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Making plays for a future: an alumni story

Waterloo alumnus Nate Ewell playing football as a linebacker for the Grand View Vikings
Waterloo alumnus Nate Ewell playing football as a linebacker for the Grand View Vikings

According to Nate Ewell, 2021 West High graduate, teachers at all grades can help their students navigate life, offering impactful advice and lessons throughout their academic career. 

“I used to get in trouble so much as a kid,” said Ewell. “I’d always get my work done and be bored. I remember Mr. Z pulled me aside and said, ‘you’re going to be in my class,’ which ended up helping me out a lot. I have a real tight bond with him still today.” 

Now a sophomore at Grand View College in Des Moines, Ewell plays football as a linebacker for the Vikings, occasionally making the trip back to Irving Elementary to help inspire the next generation of Waterloo athletes. 

Ewell and his two nieces Dakaiyya and Dekeyah
Ewell and his two nieces Dakaiyya and Dekeyah

Thankfully, he’s got two nieces who constantly encourage him to stop by. Ewell says he enjoys the visits where he can reconnect with childhood mentors. Having played football since second grade, Irving is where his love for the sport first began. 

“My mom and auntie were talking about football before I got started,” said Ewell. “In high school, playing against my friends kept me on my toes, and kept me competitive.”

Playing at Grand View is something Ewell enjoys, and wants to share to help inspire other WaHawk and Trojan athletes. He says the support from his family and friends is what has made it all worthwhile. 

For aspiring student-athletes, Ewell says, “Don’t give up, no matter what happens. You always have yourself, so never give up on yourself. Everything is already mapped out for you, you just have to follow the path.” 

Grand View finished their football season 13-1 this fall, making it all the way to the NAIA Semifinal playoffs with Waterloo’s favorite #10 player. 

Ewell on the field as number ten for the Grand View Vikings
Ewell on the field as number ten for the Grand View Vikings

Waterloo Schools All Conference Athletes

Students often discover life lessons while playing team sports. Lessons such collaboration, appreciation, and understanding, are integral to both athletes and students finding their own way in life. This fall, our high school students learned a great deal about themselves while also achieving excellence in their sports. 

Freshman swimmer, Irma Mujic, says for her it was all about learning to keep an upbeat attitude. 

“I think that to put effort in every day, even if it’s a bad day, you still want to push yourself because every day matters,” said Mujic. “If you want it, it will happen.” 

While this was Mujic’s first time competing at the all-conference swim meet, she was excited to make a splash in Dubuque and swim hard with her Waterloo United teammates, where she placed in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle events. 

Sophomore, Pressley Berns, was thrilled to place 28th at the District Cross Country meet in October, earning him an All-Conference honorable mention. 

“My coach said to think positive,” said Berns. “He said that anything can happen if you give it your all.” 

Senior volleyball player, Sierra (CiCi) Moore, says that teamwork is what made the all conference selections memorable for her this fall. 

“I have been playing with some of my teammates since freshman year, and some since middle school. We have all dreamed of this,” said Moore. “All of us that made first team, second team, and even honorable mention, we all worked hard. We never gave up.” 

Across Waterloo Schools, student athletes are showing up and proving to the rest of Iowa how bold they can be. Congratulations to the following all-conference athletes:

Boys Cross Country

  • Pressley Berns, Sophomore, Honorable Mention

Girls Volleyball

  • Sahara Williams, Senior, First Team
  • Natalie See, Senior, First Team
  • Nyla Norman, Senior, First Team
  • Tionn Wise, Senior, First Team 
  • Sierra (CiCi) Moore, Senior, Second Team
  • Faith Benhoff, Senior, Second Team
  • Karsyn Miller, Senior, Second Team
  • Savannah Ringhedon, Senior, Honorable Mention
  • Addyson Haase, Senior, Honorable Mention
  • Bailey Schoepske, Junior, Honorable Mention

Girls Swimming and Diving 

  • Avery Hogan, Senior, First Team All Conference – placed second in diving
  • Irma Mujic, Freshman, Third Team All Conference – placed sixth in 200 free relay
  • Molly Clark, Junior, Third Team All Conference – placed sixth in 200 free relay
  • Lily Schwickerath, Junior, Third Team All Conference – placed sixth in 200 free relay
  • Haley Stainbrook, Junior, Third Team All Conference – placed sixth in 200 free relay

Boys Football

Class 5A MVC All Conference

  • Kyle Elliot, Senior, Defense, First Team
  • Branden Bauler, Junior, Defense, First Team
  • Drew Hundley, Junior, Defense, First Team
  • Evan Schaver, Senior, Offense, First Team
  • Cavelle Fay, Senior, Offense, First Team
  • Parker Engstrom, Senior, Offense, Second Team
  • Bryce Westemeier, Sophomore, Defense, Second Team
  • Terez Smith, Senior, Defense, Second Team
  • Anell Kudic, Senior, Offense, Second Team
  • Alex Willis, Senior, Offense, Honorable Mention
  • Jacob Mueller, Junior, Defense, Honorable Mention
  • Smith Pompilus, Senior, Offense, Honorable Mention
  • Dalton Aldrich, Sophomore, Defense, Honorable Mention

North Division – Iowa Alliance All Conference

  • Billy Clark, First Team
  • Ahdan Muhammad, First Team
  • Jameel Montgomery, Second Team
  • James Johnson, Second Team
  • Shakur Wright, Second Team
  • Maceo Hicks, Second Team
  • Keeron Veasley-Harris,  Honorable Mention
  • Chance Scoggins,  Honorable Mention
  • Vari Clark,  Honorable Mention
  • Jeremiah Clark, Honorable Mention
  • Quentin Hart, Honorable Mention
  • Jahki Parker, Honorable Mention

Learning about the Process of Progress with Larry Johnson

When walking around the halls with Larry Johnson, you quickly become surrounded by student smiles and their ongoing requests for pictures. His happiness is contagious after all, and whether it’s a lunch room chat, a classroom interview, or a quick hello in the parking lot, somehow, he always knows how to make your day just a little bit brighter. 

That’s the description heard time and time again, when speaking to the staff at Carver and East High about Mr. Johnson. This Waterloo alumnus has found his calling here at Waterloo Schools, but a few years ago, he might have never guessed his calling would be so close to home. 

During his time at East High School, Johnson was one of the school’s star student athletes. Often seen as a kind-hearted leader, he was awarded the Sports Leadership Award all four years of high school, in addition to two Student of the Month awards, and the coveted East High Heart Award. Throughout his years at East, Johnson was a multi-varsity athlete, shining both in football during the fall and in track & field throughout the spring. 

After graduation, he felt somewhat lost, and after a short while playing at Iowa Central College, he came home to Waterloo where he had his first son. At the time, it seemed logical to continue taking classes at Hawkeye Community College, and there he focused on Sports Science. After transitioning away from classwork, Johnson found himself working as a valet at Allen Hospital. He enjoyed interacting with people as they received care, and one of his co-workers noted how much heart he has for working with others. 

That bit of encouragement sparked an idea, reminding him of a place where he’d always loved to light up those around him: East High School. Sure enough, the Junior Trojans were in need of a coach, and Johnson was just the person to help them climb to the top. Nothing made him happier than coaching future Trojans and seeing them grow both on and off the field. Eventually, Johnson landed a staff position as a paraeducator with East High as well, working with students in the classroom. According to Johnson, it felt like he’d found his calling. 

His former teachers and co-workers took notice, and enjoyed seeing all the positivity Johnson brought to East. According to Christopher Tims, East High teacher, Johnson is a go-getter who leads by example in whatever he expects out of his students. “I always appreciate his positive energy,” said Tims. “You can’t help but be happy when he’s around.” 

His positive attitude was contagious, and soon George Washington Carver Academy wanted to share some of that positivity with their students as well. In the fall of 2022, Johnson accepted the position of behavior specialist alongside new principal, Joshua Payton. 

Payton had seen firsthand the impact Johnson has on his students at East, and was excited to work alongside him again. “Larry is an amazing, caring, and positive educator who continually works to build positive relationships with the students and staff at George Washington Carver Academy,” said Payton. “Through his million-dollar smile and tenacity, he sees the best in everyone. Larry is an amazing asset to our community.”

As a behavior specialist, Johnson gets to work with students one-on-one to help support them and their growth within the building. “I love helping kids integrate who they feel like they have to be and who they actually are,” said Johnson. As he often tells his students, “Progress is progress when you’re in the process.” Waterloo Schools is thankful that his process led him here. 

EAST HIGH CELEBRATES NEW FOOTBALL INDUCTEES AT 2022 RING OF HONOR CEREMONY

Waterloo, IA –  Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 6:30 PM East High School is hosting its 18th annual Ring of Honor event, celebrating six new inductees into the Trojan’s football alumni organization. 

The organization was founded in 2005 by former East High School Football Coach, Charlie Aldrich. While the first round of honorees were chosen in ‘05 by a group vote among the football staff, this heart-felt tradition now carries out an annual meeting each April among its current inductees, nominating and selecting the new honorees who will be inducted that fall. 

“The Ring of Honor is a great opportunity for us to bridge that generational gap; the common denominators of love for football, and love of playing football for East High,” commented Aldrich. “The whole purpose of this event is remembering, recognizing, and acknowledging the rich history, heritage, and tradition of East High Football.” 

“As a former athlete, it’s important to me that we recognize and honor the work of our players, remembering the continual impact they create,” added Joseph Parker, East High Principal  

This year’s honorees include Chuck Carpenter (‘92), Russel Jones (‘12), Marcus Mangum (‘88), Rudy Martin (‘67), Dickie Smith (‘67), Lloyd Tims (‘79), and memorial honoree Adam Van Syoc (‘94).

According to Tim Moses, East High Athletic Director, the school currently boasts a total of six State Football Championships, seven All-American Football Players, 100+ All-State Football Players, and three East High Alumni that played in the National Football League. 

East High School is thankful to be able to celebrate their athletes for years to come, and wants their students to know, “We never forget our players,” Aldrich remarked.

The East High Trojans continue their 2022 Football Season Friday evening against the North Des Moines Polar Bears at Grubb Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.  

About Waterloo Schools

The Waterloo Schools community commits to a comprehensive system of education and support to assure that each and every student will graduate prepared for college, career, and citizenship as evidenced by continuing education, pursuing a career path, and contributing to a community. 

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