Benton MS/HS

13 years ago I chose Benton Community because it was close to my hometown. Little did I know how much I was going to truly enjoy it here. Now, I choose Benton Community because it feels like home. The community, the staff, the students, they all show up for each other and make one big family. It really is “A Place to Belong.”

- Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Benton Invitational Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Van Horne Boys 5K Team scores Williamsburg 34 Vinton-Shellsburg 42 Benton 88 Xavier 90 Independence 146 Columbus 166 Waterloo Christian 177 Valley Lutheran 179 Benton results 10 Isaac Morris 18:16.6 14 Caleb Olson 18:55.3 19 Luke Lange 19:32.7 25 Marcus Ricklefs 20:00.5 26 Noah Pickart 20:01.2 36 Colin Reiners 20:45.0 36 Colin Reiners 20:45.0 42 Brian Araiza 21:02.8 43 Parker Mitchell 21:03.1 45 Ethan Schwake 21:07.7 54 Luis Araiza 22:01.3 59 Jonathon Sadler 22:41.5 76 Mario Talavera 24:13.5 78 Nathan Becker 24:43.1 95 Andrew Hines 28:26.8 Girls 5k Team Scores Williamsburg 48 Xavier 51 Vinton Shellsburg 58 Benton 73 Independence 137 Waterloo Christian 171 Benton Results 1 Jaida Lyons 20:14.8 5 Kyra Kauder 21:50.2 21 Layna DeMoss 24:29.5 28 Lizzy Wolf 25:18.0 32 Libi Frese 25:53.1 43 Alex Welte 27:20.2 50 Mary Phillips 28:18.8 68 Jessa DeMoss 32:40.9 69 McKenna Kramer 33:00.7 71 Ana Glawe 33:26.3

There is no I in TEAM

Benton Facility Survey 2 https://tinyurl.com/BentonFacilitySurvey2 Benton Community School Board seeks your feedback about improvements to our facilities. This short survey asks about your awareness of the recent bond vote (March 7, 2023) and preferences for future facility investments. Your input will guide a path forward that aligns with the infrastructure needs of the district and expectations of our community. *If you would like a hard copy, please reach out to the Central Office staff.

Bobcats Have First Loss on the Road Against Mount Vernon -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 at Mount Vernon BC 7 0 0 0 – 7 MV 7 12 0 0 – 19 Owen Tjelmeland was 5 of 10 in passing for 53 yards. Easton Pfiffner had five catches for 53 yards. Benton rushed for 86 yards. Carson Bruns had 23 carries for 86 yards and one touchdown. Tjelmeland had seven yards and Pfiffner had six yards. Brenden Heying had 7.5 total tackles. Dylan LeFebvere had six tackles. Bruns had five solo tackles. With four solo tackles each were Heying LeFebvere, Pfiffner and Brennen Blegen. Carson Nolan had kick punt returns for 20 yards. LeFebvere had one return for 11 yards. Mount Vernon statistics are coming. Nolan had one punt return for five yards. Brody Timmerman had two punt returns for 23 yards. Eli Kupka had two kickoffs for 107 yards. He had one extra point. Kupka had five punts for 142 yards. Benton (2-1) travels to Clear Creek Amana (0-3) on Friday, Sept. 15. They return home for homecoming on Friday, Sept. 22, in Van Horne, against Fairfield (2-1).

"I chose Benton because of how much the staff and administration emphasized a “students first” mentality. I knew I wanted to be a part of school that wanted what is best for kids. Plus, Chili Day."

BC Football travels to Mount Vernon tonight. The Freshman game is at 5 p.m. and Varsity plays at 7:15 p.m.

The Benton Community School Board seeks your feedback about improvements to our facilities. The short survey linked below asks about your awareness of the recent bond vote (March 7, 2023) and preferences for future facility investments. Your input will guide a path forward that aligns with the infrastructure needs of the district and expectations of our community. This message is also being sent via text for your convenience. If you would prefer a hard copy of the survey for yourself or someone else, please contact our Central Office to have one mailed. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to Benton Community Central Office staff at 319-228-8701. https://shivehattery.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvaM5vAyffjIRIq

Get your garb ready!!! Homecoming is just around the corner. BC student council has announced the homecoming dress-up days. Homecoming week is September 18th -22nd. Let's see your spirit!!

"My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is the connections I have made through 25 years of being here. Support through the good times and the rough times is truly priceless."

BC Girls Sweep Williamsburg in Volleyball, 3-0 -courtesy Jim Magdefrau- Benton girl’s volleyball Tuesday, Sept. 5, at Williamsburg Benton 3, Williamsburg 0 W 17 15 21 BC 25 25 25 Benton had 29 kills out of 107 attempts with 20 errors. Piper Nelson had 15 kills. Emma Townsley had 21 assists. Kennedy Donald had 16 digs. Nelson had 15. Benton was 68 of 73 for serves with nine aces. Laura Junge was 5 of 6. Townsley was 15 of 16 with three aces. Donald was 10 of 11 with two aces. Aubrey Kelly was 1 of 1. Nelson was 12 of 12 with one ace. Mabry Sadler was 13 of 14 with one ace. Olivia Brendes was 12 of 13 with two aces. Benton (5-7) travels to the East Marshall Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 9, with Des Moines Christian, West Marshall, Hudson, Vinton-Shellsburg, and HLV.

Benton MS/HS staff sporting their team colors. Rivals for a day, Bobcats every day.

During the early release today, staff had the opportunity to review school-wide data, learn about behavior specific praise, and collaborate with their teammates.

Benton Runs at Grinnell CC Invite -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Grinnell Invitational Sept. 5, 2023 Girls’ 5K Pella 18 Williamsburg 60 Benton Community 98 Grinnell 113 Newton 126 Knoxville 140 Benton girls 3 Jaida Lyons 20:31.2 16 Kyra Kauder 23:48.7 34 Layna DeMoss 25:42.7 39 Lizzy Wolf 26:01.8 55 Alex Welte 29:03.9 56 Libi Frese 29:03.9 65 Mary Phillips 32:13.6 Boys’ 5K Pella 18 South Tama 76 Williamsburg 90 Grinnell 101 Newton 131 Knoxville 139 Benton 173 Benton boys 23 Caleb Olson 18:43.5 46 Luke Lange 19:58.8 48 Noah Pickart 20:10.1 66 Brian Araiza 20:50.0 74 Marcus Ricklefs 21:27.6 78 Luis Araiza 21:40.0 81 Parker Mitchell 21:51.1 87 Colin Reiners 22:29.0 88 Ethan Schwake 23:15.4 92 Jonathon Sadler 23:45.4 104 Nathan Becker 27:48.6 113 Andrew Hines 31:46.8

Did you know Benton Community collaborates with Kirkwood Community College to offer students the opportunity to take a series of courses around patient care? These students were caught studying for their Health Careers course. A few specific courses within this sequence will provide the students with the option to earn their Certified Nursing Assistant license while in high school.

"My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is the students, parents and community members of this great district! I have been fortunate to serve this district and meet so many great individuals. The tradition of excellence that Benton is known for truly inspires people to work together to ensure Benton Community is always “A Place to Belong”!"

School will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, September 6. #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Musical and Academic Excellence The Iowa High School Music Association has an academic achievement award based on the first semester grades of all students in that ensemble. Ensembles with over a 3.25 GPA are considered ensembles with Distinguished Academic Achievement. For the 2022-2023 school year both the Concert Band and Marching Bobcats had an average GPA of 3.59. While the members of the First Street Jazz Ensemble had an average GPA of 3.81. We are always proud of the numerous activities and sports that band students are involved in outside of band, but frequently do not get enough credit for their academics successes in the classroom. So if you see any of these students, please give them a big congratulations! They have earned it! -Mr. Jared Lancaster 9-12 High School Band Director

The Marching Bobcats performed in the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days parade on Saturday, Sept. 2nd.

Benton Volleyball -courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 BCLUW Comet Round Robin Tournament North Polk 2, Benton 0 BC 14 19 NP 21 21 BCLUW 2, Benton 0 BC 12 21 BCLUW 21 23 Benton 2, Wapsie Valley 1 BC 18 21 15 WV 21 19 8