Maple Valley-Anthon Oto’s

501 South Seventh Mapleton, IA

Ram Write-UpMay 2015 Issue 8

Ram Write-Up Staff:

Editor-in-Chief: Laura Perez

Layout/Copy Editor:Laura Perez

Staff Reporters:Alison Boysen

Riley Coleman

Jaycee Prescott

Tessa Rayevich

Advisor: Lois Moser

Guest Writer:Shayla Brown

Google.com

By: Tessa RayevichAs the year comes to an end, seniors are

getting anxious about graduation. They are excited, sad, and happy. For many of them the sadness is going to come from the chair sitting near them with no one occupying it.

Cailey Marie Berndt died on October 14, 2012 in a car versus train accident. Her memory, however, will live on with the senior class.

Cailey Marie Berndt was born on July 16, 1996, in Onawa, Iowa, the daughter of Chad Berndt and Amy Spencer. She was a family orientated, smiley, bubbly person, always the

socializer. She never missed an opportunity to talk. She liked horses and her cowboy boots and was drawn to the happiness she found in children; they responded to her gentle attitude. Cailey loved to drive. She loved dirt bikes and four wheelers.

In memory of her passing some students of the senior class raised money to pay for a plaque and an apple tree that will be located on the elementary side of the school building. They used some profit from the Cailey t-shirts that they sold. They also collected money before school. Students of the high

Pictured with the memorial are, from left to right, Kassity Perkins, Riley Coleman, Frankie

Hopkins, Summer Beery, Jordan Trucke, Anna Delagarza, Jackie Krusen, Gabby Teet,

Alyssa Boggs, Maggie Rosburg, and below: Sara Utterback, Tessa Rayevich

Class of 2015 commemorates Cailey

Berndt

school could pay $1 to wear a hat for the day; the money was added the memorial fund.

She may be gone, but she will always be a part of the Class of 2015.

Thank you for all the donations that made

this memorialpossible!

Page 2 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By: Jaycee PrescottPaige Rawl is just a normal girl starting

middle school. Going to the hospital and drinking her “yucky” was normal to her. It was what she thought that every kid did, until one day at the hospital, she glanced over the doctor’s shoulder at her file and saw a word that she recognized from a lesson in school. She saw that she was HIV+. When she asked her mom about it she found out that her mom was also HIV+ and that her father had died of AIDS when she was very young.

Most people think that HIV and AIDS are the same but they are actually quite different. HIV is an acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS and is not curable. The HIV virus latches itself on to the white blood cells that help fight sickness and disease and destroys them. So this means that even a simple cold or flu can be life threatening for someone with HIV.

The book Positive: A Memoir is Paige Rawl’s life story and how she conquers her bullies.

Positive: A Memoir is a very moving book that inspires people to be better than what they are, to not judge people without getting to know them first, and to stand up for what they believe in.

I highly recommend everyone to read this book. If you have bullies of your own, maybe know a friend or a family member who does or are just a bystander and watch the bullying happen, read this story. I guarantee it will help you have the strength to stand up for yourself and others against the bullies and to fight for what you believe is right and not just go by what others believe.

The Ram Review

Positive: A Memoir

“If we can let ourselves, all of us, be united by the simple fact of having a difference, we will feel bigger and stronger and more powerful than anyone who might otherwise

make us feel small.”-Paige Rawl

By Jaycee PrescottDesigning a logo that is simple but

is not over looked is a hard job. Most logos have hidden meanings in them that are somehow connected to the company. The Starbucks logo has some very interesting hidden meanings or theories.

The Starbucks logo is thought to have some very evil connections hidden within it. The name Starbucks represents what they are thought to worship; “Stars,” occult astrology and “Bucks,” the Mammon or the God of Money.

Some believe that the logo means o b s e s s i o n , a d d i c t i o n a n d d e a t h .

The logo is green, and green is a mixture of yel low and blue which stands for the Holy Water of Judgement.

The Starbucks blog says that the mermaid was chosen to capture the spirit of Seattle back in 1971, but is that the truth? Mermaids are thought to be very unlucky omens. They are believed to drag humans

underwater and drown them, sometimes on purpose and sometimes by accident. In mythology sirens are brutal sociopaths who murder you by being extremely attractive.

In the logo is a siren or a mermaid with two tails. The two tails also have black and white stripes on them, which could represent the balance between good and evil.

S o m e b e l i e v e t h a t t h e d o u b l e ta i l could a l so represent the twin mermaid spirits in voodoo witchcraft.

Also the body of the mermaid forms a fancy peace sign. But, this peace sign is not a happy peace sign. This peace sign is an ancient rune that symbolizes death. This rune is also known by these names; ‘The Broken Cross,’ ‘The Crow’s Foot,’ and ‘The Witch’s Foot.’ This symbol is also known for being on Nazi graves. Notice in the logo that her hair is wavy which is supposed to represent the waves of the ocean. But, if you look at it the waves form what looks like 333/333

which means 666, which is a sign of evil. Notice the double circle around the logo.

Usually a circle within a circle represents a secret society. They also often symbolize the sun and the egg (fertility and female anatomy). The double circle with the two stars is similar to the logo of the Order of Baphomet (Satan).

The Starbucks logo is believed to have very interesting hidden meanings or theories. Some people believe that the Starbucks logo has very evil connections hidden within it, but some people believe that it was just a way to capture the spirit of Seattle back in 1971.

By Shayla Brown Many people living in the United States

know little about May Day. May Day has its origins here, and is also known as International Worker’s Day. Back in the 19th century, working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. People protested to shorten the workday without cutting their pay, but it wasn’t until later that organized labor was able to garner enough strength to declare the 8-hour workday.

Literally thousands of working people embraced the ideals of anarchy, which emphasized individualism and independence. An estimated quarter million workers in the Chicago area became directly involved in the crusade for the eight hour work day. More and more workers continued to walk off their jobs until the numbers swelled to nearly one million. It was not until two days later, May 3, 1886, that violence broke out at the McCormick Reaper Works between police offiers. For six months straight, police harassed and beat locked-out steelworkers as they picketed. During a speech near a power plant, two hundred strikers joined the steelworkers on the picket line. Violence escalated into rock throwing by the strikers which the police responded to with gunfire. At least two strikers were killed, and many more were wounded. A public meeting was called by some of the anarchists for the following to discuss the police brutality. Enraged, the police fired into the crowd and an estimated seven or eight civilians died,

and up to forty were wounded. Eight were arrested and convicted of murder, though only three were even present at Haymarket and those three were in full view of all when the bombing occurred. The entire world watched as these eight organizers were convicted, not for their actions, of which all of were innocent, but for their political and social beliefs.

Today, we remember that people were shot so we could have the 8-hour day; if we acknowledge that homes with families in them were burned to the ground so we could have Saturday as part of the weekend; when we recall 8-year old victims of industrial accidents who marched in the streets protesting working conditions and child labor only to be beat down by the police and company thugs, we understand that our current condition cannot be taken for granted - people fought for the rights and dignities we enjoy today, and there is still a lot more to fight for. The sacrifices of so many people can not be forgotten, and this is why we celebrate May Day.

Evil in your cup?

The Starbucks logo explained

Thank laborers of the past for eight-hour workdays in the present

Maeci Eyer 05Zoee Ruchti 08Cody McCormick 11Kyle Marsh 12Mitchel Wolterman 13Mikayla Lansink 19Kendra Hart 19Brady Gothier 20Anna Hadden 21Ben Sadler 21Austin Bridgeman 24JoHannah McKibben 25 Brett Weaver 26Adam Ehlers 27Anavin Mounivong 27Kyler McDermott 29Kylee McDermott 29

May Birthdays

Happy Birthday,

Rams!

Page 3 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

By Riley ColemanLadies and gentlemen, seniors of all ages,

the time is fast approaching! The day we graduate and are let loose into this world alone, trusted to be responsible adults is upon us scary, I know.

Many seniors plan on attending colleges/universities outside of the state, some still want the chance to call Iowa home, and some are even pursuing a career in the military.

There is no doubt about the fact that every single senior is filled with excitement, nerves, and a sense of sadness to be leaving the same school we have called “home” for the past four years. A piece inside every one of you seniors, though, is ready to leave, to set out on your own adventure and see where life takes you; whether it takes you to playing football in a college stadium, earning your business degree, suffering through basic training to be able to travel the world and protect our country, learning how to take apart and put back together engines of many different things, hitting a golf ball at the location of a PGA tournament and becoming the next Phil Mickelson, or being put through many years of schooling to earn a medical degree of any kind.

Graduation day will be hard for every one of you, for your own special reasons, but we all know you will get sad saying goodbye to a certain favorite teacher, a teacher you used to give a hard time to just because, or feeling the sense of accomplishment when you walk across that stage and receive your diploma. Knowing that we did it, we made it through what was supposed to be the “best four years

in our lives.”As you sit there in the folding chairs,

waiting for your name to be called so you can go and get the important piece of paper, you are probably having flashbacks to the past four years. That moment when we walked into the school as freshmen on our very first day, some kids already knowing upperclassmen and fitting in right away, and some not finding their niche until later on in the school year. We all remember decorating the halls during homecoming, decorating our class flag, and dressing up together with friends that one week. Some of us joined sports teams, clubs, student council, and dance.

We will forever remember the events of our sophomore, junior, and our last year here. It is not something that can be easily forgotten.

We will crowd into the courtyard after commencement and throw our caps in celebration because we did it! Of course our excitement will fade only a TINY bit when we look around at each other (some crying and some not), and realize that every classmate standing around is who we grew up with. From elementary school we have seen each other at our worst and our best times. Some friendships will live on forever, and some friendships might fade as we take different paths in life, but we know we will always be MVAO Rams, we will be proud of where we come from, it will be a sweet and sorrow filled farewell; but ready or not…here we come.

Class of 2015 prepares for graduation

“Ready or Not...” By Shayla BrownDerik Via was born on November 22,

1996. His parents’ names are Bobbi and Todd Moore. Derik is involved in many school activities including baseball, football, wrestling, choir, jazz choir, and baseball. Something unique about Derik is that he is an open book; everyone knows everything about him.

Derik’s parents describe him as outgoing and always happy, and his teachers describe him as being very talkative. His friends describe him as someone who likes to have fun, and not shy at all.

One of Derik’s favorite high school memories is of playing football on Friday nights. Derik’s favorite memory as a child was when his entire middle school class had an eraser fight. Derik’s closest friends are Austin Hazard and Derik Bailey. Derik Bailey has helped him a lot and has always been there for him. Austin is good friends with Derik because they are always joking around together in class. Derik has traveled to Colorado, Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington D.C. After graduation, he plans on attending Midland University for an education and coaching degree, and to also play football. Best wishes to you Derik!

Derik ViaSenior Spotlights

Mikayla LansinkBy Ali Boysen

“Be yourself, because an original is worth more than a copy.” This one-of-a-kind senior is Mikayla Lansink, a left handed cat enthusiast. She is always someone you can see walking down the hallway smiling.

Mikayla Marie Lansink was born May 19, 1997. Her parents are Dean and Diane Lansink. They would describe her as fun loving, passionate, and sympathetic. She has two younger siblings, Brenna, who is a

freshman, and Collin, who is in sixth grade. Lansink’s favorite childhood memory was

one of her first ones from Danbury Catholic School in preschool. Her fellow classmate Chris Flannery had walked into the women’s bathroom on accident and returned with a bright red face. Lansink can remember how everyone laughed at the incident. Her favorite high school memory is from her junior year. “The reason my junior volleyball season is my favorite is because of our accomplishments we made together as a team.”

Lansink has actively participated in many things, such as volleyball, softball, track, basketball, chamber choir, FCCLA, BPA, Student Council, Gold Club, and National Honor Society. She has enjoyed many of these sports and activities with her friends. Lansink has a variety of friends and she loves them all because of their individual personality. Lansink’s friends would describe her as funny, supportive, outgoing, crazy, fun, caring, sweet, trustworthy, and considerate.

Lansink’s future plans include attending Iowa Central, then transferring to Morningside College to major in Elementary Education and minor in Early Childhood Education. While going there she also plans on getting reading and coaching endorsements.

“ B e y o u r s e l f , because an

original is worth more than a copy.”

-Mikayla Lansink

Page 4 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

Senior Spotlights continuedBy Ali BoysenSara Elizabeth Utterback made her debut to

the world on February 19, 1997. Her parents, Kevin and Elizabeth Utterback welcomed her along with her two brothers, Brett and Bryce.

This senior is known for being artistic and creative. One of her favorite high school memories is when she made a shirt for then history teacher, Mr. Hastert. The shirt was colorful and had Hastert’s face on it.

Throughout high school Utterback has participated in volleyball, golf, FFA, FCCLA, Student Council, cheerleading, speech, theatre, and drill team. It was at state drill team that something comical happened to Utterback that she will never forget. While she was getting ready, the fire alarms went off and every one abandoned her, leaving her stranded in her bra.

“(She) is free at spirit and a joy to have in class,” says Ms. Sieren. Utterback’s mother would say that she’s caring, understanding, loving, grateful, beautiful hearted, and creative. Those who know this senior would not disagree. Jordan Trucke, Utterback’s friend, would also add that she’s usually up to no good. Trucke is one of her closest friends because they grew up together and she can depend on her. Gabby Teet is also a close friend who always makes Utterback laugh. Utterback also grew up with her very close friend and cousin Maggie Rosburg, who always listens to her rant about her problems. When they were little, they would go to their

Sara Utterbackgrandparent’s house and make mud pies.

Some interesting things about Utterback are she has never once in her life eaten steak. Since she has taken Textiles and Design, she really knows how to wield a pair of knitting needles. Something she usually utters before a test is, “This grade does not define who I am.” Car vacuums and wind turbines are her biggest fears.

Utterback’s future plans include attending Iowa Central for her general education classes and then deciding her major. After Iowa Central she will go off to another school and further her education; she’s just not sure where yet. Whatever path she decides to travel, we are all sure she will make it far.

By: Tessa RayevichAlex Boettger was born on October, 23,

1996. His parents are Tammi and Allan Boettger. They would describe him as being very helpful. He has one brother and one sister, Tommy and Alysha.

His favorite childhood memory is doing fifth grade math in fourth grade with Shawn Flanigan in Mrs. McNamara’s room. He would recall making cow udders in physics as being his favorite high school memory. Something about Alex that no one may know is that he wants to attempt pre-med to try to be a surgeon.

Shawn Flanigan, Derrik Kerns, Korey Kuhlman, Michael Jones, Austin Hazard, Kayla Morgan, Hannah Sadler, Laura Perez, and Kendra Sexton are some of Alex’s closest friends because they are always fun to be around. They would also describe him as being very helpful with whatever they may need.

Roller coasters are Alex’s biggest fear. He has traveled to California, Arizona, and Washington D.C. He has participated

Alex Boettgerin many activities including FFA, speech, football, golf, basketball, and track. Alex’s future plans are to attend Morningside College and major in secondary education in mathematics.

Justin Aguirre

By: Tessa RayevichJustin was born on March 13, 1997.

His parent is Marlo Cleveland. She would describe him as unique, kind, and big-hearted. He has one sister, NiKayla Aguirre.

He would recall his favorite high-school memories as having friends come over on the weekends. His favorite childhood memories are when he and his mom would go on car rides with the radio up.

Something unique about Justin that no one else may know is that he has a large; old style 50” TV that takes up a third of his bedroom.

Teachers would say that Justin is quiet and a little stand-offish. His closest friends are Jordan Gregory, Luke Whitney, Danielle Ortner, Noah Mead, and Sean Wilson. They would describe him as fun, loving, weird, and funny.

His biggest fear is what hides in the dark. He has never travelled outside of the state of Iowa. He has been to the Zoo and Adventure land. Band it the only activity he has participated in. His plans after high school are to work and go to college.

Dustin FlammangBy Jaycee Prescott

Dustin Joe Flammang was born to Dave and Peggy Flammang on October 24, 1996. Dustin has 5 siblings; Quentin, Gavan, and Shelby Flammang, Holley Steinkamp and Alexa Haines.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” This saying is one of Dustin’s favorite sayings. Something unique about Dustin that you may not know is that he has twin nephews and that his biggest fear is snakes.

Dustin’s favorite childhood memory is going boating and watching the fireworks out on the lake. One day Chris Flannery,

Morgan Lewis, and himself were in the city at large group contest. On the ride home, they had many laughs together. Later on, this became one of Dustin’s favorite high school memories.

Chris Flannery is one of Dustin’s closest friends because they hang out all of the time and they work together. Morgan Lewis is another one of Dustin’s closest friends because they are dating. Dustin’s friends would describe him as a fun person to be around and hang out with.

Dustin’s parents are extremely proud of the responsible, reliable, and hardworking young man that he has become over the years. His teachers think of him as a friendly, hardworking, and respectful person that is fun to talk to.

Throughout his life Dustin has traveled to Florida and to Europe for band. In school, Dustin has been involved in band, jazz band, and FFA. Dustin’s future plans are to go to Iowa Central to study Auto Collision.

Cody McCormickBy Riley Coleman

On May 11, 1997, Troy and Lynn McCormick welcomed a baby boy into the world, older brothers Sean and Brandon got someone to pick on. Later on they would be welcoming two more children into the world; Caden and Keaton.

His favorite childhood memory is when he got to play in the sandbox. As he grew up more memories started to form; one high school memory Cody has is when he played football and attended football games with his friends.

Continued on page five

Page 5, The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

Jordan TruckeBy Jaycee Prescott

Jordan Leigh Trucke was born to Ed and Beth Trucke on March 11, 1997. Jordan has two older brothers, Ryan and Joshua Trucke.

Jordan’s mom describes her as a loving and caring person who loves to laugh and is not at all a morning person. Jordan loves music, animals, and most of all Starbucks.

Jordan’s favorite childhood memory was the day that she met Sara Utterback at day care. Jordan was mean to Sara and had told Sara that she wanted to play with the boys instead of her.

Jordan has many favorite high school memories but these were the three that stood out, one favorite memory was going to Bonnaroo for the music festival with Gabby

Teet and Trisha. Qualifying for nationals for BPA two years in a row is another one of Jordan’s favorite memories. One last memory that stood out was going golfing in the snow.

Four of Jordan’s closest friends are Sara Utterback, Tiffanie Cass, Gabby Teet and Alyssa Boggs. Sara, Tiffanie, Gabby and Alyssa are Jordan’s closest friends because they don’t lie, are always down for a good time, and can keep quiet. Sara and Jordan have been friends for 14 or 15 years. Sara describes Jordan as a fun and loving individual who likes to do her own thing. Tiffanie agrees that Jordan is funny and nice, but she also thinks that Jordan is a little bit intimidating.

Nancy Hahn, describes Jordan as an outspoken person who has a hard shell, is adventurous, and is willing to try new things.

Jordan’s biggest fear is millipedes. Something that you may not know about Jordan is that she is a bad driver and that she likes to read. Jordan has a tendency to say the word “slay” a lot and her life motto is “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Jordan’s school activities include BPA, FFA, FCCLA, choir, the school play, speech, golf, and volleyball. In the future Jordan plans to go to college and study human behavior. She would also like to do some traveling.

“If God is for us, who

can be against us?”

-Jordan Trucke

Teachers think of Cody as quiet and sometimes spaced out. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick think of Cody as incredibly smart. It sounds like he comes out of his shell around his friends, though, because they think of Cody as energetic and extremely random at times. Close friends Chris Flannery, Dustin Flammang, and Skylar Goslar can vouch for that.

He has not traveled very much throughout his lifetime, even though we are pretty sure he has at least been to Nebraska or South Dakota once in his life.

After graduation Cody plans to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City to pursue a career in criminal justice.

His biggest fear is being put in prison, but he has been pulled over 14 times! 2 times did not count, however; Cody, let’s stop for the flashing lights next time; you have a bright future ahead of you.

Senior Spotlights: Continued

from page fourProm 2015

On the Boardwalk

Andrew

O’Neal, a

junior, and

Brenna

Lansink, a

freshman,

show off their outfits at

Grand March

on April 25.

Shaylee

Ames, a

sophomore,

and Austin Petersen, a junior, look

sharp as

they parade down the

Boardwalk.

More prom pics can be found on pages 6

and 7.

Page 6 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

Prom 2015 continued...

Juniors spent the day

decorating the gym for prom

on Friday, April 24. On the

Boardwalk was this year’s

theme, with a nighttime

carnival feel adorning

the gym. The two left

pictures are of the final

display.

Madyson Hinkel, a

junior, and Bailey

Boettcher, a

sophomore, strike a

pose for the crowd.

Above: A dashing

Brandon Krusen

(freshman) and

beautiful Sara

Utterback (senior)

take the stage at

Grand March.

Left: Seniors Michael

Jones and Hannah

Sadler post up for a

picture.

Page 7 , The Ram Write-Up, Maple Valley Anthon- Oto Schools

Left: Junior Jacob Goeddeke and sophomore Tunney Merrill strut

their stuff in their tuxes.

Jaycee Prescott and Sheray Schrunk look great in their

sparkling gowns.

Right: Sophomore JacobSchaffer and junior EmaleeFundermann make a cute

couple as they stop forpictures.

Below: Senior Alyssa Scott smiles big next

to her boyfriend, Logan Ernst.

Above: Seniors Shawn Flanigan and Laura Perez get along for once as they walk down Grand

March.