Viva Las Vegas
What happens at the 2025 PCM Prom doesn’t stay at the prom as students celebrate the event with friends and family April 12
‘EARS’ to having fun and learning at the same time
By Jamee A. Pierson
PCM Explorer
Monroe Elementary kids got an extra Easter surprise April 9 when they came to school. High school FFA students organized an egg hunt with extra treats as a way to connect with the younger Mustangs.
“I thought it would be fun to do it for the elementary and it is around Easter so it would be a good idea,” high school organizer Baili Birkenholtz said. “It is another way we can interact with the community.”
FFA and Agriculture teacher Jenny Petersen told Birkenholtz if she could organize the event, they would do it. The high schooler found eggs and candy to purchase and developed additional incentives for the kids beyond just collecting eggs for treats.
The group had perfect weather for their event and used it as an
opportunity to engage with younger kids and put their plans into action. Eggs were spread throughout the elementary playground, some easy to find and others a little more hidden. The group also had a couple of special eggs that came with
an additional prize for those who found them.
“We have mini tractors and there is an FFA sticker on one egg for each grade that will win the
Scrutiny over assessor’s office budget leads to reductions
Conference board
meeting gets
heated as members
accountability
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Three weeks ago the Jasper County Conference Board demanded the county assessor scrap her entire FY26 budget and restart from scratch after concerns were raised about the office’s supposedly high reserve funds, staff raises, the amount of deputies needed in the office and whether line items were “spitballed.”
By the following week, the conference board — which is comprised of town mayors, county supervisors and a representative from the school boards in Jasper County — met again with the county assessor to review her new budget, which was reduced by about $20,000. The meeting was over rather quickly.
demand
— to the penny — by the auditor’s office staff. County Assessor Stacey Von Dielingen said whatever doesn’t get spent, it gets offset for next year’s budget. Bishop had his doubts. He saw no offset from this year to the next year, except for software and maintenance. Talsma grew aggravated with her not knowing estimates for reserves and other line items.
Bishop later pointed out that he knew a rough estimate of her reserves balance, which he estimated to be above $200,000. To him, it is “crazy” to see a reserve balance that high when the assessor’s office budget is around $653,000. It is common practice for taxing entities to have at least 25 percent reserves.
Jasper County recruits help of local tinkerer to fix pneumatic clock now on display
By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks knows a thing or two about fixing odds and ends in the courthouse, but when it comes to repairing the inner workings of an antique pneumatic clock that is over a hundred years old, he calls a local tinkerer with a proven track record of solving these kinds of problems.
Even so, Dave Simons knew the task would be difficult. It is not every day you come by a clock that uses air pressure to drive its internal components. With many now relying on electricity or some kind of gear mechanism to operate — heck, most people just use their phone — a pneumatic clock is a relic of the past. It took a little time and a little patience, Simons
However, the previous meeting on March 18 was much longer, and it was because Baxter Mayor Doug Bishop and Supervisor Brandon Talsma wanted the assessor to explain items in her budget. When they asked for specifics, she couldn’t answer. When they asked for estimates, she couldn’t answer.
“It seems like we’re spitballing a lot of these numbers,” Bishop said, noting line items like FICA, IPERS and health insurance were rounded to $25,000 and $31,000 and $90,000, respectively. He suggested every department in the county is notified of these amounts
Going by these estimates, the assessor’s office would have 30 percent of its budget in reserve; 25 percent reserves amounts to about $163,000. Frustrations only continued.
Bishop scrutinized line items for mileage reimbursements and continued education trainings, and he disagreed with her going against county policy and staying in Des Moines hotels for trainings. He said Von Dielingen spent $2,888 on hotels in Des Moines over the past two years.
Pushing back, Von Dielingen said her office operates autonomously
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer
Easter egg hunt organizer Baili Birkenholtz explains the rules of the event to the elementary students. Birkenholtz is a member of the PCM FFA group and, along with fellow members, put together the egg hunt as a way to interact with younger students and teach them about what FFA is.
PCM FFA students serves as Easter Bunny for Monroe Elementary egg hunt event
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks explains how the 1910 Hahl pneumatic master clock operates alongside its secondary clock. The master clock was recently restored so that it could still operate using compressed air.
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Upcoming events at The Gathering Place in Monroe
Thursday, April 17
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 9am Focus Group
• 12:30pm TAI-CHI for Arthritis
Friday, April 18
• 7pm Patty Richards Country Show
Monday, April 21
• 10am Video Exercise Class
Tuesday, April 22
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 8am Coffee and Prayer
Wednesday, April 23
• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S.
Thursday, April 24
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 12:30pm TAI CHI for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
• 5pm Acoustic JAMM
GriefShare session Saturday
First Reformed Church in Prairie City will host GriefShare from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome.
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
TOPS
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
PC Library hosting program
The Prairie City Public Library is hosting Tyler Smith from Smith Law Firm in Altoona, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Smith will be here to answer questions about wills, trusts and estate planning.
PC Library offerings each Wednesday
The Prairie City Public Library hosts regular “bring your own craft” times and Storytimes at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoons. At 4 p.m. Wednesdays, you can read with therapy dogs. There are also book clubs for adults and middle school students.
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales sign-up before April 25
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales are scheduled for Saturday, May 3 and registrations are available at City Hall, Monroe Post Office, Monroe Foods or online at www.monroeia.com. Cost is $5 to advertise on the map and the deadline for signing up is Friday, April 25.
PC Lions Pancake Breakfast
The Prairie City Lions will host its monthly pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Prairie City Community Building. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and drink. A free will donation will be accepted for the PCM Fine Arts Boosters.
Spring Clean-up in Monroe
Monroe Spring Clean-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. For a list of unacceptable items, visit www.midwestsanitation.com.
Email birth announcements to: news@pcmexplorer.com
Please recycle your old newspapers.
REAL ID enforcement date approaching: What Iowans need to know
Starting on May 7, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card or another acceptable document (like a passport) to board domestic commercial flights. A REAL ID will also be required to access certain federal buildings or enter nuclear facilities. If you need clarification about entry into federal facilities, we recommend contacting the specific federal facility directly before your visit.
You do NOT need a REAL ID to:
• Drive
• Vote
• Purchase alcohol or cigarettes
• Access hospitals
• Visit the post office
• Access federal courts
• Apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans’ benefits
When to get a REAL ID:
Iowans who fly commercially or visit certain federal buildings should obtain a REAL ID soon to avoid any issues or delays after the May 7 enforcement date. Appointments are highly encouraged and can be scheduled through the Iowa DOT Service Selector (or go to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search appointments).
If you are not flying or visiting a federal fa -
cility that requires a REAL ID until later in the year, you can wait to get your REAL ID. We strongly recommend getting it two months in advance of when you need to use it.
REAL ID Compliance in Iowa (Iowans are ahead of the national average!):
As of March 2025, 75 percent of all Iowa driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID compliant. The national average is 60 percent.
Data from TSA checkpoints over a five-month period last year shows that approximately 85 percent of Iowans traveling domestically already possess a REAL ID.
How to Check If You Have a REAL ID: Check the upper-right corner of your driver’s license or ID. If there is a gold star, you have a REAL ID. If the upper-right corner is blank or reads “NOT FOR REAL ID ACT PURPOSES,” then your ID is not REAL ID-compliant. For examples, visit the Iowa DOT REAL ID page (or go to the DOT’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search REAL ID). Need a REAL ID? Here’s How to Get One:
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant credential, visit the Iowa DOT REAL ID website (or go to the DOT’s website at IowaDOT.gov and search REAL ID)
for details on required documentation. This site will put together a checklist for you on the documents you need. To meet the federal requirements, just remember 1-1-2. You will need:
• 1 document that proves your identity and date of birth.
• 1 document that proves your social security number.
• 2 documents that prove Iowa residence and residential address.
*Name change documents (if applicable, marriage certificate/divorce decree, etc.)
Iowa Mobile ID
Iowa Mobile ID is a highly secure, digital version of your state-issued driver’s license or ID, carried in the Wallet or an app on your smartphone. If you have Iowa Mobile ID, your REAL ID status information is included with it and will be available to verifiers to check. TSA recently expanded acceptance of digital IDs to more than 200 airports. For information on Iowa Mobile
ID, visit https://iowadot.gov/mvd/Mobile-ID. REAL ID History: Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. The standard purposes are:
• Accessing certain federal facilities.
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
• Entering nuclear power plants.
To learn more about REAL ID, visit the Department of Homeland Security website at: https://www.dhs.gov/ real-id/about-real-id.
Iowa’s spring turkey season is here
A mild winter followed by timely spring rains has Iowa forests and woodlots leafing out ahead of spring turkey season, possibly tipping the playing field in favor of the gobblers, after a record harvest of more than 16,000 birds in 2024.
The first of Iowa’s four regular spring turkey seasons opens on April 14.
“We are greening up ahead of schedule,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “For anyone hunting second season or later, it could be a jungle out there.”
Winter turkey flocks are breaking up and birds are spreading across the landscape. Turkey production has been above the fiveyear average for three of the past four years, providing good numbers of birds, especially two-yearold jakes.
“Jakes will usually respond to calls more easily than toms and
have been known to come in in groups – if a group of jakes come in, make sure you have a clean shot at one bird,” Coffey said.
Although Iowa has set spring turkey harvest records twice since 2020, Coffey said it’s important to remember that historically, only one in five hunters will tag a bird.
“Success should be determined by time spent outside, watching the sunrise as the timber comes alive around you, the experience in the woods, not by bagging a turkey,” he said. “Spring turkey hunting is a close, intimate sport, where the excitement is happening in less than 30 yards. And with the early leaf out this year, it could be even closer.”
To improve the chances of bagging a turkey, Coffey said hunters should go through their equipment to make sure it all works and gear still fits before hiking into the timber on opening morning. He also said that the ticks are already out so plan accordingly.
Iowa’s first of four turkey seasons opens on the second Monday in April each year, and this year, that’s the middle of April, aligning turkey hunting with mushroom hunting season.
“If we get rain and a little heat –it should be a good year for mushroom hunting – which also means we need to be aware of other people in the woods – hunters need to identify their bird, make sure it has a beard, and what’s beyond it,” Coffey said.
One final tip, Coffey said don’t overlook Iowa’s smaller woodlots, as they are typically good places to hunt.
Successful hunters are required to report their harvest by midnight of the day after it is recovered by going online at www. iowadnr.gov, calling the toll free phone number printed on the tag, at any license vendor during regular business hours, by texting your registration number to 1-800-7714692 or through the Go Outdoors Iowa app.
“Best way for turkey hunter to help with conservation is to report your harvest,” he said.
2025 spring turkey season dates
Season 1 - April 14-17
Season 2 - April 18-22
Season 3 - April 23-29
Season 4 - April 30 – May 18
The youth season license is good until filled, but it must be purchased before the youth season closes.
Around 50,000 turkey licenses will be purchased this year. Hunters may purchase two turkey tags, with at least one for season four. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset.
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tractor,” Birkenholtz said. “We also have a cookie for the kid who collects the most eggs. It is driving for more than just the sticker or candy.”
The group also wanted the egg hunt to serve as an introduction to FFA. By planting the seed of information early, they hope kids can continue to learn about the group and hopefully one day participate.
“When they grow up they can hopefully be involved in FFA and agriculture,” Birkenholtz said. “Kids can always still be in FFA even if they aren’t on a farm and learn more.”
Petersen said they have several members who don’t live on farms and kids shouldn’t see that as a barrier to joining FFA.
“We all need to eat, so we need to know where our food comes from,” Petersen said. “There are a lot of opportunities that come with FFA.”
Monroe Elementary Principal Mandy Shannon was excited to have former students back in the school to work with the youngest PCM kids.
“I think it is great for both ages,” Shannon said. “They are positive role models and they see that. They also see what is possible when they get older, the leadership. It builds well-rounded kids.”
from the county and does not have to adhere to those policies. She defended staying in Des Moines, saying she gets anxious driving in rush hour traffic in the mornings and can study better by herself in a hotel room.
Von Dielingen wished they had talked to her and asked her questions ahead of time so that she could be better prepared to give a response. Bishop noted he did not get the packet of budget information until that very morning, and that it is also his job as a conference board member to hold her accountable.
“I’ll be honest with you, I was a bit chafed when I saw the deputy assessor’s pay up there, because I think everyone here had a full understanding of where we
like this happen. I’m not one of them. I just kept asking is about all I did. He made this thing work, and it is amazing.”
said, but it was worth it to see the pneumatic clock still operate as it was originally intended using air pressure. It is on display in the west wing of the Jasper County Courthouse, where Sparks has created a small museum of sorts to exhibit the building’s historic artifacts.
“I just always wanted to get this to work the way it used to, and fortunately he was the guy to do that,” Sparks said. “There are probably a handful of people who can make things
Known as a master clock, the large pneumatic clock synchronized all the other smaller, secondary clocks in the courthouse. If the master clock said it was 9 o’clock, the others in all the other rooms of the building also said it was 9 o’clock. The clocks were connected to the master clock through air lines. To show how they used to work, maintenance connected one of the lines from the 1910 master clock to a secondary clock — also known as a slave
clock — in the west entrance display. Keen eyes will notice a small pump inside the master clock, and when it deflates the hands of both clocks will move simultaneously.
Hidden away are small air tanks that allow the pneumatic system to operate within the master clock. Simons found this solution to work just fine. Sparks said Simons had to mimic how much air line the courthouse had in the building, tinkering away until he knew just how much air pressure was needed.
“He is just that guy who we have found can do anything and everything,”
are at,” Bishop said of a deputy assessor’s salary, which had been bumped up from $63,829 to $73,787, despite the board thinking it would be much less.
Earlier on in the meeting, the Jasper County Conference Board voted to correct that. Von Dielingen apologized and said it wasn’t specified originally in a motion at a past meeting. Bishop said the members of the conference board have an obligation to their taxpayers to point out these discrepancies.
“I refuse to sit here and be made to feel bad because I’m asking questions,” he said. “I think I have a statutory duty to sit here and ask these questions.”
Von Dielingen added, “You’re asking for me to give you figures I can’t give you because you haven’t asked me ahead of time. So I don’t have the budget in front of me and the figures that I have done from my
Sparks said. “He built a tool to reload the door cuffs — the springs — on the third floor. Literally went to his shop and built something to use to load it. We had no idea how to do it, and he figured it out.”
By trade, Simons is a toolmaker; he builds plastic injection molds. He traces back his experience with clocks back to childhood. He starting “fooling around” with an old kitchen clock his mom brought home for her basement antique shop. The clock wouldn’t run, so he gave it a look. Over time he got it running.
Simons was the perfect
budget because you didn’t ask me ahead of time to prepare them, or I would have had those for you.”
While Bishop was not accusing the county assessor of any wrongdoing or being deceitful, he did not believe the budget was a true reflection of the numbers. He made a motion for the county assessor to start again from scratch and hold another public hearing on the final budget. It received unanimous support.
Von Dielingen later commented on the March 18 meeting in a statement: “There was a unique situation with the budget this year following the first meeting that was discussed at the public hearing, and in looking at that change there were several other line items that board members had a question about.”
Which was when the board decided to set another meeting to allow the
man for the job.
“Adam has called me off and on with various problems that I’ve helped him fix,” Simons said. “The Lord’s just given me an ability to understand mechanical stuff.”
It is satisfying for Simons to see the master clock operate again, but even more so to see the secondary clock working alongside it. Simons said it was challenging to get the master clock to work alongside only one secondary clock. Normally, the master clock would help power about 20 or so other clocks.
“When you try to run just one clock off of that, it’s like taking a dump truck full of sand and trying to fill a thimble,” Simons said. “It’s just so overpowered. So what I had to do was make a whole bunch of extra air tanks, if you will, to make up for that volume. And that was experimental.”
Pneumatic clocks are not likely to appear on any shelves in Walmart
assessor’s office to provide updated figures and to lower the budget in those areas the conference board mentioned. Von Dielingen said it was a unique situation because the budget was already approved.
Since the changes to the budget only resulted in a decrease, the conference board was able to approve the newly amended budget on March 25. Von Dielingen said the Jasper County Assessor’s Office strives to set an efficient budget each year and still provide taxpayers with the best service possible.
“With changes possible at the state level there is no way to know this year what effect this could have on the office’s budgeting ability going forward,” Von Dielingen said in her statement to Newton News. “But we will continue to work keeping our levy well below the limit allowed by law.”
or Target. Combined with the fact many are ultimately electrified to have them in working order, Sparks said there is something interesting about keeping its air system in place. He still wonders how someone thought of this system 100 years ago.
“The knowledge it took to do that with very little tools or whatever it is that they had,” Sparks said. “How did one think of that? How did one even make that happen after they thought of that? So to have a gentleman that understands clocks and clock movements is invaluable.”
Sparks has a love for the courthouse and its history. Although he wants to keep the building update to date, he also wants to preserve its original character.
“If we can find the people to bring something back to its original state, I don’t see anything neater than that,” he said.
“It’s just amazing.”
All we needed to secure the border was President Trump
For the past four years, our southern border has been in chaos. Under President Biden, the United States saw an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration — more than 10 million individuals crossed into our country unlawfully. Fentanyl poured into our communities, crime spiked, and our Border Patrol agents were stretched beyond their limits, forced to process migrants instead of
Legislature must act to lower costs
By Jennifer Konfrst Iowa House Democratic Leader
With just under a month left in session, I’ve been hearing a lot of frustration from Iowans about the lack of progress in the Iowa Legislature this year. I couldn’t agree more.
At a time when Iowans are craving relief from rising costs, all we see is uncertainty and trouble ahead. In the Iowa legislature, helping Iowans address their budget concerns should be job one. Iowans are telling me they need security and confidence that things will get better.
What we’re hearing is also confirmed by the data. According to new information from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Iowa’s economy actually shrunk in 2024, making it the second worst-performing state in the country and our state is now 49th in the nation in personal income growth, according to State Policy Reports.
Also sadly, in the last three days alone, 900 Iowa workers learned they are losing their jobs through mass layoffs in Amana, Dubuque, and Decorah.
As a state lawmaker, I know we can’t fix everything that ails our economy right now. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything to help. There are several things we can do right now to lower costs for Iowans and help them stay above water.
Here are some things we should pass before we adjourn:
Lower the Cost of Housing
• Create more affordable housing units & make it easier to buy a first home (HF 659)
• Neighborhood grants to help current homeowner improve and stay in their home (HF 659)
• Cap rent increases (HF 266)
• Expand property tax credits to all seniors (HF 916)
• $1,000 property tax rebate for homeowners/$500 rebate for renters (HF 691)
Raise Wages & Support Iowa Workers
• End state taxes on tips & overtime pay
• Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour (HF 283)
• Restore unemployment for laidoff workers (HF 455)
Lower the Cost of Childcare
• Expand the Childcare Tax Credit and Childcare Assistance program to provide immediate relief to families (HF 611)
• Raise wages & expand benefits for childcare workers (HF 661)
• Tax credits for small businesses that provide childcare employee benefits (HF 661)
Lower health care costs by capping the price of insulin to $25 per month (HF 658)
Nearly every one of these ideas has bi-partisan support. Some of these ideas have even been introduced by Republican lawmakers as well.
So far, Reynolds and GOP leaders have been more focused on politics than getting any of these common sense ideas that will put more money in the pockets of Iowans. The endless controversies this session have been driven by culture wars and the special interests instead of putting politics aside and getting things done for Iowans.
With time running short, the only way to get some of these bills done is to put people over politics.
State Representative Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights serves the 32nd District in the Iowa House and is the Iowa House Democratic Leader
Our District
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
protecting our border.
The Biden Administration’s “catch and release” policies sent a dangerous message to the world: America’s borders are open. The result was predictable — record-breaking crossings, overwhelmed towns, and a national security disaster that reached all 50 states, including Iowa.
Now, after just two months back in office, President Trump has proven that strong leadership and common-sense
enforcement can restore order. According to new Customs and Border Protection data, March saw the lowest number of southern border crossings ever recorded in U.S. history. Crossings are down 96 percent compared to the peak of the Biden-era border crisis.
How did we get here? Not by throwing billions in taxpayer dollars at a broken system. Not by launching flashy apps or foreign aid programs. We got here because President Trump took swift executive action, ended Biden’s failed policies, and empowered our Border Patrol agents to do their jobs.
The message is now clear: the border is closed to illegal crossings, and those who violate our laws will face real con-
sequences. Deportations of criminals are up, the fence and its technology is being rebuilt, and border agents finally have the tools and backing they need to protect our nation.
In Iowa, we know how devastating illegal drugs and crime have been in our communities. This didn’t require new legislation or endless red tape in Washington — it required a president willing to enforce our laws.
The Biden Administration created this crisis. President Trump is ending it. We welcome you to this great nation-legally. will continue to work with President Trump in Congress to ensure we finish the job and keep Iowa — and America — safe.
I must be getting old. I find I can now sit down and read and enjoy high-brow intellectual, philosophical, God-consciousness books and get a lot of good out of them. It probably has something to do with me being ill with what might be a catastrophic illness and thinking about mortality. Don’t get me wrong, if I go, I know where I’m going, and I’m at peace with that. If I stay it’s because there is more work for me to do, people to help, God to serve.
There was a time, say 20 years ago, when I couldn’t read an author like Joseph Campbell because he was just too over my head in comparative mythology, religion and big words.
When the pupil is ready the teacher will appear.
I was searching through my library looking for some books I had read quite some time ago, because I was considering writing a book sort of like the ones I was looking for. I finally found them. The author is Marilynne Robinson. She taught at the Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa, and earned a Pulitzer Prize for “Gilead” back in 2005. “Gilead” is a mythical town in Iowa close to Tabor. At the time, I couldn’t even pronounce “Gilead.” I was saying “Gi-lead.” An educated friend told me the correct pronunciation, “Gilly-Ad.” For a little background, Gilead is also referenced in the Bible as well as the book and movie,”The Handmaid’s Tale,” written by Margaret Atwood.
YOUR VIEW
Having read the latest from our State Representative Dunwell, the only response really available is WHEW! A truly amazing effort to justify the quest for racial purity and the true American spirit. The representative, in attempting to justify our current legislature and its ongoing efforts of enforcing purity in our institutions of higher learning and government administration whether city, county, or state, uses words and concepts of which he has no understanding. His educational background has none of the attributes he and others are so apparently desirous of achieving — by getting rid of them.
The truly amazing quality of his latest opinion piece in the Newton News justifying our legislature’s actions is the concern with our “higher education” in Iowa as it experiences “skyrocketing costs, declining intellectual diversity, and the encroachment of identity politics.”
Let’s begin with the last “the encroachment of identity politics.” Clearly, identity politics, assuming the representative knows what it is, is not what the
Anywho, Robinson’s fictional books, which are some of the best fiction I’ve ever read, are “Gilead,” “Jack,” “Housekeeping,” “Home,” and “Lila.” In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Robinson has won a slew of awards, like Seabiscuit and his blue ribbons. I had read “Gilead,” “Housekeeping,” and “Home” back when Robinson won the Pulitzer. So I read them again. “Jack” and “Lila” were new to me, so I read them also. I am stunned by her writing. Then I happened to notice on my Kindle that Robinson also has a number of philosophical books. They include “Reading Genesis,” “What Are We Doing Here? Essays,” “Absence of Mind,” “When I Was a Child I Read Books,” “The Givenness of Things: Essays,” “Mother Country: Britain, the Welfare State and Nuclear Pollution,” “Absence of Mind: The Dispelling of Inwardness from the Modern Myth,” and “Death of Adam.” Robinson is the author of more than sixty books, and is also a well known public speaker, lecturer and teacher. She even teaches Sunday School. Can you imagine being in her class? What the heck? Nothing ventured nothing gained. With nervous fingers
representative objects to. He is objecting to other people’s “identity politics.” He is objecting to any politics not identical to his own. These include ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, denomination, gender, sexual orientation, social background, and political affiliation to name but some.
Then we have “intellectual diversity.” How one can say, with a straight face, that by getting rid of diversity, one can achieve it really can only come from a person who is just repeating words he has heard others say or is being misleading purposefully? But this is, in fact, what Dunwell and his cohorts in the legislature do not want — “intellectual diversity.” It really frightens them that our colleges are there to educate and to hopefully produce people that may not have the same beliefs they have and are able to question our everyday assumptions. The purpose of our educational establishment is not simply to train people to go work for corporate America. Also, our legislators don’t want any “historical distortion” like what our history really is and how we got here, since this, apparently, would be an “ideological agenda”. Some of our history is not so
I selected several of the philosophical books, judging by their title. I chose “Reading Genesis,” “What Are We Doing Here? Essays,” and “Death of Adam.” Wow, I was blown away. It’s tough reading, but oh so educational and well written. How can a famous fiction writer also be an expert in philosophy and religion? It’s a gift. Here’s some of her quotes I’ll use as teasers: “humankind are a family. Ultimately they share a common descent, a common nature, a common enjoyment of God’s grace in His covenant with all flesh.” “Man’s free will depends not on his own free will and acts but was predestined from the beginning,” “Biblical anthropology begins with an exalted conception of humanity, then ponders our errors and deficiencies and our capacities for grace and truth, within the world of meaningful freedom created for them by an omnipotent God,” and “the soul of the poorest child is of equal dignity with the soul of Adam.”
I’m kind of thinking that with all this downtime I’m having due to physical illness, I was led to these books. I needed exposure to the history of religion and God’s plans for us, more so than what I was getting from daily Bible reading. Everything happens for a reason. I’m pleased that my mind is still sharp and creative, and I can be at peace with the world, come what may. Robinson’s books help with that.
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great; admitting it might actually have some benefit.
So rather than the use of euphemisms and nonsense to explain and justify their behavior as our legislators, let’s just call it what it is: bigotry. The war against the other will not be successful no matter how hard they try but to continue to try they will. There was an article recently that what little gain in Iowa’s population has occurred in recent years, 94 percent of it is from international immigration. This does not please them — these people coming here are different from us — this is not good.
It is really not a healthy situation when the people who are in control of our government are so afraid of the other that they will go to any length to exclude them. The idea how an institution such as a university has a diversity and equity office can give our legislatures such discomfort is seriously discomforting in itself. The people in charge of our state government are afraid of the other and fear is not a healthy attribute to have when they are in charge and make the laws that affect us all.
Richard Phelps II Mingo
Marilynne Robinson, fiction writer and philosopher
The PCM
FCA Says “Goodbye” to Their Seniors
Abby Bradbury & Annie Ford Staff Writers
Wednesday, April 9, the last FCA huddle of this year occurred. The huddle started out with a meal provided by the Methodist Church. Then, Tammy Steenhoek led FCA members through lessons. They started by seeing how well the students knew the seniors with a Would You Rather style of game. As it turns out, a lot of the peers did not know them as well as they thought they did. Students continued and moved on to the lesson. They divided into groups; half of the students read one Bible verse, and the other half read another and conversed in our groups. After a few minutes, members came back together as a big group, read the verses aloud, and talked to the whole group about what they mean to us. The main lesson of the night was new starts and to trust God’s plan. The seniors related this lesson to their lives and how it is going to be after they start college. Next, members heard from graduate students who shared how staying so close to Christ has impacted them. The people who responded were college freshmen Elle Davis, Lark Drake, and Jake Wendt. The college sophomores were Gabe Graber, Riley Johannes, and Paige Steenhoek. Their overall advice was to find people who push you to be the best person and trust in God. As the night came to an end, they gave the seniors, Tate Birkenholtz, Brevin and Gavin DeRaad, Riley Graber, Harlen Shannon, Addison Steenhoek, Rebecca DeVries, Easton VanVeen, Trenner VanDyke, Peter Kiernan, and Jake Winters, their plaques and graduation cords. Ending off the night, they all gathered to lay a hand on the seniors and pray for their new beginnings and endings. Continuing on to information for next year and background information about FCA. FCA stands for “Fellowship of Christian Athletes.” FCA brings together athletes of the community to spread and practice and spread faith. FCAs huddles are held in the high school learning center, and they usually start with dinner and continue with activities. The activities include reading and interpreting verses, a game or activity to go along with the lesson, and ending with a prayer. There are other ways the club spreads faith. Often, when harsh events happen around our community, everyone in the community is invited to meet for a prayer at the pole. This occurs at the flagpole outside the high school, commonly held in the morning before school starts. Another event FCA involves is Fields of Faith. Fields of faith conjoin schools from any surrounding area to worship. This year, Fields of Faith is held at the Southeast Polk Junior High football field on May 13, from seven to eight o’clock at night. Fields of Faith is an experience many FCA members look forward to, but it’s not only for FCA members; the event is open for anyone to come, so feel free to join. All students are welcome to come. If you are an eighth grader or a current high schooler, all you have to do to get involved in FCA is show up to the huddles. The huddles usually occur on a Monday or Wednesday and start around 6:45. There are around 13 huddles throughout the school year. FCA dates are posted on our school’s website calendar and on the social media platforms.
PCM Hosts Track Meet Last Tuesday
Peyton Lathrum & Libby Winters Staff Writers
On Tuesday, April 8, PCM Track hosted the “Joel Grier” track meet. PCM recognized Joel Grier, a former coach at PCM, who also attended the meet. The home meet had six teams competing for the boys and girls. Competing against the girls were Knoxville, Baxter, Montezuma, North Polk, Chariton, and Twin Cedars. The boys’ teams were Knoxville, Bondurant Farrar, North Polk, Baxter Chariton, and Twin Cedars. PCM, both teams crushed the meet with both winning overall, girls finishing with 160 points and the boys finishing with 136 points. On a positive side note, in the 2A 400-meter run, Riley Graber ranked 4th in Iowa with a 50.44 time. PCM boys are also ranked fourth for the distance medley, with a time of 3:39.67. 4x1 for the boys is ranked 5th with a time of 44.09. The girls 4x800 run is also ranked fifth with a time of 10:19.81. Boys Shuttle Hurdle is ranked fourth with a time of 1:03.52. On the following Thursday, April 10th, PCM traveled to Woodward Granger for a track meet. It was a CO-ED meet; the boys ended up getting first while the girls got second. The next track meet will be held at Randy Wilson Track on Thursday, April 17. Field events start at 4:15 while running events start at 5:00. Also that following week there are two track meets. On Monday, April 21, that track meet will be held at Van Meter. On Thursday, April 24, a meet will be held at the H. A. Lynn Stadium; field events are at 4:30, and running events start at 5:00
Journalism Staff! Staff Writers
PCM juniors and seniors spent their Saturday night on April 12, dancing it up on the dance floor at this year’s “A Night in Vegas” prom. Prom is a time when students get together in groups dressed up in beautiful dresses and handsome suits and share the night together. Typically, after the dance itself ends, attendees will then attend an “After prom” event hosted by senior parents at the middle school. Here are some of this year’s prom groups smiling for photos dressed up for the big occasion!
A big thank you to all the parents, teachers, staff members, etc. who played a part when it comes to helping with this event; we would not be able to do this if it wasn’t for you! We, high schoolers, really do appreciate everything you do and will continue to do when it comes to events like this!
8:30 a.m.Boys Varsity Golf @ Bos Landen
This year I am starting my second season of golf team at PCM. Last year did not go as planned for me. I was a freshman, so it was my first year on the team, but I had been playing since I was little, so for the season to go as poorly as it did, it hurt me. To say the least, I was not playing like myself. So this year I decided to do things differently to become stronger. I have been out playing a lot before the season started. I also have been practicing in my golf simulator at my house when I could not go outside and play. We have had three meets, and so far it has gone fairly well. I am obviously not playing how I would like, but I am limiting my crappy shots and increasing my distance. In the first two meets, I scored a 51 both times. Compared to last year, my best score for a nine-hole was 61; I shaved off ten strokes. In the rounds I have played at meets or for fun, I have been doing much better than last year. It also helps I have new clubs, and I have a better mindset going into this season. I am better prepared for the mental strain golf brings on me, and I’m learning to just enjoy myself. One problem I do have is my arm. If I play golf too much, my wrist and shoulder start to have sharp pains. It’s a struggle, but after some rest and ice, it starts to feel better. I am also my biggest challenge. I am always beating myself up after a bad shot, and sometimes it’s hard to keep playing. However, the times that my brain shuts off and I stop thinking during my swing are the times my swing and hit are the best. It is just so hard to turn off my brain sometimes; I think a lot. I have been working so incredibly hard to do what I can. I have focused on my swing and technique. I have worked on chipping and putting. I have tried new things, some that have worked, others that have not. A dream of mine is to play in college at a Division One school. I can’t help but think I won’t make it and if it is for the best. Though I am only a sophomore, I like to plan my future out, but this is one thing I have no clue what will happen with, if I will continue golf or just play for fun. While I cannot control the future, I am planning to enjoy the rest of this season and embrace the challenges and success I face.
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Kayla VanderLinden!
Twelve wins help PCM boys claim two meet titles
WOODWARD — Seven wins and 13 top-three finishes powered the PCM boys track and field team to another meet title on April 10.
The Mustangs finished either first or second in five relays and won three individual events at the Cavanaugh Relays. PCM scored 129 points at the top of the standings and downed host and runner-up Woodward-Granger by 35 points.
Woodward-Granger (94), Nodaway Valley (75), Des Moines Christian (74), Perry (64), Pleasantville (55), Saydel (52) and Woodward Academy (35) completed the eight-team field.
Gavin Van Gorp won both the 110-meter high hurdles and the long jump and Coby DeRaad registered the other individual win and anchored the sprint medley relay team to a win and a season-best time.
Van Gorp won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 4 1/2 inches and then posted a season-best time of 15.27 seconds to win the 110 highs. That time ranks 10th in Class 2A.
Jake Winters was third in the 110 high hurdles with a career-best time of 15.94 and Wyatt Heater finished fourth in the long jump with a career-best leap of 18-2 1/2.
DeRaad posted a career-best time of 2 minutes, 9.88 seconds to win the 800 and Rylan Edgington was fifth in a career-best 2:19.71.
Carson Hansen and Gavin DeRaad were 2-5 in the 400, Alex Wendt and Hayden Shannon finished 3-6 in the shot put and Chase Wagaman was the runner-up in the high jump.
hoek, Joe Shaver and Gavin Steenhoek won the 4x400 in 3:47.5. Daye, Easton Morris, Finn Wilson and Coby DeRaad won the sprint medley relay in a season-best time of 1:39.61. Pleasantville was the runner-up in 1:39.78.
The winning distance medley relay team featured Robbins, Tad Wilson, Graber and Kash Fischer and they won the race in 3:42.09.
The 4x200 relay team of Finn Wilson, Gavin Steenhoek, Trigg Steenhoek and Morris came in second in a season-best 1:36.35.
Five wins power Mustangs to win at Joel Grier Invitational
MONROE — Tad Wilson and Graber were part of three wins, Van Gorp won the long jump and the Mustangs posted 14 top-three finishes to win the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8.
PCM scored 136 points at the top of the standings. Knoxville (116), Bondurant-Farrar (99), North Polk (87) and Baxter (70) completed the top five and Chariton (59), the PCM JV (11) and Twin Cedars (6) finalized the eight-team field.
Graber won the 400 in a career-best 50.14, which ranks third in Class 2A. Tad Wilson posted a win in the 200 in 24.6 and Van Gorp leaped to a victory in the long jump with a mark of 20-0 1/2.
The Mustangs also won the 4x100 and the sprint medley relays.
auto timed and won’t be posted to Bound.
The Mustangs finished second in the shuttle hurdle relay but posted the third-best time in 2A. The foursome of Robbins, Winters, Houser and Van Gorp hit the finish line in 1:01.79. The 4x800 relay team of Coby DeRaad, Hansen, Shaver and Fischer also were second with a season-best time of 8:31.29.
PCM registered five second-place finishes and was third five times.
Hayden Shannon placed second in the shot put with a career-best toss of 44-9 1/2. Wendt (43-8) and Harlan Shannon (42-2 1/2) placed fourth and sixth, respectively.
Wendt (128-1) was second in the discus, while Harlan Shannon (127-8) was close behind in third.
Fischer posted a career-best time of 4:41.27 and was second in the 1,600. Coby DeRaad (2:10.38) took third in the 800. Wagaman (5-8) gave PCM another third in the high jump, and the Mustangs doubled up in the 100 and 400 hurdles.
Daye finished fourth in the 100 with a career-best 11.53 and Jones came in fifth in 11.6.
Steenhoek and Hansen were separated by .5 seconds in the 400 hurdles.
Steenhoek was third in 1:00.19 and Hansen turned in a career-best time of 1:00.69 in fourth.
Wagaman’s leap was 5-8 and Wendt posted a career-best throw of 46-2 in the shot put. Hayden Shannon was sixth with a toss of 41-2 and Harlan Shannon finished third in the discus with a career-best heave of 135-5 1/2. Hansen’s career-best time of 56.38 was second in the 400 and Gavin DeRaad finished fifth in 58.84 and Heater placed fifth in the 200 in career-best 24.49.
1,600. He was clocked in a career-best 5:17.55.
The Mustangs won the 4x100, 4x400, sprint medley and distance medley relays and finished second in the 4x200.
Owen Osterhaus completed the individual top-five finishes with a fifth-place finish in the
Lewis Daye, Tad Wilson, Adrien Robbins and Riley Graber won the 4x100 in 44.28 seconds and Hansen, Trigg Steen-
Lewis Daye, Tad Wilson, Easton Morris and Graber won the 4x100 in 44.32 and the sprint medley relay team of Daye, Tad Wilson, Graber and Joey Ferneding earned the gold medal in 1:39.54.
There were timing issues throughout the night, including the sprint medley relay. The second heat of the 110 high hurdles and 4x100 relay, the 200 dash and the 4x400 relay all were not
PCM girls win Joel Grier Invitational
MONROE — Jorja Teeter won the 400-meter hurdles, Ila Keuning finished at the top of the standings in the discus and the PCM girls track and field team dominated its competition at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8.
The Mustangs also won a pair of relays and posted 14 top-three finishes on their way to the meet championship.
PCM scored 160 points at the top, while Baxter (101), Knoxville (94), Montezuma (73), North Polk (68), Chariton (58), the PCM JV (11) and Twin Cedars (2) completed the field.
The Mustangs doubled up in eight individual events and were in the top three in five relays.
Keuning’s winning throw in the discus covered 92 feet, 1 inch. Scarlett Mosher placed sixth with a career-best toss of 83-3.
Mosher was fourth in the shot put with a heave of 28-9 1/2 and Keuning took fifth with a career-best throw of 28-3 1/2.
The other individual win came from Teeter in the 400 hurdles. She was clocked in 1 minute, 13.21 seconds, but it was determined after the race that there was a row of hurdles missing on the track.
Tori Lindsay’s time of 1:17.84 placed her second, but neither time can be posted to Bound.
There were a few other timing issues throughout the night. The sprint medley relay and 4x400 relay for the girls also were not auto timed and can’t be used as official times on Bound.
Lila Milani finished second in the 800 with a career-best time of 2:27.78, Abi Teeter placed second in the 1,500 in 5:22.54 and Ali Hilsabeck posted a career-best time of 12:23.63 to place second in the 3,000. Wheeler (2:40.40) and Hilsabeck (career-best 2:48.59) were 3-5 in the 800, Darbey DeRaad (career-best 5:39.96) was fourth in the 1,500 and the Mustangs also doubled up in the 400, high jump and long jump.
Katelynn Fagg (career-best 1:06.62) edged Lexi Fagg (1:06.99) to go
2-3 in the 400, Peyton Lathrum finished fifth in the 200 in a career-best 28.78 seconds and Lillian Humpal took fourth in the 100 hurdles in 18.2.
Libby Winters matched a career-best mark to finish second in the high jump with a leap of 4-6 and Lathrum was fifth with a jump of 4-4.
Katelynn Fagg finished second in the long jump with a career-best leap of 15-4 and Lexi Fagg (14-11 1/2) and Alyssa Buckingham (14-0) went 3-4. The Mustangs won the 4x400 and 4x800 relays. The 4x400 relay team of Lexi Fagg, Winters, Katelynn Fagg and Milani posted an unofficial time of 4:25 and the 4x800 foursome of Abi Teeter, Wheeler, DeRaad and Milani scored a winning time of 10:31.13.
PCM’s shuttle hurdle relay team of Lindsay, Humpal, Ryan DeVore and Buckingham placed second in a season-best time of 1:16.78. The sprint medley and distance medley relay teams also were third. Addison Shannon, Kyra Naeve, Katelynn Fagg and Jorja Teeter posted an unofficial time of 2:01.6 in the sprint medley and Courtney Cole, Baili Birkenholtz, Paiten Rumbaugh and Raegan Vannoy registered a time of 5:03.99 in the distance medley relay.
Distance medley relay team now leads 2A IOWA CITY — PCM entered one relay into the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival, and the Mustangs now own the top time in 2A in the distance medley relay.
The foursome of Robbins, Tad Wilson, Graber and Fischer also rank 18th in the state after posting a season-best time of 3:35.27 at Iowa City West on April 12.
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PCM scores 147 points, finishes second at W-G WOODWARD — Abi Teeter claimed the Mustangs’ lone individual win and PCM moved into the top five in Class 2A in the distance medley relay at the Cavanaugh Relays on April 10. PCM won three events and stacked up 17 topthree finishes on their way to a second place team finish at Woodward-Granger High School. The Mustangs scored 147 points in second but trailed meet champ and host Woodward-Granger (156) by nine. Des Moines Christian (109), Perry (74), Nodaway Valley (47) and Saydel (28) completed the six-team field.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM senior Riley Graber posted a career-best time in the 400-meter dash at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8. He now has a topthree time in Class 2A in the event and helped the Mustangs register the top time in the distance medley in Iowa City on April 12.
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM freshman Katelynn Fagg, left, edged junior Lexi Fagg in the 400-meter dash at the Joel Grier Coed Invitational on April 8. The Mustang duo finished 2-3 in the event.
18
Mustangs place sixth at Cardinal Invitational
PCM Explorer
NEWTON — Johana Cerna birdied the very first hole of her 2025 season, Addie Ratcliff needed just one nine-hole meet to set a new career-best score and the Newton girls golf team finished second at the Cardinal Invitational on April 10.
Cerna, a foreign exchange student from the Czech Republic, led the Cardinals in her first high school tournament in the United States and Newton shot 188 in its season opener at Westwood Golf Course.
Norwalk won the tournament with a 171. The Warriors placed three in the top four and four in the first six.
The Cardinals edged Williamsburg (190) and DCG (191) for second and the rest of the seven-team field included Pella (197), PCM (215) and Chariton (232).
Norwalk’s Evelyn Kinney and Cerna both shot 41s at the top of the leaderboard. Kinney won medalist honors after a card back.
PCM was led by Emilyn Davis. She
was part of the tie for 20th. Gretchen Uitermarkt (53), Seriah Nolin (54) and Brelee Berger (57) had the other counting scores, while Annie Ford (59) and Kayla VanderLinden (61) turned in non-counting scores.
The Mustangs were missing senior Meredith Chipps, who was at the state FFA Convention all week.
PCM downs EBF in road dual OSKALOOSA — Ford scored medalist honors in her varsity debut, two other Mustangs posted career-best scores and PCM dominated Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at Oskaloosa Golf Course on April 8. Ford shot a 49 to lead the way, while Uitermarkt tied a career best and finished as the runner-up medalist with a 50 and VanderLinden tied a career best with a 51.
The other counting score came from Davis, who posted a 53. Nolin (55) and Brelee Berger (59) had non-counting scores.
PCM boys edge Albia at L-S triangular
LYNNVILLE — Jeff McDanel turned in a career-best score, Pete Kiernan matched his best-ever nine-hole score and the PCM boys golf team edged Albia at the Lynnville-Sully triangular on April 8.
The Mustangs shot 154 at their season opener and Albia was second with a 156 at the par 36 Diamond Trail Golf Club. Host Lynnville-Sully finished third with a 219.
McDanel’s 1-under-par 35 was a career best. He tied with Albia’s Cael Schofield, but McDanel won medalist
PCM Girls
CONTINUED FROM 7
The distance medley relay team now has the third-best time in 2A after Lathrum, DeVore, Jorja Teeter and Milani posted a season-best time of 4:28.09.
The 4x800 relay team also won in 11:16.66 with Wheeler, DeRaad, Hilsabeck and Vannoy.
The third and final win came from Abi Teeter in the 800.
Her winning time was a career-best 2:32.51. DeRaad was third in 2:46.5.
The 4x100 relay team of Lathrum, Jorja Teeter, DeVore and Shannon placed second in a season-best 54.03 seconds.
Lexi Fagg, Katelynn Fagg, Shannon and Stella Stravers took second in the 4x200 in a season-best 1:57.94.
PCM’s 4x400 relay team also was second. The foursome of Abi Teeter, Rumbaugh, Wheeler and Milani finished the race in a season-best 4:26.53.
honors on a card back.
Kiernan’s 39 matched his career best in fourth and Charlie Ford (40) and Easton Van Veen (40) had the other counting scores.
Tate Tangeman shot a non-counting 42 and Parker DeHaai shot a non-counting 44 in his varsity debut.
The Mustangs’ junior varsity also had a solid day as Finn Wilson carded a 1-over-par 37 in third and Trent Nickelson tied Kiernan in fourth. Wyatt Schubert also turned in a 40. Carson Maston led Lynnville-Sully with a 51.
The sprint medley relay team placed third with Lindsay, Humpal, Winters and Katelynn Fagg in 2:05.51.
Rumbaugh’s career-best 1:08.06 placed her second in the 400, Hilsabeck was second in the 1,500 with a career-best 5:45.99 and Vannoy placed fifth in 6:19.08.
Lathrum tied for third in the high jump with a mark of 4-6.
Katelynn Fagg (14-8), Lexi Fagg (14-3) and Buckingham (13-9) went 2-4-5 in the long jump, Mosher (284 1/2), Keuning (26-1) and Hadley Millang (career-best 23-10 1/2) finished 2-3-4 in the shot put and Keuning (91-6 1/2), Mosher (82-9) and Millang (career-best 66-6) came in 2-3-6 in the discus.
Winters posted a career-best 1:17.67 to place fourth in the 400 hurdles, Lindsay (career-best 17.78) and Humpal (18.14) finished 3-5 in the 100 hurdles and Lexi Fagg was fourth in the 200 with a career-best 29.13. Naeve (30.85) also posted a career-best time in the 200 and placed sixth.
On May 9, 2025, Shaw Local News Network will publish “Thank You, Teachers.” This special edition will be dedicated to the incredible teachers who shape our community’s future and prepare the next generation for what lies ahead.
As part of this special edition, we’re asking students of all ages to share their experiences with outstanding teachers in our community. “Thank You” letters can be submitted now through April 20. One lucky teacher will receive $250 courtesy of Cappy’s Tire and Auto Service!
PCM Explorer
Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer
PCM sophomore Kayla VanderLinden chips onto the No.
green at Westwood Golf Course during the Cardinal Invitational on April 10. The Mustangs placed sixth in the seven-team field.