By Al Rabenold
The Montezuma Community School District has had nine superintendents over the past 95 years, from 1927 to the present – 2022 – with Pella natives serving as bookends.
Can you name all nine superintendents, in order, without referring to a school yearbook?
Clue: I was a student, under the three superintendents pictured below. I served as a teacher/coach or athletic director for the middle three Superintendents and served on the school board for the last three Superintendents. Can you name all nine in the correct order?
Pella native, R. A. Vanderwal, served as our Superintendent from 1927 to 1962, 35 years. Dr. Leland Thomson was next in line and later moved on to the University of Northern Iowa. James Carroll, was a former state champion girls basketball coach at Goldfield, came to Montezuma just as girls basketball coach Carroll Rugland was coaching the Bravettes to state titles. Next in line was Mr. Lew Lundy who had been a teacher, coach, and principal before becoming our next Superintendent.
PHOTO BY ROGER ALLEN