The MVAOCOU Dance Team is filled with many talented dancers, and seven of those ladies were brave enough to compete for a chance to earn a spot on one of the honor dance teams which performed during the state basketball tournaments. Of these 7, two Ram dancers were selected for All Iowa Honor Dance Team. Senior Renee Oberreuter (daughter of Angie and James Oberreuter of Danbury) was chosen for the pom team, and Junior Delani Welte (daughter of Nikki Ford of Mapleton and Nick Welte of Danbury) was chosen for the pre-game team.
    According to Dance Coach Lexi Weber, the seven hopefuls along other dance members from across the state participated in the All Iowa Honor Dance tryouts back in August of 2024. They learned the routine in a few hours and then auditioned later that day. The routine consists of pom, hip hop, and kick. In October, Weber was notified that Oberreuter and Welte were chosen for the elite group.
    "Hundreds of girls tryout for those spots each year," said Weber. "We have been very lucky in having girls make it each time the past three years I've coached."
    This was Renee Oberreuter's second calling to the All Iowa team. Last year she was chosen for the kick team.
    "This year I definitely wasn't as nervous because I was just glad I made it one year so I wasn't going to be too disappointed if I didn't make it this year," said Oberreuter.
    "I was super happy because I didn't really expect to make the honor team," said Welte upon learning that she was named to the Iowa All Honor Team. "It was super fun, and I hope that I'm able to do it again next year."
    In February, the honor team members were given the final choreography for their performances and had to know it before going to official practices the first week of March. Delani performed her pre game routine both Friday and Saturday during the girls state basketball tournament. Renee performed on Saturday during halftime.
    "The girls had long rehearsal days, around 5-7 hours all three days," explained Weber. "It's a great experience for them. I encourage my dancers to enjoy the process because they aren't guaranteed a spot next year. You can make it all four years or not at all. So it's a really big deal to make it.
    "Delani and Renee are both very talented. They never complained once about having to practice for hours and hours because they knew it was really important. It's good for them to do these things as it helps boost their confidence, gets them out of their comfort zone and challenges them. They should be super proud of themselves; it's a big accomplishment."
    The ladies have advice for anyone considering trying out for the dance team next year.
    "Have fun and make as many memories as possible," said Delani.
    "The dance team becomes a second family and I wouldn't have gotten through high school without them," added Renee.
    Congratulations to both of you on your honor.

    The Easter Bunny will be hopping to the Danbury Rec Center on Saturday where he will be going back to the prehistoric era for the UGHstravaganza. Kids and their families are welcome to visit the bunny starting at 9:00. You do not need to be a rec center member to attend. Inside the building (please use the south doors - the closest doors facing KCK's Food & Fuel), they will also find a prehistoric house and car, dinosaurs, games to play, and kids 11 and under will receive prizes to take home and enjoy (while supplies last).
    Guests need to begin the stations by 11:00. See the bunny, high five a "dinosaur," bowl, play clubball, make a dinosmore, and much more!

    Did you want to order plants through Danbury Catholic but forgot to do so? Never fear! The sales has been extended to Monday.
    The 7th annual Danbury Catholic Plant sales are winding down. Order your high-quality annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets and mixed potted planters from any Danbury Catholic student or online at janetsjungle.com. Orders are due April 15.
    Delivery is in time for Mother's Day. Hanging baskets and patio planters make beautiful Mother's Day gifts!
    This year, a plant order pick up location will also be in Ida Grove at the Sacred Heart Parish Center. Pick up your orders on May 8th in Ida Grove or May 9th at Danbury Catholic School. When you order, please specify where you would like to pick up your order.
    Questions? Need help ordering? Contact Julie Hamann at 712-223-0099.

    DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Education today announced that the Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program officially opens for applications for the 2025-26 school year on Wednesday, April 16, at 8 a.m.
    Parents and guardians can access the online application from a link on the Students First Education Savings Accounts webpage. The link will redirect them to the Students First ESA platform managed by Odyssey, the program's contracted administrator. When the application period opens at 8 a.m. on April 16, new applicants will be required to first create an ESA Portal account before starting the application process. Returning applicants will log in to their existing ESA Portal account to complete a new application for the 2025-26 school year. Applications are available in English and Spanish and will be accepted until Monday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.
    The Students First Act, introduced by Governor Kim Reynolds and signed into law on Jan. 24, 2023, makes the state funding intended for a child's education available to be directed by parents and guardians of eligible students who attend accredited nonpublic schools. Eligible students must be residents of Iowa, enroll as a full-time student and attend an accredited nonpublic school that is located in Iowa.
    Beginning this year, all Iowa resident K-12 students are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of their family income. Annual ESA applications are required for all prospective ESA participants. Funds held in an ESA can be used for tuition, fees and other eligible qualified education expenses.
    Proof of residency will be automatically verified during the application process using the parent's or guardian's 2024 Iowa State Tax Return. If a 2024 tax return was not filed in Iowa, the applicant must provide other allowable documentation to verify student eligibility.
    Families planning to apply can find answers to frequently asked questions about the application, process, eligibility and more on the Iowa Department of Education's ESA webpage.
    Technical support is available from Odyssey representatives by phone at 515-368-9564 or email at help.ia@withodyssey.com.

    The Danbury Firefighters cleared out the fire station from the emergency vehicles over the weekend so that they could accommodate the tables they needed for their annual Palm Sunday breakfast. As always, the firefighters and their help accomplished putting out the fires of hunger in the patrons.
    Some of the kids found more than a meal at the station. They were entertained by, of all things, the drain trough that the runs the length of the station. Used to catch fluids from the emergency vehicles and when the floors are washed, the drain caught the attention of these kids, too.
    Photo by Sherry Welte. Thanks, Sherry!