Last Day of School- 2 Hour Early Release
This is a friendly reminder our last day of school will be Friday, May 26, with a 2 hour early release schedule . The last week of school is here and we are enjoying some great weather for many of the celebrations and outdoor activities at AC/GC Schools! Our staff and students are excited for summer 2023!
School Board Appreciation
May is School Board Recognition Month in Iowa and a chance to thank our boards for the contributions they have made to our communities and education of our students of AC/GC. Our School Boards put in countless hours attending meetings, reviewing policies, and making decisions that impact the entire school community, developing a solid foundation towards their goals of academic excellence, district operations, and creating a culture of learning.
To our School Boards, thank you for your invaluable contributions to our school community. Your vision, leadership, and commitment to education make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. We are truly fortunate to have such exceptional individuals serving our communities!
Adair-Casey Board Guthrie Center Board
Randy Carney- President Matt VanMeter- President
Amanda Bireline- Vice President Tim Benson- Vice President
Lindsay Dinkla- Member Brian Sheeder- Member
Dallas Dinkla- Member Kris Langgaard- Member
Blair Carney- Member Wanda Knobbe- Member
Educator Appreciation Month
AC/GC celebrated those who serve our districts throughout the Month of May. A sincere thank you to those who helped thank our staff for the hard work, dedication, and commitment to our school community. Each and every staff member makes a difference in the lives of our students, and we are grateful for all that they do! Thank you!
Into The Woods
Mrs. Kelsey Dinkla announced the following from the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards, presented to our students for their outstanding work and production of Into the Woods! Congratulations to the cast and crew and Director Mrs. Kelsey Dinkla for their performance of Into The Woods!
News and awards from Mrs. Dinkla:
Production Awards
Distinguished Scene - "Into the Woods"
Student Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role - Andrew Mahaffey as "Jack"
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role - Justin Reinhart as "Wolf/Cinderella's Prince"
Special Recognition
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role - Kelsey Carlson as "Little Red"
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role - Owen Dinkla as "Baker"
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role - Haedyn Grasty as "Baker's Wife"
Andrew and Justin received special invitations to participate in the prestigious Triple Threat Awards Program, which is for advanced students who served in principal roles for their production. Triple Threat participants will be coached by musical theatre professionals, as well as will audition for a chance to represent the State of Iowa at the Jimmy Awards in New York City this summer. These students will also be considered for one of four scholarships to the DMPA Broadway Intensive Camp offered at the Civic Center in July. Andrew also received a special invitation to perform a portion of his title song - "Giants in the Sky."
Owen and Brennan Pederson will represent ACGC in the Finale Medley of the IHSMTA Showcase. These fine young men will also get the chance to work with a Broadway music director and choreographer, as well as perform on the Civic Center stage.
The IHSMTA Showcase takes place on Thursday, June 1 at 7:00pm. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 12 and can be found at dmpa.org.
This show was the most difficult show I have ever done, and to know that we did it - and I mean, we REALLY did it - there just aren't words. I am SO PROUD of our kids!! They continue to do such amazing things!!
-Mrs. Kelsey Dinkla, Director
Into the Woods Cast: Jarrett McClain, Taylor Carlson, Andrew Mahaffey, Owen Dinkla, Haedyn Grasty, Emmarae Ellis, Natalie Dinkla, Ava Campbell, Addison Laughery, Kelsey Carlson, Victoria Soto, Carter Dinkla, Allison Drake, Justin Reinhart, Haley Cose, Brennan Pederson, Jacob Thomas, Rohnin Grasty, Taytum Bates, and Tate Fever.
Into the Wood Crew: Audrey Franzeen, Kiersten Knobbe, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Shyann Young, Allie DeWitt, Tanner Downing, Olivia Mahaffey, and Montanna Douglas.
Into the Woods Pit Band: Debbie Menning, John Gosnell, Kyra Babcock, Dale Menning, and Mike Moore.
AC/GC High School Band
Congratulations to the High School Band and Mrs. Kyra Babcock for their Division I Rankings at State Large Group and Small Group Music Contest. This is the first Division I Large Group Band ranking since 2004!
Large Group Band- Division I Concert Band- Division I
Woodwind Choir- Division I
Saxophone Choir- Division I
Brass Choir- Division I
Percussion Choir- Division I
Congratulations to Mr. Kyra Babcock and the AC/GC Band!
Band Members: Shyann Young, flute; Sofia Brown, flute; Emmarae Ellis, flute & mallets; Arlo Mendoza, flute & percussion; Chelsea Kopaska, flute; Justin Reinhart, clarinet; Allie DeWitt, clarinet; Haley Cose, bass clarinet; Lance Bunde, alto saxophone; Kuya Kawaguchi, alto saxophone & mallets; Ali Plagman, alto saxophone; Tanner Downing, tenor saxophone; Caydence Boals, bari. Saxophone; Isabelle Rouse, trumpet; Trever Derry, trumpet; Elizabeth Drake, trumpet; Bee Oldes, trumpet; Andrew Mahaffey, horn; Owen Dinkla, trombone; Jacob Risinger, trombone; Gavin Sloss, tuba; Wendell Hunt, percussion; Gracie Hodges, percussion; Ronin Grasty, percussion; and Kaylee Oberholtz, percussion.
All State Art Awards
Congratulations to Elizabeth Baughman (11) and Elsveta Kendic (12) on their Class 2A All State Visual Arts awards! Their portfolios were submitted to the Art Educators of Iowa All State Committee and chosen as one of the top art portfolios in the state of Iowa!
2023 Awards and Ceremony-
Display: Students will have their poster of their art work displayed at the Des Moines Art Festival from June 23rd-25th. Please visit their website for more information.
Ceremony: Students will be honored by their art teacher and presented a plaque on Sunday June 25th, 12am-1pm at the Roots Stage. More information to follow.
State Track and Field
Congratulations to our state track and field participants this past weekend. Many of our student athletes improved their times and jumps with the great weather and competition at Drake Stadium. This weekend was highlighted by Austin Kunkle's 1A state records and championship performances in the 100m and 200m dash. Congratulations to all those who participated in this year's state track meet!
A special thanks to all those who helped and volunteered their time at our home track meets. Your help provides our students and visitors with a great track and field experience. Thank you for your continued support!
State Track Meet Medal Winners:
Austin Kunkle- 100m- 1st
Austin Kunkle- 200m- 1st
Lance Bunde- High Jump- 3rd
Brock Littler, Eli Madsen, Lance Bunde, Austin Kunkle- 4x200- 5th
Brock Littler, Jedd Weinkoetz, Lance Bunde, Austin Kunkle- 4x100- 6th
State Track and Field Participants:
Girls-
4x800- Hayden Coffman, Katelyn Schafer, Adalyn Benson, and Ava Campbell
800m- Ava Campbell
1600m- Ava Campbell
Alternates: Emmarae Ellis, Hannah Muller, Emerson Van Meter, Paige Van Meter.
Boys-
3200m- Justin Reinhart
1600m- Justin Reinhart
4x800m- Andrew Mahaffey, Tyconder Ellis, Jarrett McClain, Gavin Sloss
SHR- Tate Fever, Jathan South, Brexton Schneider, Treyton Schneider.
4x200- Brock Littler, Eli Madsen, Lance Bunde, Austin Kunkle
4x100m- Brock Littler, Jedd Weinkoetz, Lance Bunde, Austin Kunkle
100m- Austin Kunkle
200m- Austin Kunkle
HJ- Lance Bunde
Shot Put- Payton Jacobe
Alternates: Justin Davis, Joe Crawford, Charlie Christensen, Taye Faulkner, Alex Spack, Thomas Skram.