Cael Foreman, Lydia Marshall, Mae Krapfl, Kevin Zehms, Kiersten Swart, Mason Cossolotto and Emma Hoffman sat down with the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun for a senior roundtable discussion about favorite memories at the school, advice to younger classmen, teachers who made an impact and hopes for the school and community moving forward. Mount Vernon’s graduation ceremony is Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School.

Activities involved in

Foreman was involved in baseball, basketball and track.

His favorite was baseball, because it was his favorite sport.

Marshall was involved in yearbook and speech.

“My favorite was yearbook, because I got to get involved in so much of it, including photography and design,” Marshall said.

Krapfl was involved in color guard, speech and choir.

“My favorite has definitely been speech, because of all the people involved,” Krapfl said.

Zehms was involved in band, matching band, cross country, wrestling and large group speech.

“My favorite was large group speech because it’s always been silly.

Hoffman has been involved in choir, jazz choir, soccer, large group and individual speech.

“Soccer and choir have been my favorites,” Hoffman said. “We have a great community who supports one another in all of these activities.”

Swart has been involved in wrestling, cross country, track and choir.

“Track has been my favorite because of all the people involved in that,” Swart said.

Cossolotto has been involved in golf, track and basketball.

“Track has been my favorite, because I enjoy the people out for the sport and spending time with them,” Cossolotto said.

What they’ve enjoyed at Mount Vernon

“I love the small community we have,” Foreman said. “It’s easy to meet new people and get along.”

Marshall agreed about the small community of the school, making it easier to get along with other students.

Krapfl said she has loved all of the opportunities students have had at the school.

“Even being a small school, there’s chances to do so many things,” Krapfl said.

Zehms said the amount of people who want to set up students for success.

“Everyone wants us to succeed,” Zehms said.

Hoffman said she has loved the support from teachers.

“We have great teachers who support students and want to see them succeed,” agreed Swart.

Cossolotto seconded the stance on opportunities, noting things like the trip to Disneyworld for the band or field trips, or groups attending national conventions if they qualify.

What they are going to miss

“My friends,” Foreman said. “We really became like brothers. A lot of us are staying close to the area, but it won’t be the same.

“Friends, as well as the overall community,” Marshall said.

“Friends for sure,” Krapfl said.

Friends, Zehms concurred.

“It’s going to be weird to leave a place we’ve been for so long,” Hoffman said. “The small community and teachers who were there for you.”

“I’m going to miss the sports teams,” Swart said.

“Definitely the people at the school,” Cossolotto said. “The people make this a nice place to be. Many of my coaches as well. Here, they were willing to let you just go out for a sport for the fun of it.”

Favorite memories

“The time in basketball practice when CJ scored on his own hoop,” Cossolotto said. “The games were also some of the most fun, even if we lost. The comeback we had against Solon, with Kellen Haverback knocking back so many threes was just exciting.”

“Any of our trips to state track,” Swart said. “It’s three days of being with your team and giving it your all.”

“I think football games and other sporting events,” Hoffman said. “The state jazz choir trip is also a favorite memory. We always go to supper together as a choir before we perform at that.”

“The Washington, D.C., band trip,” Zehms said.

“The end of speech season banquet, when we get the opportunity to play a game like aliens in the school,” Krapfl said.

“The J-term trips I was able to go on,” Marshall said. “I was able to connect with people and go places I wouldn’t have been able to in the past.”

“The trips the baseball team makes to Omaha each year,” Foreman said.

Teachers/coaches who have made an impact

“Thad Wilkins has had an impact on me,” Hoffman said. “He shows what it is to live a life of pursuing excellence and leads by example.”

For Zehms, Swart, Foreman and Cossolotto, it was Jeremy Pedersen.

“He’s always so positive and works at bringing the best out of people,” Swart said.

“He lifts students all to the same level,” Zehms said.

“He is always willing to help people find ways to modify a workout that will still work for them,” Foreman said.

“He’s just a really nice guy, and very open to talk to about anything,” Cossolotto said.

“Grant Freeman has been one of the coaches who has made an impact on me,” Krapfl said. “He’s always so supportive of his students.”

“Tawnua Tenley was the teacher and coach who has made an impact on me,” Marshall said. “I was lucky to have her as a teacher in my ninth grade year. And as a speech coach, she is so supportive of every one.”

Cossolotto also was appreciative of coaches Whitman and Caskey on the track side, for helping with his mental toughness.

Advice for younger classmen

“Try as many things as you can,” Cossolotto said. “I did three sports throughout high school, but didn’t go out for choir, and that’s the one thing I kind of regret not doing now.”

Krapfl seconded that, noting the pillars of Mustang Nation on “Being Here” and “Get Involved.”

“Don’t regret things,” Marshall said. “I only went out for speech in my junior year, and wish I had done that longer. The things I’ve been involved in have made me a different person.”

“Don’t let the fear of being embarrassed stop you from what you are doing,” Hoffman said.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” Swart said. “You have a great support system at this school.”

“Try not to waste all your time on school,” Zehms said. “Socialize with anyone if you get the chance.”

“Don’t be afraid to talk to upperclassmen,” Foreman said. “They always have good advice for you.”

“People won’t remember your accomplishments, but they will remember how you made them feel,” Hoffman said.

Cossolotto shared a personal anecdote about the night he made his personal record in a running event, and a ninth grader went and did the same right after.

“He said watching me run my best inspired him to do the same,” Cossolotto said.

Hopes for future

“I hope students have better opportunities than I had,” Zehms said.

“I hope we keep the wonderful community we have built,” Krapfl said.

“I hope we keep the feel of the small community, but continue to improve the school,” Cossolotto said.

“I hope opportunities continue to grow for all the students,” Marshall said.

“I hope they improve the grading system,” Swart said.

“I hope the academic opportunities continue to grow,” Hoffman said.

“I hope the school continues to grow in academics and athletics,” Foreman said.

Future plans

Cael Foreman plans on attending Coe College and play baseball.

Lydia Marshall plans on attending a four-year university to study zoology.

Mae Krapfl plans on attending University of Northern Iowa to study elementary education.

Kevin Zehms plans on attending the University of Iowa to major in pre-med.

Kiersten Swart plans on attending University of Iowa to study speech and language pathology.

Mason Cossolotto plans on attending Northwestern College in Orange City to play basketball.

Emma Hoffman plans on attending the University of Iowa to major in and hearing sciences.