SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: HANIA BOBLETT
By Brayden Meinecke, sophomore, staff writer
Hania Boblett is a junior at Panorama High School, graduating early. She participated in many sports such as football cheer, wrestling cheer, golf, power tumbling and trampoline. In school, her favorite teacher was Mrs. Kastner because she was pushing her to be her best. After high school, Hania plans to go to Iowa Western and then become an EMT afterward.
When Hania has free time, she likes to sleep or watch TV. Her favorite show is “Ginny and Georgia.” Hania is busy doing sports such as tumbling. She competed in the Junior Olympics this year for the sport. Hania’s coach, Rona Crook, is her biggest inspiration because she taught her many life lessons. Hania looks up to Simone Biles the most because whenever she fails, she gets right back up and tries again. Hania said all she wanted to be remembered for was always being positive.
____________________________________________________
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: GABRIELLE MORTENSEN
By Jadyn Lawrence, freshman, staff writer
Gabrielle Mortensen said her last four years have been “overwhelming, exciting and beautiful.” During Gabrielle’s high school years, she has been involved in basketball cheer. One huge challenge she faced during high school was trying not to get stressed about little things. When those tough times came around, she knew she could go to Mr. Little for encouragement and help. Her current plan after high school is to go to DMACC to become a kindergarten teacher.
Gabrielle grew up in Carroll. She has looked up to her mom because she has been there for her. A fun fact about Gabi is her right arm is shorter than her left because she broke it. If she could give any advice to underclassmen, it would be to not be a bump on a log, and if something interests you, for example, a class or club, don’t be afraid and join. Overall, when the day comes for Gabrielle to walk out the doors of Panorama High School, her smart, kind and hardworking self will be deeply missed.
____________________________________________________
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: RILEIGH PIERCE
By Hailey Hellman, freshman, staff writer
Rileigh Pierce is a senior at Panorama Secondary School. She plans to get an adult job and move out. Rileigh does wrestling and enjoys it. Therefore, the person she looks up to is her wrestling coach Dan Wagner. He helped her improve her skills and was a mentor for her. Rileigh grew up in Panora, but when she gets farther in life, she wishes to leave Iowa.
Her advice to underclassmen is to ask for help when you need it. Rileigh’s most challenging part of high school was passing math class. She believes in 10 years she will be living with three dogs and no children. Rileigh says her biggest accomplishment was being one of the girls in the first girls wrestling program at Panorama. After Rileigh graduates, her determined and persistent energy will be missed.
____________________________________________________
GREENE COUNTY CAREER ACADEMY CULINARY STUDENTS
By Bjoërg Skovgaard, sophomore, staff writer
Chef D’s culinary student Michael Martinez created his own rice dish recently. Michael is a senior from Panorama High School and comes to the Career Academy every morning to make new and exciting dishes. He made the rice dish by starting with jasmine rice and adding regular tomatoes, a celery stick and shallot onions. He also created his own herb oil by using olive oil, fresh garlic, thyme, rosemary and cilantro. Michael shared it with his class. They all loved it and enjoyed the food together.
Michael also recently prepared chicken marsala with Chef D in the class. He started by prepping the fresh herbs including garlic, parsley and rosemary. He then prepared the sauce with white wine and chicken broth. He cooked the seasoned chicken in a separate pan with olive oil, butter and mushrooms, which were cooked until they were golden and smaller in size. Just before plating the food, Michael added the chicken back to the pan to combine it with the sauce. Everything was so good. We hope Michael will keep on making these delicious dishes.
____________________________________________________
OUTLOOK ON THE 2024 GIRLS TRACK SEASON
By Maddy Carstens, junior, staff writer
Track season is officially off to a start this 2024 school year. Coaches Greg Thompson and Rachel Osbahr were asked about their outlook on the season. Coach Thompson says so far, the track season is going well. He says the weather has been good, and the athletes have been working hard. Thompson says the track team should have about 20 girls competing, along with three managers. He hopes the track girls goal this year is to finish in the top three on the state podium. Both coaches express that the girls can compete in maybe all of the competitions at meets this year and head to state.
Coach Osbahr says her goal this season is not only to have multiple events qualify for state but also to have all athletes achieve a personal goal of getting their personal best in their events by the end of the season. Osbahr says the girls team has strong talent returning this year. She says there are also newcomers filling in for the team members who are no longer in track. Coach Osbahr says even though she might not always be at practices or meets with her new-coming baby, she will try to be at all of the meets and practices that she can, cheering the girls on every step of the way. Meets are starting to come up in later dates of March, and practices have already begun. Let track season commence!
____________________________________________________
SPREAD THE WORD
By Miranda Laabs, sophomore, and Marlee Herring, eighth grader, staff writers
On March 6, middle and high school students at Panorama Community Schools attended an assembly for “Spread the Word to End the Word.” This assembly went over why we don’t say and do things that negatively impact people around us because of their intellectual or physical abilities. There were three speakers, Buffy Louk, Riley Gibson and Vanessa Phillips. Each one of them shared information and experiences.
During this assembly, Buffy Louk shared why spreading the word to end the “R” word is so important to her and her family. Mrs. Louk has a daughter, Katelyn, who was born with a disability. When Katelyn was born, she was not given a long life expectancy, but she is happy and now 27 and living in a group home. Every time she hears a student or peer say the word, it cuts at her feelings.
Riley Gibson, senior, read the poem “Hi there” by Matty Angel. This poem was written by a girl who had been diagnosed with autism at a young age. She wrote this poem to spread awareness of the struggles people with disabilities face.
Hi there.
Hi there…
Yes… You
I know you probably don’t want to hear this… But…
However… I have to say it anyway.
Raising me won’t be easy…
It may never stop also…
Loving me at times might be hard,
Yes… people will probably be mean and nasty…
Sometimes you and I may hear things rather harsh,
Especially when I do things you and others won’t understand…
BUT! I will do things you will understand too! …
Though… possibly at times unexpected and strange.
There will be tears also,
Also screams, anger and fear.
I may even get violent for unexplained reasons…
And you may wish to see into my head.
Also… I’m sorry if I’m unable to communicate…
In a way that you may understand
But I promise with all my heart… I am here.
It may seem I am locked in my own world,
But I’m in yours too, believe me it’s true.
And… yes, I will get older.
Yes. I will age and grow up too…
A lot of what was hard before this time may still be hard in the future.
Please… If it becomes too much, please… please seek help.
Don’t abandon me, give up on me, or leave me to the dark.
After reading the poem, Vanessa Phillips first shared the definition of a disability. Having dealt with a disability for 50 years, with nobody knowing. She shared how anyone can have disabilities that we don’t know about. So treat everyone with respect, kindness and compassion. Kindness has many benefits that can greatly impact our world.
____________________________________________________
SENATOR JONI ERNST VISITS PANORAMA HIGH SCHOOL
By Bjoërg Skovgaard, sophomore, staff writer
Last week at Panorama High School, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst visited to talk about her military experience and how she became a senator. She is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. She talked about what she did in the military (both the good and bad parts), why she decided to become a senator, and what she does for Iowa. She taught the students a little about agriculture and how it’s important to her and her family. Joni also honored our veterans at the school — Tim Ashworth and Dan Wagner. All of the students listened carefully and were excited to ask questions after her speech.
Some students asked her about her favorite color while others asked more political questions like what she thought about different social groups. She gave some good and well-thought-out answers to all the questions and the students had fun learning more about her and her experiences and opinions.