Mount Vernon-Lisbon
SPORTS | 10 & 11 Track: Lisbon boys threepeat Class 1A win PLUS: Mustang girls’ track finishes second at state
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THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025 • $1.50
Living as masterpieces
“There’s nothing wrong with washing machines,” Timm said. “Except they do one thing and do that very well.” The issue becomes when those machines break. Suddenly, that skill you’ve devoted to a career that was your identity evaporates because you’re no longer doing that thing well. Timm held up a handprint turkey piece of art to drive home the importance of his message. “This piece may not be the most important thing in the world for everyone,” Timm said. “But to some people in the world who see this piece this one person made, that was a masterpiece. We should be living a life as a masterpiece, doing the things that make us shine for others, not just as a washing machine.” Betsy Louwagie was one of two student speakers for the class of 2025. Louwagie had a list of 10 reasons Mount Vernon class of 2025 will be successful in the future. Those skills included “being able to google or ask Siri, having a playlist for everything, knowing the value of team effort, being comfortable with change, being adaptable, understanding the importance of balance, having Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun an amazing support system, knowing the importance of helping others, being Payton Woodland (center) leads the graduates down the music hallway where teachers excited to pursue their dreams and are there to congratulate the graduates. passions and being ready to make a difference. Nathan Countryman That was the advice from the selected “We’ve learned so much, made so Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun faculty graduation speaker, Ed Timm, to many amazing friends and figured out nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com the graduating class of 2025. some of our strengths and weaknesses,” Timm explained that through most of Louwagie said. “Now we are ready to use Live your life like the masterpiece our lives, we live our lives as washing all of these tools and go and be successyou are. machines. ful as we go and change the world.”
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Natalie Thuerauf was the second student speaker for the class of 2025. Thuerauf said one of the biggest pieces of wisdom she got at school came in her ninth grade year, auditioning for the school musical. Director Tom Stephens said “you’re always auditioning.” “I remember when he said it, I was a five foot freshman and intimidated,” Thuerauf said. “It wasn’t until I sat down to write this speech that I really thought about what it meant. This one simple phrase that seemed so insignificant actually means so much more. It means you are auditioning for things for the rest of your life. From scholarships, to job interviews, internships and making new friends. You even audition for a date.” Thuerauf said that advice and the advice of other teachers are what helps make every graduate who they are today and ready to make the next steps in the world. “You are going to be a student for life,” Thuerauf said. “You are always going to be learning, whether you go to college, trade school, the military or straight to the work force. Life is all about learning. There might be days that go by that you never think about these four years in high school, but I can promise you there won’t be a day that goes by that you aren’t learning.” Superintendent Matt Leeman left students with two things to keep in mind moving forward – live your life with character and be courageous. When it came to character, Leeman GRADUATION | 18
Lisbon repeating track champions MV girls second at state meet The Lisbon boys track team had a repeat of their class 1A win at the state track tournament Thursday, May 22 through Saturday, May 24. Mount Vernon girls track team was in that first-place spot at the end of Thursday and Friday’s events, but dipped to a runner up status in the Class 3A meet. There was plenty for the Mustangs to be smiling about throughout the weekend, though, including Libby Dix winning the discus throw with a throw of 148 feet 10 inches and Cali Whitaker placing third in the 400 meter dash. For the full story on all the placement at the track meet and more photos, turn to pages 10 & 11.
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photo
The Lisbon track team gathered at home Lisbon Saturday evening to denote their first place finish as a track and field champions for 2025, winning the Class 1A competition again this year.
Addi Whisner | Mustang Moon
Members of the Mount Vernon girls track team including Cali Whitaker and Kara Swantz run to collect the runner-up trophy at the state track tournament in Des Moines Saturday, May 24.
INSIDE Mount Vernon-Lisbon
Opinions - 4 | Records - 7 | Sports - 10-14
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15 | Public Notices - 16 & 17