High School

RRMR is...

     Cheerleading, friends, mistakes, memories, experiences. 

Self-Expression

Moving Schools, Making Friends, Even Memories......

Memoir

Coming here: Best decision ever!

six work essay

First day horrible, Last day awesome!!

Time To Go

My experience at RRMR

Timeless

Cliché

Past

Dreams

Career

Self-image

Rockford Senior High: We gone!

road work

The constant road work in mason city is getting old. They constantly throw down patches. They should just shut down the road for a few months and completely replace the road. It would actually end up being cheaper than a repair every other month.

Snow in May

Who would have thought that we would have another snow day in May? May 2, in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, there were up to 14 inches of snow that fell on the ground. Some farmers were afraid that their crops that they had already planted wouldn't come up, because of the snow and the temperature being below 32 degrees. Their worries were washed away when they saw that the crops had sprouted. The majority of the students at RRMR are mad about having to go to school another day except the seniors. "The snow was the product of Mother Nature and Jack Frost having relations."- Tyler Burnett, Senior at Rockford

Summer Fun!!

The summer is supposed to be fun. School is making summer less fun by taking some of our summer and making us come to school. Summer  should have kids running and playing in the water. They should also be having fun and not getting in trouble. Kids this summer will be able to swim in the rivers and they actually get to swim because the water level is decent condition. The water is also right now at a dangerous level because the tide can take children and young adults drowned. Mrs. Huebsch says is ready to start semester tests to start because that mean the children are one step closer to their summer break.

New Facebook Layout

           Facebook is coming out with another new home page format, that will help clean up all the clutter in previous layouts. Facebook has had many different home pages and has been trying to clean up the homepage and make it more user friendly, and they think that they've got it right this time. The layout is very simple to use, and it also looks very nice and sleek, compared to earlier formats used for their homepage. Many people have said that it looks good but they're not quite sure how easy it will actually work, and that it may even complicate things because people will have to relearn the site again. When asked Samantha Stevens said "she likes the old Facebook, the new format is sometimes hard to understand. Once you get used to one they should just leave it." In my opinion I think it looks good but it should just be left alone.

Playhouse Competition

     The RRMR building trades class took a field trip on May, 8, 2013 to NIACC. The class builds a playhouse throughout the semester and then takes it to the NIACC campus for judging. The playhouse was given the "most authentic architectural design" award. The building trades class consists of Jacob Jeffrey, Calvin Adams, Christian Uker, and Sabrina Dow. The playhouse was transferred to NIACC by Rick Dow, the instructor of building trades. While on campus, we were given a tour of the industrial technology lab, the tool and dye lab, the welding lab, and much more. Also, we were given a free hamburger lunch and some people received prizes. Christian Uker won a hand sander and the building trades class won two drills. Rick Dow says, "It was fun."

Disadvantages of One-on-One Computers

      The Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock community school district has recently given each junior high and high school student a laptop of their own to use during the school year. The school board apparently felt that the laptops would benefit the children by helping them with their homework and the teachers can give assignments over the internet. The school hands out the laptops before the school year  each August and the students have the choice to pay 30 dollars to take the computer home with them. In my opinion, the computers are not being used for the correct purposes. No matter how many firewalls and netsweepers you put on the internet, the students are still going to find a way around them to play games and waste their time on them. Also, if people would think once in a blue moon...what happens when the teachers start giving the assignments on the internet? What happens when the teachers start to record themselves teaching so they can use the lectures for next year? What happens when too many people are on the internet at one time playing games when others are trying to do the homework assigned to them over the internet? I will tell you what happens. The students are not benefitting at all from having a teacher in the classroom, if they can watch a lecture on their computer and complete and turn in their assignments over the internet. So, why can't I just stay at home and learn? Sure you are going to say that the teacher can give more guidance and help, but if I have a computer right in front of me...the internet has all the information in the world, doesn't it? You are not teaching the students new things to memorize and to just know, you are teaching us how to find the information. Anyone can find information. Rick Dow, the industrial technology instructor at RRMR says, "They're a tool, when used properly, they can be very useful." The computers will soon take the place of teachers, you just watch!

3 women found and young child after a decade

In Cleveland Ohio, three young women were found in the basement of a 52 year old mans house. Amanda Berry, missing 10 years, Gina Dejesus, missing 7 years, and Michelle Knight was missing for 8 years. The suspects are hispanic and are all brothers. Pedro Casto was the owner and the only one of the brothers that was living in the house at the time. A neighbor, Charles Ramsey said he was walking from a nearby McDonalds when he heard a girl screaming help me and he could see her arm waving out of the house. He went up to the house and Amanda asked him for help and told him that she had been in there a long time. Charles kicked open the door as Amanda ran out with a 6 year old girl, that is said to be hers while she was held in captivity. She asked if she could use my phone as she was telling me that there was other girls still inside the house. Charles Ramsey told reporters. "And this was my neighbor, I thought you got some big testicles to pull this off bro, we see this dude every day, I barbecue with this dude, we listen to salsa and eat ribs together, and we had not a clue."

The girls were immediately hospitalized and are now reunited with their families. 

Gina Dejesus Amanda Berry Michelle Knight

Conference Golf

Boys and girls conference golf was held in Nashua, Monday for the boys and Tuesday for the girls. The boys golf team took fifth in the conference with Ryan Turner and Jake Green making 2nd Team-All Conference. The girls golf team came in third with Rachael Enabnit and Courtney Ott making 2nd Team-All Conference. Now the girls' golf team will go to Trear on Monday. The boys' golf team will travel to Lake Mills Friday. "I am so proud of the girls for making it in the top of the conference!" -Mrs. Staudt, girls' golf coach.
Photo courtesy of google images

volleyball and big deals

The RRMR volley ball team is a very good team. The dont just play hard they have really good sportsmen ship among their teammates and other players no matter where it is. The RRMR girls
volleyball team has a good chance to make it to districts and maybe even farther then that. they girls try there hardest every game and it shows and they have a huge fan base that cheer very load. Mr. Turner says That the excitement generated by them and the loud crowds and the seniors  leadership and the center that could get the ball  where it needed to go.

In the town of rockford there is a bar and grill that make good food and its a good place to just go have a couple with your buddys and have a good time. The hamburger of my choice is the Rancho Burger, this hamburger has lots of goodies they start out with an hamburger and the put onion  rings on it and ranch dressing.The small business has lots of regular costumers and they get some new ones every once in a while.

Senior Spotlights!!!

Most people love that this class writes the senior spotlights. The problem we have with writing them is trying to get the seniors to fill out the papers and to turn them into us. People think that it should be us finding out all this information on our own, but how are we supposed to know the little things about all the seniors. Mrs. Huebsch said that we do finally have them all, and that it was like pulling teeth to get them.

CDC

The CDC has posted a plan for a zombie outbreak. Yes I am serious. Their plan is very simple and ineffectual, lock the door. When asked Ethan said"Lock the windows too, "just in case" Tyler said " that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard." I sincerely concur, first of all i can't believe that they even bothered to make a plan. Second, the best they got was lock the door? pathetic. I have actually met second graders with better plans than that.

Water to Leave Rockford

The dam in Rockford, Iowa has been scheduled to be removed in the fall of 2103. There has been major construction in Rockford in the last six months. The bridge from one side of the town to the other has been removed and is being rebuilt.  Once the dam has been removed the river bottom will have to be dredged to keep the river level acceptable.  Kelly Hain feels that the dam being removed will bring the water level down to the level that it won't be worth calling it a river.  

Photo courtesy of google images. 

Apollo Reborn

The Bezos Expedition Team has been leading the effort to recover engines from the Apollo Missions.  Many of the F-1 series engines were burnt up and warped upon reentry to the earths atmosphere.  Serial numbers have been used to attempt to link the engines to the famous Apollo 11 mission. Due to the immense amount of heat most of the serial numbers are not complete.  The latest update from Bezos was released on March 20th 2013, after spending three weeks at sea. When asked if he felt the retrieval of the engines would benefit science Tyler Tumilson replied "He feels that the engines have already been built by the U.S.A. once, why would the recovery benefit science."

Turbine from the F-1 engine.  Photo from Bezos Expedition's website.

Crops in Iowa

           Many farmers this year are very unhappy due to our late snowfall this past weekend. Some have already planted their crop and are now having to replant due to the snow and freezing conditions. This is going to cost certain farmers a lot of money and they may not see the yields that they want because of the weather, and may end up not being able to cover their loses this year even after harvest this fall. I have always been taught that you should wait till at least the 15th of May before you should plant anything, even if the weather is nice, because scenarios like this are always a possibility. Jana Huebsch has said, "That she feels sorry for the farmers who planted early this year, and is hoping that it wont effect the cost for consumers, too much." I think that everything will pan out for the rest of the year, but so far this month things have been quite unpredictable.   

The RRMR baseball team is a greta team to come and watch if you want to watch one of the best teams in the districts. The RRMR baseball team is has lots of practice and they have lots of running that they have to and certain drills that makes there hand eye coordination is enhanced. Mrs.Higby says that the RRMR baseball team take there baseball games very seriously.

Talladega 500

     The Talladega 500 is a NASCAR race that takes place every year, this year it took place on Sunday, May 5th. America has many fans of NASCAR who tune in to watch the race every year. The race track is the longest track in NASCAR and is located in Burmingham, Alabama. The fans enjoy watching the race to see who will earn the most points and who will win. The drivers try their best to avoid any wrecks and to make it around the race safely. A lot of sponsors support the cars to get advertisement, including Jimmie Johnson, who is the number 48 car, his main sponsor is Lowe's. Also, a lot of fans bet on drivers, whoever gets the most points for each race wins. Danica Patrick is the second woman driver to race NASCAR, who has participated in the Talladega 500 this year. Marcus Dow says, "my favorite driver is Jeff Gordon because I've been rooting for him since I was little." *Photo courtesy of google images

Graduation Parties

     Graduation parties normally take place a few weeks before the graduation ceremony, the day of the ceremony, or a week or so after the ceremony. Seniors at RRMR high school have the parties at community centers or at their home. The parties are hosted for friends and family of the graduate to enjoy food and look at the memories of the senior. Usually the friends and family will bring some cash for the graduate to have some money for college. The family of the graduate will either hire on or serve the food themselves. My graduation party took place at the Nora Springs Community Center on May 4th of 2013 where spaghetti and chicken alfredo was served, along with fruit, punch, snicker salad, and cupcakes, all by Pies ‘N More in Mason City, Iowa. Marcus Dow says, “the music was my favorite part of the graduation party.” *Photo courtesy of google images

Snow in May!!

As everyone knows, there was at least 5 inches of snow that fell to the ground Wednesday night, and the following thursday there were schools cancelled. It is known that the Mayan's said that the world was going to end due to flooding, they could be right. Rivers are high from all the april showers, and with more snow in May, then it heating up once again, along with rain, there are going to many floods and high rivers everywhere. Farmers aren't very happy about the snow, as everyone could've guessed. They were all going out in to the fields ready for the warm weather, and to plant their crops. Most farmers plant in the month of April, but it might be late May until they can start now! I was talking to my sister, Serena, and she made a comment that it's going to be the great depression all over again because nobody can plant crops to feed us! I laughed at her comment but thought about it for a while, as should everyone else. Nobody wants to be putting on their coats in May, but there's not much you can do with the weather! Nobody can change what happens, but they'll just have to go with it.

Lynette Higby

Mrs. Higby has worked at RRMR for 22 years. She has been with RRMR from 1991 to 2013.
Lynette has done many jobs at the school. Lynette started out as a bus and kitchen aid, and took tickets taker for the elementary side ,and she helps in the special ed room. She enjoys working with the people at her job. She will miss the smiling faces that greet her. She will not miss getting up early and all of the stress. Lynette Higby stated "that she will enjoy doing what she wants with no schedule."

Teen Mom Season Ending

Teen Mom, has been a television show that I have been watching for about 3 years now. Janelle, Chelsea, Kaiyln and Leah were on the first show 16 and pregnant, which now transformed into Teen Mom. I have been watching these girls lives and how having a kid at a young age really effects what happens to your life. It's really dramatic, and has a lot of twists going on, from people going to jail for drugs, people getting married and divorced, having a miscarriage, moving, going to school, and being a single Mom. It really makes you think about what you're doing and being as careful as possible, but still have fun. It's really sad, because as these girls as not being considered teens anymore because they are all in their 20's. Teen Mom will no longer be following these girls lives. They will make the girls that are on 16 and pregnant go on Teen Mom so their lives can get followed. My boyfriend, Steven Catlett is happy it's ending so he doesn't have to watch it every Monday. The next season starts up in the fall with new girls to watch though. Images by Google images

Fun night at RRMR

Friday, April 26th, was RRMR's fun night at the high school. All high schoolers were invited to come and enjoy pizza, pop, and games that the school provided for them. RRMR has had fun night ever since I can remember. The main thing that people, mostly the boys love about fun night is having basketball teams competing against each other. For 15 dollars the boys would pick a team of three and play against other boys that would make teams. The girls mainly just sit around and watch. Student Council puts this on for the high schoolers. Many people do attend, but as the years go by less and less people come. Senior, Savannah Moore said, if we spiced it up more and did different things, not just the same thing every year, it would attract more people and the more the people the better. Image by Google Images

Rodeo

As most of you know, The Circle C Rodeo took place at the North Iowa Events Center Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27. The following Rockford residents participated in barrel racing: Jessica Biggs, Brittany Volk, Sara Shook, and Ally Swanson. There was even one bull rider from Rockford, but when you look at her you would never expect her to be bull riding. Ally Swanson was one of the three women in the women division of bull riding. Although she didn't make it the full 6 seconds she was still being cheered on by the crowd.  The only girl that made it the full 6 seconds was a women that just came back from her deployment in Afghanistan. Along with the bull riding and barrel racing, there was also mutton busting and wild horse. You never know how dangerous these events really are until you see someone get hurt. During the wild horse, one man was trampled by the horses and was taking to Mercy. No word on how he is doing. "Watching everyone in the rodeo was very exciting to watch." -Wyatt Portis, Junior at RRMR

Photos courtesy of Google Images

CPR

The mandatory CPR is a ridiculous requirement. How does the CPR course determine how much we have learned? Because school is about learning, not breathing. When asked Ethan Lines said that having to pass a CPR class to graduate in ridiculous. I don't understand how CPR lessons are tied into graduating high-school.

Weapons in School

           As of late it seems that there are more and more weapons in school, or there is just more publication of weapons in school. In rural Iowa there are many kids who bring pocket knives to school with no intent on harming anyone but are still getting into big trouble by having them. One of the biggest problems there is, is how to define a weapon, in my opinion a weapon is an object that is used with the intent of harming another living being, which is the problem many schools are having. Now understandably a handgun, rifle, shotgun, knife, or sharp objects can be weapons, so really scissors, pencils, and pens are weapons if someone feels that it can be used as a weapon. A classmate has said, "For the most part weapons should not be in school but they will always find their way in." Really there will always be weapons in school but regulation could be more strict than it is to try and prevent having weapons in school.

McDonalds

McDonalds has many problems. People say that it is not somewhere they would work, but you know it is a job. Some kids think that it is okay to just call in to work everyday, but they don't realize the stress that comes out of that. McDonalds is hiring and has been for the passed month. Call the manager or come by for a application. McDonalds is supposed to have up to 60 people to work one store, but the McDonalds i work for only has 30. They are working on half staff. They get so much complaining if the food is not there right away, and i relies that it is a fast food restaurant and you are supposed to get your food right after ordering , but only half staffed that is not really possible.Some people who don't want names mentioned say that even though McDonalds is losing people, they will always be happy to wait for there delicious food. Images by Google Images.