Mrs. Jennifer Kinsey, principal at MVAOCOU High School, announced that Micah Peitsch has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Micah, a senior at MVAOCOU is the son of Megan and Nathan Peitsch of Mapleton.
    About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2027 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2027 competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit ScholarshipQualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
    Micah actually took the test twice, once as a sophomore and once as a junior. Why?
    "Because I could," he responded.
    In reality, he took the test his sophomore year with no preparation. He strived for a better outcome so brushed up on his knowledge of his problem areas for his second test. Evidently it helped.
    "Those named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."
    While Micah isn't sure exactly what he is planning to do after he graduates from college, he has applied to Grinnell College in Grinnell, iA, and to Wayne State College in Wayne, NE. He wants to major in Mathematics. He has plenty of time to choose his best interest.
    "I'm open to possibilities as long as I'm using math but I know I don't want to be a teacher," said Micah of his future career.
    Congratulations, Micah!

    The Knights of Columbus of Danbury, Mapleton, and Anthon held an omelet breakfast this summer to raise funds for local charities. The group shared some of their proceeds with the Mapleton Food Pantry.
    Pictured here is Knight Dave Bruning presenting a check to Connie Swearingen of the Mapleton Food Pantry.
    Photo provided by Sharyl Bruning. Thanks, Sharyl!

    Veteran's Day is November 11. We remember those who have served our country.
    In the November 11th issue we will run a list of veterans who have served our country. These veterans will be still living (Memorial Day is to honor those who have passed away).
    If you know any veterans who you want included, please get us their names by calling 712-893-2001, emailing review@danbury-ia.com, or leaving the name(s) at either Colbert's Market or at our home at 209 Thomas St. We need all names by November 6th.
    We will be running the list compiled last year, so if you know your vet was on it, there is no need to contact us. Also, if you contacted us with names after last year's list, we have them saved for inclusion already.
    Remember, this list is for living veterans. If you want to give us names of vets who have passed away, we'll save them for the Memorial Day issue.

    Iowa native and author Linda Betsinger McCann enjoys sharing information from her books to the public. She writes nonfiction Iowa history and often is able to speak with people who lived what she is writing about.
    Her newest book is Rosie the Riveters of Iowa. She will be speaking at several libraries in the area. She will have copies of all her books available for purchase. The books are $20 each and she can only take cash or check.
    Linda will be at Cord Memorial Library on Wednesday, October 14th at 5:00 p.m.
    Rosie the Riveter was a nickname given to women who worked in factories during World War II. Linda was able to speak to 50 women who had worked as Rosies in World War II. She shares their memories when she speaks.
    Linda Betsinger McCann, author of non-fiction Iowa history including Prisoners of War in Iowa; Prohibition in Iowa; several books about the Civilian Conservation Corps in different areas of Iowa; and The Vanished Towns of the Cedar Valley series.

    The attendees at the Friday morning Mass at St. Mary's was much higher than normal, and the lunch line at Danbury Catholic School was much longer than normal as grandparents joined their grandchildren for the annual Grandparents Day celebration.
    The morning began with Mass followed with a little time in the classrooms and lunch. A special program commenced, honoring the guests with songs, poems, stories, and prayers. This year ended with a Russian dance in which the older students invited guests to join them.
    "We are so proud to carry on the tradition of our Grandparents Day event," stated Principal Molly Petersen. "The teachers and (Music Director) Mrs. Else did a wonderful job preparing an event where students could show off their classrooms and work to their grandparents. The interview questions opened dialogue between them. And the program was a highlight for the grandparents! Mrs. Else really knocked it out of the park with a Russian folk dance that had everyone dancing and smiling at the end!"
    Smiles were indeed on the faces of the students, the grandparents, and the teachers on this special day. It was indeed a very special day for all involved in the event.
    To the left, Kathy Chwee sits with two of her grandchildren, James and Leah Dirksen while watching older grandchildren during the program.