september 2016 mhs newsletter l.e.a.d from the front · scoreboard, the soccer scoreboard is very...

September 2016 MHS Newsletter L.E.A.D From the Front

Mission: MHS LEADs academic excellence to prepare students for post-secondary

opportunities. MHS Educational Community creates a culture of life-long Learners,

welcomes and accepts Diversity, challenges all to achieve Excellence, fosters a spirit

of Accountability and encourages everyone to Dream within a safe environment.

Principal’s Message

Last spring an effort was made to replace Montrose High School’s soccer field scoreboard and

the softball field scoreboard. Both scoreboards were over 10 years old, faded, and each exhib-

ited operational problems during the past few seasons.

Once again the Montrose Community stepped up!

Thanks to Western Slope Orthopaedics, Tobler Dental,

The Benziger Family, Alexander Orthodontics, Dunnagan

Chiropractic, Clean Choice Car Wash, and Valley Disaster

Restoration and Construction. (Pictured is the softball

scoreboard, the soccer scoreboard is very similar.) Mon-

trose High School would like to thank these local busi-

nesses for their generous support!

Please stop by the Activities Office at MHS to pick up a

sports schedule for not only the softball and soccer teams but for all the fall sports as well. We

look forward to seeing you at the next games. GO INDIANS!

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year! The

MHS staff has been working hard to imple-

ment the new one-to-one initiative so far this

year. Hopefully you have experienced your

student home playing with a new IPad. The teachers are becoming

skilled at working through “Google Classroom” to establish an elec-

tronic relationship with your student as well as the traditional classroom relationship. Your stu-

dent should be receiving and turning in assignments through Google Classroom on a regular

basis. I’m not saying that all teachers are switching to the electronic platform 100% of the time,

but every staff member will have expectations for students to participate in their curriculum us-

ing the IPad. The staff at MHS are also getting more training on implementing STEM (Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math) in their curriculum. This will mainly be done through the

implementation of Problem Based Learning (PBL). PBL is a process where classes take on real

world problems that affect our community and provide realistic solutions to them.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any concerns you might have. (I love to hear

about things we are doing well also!) I am looking forward to working with parents, students

and community members to make this the best school year possible.

Athletic Department


New Staff

I grew up outside of Dallas, Texas, where I always enjoyed

hiking, camping, fishing and bike riding. It was my interests

in outdoor activities which led me to Montrose. I think teach-

ing, especially teaching Art, is one of the greatest jobs I could

possibly have. My family and I are thrilled with how nice and

welcoming everyone has been so far, and I look forward to

serving the community of Montrose, Colorado.

I grew up in Montana, attended UNC for 3 1/2 years but

transferred to Western State when I got married. I then got

my master's from USC in teaching Secondary Social Stud-

ies. This will be my 7th year teaching Social Studies and

will be teaching Honors World Geo, Psychology, and

American History. I previously taught at Battle Mountain

HS in Edwards and a few years in Virginia and North

Carolina. It's been our goal to get back in this area of

Colorado for a long time and I am so excited to be here.

Joe Leonard

Leigh Wagner

I graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver with

an English Secondary Education Degree and Linguistics back-

ground. This is my first year teaching. I’m loving Montrose and

being in the mountains--a much needed change from the sub-

urbs of Denver that I have lived in my whole life. My hobbies

include: reading, writing, dancing, painting, ceramics, trying all

kinds of foods, and hanging out with the people I love!

Erin Laudner

"Hi, I'm Clara Pena, the new Computer Apps and Graphic

Design teacher here at Montrose High. I am a fifth genera-

tion Coloradan and I live on a small farm with my hus-

band, 7 chickens, 2 ducks, 2 lambs, and a dog. My back-

ground is in science and technology, both of which I stud-

ied at the University of Colorado Boulder. Following col-

lege, I pursued my passion--digital storytelling. I pro-

duced films ranging from educational science videos for

Rocky Mountain PBS to a documentary featured in the

Aspen Shorts fest Film Festival. As a teacher, I hope to

share my love of digital storytelling with the wonderful

and talented students at MHS."

Clara Pena


New Staff

Hello, my name is Cassie Seaney. I am teaching Math 1 and Math

2 this year at Montrose High School, as well as coaching JV boys

soccer. I am originally from Canon City, Colorado and received

my undergraduate degrees in Math and Engineering from Fort

Lewis College in Durango. I decided to become a high school

teacher and coach because I have always found a true sense of

value in helping others. My other passions include backpacking,

hiking, fishing, and small game hunting with my family. I love

small-town Colorado and am excited to be in an active and in-

volved community. My ultimate goal is to help students find suc-

cess, happiness, and value in their lives.

Cassie Seaney

Hi, I'm LeighAnn Mertens, I'm excited to join Montrose High

School this year as a Guidance Counselor. I will be working with

students with last names, L- Q. My husband, Brett, also works at

Montrose High School teaching Math and coaches football. We're

excited to be back in Colorado after spending 8 years in California

and raise our two young kids, Emmery and Truck.

LeighAnn Mertens

Hello, my name is Kevin Snyder. I received a BS in chem-

istry at Fort Lewis College in 2013. At Fort Lewis I did

research under the tutelage of Dr. Miller working with the

development of compounds to treat Herpes simplex virus.

After graduating from FLC I decided to head west and do

graduate studies in chemistry at Oregon State University.

Within weeks of arriving I decided to switch my research

focus form synthetic chemistry to theoretical chemistry. I

worked in Dr. Cheong’s lab solving the mechanisms of medicinally relevant organic transfor-

mations as well as proving/disproving structures assigned to new compounds found in nature

with high bioactivities. At OSU I managed to find that my true passion wasn’t in the research

lab but rather in the classroom. After receiving a Masters in Science I decided to move to Mon-

trose and start my first year of teaching at the high school level. I am teaching AP and Honors

Chemistry this year and am so excited to be able to be back in the best state in the world!

Kevin Snyder


New Staff

I am a transplant from Los Angeles. I have been

married for 17years and we moved here 12 years

ago. We have a senior, sophomore, 4th grader and an

aging dog to keep us busy. Together we like to hike,

snowshoe, ride bikes, swim, anything to get the wig-

gles out. I personally love to run for fun! I will run

just about any race for a shirt! Joining the High

School team has been a good change for me. You

all have a welcome and warm vibe and it’s good to

be here!

Susie Benitez

Hi, I’m Brett Mertens, I’m excited to be at Montrose High

School teaching math and coaching football. My wife

LeighAnn Mertens is also a new counselor at Montrose

High School and we have 2 young kids Emmery and

Truck. Looking forward to a great school year and having

Montrose be home for our family.

Brett Mertens

My name is Maria Rocha-Lane, I am 31 yrs old and a

Montrose Native. I have been married for 3 years and

we have two fur babies . I enjoy spending time with my

family and friends. My favorite hobby to do is drawing

and taking my little brother to Amazing glaze. I have an

associates degree in Medical assist and phlebot-

omy. This is my second year working for the district as

a paraprofessional and I enjoy it tremendously.

Maria Rocha-Lane

Hi, I’m Kaley VanArsdale, I'm one of the new teachers in the English

Department. I'm from Crestone, Colorado where I taught for the past

seven years in Moffat Consolidated School District. I will be teaching

10th English, 11th English, and Creative Writing. In my free time, I

enjoy spending time with my six year old daughter and boyfriend.

We love to hike, camp, ski, rock climb, and dance. My family and I

are looking forward to exploring all that Montrose has to offer!

Kaley VanArsdale


New Staff

Hi, I’m Ashley Rethemeyer, I have been a counselor for the district

for the past two years and will be joining the Gifted/Talented Depart-

ment this year. I have obtained my Bachelors degree in Psychology,

Art and a Masters in Counseling. I grew-up in Missouri, but fell in

love with the mountains and moved here as soon as I could. When

I’m not at school or coaching a sport, I can often be found riding

bikes, hiking, or exploring any area within driving distance.

Ashley Rethemeyer

I’m Kylee, I went to CU and graduated with a degree in Biology

at Colorado Mesa University. I have worked at the Brown Cen-

ter for two years while going to school and decided from there to

go into education. I have been in the district for eight years as a

long-term substitute and teaching full time for two years. I have

been coaching basketball for Olathe Middle School and their

AAU program off and on for eight years and just last year joined

Columbine Middle School's basketball program. I have three

young boys and like to coach and support them in their schooling

and sports. As a family we enjoy fishing, hunting, baseball/

softball, football, basketball and traveling.

Kylee Sauter

My name is Susan Arendsee, I have two beautiful kiddos named

Aaron who is currently a sophomore here at MHS and Shae who is a

Centennial 8th grader. My husband is Michael Arendsee who works

at Montrose Ford. I graduated from Estelline high school in 1993.

We have lived in the Montrose area for fourteen years and love

every little aspect this area has to offer.

Susan Arendsee

Hello, I am a former student from Olathe High School and I

graduated in the year 2011. It wasn't until my senior year in high school

that I decided to pursue a degree in education. My degree is geared

more towards k-6. I truly fell in love with the concept of teaching when

I worked at Maslow/Bright Beginnings. I have a genuine love for kids

and their desire to learn. I enjoy weightlifting and running on my free

time. I am a huge movie buff which includes all the super hero movies,

sci-fi movies. I hope to get to know you all.

Luis Corona


Hi, my name is Clint Bradburn, this is my third year with the dis-

trict and my first year at Montrose High. I have three dogs (Elliot,

Cheyenne, and Sadie), on my free time I love to paraglide, and

downhill skiing. I was in the air force for six years. I’m thrilled

to be a part of the Montrose High staff.


New Staff

Clint Bradburn

I am a Montrose High School graduate and excited to return to

Montrose after teaching middle school in Northern Virginia for

11 years. I teach in the English department. I am married with

two small children who are all still in Virginia, but will be

joining me this fall.

Cassidy Green

I’m Lance Bach will be joining the Montrose High School

faculty this October in the NJROTC Department after a ca-

reer as a US Navy SEAL. I have a major in English from

the US Naval Academy and a Master's in Education from

Pacific Lutheran University. My wife Sergina also teaches

math at Columbine Middle School. We have a daughter,

Care who works in Houston and a son, Eric who works in

Tampa. In my free time I enjoy outdoor activities especially

riding motorcycles.

Lance Bach

The Special Olympics teams, Project Unify Club and class are plan-

ning several exciting things in the next couple of months Our first

club meeting was, Tues., Aug. 23 during lunch. The club meets once

a month at the same time in room 128. The Project Unify class will

start making muffins starting next Thursday. Muffins are made are

made on red Wednesday and Thursdays. The team starts flag football practice at the base-

ball field September 6th. This is a new sport for Special Olympics. Our athletes and part-

ners are excited to start practicing.

Special Olympics


Welcome back! The Counseling Center has been busy enrolling new students and planning for

the upcoming year! We can’t wait to work with you all.

Counselor Breakdown (9th-12th)

Ms. Kathleen Pirani (A-D)

Mr. Tony Cimaglio (E-K)

Ms. LeighAnn Mertens (L-Q)

Ms. Krista Brundage (R-Z)

Attention Seniors: Starting in September we will be having Senior Meetings! We want to

check in with each of our Seniors to work on your ICAP, Scholarship information and help sup-

port you towards your transition form MHS. Please sign up in the counseling center today or

email your counselor. Parents-you are welcome to attend as well.

MHS College Fair: Wednesday, September 14th from 5:30-7 pm in the MHS Cafeteria.

Mark your Calendars:

September 14 : College Fair 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the cafeteria

September 16 : Deadline to register for the October ACT

Counseling Center

september 2016 mhs newsletter l.e.a.d from the front · scoreboard, the soccer scoreboard is very...

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