Group Speech

By Grayce Hanke
    Group speech kicked off this year on Saturday, January 20th in Denison, IA. This year the team had two groups compete in the improvisation category. The first group was made up of all newcomer sophomores Marley Scott, Delani Welte, Mia Uhl, and Isaak Carranza. They gave a great performance for their first time out and received a 2 from the judge. Our second group, made up of all veteran seniors, also did very well receiving a 1 and advancing on to State competition. State group speech was on February 3rd, in Spencer, IA. Grayce Hanke, Claire Weber, and Lauren Wolf gave an outstanding last performance and received an overall 1 from all three judges. They were very happy with their performance. No judge recommendation for All-State this year however, I know both teams gave it their all.



Dalton Anderson


Full name: Dalton Andersen
Activities at MVAOCOU: Speech, Quizbowl, National Honor Society
What will you miss most about being a Ram: I will miss my underclassmen friends and all of the classes together with them.
Favorite memories from high school: Anytime Mr. Brown gets slightly frustrated.
Accomplishment you are most proud of: I am proud of how much I have grown with my art and how much it has improved
3 words that describe me: Intelligent, Outgoing, and Funny
Plans after graduation: I plan on studying at Iowa State in Communities and Regional Planning
Hobbies: Drawing, playing games, and pottery
Favorite food: My mom's spaghetti
Go-to song on your playlist: "This December" by Ricky Montgomery
What advice would you give to younger students? Make sure you give time to yourself: if you are not taking care of yourself, then how can you take care of your education?
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I would go to Australia due to their distinct culture and animals.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a scientist for the longest time when I was a kid



Paige Schmidt


Full name: Paige Marie Schmidt
Nickname: Paigie
Activities at MVAOCOU: Jazz band and choir, BPA, Band and choir, volleyball, FCCLA student council (2 years), Track (1 year), shooting club, Speech (3 years),
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Being a part of the music department and all the fun things that we do.
A favorite memory from high school: Placing 2nd at the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships at Spirit Lake 2023
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Being first trumpet in Jazz band all four years
3 words that describe me: Outgoing, optimistic, determined
Plans after graduation: I plan to go to South Dakota State University to Major in instrumental music education (band teacher).
Hobbies: Playing Dave (Dave is my trumpets name), art projects, shopping, going shooting with my grandpa, reading
Favorite food: Goulash
Go-to song on your playlist: "Karma" by Taylor Swift (anything Taylor Swift (Taylors Version)
What advice would you give to younger students? Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you, work hard in school, and get involved. Your hard work will pay off in all the fun you will have and friendships you will make in activities and the success will come with working hard and dedication.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? England or Canada
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? A baker with a bakery on the corner on Main Street



Jayden Meyer


Full name: Jayden Derek Meyer
Nickname: Jake Mayor
Activities at MVAOCOU: Cross Country, Track & Field
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Not being able to play Mr. Wimmer in chess.
My favorite memory from high school: beating Kael Hamann in a XC game
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Not failing any high school classes.
3 words that describe me: Determined, comical, honest
Plans after graduation: Enlist in the military
Hobbies: tractor pulling
Favorite food: lasagna
Go-to song on your playlist: "War" by Edwin Starr
What advice would you give to younger students? Tease Mr. Brown every time you can.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Louisville, Kentucky
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? To become a soldier in the Army.



Smeltzer Captures "Best Director" award at Shake The Lakes Competition

By Claire Weber
    On Friday, February 16th, MVAOCOU's very own Jazz Choir, aka Tune Squad, competed in Spirit Lake at the Shake The Lakes competition. We performed at 4:10 p.m. and ended up placing 2nd against nine other schools which is a huge accomplishment! Along with winning 2nd place, our choral director, Mr. Brian Smeltzer, was honored with the "Best Director" award. The award is based on votes that are accumulated from a Google form which was accessible to all 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A schools. Mr. Smeltzer won the award last year and the Tune Squad students were determined to have him win once again. "It was a nice honor and I appreciated the fact that my students here recognize the work that I do and all the fun we have together," commented Mr. Smeltzer. Because our students completely knocked the votes out of the park, program organizers announced the award early during the 2A awards ceremony. All of the students worked very hard to ensure Mr. Smeltzer won the award once again, and we are happy to say that all our hard work paid off. Thank you to everyone who joined in and took the time to vote in this campaign!



Eduardo Mesillas


Full name: Eduadro Mesillas
Nickname: Eddie Mesillas
Activities at MVAOCOU: Cross country, Track and Field, BPA
What will you miss most about being a Ram: Friends, Teachers
Favorite memories of high school: Shenandoah trip, Quiz trip, and the To Kill Mockingbird trip were some of my favorite memories. I guess Prom, too.
Accomplishment you are most proud of: Medaling in my first year of Cross Country and also in Track and Field
3 words that describe me: Kind, quirky, quiet
Plans after graduation: Still deciding on what college I want to go to
Hobbies: Video games, cooking, board games, chess, Texas Hold ‘em , music, singing, guitar
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Go-to song on your playlist: "Fantasy" Mariah Carey
What advice would you give to younger students? Try your hardest. Get involved get out of your comfort zone.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? England
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was little I wanted to be a cop



Jazz Coalition Advances

By Paige Schmidt

    On Monday, Feburary 19, the MVAOCOU Jazz Coalition competed at the Northwest Iowa District Jazz Festival in Le Mars, IA. The Jazz Coalition Placed 2nd against 14 other 2A bands, making them the first jazz band at MVAOCOU to automatically qualify for the Iowa Jazz Championships in over 32 years.
    Mr. David Kovarna expressed, "The members of the Jazz Coalition have worked their tails off to get to the level where every performance is simply another opportunity to express joy and have fun playing great jazz. I look forward to every rehearsal because they are always eager to continue getting better. I am very happy for them in earning an IJC invitation, but most of all, I am looking forward to the next month of preparation. There's no telling how good they may be."
    Everyone that is a part of the Jazz Coalition is excited to have earned this opportunity to compete at the Iowa Jazz Championships, including director David Kovarna, who has helped them get to where they are today. The Iowa Jazz Championships will take place on April 2, in Ames, IA.
    Jazz Coalition members are inspired by the words of Herbie Hancock, "Don't be afraid to expand yourself, to step out of your comfort zone. That's where the joy and adventure lie. Life is not about finding our limitations, it's about finding our infinity."