FOOTBALL SENIOR NIGHT — FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON

By Leah Kastner and Berley Schwartz, freshmen, staff writers

Friday night,  Oct. 18, marked the last time the Panorama Panther football seniors would step on the field for a game. There were 10 players and their manager, totaling 11. The seniors consist of Joel Cooper, Sawyer Simmons, Emmett King, Gabe Wagner, Jaysen Stagg, Will Knapp, Rylan Boeker, AJ Draper, Connor Love, Landon Kirtley and the manager, Jolynne Roeder. Most of the Panther seniors have played since they were in youth football as a Panther. Thank you, seniors, for all you have done for the Panther community and football team. The community loves to come to watch you leave it out on the field. Good luck with the rest of your year and, as always, Go Panthers!

The theme for the football game was Pink Out. The student section was decked out in pink, and the football team wore blue jerseys with pink lining the letters. They played against Riverside.

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UPCOMING BASKETBALL SEASON

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

The boys basketball team at Panorama High School has been showing incredible dedication, putting in extra work with open gym practices every Thursday, as long as the coach’s schedule allows. The team is under the leadership of the new head coach, Josh Beardsley, who comes highly recommended. There’s a palpable sense of excitement among the boys as they eagerly await the start of the season. Their goal is to not only win as many games as possible but also to demonstrate their skills and teamwork to the community. The boys are looking forward to an exciting and successful season ahead. .

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ELA TAKES FIELD TRIP TO IOWA CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

By Berkley Schwartz, freshman, staff writer

On Oct. 16, Mrs. Gafkjen and Mr. Shorey took some high schoolers to the Community Garden play at Iowa Central Community College. The play was written by Justin Borak and directed by Teresa Jackson. It was two hours long and very meaningful. The meaning behind it was that the garden was a special place where people could come together and grow as individuals. If you get the chance to attend one of these field trips, sign up and have a great time.

Students in attendance: Front row: Meredith Arganbright, Ruth Fett, Ashley Crees, Elle Reynolds, Hannah Dishman, Berkeley Schwartz, Emma Walker, Hunter Kline, Brody Steenblock, Nolan Sheehy, Brayden Galvan and Cobyn Snyder; Back row: Mr. Shorey, Marlee Herring, Evynn Stagg, Kasey Michaelson, Savannah Matthias, Norah Hermann and Heaven Copeland. Not pictured: Mrs. Gafkjen.

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REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL

By Leah Kastner, freshman, staff writer 

Monday night, Oct. 21, the Panorama Panther varsity volleyball team took on Pocahontas in the first round of regional volleyball play. The Panthers hosted the match at Panorama High School. The volleyball team was nervous about the game, but the Panorama community showed up for the girls to hopefully make it to the next round. The Panthers won the first set, but Pocahontas took the next two. The girls really had to focus and win the next two to move on to the next round. The Panther girls won the fourth set, and it all came down to the tie-breaking fifth set and the last serve by Pocahontas. The serve had too much power and went out of bounds and brought the Lady Panthers the victory.

Wednesday, Oct. 23 marked the end of the 2024 Panorama Panthers volleyball season. The girls fought hard but fell to No. 2 ranked Grundy Center. The Panthers ended their season 11-12. Panorama lost the first three sets of the game, which just happened to end their season.

The Panther Volleyball girls had a good season and an unlucky game. We are proud of you, girls. Thank you, seniors, for all your hard work and dedication to the team. Congrats on a great season, Panthers, and, as always, Go Panthers! .

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WHY SPORTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN

By Emma Walker, freshman, staff writer

Sports play a crucial role in the development of students, and this makes their inclusion in school curriculums essential. First, sports promote physical health, which is increasingly important in an era when sedentary lifestyles are common among young people. Regular physical activity helps prevent obesity, disease and other health issues, fostering a generation of healthier individuals.

Moreover, sports instill important life skills such as teamwork, discipline and leadership. Participating in a team sport teaches students how to work cooperatively toward a common goal and supports their peers. These skills are transferable to academic and professional settings.

Lastly, sports provide a sense of community and school spirit. This brings students together, creating a shared identity and pride in their institution. This sense of belonging can enhance students’ overall school experience, boosting morales and encouraging attendance and engagement.

Therefore, engaging in sports in school programs is necessary for the crucial development of students.

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VOLLEYBALL SEASON CONCLUDES

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

This volleyball season has been a remarkable journey filled with unforgettable moments and invaluable lessons for our team. We faced a myriad of challenges, from intense practice and fierce rivalries to triumphant victories and heartbreaking losses, allowing us to grow closer and solidify our bond as a family.

Our season reached its bittersweet conclusion when we faced Grundy Center, losing in all three sets. The disappointment was palpable as players hung their heads, but, deep down, we knew that we had given our absolute best effort on the court. Each serve, dig and rally was a testament to our hard work and dedication.

As we reflect on the season, the impending loss of our nine extraordinary seniors weighs heavily on our hearts. They have not only contributed their skills and leadership on the court but have also left a lasting impact on the younger players, showing them what it means to be part of a team. Despite the sadness of saying goodbye, we are grateful for the moments we shared with them alongside our juniors, sophomores and freshmen, creating bonds that will endure beyond the volleyball court.

Our last game was indeed an emotional culmination of our season, filled with tears and embraces. Yet, what stood out most was the unwavering strength of our camaraderie. No matter the outcome of a single game, we will always carry the knowledge that our volleyball team is more than just a collection of players; we are a family, united by our passion for the sport and our support for one another.

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MAJOR PROMOTION TO HEAD GIRLS SOCCER COACH

By Henry Kalloff, sophomore, staff writer

It was announced on Oct. 17 that Paul Kautzky, who has had an influential part in the girls soccer team and program, has been promoted to head coach. Coach Kautzky has become incredibly respected by the girls on the soccer team, and athletes and fans are excited to see how Coach Kautzky will perform in his new role.

The team is getting prepared ahead of the season with their first game on April 14 when Panorama will face Greene County. The game will be a testament to the hard work and dedication that Coach Kautzky and the girls on the team have done in the off-season. All of us at Panorama are proud to see the promotion of Paul Kautzky, and we can’t wait to see how he will do as head coach.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS 

By Jemma Meacham, junior

High school students should learn multiple skills to help them become successful in their futures, but three specific skills are more important than others. One of the skills that is essential for students to be successful is to learn time management. Time management is important for everyday life. If students have poor time management, then it can start to negatively affect them in many ways.

Another important skill for high school students to learn is organization because it will make their lives easier.

The third skill that is particularly important for high school students to learn is effective communication, which is needed in everyday life.

Being organized has many benefits that can help students in the future and that are essential for day-to-day life. Those three skills are especially important for students to become successful in their futures. 

Learning time management is essential for students to learn in order to deal with everyday tasks such as going to school or work on time. They have to have at least some time managing skills, because if they don’t, they may find themselves in a bad position where they are frequently late or are in a rush. Another benefit of students gaining time management skills is that it can help them become less stressed. By not having to rush assignments or having to hurry up to get something done, they will find they are a lot less stressed and have more free time. By fixing unhealthy habits like tardiness, students will also have more opportunities in their futures because by being on time they will be seen as responsible and reliable, which are good traits to have. So, time management skills are especially important for high school students to learn because of all the positive things that come from it. 

High school students also should learn organization skills, because being organized helps students in many ways. An example of how this skill can help students is by being able to organize their schoolwork and assignments they should be able to keep track of everything and they are more likely to get their work done on time and not lose it. Another example would be organizing their personal belongings, which is important in all aspects of life because if they are constantly losing things, it can become frustrating and can cause them to take extra time trying to find their things, which can cause them to be late and is overall just an inconvenience. Organization skills are make students look good. By being organized, students will seem more put together, and it can also make them seem more responsible because they are not constantly losing things. Being organized can also positively affect students’ mental health because being in an organized and clean environment can help students become more focused and give them an overall better mood. By having organizational skills, students can improve their overall performance and mental health. 

Communication is the third skill that is most important for high school students to learn because students need to be able to effectively communicate with others because communicating with others is something that students do daily. Students need to be able to communicate properly because if they cannot, they may have issues with social isolation, which can poorly affect their mental health. Communication skills are also important because students need to be able to communicate with their classmates and teachers daily to complete assignments and engage in class discussions. So, communication skills are essential for high school students to have because they are used so often. 

In conclusion, communication, time management and organization skills are important for high school students to develop because of their importance and because of how often they come up in daily life. These three skills are essential for high school students to be successful in their futures. 

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WHY STUDENTS SHOULD TAKE SCIENCE CLASSES 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, staff writer

Science is one of the main four subjects in American schools, alongside math, English and history. Students can take many different branches of science-related classes at Panorama. Biology-related classes that are available include regional biology, environmental biology, anatomy and physiology, and regular biology. There are also other science classes, like physical science, chemistry, and physics.

There are many arguments that can be made on why science is the most important subject in school. First, students who take science and do well can make better-informed decisions on their surroundings. Students can also develop new skills they didn’t even know they were capable of. They will be better at problem-solving as well due to a lot of science classes requiring problem-solving. For students with high curiosity levels, science will be a great class to satisfy their curiosity and answer questions. Finally, students will be able to tell the difference between truth and lies more often if they take science classes. There are many more reasons why students should take science, as well.

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BENEFITS OF LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL 

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

At Panorama Schools, we learn a second language, Spanish, which can be beneficial in various ways. Learning Spanish not only enhances communication abilities but also provides numerous opportunities in life. Although many students find it challenging, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile. It opens doors to new perspectives, traditions and ways of life. Students who learn a second language often perform better in other subjects. In conclusion, the advantages of learning a second language in school go far beyond the ability to communicate in another language.

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WHAT MAKES THE PANORAMA SCHOOL DISTRICT UNIQUE? 

By Blake Smith, sophomore, staff writer

I attend Panorama High School, and I´ve learned there are many unique things about our district. For one, the staff is kind and reliable. For example, if a student is having trouble of any kind here, the staff will gladly help them with whatever is troubling them. Another unique thing about this school is the opportunities it provides its students with. For instance, there are many college representatives from around Iowa who come to meet with students to open their eyes to the possibilities of college. Also, there are college trips where somebody at the college will give participating students a tour of campus. This is good because it helps students to consider their next step in life. Another unique aspect of Panorama is the immersive experience of many of the classes. For example, the shop teacher, Mr. Osbahr, has his curriculum filled to the brim with activities and projects. A final positive abnormality of our school is the inclusive set of students. For example, at a football game, there is a high likelihood of somebody or everybody inviting you into the student section. These are a few amazing qualities of many at Panorama High School.

These positive attributes of our district are all important, but what if we didn’t have these qualities? Well, to answer that question, it wouldn’t be pretty; not horrible, but not very good either. For one, if the staff wasn’t kind and understanding, the students may feel less safe and less trusting. Another negative if we didn’t have these positive qualities would be that if we didn’t have many opportunities for students, they may have a tough time figuring out what they want to do after high school. A third negative would come to be the lack of immersiveness in our lessons. For example, students who have a more hands-on learning style may struggle more than those who learn better listening. This is a small amount of the possible negatives of not having a good district.

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PROS OF TAKING CARPENTRY CLASS 

By Henry Kallhoff, sophomore, staff writer

At first, you may think carpentry class may be boring and useless, but after about two months of class experience, you would learn it is quite the opposite. Many life lessons are taught in the class including how to use saws and how to create concrete, as there will always be things to keep you occupied in the class. Here are some of my opinions about the class.

It has been great for someone like me who is still undecided about a career choice. It helps me understand the basics of building materials and doing research seeing what needs to be done. There is a lot of hands-on work to do in the class, and it is important to listen to directions and be communicative when doing important work. If you don’t follow the directions, it becomes confusing, and you eventually fall back quickly. Along with that, Mr. Osbahr has been a fantastic teacher and has taught me and other students valuable information about carpentry. I highly recommend other students take the class and start becoming more active in working with machinery. 

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IMPORTANCE OF TAKING HISTORY CLASSES 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, staff writer

History is one of the four main subjects in school, alongside math, English, and science. History is arguably the most important subject in school due to the lessons it teaches. They say if you don’t know history, especially the bad things, you are doomed to repeat it. Learning history is important to avoid making the same mistakes people in the past did. If you want to take a history class, there are many to choose from.

World history is one of the classes you can take. You learn many things from prehistory to the end of World War II. If you want to go past World War II, you can also take a Cold War class, which focuses on the titular era from 1947 to 1991. To focus specifically on our country, you can take a U.S. history class after world history. Learning about future history is also an option with modern problems. In order to learn useful lessons and prevent the past from repeating, you should take a class on history.

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A SCHOOL’S ENVIRONMENT CAN HAVE AN IMPACT ON LEARNING 

By Blake Smith, sophomore, staff writer

School has many aspects of its environment that can be seen as positive or negative by different people. One positive aspect that could be taken away from a learning environment is the amount of people around to help someone complete a problem or answer a question. This, for many, is a positive thing. But, for some, it can be scary and detrimental to be around so many people for reasons such as the possibility of sickness and general social awareness. Finally, with larger classrooms, students can feel more comfortable in the fact that they aren’t taking up too much space and aren´t hindering other students’ movement. In conclusion, there is a split in positivity and negativity in classroom environments.

There are many ways in which schools and teachers can alter the environment in which students are taught. First, a teacher organizing a classroom to have more spacing between desks and tables allows for more room to complete work and tasks. This allows the students to get more work done and, overall, allows the teacher to get more done to enhance student learning. Second, if hallways in a school building were built bigger and with more space, students could get to class faster and, overall, be in a better mood, being able to walk as fast as they would like to. Third, if students were able to have areas where, after school, they were allowed to go to study and catch up on any missing assignments and work they have, they could have a less stressful time going through high school.

WHAT IS FFA? 

By Brooklyn Haines, junior, staff writer

FFA stands for Future Farmers of America. In more recent years, the organization has been more open-minded about people joining who do not have farms. FFA is a club you can join through school. Throughout the year, you go to different places and do different competitions and compete against other schools. They also have a lot of fundraising events like fruit sales.

The FFA fundraisers have started. Make sure you support the FFA club and buy fruit, chocolate and more. This chapter’s FFA wants to raise enough money to go to more conventions and compete with other schools throughout the year so that students will have every opportunity to become successful in their field. If you are also interested in the ag field, join FFA.

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CPR FOR SENIORS 

By Marshall Lynam, senior, staff writer

Starting Oct. 4, CPR classes will be held every Friday in the ICN room with the school nurse, Deanna Van Gundy. Seniors are required to take this class before graduation. If you miss a class, you will be rescheduled for the missed time. If you have already gotten your CPR license, bring a copy to Deanna.

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PANORAMA ESPORTS TEAM ON THE RISE 

By Henry Kallhoff and Blake Smith, sophomores, staff writers

After months of anticipation and hard work behind the scenes, the Panorama Esports Team is ready to go and set to make its debut in the winter of 2024 for the Iowa High School Esports Association (IAHSEA) playing Overwatch 2. Panora Fiber has also joined on as an official sponsor of the Esports team and is helping with equipment needed for gaming. Mr. Little, who has played a huge role in the beginning of the Panorama Esports Team, is looking forward to beginning a new journey with an elite roster of student players.

The IAHSEA has three seasons including fall, winter and spring that each offer different games. The team is hoping to continue its participation in more games in the future after its debut season this winter. Mr. Little says everyone should be on the lookout for the Panorama In-House Tournaments that will be coming soon, as the team will put on tournaments as a fundraiser. The tournament games will vary between Valorant, Overwatch 2, and, potentially, Mario Kart.

Esports offers many benefits to the school district. For one, many students don’t like physical sports and can be involved in the community by joining the esports team. This is beneficial for students because, in addition to being more involved in the district, they can display their love and passion for playing video games.

Another major benefit of esports is the ability to make new friends who have similar interests in games. This can create lifelong friendships and has the potential to encourage students and participants to join a physical sports team. In addition to this, students can form closer bonds with their coach, Mr. Little. Two other beneficial and important skills one can acquire from Esports could also be good communication and teamwork skills. These can help in any aspect of life, whether a person is a professional gamer or a business owner.

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BENEFITS OF PLAYING TEAM SPORTS 

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

Playing team sports offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond physical fitness. Panorama Schools offer a variety of sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, wrestling, football, golf, baseball, dance, swimming, cross country, shooting and Esports. These physical benefits contribute to a healthier lifestyle and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Being part of a team teaches individuals how to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and work toward common goals. In conclusion, the benefits of playing team sports are vast and varied. From improving physical health and fostering social skills to enhancing mental well-being, team sports offer a holistic approach to maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.

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WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, staff writer

School is usually about learning new things that will help you in the future. However, school is definitely more than just learning. Students can participate in extracurricular activities outside of school as well. These activities are optional, but I suggest you do at least one extracurricular activity. Here are some benefits to participating.

First, these activities will give you something to do after school. Sometimes, students can be bored when not doing something, and these activities will give people an opportunity to have fun. You will have a better social life as well due to being around more students. Also, participating in sports can get you active and moving, which is something you might lack if not doing activities. If you’re not an athletic person, there are still activities for you. For example, speech is a great way to have fun outside of school and interact with other people. The school play is also an activity to look in to, as not only will you move around on stage, but you will be more social with others. Finally, for any gamers, Panorama has a new Esports team you can be in. In conclusion, if you are not in an extracurricular activity, consider joining one to improve your life.

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EARLY OUT FRIDAYS 

By Leah Kastner, freshman, staff writer

This school year at Panorama, the school board decided to make every Friday an Early Out. Personally, I love the idea as it gives teachers more time to work on grading and planning for the next week. It also gives students more time to reset for the next week. I’ve asked students about their thoughts on it. One answered, “I love them. It gives us lots more time to rest up for the next week.” Another answered, “I love them. You get to leave school early and do more stuff before going to support your team on Friday night.” Lastly, one said, “I like them because it breaks up the week.” A teacher answered, “I really like it, although it took me a while to get used to them.” Overall, most of the students and teachers like Early Out Fridays and think they should be kept.

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EMPOWERING THE FUTURE: THE ESSENTIAL 21ST CENTURY SKILLS 

By Cody Kastner, junior

In today’s fast-paced world, the skills needed for success have evolved dramatically. The 21st century demands a new set of abilities that are crucial for both personal and professional growth. These skills are essential for navigating the complexities of modern life and thriving in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Critical thinking is a cornerstone of 21st-century skills. With information readily accessible, the ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize information is vital. Critical thinking helps individuals make informed decisions and solve complex problems, making it a highly sought after skill in various industries.

Effective communication and collaboration are also indispensable in today’s global society. Clear communication, both verbal and written, along with digital literacy, is essential. Collaboration involves teamwork, adaptability and the ability to work with diverse teams, regardless of cultural or geographical differences.

Technological proficiency is another item that is fundamental in the 21st century. From basic computer skills to advanced coding, the ability to navigate and leverage technology is crucial. Digital literacy also includes understanding digital ethics and cybersecurity, making individuals more competitive in the job market.

Finally, adaptability is vital in a constantly changing world. Being open to new ideas and embracing change is essential for success. Lifelong learning emphasizes the importance of acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout one’s life, preparing individuals to meet future demands.

In conclusion, the 21st century requires a diverse set of skills beyond traditional academic knowledge. Critical thinking, communication, digital literacy, and adaptability are essential for navigating modern life. Prioritizing these skills will ensure a prosperous and innovative future.

EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM WITH YOUTUBE 

By Ruanne Brinker-Ownn, senior staff writer

YouTube is one of the most consumed forms of media today due to its convenience and variety as a platform. Most any niche interest you have has been thoroughly covered in a YouTube video for your own enjoyment. But we often forget that YouTube can be both equally educational and entertaining. Many YouTube creators make intriguing science videos that are geared to be entertaining to people of all ages. I highlight four of the most entertaining, thought-provoking and unique.

The first is Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer who now focuses on sharing his scientific knowledge online. A large percentage of his videos center around scientific experiments such as “Egg Drop from Space” and “Testing If Sharks Can Smell a Drop of Blood,” and many more. Another staple aspect of his videos is engineering, such as “Beating 5 Scam Arcade Games with Science,” where Mark builds gadgets to win arcade games using physics. Mark is continually creating new videos with creative ideas that can captivate for hours that are well spent learning new information. 

If you’re looking for some shorter content to view, JaDropping Science is a great choice. The channel mainly focuses on a series of 60-second videos that follow the formula of two truths and a lie with scientific facts. It can be quite tricky. Even if you think you’re knowledgeable when it comes to science, I encourage you to go watch one of his videos. You will be surprised by some of the fun facts you learn. 

If you’re searching for content on the longer side. In that case, NileRed is your match. With videos usually lasting about an hour, NileRed dives into the complexity of chemistry in a fun and intriguing way. Did you know you can turn plastic gloves into soda? If you are just as bewildered as I was when I read the title of his video, “Turning plastic gloves into grape soda,” I encourage you to check out his channel and give it a view. He performs many other experiments with equally intriguing results. 

Perhaps the most entertaining creator out of the handful I’ve presented today is Michael Stevens, better known as VSauce. His videos center around hypothetical scientific questions, with some of his most popular titles including “What If Everyone JUMPED At Once?” and “Is Your Red The Same as My Red?” Other content created by him can be more fun-fact-oriented than science, but his content consistently has roots in educating others through his quirky personality about the wonderful world around us. 

Many other science-based creators on YouTube make equally excellent videos for you to browse at any moment. Screentime can truly be educational if you know where to search. I encourage you to check out some of the people I listed and learn something new about the world around you. Hopefully, you can discover a new way to pass the time productively. 

Visit some of the channels mentioned with the links below:

1. Mark Rober: https://youtube.com/@markrober?si=aQm34_aX_eIXKn5H
2. JaDropping Science: https://youtube.com/@jadroppingscience?si=cjExxqHvGOfyUVZv
3. NileRed: https://youtube.com/@nilered?si=qghd8B5CufLIb_ni
4. VSauce: https://youtube.com/@vsauce?si=Lttou5r7L7Xy3ARw 

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FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOCUS: NEELE WIRTHS 

By Henry Kalloff, sophomore, staff writer

This school year marks a new milestone for the sophomore student from Germany, as Neele Wirths is ready to accomplish new goals in her year at Panorama Community Schools. Although she is looking forward to completing goals, such as improving her English and being able to meet new people, it will take a lot of time to adjust to being away from home and having to move away from the ones she grew up with. In the first few weeks of school, she has become part of the cheerleading team for Panorama and has mentioned the big differences between American schools and schools in Germany. For example, the option of choosing subjects and that the length of school was different between both countries’ schools.

In her short time living in Iowa, she has talked about the positivity amongst those who area a part of the community and at school. However, she is not looking forward to the winter due to the excessively cold weather. When asked about why she made the decision to take a year as a foreign exchange student, she said it was because she had wanted to attend an American high school and wanted to live like an American teenager. She has also been to several other countries in her lifetime including Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and Canada.

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CROSS COUNTRY OUTLOOK 

By Leah Kastner, freshman, and Brooklyn Haines, junior, staff writers

Mr. Thompson has coached cross country since 1998. He said he has been looking forward to this season. His goal for this season is to get four kids to the state meet individually and a team to go to state and for each athlete and to grow personally and athletically. Mr. Thompson has 10 high school girls, five high school boys, five junior high girls, and two junior high boys participating. 

The first high school cross country meet was Aug. 29, and the first junior high cross country meet was Sept. 12. Mr. Thompson’s favorite parts about being a coach are the relationships that are built with the team. Mr. Thompson keeps his athletes motivated by focusing on their personal growth. When difficult situations arise, he talks to the coaching staff and administration and relies on his past experience. If someone were to ask Mr. Thompson about cross country, he would tell them “JOIN CROSS COUNTRY! It will be hard at the beginning, but it will be worth it.”

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PANORAMA HOMECOMING IS THIS WEEK

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, and Leah Kastner, freshman, staff writer

Sunday, Sept. 22, was the beginning of Homecoming week kicking off with the Iron Games. The game is on Friday, Sept. 27 against Southwest Valley. There, the homecoming king and queen will be crowned. To cap off homecoming week, the dance is on Saturday, Sept. 28. Tickets will be available starting Sept. 23. The cost will be $5 if paid in advance, and $10 at the door on Saturday. If you want to register out-of-town visitors, the deadline is Thursday, Sept. 26.

The theme for this year’s homecoming is “Panorama’s Got Game,” based on popular board games. Monday is based on Jumanji, and students should wear camo outfits. Tuesday is based on The Game of Life, where students dress up as different decades. Each grade is given a decade to dress up as: 6^th – 1990s, 7^th – 1960s, 8^th – 1980s, 9^th – 2000s, 10^th – 1990s, 11^th – 1980s, and 12^th – 1970s. Staff will dress in the decade they graduated high school. Wednesday is Candyland day, which is also pajama day for students and staff. Thursday is Twister day, where each grade is assigned a color: 6^th – neon, 7^th – red, 8^th – purple, 9^th – yellow, 10^th – green, 11^th – blue, 12^th – pink, and staff – black. Finally, game day is based on Battleship, where students should simply wear Panorama Panther attire or colors to show pride. 

Let’s make this Homecoming week a good one and always GO PANTHERS! 

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Ava Thorn, Miyah Small, Nella Rivas, Jessica Randal, Maci Bauer, Lexi Wasson, Maddy Carstens, Elizabeth Snyder, Berkley Schwartz, Hadley Fitch and Cali Knudsen.

PANORAMA DANCE TEAM HITS THE FIELD 

By Berkley Schwartz, freshman, staff writer

This year, the Panorama dance team has performed at two football games. The first dance they did was a mix up of jazz, hip hop, kick and pom. The latest dance they did was a mix up of pom, kick and hip hop. This is something new the dance team is doing, and it is a good way to pep up halftime and get everyone ready for the football season.

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FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOCUS: PAULA LOPEZ NAVARRETE 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, staff writer

In a new city, Paula Lopez Navarret misses her family, friends and the food from back home in Spain. She notes how she can choose her subjects and school is shorter. She names the Spanish omelet as her favorite food from her home country. She is a 15-year-old sophomore and has a 12-year-old brother. She is participating in cheerleading this year. She says Iowans are nice and helpful to her. However, she dislikes the harsh winter weather in the state. 

She became a foreign exchange student in the United States to learn about our culture and traditions. She also wants to improve her English and experience new things. Crumble cookies are her favorite food here in America. She finds it difficult to be away from her family and friends. Her main goals are to improve her English and get to know American culture. Finally, outside of Spain and Iowa, she has been to Finland, Scotland and France. She has also been to New York.

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HELPING OUT ELEMENTARY KIDS 

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

A group of volunteers decided to help by refereeing football games for elementary school kids. By volunteering, students not only earn service hours but also ensure that the children have a blast and enjoy themselves. Part of their goal is to show interest in football among the young boys so that they continue to play as they grow older. The students aim to inspire the young kids to explore new activities, such as football. This holds tremendous value for the children as it facilitates physical activity, fun, outdoor engagement and, most importantly, allows them to revel in the joy of childhood.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BUS EVACUATION DRILLS 

By Henry Kalloff, sophomore, staff writer

Last Wednesday morning at the Panorama Secondary School, students in both middle and high school were told to go through the bus evacuation drill. It takes a few moments for the bus driver to go through the safety precautions about a school bus in case an emergency situation were to happen. Students are required to wear a seatbelt as newer school buses have them installed on all seats on the bus. There are also eight ways to get out of a bus in case of an incident, including both the front and back doors, four windows and two roof hatches in case of a rollover. 

While this makes sense for those who take the bus to get to and from school, the question was raised as to why this matters to those who don’t ride the bus. As someone like me who usually walks home, I will say that it is about as important for someone to know all school bus policies whether they ride the bus or not. For example, in case we go on a field trip, you have to ride the bus to go to somewhere from the school during the day. Another can be if someone plays sports and Panorama plays somewhere out of town, a bus is needed to transport players to that place. Finally, if someone decides to drive buses for a living, either public or school transport, they will need to know the policies to tell the younger people about it. 

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MIDTERMS: WHAT TO DO TO BRING GRADES UP 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomores, staff writer

With midterms coming up, students might start to panic about their grades. The term is already halfway through, and if a kid is failing, he or she might worry about bringing grades up. There might also be kids who are passing but worry about flunking an assignment or test and failing by the time the term ends. Maybe a kid is barely passing and wants to have a comfortable grade at the end of the term. Here are some tips to bring grades up before the term ends.

First, it is important to know what you are learning. Study cards can help one lock the information into memory. A study card is a medium-sized card where a student writes down all or almost all the information learned in a class to study later. School isn’t the only place a student can study. If students are worried about their grades, then they should take time to study at home to prepare for tests and get their grades up. Quizzing is also a great way to study. Taking a quiz about what one is learning in class to better understand the material. Quizlet is a good website to do quizzes on. Finally, the most important thing to do is pay attention to the teacher and comprehend what he or she is saying. If students do this, they will increase their chances of getting a passing grade by the end of the term.

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Malia Jacobsen swimming 500 Freestyle: 7:33.59, 4th place, Personal best time, dropping 3.88 seconds.

A PANTHER ON THE BLUEJAY SWIM TEAM 

By Leah Kastner, freshman, staff writer

Malia Jacobson is a freshman at Panorama who swims for the Perry swim team. I asked her how she is liking it so far.

“I really like it so far, and I really like the team,” she replied.

Malia’s favorite race is the 100 breaststroke, although her best race is the 50 breaststroke. I asked her what a few of her accomplishments were for this season so far. 

“I am swimming varsity. I started swimming the 500 and I have PRed (personal record) in a few races.”

I also asked about her goals for this season.

“My main goal for this season is to get down to six minutes for the 500,” she said.

Thank you, Malia, for your time and good luck on your swimming season. 

MANAGING SCHOOL STRESS WITH JOURNALING 

By Ruanne Brinker-Owens, senior, staff writer

I am not the first to say it, nor am I the last: School is stressful. Most every high school student knows the feeling of staying up late to cram in a project due at midnight, dreading waking up in the morning and repeating the process again. Anxiety is abundant and an all too familiar feeling for many teenagers. Between deadlines, grades, GPA, colleges, acceptance rates, jobs, navigating relationships, and so much more, we find ourselves as students having many different things to worry about.

How do you stop worrying about these trying topics? Do you lay in bed at night, feeling as if you’re a soda can that’s been shaken, fizzling on the inside, the pressure building up? Do you project these demanding emotions onto others — your friends and family caught in the crossfire of the internal conflict you find yourself facing? Maybe you bury these stressors deep down inside of you, distracting yourself with electronics such as social media, video games, or TV.

I’ve found myself in all three of these situations, choosing to either sulk, avoid or be controlled by the feeling of being overwhelmed. What else are you supposed to do?

There are many methods of coping with anxiety and stress, but I’ll be focusing on one today: journaling.

We feel such complex and intense emotions as humans, and it can be incredibly difficult to communicate exactly what we’re feeling to others. It can be ambitious to even try to understand the tangled mess of emotions we find ourselves experiencing. To overcome the feeling of stress, we must unravel these intricate feelings and communicate them, either to ourselves or others. I like to view journaling as a way to have a conversation with yourself. It presents one with the opportunity to ask questions to oneself, respond to oneself, and learn about oneself, and, in this case, inquire about, learn about and respond to what is stressing us out in school.

I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed with school starting. I feel like there are so many moving parts in my life right now, and I have no control over any of them. Without recognizing what is causing me to feel overwhelmed, how am I supposed to overcome it? A good way to point out these stressors is by journaling. You could journal about how your day was, processing any stressful or unexpected moments that went awry. You can write down what is making you feel stressed and what control you have over limiting them. The less weight you have on your shoulders, the taller you can stand and continue to make this school year a successful one. There are so many different intentions you can have when journaling that can allow you to process what is currently happening in your life. There is no wrong answer as to what to journal about.

Did you have an awesome time hanging out with a friend? Write it down. Are you stressed about what grade you got on a math test today? Write it down. Write down whatever you feel like you need to share, good or bad.

Guiding a pen across a piece of paper as you allow your inner thoughts to come pouring out is such a cathartic feeling that I encourage everyone to try. I challenge you to just sit down for five minutes and fill a page of paper with your feelings about today. It can be as surface-level or as deep as you desire. The point is that you are establishing a healthy line of communication with yourself and promoting the idea that we must recognize our own struggles in order to combat them, including all the obstacles we encounter in school. As we move further into the school year, it is so incredibly important that students deal with their stress appropriately and, despite all the obstacles, learn to thrive within their academic environment.

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NEW TEACHER FEATURE: MRS. KATIE BOLDY 

By Leah Kastner, freshman, staff writer

Mrs. Katie Boldy is the new middle school math teacher. She has been teaching for two years, although her former job was at Green State Credit Union. Mrs. Boldy choose to come to Panorama because her husband graduated from here, and she had also recently moved here. Mrs. Boldy has one child named Tyson; he is 6 months old, and she is currently pregnant and due in November. Mrs. Boldy’s favorite part of teaching is getting to know the students and having fun with them. She was asked how her first day of teaching at Panorama went, and she replied, “So good. All the kids and the rest of the district were so welcoming.” Lately, she was asked if she had any goals for the 2024-2025 school year. She answered, “Yes, to have a real fun-filled school year.”

We are glad to have you here, Mrs. Boldy.

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TRANSFER TEACHER FEATURE: MRS. CARLA CHURCH 

By Savannah Matthias, junior, staff writer

The high school’s new special ed teacher’s first day of the 2024-2025 school year was great. Mrs. Church retired last year after teaching TAG students. She has come back to teach special education after realizing that if she taught for three more years she would be able to retire with better IPERS benefits. Mrs. Church is excited to learn something different and to build relationships with high school students. She went to Simpson College and earned a bachelor of arts degree in international management and French. She also received an MAE in elementary education. Mrs. Church has taught for 17 years including positions at Diagonal, Fairfield, Wisconsin, and Panorama. She was a stay-at-home mom before she became a teacher. She has three children and five siblings.

Mrs. Church says her main goal this year is to enrich the lives of others around her. She also advises the National Honor Society. Mrs. Church no longer has any pets. Her favorite part of her job is seeing students excited to learn new things.

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EARLY OUT FRIDAYS 

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez, sophomore, staff writer

We expect teachers to accomplish so much in so little time. In addition to teaching, they communicate with parents, organize class events and build relationships with their students. Students must engage in high-quality, hands-on lessons for multiple hours each day. This means that teachers need enough time to plan for those lessons. That’s why the early dismissals on Fridays are helpful for teachers.

Teachers and staff have the opportunity to have dedicated working time to themselves to get their work done. This collaboration can help teachers improve their skills and provide better support for students. Additionally, early release days allow teachers to attend professional development workshops and training sessions, helping them to stay up to date on the latest teaching practices and improve their ability to provide quality education to their students.

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THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

By Henry Kalloff, sophomore, staff writer

For most people, high school is essentially their make or break in terms of meeting the criteria for credits to graduate high school. For someone like me, it’s been far from easy, but I’m willing to keep at it. It hasn’t been a bad start to 10th grade by any means, more so just trying to acclimate to a new sleep schedule and to the new eight-period schedule rather than the traditional six periods. While, yes, it does help that there isn’t that much homework, it requires a person to move around a lot, and it is sometimes difficult to switch from one subject to another in the span of about 40 minutes.

The classes I consider to be easy include world history, biology, study hall, journalism and P.E. World history has been easy so far, mostly just learning about types of ideologies in countries, which is definitely a great tool for learning about the history of Earth. As long as I’m able to focus on what I need to do, it’ll be very easy, for sure. Biology is my third class of the day following geometry, to which biology has been quite fun because it’s mostly studying about the characteristics of life. The atmosphere of the class is very similar to the physical science class from last year, with the rooms being identical but also a quiet environment and everyone just doing their work. Finally, journalism is similar to last year’s class, except I’m not in the class every day because it is alternative to P.E. for seventh period. Not too big of a deal, but it does make things more difficult to get accomplished in a short time. When the class helps out with NewsFlash, in particular, it makes the process quicker.

On the flip side of the so called easy classes are those that I am somewhat struggling in so far. The second class I go to is geometry. In terms of that class, it’s probably the weirdest of all seven that I’m in so far. I was told that it would be more different from algebra, but it does seem in a sense that geometry is basically a carbon copy of algebra but with shapes, although I think I’m starting to figure it out, but we’ll see. Both the fourth and fifth period classes for me are carpentry. It hasn’t been that easy but not too complex either. We’re going to be working on making a  4-inch by 40-inch cube made out of wood. I think it will decide whether I really want to go to trade school or not when I graduate from high school in a couple years. I do enjoy working on projects that involve machinery, but sometimes I do overthink it when reading all the safety information and thinking about what may happen if I’m not careful. The final class I will touch on is English. It’s not as difficult as geometry and carpentry, but it’s not as easy as world history, biology and journalism. The only reason I consider English to be difficult is some of the stories we read about, mainly those written by authors hundreds of years ago where the language is completely different from now. Some of the wording definitely throws me for a loop, but we are reading a story that seems more modern, which makes it easy for someone like me to understand.

It is early into the year still, and things can definitely change for better or for worse. I’m looking forward to continuing these classes for the year and hoping for great grades and a better chance to graduate from high school.

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FALL ACTIVITIES 

By Holliday Mertens, sophomore, staff writer

When school starts, so do school activities. They are usually split into fall activities, winter activities, and spring/summer activities. Fall activities start at or around the beginning of the year, as that’s when fall starts. Because these sports start at the beginning of the year, you need to sign up the previous year or in the summer to compete. There are three main fall activities to be in.

Football is the one of the main sports that is played in fall. Although the game is played in fall, practice/weight lifting and conditioning start just after school ends and continue until the season is over. Cross country is another sport that happens in fall. Unlike track and field, which happens in the spring, cross country is running on natural land on a golf-course-like field. Many of our runners ran throughout the summer. Finally, volleyball is played in the fall. Volleyball is the only main fall sport that is played indoors on a court.

We have a good number of student-athletes involved in fall activities. Good luck to all our Panthers this season.

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TRANSFER TEACHER FEATURE: MR. CHARLIE LAKE 

By Nerea Gimeno-Perez

Mr. Charlie Lake is the new high school P.E. teacher and head high school football coach. Not only was he an elementary school P.E. teacher, but he was also the health teacher at the high school. He graduated from Iowa State University with a major in kinesiology. His clear passion for making a positive impact on students’ lives is inspiring, and he wants to connect with all his students. It’s also interesting to note that Mr. Lake has an older brother and a dog named Bean, and he had a variety of work experiences before pursuing his career as a teacher. His dedication to his role is obvious as he hops on his second year at Panorama Schools. Overall, we wish Mr. Lake a great year and a wonderful football season.

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WHY GRADES ARE SO IMPORTANT 

By Berkley Schwartz, freshman, staff writer

Grades are important for many reasons. First of all, grades are thought to capture both a students’ academic performance and effective factors that play a role in academic achievement. Another reason why grades are so important is because they help hold students accountable for their academic performances.

Third, grades are key because they could help you earn scholarships to get into good colleges. Lastly, good grades can help you get into colleges to help you get the job you so desire for your future. Keep your grades up, Panthers.

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NEW TEACHER FEATURE: MR. BRYCE OLIVE 

By Emma Walker, freshman, staff writer

This week we interview Mr. Bryce Olive as one of the new teachers at Panorama High School. Mr. Olive is a father of two girls and has two dogs named Ollie and Mona. He has one sibling and is from Texas. Mr. Olive decided to work at Panorama High School to be closer to home. He went to Arlington Baptist College and majored in Bible theology and student ministry. Before coming to Panora, he taught in Dallas, Texas, and in Des Moines at Hiatt Middle school, where he was an eighth grade American history teacher. Mr. Olive was also a student pastor before becoming a teacher. He is a teacher in the special needs department and an assistant football coach. His favorite part of his job is seeing the students and helping them actually learn and understand what they are being taught. Mr. Olive’s first day at his new school went very well, and he’s excited for the year.

Rasmussen to continue work with disabled

By BRYAN BEER | Black and Gold Staff Writer

While some students plan from their freshman year to be on a college track, others choose to join the workforce straight out of high school. This is the case for Hunter Rasmussen.

“I’ve thought about college, but there’s a lot of good and bad things about it,” Hunter said.

Hunter decided to stray away from college to find work straight out of high school, though he plans to take online college courses.

“The online college would be for fashion and clothing design, something I’ve always been passionate about,” Hunter said when describing the courses he plans to take.

Hunter currently works in Adel at Advantages in Life where he helps the mentally disabled.

“That’s kind of from my family background, my mom does the same work, and my dad has been a police officer and also used to help people with disabilities,” Hunter said. He plans to work there for a year or two before he starts his online college courses.

“Outside of school, I play a lot of basketball and I do a lot of weight lifting,” Hunter said.

Hunter lifts weights and plays basketball almost every day, staying consistent with his schedule.

“I had an injury over the summer, and I had to work out to help it heal,” Hunter said.

After his injury healed, he stuck with his workout schedule and continues to lift six days a week.

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Arrasmith plans future as conservation officer

By JESLYN ORTEGA | Black & Gold Staff Writer

When looking outside, you may find Bo Arrasmith working as a conservation officer studying fish, game and parks.

“I would be a fishery biologist, forestry biologist or a wildlife biologist, ”Arrasmith said.

He had several thoughts about his high school career at ACGC.

“I have learned quite a bit throughout my high school career. It may not have been fun, and I would rather be working, but it is almost over and I know I will miss it,” he said. “I think the teachers have impacted me the most throughout high school because no matter if I needed help or wanted to learn more, they were always there to assist me.”

Throughout his high school years, Arrasmith participated in track, golf, cross country, baseball and speech.

“I would encourage everyone to try speech at least for a year because it has a contest for everyone,” he said.

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Solorzano plans to attend Simpson, Iowa State

By CAYDENCE BOALS | Black & Gold Editor

Anthony Solorzano is an ACGC class of 2024 senior. He has been involved in football, basketball and track throughout his highs school career and lettered in each sport all four years.

When asked what his favorite memory from high school was, he said, “My favorite high school memory would be experiencing the Bosnian War.”

Anthony’s future plans are to attend Simpson to play football and then transfer to Iowa State to finish his college education.

When asked what advice Anthony could give to underclassmen students, he stated, “If I were to give advice to a underclassman, I would tell them to take every opportunity they have to do something different and experience something new because that’s all what high school is about. It’s about finding out who you really are.”

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Schafer plans career in marketing

By JESLYN ORETGA | Black & Gold Staff Writer

Katelyn’s Schafer personality is outgoing and kind. She is involved in a lot of extracurriculars such as track, Leo’s Club, FCCLA, National Honors Society, DECA, soccer and cross country.

When asked for any advice, she states, “All of the team sports that I have been a part of, they teach you the value of hard work for self-improvement as well as how to put others before yourself for the benefit of your team.”

Schafer is planning on attending Iowa State University, majoring in marketing. Marketing is a career that promotes selling products and services.

Schafer’s favorite memory from her childhood was when her dad taught her how to ride a bike.

Throughout her high school career, her friends have had a big impact.

“I would say my friends have impacted me the most throughout high school because they have shaped me into who I am today and influence me to strive to be a better person.”

Schafer’s final thoughts on high school are: “It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow and has adequately prepared me for my future.”

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Mahaffey plans future in music

By LAURIN DAVIS and ERIC COOP | The Black & Gold

Andrew Mahaffey, son of Karla and Alan Mahaffey, is planning to change the world, one music note at a time.

Mahaffey plans to attend Central College in Pella, majoring in music with a focus in composing and conducting music. 

“It’s always been such a large part of my life,” he said. “This year, I was lucky enough to do an independent study with Mrs. Dinkla and Mrs. Babcock. With that, I was doing many projects through the year of writing music and being able to perform it and teach it to students, and I found that to be very rewarding, so I want to continue that and make it my life.”

Mahaffey will also run for the Dutch Cross Country and Track teams. 

While at ACGC, he participated in marching band, serving as the drum major, concert band, vocal music, the school musical, ran cross country and track, and played baseball. He also helped complete the 2023-24 yearbook.

“I think everybody should do as much as they can right now,” he said. “One, we’re young so we have the freedom to do that. You won’t be able to play football, baseball or those other sports when you’re 40, 50 years old down the line. And, also, that’s the blessing we have with a small school. You get to be involved with so many different things and see success. You go talk to kids at Waukee or Johnston, and they’re focused on one thing and it’s an all-year-around thing, whereas we specialize in literally everything.”

Mahaffey said he would tell underclassmen that while they need to prioritize their academics, they still need to have fun.