Issuu

TABOR VIEW THE

EDITOR from the

My name is Abby Evans, and I am a sophomore majoring in communications and business. It is an honor to announce that I am the new editor of The Tabor View! I can’t wait to continue sharing journalistic writing opportunities and growing the publication.

In this issue, you’ll find sports updates and exciting stories from trips taken this past summer. Read about our new staff members, get a behind-the-scenes look at the homecoming musical, and don’t forget to check out the freshman spotlights to hear perspectives on campus life from some of our newest students!

- Abby Evans, Editor

TABOR VIEW THE

‘PIRATES OF PENZANCE’ PREVIEW

by Krisalyn Higerd

It is almost time to sail away on a raucous operatic adventure Oct. 1618. Starring Lexi Milne as Mabel, Viggo Shafer as the Pirate King, Shay Callaway as Ruth, Gage Patty as the Major General, and Zach Beachy as Frederic, the “Pirates of Penzance” musical is sure to leave viewers with laughter in their hearts.

“Pirates of Penzance” is the story of Frederic, a young man mistakenly apprenticed to a group of pirates instead of pilots. He longs to lead a blameless life with a woman he loves, and yet, the only woman he knows is Ruth, an older woman who works with the pirates. So, when he steps out into the world, he encounters Mabel and promptly falls in love with her. The comedic story continues with unexpected twists and turns, including a secret uncovered later in the story that could change everything.

The students starring in this musical are working hard as they prepare. Kim Klein, director, shares that they are all incredibly respectful, gracious, talented, and fun to work with.

“My philosophy is we work as a team,” Klein said. She helps each student to find an individual backstory for their characters, allowing them to respond to the situations in the story in a way that honors the story.

While mishaps do sometimes happen backstage-from forgetting lines to dropping props to having another actor stand in when someone misses rehearsal-the overall level of performance is impressive.

“We frequently discuss spiritual and Biblical ideas,” Klein said when asked what her ultimate goal with the musical is. “God called me to raise up this generation to know who they are in Christ and act upon that.”

TED BOYKIN SPOTLIGHT

by William Thompson

Ted Boykin has become the new Dean of Student Life here at Tabor College. Boykin has spent almost the entirety of his career serving college students at Clark Summit University in Clark Summit, Pa. after growing up in New York City. Sadly, Clark Summit University recently had to close.

Initially, Boykin limited his job search to the East Coast but felt God calling him to, “Go west, young man,” and consider jobs at a wider variety of schools. Tabor was one of the first schools outside the East Coast that he applied to. He was impressed by Tabor when he visited in April, and Tabor was impressed with him.

As Dean of Student Life, he wants to love students, help them grow spiritually, and help them to nurture their natural talents and abilities. Boykin also wants to provide some much-needed stability in the office of the Dean of Student life, since it has been occupied by a few different people in just these past few years. With a steady hand at the wheel, Boykin wants to do the work of Student Life more efficiently so all the people in the office can have more time to directly serve students. Boykin looks forward to a successful tenure at Tabor.

COACHING BACKWARDS: SPOTLIGHT ON AARON YODER

by Liam Morgan

Coach Aaron Yoder has arrived at Tabor to lead the cross country and track teams into battle this year.

Yoder has returned home to Hillsboro to join the Bluejay family after a successful tenure at Bethany College.

His commitment and consistency in his previous role are qualities that he hopes to bring here, as well as utilizing his position to develop his athletes holistically, harnessing their growth spiritually, academically, and athletically.

Yoder hopes that despite entering a transitional year where the men’s side lost significant seniors, the team members are looking upwards as they seek to climb the conference rankings. The women’s team will be aiming to achieve their goal of making a bid for nationals.

Yoder encourages his team to “Hold each other up and be held up by one another. All together or we fall together. Lean in to each other and more importantly lean into God.”

Faith and family are key foundations, which have been further developed through the team’s weekly Bible studies. The Bluejay athletes will thrive under the leadership of Coach Yoder and can learn from him as he will no doubt use his experience as a distinguished runner to harness their potential and enrich their college journeys.

Yoder will not only lead Tabor forward but also backwards. After suffering injuries that put his Olympic goals on hold, he discovered that running backwards did not hurt his surgically repaired knee and allowed him to

continue to compete at the highest level.

Amazingly, he obtained the world records for the backwards 200 meters, 1,000 meters, and mile on the track as well as competing in two world championships. His world record of an astounding 5 minutes, 30 seconds still stands as the fastest backwards mile ever completed on road.

We are so glad to have Coach Yoder as a Bluejay, and we wish him and his teams the best of luck for this season.

FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHTS

BETHANY DEMARS

by Krisalyn Higerd

by Isaac Wonch

A freshman from Glasco, Kansas, 18-year-old Bethany Demars began her journey as a college student. She is a psychology major and is considering an art minor with the goal of one day becoming an art therapist. In addition to being a Lohrenz Scholar, she is involved in cheerleading, choir and band.

“I chose Tabor because it seems like a really nice environment,” Demars said. “It’s larger than my hometown without being too overwhelmingly large.”

In her spare time, Demars enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing video games. She recommends the Ruinous Love trilogy, her favorite of which is Leather and Lark.

While she does not have a favorite music artist, she has a 36-hour long playlist that she listens to whenever she decides, as she phrases it, “Alright, it’s time to lock in.”

Whether she is studying or not, music is an integral part of her life.

When asked what her overall hope for her Tabor experience is, Demars shared that she is “hoping overall that [she] can make some really good friends.” She looks forward to the relationships she will build over the next four years of her academic career.

Nash Dickinson is a native of Hillsboro, Kansas, and is currently rooming in the Upper Oklahoma dormitory with Oliver Smith.

Baseball practice has been going well for Dickinson, and he has been able to learn more baseball mechanics from experienced players on his team. He also said that it is important to be close as a team.

Dickinson also helps with statistics for the football team, and plans to play some intramural sports as well. He partakes in Share Prayer and Dare (SP&D) and CJ Buffalo’s Bible study for a good dose of the Scriptures. Dickinson says that the best part of the Tabor experience has been meeting new people and forming new relationships in a Christ-centered culture.

When asked about his spare time, Dickinson shared the common sentiment that he has no spare time due to sports, classes, and homework. However, he does enjoy watching a good NFL football game and hanging out at K-Hall.

The dorms have been good to him, and he says that the community around the men’s quad is excellent. Dickinson’s favorite classes are Intro to Education and Literature of the New Testament. When asked what advice he would give future freshmen, he said:

“You’re not a robot, don’t use AI you chump.”

NASH DICKINSON

CHEVI LESLIE

by Keith Morris

KELSIE MAYFIELD

by Tayton Smith

Chevi Leslie is a freshman living in Upper Nebraska in the men’s quad. While at Tabor, he hopes to learn more about his faith and pick up new skills for his future.

Leslie was first drawn to Tabor by the enriching Christian community the campus has to offer. Since being here, he has been impressed by how nice the campus is, despite expecting it to be larger. His favorite class is chapel because it has been very uplifting for him.

A gentle giant, Leslie may look a little intimidating, but he truly has a heart of gold.

He is hoping to pursue a degree in exercise science to help people get in shape and turn their lives around. He is very excited to grow as a person and get out of the house.

Recently, Leslie had the opportunity to speak at Share, Prayer, and Dare (SP&D). While up there, he was very nervous, but that didn’t stop him from speaking. One of the things Leslie has also done is co-lead a Bible study with some of the football team. The Bible study has been very successful, and the team feels much closer to each other.

Freshman Kelsie Mayfield of Lewis Center, Ohio, is making a vibrant mark at Tabor College. Majoring in business marketing with minors in biblical theology and graphic design, Mayfield embodies a balance of creativity, faith, and ambition. Beyond the classroom, she is an active member of the Tabor community, showcasing her diverse talents and interests.

Mayfield competes on the Tabor volleyball team, where teamwork and dedication fuel her competitive spirit. She is also deeply involved in campus life through various organizations including choir, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), Campus Ministries Council (CMC), and Share, Prayer, and Dare (SP&D). These groups reflect her passion for faith and fellowship, integral parts of her college experience.

When asked what she loves most about Tabor, Mayfield highlights the kindness and warmth of the people.

“The community and Christ-centered education drew me here,” she shares. “I felt like that was where God was calling me to be.”

Her journey reflects the college’s mission to nurture both academic excellence and spiritual growth. Mayfield’s story is a shining example of how Tabor empowers students to thrive both personally and professionally.

SPORTS UPDATES

MEN’S SOCCER

by Taylor Nye

Overall: 5-1-1 KCAC: 3-0

Tabor College Men’s Soccer is on an impressive roll with a 5-1-1 record early in the season. The Bluejays currently sit at 3-0 in conference play, picking up wins over St. Mary, Bethel, and McPherson.

The offensive load has been well-balanced, with Pol Fernandez, Richard Wiegand, and Martin Marinakis all tied for the team lead in goals, each netting three so far this season.

Senior Abe Friesen said the energy surrounding the team is higher than ever.

“I don’t think there are any games this season where we cannot play to win,” Friesen said. “My hope is that we keep having positive results, and make the national tournament.”

He credits the team’s early success to the excitement, commitment, depth, and skill that have already been displayed.

With strong leadership, scoring depth, and a defense that has shown grit under pressure, the Bluejays are positioning themselves as legitimate contenders in the KCAC.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

by Tayton Smith

Overall: 5-1-2 KCAC: 1-0-2

The Lady Jays are hitting their stride and jumping into a great season. They currently sit fourth in conference and are looking to finish top three. Porsha Zweifel (SR/Augusta, KS) is the leading goal scorer with seven goals so far this season.

“We have much more depth off the bench this year and have an extremely dedicated and hardworking midfield, thanks to Raegan King, our senior captain,” said Taylor Nye (JR/Valley Center, Kan.).

They hope to make it to the playoffs this year since they fell short by one point last year. They also hope to win the games that ended in ties last year. Their offense is a completely different story from last year, so being able to score has looked much more possible from where they were.

The Bluejays will make the trip to Ottawa this Saturday hoping to take home a win on the road.

GOLF by Krisalyn Higerd

Golf season has started out strong with the women’s team having two tournaments and the men’s team having four. During these tournaments, the Bluejay golf team faced Garden City, Sterling,

Barton, Hesston, Bethany, Ottawa, Bethel, Central Christian, and Southwestern.

The men’s team has finished in seventh, eighth, and third place, with the most recent tournament not for placement. While the women do not qualify for team scores, Natalie Unsworth has placed in the top 25 for both of the women’s tournaments. Celina Taylor has placed in the top 25 and top 30.

This year, there is one freshman woman and nine freshman men, bringing the teams to three women and 17 men.

“The most rewarding part has definitely been the family I have created this year,” Unsworth shared. “We have a family-like aspect where we joke around, but when it’s time to focus at a tournament or practice, we all know how to get it done.”

TENNIS

by Porsha Zwiefel

The Tabor tennis team has participated in early fall tournaments and individual events, setting the tone for a rigorous training cycle with eyes on the KCAC in the spring.

Under the leadership of head coach Jeremy Nelson, the squad emphasizes both athletic excellence and Christian character. For freshman Selyn Duke of Altus, Okla., joining the Tabor College tennis team already feels like home.

“So far, tennis has been an amazing experience that has given us the opportunities to do what we love in a competitive environment,” Duke said. “I expect our fall season to be focused around improvement and strengthening, for us to come into our spring season ready to win and dominate, and throughout all seasons to honor The Lord in what ways we can.”

As the season unfolds, fans can

expect exciting matchups against KCAC rivals including Avila University, Bethany College, and Ottawa University. With hard work, faith, and team spirit, the Bluejays hope to make a strong impact on and off the court this year.

FOOTBALL

by Elijah Higerd

Overall: 2-4

The football team has spent countless hours training and teaching each of the players to be the best they can be, especially the largest class of incoming freshmen in Tabor College history.

In the last game against Friends University, Tabor was down 52-0 at

halftime, but the Bluejays returned with fire in their eyes. On their first possession in the third quarter, they scored their first touchdown. They pinned Friends’ quarterback for a safety and then found the end zone again in the fourth quarter, all while holding Friends University to just one touchdown. Even though the final score was 59-15, the Bluejays were able to stop the running game and force turnovers.

Despite the slow start to the season with a 1-3 record, the Bluejays are proving that they will fight to the last second.

SPORTS UPDATES

VOLLEYBALL

by Taylor Nye

Overall: 4-10 KCAC: 0-1

Despite losing some key players, the Tabor College women’s volleyball team is focused on growth and improvement as they head deeper into their season.

Senior Liana McGonigle shared her optimism about the team’s potential.

“We are off to a better start this season even with losing some key players,” McGonigle said. “I have a positive feeling about what the conference will hold for us.”

McGonigle pointed to the team’s balance of talent as a reason for her confidence.

“We have some strong power hitters and good defense, so when we figure out how to put the pieces together we will win some games,” she said.

The Bluejays currently sit at 4-10 overall and 0-1 in conference play, but the team believes they are on the verge of turning things around. With leadership from their seniors and the drive to compete in every match, Tabor volleyball is determined to find their rhythm and make noise in the KCAC.

CHEER by Skylor Henry

The 2025-26 Tabor cheerleading season is off to a great start, with head coach Krista Matlock and assistant coach Rylee Yoder leading the 16 studentathletes.

When asked about her favorite part of the season so far, freshman Emma Anderson said, “Getting to know my teammates and coaches. Everyone is super supportive of one another and encourages each other.”

The squad looks forward to hosting its annual Mini Tabor Cheer Camp, where participants will perform at halftime on Oct. 4. A new food-truck fundraiser also takes place that day.

“Each year our program continues to grow, and it’s a lot of fun to watch that happen,” Matlock said. “We are so proud of what has been built.”

The Bluejays are eager to share Christ’s love through cheer this season.

CROSS COUNTRY by Hudson Brown

The Tabor College cross-country team hit the ground running this semester and has shown great improvement at their meets. The team is under the leadership of coach Aaron Yoder, his first year at Tabor.

“This has been a great kickoff to year one,” Coach Yoder said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and joyful to be a part of the Tabor College family.”

The women’s team has performed well, often finishing in the top one-third of competitors. The men’s team also shows promise, but hasn’t run a full squad yet.

Coach Yoder is pleased with both the athleticism and the character of his team.

“This is a great group of student-athletes,” he said. “[They] are already showing how they give back by doing service hours at a home football game, but are also looking toward a high finish at the conference championships in November.”

The Bluejays are excited for the rest of their season!

EUROPE TRIP RECAP

by Katie Classen

As students grow and change in college, many find an increasing desire to see the world. That was the case for 16 Tabor students, along with faculty members

Derek Hamm and Ryan Loewen, who took a 14-day trip to Europe in the summer of 2025. They got the opportunity to experience European culture, art, and Anabaptist history in a unique way.

In collaboration with Tabor’s art and Bible departments, students toured six countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and Austria. Students took guided tours through art museums, explored the city, and attended the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism conference in Zurich, Switzerland. Along with that, students got to explore cities including Amsterdam, Munich, and Paris. They experienced church services in France and Alsace, also having the opportunity to stay in local homes.

Peter Jost, a sophomore, was one of the students who attended the trip.

“Something that surprised me was the amount of public train transportation we used,” Jost said. “Because there are so many people in the cities we visited, people use trains a lot more to get around.”

He also commented on how memorable the trip was.

“It is hard to only pick one memorable moment, but I think that experiencing things in person that I

had only previously read books or watched movies about was very memorable,” Jost said. “For example, I have always known that the Eiffel Tower exists, or that people in Europe speak different languages than English, but seeing it in person was special.”

Tabor’s trip to Europe was in agreement with Tabor’s values of community and learning.

Students felt and experienced the community of Christ’s church outside of cultural boundaries, while learning about life outside of themselves.

There comes great value and growth by leaving the walls of comfort one lives in. If you’re interested in taking a trip abroad, consider joining Tabor in visiting Thailand, Indonesia, or Turkey in the summer of 2025. For more information about upcoming trips, talk to Craig Jost.

STUDENT GROUPS

Student Groups Staff Liason Student Representative

SAB

CMC

Intramurals

CHUMS

Student Senate

Science Club

Criminal Justice Club

DECA

Love-Driven Justice Club

Missions Club & Carson Center

Blistah Club (Running)

Wellness Club

Tabor View

Book Club

Sign Language Club

Quill

Yearbook

Ben Brown Cason Chadd

Ryan Lee

Josh Jones

Sara Sigley

Ted Boykin

James Titah

Darren Bradley

Melinda Rangel

Lara Vanderhoof

Craig Jost

Sara Sigley

Toby Penner

Kathryn Glanzer

Malorie Hein

Sasha Wasinger

Sam Claassen

Pryce Holloway

Riley Collins

Wyatt Samuels & Fabian Sylveria

Josiah Winans & Ignacio Fabeiro

Shay Sullivan

Nathaniel Dewey

Abby Evans

Jada Thomas & Kaitlyn Simons

Sheridan Bussard

Kathryn Glanzer Krisalyn Higerd

Lily Arthur

NEPAL TRIP RECAP

by Krisalyn Higerd

When you journey to the other side of the world, sometimes it is a bit surprising what you will learn about yourself, your team, and the country you visit.

Craig Jost, Fabi Jost, Aleen Ratzlaff, Lauryn Turner, Kaitlyn Simons, Jada Thomas, Katie Hofer and Krisalyn Higerd participated in the Southeast Asia Service Trip to Nepal in May 2025. After traveling nearly 50 hours, they put on a volleyball sports camp for the children in several different places, as well as share their stories with the women who worked there. In addition, they got to experience the different atmospheres of the different communities, from the bustling incense-heavy capital, Kathmandu, to the small, quiet villages in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The Christian community there is small, but the Nepalis are a religious people. So while there is pushback against the Christians, they are still interested in Christianity. The churches in the different areas may have been small, but the presence of God was very strong there.

In Kathmandu’s Monkey Temple, there was a little shop that sold Christian paintings. In the midst of the Buddhist and Hindu worship as well as all the shops selling different items for that kind of worship, this woman sold paintings that featured Bible verses on them. Students said it was incredible to see that level of witness in such a dark place.

There were similar levels of witness in different areas, including a bookstore that sold Christian books and Bibles and a shop that sold jewelry made by a company that aims to provide jobs for women in need.

“Seeing how bold people’s faith in Nepal was,” Jada Thomas said when asked what impacted her the most on this trip. “Like [at] the bookstore and especially the painting shop in the temple.”

‘KPOP DEMON HUNTERS’ REVIEW

*Opinion piece by

Mackenzie Copeland

K-Pop Demon Hunters is a Netflix original movie that was released on June 20, 2025.

Within weeks of its release, the movie broke records, and the songs made the top 10 charts on Spotify. Some of the songs are still on the list today. The movie is such a success on Netflix that a sing-along version was produced and released in theaters on Aug. 23. But is the movie really worth all the hype?

In my opinion, the answer is yes, but only if you are willing to suspend your disbelief. I found the songs and graphics phenomenal and the plotline both original and cliché. I was able to guess at the plot, but I was also surprised by the ending. I thought the romance line was cute and the pop-culture references made me laugh. I loved the character designs and animation style as well.

But the movie also has its downsides. In my opinion, the plot moves a bit too fast. Even the slow moments are rapidly paced. The romance feels like it is on a fast track, and it feels like we miss out on any real connection between

the characters. It feels like certain scenes are missing and the action is performed without any real motivation. It seems that certain pivotal scenes are glossed over in favor of a song and the emotion is lacking in vital moments.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie and think it deserves its moment in the sun. It is a fun movie made for a good time, but it isn’t perfect. The movie is full of lighthearted moments and high emotion. But it also isn’t made to be terribly scrutinized. The songs are fun, the animation style is new, and the plot is exciting.

In my opinion, it’s a good movie and I highly recommend everyone watch it.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

Oct. 16-18

Oct. 17

Oct. 18

Oct. 22

Oct. 24

Oct. 25

Oct. 26

Oct. 29

Oct. 31

Nov. 6

Nov. 8

Nov. 9

7:30 p.m.

9 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 8 p.m.

Homecoming Musical: “Pirates of Penzance”

After Party Under the Stars

Music Fest

Football vx Bethel (Homecoming Game)

Women’s Soccer vs Avila

Men’s Soccer vs Avila

Volleyball vs Sterling

Fall Band/Choral Concert

Volleyball vs Friends

Katy Nicole - SAB Concert

Women’s Soccer vs Bethany

Men’s Soccer vs Bethany

Women’s Basketball vs. John Brown

Men’s Basketbal vs Concordia

Volleyball vs McPherson

Women’s Basketball vs. Stephens College

Football vs Saint Mary

Women’s Basketball vs. Bellevue

Richert Auditorium

Lohrenz Lawn

Front of SFCA

Joel H. Wiens Stadium

Tabor Gymnasium

Richert Auditorium

Tabor Gymnasium

Richert Auditorium

Joel H. Wiens Stadium

Tabor Gymnasium

Joel H. Wiens Stadium

Tabor Gymnasium

The Tabor View offers students and faculty a window into the happenings on campus. Our student writers uncover stories behind the scenes, keep people updated, and report with accuracy and clarity. We strive to present precise, detailed information in our articles. Opinions expressed in the articles do not reflect the opinion of The Tabor View.

Letters to the Editor:

The Tabor View invites readers to share their thoughts on issues with our campus community by submitting concise letters to the editor.

Anonymous letters and those that are libelous or in poor taste will not be printed. Email your letters to abigail.evans@tabor.edu.

Would you like to join the Tabor View staff or see your pictures from around campus featured in the Tabor View? Send an email to abigail.evans@tabor. edu.

Keep an eye out for our next survey to be featured in the Student View.

Advisor: Toby Penner

Editor: Abby Evans

Graphic Designer: Makenna Reed

Writing Staff: Hudson Brown, Katie Classen, Mackenzie Copeland, Skylor Henry, Elijah Higerd, Krisalyn Higerd, Liam Morgan, Keith Morris, Taylor Nye, Tayton Smith, William Thompson, Isaac Wonch, & Porsha Zwiefel

Cover Photo by Creighton Kukula

Other photos by Addison Schmidt, Adrienne Selzer, Michael Klaassen, & Creighton Kukula

Cartoon by Mackenzie Copeland