PCM-04-11-2024

Explorer PCM

PICTURE PERFECT

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

With the eyes of the sports world centered on Iowa City this women’s basketball season, PCM grad Ayrton Breckenridge had a front row seat for the action as a photo editor for The Daily Iowan, the student led newspaper serving the University of Iowa community since 1868. In his senior year, Breckenridge is double majoring in journalism and cinema with a minor in history. He is also in his fourth year at the DI, making him a senior member of the team and a trusted person to cover such an important topic.

“For sports that are doing really

well or just a profit sports, we try to put more experienced people on them,” Breckenridge said.

Since the Big Ten Tournament, he has been on the road with the team. From Minneapolis to Albany and now in Cleveland, Breckenridge is capturing moments from the historic year.

“The few games I got to cover as an underclassman there wasn’t a lot of people around. People knew Caitlin Clark was a good player but it didn’t have quite the attention and draw that it does now,” Breckenridge said. “We saw it towards the end of last year but especially this year. All eyes were on Iowa basketball because they were returning

PCM grad has unique experience photographing history at the University of Iowa

from competing in the national championship. And obviously Caitlin Clark with all of the records.”

Breckenridge got his start behind the lens during a semester in journalism class at PCM. While he didn’t continue in the class because he wanted to try out as many extracurriculars as possible, the pull towards the camera continued.

“I had a visual interest in high school, even middle school, making short films with the MacBooks they gave us. The semester I was in journalism I worked on Thunder TV. That is where I started,” Breckenridge said. “My editor at PCM went

ROAD CLOSED

By

Starting April 8, travelers who frequent Highway 14 from Monroe to Newton need to search for a new route. From the northern city limits of Monroe to South 60th Avenue West north of the Skunk River, road construction has closed the busy thoroughfare for an extended period of time.

“They anticipate the closure of this portion of the highway to last about three months,” Jasper County officials shared on the county website.

Enjoying a meal together

Congregate meals now serving lunch at The Gathering Place

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Monday through Friday, seniors in the greater Monroe area are invited to have a meal together at The Gathering Place. Served by Jasper County Elderly Nutrition, the new congregate meals site serves lunch each weekday at 11:30 a.m.

“It is really nice. They’ve done a great job with it,” Jasper County Elderly Nutrition Program Director Kelli Van Manen said when talking about moving the meals to The Gathering Place at a county supervisors meeting.

According to the county, the IDOT hopes to keep the F-62 intersection passable during the construction, but all other intersections with Highway 14 will be closed.

A detour route will be marked using Highway 163, Highway 117 and Interstate 80. IDOT said changes can be made to the detour routes during construction and to visit 511ia.org to find the most up-to-date detour route information.

“Pay attention to detour signing and message boards while driving,” IDOT said in

The Iowa Department of Transportation project, will put an overlay will be put on the existing pavement to hopefully improve the roadway.

a news release. “Help keep everyone on the road safer. Drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.”

Once the first portion of the project in complete, the next piece from South 60th Avenue to the City of Newton will be closed for resurfacing. Additional information will be shared by the IDOT when available as the project moves forward.

Making beautiful music

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

More than 100 of the county’s top middle school student musicians took the stage for the 50th Jasper County Honor Band. Held April 2 at the Newton High School Center for Performance, students from the six area schools performed together after only a day of rehearsal.

Guest conductor Michelle Grant, Colfax-Mingo 5-12 music director, led the group through four pieces including “Castles and Dragons,” “Freefall!,” “After the Storm,” and “Theme from Spider-Man.”

“These kids have been incredible all day. I can’t think of a better group to work with,” Grant said. “We had some hard moments where things were difficult and they just played ‘After the Storm,” incredibly well. It was easily they best they

HONOR BAND | 3

“They already have some programming that we can tap into. And we can bring in some programming that we have access to through Aging Resources, so I think it will be a win-win.”

Congregate meals ended last fall at its previous site, Monroe

City Hall. Four dedicated people continued to gather at various spaces for meals until The Gathering Place was approved to hold the meals. Since then, more than a dozen seniors regularly come together to eat lunch each day. There is no charge for the meals for those ages 60 and older, but donations are accepted and needed. Spouses are eligible to participate and do not need to be 60 to receive a meal. Those under age 60 must pay $7.91 for each meal regardless of income. Since meals are prepared in Newton and delivered each day, they must be reserved ahead of time. To reserve a meal, call 641-792-7102 or email kvanmanen@jasperia.org before 9 a.m. the morning of the meal. Monthly menus are available on the county website or posted at The Gathering Place.

Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Congregate meals is now serving seniors at 11:30 a.m. each weekday at The Gathering Place in Monroe.

Students from area middle schools perform at 50th Jasper County Honor Band

More than 100

Center for Performance.

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

middle school students perform in the 50th Jasper County Honor Band April 2 at the Newton High School

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Signs have been out for several weeks warning drivers of the upcoming closure to Highway 14 from the northern city limits of Monroe to South 60th Avenue north of the Skunk River.

Highway 14 from Monroe to south of Newton under construction for several months

Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

PHOTOS | 3

Submitted Photo PCM grad Ayrton Breckenridge works at The Daily Iowan, the newspaper covering the University of Iowa. During his time at the DI, he has covered many unique events, including the women’s basketball teams run for a national championship.

Explorer PCM

Worth Mentioning

Send your event to news@pcmexplorer.com

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St., is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

Free spring photo walk Saturday at NSNWR

Join photographer Mike Cox at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 23 at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge for walk along one of the refuge trails to learn photography tips while enjoying the springtime changes on the tallgrass prairie.

Contact nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-9943400 to register and for information. Check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NealSmithNWR.

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.

Men’s Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s 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.

Alzheimers and Dementia Support Group

The Prairie City First Reformed Church hosts an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group that meets at 3 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Prairie City First Reformed Church. This support group is for family members and caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

American Legion Auxiliary meets

The Monroe American Legion Auxiliary meet at 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Legion.

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.

Community Meal Wednesday

A Community Meal will be served beginning at 5 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the Monroe United Methodist Church. All are invited to share our free meal and fellowship.

GriefShare at PC FRC

First Reformed Church in Prairie City hosts GriefShare from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through June 12. For more information, contact Mary Lemmertat 515-205-0835 or at hope2you@aol.com.

Remove flowers from Silent Cemetery

The City of Monroe announces flowers must be removed from Silent City Cemetery in Monroe by April 15 or risk being mowed.

Donald Lee Van Wyk

March 25, 2024

Obituaries

Donald Lee Van Wyk was born to Dick and Martha (DeKraai) Van Wyk on January 13, 1945, in rural Poweshiek County. He started kindergarten there, but later his family moved to a farm by Monroe. He finished kindergarten through fifth grade at Enterprise Country School. At age 15 he was involved in a farm accident which caused him to lose most of his index finger. During this time he came down with lockjaw but survived this very serious illness. He graduated from Monroe High School with the class of 1963.

On March 25, 1966, he married Lucille Olsthoorn at the Sully Christian Reformed Church. They made their home on her family’s farm and started

farming while also working at Van Gorp Mfg. To this union four children were born: Pamela, Duane, Eric and Lucas. He raised his children on the farm teaching them the value of hard work and to hang in there during the tough times. He continued to farm and milk cows, even bringing Eric in to expand the business. When a tornado took down the milk barn in 1998, they discontinued milking, but Donald continued to crop farm. With his extra time, he worked at Sully Coop driving cement truck and later in the lumber yard. He also worked briefly at Pella Corp and Numark.

Donald was very generous with his time and talents, going on several mission trips helping others in need. Donald and Lucille spent many years on tractor rides seeing the sights of Iowa at a very slow speed. The grandkids had even started to join him on this activity. They also enjoyed traveling on several bus trips and camping at the state fair, making friends in each of

these areas. In 2015 they moved to Pella and began retirement. He continued to keep busy working at the Historical Village and volunteering at Bible for Missions Thrift Store picking up furniture. He was a member of the Calvary Christian Reformed Church and participated in many different mens Bible studies. He could also be found tinkering in his workshop doing woodworking projects. Christmas was an especially busy time for him making gifts for family members. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and willing to make or fix anything that you needed.

Donald leaves his wife, Lucille, four children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Pamela & Jerry De Bruin, Joshua & Ashley De Bruin, Lucille, Rosalyn & Benjamin, Krista & Elijah Schaefer, Judah and baby due in June, Kara De Bruin, Duane & Sharlene Van Wyk, Shaela, Dallas, Eric & Cheryl Van Wyk, Jalen & Emily Van Wyk, Jenna

Van Wyk & fiancé Darien Hillmann, Jacie Van Wyk, Lucas & Jenny Van Wyk, Danny, Elijah Van Wyk, Evan, Vivian Spence

Donald also leaves his brothers, Dick & Linda Van Wyk and Harold & Twyla Van Wyk, brothers-in-law: Gilbert Van Maanen, Jerald Kuiper & sisters-in-law: Lavonne Van Wyk, Marlena & Dave Eischweiler, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dick & Martha Van Wyk, his mother and father-in-law Lambert & Arene Olsthoorn, Anna Olsthoorn, sisters: Jane Ann & Ralph Van Wyk, Ruby Van Wyk, Ada Kay Van Maanen, brother Bernard Van Wyk and sister-in-law Ceceila Kuiper.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Thursday, March 28, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will begin at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, March 27, with family present from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Lake View Camp.

Volunteer for Second Saturday Stewardship

Volunteer for Second Saturday Stewardship to help build tallgrass prairie on Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. The task will be seed cleaning which takes place inside the seed lab located at the visitor center and involves removing unwanted plant parts by hand, leaving the seeds for planting. If all the seeds are already cleaned by April 13, the task will be trail maintenance. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome to participate. Free snacks will be available for volunteers. Volunteers are required to fill out a volunteer agreement. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the form. Volunteers are required to wear closed sturdy shoes and pants. For additional information and to register contact nancy_corona@fws.gov or call 515-994-3400.

Diamond Trail FFA Plant Sale

Diamond Trail FFA is hosting a plant sale April 22-26 and April 29-May 4 at PCM High School Greenhouse on the east side of the

high school. Weekday hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hours are 3:30 to 5 p.m. May 3 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4.

Indoor walking at FLC is ending for the season

The Family Life Center in Prairie City is closing for walking for this season. Friday, April 12 is the final day. Contact First Reformed Church at 515-9942250 with any questions.

Survey in Monroe

The City of Monroe Public Works Department must identify the material used for your water service line. Surveys have been mailed out and are due back by April 15 with drop off locations being city hall, the post office or Leighton State Bank.

MONROE COMMUNITY WIDE GARAGE SALE

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Cost: $5

Deadline for signing up is 4 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023

Drop this form and fee at: The drop box at City Hall

Those interested need to contact Miss Petersen at 641-2189760 prior to arriving at the high school on a weekday.

PCM Serves

PCM Serves is from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, April 29. If you have any yard work needing done or have questions, call PCM High School at 515-994-8222 or email Samantha Pohl at spohl@pcmschools.org. Two important things to know: There is no makeup day and the homeowner is responsible for getting rid of the trashbags.

to Iowa and told me about The Daily Iowan. I went there and saw it, thought it was pretty cool and kept it in the back of my head.”

He hadn’t even stepped into his first classroom at Iowa before grabbing an application for the DI.

“I wanted to do more film making because of the cinema background, but the way it works at The Daily Iowan, since it is a print organization, they need pictures in print. So visuals are split between photo and video,” Breckenridge said. “I kind of got pushed a lot heavier into photo than I intended and it stuck. I enjoyed it that way.”

His first assignment saw him finding a subject within the campus and photographing it. He traveled to the Pentacrest, the center of the university around the

Old Capitol, and found students practicing outside for a dance class. A little out of his comfort zone, Breckenridge had his first chance to ask strangers permission to photograph them and what their names were.

“At PCM you know everyone but in Iowa City you don’t know anybody,” Breckenridge said “During the middle of that assignment, they announced they were cutting men’s and women’s swimming at the University of Iowa. The men’s coach was speaking somewhere on campus and no one else was taking the assignment. I was like I’m already on campus just a couple blocks away. So within five minutes of completing my first assignment, I was on my second. That was kind of funny.”

That spring he covered his first sporting event with the competitions just starting to open up to non-essential people. Since then, along with women’s bas-

ketball, he has covered football, wrestling, gymnastics, men’s tennis and track.

“I’ve never photographed track in Iowa City, only at the Drake Relays,” Breckenridge said. “That was the first time ever photographing track professionally. They just sent me to the Drake Relays.”

Breckenridge has covered the Hawkeyes at the most recent Citrus Bowl game, his first experience following the football team to a bowl game. He also spent time putting together a project on the men’s wresting team. Currently, along with following the women’s basketball team, he is working on a photobook to memorialize the season.

“It is cool to see the action part of both of those sports, and to see the athletes behind the scenes is something that not many people get to see or do, especially as a sophomore with wrestling and as a se-

During

Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan

his time at The Daily Iowan, Ayrton Breckenridge has gotten the opportunity to photograph the Iowa Women’s Basketball Team including star Caitlin Clark.

nior with the women’s basketball,” Breckenridge said.

Following the women’s basketball team, which has only grown in prominence in his time at the university, has been a learning experience. From finding the right shots to working with national media, he has gained valuable knowledge on what having a full-time job in the industry entails.

“In terms of the media, I guess a good way to describe it is kind of crazy. You’re used to a calm, cool, collected environment just shooting a regular game, but you can tell when it is going to be record breaking because all of a sudden the amount of photojournalists, print writers or broadcast reporters increases into masses,” Breckenridge said. “Everyone is trying to compete for that same shot, like when Caitlin Clark is signing autographs or the team is high-fiving. You’re kind of elbow to elbow and it’s really fun to see the attention surrounding a sport, especially women’s basketball, that didn’t have that attention.

“It is also simultaneously kind of frustrating

because you’re running all over the place to get the shots you need for your organization. That is also part of the fun, too. You’re competing with all of the national outlets and it is fun to see when I got a better photo than them. All in all it is a really fun experience to see history unfold in front of your eyes in a really unique spot, as well.”

The fast pace culminated in the national championship game April 7. Breckenridge and his counterpart were there for the whole wild ride all while trying to continue to be students preparing for graduation in a couple of months.

“Big Ten (tournament) was kind of calm because it took place closer to a weekend. Once NCAA Tournament got in a full swing, especially once they got out of Carver, it has been a little hectic,” Breckenridge said. “I really haven’t been to class in a while. Ever since Albany I have been to one day of classes. That isn’t necessary the best, but it is a lot of travel. Packing, re-packing and then getting on the road again

Honor Band

Continuedfrompage1

played it all day. These guys are amazing.”

Honor band members included: Newton Berg Middle School

Lual Akol, Haylee Adams, Bree Ergenbright, Izzy Wilson, Hayden Gasper, Lexi Burns, Sadie Booth, Rylan Allison, Gaby Layton, Abby Miranda, Christelle Lahart, Jude Jacobson, Kenzie Clark, Chloe Vander Weerdt, Sadie Stiles, Remington Storm, Brooklyn Jones, Layla Purvis, Owen Osterhaus, Andrew Braun, Sydney Schiebel, Hayden Dunkerson, Jalyn Stahl, Jackson Riney, Elijah Doran, Ben Shafter, Brandon Holmes, Gavin Stoner, Hudson Meyer, Talia Friedman, Heath Anderson, David Cope and Drew Lamont Baxter

Grace Warden, Malayla Hurd, Piper Redman, Katt Wing, Olivia Parrie, Mel Smith, Zander Parker, Lincoln Russell, Brylea Nicholson, Nick Shedd, Victor Spohnheimer, Kenzie Cross and Robbie Richardson

and then photographing. It is repeat of photograph, sleep, eat, photograph, eat, sleep — like that.”

The work won’t stop as the team works to finalize the photobook about the historic basketball season for the Hawkeye women. Breckenridge is looking ahead a bit with plans finalized for after he crosses the stage and receives his diploma.

“The current plan is an internship set up with the Star Tribune in Minneapolis. It will be a photo and video internship,” he said.

From there, he hopes to continue in the field he is passionate about.

“I’d like to stay in the nonfiction visual storytelling realm,” Breckenridge said. “Whether it is film or stills it doesn’t’ bother me either way.”

He will use all that he has learned, both in the classroom and out in the field, as he embarks on his future assignments.

“One thing that I am learning from it is taking advantage of the opportunities that are in front of you. Also, learning how to build relationships. I had done it before but with this it was a little bit quicker. I had to adjust how I did certain things but it taught me how to build trust with people,” Breckenridge said.

“There are times I’ve been with them (the women’s basketball team) and they have lost a couple of games and they didn’t tell me to put my camera away. They let me do my job because they knew I was a professional journalist just by the way I operated in practices or at other events. They have faith that I am going to tell the story.”

And he just needs one thing to keep doing the work he loves.

“If I can hold a camera and tell a story, I’ll do it just about anywhere,” he said.

Colfax-Mingo

Jessica Gibson, Genesis Hardney, Brenna Miller, Aubrey VanderSchoor, Lily Anderson, Falicity Landon, Chelsie Kite, Mia Frangopol, Ashlynn Hosbond, Olyvia Grant, Wilson Hauschildt, Jessa Purdie, Joey Grimm, Xander Gerholdt, Zella Perry, Isabella Utz, Weston Boehm, Alexander Rodriguez-Briseno and Milo Knutson Lynnville-Sully

Haleigh Hornbuckle, Tess Dunlap, Nikolai Van Wyk, Braxton Bucklin, Mandeesa Vos, Hayden Lewis, Willow Schinkel, Natalie Nore, Trycer Arends, Hudson Squires, Madden Gunsalus, Logan Gray, Grayson LeCompte and Jackson Van Wyk Newton Christian Karly Spear, Tori VanKley, Lucy Simon, Trevor Van Kley, Will McKinney and Temple Barton

PCM

Luke Ferneding, Abby Bradbury, Drake Eisbrenner, Emma Holt, Caleb Wilson, Caleb Ingle, Darbey DeRaad, Liz Egland, Owen Osterhaus, Andrew Braun, Erica Thomas, Cade Burkett, Eli Meyer, Patrick Jimenez, Caleb Kain and Hayden Pierson

Putting more farm in the farm bill

Agriculture shapes our way of life in Iowa. Our heritage and traditions are rooted deep in the fields that cover our great state. That’s why I was thrilled to celebrate National Agriculture Week to recognize our farmers. They keep Iowa number one in corn, pork, egg, ethanol, and biodiesel production and make our state a top producer of soybeans, dairy, beef, turkey, and more.

This week serves as a meaningful reminder of my commitment to advocate for the needs of our farmers. Whether it’s opening up new markets for our agricultural goods and commodities, fighting red tape that hurts our local

YOUR VIEW

Questioning requirements

Holder of an Iowa driver’s license for 50 years. Veterans designation on driver’s license for many years. DD-214 indicating that I am an honorably discharged veteran. Payer of property taxes in Iowa for many years. Need to bring my social security card, a paid utility bill, and my birth certificate to the DOT to prove who I am in order to get a gold star on my license to board a plane?

I would certainly think that after all of the fees and taxes we have paid, the DOT should be able to easily figure out who most of us are.

Perhaps I walked into the wrong office. It seemed as though I needed the department of redundancy department.

Rod Snodgrass Newton

meat processors, or championing homegrown biofuels, I will continue to push for policies that allow our producers to flourish.

I’m also making sure the work of Iowa farmers and producers is known throughout the halls of Congress, and I was proud to lead all the women in the Senate in designating March 21, 2024, as National Women in Agriculture Day. Together, the Senate unanimously recognized the more than 1.2 million female producers in the United States that are essential to feeding and fueling our world.

Unfortunately, even with so many accomplishments to celebrate, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging over our farmers and ranchers – a new Farm Bill. Although rain is usually a good thing for folks in agriculture, this situation has

left our producers high and dry.

Every five years, Congress is supposed to update the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation that should provide our farmers with confidence as they generate our nation’s food, fuel, and fiber. The farm economy is much different today than it was five years ago, and we need a modernized piece of legislation to reflect those changes.

However, with a projected $1.5 trillion price tag, a new Farm Bill will continue to stall unless Democrats are willing to come to the table and negotiate. They continue to focus on costly food and climate change initiatives instead of programs that put our farmers first. In fact, less than 18% of the current Farm Bill is tied to programs that actually impact farmers.

The solution is plain and simple folks – we need more FARM in the Farm Bill!

Farmers, especially our producers and rural communities in Iowa, deserve a Farm Bill that works for them. I’m fighting to do just that.

My priorities include protecting our

food supply and national security, supporting rural prosperity and new farmers, and conserving both your hardearned dollars and our beautiful lands.

I’ve proposed measures to safeguard domestic farmland from our foreign adversaries, provide resources to prevent animal disease outbreaks, reverse California’s left-wing Prop 12 regulations, and streamline the process for getting innovative technologies into farmers’ hands that improve both water quality and soil health. I’m also working to strengthen the use and manufacturing of bio-based products, modernize Aggie Bonds and access to capital for first-time farmers, and improve the affordability of crop insurance.

As I see the evidence of our farmers’ hard work while traveling from river to river in our great state, I’m convinced that more farm in the Farm Bill doesn’t just protect our hardworking producers, it protects our way of life in Iowa.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate

Ukrainian family finds a home in Mt. Pleasant

They stand at their window and watch squirrels romp and play in their yard. “Never have I seen so many squirrels!” Ivanna Zimroz, laughs. “Even the squirrels are happy here!” Her five kids cluster around her and giggle at the sight. They also appreciate the positive change in lifestyle from what they left behind. They had been crammed into a small, two room apartment in Poland, seven of them— mother, father and five children—for two years, after fleeing Ternopil. They were waiting to find a sponsor in the United States. They had to be careful. There were disreputable sponsors who would take advantage of people fleeing war-torn Ukraine. Ivanna prides herself in having an intuition for knowing who they could trust. Her tuition told her she could trust Ken and Patty Madden from Crawfordsville, Iowa to be their sponsor. “We are so happy here,” Ivanna says. “This is home. We feel safe. This country cares a lot about its people. There is not the violence or the many widows in black, mourning their deceased husbands. We are so grateful and thankful for what everyone has done for us. People who don’t even know us are bringing food and toys for the kids, and making contributions. Americans are so friendly! God is looking after us.”

14; Darii, 10; Makar, 9; Diana, 7; and Denys, 5 nod in agreement, and hug her. Volodymyr, her husband and the children’s father, is in Pennsylvania attending truck-driving school. Iowa’s CDL test is in English, which Volodymyr is still struggling with. Pennsylvania has a Russian Language test. He is staying with friends and will return to his family in a couple of weeks upon completion of his CDL. When he is home he spends a lot of time in the garage tinkering, arranging and building things. They did not have a garage in Poland.

get back to school. Ivanna was surprised that she didn’t have to pay anything to get them enrolled in school. She thinks maybe an anonymous donor may have purchased the pencils, paper and supplies they needed. “Whoever you are,” she says, and looks up, “Thank you.”

In fact, the organization known as War Sucks for Children in Mt. Pleasant, the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleasant, and others, stepped forward, surrounded the Ukrainian family with love and all the material possessions they would need to start a new life.

home, a refrigerator full of food, bunk beds, the list goes on. Ivanna is shocked and so grateful. “A lady even brings farm eggs once a week!” she proclaims.

Ivanna misses her family terribly. But she calls them daily, and hopes that maybe in the future she will be able to bring her family to the United States. There is another Ukrainian family in Mt. Pleasant, and they are friends. It helps with the home sickness.

cans. They look like, act like and have the same aspirations as Americans: free will to achieve what they want without repression. So when the Ukrainians were brutalized and left homeless, Americans welcomed them with open arms, i.e., “Join us in the good life. Work hard, chase your dreams, and prosper. We have plenty of room.”

Her kids, Vadym,

The kids miss the friends they had in Poland, but love school here. Four of them are in grade school and the oldest in middle school. During spring break, the kids couldn’t wait to

A home was found, furniture and utensils provided, clothes, a used vehicle, and so many other things, like computer tablets for the kids, bicycles, a larger computer and printer for the

Why are Americans so welcoming to Ukrainians? It probably relates to the barbaric attack on a sovereign nation by Russia, and the basic feeling by Americans that there’s not a whole lot they can do about it. But they can help refugees. And also the realization that these European refugees are so much like Ameri -

Ivanna looked out her front door and saw iris coming up along the sidewalk. It’s an early spring, and the iris are choked with leaves. She’s itchy to spiffy up the flower bed. “They tell me this is the Iris City,” she beams. “Those iris will be blooming and looking real pretty for Volodymyr when he comes home.” Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo. com

dstevenson@co.jasper.ia.us

Explorer PCM

The PCM

Get to Know what Health Advocacy Day

is all About

Evan Jones Staff Writer

Health Advocacy Day is an opportunity for students and possibly even staff, to connect with the surrounding physical and mental health resources. Physical and mental health are a huge factor in having a strong mindset and foundation to work off of every single day. Without that strong mindset and foundation, reaching your full potential is an extravagant task. So to help the students and staff of PCM with possible health issues they may be having, organizations that specialize in these fields are being brought in to help configure an army of resources to create a community of healthy support for our friends, family and most importantly, ourselves. Health Advocacy Day will be on Friday, April 5th. These are the 34 organizations that will be present and ready to help:

Sophomore student at Crisis Canines of the Midland Booth during Health Advocacy Day

American Lung Association, Birthright of Knoxville, Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Central Iowa Community Services, Clive Behavioral Health, Community Support Advocates, Crisis Canines of the Midland, Crisis Intervention Services, Des Moines Pride Center, Discover Hope 517, Employee and Family Resources, Every Step Grief and Loss. Eyerly Ball, Family Crisis Center, Heart and Solutions, Heartland Christian Counseling, House of Mercy, I’m Glad You Stayed Project, Inside Out, Integrative Counseling Services, Mercy One Newton, NAMI Central Iowa, Orchard Place, Prairie City Escape Wellness Center, Primary Health Care, Project Recovery Iowa, Rock In Prevention, SATUCI, Sheepgate, South Central Iowa Narcotics Anonymous, Steps of Hope, YMCA - Newton, Your Life Iowa, & YSS

April Students of the Month

Hartson Staff Writer

Name: Jacob Elrod

Parents: Tom & Sally Elrod

Employer: Farm Hand

Future Plans: Iowa State

Extracurricular Activities: Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Big Little, & FCA

Favorite Classes: Calculus & Spanish IV

Advice For Underclassmen: “Be Involved”

Best High School Memory: Winning the first playoff game in PCM Soccer History

Dream Job: Alaskan Bush Pilot

Name: Tiffany Koonce

Parents: Lisaand Harry Brannen

Employer: Target/Starbucks

Future Plans: Majoring in Dental Hygiene at Ankeny DMACC.

Extracurricular Activities: Cross Country, Dance Team, Cheer, & Track

Favorite Classes: Art, & Spanish

Advice For Underclassmen: “Get involved as much as you can because High School is short,Also don’t care what everyone else thinks.”

Best High School Memory: Honestly making fun relationships with the teachers, and the success I had in the sports I was involved in

Dream Job: Dental Hygienist

What’s new with PCM’s National Honors Society?

Shay Burns

Staff Writer Scholarship, leadership, service, and character are the four main characteristics that National Honor Society (NHS) members must withhold and stay loyal to throughout their lifetime. On April 3, PCM hosted their annual NHS Induction where they announced and inducted the 25 new members as well as recognized all of the 23 current members and senior members.

NEW MEMBERS

Brock Barnett

*Miranda Bellinghausen

Ryan Braun

Maddie Burkett

Jacob Burns

Piper Clark

Meredith Chipps

Emilyn Davis

Rebecca DeVries

*Lark Drake

Carter Dudley

Keegan Fenton

*Addyson Hegwood

Sophia Hiebert

Addison Hudnut

Pete Kiernan

Kylie Lewis

Seriah Nolin

Addison Shannon

Addison Steenhoek

Grace Taylor

Abi Teeter

Jorja Teeter

Easton Webb

Alex Wendt

RETURNING MEMBERS

*Ayla Barrett

*Ryan Bennett

*Hope Buckeley-Bonham

*Eliana Buswell

*Elle Davis

*Faith Defenbaugh

*Jaret Eslinger

*Gabe Hobbs

*Avery Houser

*Jack Jungling

*Olivia Kinnamon

*Rylie Muck

*Allias Nolin

*Griffin Olson

*Reese Palm

*Nate Richards

*Zach Roorda

*Ella Schendel

Harlan Shannon

Stella Stravers

*Jordan VanderWerf

*Jake Wendt

Jake Winters

* is senior members for 2024 NHS

Have you ever felt like your weekends are super short?Thatyouneverseem tohaveenoughfamilytime withyourfamily?Well,all these problems could be solved if students could haveathree-dayweekend. Three-day weekends can helpkidswhostrugglewith mental health issues, help withmoretimetobespent with family, and it gives students the time they need to fully relax and to “recharge their batteries”. Every student understandsthestressthatschool can bring for them. From getting your homework done and turning it in on time to taking a test. School is super stressful. More likely than not, students spend the majority of their weekend downtime doing homework. Aftersleepingintoregain someofthesleepstudents lose in the week, students have to focus and prioritize their downtime on homework and projects. Thesethingstakeupmost of the student’s weekend time, leaving them with notimetorelaxortohang outwithfriendsorfamily. Anotherreasonwhystudents should have a threeday weekend is because it allows them to catch up with their families. Most of the week for students is spentatschool.Then,after school,moststudentshave sportsorclubstheydo.By the time they get home, they must do their homework that is due the next morning.Bythetimethey are done with homework, they go to bed. Then they havetodoitalloveragain. For many families, the cycle continues to go and go, causing families to be distant from one another.

Three-dayweekendsallowstudentsthetimethey needtofullyrechargetheir bodies. Students could have had a really stressful week either at school or with their family. Having an extra day devoted to students to relax can really make a difference to students’ mental health. Teacherscouldseeahuge difference in the way studentsbehavejustbygetting adayofrelaxationandtime torecharge.Morestudents could volunteer in classes becausetheyarenottired andgroggy.Morestudents answer questions because morestudentsunderstand the work they are doing. Students need to have a break during their week. Implying a three-day weekendcanhelpkidswith their mental health, gives familiestheopportunityto spendtimetogether,andit givesstudentsadaytofully rechargethemselves.

Jacob Elrod Tiffany Koonce

Jeter

Rylee Parsons Staff Writer

Johnston goals not enough for PCM in pair of losses

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

Karr leads Mustangs to fifth at outdoor opener

EDDYVILLE — Morgan

Karr won two individual events on April 4 and her times in both events placed her in qualifying position for the Drake Relays.

PERRY — Justin Johnston scored, but PCM’s soccer team fell behind early and never recovered during a 4-1 loss to Perry on April 2.

The Mustangs trailed the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference match 1-0 at halftime before being outscored 3-1 in the second half.

Perry had a 20-7 advantage in shots and an 11-1 surplus in shots on goal.

Terrell Wood made 17 saves in his 80 minutes for PCM, which fell to 0-1 in the conference.

Jacobo Cerna-Gomez led Perry (1-3, 1-0) with two goals and one assist and Robert Gomez chipped in one goal and one assist.

Chariton 3, PCM 1

MONROE — Christopher Enamordo scored twice, Quinten Gruwell dished out two assists and Brody Krutsinger made three saves as Chariton downed PCM, 3-1, on April 4.

The Mustangs (1-3) led the non-conference home match 1-0 at halftime following a first-half goal by Johnston, but Chariton (2-0) stayed unbeaten with a big second half.

Dominic Witt had one assist and Wood made 10 saves for the Mustangs. PCM Explorer

The PCM sophomore led the Mustangs girls track and field team to fifth at the Burdell Hensley Relays.

Lynnville-Sully (84) edged PCM (82) by two points to complete the top five in the standings. It was the outdoor opener for both teams.

The Mustangs limited their lineup to two events per athlete and PCM did not enter anyone or any team in the final four events.

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

Karr had two of PCM’s three wins, and the Mustangs were second twice and grabbed one bronze medal.

Host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont won the team title with 140 points.

No other team reached triple digits. Albia (94) and Cardinal

of Eldon (89) were next and the rest of the nineteam field included East Marshall (71), Van Buren (66), Pleasantville (54) and Clarke (50).

Karr won the 100-meter dash in 12.72 seconds, which currently ranks tied for 26th in the state.

Her winning time in the 100 hurdles was clocked in a career-best 15.55, which is currently ninth in the state.

The final PCM win came in the 4x800 relay. The team of Lila Milani, Addison Steenhoek, Bailey Wheeler and Abi Teeter posted a time of 10 minutes, 54.85 seconds.

PCM finished second in two events. Teeter was the runner-up in the 3,000 with a time of 12:13.73 and Lexi Fagg placed second in the long jump with a career-best leap of 15 feet, 0 1/2 inch.

PCM’s lone third-place finish came in the shuttle hurdle relay. The foursome of Tori Lindsay, Jorja Teeter, Kylie Tuller and Lillian Humpal finished the race in 1:18.17.

The Mustangs claimed three fourth-place finishes.

Milani (career-best 1:06.5) was fourth in the 400, Ayla Barrett (4-10) took fourth in the high jump and Ila Keuning (career-best 75-7) finished fourth in the discus.

Mustangs edged by Bolts at Baxter

BAXTER — The Baxter boys track and field team played catch up against PCM for most of the night during the Baxter Coed Invitational on April 4.

The meet championship came down to the final event and the Bolts’ win in the 4x400-meter relay pushed them past the Mustangs on their home track.

Short-handed PCM won five events, but Baxter claimed 12 top-three finishes and edged the Mustangs by a single point.

The Bolts won the team title with 106 points, while PCM was the runner-up with 105. The rest of the top five was tightly contested, too, with Pleasantville (79) edging BCLUW (78) and Lynnville-Sully (77) for third.

Ankeny Christian (62), AGWSR (44), Colfax-Mingo (27), Melcher-Dallas (7) and the Bondurant-Farrar JV (4) completed the 10-team field.

Two of PCM’s wins came from Mark Bussan in the shot put and Evan Jones in the 100 and the Mustangs also sprinted to wins in the 4x100, 4x200 and shuttle hurdle relays.

The annual event hosted by Baxter used to be a boys’ meet only. The Bolts lost their girls meet that was scheduled around the same time as the Drake Relays so the hosts changed it to coed.

PCM was without tp long jumper and hurdler Gavin Van Gorp as well as sprinter and hurdler Adrien Robbins.

Bussan won the shot put with a toss of 45-6 and Jones rallied to win the 100 in 11.52 seconds. Tad Wilson finished third in 12.03.

The Mustangs’ winning 4x100 relay team featured Griffin Olson, Gabe Hobbs, Jacob

Wendt and Jones and they finished in 44.76.

The 4x200 relay team of Wilson, Gavin Steenhoek, Wendt and Hobbs won the race in a season-best 1:35.68.

Olson led off the shuttle hurdle relay and was joined by Jake Winters, Jaden Houser and Steenhoek and they posted a winning time of 1:09.11.

PCM finishes eighth at Newton

NEWTON — Two golfers from Newton and PCM posted career-best scores on April 4 during the Cardinal Invitational at Westwood Golf Course.

But neither the Cardinals or Mustangs could keep up with the top three teams in the final standings as Newton finished fourth and PCM was eighth in the eight-team field. Williamsburg won the tournament with a 181, edging Norwalk (183) by two strokes. Pella finished third with a 193.

Newton, which played the tournament without No. 2 golfer Eva Pak because of an illness, shot a 206 in fourth.

Grinnell (207) was one shot back in fifth and the rest of the eightteam field included Chariton (213), Dallas Center-Grimes (223) and PCM (232).

Addie Ratcliff led Newton with a career-best 49. That placed her 12th overall.

Gretchen Uitermarkt and Brelee Berger both shot 54s to lead PCM. Uitermarkt was 27th and Berger’s career-best score put her in 28th.

Emilyn Davis finished 38th with a 59, Meredith Chipps was 42nd with a 65 and Seriah Nolin placed 44th with a career-best 67.

Kayla VanderLinden made her

varsity debut for the Mustangs. She placed 45th with a 68. Williamsburg’s Jaisel Bott was

Olson also grabbed PCM’s lone individual runner-up finish. He was second in the 110 high hurdles with a career-best time of 15.72, while Winters placed fifth in a career-best 17.26.

The sprint medley relay team also was second. The foursome of Olson, Hobbs, Jones and Riley Graber completed the race in 1:44.47.

Wendt took third in the 200 in 24.32 and the 4x800 relay team also placed third. That team featured Carson Hansen, Kolby Clark, Joe Shaver and Coby DeRaad and they finished the race in 9:09.04.

PCM was fourth in two relays and Alex Wendt was fourth in the discus.

The 4x400 relay team featured Brevin DeRaad, Gavin DeRaad, Gabe Nessa and Trigg Steenhoek and they finished in 4:02.69.

The distance medley relay team of Burns, Jack Jungling, Coby DeRaad and Nessa posted a time of 4:16.60.

Alex Wendt reached a career-best distance of 115-3 3/4 to place fourth in the discus, while Chase Wagaman (5-8) placed fifth in the high jump and Wyatt Heater (17-11) and Finn Wilson (17-6) were 5-6 in the long jump. Coby DeRaad (career-best 2:16.54) was fifth in the 800 and Wagaman (career-best 1:01.31) took sixth in the 400.

PCM Explorer

Fagg

Karr

Morgan Karr

GIRLS GOLF

the meet medalist with a 38 and Pella’s Karsyn Lyons shot a 41 as the runner-up medalist.

PCM Explorer

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Brelee Berger putts during the Cardinal Invitational at Westwood Golf Course on April 4.

PCM Explorer

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer PCM senior Remington Fry pushes the ball into the scoring zone during a Mustang soccer match earlier this season.

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM freshman Jaden Houser competes in the shuttle hurdle relay at the Baxter Coed Invitational on April 4. The Mustangs won the event but finished one point behind the host Bolts in the team championship race.

Explorer PCM

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Explorer PCM

Study finds 29% of Americans procrastinate on taxes

With Tax Day just a week away, many Americans are scrambling to file their returns, but according to IPX1031’s 5th annual Tax Procrastinators report , some are more likely to put off this annual task

than others, proving that when it comes to taxes, procrastination is a national pastime. The report found 1 in 4 Americans don’t feel prepared to file their taxes this year and 29 percent admit to pro -

crastinating . Tax Day is April 15 this year, but 28 percent don’t know when the tax filing deadline is this year.  Insights into American Filing Practices and Challenges: Top tax procrasti -

nators by state: Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, and Delaware The #1 reason Americans procrastinate taxes: the process is too compli -

cated and stressful 1 in 5 think Tax Day is on April 18

According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average tax refund amount in 2023

was $2,903. In 2024, Americans expect the average refund to be $2,552. Compared to 2023, 30 percent expect to get less of a refund this year.