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Unleashing future artists

Baxter K-12 art teacher Elizabeth Carter finds inspiration from students of all ages

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

“Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” The famous words from Ms. Frizzle on The Magic School Bus ring true to Baxter K-12 art teacher Elizabeth Carter everyday she steps into the classroom. From paint to clay and every medium in between, art is a way for kids to explore in a fun, safe way.

“(My favorites are) when the littles get ex-

cited about clay, big breakthroughs in skill from persistence and repetition, when big kids bring me something they made that they are super proud of, when skills they learned in art translate to other parts of their lives, and seeing kids grow up and graduate knowing they made it through school partly because art was a part of their day,” Carter said. “I’m just paying it forward.”

Carter had a strong base of art teachers

growing up, helping her to become the teacher she is today. She’s learned to slow down and take breaks and most importantly, notice the little things, which have helped her as not only a teacher but a person, too.

“There’s no prize for running yourself ragged,” Carter said. Working in a small school, Carter is able to watch kids grow from finger painters to sculptors and everything in the middle. Watching

Learning to do big things

Baxter kindergarten teacher Gennypher Popenhagen strives to start kids school journey off in a positive environment

Gennypher Popenhagen gets to start her morning with little smiling faces ready to learn and do big things. The kindergartners might not also be the easiest students to reason with but watching their growth from the start of the year to the end is unlike any other grade.

“I love seeing students get excited about learning,” Popenhagen said. “It makes everything worth is when you see something click for a student and they really start to grasp how to read.”

Popenhagen has been

teaching at Baxter since 2019 as a paraprofessional, a substitute and now a kindergarten teacher. One big difference she has seen since starting in the profession is the expectation for kids, even at the early age.

“The amount of academic demand on kindergarten now from when I was in kindergarten is outrageous,” Popenhagen said. “Can they meet the expectations? Absolutely! It would be SO nice though if we could let them be five and explore through play more than we are able to because of the academic demand we are forced to put

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kids find their talents and then bloom into artists is more than a perk of the job for Carter.

“We just hosted the Iowa Star Conference art show with 11 schools represented. Great energy, lots of inspiration and artistic community shared,” Carter said. “Getting passionate art kids all together to play and learn is always the best! That and all the kids I’ve seen grow up

Music is life

Colfax-Mingo music teacher Tyler Harper helps shape future musicians both in elementary and junior-senior high school

Making beautiful noise sound like music is the challenge set out for Colfax-Mingo teacher Tyler Harper. In his first year at C-M, Harper teaches 306 general music and 7-12 choir at the junior-senior high school.

“Kids are amazing,” Harper said. “I get to see them learn and grow over the years and be a little part of who they become. It is enormously rewarding in that aspect.”

Harper isn’t new to teaching,

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Always on the move

Baxter K-12 PE teacher Kyle Stribe stays busy as a teacher and a coach

Teachers can wear many hats and Baxter K-12 PE teacher Kyle Stribe has more than a few. Along with his “day job,” Stribe coaches junior high football, high school boys basketball and high school boys golf.

“My favorite part about teaching is the relationships that I am able to build with the students and athletes,” Stribe said. “Each day in teaching comes with

different challenges as students all come from different backgrounds.”

Stribe gets to see all of the kids who move through the Baxter School District. From kindergartners just starting out to senior getting ready to begin new adventures, he is a constant for them as they grow as Bolts.

Days aren’t always easy when working with such a wide range, but the support

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Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

Much like the tree that grows in the Baxter school, Gennypher Popenhagen loves watching her kindergartners grow from the start of the year through the final day.

By Jamee A. Pierson Jasper County Tribune

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune Art is life for Baxter K-12 art teacher Elizabeth Carter.

CARTER | 3

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

For Colfax-Mingo music teacher Tyler Harper watching the kids learn and grow in the reason he teaches.

Jamee A. Pierson/Jasper County Tribune

From football to basketball to golf along with teaching K-12 PE, teacher Kyle Stribe stays busy at Baxter.

Carter

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and go on to do great things.”

Art is always a class kids look forward to, a “special” where they can have a little more freedom to create their own ideas. Carter is there to help them on their journey and hopefully inspire future artists to find their voice.

“It’s a wild ride but I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Carter said. “Again, I’m just paying it forward. My art teachers were my rock, the art room my home base; just trying to provide that to the next generation.”

Harper

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He is in his 23rd year in the profession. During that time he has seen a lot of changes, and not all positive. Continuing to work through challenges while providing top-notch instruction is what now makes up a school day.

“In my 23 years of teaching, there seems to be an ‘us against

Stribe

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he feels helps any time there might be an “off” day.

“I would say that there are tough times during days but never bad days,” Stribe said. “With being

Popenhagen

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on them these days.”

The rigor has increased for students but so have the opportunities available to them. One core memory Popenhagen made this year was the kindergarten/senior walk during the homecoming celebration.

“Students from each grade stand across from each other on the field. They then walk towards each other and present a small gift and get to meet,” Popenhagen said. “Those students who have worked so hard and

them’ aspect to education,” Harper said. “If I could figure out how to get rid of that, I would. There was a time when our teachers, students and families worked together for the kids. That is harder to see now.”

When times get tough, teachers are there for each other.

Having people going through the same issues and being able to talk and gain feedback from those who have gone through similar situations helps to build

a K-12 building I feel like we as a staff have each other’s backs and are willing to help with tough situations.”

For most teachers, the kids are the most important part of their day. While he can do his best to provide a caring, fun atmosphere when the students are in his gym,

are experiencing everything for the final time and those students who are just starting out and seeing everything for the first time. It was so precious and a perfect example of why I love Baxter and our ability to have some amazing and memorable moments being a preK-12 district.”

Kindergartners are their own challenge. The first year in schools brings so many new experiences and behaviors for kids that can have both positive and negative outcomes.

When her hair gets a little frazzled and her patience is pushed to its limits, Popenhagen regroups with her family who provide with unending support.

“Spending time with my husband

great teams and better teachers.

“Leaning on coworkers and family has always helped me get through those tough times,” Harper said. “But, honestly, there is sometimes stuff in life and in teaching that just takes time and patience to forget and make it through.”

He may need a lot patience when he hands out instruments to new musicians and starts the path of learning beats, rhythms and finally working on a melo -

said.

it can weigh on him that they can still struggle outside of the school.

“One thing that has always bugged me as a teacher is that we do our best to help students while they are in the building but can’t always help with the things they are going through outside the building,” Stribe

and two boys helps me reset,” Popenhagen said.

Popenhagen put her whole self into teaching and making sure the kids are getting the best education possible while in her classroom. Starting them on their academic journey on the right foot is very important to her and something she works on from the first day to the last.

“Our children deserve someone who is going to put everything they have into them,” Popenhagen said. “They deserve to have someone who will challenge them, push them and hold them accountable for their actions. Showing them that they are worth it is why I stay.”

dy. But that is the fun part for Harper.

“I have absolutely loved my kids,” Harper said. “Seeing them playing bucket drums, singing their favorite songs, smiling on the playground, beaming with pride at their work and being excited to share their ideas has made this year wonderful.”

Going from the elementary school to junior-senior high school, Harper can see growth

Small communities are a great place to receive support and Stribe felt that when his basketball team made a run to state. Even though they came up a little short, it was great to see how Baxter as a whole came out to cheer on the team.

“My favorite memory

in his students. Watching them progress and fall in love with music makes some of the wrong notes sound a little better a long the way.

“It is the only profession that is solely about improving the lives of others,” Harper said. “I get to give to my students every day — helping them learning about the world and how they can impact the future. It’s really a pretty cool thing when you think about it.”

at Baxter was being part of the coaching staff for the basketball team the year we made it to substate,” Stribe said. “The community support during that was amazing.”

While it might be hard to find more time to add additional activities into his schedule, he can continue to grow the impact he makes with each of the students he teaches both in the gym and on the fields.

“I can’t see myself doing anything else,” Stribe said. “Along with that I don’t feel like I could have another job where I get to have an impact like I do as a teacher.”

Long shifts are another example of nurses’ commitment to quality care

Few likely forget scenes that emerged during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when nurses working in hospitals overwhelmed with sick and dying patients were applauded by local residents. Such public expressions of appreciation were a testament to the sacrifices and risks nurses accepted as COVID claimed more and more lives. In those early days of the pandemic, nurses worked especially long hours, and even though the pandemic is over, nurses continue to work considerably longer workdays than the average profession. The American Nurses Association notes that 12-hour shifts are the standard for many nurses working in hospital settings. The lengthy, often exhausting shifts worked by nurses are another example of their devotion to their patients, as the ANA notes one of the reasons nursing shifts are so long is to ensure better continuity of care for patients. With just two shift changes per day, hospitals reduce patient handoffs, and the ANA notes that decreases the risk for miscommunication or misunderstandings that could compromise patient care and health.

Though 12-hour shifts are the norm for nurses working in hospitals, the ANA notes that such schedules can have drawbacks, and those can adversely af-

fect nurses. Fatigue from 12-hour shifts, which can and often do last longer than 12 hours thanks to paperwork and additional tasks nurses may not be able to get to during ordinary working hours, can lead to burnout. In addition, nurses typically have limited downtime on workdays, which means they have few hours to spend with family and friends on days when they work. And nurses working 12hour shifts may find they spend a significant portion of their time off recuperating from their long shifts, which can adversely affect their overall quality of life.

Twelve-hour shifts are another example of the selfless commitment exhibited by nurses working in hospital settings. — Metro Creative

Here’s how Congress can save millions of American jobs

Eight years ago, I worked with President Trump to enact the most significant simplification of our tax code in decades, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), also known as the Trump tax cuts. These tax cuts provided relief to every American, simplifying and reducing personal income taxes, and expanding important deductions used by small businesses across Iowa.

These changes have allowed entrepreneurs to thrive and contributed to the incredible success we saw during the first Trump administration, which led to strong real wage growth for workers and the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.

A thriving Main Street is especially important in Iowa where small businesses account for 99 percent of all

businesses and employ 82 percent of workers, accounting for more than 507,000 jobs.

As the chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I am working to ensure that these historically successful tax cuts that allowed small businesses to grow and invest in communities are not just extended but made permanent.

The stakes could not be higher. If Congress fails to act, the American people will be hit with a $4 trillion tax increase, the largest in history.

Ginnie gets her dogwood

Every year around Arbor Day, I like to plant a tree. Last year it was a Colorado Blue Spruce that I planted where one had died in our wind break. (The rabbits chewed it up good this winter.) The year before, it was a Weeping Willow. Where I bought it, they had it marked as a Red Maple. When I got it home, and discovered it was a Weeping Willow, I was a little perturbed, but then thought, “Weeping Willows are cool.” So no tears shed. Get it?

The year before that, it was a Flowering Peach. The year before that, it was a Chinese Crabapple, and the year before that a Weeping Cherry. Interspersed in there have been Burning Bush, Lilacs, Roses, Hydrangea and a Yellow Trumpet Vine, scavenged from our neighbor up the road. Along with the trees already on the Empty Nest Farm, like Silver Maple, Catalpa, Pin Oak, Colorado Blue Spruce, Mulberry, and Birch, I figure that by planting a tree every year, by the time Ginnie and I pass our two-and-a-half acres along to our kids, it will be a veritable Arboretum.

Being from Missouri, Ginnie’s favorite tree is the Pink Dogwood, which Missouri has an abundance of. They don’t do too well this far north due to the climate and wind.

When we were at the new Dutchman’s Store in Cantril, amongst the trees they had for sale, were the Pink and White Dogwood. I have never seen Dogwoods for sale before in Iowa. I suppose, Dutchman’s being on the Iowa-Missouri Border, it makes sense that they would have them. BTW: If you haven’t been to the new Dutchman’s Store, it’s a must see. We had lunch there also in their restaurant (food sold by weight). Ginnie and I looked at the Dogwoods, but Ginnie ruled they don’t have the protection from the wind they need here in Iowa. However, as we were checking out, I made a snap decision and ran out, grabbed a Pink Dogwood, and put it in the cart. If my lady wants a Dogwood, by golly she’s gonna have a Dogwood. “But where will we put it?” she wanted to know. “It’s way too windy on the Empty Nest Farm.”

“I have an idea,” I told her. “There’s another tree missing from our windbreak. I think

the Dogwood will have the protection it needs there from the wind.” And that’s where I put it. So far, it’s doing well, and blooming, even in some fierce wind. Ginnie is so excited!

We did lose one tree over the winter, a Georgia Peach. Why? I dunno. It was a pretty mild winter. (I didn’t even have to use the tractor to plow our driveway.) I’m thinking that the problem was that it was a “Georgia” Peach. If I had planted something more suited to the Midwest, like a White Peach, we would’ve had peaches this year.

But our McIntosh Apple tree is full of blooms, and promising to have another bumper crop, like last year. We had so many apples. Ginnie made and canned apple pie filling. Lord have mercy! I don’t know how many people picked from that tree, but there was plenty to go around. Two years ago, the apple tree didn’t bloom, and there were no apples. Even apple trees have to take a break once-in-awhile, or, like a horse in alfalfa, they’ll founder.

Ginnie’s already made a rhubarb-strawberry pie from our rhubarb. And I notice the asparagus is popping its luscious green stalks out of the black Iowa soil, like a cobra doing its eerie dance. This spring has been funky, but I see lots of promise for cornucopia abundance.

The aronia bushes are full of blooms. Once again we’ll be offering people all the aronia berries they can pick, that is if I can keep the Japanese Beatles at bay. If you don’t know what aronia berries are, they may be the most potent health berry on the planet. We had lots of takers last year.

I burned the garden off, and will be planting Blue Lake green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, Indian corn, pumpkins, onions, radishes, lettuce (Romaine and leafy) and something new. Each year I like to plant something I’ve never raised before. Last year it was bird’s nest gourds, the year before that it was sunflowers, the year before that it was okra.

Don’t know what it’ll be this year, and probably won’t until I go to buy seed. (Part of the fun.)

We have the Dogwood planted right where we’ll see it when we pull in the driveway. Ginnie’s mind can take her back to when she was a little girl in Missouri, the oldest of seven children, never knowing she’d love life in Iowa. Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Small businesses will be hit particularly hard, as over 96 percent of small businesses are structured as passthrough entities that benefit from key provisions, including the qualified business income deduction and the general reductions in personal income tax rates.

The Trump tax cuts empowered small business owners to invest in themselves through provisions like bonus depreciation, enhanced business expensing, and the research and development deduction.

More importantly, the tax relief enabled small businesses to invest more in their employees. I’ve heard from small business owners all over Iowa who used that extra money to provide their workers with health insurance, parental leave, and retirement plans.

I have also talked to small business owners who hired staff and expanded, but who would have to make hard decisions about who to keep if these cuts were to expire.

When I talk to Iowans the message is clear – they don’t want a trillion-dollar tax hike.

Workers are also concerned that if

employers must give more of their revenue to Washington, jobs and benefits will be cut. The consequences will be real for workers and their families.

The Trump tax cuts also reduced the death tax, giving families the ability to keep their farms and businesses after a loved one’s passing. While this is a great start, we need to fully repeal the punitive death tax. Ending the death tax is particularly important in Iowa to prevent folks from being forced to sell off farms or businesses that have been in their family for generations.

If Congress lets the TCJA expire now, Americans and small businesses will be forced to shoulder another $4 trillion in new taxes and 4.1 million jobs will be at risk.

When small businesses grow, the American economy grows.

That’s why I strongly support making the Trump tax cuts permanent and will fight to ensure that small businesses continue to have a voice in Washington.

JoniErnst,anativeofRedOakanda combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.

Week 16 update

As your state representative, I am committed to keeping you informed about the critical work happening in Des Moines. This week, I want to provide an update on two key areas: the ongoing investigation into the misallocation of court debt funds by the Iowa Judicial Branch and the progress on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget negotiations.

The House Government Oversight Committee held another hearing this week to examine the Iowa Judicial Branch’s misallocation of at least $27 million in court debt funds. We heard testimony from State Auditor Rob Sand, whose office failed to identify these irregularities in a timely manner. Alarmingly, Auditor Sand was alerted to the issue in the fall of 2022 but did not inform the Iowa House until two years later, allowing the problem to persist and worsen.

During the hearing, Auditor Sand downplayed the severity of the misallocation, claiming the funds were redirected to the general fund. However, we have yet to receive concrete documentation verifying this claim. The consequences of this misallocation are significant: victims of crime have been denied timely compensation, infrastructure projects like bridge repairs and road improvements have been delayed, and communi-

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ty safety programs have been underfunded.

The lack of timely communication from both the Judicial Branch and the Auditor’s office is unacceptable. The House Government Oversight Committee is dedicated to a thorough investigation to uncover the full scope of this issue, ensure accountability, and implement safeguards to prevent future errors. Iowans deserve a government that prioritizes transparency, protects public resources, and delivers on its commitments to support victims, infrastructure, and community safety.

This week, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and the Governor released their budget targets for Fiscal Year 2026, marking a significant step toward finalizing the state budget. House Republicans have proposed a fiscally responsible budget of $9.453 billion, a 5.65% increase over the current year’s $8.947 billion. This $506 million increase reflects our commitment to funding Iowans’ priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline.

The Senate and Governor

have agreed on a slightly lower budget of $9.417 billion, approximately $36 million less than the House proposal. Negotiations are ongoing, but I am proud to report that the House Appropriations Committee met Thursday to advance several key budgets, including Economic Development, Education, Transportation, Infrastructure, Federal Block Grants, Sports Wagering Receipts, and Opioid Settlement Fund appropriations. House Republicans have a proven track record of passing responsible budgets that lower the tax burden while investing in critical priorities. Our proposed budget supports elderly Iowans in nursing homes, maintains our commitment to increased paraprofessional pay, and provides resources for human trafficking victims. We are fighting to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely to deliver on these promises. As we continue our work in the Iowa House, I remain dedicated to advocating for transparency, accountability, and responsible governance. My colleagues and I are working diligently to resolve the issues surrounding the misallocated court debt funds and to finalize a budget that reflects the needs and values of Iowans. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Letters to the Jasper County Tribune will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification. Signed columns as well as letters to the editor and editorial cartoons represent the personal opinion of the writer or artist. Submit letters to news@jaspercountytribune.com or Newton News, P.O. Box 967, Newton, Iowa 50208

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

C-M soccer scores draw against 3A Marshalltown

Jasper County Tribune

MARSHALLTOWN — Meadow

Lane scored her 25th goal of the season and assisted on Ashlynn Finch’s third goal of the spring, and the Colfax-Mingo girls soccer team earned a draw against Class 3A Marshalltown on May 1.

The match was scoreless at halftime but both teams scored twice in the second half for the 2-2 tie.

It was Colfax-Mingo’s first match in nearly 10 days as its contests with

Grand View Christian and Centerville were cancelled due to weather last week.

Lane now has 25 goals and 57 points this spring, which both rank second in 1A. Her seven assists are tied for 10th in the class.

Emmalyn Buchman made five saves for the Tigerhawks (6-1-3).

It was the second straight 2-2 draw for Marshalltown, which is now 6-3-2.

Colfax-Mingo was playing its first match since losing to 1A No. 6 DikeNew Hartford on April 21.

Colfax-Mingo girls finish third at home golf tournament

C-M boys face Iowa Valley

COLFAX — Lily Brenner turned in a career-best score and placed second overall, but the Colfax-Mingo girls golf team placed third at its home tournament on May 2.

The Tigerhawks shot 453 at Colfax Country Club. They were better than East Marshall (550) but trailed tournament champion Albia (415) and runner-up BGM (415).

Brenner was the runner-up medalist with a 95, which is a new 18hole career best.

Lily Webster (111), Dakota Allen (120) and Faith Allen (127) all made their 18-hole varsity debuts and were the other counting scorers. Chloe Clements (138) had a non-counting score.

Albia’s Emma Kipfer was the meet medalist with an 84. East Marshall’s Delaney Ryan (98) and BGM’s Aurelia Roudabush (99) also needed fewer than 100 strokes to finish their rounds.

Brenner, Faith Allen go 1-2 at Iowa Valley

MARENGO — Brenner shot a 49 as the meet medalist and Faith Allen turned in a career-best 51 as the runner-up, but the Tigerhawks did not have enough golfers for a team score on May 1.

Iowa Valley won the meet with a 241 at Marengo Golf Course. Faith Allen was a runner-up medalist for the first time in her varsity career.

C-M finishes second at home triangular

COLFAX — Four Tigerhawks cleared 60, but Colfax-Mingo was second at a home triangular on April 29.

The Tigerhawks shot 231 in second at Colfax Country Club, but Newton took the top five spots and won the meet with a 207. English Valleys did not have enough golfers for a team score.

Newton’s Eva Pak was the meet medalist with a 51 and three Cardinals shot 52 with Addie Ratcliff grabbing runner-up medalist honors after a card back.

Brenner placed sixth with a 56, while Webster (58), Dakota Allen (58) and Faith Allen (59) had the other counting scores.

It was Colfax-Mingo’s first competition since April 22 after its meet against Belle Plaine on April 28 was postponed due to weather.

Ashlynn Hosbond

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo junior Lilyan Hadsall, left, and freshman Blain Houseman (5) battle for possession during a home match earlier this season. The Tigerhawks earned a 2-2 draw against Marshalltown on May

Jasper County Tribune

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo senior Faith Allen was the runner-up medalist at Iowa Valley on May 1. She turned in a career-best 51 at Marengo Golf Course.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo sophomore Dakota Allen chips onto the No. 2 green at Colfax Country Club during a home meet earlier this season. Allen made her 18-hole varsity debut at the Tigerhawks’ home tournament on May 2.

Troy Hyde/Jasper County Tribune

Colfax-Mingo sophomore Jace Lewis, top, and junior Luke Padgett putt during a recent meet at Colfax Country Club. The Tigerhawks competed against Iowa Valley on May 1 but had their competitions against Belle Plaine and English Valleys on April 28-29 canceled.