Pirate Press: March 19
Upcoming events
March 16-20th
- No school due to Spring Break
Tuesday, March 24th
- Varsity B/G Track at University of Dubuque, RVC Indoor Conference Meet, 3:30 p.m.
Senior Spotlights
Name: Molly Bauercamper
Parents: Scott and Mary Bauercamper
Future Plans/College: Going to Kirkwood and getting my Associate's Degree
List of Activities: Football Cheer, NHS, Speech, FCA, Choir, Honor Choir, Musical, Coffeehouse, Archery, Youth Group
Favorite Teacher: Mr. Winter
Movie/T.V. Series: “How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days” or “Gilmore Girls”
Biggest Influence: My dad, because whenever I do activities and sports, he always supports me.
Three Adjectives: Energetic, Kind, and Outgoing.
Proudest Achievement: Being the lead in my senior musical, “Annie.”
Favorite Song in the Morning: “Say My Name” by Destiny's Child
Name: Hayden Gustafson
Parents: Theodore and Camille Gustafson
Future Plans/College: Attend Minnesota State University, Run Track and Cross Country, and major in exercise science to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
List of Activities: Band, Choir, FBLE, NHF, Basketball, Track, Cross Country, Youth Group, and FCA
Senior Quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
Favorite Class/Teacher: Mr. Winter, Psychology
Advice for Underclassmen: Run fast, turn left, and take all the Kirkwood classes possible
Biggest Influence: My Father/Coach, because he is always there with helpful advice and support
Dream Vacation: Iceland, and go on some hikes
Favorite Song in the Morning: “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
Name: Allen Candler
Parents: Glenn Candler and Kelly Stutzman
Future Plans/College: Mechanic
List of Activities: Archery
Senior Quote: “I’m just here for the mud bogging and the diploma”
Favorite Class/Teacher: Mr. Drahn
Biggest Influence: My grandpa, Tom Stutzman. He has taught me all about mechanics and grilling.
Favorite Restaurant and Order: Coyles- Hibachi steak
Proudest Achievement: Doing high school and college at the same time
Favorite Song in the Morning: “Last to Know” by Gavin Adcock
Name: Taylar Seevell
Parents: Jennifer Seevell and Thomas Seevell
Future Plans/College: Become a Radiology Technician
List of Activities: FCCLA, NHS, Volleyball, Archery, Musical Theater, and Coffeehouse.
Favorite Class/Teacher: Mrs. Arment
Advice for Underclassmen: Enjoy your time while it lasts. Don't take time for granted because one day you will wish to go back.
Biggest Influence: I would say my main influencer is my parents, because they always encourage me to do my best in everything, so I can do well in college, since neither of them went to college.
Three Adjectives: Dedicated, Respectful, and Self-motivated.
Proudest Achievement: One thing I'm most proud of achieving is becoming the President of FCCLA and getting into NHS.
Favorite Song in the Morning: “Everywhere Everything” by Gracie Abrahms and Noah Kahan.
What’s The Use? Ask Toulouse!
Dear Toulouse, just this week, I finished filling out my open enrollment papers for Alburnett. I’m kinda worried about moving to a new school and all, especially one where everyone is already close-knit. Do you have any advice on what to expect or anything helpful that can ease my nerves? Thanks so much,
NEW STUDENT NEWT.
Dear NEW STUDENT NEWT, first of all, welcome to the Alburnett school district. I completely understand the worry of coming to a new school. One thing you can definitely expect from us here at Alburnett is that we will for sure welcome you with open arms. One thing that may help you relax is that there is always something or a group you can join where everyone is happy to have you. From FBLA, band, musical theater, FCCLA, shop, and many more, you will always find something for you.
Senior CPR and Fire Awareness Training
By Kylee Avis
As a state graduation necessity, Iowa requires all seniors and graduating high school students to engage in a day of learning CPR and fire prevention. This has been a policy for several years and allows students to learn valuable life-saving skills before leaving high school. Alburnett has its CPR and fire training for seniors during the same time as ISASP testing, since seniors are not required for testing. The Alburnett Fire Station brings in volunteers who show the students the process of CPR at no cost. Since seniors get a little break because of ISASP, this is their only responsibility during the week of the mandatory testing. They do not have to come to school for anything else. This training has become a tradition for Alburnett seniors, and the fire station brings in pizza for everyone. 
Caption: Alburnett graduating class of 2025 performing CPR on dolls.
Hard Work Pays Off: Wyatt Kissling Named Star Over Iowa Finalist
By Becca Howes
Wyatt Kissling, a senior at Alburnett, has been named a 2026 Star Over Iowa Finalist in Agribusiness. He was selected out of a pool of 800 FFA members, and he is one of five finalists who will interview to be the winner.
Wyatt went through a lot to make it this far. To apply for Star Over Iowa, you have to be a member of FFA for 3 years and be receiving an Iowa degree that year. To qualify for the Agribusiness category, he used his self-run business, Bigfoot's Lawn Equipment. Wyatt kept records of everything he did and kept them well organized by entering them into AET, an FFA record-keeping site. This process takes a lot of time and dedication, which Wyatt committed both. Along with receiving the Star award, Wyatt also won proficiency in the Ag mechanics repair and entrepreneurship categories.
When I asked Wyatt how he felt about receiving these, he explained, “All of those awards are a token of hard work and an example of what happens if you put the work in.” Wyatt will receive these awards at the FFA State Convention in Ames, April 20-21st. Our community is so proud of Wyatt and everything he has been able to accomplish.
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Wyatt Kissling is standing proudly next to his trailer.
Coffee House Recap
By Addy Eighme
On March 6 and 7th, Alburnett hosted their “Once Upon a Coffee House” here in our auditorium. The show included skits, solos, and duets all made by students, followed by the performance from the Choir and Chamber Choir, Band and Jazz Band. During intermission, they had a variety of snacks and drinks for the guests in the high school gym. They also had raffles that people could win different prizes from, which raised a lot of money. I asked some of the crew who were in the show what their thoughts were about the show, and if they had a favorite part. I was interested in what they had to say.
Senior Luke Amaro said that his favorite part of the show was the Senior Skit, and he thought that the show was amazing. Juniors Mya Heather and Liyah Potts said that they thought the communication throughout everyone was really good, and a lot of friendships were definitely created. Ms. Daugherty said that overall it went amazing, adding snacks and drinks in the gym was a big hit, and the students working together was awesome. Everyone worked together, knowing where they needed to be and helping where they could.
Seniors smiling out to the audience after their senior skit
Photo Creds: Becca Howes
Bowling Banquet
By Reggie Mitchell
With state qualifying not going my way, my last end-of-season banquet was here. Jaxson Martin and I both received many awards. Jaxson got his junior varsity award, which caps off his first year going out for bowling. He made a varsity appearance at the Prairie Baker Tournament, where he impressed me with his good shot-making under pressure. It shows me he has a lot of potential to be one of the best on the Marion Wolves bowling team in the future.
I received 3 awards. I will start with my varsity award, which I am thankful that I have gotten for all 4 years of my high school career. Next, I was awarded Honorable Mention in the All Metro, which, like my Varsity Award, I have gotten all 4 years of my high school career. Finally, the last award I received, and the award I am most proud of, is my high average award on Boys Varsity of 209.05, which is an 18-pin improvement from last year, where I only averaged 191.
With my senior year season over, I am thankful for all the memories that I have had with this team, as it has made me a better bowler and person.
Reggie and Jaxson are holding the awards they received. Taken By Jody Mitchell
