live with their grandparents, Milt and Charlotte Winborn in the early 1970s. Prior to Iowa, they spent their early childhood overseas in Lebanon, Liberia, Israel and Brazil. Kress said, while they weren’t used to the Iowa winters, she did enjoy the people and teachers in the Mid-Prairie community. She remembers great teachers like Mr. Tom LaVille and Ms. Shirley Loeffler. She appreciated the wide variety of extracurriculars. She was involved in speech, thespians, cheerleading, science club, French club, marching band and pep band, church youth group and 4-H. Looking back on those years in Iowa, she is amazed at the many opportunities school and those clubs provided. She traveled to Quebec with the French Club, Washington D.C. with the band, cultural events with the
Dr. Cathann Arceneaux Kress ‘79 is the Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Thespians, museums with Science Club and others. In fact, she would recommend young students be sure to try many things to figure out and know what they want. “MP gave me so many experiences to try different things and pursue interests. Supportive teachers and friends were so encouraging and helpful. Living on the farm also gave me a lot of independence, I was expected to help and do my chores. It made me a better leader,” she said. Following graduation at Mid-Prairie, Kress went to Iowa State for her Bachelor’s degree and graduated with distinction. She continued education and earned her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Iowa. She said she underestimated the quality of her education. “Both at MP and at college, I had a great education and
teacher/professors who cared and were good at teaching. It was only after I left Iowa that I realized that wasn’t the case everywhere,” she said. She was a professor at Miami of Ohio before returning to the Iowa family farm while working for Iowa State University Extension. After ISU she went to New York at Cornell University as the Assistant Director for Cornell Cooperative Extension and State 4-H Program Leader. From there she went to the USDA as the National Program Leader for 4-H and Youth Programs where she loved living in Washington D.C. Following the USDA, she worked at the Pentagon for the Department of Defense, during large deployments of the Guard and Reserve. She worked with land grant universities and the Department to provide educational programs and support to service Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 13
Kemp pursues goals leading him to Arizona members and their families. She also said, “The Pentagon is a very cool place to work!” She returned to Iowa State University after working for the Department of Defense to become the Vice President for Extension and Outreach at ISU and enjoyed her time back in Iowa. She continued there until just three years ago when the opportunity came from The Ohio State University to work as her current position of Vice President of Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. She often speaks to young people about the big picture of her role at Ohio State and the role that agriculture plays facing challenges in the area of health, food security, water quality and perhaps the greatest, improving the consumer’s perception of modern agriculture. She stated that currently agriculture isn’t always understood or valued by those who have gone on to other industries. The success of agriculture and its increasingly efficient ways of sustaining life has decreased the number needed to do it, but with that then comes fewer that understand and appreciate what agriculture has done and what is needed in order to continue doing it well. Her goal in all of it is to “Build on the pillars of agriculture and engage a broader audience in understanding and valuing what we do so well,” she includes in her speech. In her free time, Kress enjoys being outside in all seasons. She enjoys kayaking, gardening, ice skating, biking and basically any excuse to be out playing in the water and soil. Kress has three children, Nile lives and works in Ames; Payden who also lives in Ames and works at ISU and Wren who is in her last year at Drake in Des Moines. 14 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
Steve Kemp graduated from Mid-Prairie in 1976. He now lives in northwest Arizona. Here is the story of how he got there. 1976 MP Yearbook After gradua- Steve Kemp tion Steve spent summers working for his father who owned Kemp Roofing. However, he was not interested in roofing . . . too boring he said. He took some classes at Rosedale Bible Institute in the winter terms of ‘76 and ‘77. After which he joined up with other volunteers to give a year of his life to Voluntary Service to the Mennonite Mission Board by working at a nursing home in El Dorado, Arkansas. The income he made that year went to support missions’ projects and he lived with other volunteers in mission housing. After that year he traveled a bit hitch-hiking throughout the western states just to see what was there, but returned to work at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics as a Certified Nursing Assistant. He worked there for four years before deciding to switch careers and after taking the EMT training through Kirkwood Community College and then Paramedic training through the University EMS learning Resource Center, he found work as a Paramedic in Des Moines. After working for a private ambulance company for several years he joined the local fire department in the suburbs and a volunteer Paramedic tiered response unit. In 1986 he again returned to nursing as a means to a new goal; becoming a flight nurse. Steve learned that becoming a flight nurse requires working for three to five years as a nurse in either intensive care or the emergency department in the hospital before they would
even consider you for the position. He obtained his Registered Nursing license in 1988 and immediately was hired to work in a medical intensive care unit. After several years he took a split position and worked both the Emergency Department and the Intensive care unit at another hospital. One evening on the way into work, he was broadsided in a car accident that landed him in the trauma center with multiple fractures of his pelvis and left femur/thigh bone. Recovery was about two months of therapy and rehab, but then just a few weeks after returning to work the metal rod that they had placed in his thigh broke and he had to go through a repeat of the surgery and rehabilitation. During every summer and winter he spent his vacations volunteering with a San Antonio Texas based medical missions’ group, Time for Christ, providing medical care as a mission’s outreach in central Mexico. He worked mainly in their makeshift operating room, assisting the anesthesiologist in monitoring the patients while getting their procedures done. He had learned to sing from his parents and his local Mennonite church back in Kalona had developed his musical talents. He had also learned to play guitar and he and his brother had frequently sung and played together over the years. Steve also contributed to his church in Des Moines by playing his guitar and singing in the worship service. In the summer of 1996 he was in Phoenix assisting his sister with a move when he found an ad in the paper for a flight nurse position in Yuma, Arizona. A couple weeks later he was hired and thus began the fulfillment of his goal of becoming a flight nurse with an air ambulance company. The company had bases in several small towns along the
Colorado River. These small towns did not have any of the specialty care such as a trauma center, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, high risk perinatal care or pediatric and neonatal intensive care available. The closest available was two to four hours away. Whenever such a case was found, they would need to transfer them to the tertiary care centers where those services were available. That is the job of the flight nurse, to tend to these critically injured or intensive care patients during their transport between the small towns where they lived until they were received by the tertiary care centers. He worked almost exclusively on a fixed wing aircraft, partnering with a respiratory therapist who was experienced in critical care patients. Their work took them all over the US, as well as into Mexico and Canada, moving patients from one facility to another. Steve settled in a small town that reminded him of Kalona, his roots. He also worked part time in the local hospital in Needles, California in the ER and ICU as well as back up for house supervisor on the weekends. He became active in the local church as a worship leader and served there for several years during which he met and married a beautiful Filipino woman, Estella. They moved across the river into an old house that they renovated themselves and made it into a home in 2002. Steve and Estella adopted Estella’s niece, Larabel, and she became a part of the family at the age of 4. She spoke no English at the time of adoption and so they made plans to homeschool her. Steve and Estella were also looking to find a business that they could do from home so they could homeschool at the same time. They finally compromised and started two companies, one of buying and fixing up houses that needed repairs and then renting or selling them again and the second was to capitalize on Estella’s profession as a nurse’s assistant in the local nursing home. They moved to Golden Valley, Arizona into one of the homes that they had renovated and opened an assisted living home. They worked out of their
Left to right: Larabel, daughter of Steve Kemp ‘76 and his wife, Estella.
home with a capacity to care for five clients. Steve continued to work as a flight nurse driving about an hour to work 2-4 days a week and then would come home and help with the administration of the assisted living and renovating houses in their spare time. Their home was located on an acre of land and they enjoyed having a few farm animals, chickens, goats, rabbits, cats, and dogs. This obviously kept them quite busy along with leadership responsibilities in the local church they attended. In 2009, the air ambulance company that Steve worked for moved their base 3 hours south so he gave up that career and went to work for the local ambulance on their critical care transport team. The work was essentially the same, moving patients from the small hospital to the big city hospitals where they could get their treatments, only now it was transport on the ground and an interfacility transfer takes longer on the ground than in the air. In 2011 Steve suffered an ankle injury that changed the course of his life again. A ligament tore that holds a tendon in place on his right ankle and he had surgery to repair it. Again his surgery didn’t hold and he had to have it repeated a year later. He did recover enough to get back to work, but it was becoming more difficult to keep up the pace after the injury. The company eventually laid off all of the nurses and closed down the critical care transport ambulance portion of the business. In 2016 the couple decided to move from the rural area to Kingman,
Arizona, about 30 minutes away and increase the assisted living capacity to 10 beds. They still live on site in the business and continue to run a growing business with a goal to add another 1 or 2 facilities to meet the growing demand for elder care as our nation ages and the baby boomers retire and need more and more medical care. Steve is also taking classes in Phoenix once a week. He has completed his BSN in nursing and expects to finish his master’s degree in another two years as a Family Nurse Practitioner and then open his own office while continuing his administrative duties of running the assisted living home(s). God has blessed us and our businesses, but they do keep us tied down and so we don’t get a chance to get away much. Their daughter Larabel has grown and married in the spring of 2018 and is now working as a caregiver in a large assisted living facility in San Diego where she now lives. Steve has no visions of retiring, but says he expects to continue working until he is physically unable to do so any longer. Steve says that their success has come as a result of lots of hard work. He has always worked at multiple jobs and his interests in music, nursing, and the entrepreneur side of him continues to challenge him. He enjoys working out the different problems and being self-sufficient. Steve said, “My wife constantly challenges me to be and do more than I thought possible and we are still pressing on and meeting new challenges every day.” Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 15
Alumni Report
Rachel Stych
Fort Collins, Colorado Name: Rachel Stoffa Stych Graduation Year: 1998 Spouse: Kyle Stych Wedding Date: June 26, 2010 Children: Atticus 4, Magnolia 2
business designing and fabricating jewelry with precious metals and natural gemstones. My minimalist designs are inspired by Mother Nature, made for everyday.
What have you been doing since you graduated from MP? After meeting my beau, Kyle Stych, in 2001, we moved from Iowa City to Arizona for his college. In 1998 MP Yearbook Senior picture 2004 we moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where I finished school at CSU for metalsmithing. We bought a house, got married, I started my business and we welcomed two beautiful babies into the world.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of? I am proud that I persevered. Pursuing your passion is absolutely terrifying, but I’ve never felt more fulfilled. I truly love what I do.
What do you do now? I run my own 16 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
What did you enjoy about Mid-Prairie and the community? There is something really special about growing up in small town Iowa. The fact that I can recall all of my classmates twenty some years later is pretty incredible. Colorado may be home now, but Iowa will always have my heart. What’s a favorite school memory? I vividly remember debates in Mr. Greener’s history classes. Listening to him regale us with stories of the political unrest in the 70’s helped me develop a larger world view.
What are your future goals, hobbies or bucket list items? I want to continue growing my business but my biggest dream is to do it in a foreign country. I want to move abroad with my family for a time to show our littles how big this beautiful world is. Other Comments: Check out Rachel’s work at www. racheldawndesigns.com
Golden Hawk Highlights Girls’ Wrestling places 10th at State
The first Mid-Prairie Girls’ Wrestling team has shown great success for its first year. The team participated at the two-day, double-elimination State tourney at Waverly-Shellrock and finished 10th place out of about 95 teams and 350 girls participating. This was the 2nd year for the Girls’ State tourney Mid-Prairie Girls’ Wrestling team participants (left to and has gained momentum right), Rylee Vercande, 3rd place finisher, Sarah Mefrom last year’s 87 partici- ader, 6th place finisher, Caitlyn Busch, Mia Garvey, Madison Kelley. pants. Head Coach Justin out of about 95 schools competing, Garvey said, “I want to congratulate is something to be very proud of! the girls’ wrestling team. They all Every girl on the team scored points wrestled their best matches this past and everyone had a win. They repweekend at State. For our small five- resented our team/family amazingly girl squad to finish 10th in the state, well!”
Archery Club Taking Off at MP
The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk Archery Club is off to a great start! Approximately 55 middle school and high school students are learning the skills of archery and participating at area tournaments. Archers practice twice a week and this year each chooses the tournaments in which they participate. Next year, the club would like to take a more formal approach and take a team of archers to each tournament they participate in. Archery participants compete at Solon tournament So far this year, archers have gone to Washington, Solon, Eldon/Cardinal, Casey TeBockhorst Peck ‘93 got the and Springville. Tournaments remaining club off the ground and became certiinclude Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids and fied coaches, but now several more are Washington. certified including Kent Karnes, Jeremy This club opportunity has made Statler ‘90, Valerie Sieren, Holly Tedder an impact on its participants. One high and Chuck Freeman. Other practice school archer said, “I have never been volunteers include Jason Hall and Aaron able to participate in a sport before beSwartzentruber and many more. cause I don’t feel like I fit in. Thank you The successful club credits commufor starting this so I can be a part of the nity support and is grateful for donations team. I am enjoying it so much.” from Hall Masonry, Fin and Feather, a The archery club has had great NASP grant and Statler Construction. support from parents and the comThey’re eager to grow the program next munity. Originally Craig Morrison and year and expand its participants.
Tornow signs to play college baseball Senior Brad Tornow will continue his baseball career at Northwestern College next year. Last year as a junior, Tornow was a 3rd team all state pitcher (7-0, 102K, 12bb) and was selected as 1st team River Valley Conference pitcher. Pictured above with Tornow are baseball coaches Head Coach Andy Greiner ‘89, left, assistant coaches, Jay Strickland and Kyle Mullet ‘12. Not pictured assistant coach Chris Robertson.
Schmidt recognized as top Ag Educator Elsa Schmidt was given the Golden Owl award, presented by Nationwide Insurance and the Iowa FFA Foundation. This annual award recognizes outstanding Iowa Ag educators for their tremendous contributions in preparing the next generation of young people for successful careers in Ag. There were over 253 nominations for 75 different teachers and Elsa was selected as a finalist from the group.
Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 17
Alumni News & Notes
Ian Michel ‘09 and Kathryn Michel, of Prairie du Sac, Wisc., celebrated the birth of their son, Asa Henry, on December 10, 2019.
Daniel Waldschmidt ‘04 and Danielle Waldschmidt, of Ankeny, celebrated the birth of their son, Louis, on May 4, 2019. He was welcomed home by big brother, Leo, age 5.
Dane ‘04 and Jenny Redlinger Miller ‘04, of Kalona, celebrated the birth of their son, Abel Wade, on November 7, 2019. He joins his 3-year-old big brother, Gavin.
Melissa Stumpf Gerot ‘04 and Scott Gerot, of Kalona, celebrated the birth of their son, Jax Paul, on November 28, 2019. He was welcomed home by big sister, Maryn, 2.
Lance Silbaugh ‘08 and Natalie Nye Silbaugh ‘09 celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ruby Rose, on April 24, 2020. She weighed 5 lb. and 14 oz and was 18 inches long.
Lucas Troyer ‘06 and Kara Troyer celebrated the birth of their daughter, Kenna Ann on March 31, 2020. She weighed 8 lbs. and 8 oz. and was 20 inches long. She was welcomed home by brothers, Konner, 6, and Kollin, 4.
In Memory
Howard “Hoddy” Durian, Former MP Board Member (1976-1982) died on Nov. 9, 2019. Dick Schlatter, Former Bus Driver (2003-2013) died on Feb. 27, 2020. Jordan Duwa Tranbarger ‘09 and Alex Tranbarger, of Denver, Iowa, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Ellis Marie, on January 30, 2020. 18 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2020
William Cortum ‘71 died on Oct. 28, 2019. Stacy and Sean McCoy ‘03, of Hills, celebrated the birth of their son, Mason Louis, on May 16, 2019.
Carla Yoder Brunk ‘73 died on Feb. 27, 2020. Rhonda Bowser Hahn ‘78 died on March 18, 2020.
Cody Bendixsen ‘05 and April Thompson Bendixsen ‘00 celebrated the birth of their son, Kade, on December 27, 2019. He was welcomed home by big brother, Cobin.
Amber Kempf ‘99, opened up The Wooden Spoon Bakery & Cafe in Brighton. It features a variety of baked goods and treats and offers a daily lunch menu. Check out The Wooden Spoon Bakery & Cafe Facebook page. Julie Niffenegger ‘80 died on Dec. 28, 2019. Dorothy Miller, Former Jr. High Study Hall Aide (1967-1977) died on Dec. 20, 2019.
Brenda Slaubaugh Reece ‘80 died on Jan. 14, 2020.
William Leon Eash ‘66 died on April 18, 2020. Crystal Groff Humble ‘82 died on April 23, 2020. Scott Barber ‘73 died on April 26, 2020.
Leach receives award for 9-Hole Golf Superintendent of the Year
Nick Duvall, with plaque, was presented the 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Washington Tree Committee. Pictured left to right: Andy Dahl, Marde McConnell, Nick Duvall, Rick Wagenknecht, John Marshall.
Nick Duvall awarded Volunteer of the Year
In January, Nick Duvall ‘97 was awarded the 2019 Washington Tree Committee Volunteer of the Year Award. Duvall was given the award based on his service and organization in completeting the project of removing Ash trees throughout the city of Washington and its community. There were 276 dead trees removed because of the Emerald Ash Borer. “He did an excellent job in coordinating the project of identifying and removing ash trees as well as coordinating the stump removal,” said Marde McConnell, chair of the Washington Tree Committee. McConnell said he saved the city a lot of money.
Dr. Young becomes assistant professor
Dr. Michael Young ’96 earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Iowa. His research in the Department of Teaching and Learning focused on language, literacy, and culture. Recently, he successfully defended his dissertation, “State-Defined Literacy and the Disjointed Discourses of Literacy, Knowing, and Teaching.” After spending the past 15 years in various teaching and teacher leadership roles in Eastern Iowa, he has accepted a tenure-track faculty position at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he will serve as an assistant professor of literacy education.
Nick Leach ‘99 was recently awarded the 9-hole Superintendent of the Year award from the Iowa Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. It wasn’t the first time Kalona Golf Course received some recognition. It was the 9-hole Golf Course of the Year in Nick Leach ‘99, right, accepting his 2010, during Leach’s award. 3rd year as superintendent. Leach has been the superintendent at Kalona for 12 years. He has been a long-time employee of the course, beginning with summers during high school. Following graduation he lived and worked in Kansas City at the Loch Lloyd Country Club as a crew member before moving back to work at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville where he stayed for two years. During a short break from the courses, he dabbled in cooking and bartending, but ultimately decided to pursue the turfgrass management program at Kirkwood Community College to return to the course. The timing was right as his parents began managing the clubhouse in Kalona in 2005 enabling him to work in the clubhouse while attending Kirkwood and bartending in Iowa City. His intentions were to return to Kansas City after graduating, but the superintendent position opened up. Leach is grateful to the former superintendent who recommended him to the board of directors.
Former Golden Hawk staff Jim Cayton retires Thank You Mid-Prairie Community for 32 years of support! Upon my retirement in June 2019 after 35 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator I’d like to offer my sincere thank you to the entire MP Community. I am eternally grateful for all you have done for me and my family! Thank you for all of the wonderful memories. Go Hawks!
Collette Conway McClellen ‘97, received the honor of leading the 7/8 treble All-State OPUS choir in Ames in November. Her accompanist is Luetta Ropp, current Mid-Prairie Middle School vocal music teacher. Spring 2020 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 19
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