Layout By: Anna Shriner-Blair
Cast prep, mindsets to get into character
Reporter Anna Shriner-Blair
e musical is an incredibly challenging activity, physically and mentally. Students need to vocally and physically prepare for the impending show they are about to perform. But every student may have a di erent way of preparing. How one prepares mostly depends on their mindset that they currently have. A good mindset means great preparation, which also means a great show.
Daniel Deras ‘26 uses the mindset of how many people are sitting in the audience to mentally prepare.
“Walking through the show and seeing other people get into character kind of forces me to lock in, in a sense, and get into the mode of performing,” Deras said. “Just kind of visualizing the mood for the songs and the scenes also helps me get into character.”
No matter what role in the musical, actors always need to prepare for any situation. Dakota Zimmerman ‘27 has three di erent roles in the musical and prepares to stay on stage for most of the play.
“It sucks, not because I don’t have a lot of lines,” Zimmerman said. “ at part’s really nice, but it’s because I don’t really have a whole lot of time to be o stage, and just kind of like prep.” With all of his characters, Zimmerman wants all of them, including the major one, to be kind or understanding. “I want to be nicer to Quasimodo,” Zimmerman said. “Because a lot of my lines are like me directly talking to him, just saying, ‘hey, it’s all good.’”
e musical’s cast isn’t the only people who need a positive mindset, however. Most importantly, the
director needs a positive mindset to make sure the cast members get to the stage on time, make sure the show runs smoothly, and make sure everyone takes accountability for their actions. Director Ryan Dusso has to deal with and put up with all of the cast and himself to make sure that the best performances can be produced.
“I’m just making sure everybody’s accountable for their own things,” Dusso said. “ ings like rehearsing in music class, a er school, checking in, and just making sure everyone is taking notes.”
ose are more of the end-game mindsets, but before one even thinks about those mindsets, they have to establish a beginning-game mindset,
like the musical’s set. e set’s layout, cost, and most importantly, the builder need to be determined far before even practicing on the stage.
“ e set needs a couple of layers, so practical, making sure it ts the story we’re trying to tell, nancially responsible, so that way we’re not spending a lot of money putting together something, and that it’s aesthetically pleasing, so it looks good and it still functions as it should,” Dusso said. “Finding a set builder has been challenging. So, a lot of parent volunteers and a lot of free time to be able to do it myself, but we’ve had a lot of really good parent volunteers.” Once the set has
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Clockwise From Top Left: Daniel Deras singing Made of Stone, Dakota Zimmerman in Topsy Turvey, Memphis Brown singing Rest and Recreation and Kyle Holmes working sound. James Bey, Delaney Gasper & Rylie Herring - Photographers
How much work does it take?
Reporter Emma Young
e school musical is something students look forward to watching.
e Addam’s Family, e Wizard of Oz, Mamma Mia, and now e Hunchback of Notre Dame, it’s challenging every year, but not everyone knows how much time and e ort goes into learning lines, practice and rehearsals.
Musical practices usually start somewhere in December or January, giving the cast roughly 3-4 months of practice before opening night.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, performed in the BFAC at Fairbury Jr-Sr High. Who will be crowned the King of Fools? Watch to find out, and see Esmerelda and Captain Phoebus have a touching moment. Delaney Gasper - Photographer
“Times di er depending on what we need done.” Junior Tripp Shultz said. “Sometimes practice goes from 4:00-5:30, and sometimes it goes from 6:00-9:00.”
Practices are almost every day, giving the cast members as much time as possible to prepare for the show. Although, some people practice outside of rehearsal. ey take the time to practice their lines, music, and choreography.
“If I’m not doing anything during my classes, that’s usually when I take the time to go over my lines or music.” Lianna Wallin ‘28 said.
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Cast mindset for getting into character varies by individual
been settled, the next step would be the costumes and props. is step could be easy, but the di culty in the step would come from the cost.
“ e average cost per costume is about $30 per garment,” Dusso said. “We’ve utilized Amazon. ere are a couple of costume houses in the area, the Beatrice Community Playhouse, and there are a couple of other costume shops as well that we utilize.”
What some people don’t know is that some kids who are in the musical have to put aside other things to make it work. ings such as their job, family, and maybe even other activities they’re involved in. It can make it di cult, and even a bit stressful, but it shows how committed they are to put on a good show.
“Personally, I haven’t had to put o much, but I did have to change my hours at work,” Shultz said. “I don’t hang out with my family as much as I used to since practices started.”
e play itself isn’t the only deciding factor that contributes to the actor’s mindset; however, it also kind of depends on how long the actor has been acting. A newer actor may experience fear and anxiety, which may deteriorate the actor’s performing skills on stage.
However, a more experienced actor may be prepared for the worst and keep a stable mindset and perform a worthy show. Students like Daniel Deras have put years and years of experience into the musical, which has helped him learn a lot of di erent skills.
“I would say the time I have put in has been worth it, just because it has taught me to deal with a lot of things and to grow in my performances
throughout my years here,” Deras said. “It has also taught me how to interact with other people who are in the musical and how to be mature during rehearsals. And it has just overall helped my voice and my career as a performer.”
Whether experienced or just a rookie, all actors value something in the musical. Something in the musical could be incredibly important to an actor, which could also help an actor with their performance and approach.
“Being with my friends mainly,” Zimmerman said. It doesn’t even have to be that I actually enjoy the play. I enjoyed it last year, but the best part is just being with my friends.”
Groups face differences in State projects
Reporter Katelin Hynek
While the FCCLA, FBLA, FFA, Skills USA and Journalism state competitions may seem similar at rst, each convention o ers di erent events, opportunities and experiences.
Students who have attended a state convention say that their experience can vary based on the organization. e organizations vary in how many activities are planned and how much freedom students have.
“FBLA is more strict, and they make you go to a lot more things,” Evelyn Timmons ‘27 said. “And FCCLA is more relaxed, and it's downtown, so there are a lot more places to go.”
Participants in FFA say that it is the most competitive because of the vast number of participants, the variety of projects, and fewer participants in the other organizations.
“I think FFA is most competitive because you never really know,” Iaunna Lucking ‘27 said. “It's not just like your simple project, most of the things are o of your whole team's score too.”
e state projects vary based on the organization. As FFA and Skills USA are mostly focused on the agricultural aspects, FBLA is focused on business, FCCLA is focused on FCS, and Journalism is focused on design, writing, photography and broadcasts.
“FFA does a lot of Ag-related competitions,” Reid Novotny ‘28 said. “Where Skills does anything that has to do with your hands, like any blue-collar job, or things like a crime scene investigation.”
“it’s not just like your simple project, most of the things are off of your whole team’s score.” -iaunna Lucking ‘27
To participate in the state convention for the organizations, there are many di erent ways you have to qualify, based on the organization’s requirements.
“Well, I would say that one of the biggest di erences is qualifying for State,” FBLA Advisor Tammi Mans said. “FCCLA has one district competition where students top two or top three, depending on the competition, but they go to di erent districts to compete against other chapters, and then they qualify in that manner.
“FFA has competitions throughout the year, starting in the fall, that can qualify them for state. Skills I’m not familiar with. But then, FBLA, we have to record our pre-judged competitions, and then those are sent to judges.”
Doordashing your way through State
Rylie Kapke
Reporter
People love using DoorDash because it's fast and easy, but it can get expensive really quickly. A er tips and delivery fees, multiple orders one a er another can add up, and the next thing you know, you have already spent more than you thought you would.
When people are at state competitions for organizations, they might order DoorDash a lot, or never. e students mostly get it for dinner because they don’t
want to go out again, or they don’t have any food places near them.
“(We order) mostly for dinner because it is the end of the day and you don’t want to go out and do anything,” Alecia Bedlan ‘27 said.
Everyone has a di erent amount of money that they spend on DoorDash, maybe a lot, or maybe a little. A lot of the money people spend also depends on what they want and where they get it from.
“I’d say we're usually there for about three nights, we get DoorDash probably every other night, so I'd say probably about $20-$30 overall,” junior high FBLA advisor Ryan Garver said.
Some people might have an interesting experience with DoorDash that changed their view on DoorDash and what they chose to order.
“It was 2:00 A.M., and McDonald’s was supposed to come; we got McFlurry’s, so we asked to get it fast, and we tipped
more,” Jordin Gill ‘28 said. “ e person went to three di erent hotels, then the gas station, and the guy couldn’t speak English, so we had to use Google Translate, and then by the time we got the ice cream, it had melted.”
Whether people choose to spend a lot of money or just a little, students always have the opportunity to order o of DoorDash when they are at state.
“I like to order DoorDash, so I don’t have to travel anywhere to get my food,” Mia Deras ‘29 said.
State preperation takes time, effort
Reporter Aubrie Hynek
For many months leading up to state, students prepare for various competitions. Before state members spend days, weeks, or even months working, practicing and perfecting their presentations.
Students preparing for state have to balance school, sports and preparing for their different state competitions. Some students even stay late on school nights working on their different competitions.
“My Website Design has taken me the most time till 10:30 the night before our district presentations,” Micah Friesen ‘26 said.
Leading up to state, students have to decide which competition they want to compete in. Sometimes they know right away, and other times they just need a little help from their advisors to find the perfect one.
“That is totally up to the kids,” FCCLA advisor Kennedy Deboer said. “I give them the different options and what I think they could do and be good at, then they get to make the decision, hopefully something they are interested in.”
For FBLA, members can either do an objective test or give different presentations. Members of FBLA have to prepare differently for each one.
“Tests I don’t really spend a whole lot of time on preparing for,” Molly Hansmire ‘26 said. “My presentations take a lot of bone work, so that’s where a lot of my time is spent.”
Students involved in many organizations have to spend extra time working because they are preparing for more than one competition. Depending on the organization, students have to prepare differently and some are harder to prepare for than others.
“I would say both of them, but presentation-wise, FBLA,” Hansmire said. “For hands-on, I would say FFA, so I mean, both aren’t kinda comparable.”
Some students do not like all the work they have to put into the different competitions, and some enjoy prepping for their competitions and like a challenge. After placing in the top 3 in the state last year in Website Design, Friesen decided to take the challenge on again.
“I enjoy preparing for the presentation events,” Friesen said. “I think it's fun, especially when it makes sense. It’s not fun when you have to be resilient, but it’s an enjoyable experience, and it’s fun in Mrs. Mans’ room during worknights with everybody.”
Advisors also spend lots of extra time at school helping their students work on their competitions. They help answer questions and give feedback to make the presentations even better.
“When students show up prepared with their stuff done, and they are strictly ready to present, they are very efficient,” Deboer said. “When they don’t show up, or they don’t want to be here, then no, I do not enjoy worknights.”
Wesley Timmons and Mia Deras practicing presenting their Introduction to Programing presentation to judges. They are practicing for State FBLA on April 16-18. Liam Young - Photographer
Reid Novotny, Dalton Stone and Alexa Nickel speaking at Ag Olympics. They are all part of the FFA officer team. Maelee Knothe - Photographer
FBLA members attending a worknight. They are preparing for their different competitions and presentations.
Photo provided by Tammi Mans
Ticket sales supplement musical budget
Reporter Kaleb Taylor
e budget of the Hunchback of Notre Dame is used for buying wood, props and costumes for the production according to Director Ryan Dusso.
“ is year, we went with using our own platforms,” Mr. Dusso said. “We purchased wood to help support everything, and the great thing about our budget is that our ticket sales the year before help us with our budget for next year. So we’re in the process of getting things here without spending for more sets.”
Costumes vary in price, while the price for the props are needed can range due to what is needed and what can’t be found. Ticket sales are integral in helping pay for the items needed to put on a school-wide musical.
“V.I.P Tickets cost $25 otherwise, tickets right now are $10 for students, and for adults it’s $15,” Mr. Dusso said. “(With the help of the previous year’s ticket sales,) I’m most excited about the magic trick we’ll do with the wardrobe,.”
If a student doesn’t know how much a costume costs and accidentally rips, burns, paints, or even ruins the design itself, a student will can be ned, and these rules apply to anyone cast in the musical, including the stage crew.
In addition to learning lines and stag-
Rehearsal for the Hunchback of Notre Dame, there are sets and performers like Daniel Deras (top middle). The importance of sets and costumes help make for a a production as well as the confidence for the cast as they perform. James Bey - Photographer
ing of the production, the cast learns hand signs for the play just so the audience can understand what the characters are saying. It helps them understand thoroughly about what’s being presented and where they need to be and be ready for.
e amount of days spent on hand signs for a single song is three to four days according to Isaac Stroklund.
With all the work and time the cast
-Candi Kadar School Counselor
puts in, truly understanding it reward will come a er the production.
Ethan Sinn ‘29 has great con dence about how the musical is going to go. And if he had a choice, he’d choose a di erent role, that being Claude Frollo. Regardless, he even has con dence for himself heading into the production.
“ e musical is going to do great,” Sinn said.
Advisory period Q & A
Q - How did the Advisory Period get started?
A - Advisory period was started by the MTSS committee.
Q - How did advisory start? “We wanted a place for students to get academic help and also give students time to meet for clubs and activities so it wouldn’t impact the instructional day.”
-Nicholar Cull Freshman
Q - Do you think school would be helpful without this period?
A - “No, because then we would get less time to get work done and work on what we need to be working on.”
Q - How does this help Students? “It gives them the opportunity to catch up on something they need to get done.”
Reporter
Jaylee Johnson
Layout By: Atreyu Siefford & Elijah Firmanik
‘GOAT’
CAN’T
e ATREY-O-METER
Atreyu Siefford
lives up to high expectations “SMALLS BALL”
is movie, “GOAT”, produced by Stephen Curry through his company “Unanamous Media”, is great from my perspective.
is movie is about a small goat dreaming about being in the big leagues of a basketball-like game called “Roar-Ball,” but to most people, his dreams look unreachable because, at that point, a “small” (typically the smaller animals) has never made it to the league in the history of “Roar-Ball”. is leads him to work as hard as he can, and nally, he eventually reaches the league and meets many great characters.
GOAT has shown a strong box o ce run, grossing over $130 million worldwide as of early March 2026. e anticipation of this movie was great, just for it to be as good as I imagined. e movie had a great plot, but not a super great carryout. Although everything else was great, some parts of the movie felt like there was no plot at all.
My favorite part of this movie is the great cast and amazing animation. e cast is very prominent, having names such as Caleb McLaughlin, Stephen Curry, David Harbour, Jelly Roll and Patton Oswalt. ere is also a prominent cast of animators gathered from movies like K-Pop Demon Hunters and the Spider-Verse series.
e cherry on top of this movie is the many little details and references it has. ere are references such as Kobe Bryant’s “No-Flinch”, Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game”, Allen Iverson’s Step-Over, LeBron James’ Celebration the “Silencer”, and many more.
For the nal rating of this movie, I give it a 8.9/10. ere are so many funny moments in this movie, and the animation was so good that I can’t resist giving it above an 8.5. If you love basketball and funny animations, I highly recommend you watch this movie.
Controversy surrounds upcoming ‘Spider-Man’
Reporter Elijah Firmanik
With the upcoming Spider-Man movies many fans have been anticipating the release. However with the anticipation, controversy is brought with it. With Spider-Man: Beyond e Spider-Verse having been delayed it has caused much outrage within the community. Other fans are still very excited because the second Spider-Man project is releasing this year.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day was intended to release a er Spider-Man Beyond e Spider-Verse however with the delays setting Beyond e Spider-Verse back to 2027, Brand New Day is now releasing rst. Many fans are not happy with the current state of Spider-Man: beyond the Spider-Verse.
“ e movie being delayed makes me feel enraged” girls wrestling coach Jonathan Fletcher said.
With all the controversy of “Beyond e Spider-Verse Brand New Day” is arguably the more hyped up and anticipated movie out of the two, with loads of fans being very excited and satis ed with the upcoming new characters in the movie.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing the new characters from other movies in the lm” Wesley Timmons 29’ says when asked how he feels about “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
According to fans, the most anticipated part of the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie is the casting and characters with a majority of them looking forward to seeing characters such as the Hulk, and the Punisher.
“I am most looking forward to seeing the Hulk since he’s a huge switchup from the usual cast” Timmons said.
Reporter
SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS
LAYOUTBY: ErikaFloyd
Three-time qualifier brings home medal
Kuzelka caps career with sixth place finish at state wrestling
Reporter Erika Floyd
Three seniors from the boys wrestling team made it to state this season, but only one left with a medal. Senior Konrad Kuzelka, a three-time state qualifier, placed sixth to finish his high school career on the podium.
While all of the state qualifiers fought through their bracket, Kuzelka was the only one to secure a place on the podium.
While competing in the weight class 175, he fought his way through his bracket to finish sixth, marking the third year he qualified for state and ending his senior year with a finish on the podium.
“I wanted a medal,” Kuzelka said. “I just listen to music and get my mind right before I step on a mat.”
The coaches couldn't have been any prouder that Kuzelka, Gavin Gerths and Garrett Roelfs all made it to state.
From the sidelines, they coached them and cheered them on, offering guidance and encouragement as they faced some tough competition at state.
They were also very proud of all three of them for making their
Konrad Kuzelka ‘26 walks off the mat after winning his match in the Tri-County dual. Kuzelka a three-time state qualifier placed sixth in state after going undeafeated in the 175-pound weight bracket and entered state with a record of 40-0. He won three matches and lost three matches in state to claim the sixth place medal. Kuzelka finished his career with 201 wins. James Bey - Photographer
last high school career matches the best ones.
“Excitement because those three are seniors, and it's a good way to end their career, being able to punch their ticket,” assistant coach Jacob Johnson said. “Gavin, having taken a 2-year hiatus, not being able to qualify, and finally being able to go back, and then Garrett making a good turnaround from previous seasons, qualifying for the first time.”
While they finished their last
year of wrestling either well or poorly, they all still made it to state. At the same time, they have had many great memories and teaching experiences.
Their experiences this season give them plenty of insight to share with younger wrestlers hoping to make it to state, too.
“Qualifying for state and getting to jump into Garf's (head coach Derek Garfield) arms,” Roelfs said. “Just to go out and have fun, your life isn’t based on what you do in a sport.”