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Home Care In Mt Vernon, IA

Home Care Mt Vernon, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Lincoln Highway gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mt Vernon, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Mt Vernon, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.
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“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Mt Vernon, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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Senior Care Mt Vernon, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Mt Vernon, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming
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Respite Care Mt Vernon, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
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Caregivers Mt Vernon, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mt. Vernon Dog Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
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Home Care Mt Vernon, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lincoln Wine Bar or visit Villa Louis Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

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In-Home Care Mt Vernon, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Mt Vernon, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Mt Vernon, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Elderly Care Mt Vernon, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
Senior Care Mt Vernon, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mt Vernon, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.

Respite Care Mt Vernon, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
Caregivers Mt Vernon, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Cherry Ridge Independent and Assisted Living
  • Hallmark Care Center - ABCM Corporation
  • StoneBridge Memory Care - Mt. Vernon
  • Residential Living Center
  • Mt Vernon Living Assisted Center
  • Heritage Woods of Mt. Vernon
Home Care Mt Vernon, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

In-Home Care Mt Vernon, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mt Vernon, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

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Elderly Care Mt Vernon, IA

Latest News in Mt Vernon, IA

Photos: Williamsburg vs. Mount Vernon in 2023 Class 3A Iowa high school football state quarterfinals

No. 3 Williamsburg beat No. 4 Mount Vernon 38-35 in a Class 3A Iowa high school state football quarterfinal game Friday night.Williamsburg High School, ...

No. 3 Williamsburg beat No. 4 Mount Vernon 38-35 in a Class 3A Iowa high school state football quarterfinal game Friday night.

Williamsburg High School, Mount Vernon High School

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Mount Vernon jokester turns 100, mayor declares ‘Fred Lehman Day’

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Six days a week a group meets in the basement of Bauman’s clothing store in Mount Vernon for coffee and conversation. The turnout on Thursday was larger than normal, and for good reason. It’s Fred Lehman’s 100th birthday.“It means yesterday I was 99. Much younger, much younger,” Fred laughed.He is known for his sense of humor, and he’s been bringing it to the coffee group for decades.“I try to get here everyday, if Fred’s here I don’t want t...

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Six days a week a group meets in the basement of Bauman’s clothing store in Mount Vernon for coffee and conversation. The turnout on Thursday was larger than normal, and for good reason. It’s Fred Lehman’s 100th birthday.

“It means yesterday I was 99. Much younger, much younger,” Fred laughed.

He is known for his sense of humor, and he’s been bringing it to the coffee group for decades.

“I try to get here everyday, if Fred’s here I don’t want to miss him,” said Rick Elliott of Mount Vernon.

“They meet every morning, I don’t make it every morning, some mornings I’m tired,” Fred told us.

He carried his jokes online during the pandemic to reach people in isolation.

“Fred’s a community icon, been doing wonderful things all of his life. He’s a very calm and joyous personality,” said David Ryan of Mount Vernon.

It’s why celebrating Fred’s 100th birthday was a day many couldn’t miss.

”I would have come two or three states to be at this thing right now,” said Mike Kortmeyer of Mount Vernon.

The day was marked in Mount Vernon history, with a proclamation by Mayor Thomas Wieseler.

“I now, Thomas M. Wieseler, by the power vested in me as the mayor of Mount Vernon, with the entire citizenry of the commonwealth of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, do solemnly proclaim and declare this 26th day of January, in the year of our lord 2023 Fred Lehman Day. Hear ye! Hear ye,” Wieseler said to a room full of applause.

Fred has done much more over the years than keep people laughing. He served as a marine in 1945 and has been a member of the Mount Vernon American Legion for 75 years, and the Lion’s Club for 70 years.

He says the secret to being 100 is good genes and his loving family, but if you ask his friends they’ll tell you his unwavering sense of humor has played a role.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Williamsburg tops Mount Vernon in a 3A state football quarterfinal classic, 38-35

WILLIAMSBURG — This is a team chock-full of playmakers.Simeon Armbrecht might be down a ways on that depth chart. But the defensive lineman’s deflection and interception was as big a play as any.“I jumped, got a hand on it and came down with it,” he said.In a game with few defensive stops, Armbrecht’s third-quarter play helped No. 3 Williamsburg edge No. 4 ...

WILLIAMSBURG — This is a team chock-full of playmakers.

Simeon Armbrecht might be down a ways on that depth chart. But the defensive lineman’s deflection and interception was as big a play as any.

“I jumped, got a hand on it and came down with it,” he said.

In a game with few defensive stops, Armbrecht’s third-quarter play helped No. 3 Williamsburg edge No. 4 Mount Vernon, 38-35, in a Class 3A quarterfinal dandy Friday at Bob Murphy Stadium.

“I’m blessed that I got to make it through the season fully healthy,” said Ambrecht, who suffered a torn ACL in the Raiders’ first playoff game last year.

Williamsburg (10-1) will get another crack at No. 2 Solon (10-1) in a semifinal at 7 p.m. next Saturday at the UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls.

Solon outlasted West Delaware, 36-35, Friday. The Spartans defeated Williamsburg, 21-14, in Week 7.

“You always like to get another chance at a team that beats you,” Raiders Coach Curt Ritchie said. “Hopefully, we play better this time.”

Rayce Heitman scored three touchdowns for the Raiders, including the go-ahead score — a 55-yard pass from Derek Weisskopf, which put the Raiders in front, 31-28, with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

Mount Vernon (9-2) began its next drive at its own 29. On the first play, Armbrecht got his mitts on Joey Rhomberg’s pass, which sailed straight up, then straight down into Armbrecht’s hands.

Six plays later, Heitman scored on a 1-yard run to make it 38-28, and the Raiders held on.

“That kid can play football,” Weisskopf said of Heitman.

A future Iowa Hawkeye, Weisskopf completed 9 of 14 passes for 144 yards, and rushed 12 times for 110.

“I’m liking (quarterback),” he said. “I trust that the coaches will put me in the right positions and right places to execute.”

Weisskopf understood that he had been part of a memorable game.

“One of the best I’ve ever been in,” he said. “It’s definitely one game that will jump into my brain and stay there.”

The Raiders prevailed despite surrendering 457 yards, including 315 in the air by Rhomberg.

“I didn’t think anybody could score that many on our defense,” said Ritchie, who will take his third straight team to the UNI-Dome. “They made plays.”

But the Raiders had two key takeaways.

The second was Armbrecht’s. The first — and it was a biggie — came from Heitman.

Mount Vernon led 21-17 late in the first half and had the ball, first and goal at the 5.

Rhomberg fired to the right flat, but Heitman picked it off and returned it to the 14.

“He made a great play on a play that had been good to us all year,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen said. “They they were able to drive the field, so it became a 14-point swing.”

Williamsburg marched 90 yards in nine plays, with Weisskopf connecting with John Eichhorn on a 16-yard scoring strike with 0:20 left in the half.

Instead of potentially trailing 28-17 at halftime, Williamsburg led 24-21.

Mount Vernon scored on its first drive of the second half (Jackson Hird did the honors on a 5-yard run) for a 28-24 advantage, but the Raiders answered with their back-to-back TDs, and ultimately advanced.

“It’s tough that this game was in the quarterfinals,” Pedersen said. “Give Williamsburg a lot of credit. They did what they did to win.”

Williamsburg 38, Mount Vernon 35

Class 3A Quarterfinal, at Williamsburg

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: MV 22, WILL 18

Rushes-yards: MV 27-142, WILL 37-231

Passing yards: MV 315, WILL 144

Passing: MV 19-36-2, WILL 9-14-0

Total yards: MV 457, WILL 375

Fumbles-lost: MV 0-0, WILL 1-1

Punts-average: MV 1-25.0, WILL 2-39.0

Penalties-yards: MV 4-47, WILL 3-17

SCORING SUMMARY

Mount Vernon 7 14 7 7 — 35

Williamsburg 10 14 14 0 — 38

MV — Evan Brase 10 pass from Joey Rhomberg (Bennett Harp kick)

WILL — FG Logan Rethwisch 25

WILL — Rayce Heitman 19 pass from Derek Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Watson Krob 59 pass from Rhomberg (Harp kick)

WILL — Clayten Steckly 29 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Rhomberg 1 run (Harp kick)

WILL — John Eichhorn 16 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Jackson Hird 6 run (Harp kick)

WILL — Heitman 55 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

WILL — Heitman 1 run (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Brase 8 pass from Rhomberg (Harp kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Mount Vernon — Jackson Hird 16-96, Joey Rhomberg 9-41, Jase Jaspers 1-4, Evan Brase 1-1. Williamsburg — Derek Weisskopf 12-110, Nile Sinn 15-94, Rayce Heitman 8-37, Team 2-(minus 10).

Passing

Mount Vernon — Rhomberg 19-36-2-315, Williamsburg — Weisskopf 9-14-0-144.

Receiving

Mount Vernon — Brase 9-117, Jaspers 5-79, Watson Krob 2-96, Hird 2-23, Ethan Wood 1-0. Williamsburg — Heitman 4-90, Clayten Steckly 3-35, John Eichhorn 1-16, Braylon Wetjen 1-3.

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For Mount Vernon pupils, it’s learning aboard a s’cool bus

Bus converted into classroom with help of students, staff and contractorsGrace King MOUNT VERNON — Washington Elementary School teacher Kari Martin is teaching students in an extended learning program inside a school bus converted into a classroom.For more than a year, students, staff and professional contractors have been working to renovate the space from a school bus into what it is today. Martin said when her class met on the b...

Bus converted into classroom with help of students, staff and contractors

Grace King

MOUNT VERNON — Washington Elementary School teacher Kari Martin is teaching students in an extended learning program inside a school bus converted into a classroom.

For more than a year, students, staff and professional contractors have been working to renovate the space from a school bus into what it is today. Martin said when her class met on the bus for the first time in mid-September, it was full week before any academic work was done. The kids were just so excited.

Martin said the students traditionally have met in the library — a distraction for the students in the library and also in the extended learning program, which provides students with high abilities accelerated learning to meet their academic needs.

“It helps tremendously to have a dedicated space for these groups,” Martin said.

The converted school bus is a project the Mount Vernon Community School District tackled as one of 38 Iowa school districts to receive up to $40,000 each in state grants under the STEM BEST HD program. The program focuses on high-demand skills in science, technology, engineering and math and was supported by an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.

In an interview last year with The Gazette, Susannah Maddock, Mount Vernon K-12 extended learning program teacher, said her research found other schools across the United States doing similar projects, and she was inspired.

The converted bus is not mobile and no longer has wheels.

Up to 10 students and their teacher can file on to the bus, which has been renovated with the dashboard, driver’s seat and bench seats removed. A new floor was added — laid by fourth-graders — and an air conditioner and baseboard heating unit installed.

There are a couple small tables and chairs — also put together by students — but students primarily find comfortable seating on a play couch with a secure base low to the ground, a soft cushion and supportive pillows. There is even a Promethean board, an interactive whiteboard that helps engage students in learning.

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High school students in industrial arts classes and Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates also contributed to building the classroom.

Jessica Fitzpatrick, a behavior interventionist at Washington Elementary, acted as a project manager while the school bus was being converted. Her background volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to build houses helped prepare her for this project immensely, she said.

Fitzpatrick said Martin was the right teacher who would “dive in and teach on a school bus.”

"She’s not rigid in her thinking or teaching style,“ Fitzpatrick said. ”From the very beginning, she was like, ‘Great, I’m all in. Let’s do it.’”

“As we grow and need more space, I think the bus isn’t here out of necessity. I don’t feel like we have to have a bus for a classroom because we don’t have space. It’s not this or a portable. There are things that are challenging. Kids have to wear coats to get here. Getting kindergartners from their hallway out to the bus,“ Fitzpatrick said.

Giving students the opportunity to pitch in on the bus project gave many of them a “confidence boost,” Fitzpatrick said.

“It’s so nice to be able to provide kids opportunities to show where they have strengths. We had kids who maybe in the classroom are struggling or behaviorally and we brought them out here, and they were a rock star,” Fitzpatrick said.

That contribution also gave students a sense of ownership and pride over the bus.

The next project surrounding the bus will be to work with an art teacher to have a mural painted to replace the yellow paint, Fitzpatrick said.

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Harlan's fourth quarter comeback over Mount Vernon secures second straight Class 3A state title

CEDAR FALLS — Harlan football has been a mainstay in the Iowa high school state tournament for Class 3A and came into Friday’s game against Mount Vernon as the reigning champions.With a roster featuring an Iowa commit in Aidan Hall and one of the most prolific quarterbacks the state has ever seen in Teagon Kasperbauer, it was expected that the Cyclones would storm past the Mustangs for their 14th state title.That was not the case. Not at all.Harlan did win back-to-back state titles, but it took...

CEDAR FALLS — Harlan football has been a mainstay in the Iowa high school state tournament for Class 3A and came into Friday’s game against Mount Vernon as the reigning champions.

With a roster featuring an Iowa commit in Aidan Hall and one of the most prolific quarterbacks the state has ever seen in Teagon Kasperbauer, it was expected that the Cyclones would storm past the Mustangs for their 14th state title.

That was not the case. Not at all.

Harlan did win back-to-back state titles, but it took a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Mount Vernon, 30-23, and the Mustangs did not make it easy.

It started with a quarterback battle. There’s Kasperbauer on Harlan’s side, a player who finished his high school career with two state championships, the fifth most passing yards and the second most passing touchdowns in 11-player history. Kasperbauer finished the title game with 220 yards and three touchdowns.

With the win, he solidified his place in Iowa high school football history.

“I assume there’s probably some great people up there,” Kasperbauer said of his records. “That’s a pretty awesome feeling, but honestly, I’m just glad we came out on top. That’s all that matters.”

On Mount Vernon’s side, they were without starting quarterback Joey Rhomberg. Instead, it was running back Henry Ryan who took over behind center. He recorded 64 passing yards and one passing touchdown in addition to 29 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.

“What a performance, huh?” Mustangs coach Lance Pedersen said postgame. “To have a kid that went from running back and, in five days, we made him a quarterback and he almost won a state title for us. I’m just very proud of Henry. He’s a competitor, he’s a fighter and I knew he’d give us his all and he did.”

It was a matchup between the highest-scoring offense in 3A (Harlan, 49.2 ppg) and the defense allowing the fewest points (Mount Vernon, 5.4 ppg). That matchup did not disappoint, with Harlan racking up the most points by a Mount Vernon opponent and the Mustangs scoring the third most points against the Cyclones all season.

Let’s talk about Mount Vernon’s defense for a moment.

Kasperbauer had thrown three interceptions all season coming into Friday’s game. The Mustangs picked him off twice in the championship, and Mount Vernon’s defense recovered two of Harlan’s three fumbles. In any other game, that’s a winning defensive performance.

“One of the things we ask is for a championship effort and we felt that was the case tonight,” Pedersen said. “We just didn’t get it done. When you’re going into a championship game, the other team’s obviously very good and they want to win as well. I was just so proud of our defense to keep us in the game as much as possible.”

There were some pregame jitters for both teams to work out. Mount Vernon got to its own 34-yard line on the first drive but was forced to punt. Harlan’s first drive ended in a fumble on the first play. The Mustangs got the ball back and, at first, the Harlan defense stepped up.

Mount Vernon lost four yards on the first play of the second drive and followed that with two incomplete passes. On fourth down, though, Jensen Meeker caught a 32-yard pass from Henry Ryan for the first points of the night. Harlan stopped the scoring there, though, when Matthew Sorfonden blocked the extra point.

On the next drive, the Cyclones marched 84 yards on six plays, capped by a touchdown from Aidan Hall.

But that was the only scoring play for Harlan in the first half. The Cyclones offense that has piled points on opponents all season struggled to score against Mount Vernon. Sure, Harlan led the way with 130 total yards of offense and seven first downs in the first half – compared to the Mustangs’ 70 yards and four first downs.

But time of possession told a different story. Mount Vernon kept the ball for 12:44 in the first two quarters; Harlan was close behind with 11:16 of possession. Shorter fields and longer possessions – plus a late second quarter field goal – helped the Mustangs, and Mount Vernon went to the locker room at halftime with a narrow 9-7 lead.

The Mustangs continued their success into the second half. Meeker intercepted a pass from Kasperbauer on the third play of the quarter and put Mount Vernon in scoring position on the 25-yard line. Harlan’s defense made another stop, and the kick was no good.

Mount Vernon wasn’t giving up that easy, scoring 16 unanswered points in the third quarter.Kasperbauer threw his first touchdown of the day to Jacob Birch with 16 seconds remaining in the third frame and Cade Sears pulled in the two-point conversion, but the Mustangs 8-point lead held strong heading into the fourth quarter.

The final 12 minutes featured that tough offense versus tough defense again. Mount Vernon would make a big play, and Harlan's offense would find a way to keep moving the ball forward. The Cyclones converted 3-of-3 fourth down attempts. The Mustangs converted 2-of-3.

"First half, we struggled a little bit," Hall said. "We made adjustments...and we started making plays. (Jacob) Birch and Cade Sears, they came up big for us."

And that otherwise shutdown defense from Mount Vernon? It allowed Harlan to tie the game at 23 apiece with 3:39 left on the clock. It was the Cyclones defense that made the next stop, forcing the Mustangs to punt and give the ball back to Harlan's offense with 2:04 remaining.

On the second play of the drive, Kasperbauer connected on a 48-yard pass to Sears, and the Cyclones took their first lead since the opening frame with under a minute and a half to go. Harlan stopped Mount Vernon again, took over on downs from the 15-yard line and took a knee to end the game.

For Hall, who is used to winning games by larger margins with Harlan, he relished in the excitement of a close matchup.

"Closer games are more fun to play," Hall said about the Cyclones comeback. "It's not fun just blowing out every team. I'm glad these guys gave us a run for our money."

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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