Maple Valley-Anthon Oto's - Maple Valley Community Schools

Maple Valley-Anthon Oto’s
March 2007
Ram Write-up Staff:
Editor-in-Chief:
Sylvia Pedersen
Technical Editor:
Nick Buth
Layout Editors:
Steffany Treiber and
Nick Buth
News Editor:
Devon Hieber
Display Editor:
Jesse Nielsen
Transfer Editor:
Sylvia Pedersen
Historian:
Kayla Dose
Class List Controller:
Kelsey Bruhn
Staff Reporters:
Shane Erlemeier, Jeff Koithan,
Johnny Moody, Dillon
Cloud, Michele Pierce,
Chris Sadler, Jeremy Heizelman,
Nate Sadler, Aaron
Dose, and Derek Dougherty
Adviser: Lois Moser
Ram Write-Up Issue
501 South Seventh Mapleton, IA
By Jeremy Heizelman
The practice paid off for the members of
the Jazz Band who placed third at a festival
in Sergeant Bluff. Practice started in October
at 7:45 am on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Friday. The practices consisted of
learning the new songs and taking in words
of wisdom from Instructor Mr. Bliven. The
band consists of only three seniors. They are:
Travis Hazard, who plays the trumpet, David
Trimpe, who plays the trombone, and Jeff
Koithan, who plays the guitar.
The first festival that the band participated
in was the Iowa Lakes Community College
Jazz Festival, which took place on January 18.
They played three songs which were: Blue
Hoss Flat, Here’s That Rainy Day, and Haitian
Jazz band places well
Jazz band members demonstrate their abilities during a concert.
Fight Song. They ended up just finishing out
of the top three, pulling in fourth place.
The next festival they participated in was
the Northeast Iowa District Jazz Festival, on
February 7. They played the same three songs
and ended up just missing the top three.
Some members of the band received awards
for solos. The recipients of these awards
were: Travis Hazard, on the trumpet, Chris
Sadler, on the bass guitar, and the trombone
section.
The most recent festival they participated
in was the Bluffs Jazz Festival, in Sergeant
Bluff, on February 10. They played the same
three songs and got a good feedback from
the judges. They ended up getting third
# 6
place. In the Bluffs festival, they beat Sioux
Central, who got second in district, which
gave our band a wild card point to go to the
Jazz Championships, which is like the state
tournament for jazz bands.
Some of the upcoming events for the band
and jazz band include: State Solo Ensemble
contest on March 31, Northeast Jazz festival
on March 27, State Large Group on May 5, and
the award contest on May 15.

New student teacher at MVAO
Miss Moodie teaches the fourth
period Leadership class.
Maple Valley
School Foundation
offers
Scholarship
By Michele Pierce
The Maple Valley School Foundation
Scholarship is being offered again this year
for graduating seniors of the MVAO High
School.
The Maple Valley School Foundation Inc. is
a non-profit corporation that was established
in 1994. Its purpose is to support the
continuing improvement of the educational
opportunities of MVAO students.
A senior may apply for, or receive a
scholarship, if he or she sells a certain number
of memberships.
There are three types of memberships: an
Annual Membership, which is $25.00 per
individual or entity, a Life Membership,
which is $1,000 per individual or entity, and
a Life Pledge Membership, which may be
secured by a pledge of reaching the $1,000 Life
Membership through annual payments.
For a senior to be able to receive a
scholarship application, they must sell two
Annual Memberships at $25.00 each. Any
senior selling 20 new Annual Memberships
will automatically receive a scholarship of
$500.
If a senior sells a Life Membership of
$1,000, the senior will automatically receive a
scholarship of $500. For each additional Life
Membership sold, the senior will also receive
an additional $500 scholarship.
If a senior sells a Life Pledge Membership,
the senior will receive the amount of the
annual payment pledged, up to $500.
Last year, the foundation gave out four $500
scholarships and is anticipating being able to
offer more scholarships each year.
Page 2, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
By Nate Sadler
A new face has been wandering the
hallways of MVAO high school. Recent
arrival, Miss Molli Moodie, has been student
teaching alongside Mr. Benson for a few
weeks now.
Miss Moodie attended high school at
Kingsley-Pierson, and went on to Iowa State
to learn to become a teacher, majoring in
Agriculture Education and Animal Science.
She plans to teach Agricultural classes similar
to what Mr. Benson does.
This is her first time student teaching.
When asked how she likes it so far, she
replied, “It’s great.” She does not get paid for
her work student teaching. On the contrary,
she has to pay tuition in order to student
teach. She is plans to spend 12 weeks here
before her time student teaching is done and
she can graduate and move onto getting a
permanent teaching job.
A little known interesting fact about Miss
Moodie is that she is enrolled in the Army
Reserve and actually spent a year in Iraq
prior to finishing college and coming here to
learn. While serving there she prepped and
fueled land vehicles before they set out for
their destination.
By Shane Erlemeier
This month’s heap is definitely a piece of
junk. It fits the description of heap of the
month perfectly.
Tyler Walsh purchased this 1988 Oldsmobile
Cutlass Sierra about a year ago for $200.
The car has lots of rust and high miles, the
mufflers knock, the tail lights are out, and
one head light doesn’t work.
Tyler has had some good times in his
Cutlass though. One time he got it stuck at
the river, by the city dump. Tyler was fishing
and when he went to leave, the car’s wheels
just spun and sank right into the sand, so he
had to call Nick Schrunk and have him come
pull him out.
Some other things that are wrong with
the Cutlass are it has bad head gaskets, and
sometimes it will just die so Tyler has to
restart it every three to four blocks, and it
over heats after just two blocks.
Another good time Tyler had in his Cutlass
was, one time, he was driving around in his
pickup, and as usual, the pickup was low
on gas, and he ran out of gas right when he
was getting to his house, so he got out of the
pickup and got in his Cutlass and snuck up
Teacher Profile
By Kelsey Bruhn
John Nielsen, Mr. Nielsen as the students
and faculty at MVAO know him, is one of
MVAO’smathematics
teachers. He has been
a teacher at MVAO
for four years, and is
also the boys’ track
coach.
Mr. Nielsen was
born in Council Bluffs
on May 30 th , 1952, and
was raised in Avoca,
Iowa. He graduated
from Avoca-Hancock
High School. One
thing Mr. Nielsen is
proud of is that he
went to high school
with a Miss America
winner.
After graduating, Mr. Nielsen went to the
University of Northern Iowa (UNI) for his B.S.
He also went to Iowa State University (ISU)
for his Masters and Specialist Degrees.
Before Mr. Nielsen became a staff member at
MVAO, he was a principle at Boyer Valley for
16 years. At Boyer Valley, MVAO principal,
Mr. Dougherty, worked for Mr. Nielsen. Mr.
Dougherty stated, “I have worked with Mr.
Nielsen many years. During this time, I
have learned a lot from him. I have valued
our friendship as well as working with him
Heap of the Month
behind the pickup and pushed it into the
driveway. That is also why the one head light
doesn’t work.
After looking at this car, anybody would
know why it is worthy of being heap of the
professionally.”
While Mr. Nielsen is teaching at MVAO, his
wife, Nancy, teaches art
at Woodbine High. John
and Nancy have been
married for 31 years.
Mr. Nielsen says the
advantages of teaching
are that the values of
teaching are essential
and the rewards he
receives are seeing the
students achieve their
goals. His favorite thing
about being a teacher
is associating with the
students and staff. He
likes the students at
MVAO, even the ones
that “evaluate him and
what he wears.” Senior Sam Marsh smiles,
“He usually dresses really nice, but it’s
when his wife isn’t home to dress him in the
morning that his clothes kind of clash. Even
then, he still looks really nice.”
The thing that Mr. Nielsen doesn’t like
about teaching is when he watches students
who are able to be very successful waste their
talents and abilities.
In Mr. Nielsen’s spare time, he likes to ride
his bicycle and play golf. He has ridden in
Ragbrai for the past 16 years.
month. It’s an okay car, just don’t plan on
taking it anywhere farther than three or four
blocks without stopping and restarting it.

By Derek Dougherty
The category for this month’s Ram
Walking was quotes from sports movies.
The contestants were Freshman Rick
Maynard, Sophomore Kristi Crilly, Junior
Beau Hanson, Senior Jaime Oberg, and
Teacher Mr. Riffle. Contestants were given
one clue, which was the year in which the
movie was made.
The first quote was from the baseball
movie released in 1989: “The one constant
through all the years, Ray, has been
baseball. This game, this field, it’s a part
of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that
once was good, and could be again. Oh
people will come, Ray. People will most
definitely come.” This quote puzzled Rick
and he simply said, “I don’t know.” Kristi
exclaimed, “That’s Field of Dreams with
Kevin Costner!” Beau luckily guessed,
“Umm, what’s Ray’s last name? Field
of Dreams; I don’t know.” Jaime asked,
“Is that Field of Dreams? Yes!” Mr. Riffle
replied, “That’s from Field of Dreams.” The
Page 3, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
Ram Walking: Sports Movie Quotes
By Aaron Dose
On Sunday, February 4 th the most
prestigious game in football was played
between the Indianapolis Colts and the
Chicago Bears. The Superbowl is arguable
the greatest sporting event in the world. It
certainly wasn’t either of these things this
year. The first half was full of botched plays,
fumbles, and interceptions. The six turnovers
in the first half reminded a lot of viewers of a
junior high football game.
The game started off with a Devon Hester,
92 yard opening kickoff return to put the
Bears up, 7-0. This was good news for the
Bears because they scored, and managed to
keep questionable quarterback Rex Grossman
off the field. The Colts then gained possession
and fumbled, which gave the ball back to the
Bears, who fumbled the next play, giving it
back to the Colts. The Colts punched it into
the endzone, but botched the extra point on
a bad hold. The first quarter ended with a
correct answer, which everyone but Rick
guessed, was Field of Dreams.
The second quote comes from a classic
1993 baseball movie: “You’re killing me,
Smalls!” Rick answered, “I’ve heard this
a bunch of times, but I don’t know what
movie it’s from.” Kristi instantly replied,
“The Sandlot!” Beau asked, “That would
be The Sandlot, right? I love that movie.”
Jaime was puzzled at first, saying “Oh,
that’s with the Great Bambino, and the
shoes Devon has. Oh shoot.” She finally
answered with “The Sandlot.” Mr. Riffle
was stumped and exclaimed, “I saw the
movie. Who is it? Let me come back to that
one. I’m going to come out of this so stupid.
OH, I don’t know; I give up.” The correct
answer, which Kristi, Beau, and Jaime got
right, was The Sandlot.
The third quote comes from a 1996 golf
comedy starring Adam Sandler: “It’s all in
the hips; it’s all in the hips.” Rick, again,
was puzzled and asked, “What year?”
Rick then turned to his study hall partner,
Joel Barry, and asked him for the answer.
Because of this collaboration, which violates
Ram Walking policy, Rick’s answer was
disqualified and Joel Barry was asked not to
help him anymore. Kristi didn’t need help
and stated, “That’s with Adam Sandler.
Umm, Happy Gilmore.” Beau was clueless
saying, “There’s no such thing as a golf
movie. Tiger Woods.” Jaime confidently
stated, “Happy Gilmore.” Mr. Riffle
shouted, “OH! I don’t know this one.” The
correct answer, which Kristi and Jaime
answered correctly, is Happy Gilmore.
The fourth quote was from a football
movie made in 2000: “According to Greek
mythology, the titans were greater even
than the gods. They ruled their universe
with absolute power. Well, that field out
there is our universe; let’s rule it like
titans!” Rick stated, “Remember the
Titans.” Kristi answered, “Remember the
Sloppy Superbowl
surprising long drive from Rex Grossman,
and the Bears that ended with a touchdown.
The score at the end of the first quarter
favored the Bears, 14-6.
More interceptions and fumbles followed
in the second quarter. Early in the quarter
Colts’ new kicker, that everyone knows, put
in a field goal. Adam Vinateri is credited to be
the most clutch kicker of all time. Not in this
Superbowl. Vinateri missed a 24-yard chip
shot on his first field goal try of the game. The
second quarter got a little cleaner as it went.
Overall, the first half of the Superbowl was
exciting. Not because of the high level of play
on both sides of the ball, but because of the
sloppiness coming from athletes who make
more money than government officials. The
half-dozen fumbles kept millions of viewers
on the edge of their seats.
The second half was the most boring
entire playoffs. One diehard football fan,
Wes Burkhart, stated, “The only reason I
continued to watch the rest of the game, was
to see if any good commercials would show.”
Needless to say, no good commercials did
come for Mr. Burkhart. The game ended with
the Indianapolis Colts coming out victorious,
29-17.
The Superbowl may have been a little
lacking this year for several reasons. Reason
number one may have been the guy who
performed at halftime. Who was he? And
what was he doing on stage during the
halftime show of the most prestigious game
in all of football? I think his name was King,
or Queen, or maybe Prince.
Reason number two for the Superbowl not
rising up to my standards may have been
the match up at quarterback. Rex Grossman
played good enough to have a quarterback
Titans, my favorite movie ever!” Beau
replied, “Remember the Titans.” Jaime
questioned, “Is it Remember the Titans?”
Mr. Riffle answered with “The Titans”
which I reluctantly accepted. The correct
answer, which everyone answered correctly,
is Remember the Titans.
The final quote was from a classic
1976 boxing movie: “Yo, Adrian!” Rick
proclaimed, “I don’t know which one,
but it’s from Rocky.” Kristi struggled at
first, guessing, “It’s got to be a basketball
movie. Hoosiers, no wait! Is it Rocky?”
Beau guessed, “This is football, right? No? I
don’t know, Forrest Gump.” Jaime declared,
“It’s Rocky!” Mr. Riffle chided, “Oh yeah,
it’s Rocky.” The correct answer, which
everyone but Beau got right, is Rocky.
The winners of this month’s Ram
Walking were Kristi Crilly and Jaime Oberg.
They each answered all five questions
correctly.
rating of –1,050. Peyton Manning just made
it look simple, which made Rex look like a
true rookie quarterback.
I guess there were some good things
about Superbowl XLI. Coach Dungy for the
Indianapolis Colts became the first African-
American coach to win a Superbowl. Also,
some of our own Iowa boys won their ring.
Dallas Clark had a great postseason as tight
end for the Colts. Bob Sanders also had a
great season for the Colts.
Superbowl XLI may have been a little too
hyped-up to meet the high standards set by
sports fanatics. Hopefully in 2008 the game
will be different. I might as well call it for
next year, Green Bay Packers, 28, and the San
Diego Chargers, 27.

By Devon Hieber
Receiving underwear that said “Save the
Drama for yo mamma” as a birthday gift from
Angie Flanigan is Senior Laura Hoaglund’s
most interesting birthday present. Laura Ann
Hoaglund was born at St. Lukes Hospital in
Sioux City, IA on February 13, 1989. Laura is
the daughter of David and Joan Hoaglund of
Mapleton. Laura has one sister, Katie. Laura
has been involved in volleyball, basketball,
golf, softball, choir, FCA, CCD, Gold Club,
NHS, PALS, and Phi Ramma Jamma.
Going to Mexico with friends her junior
year, meeting Iban, and spending time with
Maestra and Jeff Wolf is Laura’s best memory
of high school. Laura’s most embarrassing
moment was when she was playing basketball
in seventh grade, and was taking the ball out
of bounds, and there was no one open, so she
just dribbled to the basket and did a lay-up.
Laura likes any kind of music, eating Mac n’
cheese or peppermint ice cream, eating cream
chicken over biscuits at school, watching
Raising Helen or Love and Basketball, and
celebrating her birthday or her favorite T.V.
shows Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives, and
Grey’s Anatomy. Laura can be found hanging
out with her friends or going to an athletic
practice during her after school activities.
Laura’s hobbies include sports and being on
By Aaron Dose
Jason Alan Rosauer was born in Ida Grove
on November 4 th 1998. His parents are Jon
and Cathie Rosauer. His siblings include
Brent and Erin Rosauer.
Some of Jason’s favorites include pizza, as
his favorite school lunch, and 70’s and 80’s
Rock ‘n Roll, for music. His favorite classes
include Horticulture, Agri-Science, and Band.
Jason’s last favorite is girls.
Jason would like to be remembered as
the “FFA ladies man.” His most memorable
high school moments were when he went
Page 4, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
Senior Spotlights
her cell phone and computer. Her favorite
class is third period study hall with Miss
Rabe. Her advice to underclassmen is, “to be
involved in as many things as you can and
enjoy it because it goes by fast.”
Laura wants her high school legend to be
to FFA contests and learned how to talk to
the FFA ladies. His favorite vacation was to
the boundary waters with the FFA Chapter,
where he learned to appreciate life more.
Throughout high school, Jason’s biggest
accomplishment was becoming FFA District
Sentinel. During high school, Jason was
involved in Band, FFA, Jazz Band, school
plays, CCD, and the Knights of Columbus.
Jason had a tough time in art classes
throughout his high school career. The things
that came easy to him included: talking to the
“FFA girls,” poetry, and writing essays.
The one regret that Jason has from high
school is not being nice enough to the ‘peeps.’
His advice for underclassman is, “it’s not the
size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the
fight in the dog that counts!”
Jason Rosauer fears white unmarked cop
cars and any other white car within viewing
distance. Jason likes to watch WWE, and likes
to play games. He likes the movie Forrest
Gump, and the T.V. show The Simpsons. The
most famous person he ever met was Will
Jones.
Jason has been the most influenced by Mr.
Benson because he is full of knowledge and
always has good advice when people need it.
Some of Jason’s future plans include running
for state FFA office, and going to either WIT or
Iowa State for Ag education. His upcoming
summer plans include a lot of fishing. Jason’s
biggest ambition is to own an acreage and
plant lots of fruit bearing trees.
the girl who always made people laugh.
Laura is scared of being kidnapped, or having
someone in her house watching her secretly.
She is also afraid of snakes. The most famous
person she has ever met is Ron DeMars.
The most influential person in Laura’s life
has been her mom because she has taught
her to take what god gives you and make the
best of it. She has also been most influential
to Laura because she has an outgoing
personality and has always supported Laura.
Her biggest ambition is to become the best
meteorologist in the world, to be successful,
get married, and have a family.
Laura plans to play softball and hang out
with her friends and make as many memories
as she can with them. She then plans to
attend Iowa State University with a major in
Meteorology.
By Kelsey Bruhn
Nick O’Connell’s best memory of high
school is when he had eight people in his
Pontiac 6000 SE, the gas line broke, Brad
Petersen was sitting on the trunk, and it
started moving so he jumped off and landed
on his butt.
Nick Brian O’Connell was born on
December 23 rd ,1988 at Mercy Medical Center
in Sioux City, Iowa. He is the son of Brian
and Michelle O’Connell. He has one brother,
Brice, and one sister, Jessica. The people that
Nick looks up to the most are both his parents
because they always know how to make him
smile when he is upset and they are always
there for him.
Nick has been involved in football,
basketball, baseball, Phi Ramma Jamma, and
CCD throughout high school. After school,
Nick can be found hanging out at Casey’s
with friends or going to practice for football,
basketball, or baseball. Some out-of-school
activities Nick is interested in is hiking, riding
horses, and playing sand volleyball.
Nick’s most embarrassing moment is when
Phil McGrain depantsed him in physical
fitness and everyone in the class saw him and
started laughing. Nick’s favorite class this
year is personal financing with Miss Lundt.
His favorite school lunch is chicken fried
steak with gravy and mashed potatoes.
The most interesting birthday present that
Nick has even received was when Steff Trieber
and Angie Flanigan carved his name out of a
block of coby jock cheese and also gave him
some complimentary sting cheese.
American Pie: The Naked Mile, “unrated
version, of course,” is Nick’s favorite movie.
Some other of his favorite movies include
The Guardian, Gridiron Gang, and Wedding
Crashers. When asked what his favorite T.V.
show is, Nick responded, “I like to watch Cops
because it is funny to see people get arrested
for stupid stuff.” He has many other favorite
things, like the saying “Buckin” and “I like
where your head’s at,” the holidays Valentines
Day, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, pizza,
and any music but oldies. Nick has many
favorites, but he also has a fear of heights
and spiders.
Nick would like his high school legend
to be “N.O.C.,” the kid that hit a few bumps
on his way through high school, but never
let them keep him down, and the kid who
was friends with everyone. Advice that
Nick would like to give the under classmen
is “don’t take life too seriously; you may not
make it out alive.”
Nick’s biggest ambition is to own a Corvette
and to also own a sports team. His future
plans are to graduate from high school, go
to the Army Reserve, and major in business
in college. During his last summer before
going off to boot camp, Nick will be hanging
out with friends, tubing down the river, and
going to Okoboji.

By Shane Erlemeier
Adam Richard Petersen was born at Horn
Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove on April 11,
1989. He lives in Anthon, IA. His parent’s
names are Matt and Rose Petersen, and he
has one brother, Andrew. His parents and his
brother have been the most influential people
in Adam’s life.
His favorite music to listen to is country
and rap, but he will listen to almost anything.
People can usually find Adam munching on
his favorite food, which is a burrito supreme
from Ruth’s, and crab Rangoon. People can
also find him watching his favorite movies,
Glory Road and Man on Fire, or watching his
favorite television programs, That 70’s show
and The O.C.
His favorite thing to do after school is hang
out with some friends or go to games.
Some of the activities that Adam has been
involved in during high school are youth
group, FFA, golf, and baseball.
Having a bonfire and camping at Morgan
has been Adam’s best memory of high school.
His most embarrassing moment was when
he was pitching his sophomore year, and he
filled the holes, but mounded-up too much
dirt. When he threw his next pitch, his ankle
By Michele Pierce
When all the seniors went to Morgan Trail,
hung out, and had a big bon fire is Katie
Hanson’s best memory of high school.
Katherine Marie Hanson was born in
Hutchinson, Kansas. Her parents are Deb
Welte and the late Kirk Welte. She has three
sisters, Ashley, Lindsey, and Sydney, along
with two brothers, Jamie and Jacob.
Katie has been involved in basketball,
track, FCCLA, Project Pals, and Phi Ramma
Jamma throughout high school. Katie’s usual
after school activities are sporting events and
hanging out with friends.
Katie’s favorites include the holiday
Thanksgiving because she likes the food, but
her all time favorite food is orange chicken.
Her favorite saying is “Later Days,” and
she enjoys any kind of music except heavy
metal.
She enjoys watching movies and has
many favorites, including Into the Blue, Joy
Ride, and Love and Basketball, Her favorite
television shows include The O.C. and
Friends.
In school, her favorite lunch is chicken
and biscuits and her favorite classes are
physiology and P.E.
Her most embarrassing moment in high
school happened the first day of her senior
year. “I went to the restroom and there were
three freshmen in there also. I came out and
couldn’t remember how to work the sink…I
thought it was an automatic like the toilets,”
laughed Katie.
The most famous person Katie has ever met
has been Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aaron Davis,
Page 5, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
Senior Spotlights
rolled over the mound, which caused him to
face plant.
Adam’s future plans consist of attending
either Iowa Lakes or Ellsworth Community
College
a former Nebraska football player.
Katie’s favorite childhood memory was
going to her first motocross race with her
brother, Jaime, and Nick and Nathan Boggs.
Her worst childhood memory was when
she was riding with no hands on her bike,
looked back at her brother, and ran right into
a parked car.
Katie’s favorite vacation was when she flew
to Oregon by herself and got really confused
at the Denver airport. “The train from Port A
By Devon Hieber
The senior who could be caught playing
a sport or hanging out with friends is Andy
Wray. Andy is the son of Russ and Roxie
Wray of Mapleton. He has one sister, Kandis.
He was born in Denison. Andy has been
involved in BPA, wrestling, baseball, golf,
football, and choir.
Andy’s best memory of high school
was when Phil McGrain depantsed Nick
O’Connell and everything came down during
P.E. His most embarrassing moment was
when he was a freshman and got taped to
the door divider by the lunch room in the
old school. Andy’s favorite activities are to
watch movies, eat any kind of food, go skiing
in Colorado, and hang out with friends. He
also likes to go paint balling, hunting, fishing,
and camping.
A struggle Andy has had in high school
is math. He found it easy to roam the halls.
His biggest accomplishment was making
varsity wrestling all four years of high school.
Andy’s advice to underclassmen is to, “have
fun while your in high school; live it up and
don’t look back.” His favorite childhood
memory was going to Okoboji with Shane.
Andy’s worst childhood memory was when
he bit through his tongue when he crashed
his bike.
Andy’s favorite class in high school was
to Port C confused me,” laughed Katie.
Katie’s secret talent is that she can flip her
tongue 180 degrees.
The most influential person in Katie’s
life has been her mom. “My mom has been
through a lot, she knows me best, and helps
me when I need it. She tells me that I can
do anything if I set my mind to it,” smiled
Katie.
Katie would like her high school legend to
be the girl who was never scared to speak her
mind and who could always stump people
with good comebacks.
Her biggest accomplishment in high school
is always sticking up for herself and never
letting people’s words get to her head. She
also thinks the easiest thing in high school is
to make new friends.
A struggle that she had in high school was
starting the new year. “Sometimes it can be
over whelming with all the new homework,”
added Katie. One regret that she has of high
school is not studying enough.
Her advice for younger classmen is to be
outgoing and listen to the upper classmen.
“They were in your shoes once before, and
they know what they’re talking about.”
Katie’s future plans are to go to college
at Hawkeye in Waterloo for professional
photography. Her biggest ambition is to
grow up, have a great career, and have a
loving family.
Her last year’s summer plans are to take
scuba diving lessons in Okoboji, to work, to
hang with friends, and to have as much fun
Construction Tech. His greatest vacation was
all his skiing trips. His favorite T.V. show is
Dirt. Andy likes to listen to any kind of music,
as long as it isn’t country.
The most influential person in Andy’s life
has been his mom because she supports him.
He wants his high school legend to be the kid
who had a high pain tolerance. Andy plans
to attend college in Norfolk for powerline
tech. His last summer’s plans are to hang out
with friends, go camping, have bond fires, go
tubing, work at the nursing home, and go to
softball games.
By the
numbers
2
inches of torrential
rain
The fiercest downpour
that has been recorded
was in Basseterre, Guadeloupe,
on Nov. 26, 1970. In
a single minute, it rained
nearly 2 inches.

By Nate Sadler
Opinion
Every year around April or so, a social
gathering of epic proportions occurs: prom.
It’s a legend among secondary education
schools everywhere. Many strive their
whole high school career for this moment in
time. The perfect night; there’s the perfect
hair, perfect clothes, perfect people, and
perfect food. What could be wrong with
this seemingly blissful night? Plenty, as
many have taken the fine idea of prom and
turned it into something that’s more trouble
than its worth.
Let’s start with one question: what is the
price of perfection? As all women know,
prom doesn’t come cheap. Girls can
easily spend over two hundred dollars
on the dress alone, and that’s just the
beginning. When adding in the costs of
hair, nails, shoes, accessories, and tanning,
the amounts can be overwhelming. And,
how much time does it take to gather these
things? Sometimes, matters of months.
Prom is being made into a year-long event,
all for one night. But according to some,
the end, a “perfect” prom night, will justify
the means. Men don’t have it as bad when
it comes to time or money spent for prom,
and yet, it still is excessive.
The clothes alone are a bit much, but
that’s not even scratching the surface.
There has to be flowers, corsages and
boutonnieres, fancy rides, extravagant
dinners, all trying to one-up last year and
the next person’s offerings. If the fancy
threads didn’t dry up your wallet, these
accessories just might.
Some may argue that money isn’t really
an issue. That splurging every now and
Page 6, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
then can be fun and that there’s nothing
wrong with that. I would agree with
that. However, prom does more than just
empty its attendee’s pocketbooks. There
is the ever-present issue of finding a date.
This, of course, always must follow a strict
social order. A person’s date always must
better looking and more expensive than the
next guy’s/gal’s, or he/she risks “social
embarrassment.” All that does is create
drama, which is the power source that fuels
even more of this obsessive behavior. And
forbid it that you go without a date… that
would just be horrible.
Ask anyone who is a high school
graduate, “Is prom that big of a deal?” I
would bet that all of them would say,
“no.” Nobody will remember who had
the best date, the best dress, or the fanciest
ride. All that money, time, and obsessing
over something that, surprisingly enough,
doesn’t have the fate of the world in its
balance.
Do I like prom? Sure I do. I come down
hard on it, and sound awfully pessimistic.
The truth is, I think prom is just fine.
There’s nothing wrong with having fun
and dressing up for a night. I’m looking
forward to it. However, it has been taken
too far-- not just at MVAO, but across the
nation as well. America, in general, is a
wasteful nation, and our proms prove
this. The fun of prom has been sucked
away mostly because all the “necessities”
that have been created for it. I think prom
needs a serious reality check, and a little
grounding. That can only make a more
enjoyable experience for all.
New dugouts being built
for baseball players
The framing of the dugouts standing in the old shop in
the yellow building.
By Jesse Nielsen
The students from the Construction Tech
class are building new dugouts for the
baseball field to match the new concession
stand. “The whole field is getting an update,”
said Coach Ocker. The old fencing on the
front of the dugouts was becoming a safety
concern.
The unique thing about the new dugouts
is they are entirely student built and mostly
student designed, with input from the
coaches, players, and Mr. Miller.
Movie review: Hannibal Rising
By Jeff Koithan
This is a story about a man who once was
a human, but ended up a monster.
Hannibal Lector is a famous character from
novels written by Thomas Harris. The books
were later turned into great films. They are
Silence of the lambs, Hannibal, Red Dragon,
and of course, Hannibal Rising.
This film is a prequel to all the others
stories. It shows how Hannibal becomes who
he is in the later films.
The movie begins with an invasion on the
Lector home. This is during the time of WWII.
Hannibal and his family retreat from his
home to a safe house, but then, all of sudden,
they realize, that they were followed by the
Nazis. When the Nazis attack the house, and
take hold of the parents, something terrible
happens to both Hannibal and his sister.
This scene is the key that changes young
Hannibal’s mind from love to hate.
The story continues with an older Hannibal
trying to find his place in the world, and
he soon discovers his fascinations with the
human body. He soon begins to take revenge
on his family’s killers, and the movie also
shows how he starts to enjoy cannibalism.
Anthony Hopkins was, of course, the
famous actor who played Hannibal’s roles
later in different periods in his life, but actor
Gaspard Ulliel, Hannibal in Hannibal Rising,
most defidently does a great job showing how
Hannibal becomes the cannibalistic killer.
This is not exactly a horror movie, but
the story unravels at a very good pace, and
the suspense will keep people at the edge of
their seat.
I give the movie four out of four Ram
Heads.
The ideas for the dugouts have come from
T.V. and other schools. The dugouts will be a
combination of the best ideas, making them
the best around.
The construction class is making them in
two pieces and then moving them down to
the field to be assembled. The pieces are being
assembled in the old shop. As of February 21,
the visitors dugout is completely framed and
ready to be sheeted.

Spring break plans
By Kayla Dose
Many people may be wondering what
everyone does for spring break. Do they
rest, take vacations, shop or schedule needed
appointments? Here’s what some of the
faculty and students had to say.
Mrs. Moser’s plans for spring break are to
go to Las Vegas. When asked what she plans
to do there, she said, “My husband will golf
and do a little gambling. I would rather take
my money and go shopping.” They will also
go on a Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam
tour, see the impressionist, Danny Gans,
and a magic show. She also stated, “It will
be neat to just walk around, and I may even
play some slots.”
Some of the male teachers in the school
are also traveling to Las Vegas to celebrate the
upcoming marriage of Casey Conover.
Andrew and Kristin Carlson plans for
spring break are also to vacation. They were
excited to say, “Were going to Mazatlan,
Mexico!” While in Mexico they said they
plan to see cliff divers. They also plan to go
parasailing and snorkeling, and they also plan
to eat frog legs. They also said that they want
Page 7, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
to go surfing, and Andrew mentioned that he
would like to visit a village.
Also during spring break, is the NASA trip
to Houston, Texas. The students attending
this trip are Nick Buth, Stephen Phillips, and
Sylvia Pedersen.
Mr. Nielsen and his wife are going to
Dillon, Colorado to visit their daughter and
son, and they might go skiing at either Vail,
or Keystone.
Unfortunately, everyone can’t have fun
during spring break. Seniors Darren Brown
and Laura Hoaglund stated they’re probably
just going to stay home because they are
getting their wisdom teeth pulled.
March birthdays word search
By: Johnny Moody
March Birthdays
Freshmen
Steph Petersen 3/1/92
Mason Boyle 3/3/92
Bailey Melby 3/9/92
Ryan Polly 3/11/92
Sophomores
Heather Morgan 3/6/91
Ethan Trucke 3/13/91
Brandi Kerns 3/18/91
Jennie Wensel 3/25/91
Juniors
Zach Gothier 3/3/90
Lindsey McGrain 3/8/90
Kyle Deeds 3/9/89
Kallie Clausen 3/12/90
Jacob Berry 3/22/90
Jeremy Heizelman 3/28/90
G Z P S N J K J U Y I L T J W E L R H E
N O M E D I W A R I H S A T S K E O X Q
Y Z C T J Y A R P K X S U N M C L B I D
E B N H X A E R Y L O E R U Q U Y B E U
N T L H R B C L G N T E J N D R O Y A C
D H S E B I E O B C K Y E R J T B G L A
O F U O M D S U B I M S W E W N N U N J
Y A C R E Y M C D M R Y R N I A O S E E
V A L E B S E N R E A E E E O H S T S N
J M D E T Y A L T E M L H S O T A I U N
R S I E X R E E I Y S Y L R D E M N A I
Y R D R B E P S H A R W H O X N Z K L E
A K C U H H H E L O B A E T Y Q I F C W
N G W M P Z I L C E K L S L U H I L E E
P G Y E F Z I J E N K W D R L B R L I N
O T T H E A T H E R M O R G A N K E L S
L S G L D R A Z A H S I V A R T U C L E
L R M N Z A C H G O T H I E R C Z F I L
Y A Y D O O M Y N N H O J V O N D W A N
N K I M W E B S T E R M A T T F O X K C
ALEXEHLERS BAILEYMELBY BRANDIKERNS
CHRISCRESWELL CORYHEIN ETHANTRUCKE
HEATHERMORGAN JACOBBERRY JACOBMALLOY
JASONBUMSTED JENNIEWENSEL JEREMYHEIZELMAN
JOHNNYMOODY KALLIECLAUSEN KELSEYBRUHN
KIMWEBSTER KYLEDEEDS LINDSEYMCGRAIN
MASONBOYLE MATTFOX NICKBUTH
ROBBIEGUSTIN RYANPOLLY STEPHPETERSEN
TASHIRAWIDEMON TRAVISHAZARD ZACHGOTHIER
Seniors
Nick Buth 3/3/89
Matt Fox 3/6/88
Cory Hein 3/6/89
Jacob Malloy 3/10/89
Robbie Gustin 3/13/89
Jason Bumsted 3/23/89
Travis Hazard 3/27/89
Johnny Moody II 3/27/89
Alex Ehlers 3/28/89
Kelsey Bruhn 3/30/89
Chris Creswell 3/30/89

Page 8, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools
The RamPage Staff would like to thank the
following sponsors for their support, and
encourage everyone to shop at these local
businesses!
Gold Sponsors
Anderson’s Construction
Anthon Oil
Armstrong Funeral Homes, Inc.
Bruhn Drywall
Casey’s General Store
Craig & Jean Conover
Danbury Agri Services
Drea Sales & Service
Fiesta Foods
First State Bank of Mapleton+First State Insurance
First State Bank of Battle Creek, Danbury, Ida Grove
& First State Bank Plus+ of Mapleton
Flanigan Brothers
4 Way Stop Shop
Green Acres Florist & Greenhouses
Hoffman Agency
Jostens
Keith Uhl Law Firm
Kent Feeds & Champion Seeds
Mac’s Chevrolet-Pontiac, Inc.
Maier Pharmacy
Maple Heights Nursing Home, Apartments, and Support Services
Maple Motel Restaurant and Lounge
Maple Valley Mercy Medical Clinic
Mapleton Collision Center
Mapleton Communications
Mapleton Grain
Mapleton Greenhouse
Mapleton Hometown Variety
Mills Pharmacy
Morningside College
New York Life Insurance
Ortner Construction
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
Pioneer, Bill & Sandy Ortner
Gold Sponsors
PPC&K Trucking
Preview Printing
RaDec
Revival Animal Health Clinic
Rick’s Computers, Inc.
St. Luke’s College
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Seuntjens Midwestern Land & Auction
Sexton Oil
The Danbury Review
U.A.P., Danbury
Valley Bank & Trust
Willow Vale Golf Club
Wolf Tree Service
Maroon Sponsors
The Cutting Edge
Consign-it Sales
Colbert’s Market
Phillips Jewelry
Little Siouxloon
MidAmerican Energy
Pepsi-Cola of Siouxland
Rodney Farm Center, Inc.
Timber Ridge Ranch & Winery
The Ink Spot
Iowa Computer Sales
The Shoppe
St. John’s United Methodist Church
St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Mapleton