From the Desk of the Superintendent...
DECEMBER 2009 DISTRICT DISPATCH
This past fall the Underwood Eagle Marching Band under the
direction of David Clark, flag choreographer Addie Dorsch, and drum
majors Alaina Rogers and Kelsey Sorlien had a great marching
season. The Eagles opened the marching season at the Clarinda Band
Jamboree taking home first place trophies for class 2A in both the
parade and the field marching competitions. The individual
outstanding marching award was given to junior trumpet player Zach
Hall. The state marching band competition at Lewis Central on
October 17, 2009, saw the Eagles trying to extend their Iowa High
School Music Association Division I rating streak to five years in
a row. The band marched extremely well and impressively brought
home their fifth consecutive IHSMA Division I rating. Mr. Clark
attributes this past season’s success to the hard work of all the
members of the marching band and color guard, but notes in
particular the positive role-modeling and conscientious efforts of
section leaders Dan Darnold, Katelyn Larsen, Michelle Larsen,
Clarissa Adams, Anna Schwery, Jordan Nath, Adam Snyder, and Matt
Konsor. In addition, strong senior leadership was shown by Kristen
Bracker, Dan Darnold, Katelyn Larsen, Mitch McKinney, Caitlyn
Miller, Adam Snyder, Mallory Goodsell, Samantha McKern, Alaina
Rogers, and Tylene Rhoades.
A lot of time and effort went into the fall musical, Godspell,
under the direction of Eric Mohlis, assisted by Jean Nelson, and
accompanied by Anne Stoner. A large cast of enthusiastic high
school students did a great job performing this Stephen Schwartz
musical about the life of Jesus on November 6-7, 2009. Ben Clark
portrayed Jesus and Matt Ulmer had the challenge of playing both
John the Baptist and Judas. Other cast members included Clarissa
Adams, Anna Bracker, Kristen Bracker, Michelle Danker, Dan Darnold,
Chelsie Hardesty, Colton Johnson, Chris Jones, Katelyn Larsen,
Michelle Larsen, Mitch McKinney, Morgan McKinney, Justin Otto,
Jessica Poggensee, McKinsey Rodenburg, Alaina Rogers, Lauren
Rollins, Jessi Royer, Kelsey Sorlien, and Lindsey Stubbs. Pit band
and stage crew members included Taylor Curtis, Austin Elkins,
Charissa Hoskins, Sam McKern, Shelbie Nelson, Adam Snyder, Paul
Snyder Maddie Thomas, and Scott Urban. In other fall vocal music
activities, Dan Darnold was selected as a first alternate to the
Iowa All-State Chorus and the high school concert choir performed
at the Council Bluffs Festival of Trees at the Mid-America Center
on November 22, 2009.
The fall athletic scene was also exciting. The high school football
team finished the regular season with a 5-4 record and made the
first round of the state playoffs. Head coach Loren Lintner and
assistants Shawn Darrington, Nate Mechaelsen, and Ray Spiegel did a
good job preparing the players for each of the games and were
impressed by the improvement that individual players demonstrated
from one week to the next. All-district first-team players included
Austin Knowlton, Tyler Hamilton, and Justin Henderson; Kyle
Knowlton, Andrew Bonnet, and Adam Voss garnered second-team honors;
and honorable mention all-district players included Jordan Davis,
Jesse Allen, and Blake Gunderson. Cross country coach Eric Hjelle’s
boys’ and girls’ teams demonstrated a strong work ethic and showed
steady improvement throughout the season. Shawn Klein, Christian
Lobendo, Seth Naig, Justin Otto, and Kelly Shipp made up the boys’
team and the girls’ team was comprised of Clarissa Adams, Jessica
Eberl, Kaitlin Gallup, Ashley Herring, Sarah McKeon, and Mariah
Myers. Individually, Mariah Myers advanced to the state meet and
finished 33rd with a time of 16 minutes and 15 seconds on the
challenging 2.5 mile course at Fort Dodge. The high school
volleyball team had a great season highlighted by a first-place
finish in the Western Iowa Conference tournament and a second-place
regular season finish in the WIC. The girls advanced all the way to
the regional finals in Harlan against IKM-Manning, but just missed
going to the state tournament in a very close match against the
Wolves. Head coach Heath Telleen and assistants Paula Carman and
Kim Leinen were very pleased with the team’s 26-10 overall record
and 9-1 conference record. Individual awards included WIC
first-team all-conference recognition for Carlie Mander, Anna
Minear, and Brooke Johnson. In addition, Lindsay Campin received
WIC honorable mention honors. With the winter season here, I hope
you can attend many of our winter events. It is always nice to have
a big crowd in our gymnasium.
On behalf of the employees of the school district, the school board
members, and my family, I wish each of you the very best during
this holiday season.