Uniting the Golden Hawks
Spring 2022, Vol. 5, Issue 1
2002 Class 2A State Champions
20th Anniversary
More Inside:
Superintendent Mark Schneider Spotlight on Peggy Christensen To Retire in June
20th Anniversary of Mid-Prairie Girls Basketball Dream Season
Details p. 13-15
Details p. 18-22
Details p. 16-17
A Message from the Alumni President Hello Alumni & Friends! The Alumni Association is preparing for another summer and fall full of recognition, fundraising and celebrating our Alumni. The Alumni award recipients will be recognized at Kalona Days, which will be held on Saturday, June 18th. Additionally, we will be partnering with the MP Foundation for a Dine Out to Make a Difference Fundraiser. Please keep an eye out on social media pages for more details on this event!
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. If you would like to become more involved in the Alumni Association, please let us know, as we are always looking for new ideas and new people to join the group. We truly appreciate your continued support of the Alumni & Friends Association! Thank you, Whitni Patterson President – Alumni & Friends Association
MID-PRAIRIE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Mid-Prairie Community School District Board Jeremy Pickard, president Marianne Schlabach, vice president Mary Allred, member Denise Chittick, member Gabrielle Payne Frederick ‘98, member Jed Seward ‘05, member Jake Snider, member Mark Schneider, superintendent Jeff Swartzentruber, secretary Mid-Prairie Foundation Board Hayley Sieren Hershberger ‘11, president Gerry Beeler, vice president Junell Swantz Duwa ‘79, treasurer Luann Miller, secretary Phyllis Casper, scholarship secretary Elisa Lyons, member Katie Kemp Miller ‘01, member Nicole Naraine, member Doug Slaubaugh ‘63, member Greg Gent ‘82, member Jeremy Statler ‘90, member Christian Swartzentruber ‘11, 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 Rebecca Frantz ‘17, secretary Angie Young Goodwin ‘90, vice president Sarah Griffith Huston ‘00, member Kayla Duwa Wiles ‘09, member Whitni Patterson ‘13, president Madeline Stutzman ‘12, member Taylor Weber, Editor & Communications
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Alumni Summer Schedule There are lots of things planned for 2022, so don’t miss out! Between Kalona Days, Wellman 4th of July, Homecoming, Dine Out to Make a Difference and class reunions, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy Mid-Prairie community events and catch up with fellow alumni.
Class Reunion Plans
Class of 1962
The class of 1962 will have their 60th class reunion on September 24 at Ila Fern’s for an Amish lunch. Contact Dale Stout, dhstout55@aol. com.
Class of 1967
The 55th class reunion for the class of 1967 will be on Saturday, August 13, at the Kalona Brewery starting at 6:00 p.m. Contact Claudia Bishop, bishopc52356@gmail.com.
Class of 1969
The class of 1969 will meet on Saturday, August 6, at the Kalona Brewery for their annual reunion.
Class of 1972
The class of 1972 has set their 50th class reunion for Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1. Information will be posted on MPHS Class of 1972 Facebook page or mailed. The committee is trying to find information on the following missing classmates: Abby Fisher, Deanna Schillig, Steve Curtis, Rick Fuhr, John Kanagy, Larry Sabin and Dorothy Bender. Please send any information to Chris Yotty Brenneman, csybrenn@gmail.com.
Class of 1992
The 30 year reunion for the class of 1992 has been scheduled for the evening of Saturday, July 23. Time and place have not been finalized yet. Contact Julie Frye, cyschick@ hotmail.com.
Class of 1977 The 45th class reunion for the class of 1977 will be Friday, June 24, and Saturday, June 25. The events planned are as follows: Friday, June 24: Drinks & Discussion at the Hard Luck Tavern - 7 p.m. to Last Call. Saturday, June 25: Bring your chair, cooler of your favorites and fishing pole to Nick Stumpf’s cabin on the Iowa River at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25: Richmond AMVETS Post #107 - 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., fundraising auction at 7:30 p.m. Contact Karen Ehrenfelt Waters, (319) 461-1376 or karen-waters@uiowa.edu.
Class of 1982
Class of 1997
Class of 2007
The 25th class reunion for the class of 1997 will be during the summer. More details to come. Contact Kristen Thomas, kristen52356@gmail. com.
The class of 2007 will meet on Sunday, July 3, at the Kalona Brewery at 4:00 p.m. for their 15th class reunion. Contact Stacey Cavey, stacey.cavey@gmail.com, or Megan Giegner, meaflynn@gmail.com. Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 3
Alumni & Foundation Fundraiser Introducing ...
Dine Out To Make A Difference As mentioned in the Fall 2021 issue of the Alumni Newsletter, the Mid-Prairie Foundation 4-Person Best Shot summer golf tournament will be taking a break this year to make way for a new fundraising opportunity this fall. The Mid-Prairie Foundation Board and Alumni & Friends Association Board are hard at work planning an opportunity for you to support both the Mid-Prairie Foundation and the Alumni & Friends Association. Dine Out To Make A Difference will take place on Thursday, September 29th. Dine out (or take out!) at any of the participating locations to show your community and district support in a number of ways. A list of participating businesses will be coming soon. Watch for more information through the mail and social media (MP Foundation Facebook and Alumni & Friends Association Facebook pages).
Why Dine Out To Make A Difference?
When you participate in the Dine Out To Make A Difference fundraiser opportunity, you are not only supporting local businesses, but also two very important organizations in our Mid-Prairie School District community. A percentage of the proceeds will go to both the Foundation and Alumni & Friends Association. Your interest in, and willingness to contribute to the Mid-Prairie Community Schools can enrich our schools and our community. Private contributions are needed to maintain and improve the level of educational excellence Mid-Prairie students experience. Participating in fundraisers or other opportunities to support our district can ensure that our school remains a place where every student is served in the highest capacity possible. Continued connection and support among the Mid-Prairie district, our community and our alumni keep our school district top-notch.
4 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Class Reunion Photos
Class of 1962 - 59 Years
The class of 1962 celebrated 59 years at the Ronneburg in Amana. Classmates met together on September 27th for a great time of visiting and catching up.
From Left: Gordon Ruegsegger, Cherie Walker Baldwin, Dale Stout, Margi Patterson Teets, Karen Yoder Miller, Bob Swartzendruber, Tom Bauer, Cheryl Ruegsegger Rickerd, Mary Lampe Reed, Janet Haberman Long, Bill Miller, Judy Huntsberger.
Class of 1971 - 50 Years
Mid-Prairie class of 1971 celebrated their 50th reunion on October 2nd at the Kalona Brewery. They had a great time catching up together. Those present were: Front Row Mary Adam Borntreger, Cheri Grout Baker, Brenda Goodwin Griffith, Diane Moore Davisson, Lucetta Hayes Sobaski, Donna Yoder Merck, Eldon Miller, Back Row Mick Wade, Jim Escher, Fred Lampe, Steve Norman, Steve Yotty, Karen Bush Christner, Daryl Baker, Greg Boyd, Kathy Detweiler Schrock. Not pictured but present were Dan Reschly, Jan Miller Brophy & Kent Stout.
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 5
Class Reunion Photos Class of 1976 - 45 Years
The class of 1976 celebrated their 45th class reunion with a two-day event. On Friday, October 22nd, classmates met at the Richmond Amvets building for the evening. Everyone was invited to participate in trivia questions of the 1970s, and classmates brought yearbooks to look at old photos. On Saturday, October 23rd, classmates met at the Kalona Brewing Company for some supper and catching up. Everyone had a great time!
3rd Row: Dave Schumann, Mark Yeggy, Jeff Miller, Daryl Schlabaugh, Dean Miller, Duane Miller, Darrel Herschberger, Tom Welte, Rick Brenneman. 2nd Row: Rick Enfield, Joyce Kelley Berger-Weber, Chris Geyer Glosser, Barb Stumpf Simon, Sandy Beranek Berg, Nancy Kos Sangster. 1st Row: Kevin Campbell, Vickie Patterson, Cindy Bowser Snedigar, Cindy Marner (Friday night).
Front row: Pat McArtor, Cindy Marner, Darrel Herschberger, Dean Miller, Dave Gascho. 2nd row: Terri Slaubaugh Yoder, Sandy Adam Joseph, Nancy Kos Sangster, Cindy Bowser Snedigar. 3rd row: Rick Enfield, JoAnne Kanagy Bird, Sherry Wehr Swartzentruber, Joyce Kelley Berger-Weber, Barb Stumpf Simon, Vickie Patterson, Brenda Krabill Colbert, Daryl Schlabaugh, Tom Welte, Duane Miller. (Saturday night). 6 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Achievement Award Jake Fisher
Jake Fisher ‘97 is grateful for the many exceptional people in his life who have helped to guide him in his professional experiences. He now generously strives to give back in those ways to his current community. Fisher is this year’s alumni achievement award recipient. After graduating from Mid-Prairie High School, Fisher studied economics and philosophy at Lake Forest College, near Chicago. In 2001, he graduated cum laude and received highest distinction on his college senior thesis titled, “The Ethics of High Capitalism.” Following college, Fisher earned a law degree from Rutgers University in 2004 and was a member of the Law Review. He then practiced law at Weil Gotshal & Manges in New York City before transitioning to an investment banker at Citigroup Global Markets. In 2011, he decided to leave Wall Street to become an investment professional at Antares Capital, a large direct lender to U.S. middle market companies. He transitioned roles from investing capital to raising capital from institutional investors in Asia and the U.S. for Antares, and later for Crescent Capital. Recently, Fisher has now joined NXT Capital in Chicago as the Managing Director in Investor Solutions. When reflecting back on his achievements, Fisher thanks all of the people who have played a part in his experiences. His mother, Karen, was a teacher at Kalona Elementary, and his father, Gary, coached many AAU teams. His favorite aspects of his career have been the opportunities he has had to share with others, like the teachers and coaches did for him, the lessons and experiences he has had the good fortune to receive. Fisher has found many ways to “pay it forward” throughout the years.
Class of 1997 During law school, he served
as a pro bono volunteer at the Urban Law Clinic in Newark, New Jersey, helping entrepreneurs form new businesses and protect their intellectual property. He has also volunteered for 10 years in New York and Chicago with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship as a guest teacher and business plan coach in public high schools. Today, he enjoys working to enhance the Environmental, Social and Governance considerations in his firm’s investment practices as ESG continues to grow in importance to institutional investors globally. When recalling those who have impacted him growing up, Fisher shares that he was fortunate to have had several exceptional teachers and coaches throughout his time at Mid-Prairie. He strongly believes it was the combination of diverse experiences and perspectives that most contributed to his readiness and outlook for the world post-graduation. Whether in the classroom or on a performance stage (basketball, football or a high school musical), the Mid-Prairie faculty worked to provide a wealth of individual and team-based lessons that have carried through to many aspects of his life and career. Fisher encourages current students to challenge themselves in “both depth and breadth of experience.” He feels there is no better time for risk-taking, exploration and self expansion. He advises, “Getting pretty good in one sport? Try learning another language. Dominating the piano? Run for student government. Importantly, don’t be discouraged if your next thing isn’t as easy or comfortable as your last thing. Press on.” After all, Albert Einstein said, “A person who never made a mistake
Photo by BusinessWire
never tried anything new.” Einstein also said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” Fisher believes we can choose to approach our interaction with each other in different ways. We can either strive to ‘win’ them for ourselves, or to be of value to each other. This quote encourages us to aim for purpose and direction in life, like a job well done, rather than simply an end target or a paycheck. “If we aim to be a person of value rather than simply of success, we give more than we take from the world,” he says. Throughout his journey, Fisher has been very fortunate to have thoughtful, kind family all around him. Early on, his father and mother were his strongest influencers and mentors. Later, his brother and sister took on mentoring roles. Today, his wife and two children now strongly impact his path. His family inspired six words he tries to live by each day: Be true, do good, live well. He says, “Be true represents a simple commitment to be yourself and to be honest with those around you. Do good is a call to action on the moral obligations we have to each other, to pursue high standards and productivity in society, and to leave the world ‘better than we found it.’ Live well is a mandate to pursue a fulsome existence, in health, mindfulness, spirituality and enjoyment of the world and those around us.”
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 7
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Vocational Award Ronnie Hershberger
Ronnie Hershberger ‘79 was selected as the vocational alumni award recipient this year as a result of his success in building highly reputable tire and auto service businesses in four different communities. Hershberger is known for his willingness to go out of his way to serve others in a time of need 24/7. He services all sizes of vehicles, from small carts to RVs to semi tractors to farm equipment. His willingness to be open to a wide variety of business and his commitment to high standards in providing quality products and exceptional service are the staples of his business. Hershberger graduated in 1979 and immediately started working in the tiling business. He grew up on a farm and enjoyed helping other farmers with their fields. He then worked at Rediger Tire, which was the spark to his passion for learning the tire business. He credits Jerry Rediger with teaching him a great deal about the tire business. He also worked at English River Pellets before starting out on his own. Hershberger started his first business by renting some space from Earl Swantz ‘74 on Highway 22. He then purchased a building by the middle school in Kalona in 2000. Two years later he expanded to Lone Tree, opening Lone Tree Tire and Service. In 2010 his facility in Kalona was totaled by a fire. His commitment to his vocation and serving the community motivated him to build a new facility on Highway 1 on the south end of Kalona. Hershberger feels that the best form of advertising is by word of mouth from satisfied customers. As an increased amount of business was coming from the west, he looked to grow his business in that direction. He opened up Williamsburg Tire and 8 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Class of 1979
Service in 2015. The most recent expansion was the addition of Washington Discount Tire in 2020. The growth of his business provides additional employment opportunities, better pricing through volume discounts and expanded potential of a broader network. Hershberger is quick to give credit for his success to a variety of sources. His family has been very supportive throughout the years. His wife, Cindy ‘81, has always been willing to serve a variety of roles from the very beginning. In the early stages of building the business, Hershberger was spending 12-15 hours a day to meet the needs of his customers. Cindy was in charge of taking care of the kids, keeping the books, running business errands and anything else that was needed. He also credits his high school principal, Gilbert Christianson, for showing interest in his students and providing opportunities that were relevant to them. On one occasion he filled in for the Industrial Technology teacher for a few weeks due to the teacher’s leave of absence. Gilbert’s instructional style and enthusiasm for the drafting class Hershberger was taking made a lasting impact. The principal went on to provide an additional drafting class to meet the students’ interest. He credits Alan Kos and Ed Hershberger, who he has worked alongside on a variety of projects. Their work ethic, troubleshooting skills and commitment to not taking shortcuts was something that made a lasting impression on him. Hershberger’s entrepreneurial success has certainly extended through his whole family. Son, Blake ‘02, and Blake’s wife, Jenni (Kiefer ‘02), own and operate Hershberger Enterprises. Daughter, Kyra ‘04, is the
Ronnie Hershberger ‘79 with his wife, Cindy Riggan Hershberger ‘81.
office manager at Kalona Tire, and her husband, James Gardiner ‘04, owns and operates English River Plumbing. Younger son, Tommy ‘06, was the former owner and operator of Superior Carpet and is currently a health coach in Arizona. Daughter, Megan ‘09, and her husband, Jared Holmes, own and operate Holmes Livestock and Logistics. Youngest daughter, Taylor ‘13, currently works at the University of Iowa Hospital in the Radiology Department. Hershberger understands the importance of having a dedicated and talented staff at the core of a successful business. He is very appreciative of the employees he has working in all four locations and their ability to meet the needs of their customers. Hershberger enjoys being a part of the community and giving back to build an even stronger community. He has supported the Kalona Volunteer Fire Department, Mid-Prairie Schools and Kalona Historical Village. He also provides a golf tournament every other year as an appreciation to his customers. His advice to current students is not to underestimate a strong work ethic, be conscious of treating people right and continue to learn something new every day.
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Service Award
Janet Kos Ferry Class of 1967
As a young girl growing up on a farm near Richmond, Janet Kos Ferry ‘67 dreamed of becoming a teacher when she grew up. This dream shaped her path as she went on to spend many years working with and supporting the school systems, helping to then shape the lives of students. Ferry is this year’s service alumni award winner. Ferry’s dream of teaching was fostered in many ways by her family. Palestine, a one-room country school, was located on her family farm. When her father needed to tear it down, he generously relocated the large chalkboard and student desks to a basement room of their home. This gave Ferry the opportunity to “play” teacher with her friends and younger brother as her students. To further grow her interest in teaching, she became involved with Future Teachers of America (FTA) in high school. With this organization, she had the opportunity to visit colleges and other schools. According to Ferry, this cemented her decision to continue into teaching. She later received her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her masters degree from Northern Illinois University. She spent four years teaching in Geneseo, Illinois, and thirty years teaching in Belvidere, Illinois. After retiring in 2008, she and her husband, Jim, moved to Kalona, where she then subbed for a year in the Mid-Prairie Community School District. Soon after, in 2009, she became involved at the Kalona Historical Society. Ferry spent her time as a guide, helping with inventory, working on exhibits, publishing the newsletter and serving on the KHS Board of Directors. It was here that she found a niche for her interests and experience with education programming.
Ferry and former Mid-Prairie teacher, Marilyn Yoder, have jointly researched the history of the Mid-Prairie area, interviewed residents, begun developing teaching units and are working with area teachers to develop meaningful experiences for students visiting the museum. They have worked with many Mid-Prairie teachers, from kindergarten to fourth grade, to Mid-Prairie’s District Curriculum/ Professional Learning Leader, Kristan Hunter. There are plenty of educational opportunities under development at the Kalona Historical Society. One of these exciting new exhibits involves constructing a streetscape of historic downtown Kalona. Currently, the Streetscape committee, formed in 2016, has finalized plans for a state-of-the-art exhibit to complete the newly constructed Wahl Museum. Presently, visitors start with the Kalona area’s Native American history, enjoy a timeline sharing the history of the early Pioneer communities, and learn about the railroad which joined neighboring towns and distant cities. The Kalona High School exhibit is also completed. The committee is in the process of fundraising for the Streetscape, which will occupy the majority of the space. A replica of the business community in downtown Kalona in the 1930s-1940s will be constructed. When reflecting on this experience, Ferry shares, “Chairing this committee of volunteers has certainly been a rewarding experience.” Her work with students in the educational world has been very rewarding. Her greatest reward has been the recognition she has received from students. She has learned in her experience that, “one can have an impact on a child’s life with a simple statement of encouragement.” Seniors at Belvidere High School were
asked to nominate teachers who influenced their lives. Ferry shares that it was very humbling when three students chose to recognize her. One student, Amy, told of the time in 7th grade when she wanted to be in the advanced Language Arts class Ferry was teaching, but felt she wasn’t smart enough. Ferry had told her being “smart” was not just your IQ, but what you did with your intelligence. That comment gave Amy the confidence to apply and be accepted into the class. Scott, a fourth-grade gifted student, had a challenging time with writing. He shared that Ferry told him to “think outside the box.” Scott found his voice and is now a journalist. Mike, a struggling student, shared that Ferry never gave up on him, and he wanted to show his appreciation. She is living proof that comments from adults can make a difference in a child’s life. Ferry has touched the lives of countless students with her work both as an educator and a priceless resource to our education system. The positive influence of her parents and her own past educators have led her to be who she is today. Her work ethic and motivation to strive for greatness make it no surprise that her favorite quote by Winston Churchill says, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 9
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Community Impact Award Dan Clark Class of 1968
Dan Clark ‘68 has a broad background of experiences that eventually led him to find his interest in history and historic preservation. He is this year’s alumni community impact award recipient. Although he is not from a Mennonite background, he attended Hesston College and received his Associate in Arts degree in 1970. It was at Hesston that he met his wife, Jean Widmer Clark. He continued his formal education with various other institutions, including courses at four of Iowa’s public colleges and universities. During a decade of work with church-sponsored peace agencies, they resided in California, Chicago and central Iowa. Clark then moved to Muscatine where he spent more than another decade working with a midwest outreach program, The Stanley Foundation, a world-affairs organization. Later, as a freelancer, he became active in mediation and peacebuilding, which involved travels to the former USSR and East Africa. It was his year spent as a reporter for the Muscatine Journal that stirred his interest in history and historic preservation. He has spent a number of years involved with various organizations working to keep citizens of the area connected to its history. He founded and ran Muscatine Trolley & Tours for eight years, while also hosting a weekly radio program and serving on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. He currently serves as a board member of the Alexander Clark Foundation, preserving the legacy of Iowa’s equal-rights 10 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
pioneer. He was the founder of Muscatine Sister Cities in 1986 and continues to serve as the liaison to Kislovodsk, Muscatine’s Russian sister city in Iowa’s sister state, Stavropol. Amid all of his years of work with historic preservation, he and Jean, a retired special education teacher, have two adult daughters and enjoy their six grandchildren to the fullest. When looking back to his time Dan Clark ‘68 with two historic buildings of Muscatine, the 1857 at MPHS, Clark can Congregational Church and the 1878 Alexander Clark House. recall many teacher and peer influences that impacted him work and activism”. and led to his future involvement When asked for his advice to in history. He remembers English younger alumni, Clark shares, “Make teacher, Paul Milenski, who pushed time for relationships; they matter, his students to write well. Clark still often more than we know. We can values Milenski’s rigorous vocabeach make a difference for good, ulary drill he led with his students. singly and together. Learn to trust History teacher, Thelma Quasdorf, your gut and take educated risks. encouraged Clark in independent Whatever is worth doing, is worth study and digging to understand the doing well–mostly. A stranger is a past. She also sponsored the Model friend you haven’t made yet–usually. UN teams, which Clark has fond It’s okay to be smart–and we’re all memories of. In his Contemporary smart in different ways.” This wisProblems class, Darrell Netherton, dom can surely help to guide many led his students in exploring issues younger alumni as they journey of race and war. While at MPHS through important adventures and Clark was also very involved in experiences. newspaper, yearbook, speech and Clark has impacted his comdrama. He even directed the senior munity in many ways, and continues class play. Clark feels that all of to encourage the interest in and these influencers and experiences preservation of its history. His years put together had helped to prepare of work have made it possible for him “for a lifetime of adventures in him to achieve great things.
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Athletic Award
Tanner Miller Class of 2010
Tanner Miller ‘10 is grateful for the life lessons he has learned through his career in athletics. Miller is the alumni athletic award recipient for 2022. Throughout his athletic career at Mid-Prairie, The University of Iowa and beyond, Miller has many highlights that he can be proud of. During his high school years, he participated in multiple sports. The 2008 Mid-Prairie track season was his favorite team to be a part of. He earned four letters in track as a sprinter and hurdler. Miller was the state champion in the 400 meter low hurdles as a junior and placed second in the 400 meter hurdles at the Drake Relays as a senior. He ran the leg on the 4 x 800 relay unit that placed 6th that year. He earned first team all-state honors in football for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. He was named first team all-district as a sophomore and was District Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior. During his Mid-Prairie football career, he earned four varsity letters as a defensive back and running back. He still holds a number of Mid-Prairie school records. He currently holds the records for most points scored in a season (266) and career (513), most touchdowns scored in a game (6), in a season (33) and career (59), and most rushing yards in a season (2,034) and career (4,003). He also holds the record for the longest return for a touchdown (95 yards from kick off). Besides football and track, Miller is
also recognized for his athletic career in Mid-Prairie basketball. He earned three letters and first team all-state in the 2009-10 season. Upon graduating Mid-Prairie, Miller continued with his athletic career at The University of Iowa. He was awarded a full academic scholarship to Iowa for football. He played as a three-year starter for Iowa as a Free Safety. After graduating from Iowa, he was then signed to the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted Free Agent and took part in their training camp in 2014. After earning his degree and completing his athletics career, it was evident to Miller that he needed to find a way to incorporate the lessons he learned and the competitiveness instilled in him into his future career. After growing up a small town kid all his life, he took a bit of a risk and moved out to the Chicagoland area for his first job out of school as a recruiter for a large Engineering/Technology agency. After spending almost two years in Illinois, tragedy struck the Miller family when his father, Brian Miller, suddenly passed away in January of 2017. Being away from home after a difficult experience like that was tough for Miller, so he decided to make the move back to Iowa to be closer to family. He gained years of experience working as a Corporate Recruiter for different companies before accepting his current position as a Senior Recruiter for Black and Veatch, a Global Engineering, Construction and Procurement company based out of Kansas City, Missouri. This position allows him the priceless opportunity to work from home full-time. Miller is very happy with his move back to Iowa, and doesn’t foresee himself leaving the area anytime soon.
When reflecting back to his source of motivation to strive for excellence, Miller lives each day trying to make his dad proud. He knows how short and fragile life can be, and how quickly it can be taken away. He shares, “We only have one opportunity to make the most of our lives.” His dad will always be his number one mentor. Growing up, Miller also felt strongly influenced by his two uncles, Andrew and Kevin Miller. He is thankful to all of his high school coaches, Don Showalter, Pete Cavanagh, Steve Hollan and their assistants, for their mentoring throughout his athletic career. Coach Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator at The University of Iowa, also left his mark as a positive influence. Miller didn’t find success by chance. He worked hard for it with a clear thought process on how to achieve it. When sharing his keys to success, Miller believes in making a plan and always preparing for the unexpected. He places importance on developing good habits early on, learning from mistakes and taking smart risks. However, while working hard to achieve success, he feels it’s also important to stop and smell the roses once in a while. When asked for advice to younger MP alumni, he shares, “Above all else is to be kind to yourself and always know your worth. The world is much bigger than you think it is, and your worries aren’t as important as you think they are. Finally, don’t dwell on the past…just because it was that way doesn’t mean it will be that way again.”
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 11
Mid-Prairie Alumni Awards
Fine Arts Award Sandra Reed
Sandra Reed ‘83 started her journey in the arts with drawing. Since her time at Mid-Prairie, she has earned a number of honors for her work. Reed is this year’s alumni fine arts award recipient. Creatively, Reed’s work focused on the human figure until the mid-1990s. At that time, she relocated to Savannah, Georgia, and it was there that painting urban landscapes captured her imagination. Around 2010, she began to work more in the studio than onsite, and over the past decade her work has gradually become increasingly abstract. She is currently exhibiting 25 new works in “Selvage,” a solo exhibition on Marshall University’s South Charleston campus in West Virginia, where she resides. She had moved to Huntington, WV, to work for Marshall University eight years ago. During that time she served as Director of the School of Art & Design for four years and also developed three ambitious exhibition projects for students at a museum, a gallery and a project space. Reed has received a number of awards and recognitions for her work over the years, along with priceless experiences. Her time teaching painting in Lacoste, France, in 2002 and 2012 provided her with wonderful memories of landscape painting trips with students. She and her husband have acquired small, in-need-of-repairs second homes both when living previously in Savannah, Georgia, and also at her current home of Huntington, to use as studio space. These are her places of creativity and possibility. She has also had the opportunities to take the time for multiple Artist Residencies and Sabbatical. With the intensity of teaching and service throughout the year, these Artist Residencies and Sabbatical have provided time for reflection, experimentation,
12 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Class of 1983
and undertaking ambitious work, which are all expectations for university art professors. Of all her recognitions, the greatest professional honor Reed has ever received was in April 2021. She was named as the 26th Distinguished Drinko Academy Fellow, the highest faculty honor at Marshall University. The fellowship provides a reduced teaching load for two years and financial support for passion projects, such as the solo show of her new work that opened mid-March 2022. Receiving the alumni fine arts award leads Reed to fondly recollect visual art projects she was involved in during her junior high and high school years at Mid-Prairie. She remembers painting a Hawkeye on the press box and illustrating the yearbooks for both 1982 and 1983. She can’t help but smile when remembering the many banners she painted on paper for the basketball and football teams to break through when entering the court or field. She recalls, “I really liked doing those – fast and bold and ephemeral.” Reed shares that Mid-Prairie embraced the innovations of the creative education initiatives of the 1970s and 1980s, and she benefitted from enrichment opportunities like the junior high trip to Chicago in 7th grade. The artwork she saw at the Chicago Art Institute made a lasting impression, and she is grateful to the teachers and parents who went the extra mile to make that trip possible for the students. During her time at Mid-Prairie, Reed’s art teachers strongly influenced her. In junior high, John Wilson, made her an “epic get-well card” when she was hospitalized for an appendectomy during her first week of college. She loved it so much that she still has it to this day. Her high school art teacher, Craig Shellady, chose
Photo by Marshall University
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain as the text for her senior art class. It was quite radical at the time, but remains influential. Both Mr. Wilson and Mr. Shellady were great teachers and helped Reed to improve. There are many individuals to thank for their positive influence on Reed’s life. She shares that she benefitted from her parents’ early expectation of independence and self-reliance. They instilled a sense of responsibility to use whatever talents her and her siblings had as well as possible. Their examples of a non-stop work ethic, integrity, keen sense of responsibility and curiosity to always keep learning are her most important life influences. Her grandmothers, Margaret Hammes Reed (Keota) and Marcella Peiffer Vittetoe (Washington), were extraordinary women who lived long and creative lives, even in the face of hardship and loss. School activities during the academic year and 4-H during the summer helped to shape who she is today. Reed’s work ethic and passion for creativity have led her to many accomplishments. She shares, “Starting can be difficult because everything is possible; once you begin, the next steps gradually present themselves.”
Superintendent Schneider Heads Into Retirement After 34 years as an employ-
ee of the Mid-Prairie Community
School District, Superintendent Mark Schneider has decided it is time to continue on to his next adventures in retired life. Mid-Prairie is one of the few districts in the state of Iowa lucky enough to have a long-term superintendent who is so deeply invested in the school district and the community. Schneider has spent an extensive time at Mid-Prairie, both as an employee and as a student teacher or substitute teacher. In the fall of 1979, he completed his student teaching semester at Kalona Elementary. He then continued to substitute teach in the district during the spring semester of 1980. Schneider spent seven years from 1986 to 1993 as a teacher at Washington Township Elementary. While spending a year from 1993-1994 as a University of Iowa Graduate Assistant, he again was a substitute teacher for the Mid-Prairie District. In 1995, Schneider decided to move into administration and served as principal for Wellman Elementary and Washington Township for six years until 2001. Finally, he then took on the superintendent position for 21 years from 2001-2022. With having spent time in all different aspects around the district, as student teacher, substitute teacher, principal and superintendent, Schneider has been able to lead the district with a broad perspective. It’s no wonder that Mid-Prairie continues to be one of the best districts around, drawing in students and families from all over. Schneider stops in to read to Mrs. Bell’s 2nd grade students at MP-East Elementary.
Mark Scneider will begin his retirement in June after 21 years as Mid-Prairie Superintendent.
Looking back over the last 43 years, Schneider can confidently say his best memories at Mid-Prairie all include interacting with the students. He often would visit classrooms, not only just to stop in and observe, but also to read books to the students or discuss different topics with them. Schneider could be found shadowing students to their various classes. No matter what age, students always know who Mr. Schneider is, and he is no stranger to all grades. He has also spent lunchtime eating with the students or interacted with students in the hallways and at recess. He has been a regular to student activities outside of the classroom. With so much involvement in the Mid-Prairie students’ lives, it’s no wonder that he received countless graduation party invitations. He has always enjoyed attending those parties of MP graduates and looked forward to interviews with Home School graduates during that time of year. Not every district has a superintendent so invested in its students, and it’s clear the students can tell how important they are to him. Another specialty of Schneider’s was awarding personal days to staff members for different activities or social “challenges” throughout the year. Any staff members who
won an extra personal day could look forward to Mr. Schneider subbing in his/her position, whether it be a classroom teacher, custodian, cook, paraprofessional or any other position throughout the district. Although it was a huge perk for the staff member receiving the special day off, it was even more of a perk for Schneider to sub for the day. He loved it, and the students saw him all over the district filling in for staff members!
Schneider fills in for kitchen staff as a substitute.
Retirement is an exciting chapter to open, but there are some things Schneider will miss when closing his chapter as MP Superintendent. When asked what he will miss most about leaving his position as superintendent, he says hands down, “the daily interaction with the students, and all of the great employees I was blessed to work with and who made me look good.” However, although there are many things to say goodbye to, Schneider will definitely not miss the 4:00 a.m. wake ups to check the winter weather and drive the roads to see if school should be canceled or delayed. As a retiree, he will certainly enjoy his sleep through those winter months! Once retired, Schneider plans to just keep enjoying life. He’s looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends. As he heads into retirement, he wants to make Mid-Prairie’s transition to a new superintendent as smooth as possible. He states, “I will always be a Golden Hawk and will always want
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 13
the best for Mid-Prairie.” Not only is he loyal to the district himself, but all of his children and two grandchildren have graduated from Mid-Prairie. He has three other grandchildren who will be attending Mid-Prairie for a long time to come. He fully intends to stay a resident of Mid-Prairie, and we can look forward to seeing him around the community for many years. *** I have many fond memories of my time at MP. One that made a huge impact on me was our administrative retreat. There were four “new” principals joining the administrative team. One of them had been at the elementary and moved to the high school. Marc Pennington, Amy Shalla, and us “newbies” had the opportunity to learn and grow together prior to starting our year. This retreat was a springboard for the relationships and work we would do as a leadership team. I’ve never felt more connected and supported as we moved MP forward as a district. I learned and grew under Mark’s leadership and am honored to call him a friend. Teresa Beenblossom Kalona Elementary / Washington Township Principal 2013-2016
A young man was sent to the principal’s office due to an event at
recess. Mark, having two schools to take care of, was at Washington Township, so he wasn’t able to deal with the young man that day. That evening, he received a phone call at home from the student’s mother. The story that the young man had told his mother wasn’t adding up. The next day, Mark brought him into the office for a chat. He explained to the young man that he had received a phone call the night before. The young man was explaining his side of the recess incident when Mark asked him why his mother would have thought what happened was different than the story he was telling him now. The young man, while scratching his head, said, “I don’t know, that’s weird Mr. Schneider!” 14 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
At this point I had to hide in the nurse’s room because I was laughing so hard. In Mark’s true fashion, he finished his chat with the young man in his authoritative voice and without cracking a smile. Although, when he exited the office, we had a good laugh. To this day, in conversations with Mark, I will often scratch my head and say, “I don’t know, that’s weird Mr. Schneider!” I wish the best for Mark and his family on their well deserved next chapter! Georgia Gent Wellman Elementary Secretary 1990-2003 West Campus Secretary / Human Resources 2003-2008
I have many good memories of the time I served as a principal at Mid-Prairie and working with Mark. One of my favorite memories was when the staff were invited to his house for the Administrator Rodeo. He had us all on horseback participating in different games. Another
great memory of mine would be our weekly admin meetings. We were able to tackle really tough issues together, coming to consensus and still leaving as friends. Evan Parrott Wellman Elementary Principal 2001-2013
I was on staff when Mark was a student teacher at Kalona Elementary under Marlene Gaston. Several years later he was hired as a teacher at Washington Township School. I’ve seen him progress to principal and then to superintendent. His 21 years as superintendent are the most years of any Mid-Prairie superintendent. D. Dean Curtis was the next closest with 12 years from 1966-78. Mark was a very visible superintendent. He read to elementary students and was in all the buildings frequently. He subbed for staff and saw what their days were like. He attended many athletic and fine arts events. Students and their parents met with him to get a school permit. Mark was a member of community groups. Before we moved into our current Central Office building, we were in a construction trailer for 5.5 years. One time an auditor said the four of us were packed in like sardines. We made everything fit that we needed, even putting the server in the restroom. We watched the new building go up across the highway. The long wait was worth it. Mark made staff meetings informative and also fun. At one August meeting, staff boarded Mid-Prairie buses and toured the district. We ate lunch at the school in West Chester. This gave staff an idea of the size of our district and how far some students travel to school. I appreciate the efforts Mark made to continuously make Mid-Prairie a better place for students and staff. Cindy Malichky Secretary to the Board Secretary / Assistant Business Manager 1978-present
Before I even began working directly with Mark in 2010, I appreciated his loyalty to the district and the community. However, working with him
on a daily basis made me realize more what genuine loyalty truly means. I have been impressed with how he has bled black and gold every day, even through the toughest times. If we think back to when we were in school, few know who their superintendent was. We were doing good to know our principal. Mark has always been very visible in the buildings among the students and staff. Here are a few of the things that stick out in my mind: ●Subbing for a staff member that may be from any classification (teacher, custodial, food service, etc.) so that they may have a personal day, has been truly a servant act. Not only has that touched the staff, but the students to see him interacting and being just like one of them. I have joked with him and told him that even the Central Office staff get a vacation day from him too. ●Active in the community and groups to spread the word about how great Mid-Prairie is. ●His ability to manage going to many school events so that students know he cares not only about their academics, but also the extra-curricular activities that they enjoy. ●Making appearances at visitations to show support to the staff when they are grieving the loss of a loved one. ●Meeting with each student who wants a school permit so that he may reiterate how they “don’t have to bake him cookies or clean out his nice maroon truck, but they have to promise that they will be very, very careful as he does not want anything bad to happen to them.” ●His support to the local media to show his deep care for our students and district as a whole. ●Never afraid to make a complete fool of himself for the good of the students. I could continue on but I am sure you see the theme. I am thankful for the loyalty he has shown and will continue to show, a virtue that we need to have and model in this world. I hope he enjoys his retirement to the fullest as he deserves it.
the top’ when working with students, staff, and community. From his ‘over the top’ laugh to his ‘over the top’ willingness to help make MP the best possible place to work, learn and live. My favorite, personal memory of Mark came at a time in my life when I was faced with devastation and despair. My wife had just passed away, I had just finished my administrative masters degree and was wondering what lay ahead for myself and my young family. It was this time that Kalona Elementary had an opening for Principal. I had asked Mark if I should apply for the position. He told me to “go for it” and see what happens. He let me know that I would not be given any “favors” and that I would expect to be interviewed along with all the other candidates if I was selected to be interviewed at all. Long story short, I was offered an interview, and offered the position - when Mark offered me the position, he came to my house and we talked for two hours. His personal support and mentoring for this new position for me was instrumental in any successes I may have had as administrator at MPCSD. I can truly and honestly say the MPCSD is a better place because of Mark Schneider. Thank you for all you have done!
Jim Cayton MP High School Social Studies 1985-2007 Kalona Elementary Principal 2007-2013 Mid-Prairie High School Principal 2013-2016
He has worked hard and has left a legacy by his integrity.
Carmela Ulin Mid-Prairie High School Secretary 2008-2010 Human Resources 2010-present
To say that Mark Schneider is an outstanding educator would be equivalent to saying that a Tesla is just a regular car. Just like the Tesla is more than a regular car, Mark is way more than just an outstanding educator. Mark has always been ‘over
I was the business manager when Mark Schneider was hired. The board offered him a three-year contract. He said he only wanted a one-year contract so that if at any time either the board or he thought their relationship should end, there would not be any problem terminating his employment. This said a lot about how Mark felt about others. He worked at hiring employees who put the students first. This made Mid-Prairie one of the most respected schools in the state. I was glad to serve with him for many years and for the friendship that has remained after my retirement. Doug Slaubaugh Business Manager / Board Secretary 1984-2010
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A Hat Rack Full of New Endeavors Spotlight on Peggy Christensen Written by Sue Schweinfurth ‘81
One of the nice things about Mid-Prairie is how innovative they are to not only find the best teaching staff, but also to hire people that fit the needs of students. This includes hiring staff who can wear many hats, as well as be a role model for maybe a job that isn’t typically held by that gender. For Mid-Prairie, this means not only hiring men for elementary jobs, but also hiring women in the areas of math, science and technology. One of the early trailblazers in the high school science department was Peggy Christensen, who taught from 1984 until January of 1997. At the time that Christensen taught, her hat rack was full of multiple different roles. Her teaching repertoire included Biology, Advanced Biology, Ecology, and Human Physiology. If that wasn’t busy enough, she also had a lot of extracurricular responsibilities. She was the Future Problem Solving coach, Cheerleading coach, Pep Club sponsor and helped to chaperone the Science Club on their annual trip to St. Louis. One would think all of these activities would have kept Christensen busy, but she also found time outside of school to work security for Iowa sporting events, and to create many memories with the staff. As a female staff member at the time, I
Christensen with her 1989-90 Future Problem Solving Team. 16 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Peggy Christensen taught at Mid-Prairie High School for 12.5 years from 1984 to January of 1997. have many fond memories of our ladies nights. Whether it was country line dancing or dressing up to attend prom, it was a fun-filled group of colleagues that I was happy to have as friends. Although Christensen wasn’t from the area (she graduated from Lost Nation), she was drawn to the school district because of its size and its location to the University of Iowa. She also has a brother-in-law (Richard Bush, class of 1968) who recommended the school. She knew it was a nice community, although she never knew “how touristy” Kalona was until she moved there. Christensen stated, “I have a lot of good memories of Mid-Prairie. I wouldn’t have stayed there so long if I didn’t like the school district and the area. Parents were very supportive of the district and were great to work with. We always had a great staff who supported each other. Even though
many people think elementary students are funny (and they are), high school students can also be quite funny and fun to work with.” It is Christensen’s smile and humor that most former students and staff remember about her. “Man, we had a fun lunch group!” commented former special education teacher, Janet Caldwell. She remembers the laughs they shared and that Christensen “always had an apple every day for lunch” (fitting for a teacher). Former colleague, Jim Cayton, remembers Christensen as being “student focused.” He said she was “always looking for ways to keep the students’ interest high. Students were in her room many days before and after school - this was in the days when students were confined to the student center in the morning and were not allowed to go to classrooms until the 8:03 bell rang. When I had morning hall duty, kids always had a pass to go to her room for help!” For myself, I felt lucky as a young teacher to have Christensen right across the hall from me. She was a positive mentor who always came to school with a smile and a laugh to share. Former science colleague Jon Noel, who was new to the staff and had Christensen as a mentor, agreed. He remembers Christensen as being “fun, caring and very helpful” to him as he started his new job. He also helped Christensen with the Science Club and remembered the yearly trips to St. Louis. Christensen loved teaching science and said, “I love science and wanted my students to love it as much as I did. Science is all around us. Science helps us understand the world around us. Science is a way of thinking and doing.”
This love of her curriculum and connecting it to the world was why Christensen showed the movie And the Band Played On in her classroom. This docudrama was about the discovery of AIDS and the
Christensen’s love for science was quoted in the 1990-91 MPHS yearbook, “Nearly everything you do involves science, it is an important aspect of a person’s life.”
struggles that occurred with not only the victims of the disease, but also the doctors who were involved (not always on the same side) in studying the disease. Mid-Prairie alum Kari Harland (Hobbs ‘97) remembers watching this movie in Christensen’s class. She said, “This movie was about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and how it was seen through the eyes of the public as individuals being punished for their sins...the main character was an epidemiologist who discovered the AIDS epidemic and worked in opposition of many politicians and physicians ...it was the first time I was pushed to think about social inequality in medicine and society and in retrospect, I think part of what has driven me to be an epidemiologist today.” (Harland earned a Master of Public Health degree and a doctoral degree in Epidemiology from the University of Iowa). Thankfully Christensen was able to connect with Harland when she did because in January of 1997,
Christensen made the tough decision to leave Mid-Prairie and take a job as the Math and Science School Improvement Facilitator at Keystone AEA (where she had an office by Ann Boultinghouse, another former MP teacher). Christensen held this position until 2008, when she then became a Science Consultant at Heartland AEA until June of 2019. Although retired, Christensen is still working to help science. During the 2019-2020 school year, she participated in writing science grants as an educator working with teachers, and was also asked to teach online classes. She has also (much to her surprise) become politically active. “I completed at least 40 hours of volunteer work for the candidates I supported in the 2020 elections. I have gone to the Iowa Capitol for rallies, etc.” Christensen has found this new political passion “very empowering.” It is clear that Christensen’s hat rack is still full of new endeavors.
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2002 Class 2A Champions
Front Row (left to right): Manager Sara Wagamon Keenan, Stephanie Beeler Sears, Sarah Larsen Kos, Nicole Bontrager Rediger, Kally Boehmer Sporrer, Amber Ihrig Frederick. Second Row (left to right): Amber Watkinson Snider, Ali Hartzler Galbraith, Allie Rath, Jenna Brenneman Grout, Tarrah Berg Brooks, Jesse Kleinschmidt TeBockhorst, Kyra Hershberger Gardiner, Kelsey TeBockhorst. Third Row (left to right): Assistant Coach Amy Hartsock-Williams, Head Coach Lisa Doser, Assistant Coach Molly Rees Hartzler.
18 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
20th Anniversary
March 2022 marks 20 years since a memorable, undefeated season for Mid-Prairie girls basketball. The 2001-2002 team was the first in any sport in Mid-Prairie High School history to win a team state title. After an incredible season, they were named Class 2A Champions. Team members included Stephanie Beeler Sears, Sarah Larsen Kos, Nicole Bontrager Rediger, Kally Boehmer Sporrer, Amber Ihrig Frederick, Amber Watkinson Snider, Ali Hartzler Galbraith, Allie Rath, Jenna Brenneman Grout, Tarrah Berg Brooks, Jesse Kleinschmidt TeBockhorst, Kyra Hershberger Gardiner, Kelsey TeBockhorst, manager Sara Wagamon Keenan, assistant coach Amy Hartsock-Williams, head coach Lisa Doser, and assistant coach Molly Rees Hartzler. The team was known for its sense of family and “never quit” attitude. They built a reputation for themselves throughout the season, while holding their opponents to 36 points per game all season long. The final game ended dramatically with a pass from Sarah Larsen Kos to Jesse Kleinschmidt TeBockhorst, and Jesse taking a 7-foot jumper with 3.5 seconds left. This took the game to 51-49, and led to Mid-Prairie’s victory over Colo-NESCO. The game was held at Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines. The team ended with a perfect season of 28-0. These players are well-remembered for their dedication, skill and love of basketball.
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 19
Where Are They Now?
Kally Boehmer Sporrer ‘02 attended Iowa State University, earning an Agricultural Business degree. While there she was honored to serve as a State FFA officer from 2003-04. She earned her MBA from the University of Nebraska in 2012 and works for Farm Credit Services of America as a Financial Analyst. She met her husband, Steve, at Iowa State, and they were married in 2006. Since then they’ve lived in a variety of midwestern locations while pursuing their careers. In 2019 they were fortunate to move back to Iowa to raise their four children: Hailey (10), Parker (8), Gavin (6) and Logan (4). In addition to their careers, they also have a small row crop farming operation. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “I remember singing and dancing to music in the locker room, giving pep talks at halftime and the community support.” Stephanie Beeler Sears ‘02 attended the University of Iowa, earning her BA in Elementary Education and MA in Ed Policy and Leadership Studies. In college she rowed for the Iowa Hawkeyes. She is currently the principal at St. Pius X Elementary in Cedar Rapids where her 3 children attend school. Luke is in 3rd grade, Ben is in 1st grade and Sophia attends the ELC. Her husband, Kyle, works in management at Collins Aerospace. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? 20 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
“I can’t pick only one memory because there were so many great life lessons learned our championship season. The most important for me was hard work, dedication and perserverance can overcome any obstacle.”
Amber Ihrig Frederick ‘02 obtained her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in Dietetics. She earned her masters in Work/Dietetic Internship at the University of Iowa. She now works as a dietitian at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Since high school and college, she has had a fast-paced job, gotten married and has three awesome kids. She and her family have moved back to the Mid-Prairie area. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “The records we set, undefeated season, winning state and most importantly, the memories and friendships!” Nicole Bontrager Rediger ‘02 continued on to Luther College and earned a Bachelor of the Arts in Nursing. She currently resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is married with 3 children. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “Winning the state title...but when I reflect, the entire season leading up to the state title was memorable. My team and coaches were a great group. I had so much fun spending time on and off the court with them. Countless memories of laughing, crying, dancing, sweating and pounding up and down the court together.” Sarah Larsen Kos ‘02 attended the University of Northern Iowa and received a full scholarship to play bas-
ketball. While there, she was fortunate to be surrounded by great people, teammates and coaches. Her team had several successful seasons, traveled to great locations and built lifelong friendships. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology, as well as a masters degree in School Counseling. Following her athletic career, she was a Graduate Assistant at the UNI Graduate College. After graduation, she married Adam Kos ‘02 and began working at MPHS as the school counselor for the next 10 years. While working at Mid-Prairie, she also coached high school basketball and volleyball for a few years prior to having children. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom of four kids and also works part-time for their family business, North View Properties, assisting with land development and home building projects. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, the outdoors, hiking, fishing, adventuring of all sorts, playing/watching sports and traveling. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “A great group of ladies, friends and teammates that together were able to accomplish some pretty special things both on/off the court. Lifelong memories and friendships!”
Sara Wagamon Keenan ‘03 attended Kirkwood Community College and earned her associates degree in Accounting. In 2006 she moved to Arkansas, where she met her husband, Vin. They are currently raising their 3 children, Quinn (8), Au-
Where Are They Now?
tumn (6) and Vincent (3). She is now an associate merchant at Walmart Home Office.
Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “Even though I didn’t play, everyone still made me part of the team. These girls are awesome!” Jenna Brenneman Grout ‘03 attended Mount Mercy after graduating from Mid-Prairie and received a nursing degree. She married Tyler Grout ‘03 and they have 4 children: Karson (16), Kadence (13), Koy (11) and Kael (11). All four of their children attend Mid-Prairie. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “My favorite memory was the time we spent together on and off the court! Playing at Vets was awesome, especially now that it isn’t used anymore!!” Amber Watkinson Snider ‘03 went on to attend Iowa State for a year, then continued to nursing school. She has played various sports for fun after graduation, and has enjoyed coaching her kids. She has two children, Will (7th grade) and Alena (6th grade), both at Mid-Prairie Middle School. She has been a nurse at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for 14 years. She and her kids spend lots of time with family and enjoy traveling when they can. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “That a goal we made when we were 5th graders came true.” Allie Rath ‘03 attended the Univer-
sity of Northern Iowa and earned a BA in Ecology and Systematics. She did internships with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the National Park Service in Pennsylvania, the Florida Park Service, the Nature Conservancy in Illinois and the DNR in Iowa. For the last 10 years, she has worked for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. Currently, she is the Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist, covering 4 counties in East Central Iowa. She helps landowners and farmers create or enhance wildlife habitat on their ground while offering local, state and federal conservation programs. She is engaged to be married this fall and has a year-anda-half old chocolate lab. They like to hunt, kayak, fish, ride bikes and go to concerts. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “Jamming to Spice Girls in the van on the way to The Barn every day at state.” Kyra Hershberger Gardiner ‘04 attended Kirkwood to play basketball for one year. She then was accepted into the X-ray program at Cedar Rapids and became a Radiologic Technologist. She worked in Interventional Radiology at St. Luke’s in Cedar Rapids. She was married in 2010, moved back to Kalona after her first child was born and began working at Kalona Tire. She still works at Kalona Tire and now has 4 children. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “The game at Solon and obviously winning state.” Ali Hartzler Galbraith ‘04 attended Wartburg College and obtained a
K-12 Physical Education degree with Health Education and coaching endorsements. She also played on the softball team at Wartburg. After graduating in 2008, she began teaching PE & Health at Benton Community High School. She met her husband and was married in 2012. They have two children (Carsen, 7 and Hazel, 4). She now teaches K-6 PE at Benton in Atkins and Norway. She coached at the high school and middle school level for many years, being able to be a part of many state qualifying coaching staffs, as well as a state-runner up and championship team. She is working on finishing up her masters in Health & Wellness Education while working and coaching her children. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? “The relationships. We were so close as a team. I created so many friendships, and I remember the community support. I was able to meet so many people from the community who were genuinely supportive, happy and just proud.” Tarrah Berg Brooks ‘04 attended Kirkwood for dental assisitng and volleyball. She moved to Denver, Colorado, in 2009 where she currently works in a large surgical dental practice. She loves to travel when she can and enjoys all the activities Colorado has to offer. She was married in 2020 and had her first baby in 2021. Favorite memory of that 2001-02 basketball season? Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 21
“Everything! Except learning to catch a Larsen pass the hard way... Honestly, the entire season is one big happy memory that is fun to break down for anyone who is willing to listen. That year is a perfect example of hard work mixed with the right amount of love for the game paying off. Our fan base was incredible, and I’m forever grateful to have been rasied a Golden Hawk!”
TEAM RECORDS
The 2001-02 Mid-Prairie Girls Basketball Team set and still holds many records after their perfect season twenty years ago. This season will always stand out in Mid-Prairie history. ●All-time steals record in a single game (42 in a game) ●Best offensive average (63.82) ●Best defensive average (36.82) ●Best conference finish (1st place) ●Most conference wins (20) ●Most wins in a season & most consecutive wins (28) ●First Mid-Prairie girls team to be ranked #1 in the state in any sport ●Least points allowed in a game (18) ●Most turnovers forced at the state tournament ever by any team (86) ●First Mid-Prairie team in any sport to win a state team title in school history ●Still the only remaining undefeated Mid-Prairie State Championship Team in school history in any sport ●District champions, regional champions, state champions Many individual honors were awarded to Sarah Larsen Kos, Kyra Hershberger Gardiner, Tarrah Berg Brooks, Nicole Bontrager Rediger and Jesse Kleinschmidt TeBockhorst.
Sarah Larsen Kos (11) and Kyra Hershberger Gardiner (23) were selected for the 2-A State All-Tournament Team. 22 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Cycling Across the Country
Alan, Chad, Joe and Herb at Bar Harbor Marina. The “official” map itinerary of the cross-country ride.
In the Fall of 2021, Herb Miller ‘79 went on the adventure of a lifetime. Herb, of Maquoketa, Iowa, his two brothers, Alan Miller ‘74, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Chad Miller, of West Lafayette, Indiana, and friend, Joe Lechtenberg, of Maquoketa, Iowa, pedaled their bicycles across the United States. This was a self-supported ride, with motels reserved before leaving. Herb’s father, Alvin J. Miller, had participated in a coast to coast ride 25 years earlier and passed the bicycle bug on to his family. To further embed his love of cycling, Alvin had taken Herb, then a high school freshman, on a week-long ride across Wisconsin, from Kalona to Lacrosse to Kenosha, the summer of 1976. When Herb was planning this cross-country ride during 2020, his father passed away. They decided to name this ride after him as a way to pay tribute - Alvin J. Miller Cross Country Memorial Ride. The ride began on August 22 and finished October 21. They followed three different Adventure Cycling Routes to pedal their way across the country: TransAmerica Trail, Northern Tier and Parks, Peaks and Prairies. The ride began in Astoria, Oregon, with a final destination of Bar Harbor, Maine. The riders traveled a total of 4,810 miles through 17 states and provinces for a total of 61 days, with 54 of those being riding days. They averaged 90 miles per day, with their longest day ride of 126.5 miles from Interior to Murdo, South Dakota. On day 20 of the ride, they climbed an impressive 7,955 feet from Basin to Buffalo, Wyoming, which included going over Powder River Pass. By the end of the trip, they tallied 181,799 feet of climbing. While traveling across the country, Herb, Al, Chad and Joe met a wide range of temperatures. Their coldest temperature to endure was 35 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving West Yellowstone and riding into Yellowstone Park. On day 19 of the trip, the riders were met with a temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit while traveling from Cody to Basin, Wyoming. Ranging temperatures and massive altitude changes weren’t the only obstacles to overcome. Flat tires can also pop up at any moment. There were only 4 flat tires throughout the trip, all of them on Joe’s bike, with an average of one flat for every 4,800 miles. Al was the only lucky rider to use the same pair of tires for the entire trip, as Herb, Chad and Joe switched out tires during the layover day in Maquoketa. This ride was spectacular, and full of surprises. What a fantastic way to travel the country!
Alan, Herb, Joe and Chad riding into Bar Harbor, Maine.
Left to Right: Herb Miller ‘79, Joe Lechtenberg, Chad Miller and Alan Miller ‘74.
Boyd & Wilma Emde Agriculture Scholarship Supports Our MP Graduates
This article is a continuation of a series featuring each scholarship fund that is provided through the Mid-Prairie Foundation. The Mid-Prairie Foundation provides scholarship opportunities to many Mid-Prairie graduates as they continue on in education. In 2021, just over $86,000 was awarded to students in the graduating class. Of these many scholarships, the Boyd & Wilma Emde Agriculture Scholarship has played an important role in supporting students entering into agriculture or a related field. Boyd and Wilma Emde owned a well-recognized farm just east of Wellman. This 450-acre farm was marked by a large, iconic, black cow sign with EMDE written across the body. Boyd and Wilma raised cattle on their farm and became a wellestablished name in the Mid-Prairie area.
It was important to Boyd and Wilma to give back to the school communities and the history of this area. After Boyd’s passing in 2004, funds were set up to begin the Boyd & Wilma Emde Agriculture Scholarship to support Mid-Prairie students entering into agriculture or an agriculture-related field. It was Boyd’s Last Will and Testament that all farm real estate be held in the Boyd and Wilma Emde Charitable Trust. These funds are then distributed equally to 3 charitable organizations: Mid-Prairie School District Foundation, Washington School District Foundation, and Kalona Historical Society. The farmland continues to be rented out, so this steady income annually funds this scholarship opportunity for our students. Mid-Prairie
graduating seniors who are entering agriculture or an agricultural-related field are eligible to earn this scholarship based on merit. This scholarship is renewable, so can be earned for four years. Students awarded this scholarship must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to The Boyd & Wilma Emde Agriculture Scholarship has supported over 90 Mid-Prairie graduates. remain eligible. Over 90 Mid-Prairie graduates have Ahrens, Tara Mann; 2016 - Hannah received funding from the Boyd & Van Roekel, Noah Altenhofen, Hannah Wilma Emde Agriculture Scholarship Callahan, Emma Troyer, Karson Duwa, since it began in 2005. The first 2005 Ciana Carr; 2017 - Hunter Eden, Brent recipients were Michael McCall and Foster, Rebecca Frantz, Jessica Goll, Tammy Haman. Jared Miller, Olivia Nisly, Zach Owens, Additional recipients of this Isabella Sexton; 2018 - Wyatt Stumpf, scholarship include: Katie Frantz, Creigh Rourke, Keaton 2006 - Tyler Brenneman; 2007 - JoshDuwa, Averi Kron, Josh Slaubaugh; ua Adam, Jeremy Flanegan, Patrick 2019 - Shae Becker, Sophia Norman, Gent, Tasha Martin, Ryan Merck, Quinn Schmidt, Rex Peck, Abigail Breighen Powell, Joshua Showalter; Statler, David Murray, Eli Van Roekel, 2008 - Jared Adam, Joseph Gent, Eric Garrett Sexton, Elmir Ganibegovic, Parrott; 2009 - Schylar Altenhofen, Evan Meader; 2020 - Brody Miller, Seneca Cuddeback Epley, Alyssa Georgia Nisly, Jaselyn Robertson, Foster Amelon, Ryan Gent, Ian Michel, Max Troyer, Kendra Schaefer; 2021 Melinda Miksch, Nicholas TeBock- Colby Rourke, Luke Albright, Natali horst; 2010 - Dillon Flynn, Rochelle Miller, Sadie Frantz, Kayden Reinier. Mullet, Ryan Yeggy; 2011 - Dylan The Mid-Prairie Foundation greatly Hochstetler, Christian Swartzentruber, appreciates the generous support of Gabe Yoder; 2012 - Sarah Altenhofen, the community members to help make Katherine McCall, Jenna Miller, Kyle these scholarship opportunities posMullet, Jaemin Powell, Magdalene Van sible for Mid-Prairie students. If you Roekel; 2013 - Alisa Adrian, Spencer are interested in contributing to the Becker, Jessica Butters, Zeb Fisher, Mid-Prairie Foundation to help supAshley Goll, Ryan Hoffman, Leah port future classes of Mid-Prairie High Parrott; 2014 - John Adams, Canaan School, please contact Foundation Powell, Spencer Shalla, Riley Sieren, board president, Hayley Hershberger Abe Troyer, Jonah Van Roekel, Laura at hayley.hershberger@yahoo.com or Yoder; 2015 - Austin Slabaugh, Dylan check out more information about the Schrock, Cody Knepp, Emily Meader, Foundation at https://www.mphawks. Alana Mullet, Lexy Wadsworth, Sage org/district/partners/midprairie-founBecker, Jackson Yoder, Benjamin dation.
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 23
Africa: A Life of Resiliency Rich and Lorna Yoder Mid-Prairie Class of 1967 Written by Lorna Yoder Rich ‘67 and Lorna Yoder ‘67 felt called to Africa after the very first visit. Their first trip to Africa was to visit their daughter, Sarah, while she was serving in the Peace Corps in Malawi. Rich and Lorna traveled around Malawi with Sarah, and then Lorna stayed with Sarah in her village for four additional weeks. There was no running water or electricity, but she fell in love with the Malawians while there. One fun story was the day Sarah and Lorna walked a few miles up in the hills to Wabwara’s house. Wabwara was a mentor and friend to Sarah and a wonderful man. On the way up, Lorna asked Sarah if they would kill a chicken for them, and she responded, “Probably not since that usually happens only once or twice a year.” Sarah and Lorna sat at a tiny table in the two-room hut with a dirt floor, millet and unshelled corn lying in piles next to the table, and two chairs (the only furniture in the hut). A bowl of warm water was brought to them to wash their hands, and then they were served the best pieces of chicken, nsima (ground corn meal that is eaten every day) and boiled greens. Neither Wabwara nor his wives (the younger one cooked, he had two, a young one and an old one, as they like to say) ate with us. Meals were not easy to cook there
24 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
as everything is done over an open fire in villages. Sarah and Lorna were very honored that a chicken was killed for them. After returning to the US, Rich and Lorna couldn’t get Africa out of their minds. They went back to visit Sarah again, but this time meeting her in Tanzania. They did a short safari in Tanzania and stayed in Zanzibar on the beach for a few days. It wasn’t enough! For their fortieth wedding anniversary, they went on a nineteen-day safari in Kenya and Tanzania. They came home and decided they needed to find a way to live in Africa.
Lorna had been volunteering with BeadforLife, an NGO, that was selling paper bead jewelry to lift women out of poverty in Uganda. One day Lorna mentioned wanting to live and do work in Africa to the executive director, and soon Rich was interviewing with her. To make a long story short, in three months their belongings were in storage and they were off to Uganda with one hundred pounds of luggage each. To the unknown!
Rich was the finance director, and Lorna volunteered doing whatever needed to be done. One of her favorite things she did there was working in soap production. Picture mixing the soap by hand, spreading it on a concrete floor to dry and then hand wrapping it. She had so much fun learning about the lives of the Ugandans. She loved hearing their stories, even though many were very sad (the average age in Uganda at the time was 15 years old). Most were without parents due to HIV. Yet, Ugandans never complained about their situations, which amazed the Yoders. Rich and Lorna had lots of laughs during their time there. The Ugandans asked lots of questions about life in America, but Lorna and Rich learned way more from the Ugandans than they learned from Lorna and Rich. Lorna’s favorite day during the workweek was bead buying days. The women would come to Kampala from their villages to sell their paper beads and jewelry. Many had children on their backs wrapped in chatenges (beautiful African fabric). After drumming and dancing, Lorna sat at the buying table many
said to them, they were always smiling and holding their hands, sometimes saying, “You give me money!” Lorna would reply, “You give me money,” and they would giggle.
times and chatted as best she could with the women, sometimes having to reject their beads, which was very painful. It was all the money they had until the next time and rejecting them left them with no money. Most of these women lived on two dollars or less a day! The most hilarious thing on bead buying day was the Mzungu, a.k.a. Rich, dancing with the women. They would howl when Rich joined in and they loved it. Lorna just laughed and shook her head!
The most dangerous thing they did was tracking chimps in Queen Elizabeth National Park. They crossed a raging river on a very rickety bridge, which was much easier than going over the log down river. There were hippos swimming below, and Lorna honestly thought she was going to die that day. But getting up close to a huge chimp charging down a tree only a few feet away was so amazing, that it was almost worth it! Chimps travel fast, and you hear them before you see them. It was an amazing and very scary day. They saw the source of the River Nile in Jinja. They saw huge gators lying on the banks of the River Nile, hippos swimming along their boat and so much more!
Rich’s favorite thing to do was take hikes around Kampala every Saturday and Sunday. It is the best way to see the city and meet the natives. After returning from a few weeks back in the US, they took their usual Saturday morning walk. While passing a group of boda boda drivers (motorcyclists that people hire to drive them places), one asked: “Where have you been Mzungus? We have missed you.” Rich and Lorna didn’t realize that people noticed them walking by every week and were surprised that they were wondering if something happened to them. During their walks, children living in the slums would walk along with them calling: “Mzungu, Mzungu” and laugh and smile. While not understanding much of what they
Rich and Lorna learned very quickly in both Malawi and Uganda that even though the people have very little, they will share whatever they have with you. However, there are a few that will pick your pocket, as both Rich and Lorna had their cell phones picked at different times. It was a slight annoyance, but that is really the worst thing that happened to them while they walked all over Kampala. There are so many stories to tell that it would take a book to tell them all. They loved the people and still keep in touch with some who have access to computers. Two of the best have died, one of HIV and the other on a boda boda accident. They were so sad to learn that two of the sweetest Ugandans had died. Children die of preventable diseases, but it is part of life there, and the people just move on. They have a resilience that Rich and Lorna couldn’t understand.
Lorna told the Ugandans not to give them things when they were leaving, but they did. They received honey taken from a tree, G Nut butter (peanut butter) in plastic bags, and lots of little token gifts that they were so proud to give. Rich and Lorna treasure all of them. Although they smuggled the honey home, they gave the G Nut butter to someone who helped them with their heavy luggage as they were leaving. Big bags of G Nut butter would have been noticed at security! The memories will live with them for the rest of their lives, and they hope to see some of them again one day. They are currently trying to get over for a visit. This entails bribing the passport department and probably additional bribes, but they think it will happen this year. They saw death and unbelievable poverty, but they also saw human kindness and generosity from people who have so little. The Africans will live in their hearts forever.
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 25
Golden Hawk Highlights Mid-Prairie Boys Basketball Makes First State Tournament Appearance Since 2010
Photo by Jeff Yoder/The News
Mid-Prairie Boys Basketball has plenty to be proud of after this season. The team finished the season with a 24-1 record as State Tournament Quarterfinalists. They were also named Substate Champions, District Champions and Conference Champions, with a 19-0 record in the conference. Players were recognized for All-Conference Honors. Carter Harmsen and Jack Pennington were named to the Elite Team. Ethan Kos, Alex Bean and Will Cavanagh were named to the All-South Team. Justice Jones received All-South Honorable Mention, and Daren Lambert was named 2022 River Valley South Division Coach of the Year. Earning Substate Honors were Jack Pennington and Carter Harmsen, who were named to the All-Substate Team, and Daren Lambert, who was named Coach of the Year. To finish off the season, this team now holds the Mid-Prairie school record for Best Defense, or least amount of points given up per game, with 42.7 points per game. Carter Harmsen is recognized as 3rd in all-time scoring for Mid-Prairie Boys Basketball. The team was ranked No. 2 in Class 2A at the end of their regular season.
Girls Cross Country Captures Fifth Straight State Team Title
The Mid-Prairie Girls Cross Country Team of Danielle Hostetler, Sydney Yoder, Jaden Yoder, Mitzi Evans, Abbi Fleming, Phoebe Shetler and Annika Poll are now fivetime winners of the Class 2A State Title. They tallied 50 points at the state cross country meet. Seniors Sydney Yoder, Jaden Yoder and Mitzi Evans all scored in the top 20. Danielle Hostetler carried on the sister tradition with a sixth straight individual state title for the Hostetler sisters. Anna Hostetler won the state title in 2016, Marie Hostetler won three in a row from 2017-2019 and Danielle won her second this past fall. She has two more seasons with Mid-Prairie. She finished with a time of 18:27, which was 22 seconds ahead of the 2nd place finisher. 26 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Golden Hawk Highlights 2022 Large Group Speech Season in Review Mid-Prairie Large Group Speech had a fantastic 2022 season. They were very pleased and excited to return to a normal routine of away contests and All-State Festivals in the 2022 Speech season at MPHS. They attended a number of events with impressive results. On January 15, Large Group Speech competed at RVC Large Group Speech Contest at Iowa City Regina. Eight of the ten events that competed earned division 1 ratings. At this contest, they earned five Best of Center Awards: One Act Play-And The Giants Fell, Readers TheatreSmall World, Best Musical Theatre - Something Rotten, Best Actor award to Sam Harris and Best Actress Award to Avery Frede. On January 22, they attended the IHSSA District Large Group Speech contest at Montezuma, where eight of ten events advanced to state with division 1 ratings. The state contest took place on February 5, in Cedar Rapids. The eight events advancing to state attended the IHSSA Large Group State Speech Contest at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, and all eight events earned division 1 ratings. One Act Play-And The Giants Fell and Group Improvisation-The Triracials earned nominations to perform at the IHSSA All-State Festival on February 19 in Ames at the Iowa State Center. Eight Best of Center Awards were earned on February 21 at the RVC Individual Events Speech Contest at Monticello. Avery Slaubaugh earned 3rd in Prose, Daniel Rodgers earned 2nd in Reviewing and 3rd in Poetry, Terra Richardson earned 1st in Acting and 2nd in After Dinner Speaking, Avery Frede earned 1st in Improv, Haydon Bailey earned 3rd in Musical Theatre and Logan McClellen earned 2nd in Storytelling. Students attended the IHSSA District Individual Events Speech Contest at Tri-County, where 13 of 14 students advanced to state in 19 of 22 events with division 1 ratings. They then attended the IHSSA State Individual Events Contest on March 12 at Grinnell, where 16 of 19 events earned division 1 ratings, and the others earned 2’s. From this contest, 6 events advanced to IE All-State. Finally, on March 28, performers attended the IHSSA Individual Events All-State Festival at the University of Northern Iowa. They tied last year’s record of sending six events to this contest. All students are nominated as performers. Haydon Bailey was nominated for Solo Acting-I Need Detention, and Solo Musical Theatre-I Really, Really
The Mid-Prairie Individual Events Speech team at Grinnell High School for the Iowa High School Speech Association’s Individual Event State Speech Contest.
Love You. Haydon is one of 30 students participating in Individual Events with the IHSSA in the entire state to be nominated for and performing in two events this year. He is also the first male student from Mid-Prairie to be a double performer for All-State in Individual Events. Students also nominated and performing are Olivia Caskey, Jack Greiner, Logan McClellen and Avery Slaubaugh, performing a piece written by Kyra Helmuth ‘21. Mid-Prairie Large Group Speech is coached by Christine Meader and Lisa Helmuth.
Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 27
The 1960’s
Alumni News & Notes
Virginia Yoder Wenger ‘62 and her husband, Bob, have moved back to Iowa, and they currently live in the Williamsburg area. They are enjoying being back in Iowa. Ron Eichelberger ‘62 and family have added 2 great grandchildren, and all is good in retirement!
a government job from her home office. Janet retired in 2015, as did Robert, so they are enjoying retirement. She had the dance studio for 43 years and loved every minute of it. They still spend their summers in Colorado at the cabins and love it!
Bob Swartzendruber ‘62 was born and raised in Ron Bombei ‘62 Wellman. He was and spouse Mary in the last class to are in good health graduate from the and enjoying life old Wellman High in Carmel (IndiaSchool building. napolis suburb), They had their Indiana. After graduation cerearning BBA and emony on the football field (where MBA/Accounting West Elementary is located). While in degrees from The high school he participated in choir, University of Iowa and serving two concert and marching band as well years in the U.S. Army, Ron was emas Jazz band. In 1966 he married ployed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Becky, and they have three children, Lilly until 1997, when he and Mary Pam, Mike and Ryan, who each began focusing on commercial real graduated from Mid Prairie. They estate investments. They have two have 7 grandchildren and 2 great sons and four grandchildren. Ron’s grandchildren. He received his BA classmates will not be surprised in mathematics/physics from State to hear that his main interests are College of Iowa (UNI) and taught still faith, family and friends along math in Center Point for 3 years. with charities, relaxing and travel. In 1970 he moved to Wellman and Ron gives a big shout-out to his ’62 joined the feed and grain business classmates and can’t wait to see with his father. When his father died everyone at the 60th class reunion in an aircraft accident in 1978, Bob this summer. bought the business from his mom Janet Haberman Long ’62 and and operated it until 1991 when he husband Robert have recently sold it to Wellman Produce. He finchanged addresses. Daughter Jean- ished his career working at Hawkeye ie and husband have 4 boys: Tate Ready Mix, retiring in 2015. He has 18, Austin 16, Tanner 13 and Hudbeen driving a school bus as a subson 12. Jeanie works from home do- stitute driver for MP. While living in ing bookwork for their construction Wellman, he was active in Wellman company, North Star Builders, and Volunteer Ambulance, Community home schools the boys. Tate has Club, Rotary, Wellman Flying Club graduated, and both Tate and Austin where he was a pilot instructor, MP work full time with their dad. Their Athletic and Music Boosters, Little granddaughter, Avery, sadly passed League baseball, and three terms away in 2008. She would have been on Wellman City Council. He was 16 this August. They miss her so also active in Asbury UMC singing much, what she would have been! in the choir and serving on various Son Jeff and wife Tami are in Silver- committees. In 2013 they moved to thorne, Colorado, and doing well. Kalona, where they enjoy doing the Jeff works for UPS and Tami works things retired people do.
28 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
Richard (Sam) Weaver ‘63 has been married to Marlene for 57 years. They live in LaGrange, Indiana. He taught high school biology for a few years then changed careers. Most of his life was spent in the steel industry. He retired in 2013. He enjoys playing a lot of golf and traveling the USA. He has given up riding his Harley and is sticking with 4 wheels. He has had a number of Corvettes. He and Marlene spend winters in Florida. He is a big Hawkeye fan. He would enjoy hearing from schoolmates. Email address: rewcl350@gmail.com.
Judy Slemmons Gracia ‘64 retired 8 years ago from the position of Vice President Human Resources for St. Tammany Health Systems in Louisiana. During retirement, she and her husband have traveled to visit her sisters in North Carolina, Missouri and Illinois. They have also traveled to several European countries (before pandemic) and several states in the US. They love Mardi Gras season and celebrate both locally and in New Orleans!! Their calendars have been busy attending the LSU women’s and men’s home basketball games each year. During the basketball season, they take in as many collegiate basketball tournaments as they can! March Madness is a favorite. Judy is still playing her baritone horn in the church orchestra. Visits to her daughters are always fun, especially since they have short travel to their houses. Pam Curtis Hatfield ‘69 moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1997 for a job change. She retired from man-
Alumni News & Notes
aging a home care agency 4 years ago. She and her husband have 2 daughters and 2 sons-in-law, who as of this May have blessed them with 9 grandchildren, 5 of them being under the age of 3. They keep her young for sure! Volunteering as a long term care ombudsman in nursing homes and volunteering in an in-patient hospice unit are ways she feels she can make a small difference in our world. Exercise, ‘glamping’ in their 5th wheel and music bring her joy in retirement as well.
The 1970’s
Dave Gascho ‘76 has enjoyed many years of teaching, and he recently received the Living History Farms Teacher of the Year Award this past fall. He currently teaches 4th grade at Ankeny Christian Academy. He loves taking students to visit Living History Farms annually, as so many of the daily activities there were part of his life growing up. In the summers, he also spends time teaching driver education to students. He and his wife, Mindi, just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on October 4th, 2021, and recently became 1st time grandparents on August 19th, 2021. Laurie (Martin) Johnson ‘77 lives in Granger, Iowa (north of Des Moines). When she and her husband aren’t working, they can be found fishing, camping and/or traveling. Their favorite recent vacation was a week of camping in Yellowstone in 2020, and they also enjoyed some beautiful fresh snow in Tahoe earlier this year. They love home projects
and spending time with their chocolate lab, Angus, or 5 adult children/ spouses and their 3 (soon to be 5) grandchildren.
Cathann Arceneaux Kress ‘79 currently lives in Powell, Ohio, where she is Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Ohio State University. She is also a full professor in the department of Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership. She recently accepted a position as board chair for The W.K. Kellogg Foundation. She joined the WKKF Board of Trustees in 2016. This organization is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works to support vulnerable children, following the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive.
The 1990’s
Cate Chapman ‘93 currently lives in Kalona. Since high school, she has worked in the music industry in Nashville, transportation, 10 ½ years as Secretary to the Surgeons in the UIHC Organ Transplant Center, and now Business Office Coordinator for Pleasantview. She has not been married or had children. Her favorite places she has traveled are Anchorage, Alaska, and Jekyll Island, Georgia. Jason Smith ‘98 currently lives in Iowa City. In the last 4 years, he has gotten married (2017), bought a house (2018) and had a beautiful daughter with his wife (2018). The year 2018 also brought a huge medical scare with unknown high blood pressure, which resulted in early congestive
heart failure, that luckily was able to be treated before it was too late. In those last 4 years they have changed and adjusted to a lot of things together, and they are loving life with their daughter. Solomon Miller ‘98 has been living in Colorado for the last 20 years with his lovely wife, Erin. Together they started a family with a boy (8) and girl (9) who are involved in football, wrestling, basketball and volleyball. He spent the first 5 years of his career as a Park Ranger in northern Colorado before becoming a middle school STEM teacher. He also enjoys coaching the wrestling and track teams at his school. When they’re not working or in sports, they spend as much time as possible traveling and being in the mountains. Go Hawks! Gabrielle (Payne) Frederick ‘98 lives in Joetown, Iowa. She graduated from Coe College in 2002 with a bachelor of arts degree, majoring in Business Administration, Psychology and Economics. She very much enjoyed her time at Coe and if given the choice, she would be a full-time student forever. She married Tony Frederick ’99 in 2004. They have two children: Izzy (born 2008) is currently a 7th grader at MPMS, and Sonny (born 2015) is currently a kindergartener at MP-East. As a family, they enjoy vacations involving Florida or Chincoteague Island beaches, fishing on a pontoon in Northern Minnesota or as they did most recently in Wyoming, looking out for bears, wolves and dinosaurs. In their downtime, they enjoy playing games and watching Harry Potter Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 29
Alumni News & Notes
and Jurassic Park. She works with her husband at the business he took over after his father retired, Hart-Frederick Consultants, in Tiffin. They are members of the Sharon Center United Methodist Church in rural Kalona where she serves as Administrative Council Chair and teaches Sunday school. She just began her 6th year on the MPCSD School Board. She is currently the Mid-Prairie Student Booster President. She also currently serves as the Washington Township Trustees Clerk and is a member of the Wellman AD Chapter of T.T.T. Society. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
The 2000’s
Mitch Thomann ‘05 lives in Iowa City. He recently relocated to Iowa City from Indianapolis to be close to family with wife Kassi Fisher Thomann ‘04 and two boys, Oscar (4) and Wylie (1). Mitch is a Director at Eli Lilly and Company – leading a statistics consulting team focused on predictive modeling and simulation for clinical trials in Immunology. In 2020/21 he intensely supported the design of the development program of the Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 and meetings with regulatory agencies resulted in authorizations for emergency use. Kassi is a registered nurse – currently staying at home with the kids. She plans to return to nursing in Iowa City soon. They are avid Hawkeye fans and happy to be enjoying live sports again. Most of the rest of their free time is spent with their children. Tara Roberts ‘05 lives in Urbana, Iowa. She went off to college, got 30 Mid-Prairie Alumni News | Spring 2022
her license in cosmetology and got married. She now has 3 kids and a dog, Benelli. They have 1 boy (Kameron) and 2 girls (Hayden and Payzlee). After doing hair for many years, she wanted more time with her family so now works for Sedgwick as a disability and FMLA examiner. They do a lot of traveling for their son’s wrestling to other states, as that is his passion. Back in 2017, their son was diagnosed with cancer and beat it. He is still in remission, hitting 5 years this coming October. Their daughters are into dance, and she is sure in the years to come that will get more intense as well.
unteer Firefighter and Hayley is a Volunteer Kalona First Responder. Riley has been working in the auto body industry for 20 years and in 2017 opened his own body shop, Iowa Collision & Paint, LLC. Hayley graduated from the University of Iowa in 2014 where she received her B.B.A. degree in Finance. Hayley has been a Realtor for 8 years and just recently became the owner of Kalona Realty, Inc. Hayley also serves as President of the Mid-Prairie Community School District Foundation Board of Trustees. In their free time Riley & Hayley enjoy traveling, golfing & spending time with friends & family.
Kyle Michel ‘05 lives in Ashland, Missouri, as of the end of February 2022. He and his wife, Anna, have been married since October 2020 and were married in Washington, Missouri. They have both recently gone through career transitions. Kyle worked as the City Administrator for Van Meter, Iowa, from 2018 to 2022 and started as the City Administrator for Ashland, Missouri, on February 21, 2022. Anna is a pharmacist and is transitioning from CVS to Walmart as part of the move to Missouri. They are expecting their first child in June, which was a contributing factor to their relocation which puts them much closer to Anna’s family.
Krandal Bontrager ‘06 lives in Lago Vista, Texas. He has lived in the great Republic of Texas for about the last 8 years or so. He’s still in the Texas Air National Guard in Dallas, where they have deployed him to Africa in 2017 and then Germany & Romania last year. He met his lovely wife, Katie, a little over 2 years ago, and they live about an hour outside of Austin. They just had their baby boy, who is now 8 months old, named Brady Merle (y’all know who that middle name is after). They also have 2 beautiful girls from Katie’s previous marriage, Taylor (10) and Hayden (7). On the civilian side, Krandal does commercial HVAC along with the Air Force side as well. They live right off of Lake Travis, so
Riley Hershberger ‘05 and Hayley (Sieren) Hershberger ‘11 live in Kalona, Iowa. Riley and Hayley, along with their two children, Tegan & Tinley, enjoy living and working in Kalona where they have had the opportunity to give back to the community. Riley is a Kalona Vol-
Alumni News & Notes
in their free time you can find them cruising on the golf cart at the lake and enjoying some cold lattes.
Kenny Johnson ‘06 lives in Riverside, Iowa. He has two kids, a 5 year old and a 4 month old. He started a tree service business, Johnson Tree Service LLC.
Mitch Brenneman ‘06 lives in North Liberty, Iowa. He currently works for a Revenue Cycle Management company called MediRevv in North Liberty. He just recently got engaged to his fiancé, Laura, and they are deep into wedding planning! Most of her family resides in Basalt, Colorado, so they usually take a couple trips out there to see them every year. They love the mountains; there are so many things to do! As far as hobbies go, he loves exercising, watching anything related to the Hawkeyes, golfing more than his body will allow, and spending time with his nephew, Walker!
The 2010’s
Allison (McArtor) Rice ‘11 lives in Gowrie, Iowa. She graduated from Simpson College in 2015 with a major in Elementary Education and endorsements in reading and special education. She also played on the golf team while she was there. She has been a K-4 special education teacher for 7 years and the girls golf coach for 2 years at Southeast Valley. She and her husband, Ryan, were married in August 2019. He is an agronomist for NEW Cooperative and a volunteer firefighter. They welcomed their daughter, Lexi Mae, in September 2020. Brock Adrian ‘11 lives in Wellman, Iowa. He has been working at Miller
Hybrids in Kalona since 2012, and he is currently the General Manager for the business. He is a Staff Sergeant in the Iowa Army National Guard based out of Waterloo, IA. He deployed in 2017-2018 to Iraq. He purchased a farm in Keota, Iowa, in 2017 and raises cattle and row crops. He is married to his wife, Courtney, and they have four boys: Clay, Case, Hayes and Colt.
Ethan and Jessi (Henrichson) Ulrich ‘12 welcomed their second child, Edith Jo, on December 31, 2021. She was welcomed by big brother, Asher. Samantha Gatlin Lycke ‘14 has two boys, Azrial, who turns 6 in August, and Aiden, who turns 2 in July. She is a medical manager at Legacy Pointe, and she is going to college for Healthcare Management. She graduates in June with an associates degree through Ultimate Medical Academy.
High school sweethearts, Makenzie Fay ‘17 and Jacob Tappan ‘18 got married on September 18th, 2021, which just so happened to be their 6 year anniversary!
Zachory Owens ‘17 graduated on December 18th from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering. He will be moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and working with an engineering firm in the twin cities. Zach is the son of Tracy and Lori Owens. James Shaffer ‘17 lives in Riverside, Iowa, and has been a business owner for 4 years.
In Memory
John Freese ‘70 died February 23, 2022. Jeff Fabor ‘71 died October, 25, 2021. Janice Bush Groff ‘72 died February 11, 2022. Robert Livezey ‘75 died December 9, 2021. John Patrick Kaalberg ‘81 died December 13, 2021. Alan Lovetinsky ‘88 died October 17, 2021. Brad Brophy ‘90 died January 12, 2022. Former junior high science and P.E. teacher (1958-92), Jacqueline Flake, died October 19, 2021. She coached high school girls basketball, track and softball. She also coached junior high 7th grade basketball. Former elementary and junior high vocal music teacher (1970-81), David Rhodes, died March 15, 2022. Spring 2022 | Mid-Prairie Alumni News 31
Mid-Prairie Alumni & Friends Association 1636 Hwy 22 East P.O. Box 150 Wellman, IA 52356-0150 www.mphawksalumni.org
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Mid-Prairie Central Office, P.O. Box 150, Wellman, IA 52356-0150
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5 years: $45
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Make checks payable to: Mid-Prairie Alumni & Friends Association
Alumni First & Last Name (including maiden name):____________________________________ Graduation Year:_________________________________ Spouse:________________________ Graduation Year if also an alum:______________________ Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________ State:___________________ Zip:_______________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ______________________________________