On Tuesday, May 6th, two MVAOCOU High School students and their advisor left for Orlando, FL to attend the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference (NLC). The students qualified to attend and compete at the conference in February where they were top placers in the state in their respective competitions.
    The group arrived in Orlando early Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morning, they visited Cocoa Beach where they went on a kayaking tour of the mangrove tunnels, spent some time at the beach, climbed through an aerial ropes course, and went to the Broadway production of The Lion King at the Dr. Phillips Center in downtown Orlando.
    Competitions kicked off on Thursday morning. First, Sara Rosener (daughter of Angie and John Rosener of Mapleton) took her Advanced Word Processing exam. Next up, Khloee Alioth (daughter of Tami Banta of Anthon and David and Clara Alioth of Correctionville) competed in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications. Between tests students were able to converse with potential employers and colleges. Following the first round of tests, the group took a break and went to an escape room where they had to solve a murder mystery as a team.
    On Friday, Sara Rosener tested in Advanced Office Systems & Procedures. Following her competition, the group went to Disney World for the evening but were forced to leave early due to a thunderstorm. Then they attended a student networking event at the hotel.
    Closing ceremonies revealed how the students placed in their competitions on Saturday. Sara Rosener placed 23rd out of 50 in Advanced Word Processing and 22nd out of 52 in Advanced Office Procedures. Khloee Alioth placed 23rd out of 51 in Advanced Spreadsheet Applications, commendable performances on the national stage.
    Trips like these give them valuable educational and life experiences that will impact them for years to come.
    Photo provided. Thank you!

    In 1997, Sister Mary Jane Conrad and Sister Ellen Mary Garrett joined the Danbury Catholic staff to teach the children their ABCs and 123s. The Presentation Sisters came to DC to continue a tradition that had begun in the late 1880s, Presentation Sisters in the Danbury Schools.
    Sr. Jane paid a visit to DC on Thursday last week to witness the planting of a Red Oak tree in honor of the Presentation Sisters. Why? Keep reading.
    In January of 1874, Sister Vincent Hennesey and 3 other Presentation sisters arrived from County Cork, Ireland, and settled in the Dubuque area. Their arrival began 150 years of service to local communities. The Presentation community of Dubuque, where they have their convent, will celebrate our 150th anniversary from November 2024 through November 2025. To commemorate and celebrate this occasion, they hope to plant 150 trees. According to the letter sent to Danbury Catholic School, the legacy of a tree outlives those who plant it and is a fitting metaphor for the many seeds that the Presentations have planted at over 200 locations for 150 years.
    The Presentations selected 18 locations where a school remains and at least 10 of their sisters served. Danbury Catholic School was chosen as one of these locations.
    On Thursday, the student body gathered outside the school to help with the planting of the tree. Father William McCarthy said a prayer and blessed the tree, and Sister Jane gave a history of the Presentation sisters. Principal Mrs. Molly Petersen placed the tree in the designated, and the children were invited to place some dirt around the tree.
    "I am so excited about planting this tree," commented Petersen. "Each class took a photo in front of the tree and I can't wait to see the students back here as they grow or even at graduation time to see how they've grown compared to the tree."
    To the right, Fr. Bill recites a prayer while Mrs. Petersen holds the tree and Sr. Jane stands amongst the kids.

    The MVAOCOU track and field members who qualified for State spent last Wednesday morning traveling to all the buildings in the Maple Valley Anthon Oto and the Charter Oak Ute school districts. They introduced themselves and played some trivia with the youngsters.
    Above, track and field members bond with the kids at Danbury Catholic during lunch time.

    The MVAO FFA Chapter was filled with exciting events throughout May.
    The first event was the Plant Sale, which was held May 2 and 3. The Plant Sale had petunias, geraniums, impatiens, coleus, various baskets, vegetables, and more! We had a great turnout with our sales.
    The next event was the Petting Zoo. The Petting Zoo was on May 5 in Mapleton. We welcomed the elementary students to come out and see all the different animals. The animals were goats, a calf, chickens, a rooster, ducks, a cat and kittens, rabbits, dogs, and sheep.
    We then had the FFA & Faculty BBQ on May 7. Students volunteered to grill hamburgers and brats. A great turnout of students and faculty came and enjoyed their lunch.
    The Petting Zoo then went to Anthon on May 8. They also welcomed elementary students to see the animals. The same animals that were in Mapleton went to Anthon.
    May is always a month that the MVAO FFA Chapter looks forward to!
Respectfully submitted,
Emma Pithan,
MVAO Chapter Reporter

    The rural farm family and community live, work and grow in a unique environment. The setting offers special hazards unlike any other work site. Children and parents are exposed to hazards on the farm and in their homes. No matter where you are, you should always take precautions in being safe from accidents? Youth learned how to be safe through a day of education from local volunteers of the community.
    In an effort to make children more aware of safety on the farm and home, ISU Extension and Outreach in Monona County hosted a Progressive Agriculture Safety Day at the MVAO Elementary School on Friday, April 11th, for 3rd to 5th graders.
    Progressive Agriculture Foundation and ISU Extension and Outreach made this event possible by furnishing training for the coordinator of the Progressive Ag Safety Day, Nancy McGrain, 4-H Youth Coordinator for Monona County and t-shirts for all students and volunteers with bags for them to put materials in that were collected throughout the day. Bunge of Council Bluffs furnished bike helmets and little fans for all youth. National sponsors for Progressive Agriculture Safety Days are Bunge, Nutrien, CHS, TC Energy, Polaris, Farm Credit, John Deere, and Cargill, just to name a few. ISU Monona County Extension and Outreach provided other safety reading materials.
    The students rotated in groups through 8 different safety stations with hands-on demonstrations to help reinforce safety rules throughout the days. Teachers were great to help lead groups to the different stations.
    The days wouldn't have been possible without the presenters. Everyone graciously said "yes" when asked to help. Dr. Jim Else, retired veterinarian told the group of safety around large farm animals such as cows and horses. Other stations and presenters were: Bike Safety, Officer Shelby McCreedy; First Aid, Nick Lakely, paramedic from Burgess Hospital in Onawa; Look-a-like chemicals, Cheryl Koenig, retired teacher; Disabilities and hidden hazards Bob and Fran Haack, retired teachers from Whiting and Leland Hathaway, local farmer, Turin; Underground Utilities, Laura Neldeberg, Monona County Extension Council and farm wife; Pond Safety/Wild Animals, Tyler Ruge, Monona County naturalist; and Lawnmower Safety, Josh Schaben and Kaleb Kaster, from Monona County Conservation. Jennifer Kinsey and Mistaya Hoefling, principals were great in helping coordinate schedules and before the day things to be done. Many teachers that helped supervise said the students loved the Ag Safety Day and learned a lot just as they did. Over 100 students were reached at this program.
    Students learned many good safety practices. Did you know it is very hard to tell the difference between Clorox, water and peroxide in a container when you can't smell them? If you see an orange flag in the ground, communications must be working on their lines and who you are going to call, 811. Who do you call in an emergency, 911. These are only a few of the many safe practices that were learned during the day. By promoting agriculture safety, we hope to help prevent further deaths and injuries on the farm and in your home.
    Pictured are students led by Leland Hathaway learning about teaching by hammering nails using their non-dominant hand. Photo provided by Monona County Extension and Outreach. Thank you!