The Little Dodger
Fall play ‘Macbeth’ set for Nov. 7-9
By Syndal Castaneda Rogers
This year’s fall play is the Shakespeare play “Macbeth” director Lindey Krug announced.
Macbeth is about a soldier who is told by some witches that he is going to be king someday, this influences him and his wife to be thirsty for power and do whatever is necessary in order to accomplish this.
The assistant director is Syndal Castaneda Rogers who will help rehearsals run smoothly and assist Krug
with whatever she needs.
Auditions were Sept. 8-10 after school..Krug said that the auditions went well and had the cast picked out by the end of that week. She is very excited to get things started and feels good about how she will change things up. Rehearsals have started and will be in full swing by the end of October.
Over 40 people are involved in the production. “I’m very excited to do Shakespeare and I really like the theme of this play and it fits really well with the Halloween season. I
think the cast is really good and everyones role fits them perfectly and it's a group of very hardworking people,” said cast member Anna Fritts.
Alli Utley said, “I’m excited to be participating in the play as this is my senior year. I think we have a lot of different kinds of people on stage and when you have different personalities on stage, it can be really fun.”
The play will be held in the Little Theater at Nov. 7-9. Tickets are $8 and activity passes do not work.
New assistant principal at HS
By Manu Rodriguez
A new assistant principal has come to Fort Dodge Senior High and she has already been taking to the halls with a colorful outfit and a positive attitude.
Marta Paukert is replacing Adam Kent as the new assistant principal this year. Before coming to Fort Dodge for her first job as a high school principal, she spent 18 years as a high school counselor (13 years at Eagle Grove HS and 5 at Webster City HS).
Marta Paukert
was headed off to college in Virginia.
She was “looking for a school that was bigger than that I have previously worked at along with more diversity.”
Even though it can be overwhelming, as she has a lot to learn about her position, she is enjoying the new challenge that this job brings her every day.
Bond vote set for Nov. 4
From the Messenger
As the calendar moves to the month of October, Superintendent Josh Porter and the school board continue to create opportunities to get information out to the public about the Nov. 4 bond referendum.
The district will ask the voters to approve the extension of current borrowing authority to pay for about $42 million in upgrades to the high school.
The measure provides for upgrades in the east and west classrooms and the main pool and indoor athletic locker rooms, updating building systems and the main canopy, the creation of a public address and safety system, and upgrades to career and technical education, fine arts and the weight room and field entrance near Dodger Stadium.
“We just had an executive meeting where we discussed several options to get the word out to different sectors of the district,” Porter said at Monday’s board meeting. “We are aiming at social media along with some billboards and booths at different events.”
“The goal is to let the community know we are good stewards of finances,” he added. “The district has been financially responsible at this time and in the past, and we look to continue that with this bond.”
Porter added that there will be a community forum for interested individuals to ask questions and hear about different segments of the bond referendum Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. It will be held in the the Little Theater.
FD welcomes new staff members
By Kymber Davies
The high school welcomed several new teachers this fall, each bringing new energy, passion, and fresh perspectives to classrooms eager for inspiration and learning.
After so much experience as a counselor, Paukert
“knew it was time for a change” when her daughter
Paukert graduated from Webster City High School before receiving my Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University, majored in Elementary Education, majored in School Guidance and Counseling, majored in Administration, and received her Master of Science in Education from Buena Vista University.
In regard to her experience at Fort Dodge so far, she says “I learn something new every day that I did not know. The entire staff has been very welcoming to me to help me feel part of the Dodger Family…Becoming a Dodger has been a great decision and I can’t wait to see how this year progresses.”
Three of them, Shelby Bockelman, who teaches family consumer science, Adriana Valeriano, who teaches ELL, and William “Bill” Sergeant, who teaches Geometry A, shared their experiences so far and what brought them here.
Bocklemann is excited to return to teaching high school after previously teaching in middle school.
She said she loves the enthusiasm students bring when signing up for classes that interest them.
“I really look forward to coming to work here each day,” she shared.
She also noted that the longer class periods and fewer preps have been a positive adjustment. For Valerino, she said she enjoys brainstorming new approaches and ideas to get students more excited and involved.
Although adjusting to a new rhythm has made the first week “eventful”, she looks forward to the year ahead.
She explained, “Teaching high school-aged children is crucial because it’s here where they will start thinking more in-depth of what they want to do when they’re older. Helping them navigate them now can build them for success.”
Sergeant, an FDHS graduate himself is glad to be back in the building-this time as a teacher. He has enjoyed his first two weeks and says the students have been “great and fun to be with.”
The teachers have also been “kind and supportive” since he states he needs help to “learn the ropes” especially in the technology department, he finds the class time with students to be the best part so far.
With a lifelong love of math, he said teaching geometry feels like a “natural thing to do.”
Other new staff members include: Melissa Casey - Para educator, Jennifer Ames - Special Education, Beth Flores - EL Tutor, Jeff Halter - Special Education, Keleigh Glassell- Language Arts, Carol Walsh - ASL Interpreter, Curtis Bell - Custodian, Andy Kavanaugh - Industrial Tech, Allison Dencklau - Virtual School.
Having an opinion not a death sentence
Having firm beliefs or opinions should not be a death sentence.
Numerous people have been murdered over the years for voicing their opinions like Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Mahatma Ghandi, Socrates, and so many others.
This is a long running global issue, which is just one of many, but still so important.
We live in America, land of the brave and home of the free. The whole point is that we are supposed to be free to believe what we want.
The United States Constitution that our country is built on has 27 amendments now, and the first 10 are called the bill of rights.
The very first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”
Gracie
Harvey
In simple terms this amendment protects our rights as United States citizens to have the freedom to practice religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
We were given the freedom to have our own beliefs and opinions, and be able to express ourselves and share our beliefs freely.
We have the privilege to be able to believe different things, hold different values, and disagree with one another.
Just because two people’s beliefs don’t align doesn’t
Staff Editorial
make their life less valuable.
It is a privilege to be free and able to disagree, and not be forced to all believe the same things as everyone else and live the same way.
A uniform life is not a life well lived. We live in America to be free, not to have to fear for our lives because we have a different opinion than another person.
Regardless of what you believe, people are humans with real human lives.
Disagreement does not mean you have to dehumanize someone or take their life.
People should not have to be scared of facing death for sharing an opinion they have.
Having an opinion or belief should not be a death sentence.
We need to have compassion for each other and understand that acts of hate take away friends, take away parents, take away children, take away spouses, and leave the world with an absence of someone that God specifically created to be on earth during this time.
Bond issue should be easy yes vote to make
On Nov. 4, the school district will ask voters to consider a general obligation bond vote that will allow the school district to complete several needed improvements at the high school.
The district is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond of $42.02 million that will result in no tax increase to the debt levy property tax rate, meaning residents’ taxes would not increase as a result of approving this levy.
If you are old enough to vote, get out and vote yes. If it’s your first time voting as an 18-year-old, imagine the pride of casting your first vote to help out the high school.
If you can’t vote yet, we encourage you to talk to your parents about the levy vote and encourage them to head to the polls on Nov. 4 to vote yes. Turnout for bond levy votes are usually small, so every yes vote will make a huge difference.
More information on planned improvements can be found on the school website at fdschools.org.
Little Dodger Staff 2025-26
The Little Dodger is established as an open forum publication of Fort Dodge Senior High.
The Little Dodger’s goals are to inform, educate and entertain its readers and provide an advertising forum for businesses.
The Little Dodger cannot publish material that is obscene, illegal to minors, libelous, misrep-
resents faces, substantially disrupts school or invades a person’s right to privacy
The Little Dodger is a member of the Iowa High School Press Association.
Little Dodger staff: Syndal Castaneda Rogers, Kymber Davies, Layla Ellis, Anna Fritts, Gracie Harvey, LJ Maehl, Izzam Mejia, Linnie Pratt, Simeon Roberts, Manu Rodriguez, Audra Sells, Danielle Thielen, Al-
Photo Poll
Q: What’s your favorite Halloween costume you ever had? - By Linnie Pratt
“Alien when I was 7 years old.”
Adele Seltz Sophomore
“Uma when I was in 4th grade.”
Alani Crouse Senior
“My bunny suit last year (sophomore year).”
Joe Constable Junior
“A panda when I was 8 years old.”
Melissa Peltz Freshman
lison Utley. Adviser: John McBride.
The newspaper is printed by makemynewspaper. com and is funded by support of our advertisers. Letters to the editor are accepted. They must be 250 words or less, typed and signed. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters can be sent to Mr. McBride or dropped off in Room 76.
“Spiderman in 2nd grade.”
Austin Read Science Teacher
Homecoming Court 2025
Dawson Wolfe and Ellie Alstott
Dawson
1. Free tickets to the Ariana Grande Concert
2. Megan Thee Stallion
3. Baby by Justin Beeber and Ludacris
4. Busting it down with the girlies and ending the night with Mickey D’s.
Ellie 1. Free Starbucks refreshers for life
2. My boyfriend, Hunter Richardson
3. Starship by Nicki Minaj
4. Taking pictures with my girls and dancing with my friends all night
Dreshaun Ross and LJ Maehl
Jesse Egli and Gracie Harvey
Jesse
1. I wish every teacher had sancks in their room always 2. Madison Beer
Dreshaun 1. To keep my phone in class 2. Ashlyn Wills 3. Pink Pony Club by Chappel Roan 4. Friday Night Lights and going with by brothers and friends
3. Chasing Pavements by Adelle (shoutout to Dalton) 4. Friday Night Lights Gracie 1. A hot pink Bronco 2. Kauner Jensen 3. Anything by Gracie Abrams or Justin Timberlake 4. Late night decorating and blasting music. Also getting to dress up with my favorite people.
LJ 1. For time to slow down so we can embrace these moments 2. Cade Westerhoff, duh
3. The Night is Still Young by Nicki Minaj 4. All of Homecoming. It’s like Christmas Eve.
1. Infinite money in my lunch account 2. Megan Fox Transformersin
Leif Hamilton and Mina DeJong
Mina 1. Unlimited supply of cof- fee and energy drinks
3. Dancing Through Life from Wicked, duh? 4. The parade NOT getting cancelled
2. My boyfriend, Kit Connor 3. Adventure of a Lifetime by Coldplay 4. Spending time with all of my favorite people
What Little Dodger asked the court candidates:
1. What is one thing you’d ask from the Wizard or Oz?
2. Who is your dream Homecoming Date?
3. What song do you NEED to hear at the dance?
4. What’s your favorite memory from a past Homecoming?
Dalton Eckley and Brooklyn Barlow
Dalton 1. Free food for life.
2. Brooklyn Barlow
3. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
4. Friday Night Lights
Brooklyn 1. I’d ask for healing for myself and the people I love 2. Dalton Eckley, of course 3. Breakin’ Dishes by Rihanna 4. Being with all my friends
Fierke and Jessenia Elias Luke 1. To stop balding
Lizzo
A Thousand Miles
Freshman year with the boys
Daniel and Hannah Lukehart Noah 1. A beach house 2. Megan Fox
The Sweet Escape by Gwen
Friday Night Lights Hannah 1. To not grow up too fast 2. Rylan Kingery, of course 3. Starships by Nicki Minaj 4. Celebrating and attending the dance with my friends, and of course the game
1. Yellow Brick crutches 2. Bad Bunny with his caluins 3. E00 by Bad Bunny 4. Spending it with my ex- change students (Momo and Albert)
Roberts and Alani Crouse Simeon 1. Unlimited free food (especially Pancheros) 2. My one and only true love, SZA 3. 1, 2 Step by Ciara and Missy Elliott 4. The moment my brother got Homecoming king
Alani 1. My own nail salon 2. Bruno Mars 3. Ready or Not by Bridget Mendler 4. Spending my Homecoming days with my girls
Noah
Stafani
Luke
Jessenia
Simeon
–Interviews by Simeon Roberts –Photos by Kimmy’s Photography
Band
ready
for state
By Kymber Davies
The IHSMA State Marching Band Festival will be held at the Dodger Stadium on Oct. 11th. Admission to the contest is $12 for Adults, $7 for Senior Citizens (62+), $5 for K-12, and free for preschool.
Admission is cashless, digital admission only.
The Schools performing are Bishop Garrigan, Lake Mills, Ogden, Emmetsburg, Aplington-Parkersburg, West Marshall-State Center, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura, Forest City,Ballard, Algona, Humboldt and Fort Dodge. Fort Dodge performs at 1:50 p.m.
The Contestants will have 15 minutes to enter, warm up, perform, and exit the stadium.
The Fort Dodge Marching Band is hoping for another first-place win. On Sep. 27th Fort Dodge hosted the 22nd annual North Central Iowa Marching Band Clinic and Competition.
All their hard work over the summer paid off, getting rewarded for the performance of the best brass section and received a score of 82.6 for their first place in Class 4A.
They also competed in Algona this past weekend.
All About Homecoming 2025 Powderpuff game
is Wednesday
One of the many great homecoming traditions is the powderpuff game where seniors and juniors face off in a fun, yet competitive game of flag football.
This year’s powderpuff game will be on Wednesday Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.
Last year’s seniors won the game 30-6.
Entry to the game is a free will donation of non-perishable goods.
These donations go to the high school’s food pantry.
Last year the game brought in a van load of donations for the food pantry; too many for Dodger Senate Adviser Lauren Winter to count.
Only one item per person is needed to get into the game.
Dress up day info
Munchkin Monday
Colorful and mismatched clothes!
Toto-lly Comfortable Tuesday
Wear your favorite pjs or comfortable clothes.
Which Witch is Which Wednesday
Dress in pink or green, Elphaba vs Glinda.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road Thursday
Dress as your favorite character from the Wizard of Oz.
There’s no Place Like Homecoming Friday Dodger day! Red and black attire.
Homecoming Friday
Friday Schedule
1st period: 8:00-8:50
2nd period: 8:55-9:45
4th period: 9:50-10:40
3rd period: 10:45-12:20
A Lunch: 10:40-11:10
B Lunch: 11:15-11:45
C Lunch: 11:50-12:20
5th period: 12:25-1:00
Coronation
1:15 p.m. main gym Parade
3 p.m. Central Ave. Football game
7 p.m. Dodger Stadium
Dance Information
The Homecoming dance will start at 8 pm. and run until 11 p.m. at the high school. Doors will be locked at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets will sold Oct. 1317 at all three lunch shifts. Guests must be registered
Faces in the Hall
by today, Oct. 9. Forms are available from Senate Adviser Lauren Winter.
Students must have a current student I.D. to enter the dance.
Homecoming game
The football team will face off with LeMars for Homecoming, a key district game.
The Dodgers were 4-1 heading into their game last Friday against Spencer and they have a road game against Storm Lake tomorrow night before returning for Homecoming.
Kick off is 7 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers won last year’s Homecoming game over Storm Lake, 55-26.
The freshman play LeMars at Dodger Stadium on Thursday at 6 p.m. to start the weekend.
1. What is your favorite fall drink? 2. What is your favorite candy you get while trick or treating? 3. What’s the last time you were really scared? 4. What’s your favorite Halloween movie? 5. What’s your favorite part about school starting?
1. Water
2. Twix
3. When I got in a car crash in college
4. Insidious
5. Seeing all the new faces
1. Pumpkin spice latte
2. 3 musketeers
3. When I watched a scary movie at the movie theater
4. Terrifier
5. Meeting new teachers
–By Linnie Pratt
1.Dunkin’ Dragonfruit strawberry refresher
2. Twix
3. Last weekend I was watching a scary movie
4. Gilmore girls
5. Seeing people again
1. Iced coffee with pumpkin spice creamer
2. Candy corn
3. When my brother jumped scared me
4. Remember the Titans
5. Hanging out with friends
Ross DeArmoun
Jessenia Elias
Maddie Carmody
Caleigh Klass
Chalk Talk
What do you do to hype yourself up before a
game or meet?
• Grace Rivera (tennis)- I like playing practice rounds
• Maeleena Myer (volleyball)- drink a pink starburst C4 and have Hy-Vee chinese food.
• Hope Alstott (volleyball)- I always have my hair curled, make locker room tiktoks with my team
• Jessenia Elias (rugby)- I listen to music and hype my teammates up
• Maddy Iverson (dance)- We sing together at team dinners
• Carter Short (football)- I listen to music and pray
• Luke Fierke (football)- I play clash royal
• Tru McBride (football)- I listen to music
• Teagan Loots (swim)- I shake out, jump, and hit my legs to warm them up and get blood pumping
• Kyle Pederson (football)- I calm myself down and pray, try not to get too hyped up
By Anna Fitts
Jacobson named cheer coach
Smith and Wolfe hired as assistant coaches as well
By Audra Sells
The cheer team is under new direction this season with a new head cheer coach, Shelby Jacobson, and assistant coach Mackenzie Smith along with Alex Wolfe.
Jacobson was asked her thoughts about taking over the cheer program.
What do you love most about cheer? JacobsonThere are two sides of cheerleader: Sideline Cheer that you see at football, basketball, and wrestling, and Competition Cheer, which is what I live for. Competition cheer challenges you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It teaches discipline, builds toughness, and shows athletes what they are truly capable of because they are just that, athletes. The rush of competing, performing for yourself and teammates, hitting your
Hours
Shelby Jacobson
routine under pressure... It’s a thrill like no other. Cheerleading also creates a special family. My cheerleaders are my kids. I strive to not only make them better students, athletes and humans, but they make me a better coach, teacher, and mom every day. What changes have you made/will make to the program? The Fort Dodge Cheer Program will always stay true to what it has been. FDSH Cheerleaders
are there to promote school spirit and pride within the school and community, exhibit sportsmanship at all times, demonstrate a positive image to fellow students and community members, and most importantly, be a good student. Some cosmetic changes will happen, but that happens with any new coach.
What is your long term goal for the program? My long-term goal is to develop a cheer program that consistently performs at a high level in competition and on the sidelines while maintaining a foundation of integrity, respect, and team unity. I also want it to be more than just cheer. I want my athletes to learn life skills like accountability and resilience that they can use when they achieve the amazing things I know they can and will do and be.
Monday- Friday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays
Rodriguez earns state tennis trip
By LJ Maehl Girls Tennis
The Dodger Girls Tennis team definitely had an exciting season considering their change of when they compete. This year the IGHSAU decided that they were going to move girls tennis to the fall, instead of playing in the spring.
A quick turn around for these athletes, and definitely a busy time for athletes that had to juggle multiple activities, for example, Teagan Loots. Loots played girls tennis this season, and also participated in swimming.
The tennis team finished their season with a 4-10 record, falling to many good teams. Next year they will return 10 juniors to their senior class, and will look for another big year.
Although the team had an exciting year, the news of girls tennis currently is Manuela Rodriguez and her qualification for State, might take the cake.
Rodriguez went into regional seeded 3rd and beat one of the top ranked girls in her region, and ended up making it to state after that. She competed Oct. 1 and 2 in Waterloo. Look for results in the next issue.
Volleyball
The Dodger Volleyball team has had a tough season currently sitting at 2-13.
They just wrapped up their third consecutive game at home in a row, and finished with a Senior Night win versus Waterloo East.
They look to beat Des Moines East, Hoover, and Webster City in the upcoming months and are aiming for more success during weekend tournaments to change the direction of their record.
This year they returned three varsity starters, Maeleena Meyer, Ellie Doster, and LJ Maehl. They also bring back varsity play-
ers Teryn Rippentrop, Sydney Carver, Grace Nichols, Adyson Friesth, and Hope Alstott.
The team is coached by Beth Wilder as she has begun her second year as head coach. Maeleena Meyer leads the team in blocks with 16.
LJ Maehl leads with 37 kills. Ellie Doster leads with 67 assists, and Hope Alstott leads with 84 digs. The team will continue on with the regular season for the next three weeks, and be looking forward to a regional game coming out mid-October.
Cross Country
The Cross Country team is off to a hot start as well.
They have run at Southeast Valley, Webster City, Marshalltown, Storm Lake, and also Mason City.
On the boys side, a rotation of best times continues to pop around. Some nights freshman Jones Hensley
Senior Manu Rodriguez displays her “ticket” after earning a trip to state tennis. She finished second in her regional to qualify
runs the best time, and other nights junior Jace Point and senior Aidan Recker give Hensley a run for his money.
On the girls end, sophomore Linnie Pratt runs the best time for them. The team has two meets remaining, including their very own Fort Dodge meet on tonight and their conference meet on Oct. 15.
The district meet will determine state qualifiers.
Girls Swimming
Girls Swimming is off to a great start with their season.
They have competed at home and also traveled to other schools, including Roosevelt, Mason City, and Algona. To finish up their season, the girls have Des Moines East, a Triangular at Carroll, and two more stops at Mason City. The competition has been intense but many of the FD athletes have been putting up a hard fought fight.
This includes Gracie Harvey, a senior, is leading the team in times in multiple events. This includes the 100 Freestyle, the 200 Freestyle, and the 100 Butterfly.
Other leaders include Karlee Parson, a junior, who leads in the 50 Freestyle, along with the 100 Breaststroke. Teagan Loots, a junior, leads in the 500 Freestyle, and Nora O’Connor, a junior from St. Edmond, leads in the 100 backstroke.
Boys Golf
The Boys Golf team competed in the Iowa Alliance Tournament at Blank Golf Course on Sept. 30.
They placed 6th out of a 10-team pool, shooting a 334.
Ottumwa (316) was the champion, followed by Marshalltown (320), Des Moines Roosevelt (321), Mason City (328) and Ames (333).
Trace Rial, a junior, placed 10th with a score of (81). Davis Underberg, also a junior, scored 81 and placed 12th.
They both earned conference honors because of their performance.
The golfers hosted the Class 4A district meet on Monday at the Country Club. The state tournament is this Monday and Tuesday in Johnston.
