Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mr. Miller!

    Dennis Miller has worked at Maple Valley Anthon-Oto Charter Oak Ute High School for 29 years and loved every moment of it. He has been here long enough to where he has been in both buildings, working as the industrial technology and shop teacher. Over his career, he has taught classes such as woodworking, consumer auto, and manufacturing systems. He is a helping hand who advises that jobs get done, and done correctly, that the students stay educated, learn efficiently, and are productive
    The biggest changes he had to get used to in his career were when he had transitioned from the old school to the new one, and watching students grow and develop. He noticed the use of cell phones has increased, and technology has significantly increased. He has worked with many staff and students, and the changes he had to get used to the most were when new staff members came in, old ones left, new students came in, and the seniors left. Miller is a funny fellow with a lot of humor, who is always in on a good laugh. Whenever a joke is cracked and something funny is said, he always chimes in, gives a chuckle, and makes the others laugh even more.
    Miller let me in on some of his plans after retirement, and what exactly he will do. He told me that he would help work with his kids, help them with whatever they needed to do, travel, and go on vacation with his wife.
    Mr. Miller has had a lasting positive impact on students, staff, and the community. We will miss his quick wit, ready willingness to build and create in support of the school and community, and open mindset that was always open to growth and change. Best wishes for enjoyable retirement adventures!

Eann Buettner

Full name: Eann Adam Buettner
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Friends and the jokes
A favorite memory from high school: Being with friends
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Completing my online math
Plans after graduation: Going to concerts and being with friends
Hobbies: Fishing
What advice would you give to younger students? Don't get behind because it is hard to catch up

David Chase

Full name: David Chase
Activities at MVAOCOU: Wrestling
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Wrestling
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Passing classses
Plans after graduation: Work and online college
Hobbies: not much
Favorite food: a lot of things
What advice would you give to younger students? Graduate early as possible
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Spain
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Aero space engineer

Ethan Chase

Full name: Ethan Chase
Activities at MVAOCOU: Wrestling
What will you miss most about being a Ram: I will miss going to the wrestling meets with my team and the coaches.
A favorite memory from high school: My favorite memory from high school would be the rolling coal competition with the guy who brought the 6.0 with a 2 step.
Plans after graduation: Work
Hobbies: Wrestling and riding dirt bikes
Favorite food: Buffalo chicken
What advice would you give to younger students? Do your homework and don't get behind.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Hawaii
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Construction worker

Owen Boyle

Full name: Owen Boyle
Activities at MVAOCOU: FFA, NHS
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Seeing my friends every day and Ms. Hermsen's class
A favorite memory from high school: When Kane pulled Duell's pants down on the obstacle course.
3 words that describe me: Good looking, stud, genius
Plans after graduation: 4 year university
Favorite food: Steak
Go-to song on your playlist: "Scene We All Ain't Saw" by Chris LeDoux
What advice would you give to younger students? Work hard, but make sure to do the fun things too
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? A farmer

Iowa State Track and Field

    MVAOCOU Track and Field students who qualified for State competed at Drake Stadium for Iowa State Track finals. Students and coaches were asked to share a highlight from their experience.
    Reagan Seuntjens (400 m dash & Sprint medley) A personal highlight for me is getting back to the blue oval after not running last year. I think it was also very cool to make it in a relay this year, too. Running two events was a great experience.
    Peyton Gress (100m dash, distance medley) Being able to run against the fastest kids in the state, and getting to go on team outings.
    Mason Kuhlmann (4x800) Being able to run and compete with high-level athletes. I really enjoyed running with my team as well, I am glad to have the team that I have for the 4x800. I also really enjoyed having the team outings, and activities that we did outside of track with the whole group that went up to State. Kael Hamann (4x800) I enjoyed watching all of the great runners. It was encouraging to watch them and made me want to perform the best I can next year.
    Renee Oberreuter (Alternate in the Sprint Medley Relay) My favorite part was the atmosphere and just being able to cheer on my teammates as they competed. The experience also made me want to get there myself next year.
    Joey Koithan (4x800m, Distance Medley) A personal highlight I experienced was just being able to see the best that Iowa has to offer and run against them.
    Tanner Dixon (Long Jump) Watching myself and my teammates compete at the State track meet over the three days.
    Jace Henderson (Shot put and discus) Being able to medal in one of my two events at State track. This motivates me to drastically improve and hopefully get way higher on the podium and maybe be able to win it.
    Charlie Forbes (Distance Med., 4x800, 800 meter run) One of the greatest highlights of State Track for me was having lots of friends and family be there to support this great accomplishment.
    Claire Smallwood (Alternate) Something I enjoyed about State Track was the environment. I liked seeing all of the teams cheering for each other, and I hope to come back next year.
    Justin Kahl (Long Jump Coach) My personal highlight from the State Track meet was watching Tanner Dixon and Irelynne McNamara compete with the best long jumpers throughout the state on Thursday. Tanner and Irelynne didn't have their best jumps at the State meet, but they still went out and competed. Tanner is only a sophomore and Irelynne is only a freshman, and both of these young athletes have a ton of potential with their best jumping days still ahead of them!
    Coach Kelsey Burger Our trip to Drake Stadium for the 2024 High School State Track consisted of 11 events. This ties for the most events taken to Des Moines.
    Day 1, we had 6 events compete at the State Track meet. Jace Henderson medaled in 8th place and broke a school record from 1998 with a throw of 50 feet 8.5 inches. Reagan competed for the 2nd time at state in the open 400m and placed 16th.
    Day 2, Jace competed against tough competition and placed 12th in the discus. Trista competed for the 2nd time at state in the High Jump and placed 11th.
    Day 3, Charlie competed for the second time in the open 800m and placed 18th.
    Other highlights:
    Charlie Forbes competed in 3 events over the three days, 4x800, Distance Medley, and 800m.
    Jace, Joey, Peyton, Irelynne, Trista, and Reagan all competed in 2 events. Congratulations to the MVAOCOU State Track and Field Competitors! Your hard work and dedication were evident and we are proud of you.

This concludes the Ram Write Up for the 2023-24 school year.
Thank you to the Ram staff and students who put it together.