The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun continued the tradition of having a roundtable with seniors in the classes of 2024 of Mount Vernon and Lisbon schools to reflect on their memories at school, goals for the future, advice to younger generations, teachers and coaches who have made an impact on their lives and their hopes for the future of these communities.
Representing Mount Vernon’s roundtable this year were Aiden Campbell, Jordan Bleile, Anna Vavricek, Kylie Pyatt, Evan Brase and Miles Francois. Commencement exercises for Mount Vernon High School are 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Mount Vernon High School gymnasium. A parade will follow graduation.
Activities they’ve been involved in
Miles Francois has been involved in football, track, wrestling and baseball, with his favorite extracurricular activity being football.
“Just the connection we had as a team was what made that my favorite activity,” Francois said. “You were more a family than just a team whenever you were at practices.”
Evan Brase has been involved in football, basketball and track.
He agreed with Francois that practices for football were fun, while students were working hard towards their goals at the same time.
“With track, I think the work we do is hard, but it’s a sport where you push yourself individually to improve,” Brase said.
Kylie Pyatt said the list of activities she has been involved with at schools are many – speech, science Olympiad, choirs, drama and cross country among them.
“I know the one that has influenced me the most has been speech,” Pyatt said. “I used to be afraid of public speaking, and that was a great place to grow more confident in my speaking abilities.”
Anna Vavricek likewise had a full plate of activities at Mount Vernon – including speech, science Olympiad, choirs, drama, and cross country.
“My favorite had to be jazz choir,” Vavricek said. “Just the community we built was so great, and the level of support we had for everyone made that a comfortable place for me.”
Jordan Bleile was involved in tennis and volleyball during her time at Mount Vernon.
“My favorite was just tennis,” Bleile said. “It’s a low pressure environment that you get your exercise and some competition in.”
Aiden Campbell has been involved in soccer, cross country, band and drama.
“My favorite has to be theater,” Campbell said. “Even though I didn’t go out for the final musical, theater is where I’ve had some of the most fun and be able to relax.
Favorite memories at MV
For many of the students, the greatest memories related to spending time with teammates and friends.
“It’s the bus rides I’ve had to and from competitions with so many of my teammates that are some of my favorite memories,” Bleile said. “Not even the event we compete in, but that time you have together there and back and the friendships you develop.”
Campbell concurred, noting for him, it’s the rides with teammates to and from soccer meets that he enjoyed.
Vavricek, like Campbell and Bleile, said it wasn’t necessarily the running in cross country, it’s the memories before some of those meets.
“The weather is always so unpredictable in the fall, so there are meets where you get huddled in a tent waiting for like 20 minutes for the storm to ease up and you can run,” Vavricek said. “That time huddled with teammates and commiserating are some of my favorite times.”
Francois said that getting the opportunity to compete in the UNI Dome as part of the championship game is a memory he won’t forget.
“Especially that opportunity to be down on that field and see how many people were there to support us as a team,” Francois said.
Pyatt said performing with the Mount Vernon Marching Band at the Bellamy Bowl for the final time and then at the new Armstrong Activities Complex was definitely one of her favorite memories.
“Being among the classes that was there for that transition and history was great,” Pyatt said.
Teachers, coaches that have made an impact
Brase said that it was Preston Pedersen.
“He always brings such a positive outlook to everything he does,” Brase said. “He always shows he cares for his students and takes time for them.”
Francois said that activities director Matt Thede’s presence at the school and numerous events is someone who has made an impact with him.
“I was on two J-Term trips to Colorado with him, so I got to see him as an educator there,” Francois said. “He’s also a huge cheerleader for all the activities at the school district and the students, and building students up for their successes inside and outside the classrooms.”
For Bleile, it’s Kelsey Strope, math teacher.
“She really tries to explain any subject to you and make sure you understand what you’re learning,” Brase said. “She is also always looking for feedback on how to improve as a teacher.”
Pyatt and Vavricek both said Thad Wilkins as choir director is the teacher who made an impact on their high school career.
“He makes choir and music fun,” Pyatt said.
“He’s passionate about his job, and he’s involved in so much at the school between practices with his students and helping with things like musicals,” Vavricek said.
Campbell said that coach Nathan Grosse with the soccer team has had an impact on him.
“He does so much to build his players up and work with us to improve,” Campbell said.
What they’re going to miss
Hands down number one response – the people of Mount Vernon.
“Even though we have so many different people in the school and community and different personalities, there are so many passionate people in this town cheering you on,” Brase said.
“Whenever I’m driving around Mount Vernon, whether it’s someone’s parents or other community members, there’s always someone around who I knw from school or met because of the activities I’m involved in,” Francois said.
“Just the support system we have in our community, whether that is our friends, classmates or people in the community,” Vavricek said. “There’s always someone who knows your name or has something good to say about something you’re involved in.”
“The people in the community have always been so great,” Campbell said.
For Pyatt, it has been the opportunity to be involved in numerous activities at Mount Vernon.
“So many other schools, you have to pick one activity and one sport and that’s all you get to do,” Pyatt said. “Here, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of so much at the same time. The schedule gets hectic, sure, but I have had the opportunity to be a part of what I love.”
Advice to younger students
“Don’t take anything for granted,” Bleile said. “Enjoy this community while you can.”
“Don’t be afraid to get involved in whatever activities you enjoy,” Vavricek said.
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, either,” Francois said. “Everyone is going to like you if you’re on the same team and doing something fun together.”
“It’s all an opportunity to be spending more time with your friends,” Brase said. “Don’t take the fun things you get a chance to do too serious.”
“Talk to people and make connections,” Campbell said. “Reaching out and talking to people is how you find out what you have in common.”
Francois and Bleile also said there are always people willing to help if someone needs assistance.
Hopes for community, school
The almost unanimous answer as well – don’t change what has worked in this community too much.
“I hope our school continues to grow in a way that keeps the small town feel of this school,” Francois said. “Keep the culture you have of the building.”
“Mount Vernon has been a great place to get an education,” Brase said. “They have a good balance between education and success in so many activities.”
“Just maintain what Mount Vernon has going for it,” Pyatt said.
Future plans
Aiden Campbell plans to attend Brigham Young University where he will study marine biology.
Jordan Bleile plans to attend Iowa State University where she plans to study hospitality management and finance
Anna Vavricek plans on attending Notre Dame where she will study math.
Kylie Pyatt plans to study at the University of Iowa where she will major in biology.
Evan Brase has plans to study psychology and business at an undetermined college.
Miles Francois plans to attend Iowa State University to focus on agricultural business.