Several years back, a beloved coach and teacher, Mr. Richard Erb, painted an mural in the lobby of his then school of emoloyment, Nishna Valley Blackhawks of Hastings, Iowa.

Like all small towns in this country, Nishna Valley and other small schools in the area have been severely affected by the lack of work and economic sustainability.  Many individuals and families were forced to leave these quaint towns and head to bigger cities with the hope of economic growth and success.  The population numbers dwindled and schools were forced to merge.

Two of the schools that merged were the Malvern Panthers and the Nishna Valley Blackhawks.  Bitter rivals until the end of their demise.

The new school is now called East Mills with the junior high and high school housing in the old Malvern Panther High School.  And the elementary housing at the old school of Nishna Valley.

With this merger, the community has worked hard to embrace the history of both schools while being respectful to promoting the new school's colors and mascot.

In the lobby entrance of the Nishna Valley school, Mr. Dick (Richard) Erb painted a beautiful mural memorializing the original four schools, Henderson, Emerson, Hastings and Strahan, that formed the Nishna Valley school along with a painting of a Blackhawk Indian on a horse raising his arms to the sky.

The administration and school board are planning to paint over this piece of art in 2 weeks.  We MUST work hard and swiftly to save this piece of history.