Alumni Feature
by Jennifer Perez Ruiz
For this Alumni Feature, we have Kenzie Griffin. She graduated in 2016 as valedictorian. She started off with telling me about her experience at WMU, saying she enjoyed it and had good relationships with teachers and classmates.
One of the people that helped her succeed is Mrs.McCabe. She said, “Shawna McCabe was someone who helped me discover my passion, She was also someone I felt I could talk to about any issues I had going on.” Kenzie went on to graduate from Coe College with a Bachelors in biology and a chemistry minor. She got her Masters in Physician Assistant Sciences from St. Ambrose University. She said, “I fell in love with science after 10th grade biology. Since then I knew I wanted to do something medicine related.”
When asked about how difficult it was to get to current career level, she said, “It took 6.5 years of school and lots of hard work to get where I am so yes it was difficult but I wouldn’t change a thing!”
One of my final questions for her was, “What is the best advice you could give to a current high school student/senior?” She responded with, “Enjoy it because it flies by. Hang out with friends, do the activities you want to do. You have your whole life to work, you’re only young once!” For all students, this is some great advice to think about. Thank you to Kenzie for sharing your experiences and knowledge.
“Enjoy [high school] because it flies by. Hang out with friends, do the activities you want to do. You have your whole life to work, you’re only young once!”
– Kenzie (Scott) Griffin
Dance Team
by Karilyn Titus
The WMU Dance Team had an eventful winter and entrance into spring. They performed their hip-hop routine titled “Drop”, and hosted their Little Wolves clinic, where young dancers ages 4-11 showcased dances choreographed by the dance team members.
The Dance team concluded their season on March 28th with an amazing spring showcase, featuring a collection of their routines from the year including some new dances. The showcase featured their state-recognized routine, “Read Your Mind”, which earned 4th place in December. The showcase included a special performance featuring some WMU staff.
The evening included a heartfelt farewell to their graduating seniors, team captain Pacey Schlee and foreign exchange student Sofia Boschi, who will be missed very dearly.
The dance team encourages anyone interested in dance to sign up for 2025-26 season. There will be a signup in the high school office in May.
Lady Wolves Basketball
by Madisen Kellogg
The Lady Wolves basketball season came to an end. They lost to Springville in round 2. Lady Wolves went 6-17 for the season.
Lady Wolves passed Keota in first round by beating them 61-51. They battled it off with some tough calls and playing strong to advance.
Kynlee Buffington was honored 1st team all-conference and all region team. Madisen Kellogg was honored with 2nd team all conference. Josie Nelson and Suttyn Schlee were honored with honorable mention.
Kynlee Buffington lead the Lady Wolves with points and rebounds. She has 313 points and 275 rebounds for her freshman season. Madisen Kellogg was the second leading scorer and rebounder. She had 262 points and 141 rebounds for her junior season. Josie Nelson was the third highest scorer and rebounder. She has 113 points and 125 rebounds.
Lady Wolves would like to congratulate Josie Nelson for coming out and being on the basketball team for her senior year.
2025 Group and Individual Speech Contests
by Ella Kann
This year we had a few kids participate in both Group Speech and Individual Speech! Starting with Group Speech we had 2 different entries for the District Speech contest at Comanche. The first entry we had was Pacey Schlee, Ella Kann, Karilyn Titus, Quin Smith, Beatrice Anderson, Brynn Pogmore, and Kellee Milks who all took part in a Readers Theatre called “Disney Mom’s Support Group”. Our second entry we had Kade Sweezer and Braydon Cline with a short film called “The Roommate”. Both groups ended with 2’s, not advancing to State.
Lastly Individual Speech we had performances by 4 people, Pacey Schlee, Ella Kann, Brynn Pogmore, and Jennifer Perez Ruiz. District Speech this year took place in West Burlington. Jennifer Perez Ruiz preformed a Radio Broadcast and received a 2. Pacey Schlee performed an Expository Address titled “Servant Leadership” and received a 1. Ella Kann preformed a storytelling titled “The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt“, and an After Dinner Speaking titled “Dinner for Dads” receiving a 1 on both. Brynn Pogmore preformed a poetry piece titled “Something Patriotic by Brynn”, receiving a 1, and a Prose titled “The Terrible Old Man by H.P. Lovecraft” receiving a 2. With Brynn, Pacey, and Ella moving on to State Speech held at North Scott. Brynn received a 1, 2, & 1 on her poetry, Pacey received a 1, 2, & 1 on her Expository Address , and Ella receiving all 1’s on both of her performances. Congratulations to all, and thanks to Mr. Sheyko for his help with Group and Mrs. Rodgers-Jennings for her help with Individual!!
CJ/WMU Wrestling
by Jada Moats
The wrestling season started and ended on good terms. The girls worked hard and all received at least one pin throughout the season. They didn’t just work hard on the mat but off the mat as well, we put hours into our goals, cut weight, and pushed ourselves way past our limits. Myself, making it to state and others who went to regionals, worked their butts off.
If you were to ask any one of us on the wrestling team we would say that it wasn’t easy, that practice wasn’t easy, but no one quit, or even gave up. We all left it out on the mat and tried our hardest to get our pins.
We’re going to miss our seniors Maritza, Mirel our manager, and Josie and lastly one of our coaches Dusty. Our coaches might have been hard on us but definitely wanted to see us succeed. They stood by us all throughout the season and especially by my side at state. We had each other’s backs and stood by the mat for our teammates, backed each other up, and pushed and cheered each other on in practice and gave each other encouraging words.
I can’t wait till our next season and to see everyone improve as a team and individually.
Pictures by Rachel Tapia
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