REINBECK – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck PTO is partnering with eight current members of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Panthers volleyball team in an effort to raise funds for a new, inclusive elementary school playground.

“We were trying to think of (fundraising) ideas. We’re pretty fortunate that [UNI] is so close to us and we knew that there were some girls from the area that play on the team. … We did some virtual meetings and here we are,” G-R elementary principal Shaun Lehmann told the newspaper about the inaugural three-day camp’s origins.

The all-skills camp is open to any girl – no matter the school district – in grades 3-8. Camp will take place on three consecutive Saturdays this coming January, including Jan. 17, Jan. 24, and Jan. 31, at the secondary building located at 600 Blackhawk St. in Reinbeck. Campers may register for a single session or multiple sessions at a discounted rate. Each session will be capped at 48 players. Grade groupings are as follows: grades 3-4 from noon to 1 p.m.; grades 5-6 from 1:30-2:30 p.m; and grades 7-8 from 3-4:30 p.m.

While G-R is hosting the camp, UNI volleyball players are running the show, Lehmann said, including freshman defensive specialist/libero Payton Askelsen; sophomore setter Reese Booth; redshirt freshman middle blocker Maryn Bixby – a Dike-New Hartford alumna; freshman defensive specialist/libero Sophie Buysse; senior opposite hitter Calia Clubb – a Clear Creek Amana alumna; freshman defensive specialist/libero Jadyn Petersen – a Dike-New Hartford alumna; redshirt sophomore middle blocker Kaitlyn Sellner; and redshirt freshman opposite hitter/middle blocker Kamryn Vogt.

The registration deadline for the volleyball camp is Dec. 31, 2025. More information, including cost and registration, can be found by visiting https://tinyurl.com/GRvbcamp. A spring camp for girls in grades K-2 is also in the works.

Profits from the camp will be split between G-R’s playground fund and the UNI volleyball players.

A playground for every child

G-R’s new, inclusive playground will be located on the south side of the elementary building in Reinbeck.

“There’s not really much there right now,” Lehmann said before adding that both the existing zip line and climbing apparatus will be removed to make way for the new equipment which will all be ADA-compliant. While Lehmann declined to disclose how much had been raised so far for the new playground, he did tell the newspaper the district will be contributing some funding and that they have “a ways to go” to meet the fundraising goal. But his hope is to have the new playground ready for the 2026-27 school year.

“Our playgrounds are used throughout the year by the community. We don’t have a fence. [An ADA-compliant] playground will be beneficial to all kids.”

To donate directly to the playground fund, contact Lehmann at 319-345-2822 or email shaun.lehmann@gr-rebels.net.

Aaliyah Green

Millbrook — Junior 

Outside hitter

Green ranked first in the area in kills per set (5.40), sixth in digs per set (2.95) and eighth in aces per set (0.68). Class 4 State, Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection. Northwestern District and Winchester Star Player of the Year. 

Brenna Corbin

James Wood — Senior

Outside hitter

Corbin led the area in total aces (96) and tied for first in aces per set (0.99). Ranked third in digs per set (3.69) and fifth in kills per set (2.94). Class 4 State, Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection. 

Kennedy Spaid

James Wood — Senior

Outside hitter

Spaid ranked first in the area in total kills (458) and third in kills per set (4.87). Ranked seventh in digs per set and aces per set. Class 4 State, Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection. 

Isabel Aliveto

Clarke County — Junior

Outside hitter

Aliveto ranked second in area in total kills (428) and kills per set (5.16). She ranked ninth in aces per set (0.66) and tied for 12th in digs per set (2.37). Class 2, Region 2B and Bull Run District First Team selection. Bull Run District Player of the Year. 

Breeze Johnson

Handley — Sophomore 

Outside hitter

Johnson ranked 4th in the area in kills per set (3.73) and digs per set (3.65) and placed 3rd in aces per set (0.82). Class 4 State Second Team and Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection. 

McKenna Homans

Millbrook — Freshman

Setter/hitter

Homans ranked 14th in kills per set (1.62), sixth in assists (4.32), seventh in blocks (0.57), 11th in digs (2.42) and 12th in aces (0.61). Only area player to rank top 15 in all five major statistical categories. Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection.

Bryn Franzen

Clarke County — Senior

Middle hitter

Franzen ranked 5th in area in blocks per set (0.65) and 11th in kills per set (1.89). Class 2 State Second Team. Region 2B and Bull Run District First Team selection. 

Avery Curtis

Sherando — Freshman

Middle hitter

Curtis led the area in total blocks (78) and blocks per set (1.05) and ranked 6th in kills per set (2.45). Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection.

Kate Madden

Millbrook — Junior

Libero

Madden led the area in total digs (368) and digs per set (4.91). Ranked 13th in  aces per set (0.60). Region 4D and Northwestern District First Team selection.

Jillian Emmart

Clarke County — Senior

Setter

Emmart led area in total assists (596) and assists per set (7.64) and averaged 1.94 digs per set.