Mount Vernon’s senior roundtable featured Colin Bentley, Josef Briesemeister, Seamus O’Connor, Cana Safo, Lauren Hepker, Hailey Bock and Paige Schurbon. Topics discussed include favorite activities, favorite memories, what they’ll miss, favorite teachers/coaches and their impact, advice to younger classmates and hopes for the community. Mount Vernon
commencement ceremony is Sunday, May 25, at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School gymnasium.

Favorite activities

The seniors on the roundtable determined that they had been involved in almost all the activities offered at Mount Vernon, with the exception of tennis.

For Colin Bentley, it was track that was one of his favorite activities to be involved in.

Seamus O’Connor was a huge fan of cross country.

Paige Schurbon was a huge fan of her time on the volleyball team.

Lauren Hepker said that choir was one activity she would really miss.

Cana Safo said that it was hard for her to pick a favorite, as she loved all the activities she has been involved in.

“Maybe marching band, because that was so different,” Safo said.

Bock said she and Schurbon had also both been in student council for all four years.

“It’s one of those activities that your decisions impact the whole high school and has some transitional skills for the real world,” Bock said.

And while they had many favorites, students noted getting involved in an activity, especially at Mount Vernon, was encouraged.

“You can always find something that fits your interests and is fun,” O’Connor said. “Even being a manager for different activities is a lot of fun.”

Favorite memories

With Mount Vernon making it to a lot of state competitions, the favorite memories seemed to be going to those events to cheer on their fellow classmates.

Bock said one of her favorite memories was the Solon vs. Mount Vernon rivalry game in 2022, when Mount Vernon finally bested the Spartans for the. first time in 19 years.

“The student section for that game was just electric,” Bock said.

Briesemeister said going to the UNI Dome for football was one of his favorite memories.

“I just wish those games would have been on a school day to get more of the student body up to the dome to cheer us on,” Bentley said.

O’Connor said that the cross country his sophomore year was one of his absolutely favorite memories and seasons.

“Just gorgeous temperatures and courses through most of that season,” O’Connor said.

Hepker said it was fun to be part of the musical.

“Teachers would work so hard to be flexible to students who were in athletics that they could still participate,” Hepker said.

Safo said the Waukee Marching Band competition, where Mount Vernon placed first ahead of Independence for the first time in 30 years, would be one of her favorite memories.

“Just a great way to end our senior season,” Safo said.

Schurbon’s favorite memory was the first outdoor volleyball match that the team participated in this fall.

Racing on the blue oval at Drake was Bentley’s favorite memory.

What they’re going to miss

“Seeing my friends every day,” Bock said.

“Definitely the close-knit community we’ve had as a class,” Briesemeister said.

“Our grade has been so close, and there are very few who are going to the same school as some of their friends,” Schurbon said. “I’ve loved seeing so many of these people every day, but it’s going to be something I’ll have to build again in college.”

“I think the teachers here are all nice, and I’m going to miss so many of them,” Safo said.

Advice for younger class members

“Get involved in groups,” O’Connor said “It’s what gets you to meet so many people.”

“Definitely get involved in something, otherwise you’re going to be so bored in your four years at school here,” Bock said.

“What’s cool about Mount Vernon is there are so many students involved in multiple activities,” Briesemeister said.

“Try hard in every class, including gym class,” Schurbon said.

“It’s school – you’re here to learn,” Bentley said. “Don’t be afraid to take electives you may not have taken otherwise.”

One of the pieces of advice came after the interview was over – go out for a sport, even if it is something you might be bad at.

Briesemeister commented that one of the most fun things they had was when Cyrus Johnson joined the team.

“He was the jolliest guy and always had fun in all of the practices,” Briesemeister said. “He always brought so much energy and having a good time.”

Teachers/coaches who have made an impact

This was an area where the students were willing to name many of their favorite teachers and coaches. Ed Timm, Preston Pederson, and Alaina Appley were all recognized. by students as favorites.

“Margo Massey was my track coach and was very ride or die on my success,” Bock said.

Cana Safo said this year’s soccer coach, Angie Knies is the best soccer coach they’ve had in the four years she has been with the program.

“She brought a whole new energy to that team,” Safo said.

“Thad Wilkins was someone who helped me gain more confidence in myself,” Hepker said. “He helped me be more comfortable with who I am.”

“ Maggie Willems worked on making sure I had confidence in the sport of volleyball,” Schurbon said. “She’s the type of person who is very honest on where you stand with her.” “There’s a teacher for everyone here that will
always stand out to so many of us,” O’Connor said. “The paraeduca- tors here are also always upbeat about their jobs as well.”

The group praised the high school librarians for their dedication to the library as well.

Bonnie Ahrens with the art room was another that was well loved.

Hopes for the future for district,community

“That they get better parking around the district,” Bentley said. “That nothing changes, and that this keeps the community feeling,” Bock said.

“That people start getting out of their cliquey nature at the high school earlier,” Safo said. “As the years go on, that seems to happen.”

“There just isn’t a lot of intermingling between different activities at the lower grade levels,” O’Connor said.

“We don’t have the issues they are seeing in so many larger schools, and that’s a good thing,” Briesemeister said. “We’re able to have things like the senior splash day here. People leave their cars unlocked because they aren’t worried about that at all.”

Future plans

Colin Bentley plans to attend Creighton University and major in business and finance.

Joe Briesemeister plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa where he will play football and study nursing.

Seamus O’Connor plans to attend Buena Vista University where he will study dentistry.

Cana Safo plans to attend Wheaton University and study mental health studies.

Lauren Hepker plans to attend Kirkwood Community College, with an undecided major.

Hailey Bock plans to attend the University of Cincinnatti to study nursing.

Paige Schurbon plans to attend University of Iowa and study business.