Nov Dec 2025 Vessel Magazine

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 2

NOV/DEC 2025

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS STUDENT MEDIA

Table of Contents

Editors and Writers 02 USF Cheerleading 04 Theater Event 06 Coo Jumps 08 Football Feature 10 Player Spotlights 12 Tv Production 14 Personal Effects 16 Christmas Movie Night 17 Madrigals at Christmastime 18

EDITORS

Andrew Frohwein

Emma Edwards

Cover and Back Photo by Assistant Cheer Coach Traci Osterberg

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W R I T E R S

Faithanne Rukavina Toby Knutson

Kylee Miller Mauloa Wells P H O T O G R A P H E R S

Sydney McKee

Tori Schroeder

Clayton Cooper

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By: Kylee Miller

We all know and enjoy watching the University of Sioux Falls Basketball and Football Teams. However, have you ever looked a little farther at the games to see that the University of Sioux Falls also has cheerleaders? Yes, you read that right, the University of Sioux Falls has cheerleaders! They cheer for basketball as well as football! The team is coached by head coach Kayla State and assistant coach Traci Osterberg. “Being a cheer coach has meant so much more to me than just leading the team. It's been about helping athletes grow into confident, driven, and compassionate individuals.

Watching the team develop both in skill and unity each season is incredibly rewarding, but what means the most is seeing each athlete's personal growth. From their first practice to the moment they graduate, it's inspiring to see how much they learn in the process, “said State.

The type of cheer this team does is called sideline cheer. Which means that they are on the sideline for games and do a series of different cheers and chants during games. As well as a few different stunts! The team usually practices every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. During the football season, the practices take place at the Bubble located on the football campus. Then, during basketball season, the practices take place at the Stewart Center located on campus.

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Senior Abby Hensley has been a part of the cheer team for all four of her years at the University of Sioux Falls. She said it is a great way for her to stay involved on campus, as well as having a dancing background.

“Cheer has impacted my college experience by keeping me involved in school events like football and basketball games, along with leading me to many of the friends I have now!” states Hensley. Making connections as well as learning new things is exactly what the cheer team is about.

From meeting new people to learning how to stunt, it's a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new or keep doing something you have always done.”

The team holds tryouts every year! The tryout consists of one cheer, a chant, and one dance. You will have time to practice the cheer, chant, and dance before the actual tryout. There are other returning cheerleaders there to teach you all the material you will need to know!

“Each year brings a new mix of athletes, which makes coaching both challenging and exciting. Every team comes in with different skill levels, personalities, and experiences, so teaching all of the material from the ground up takes patience, creativity, and adaptability. Forming stunt groups can be especially tricky at first as we work to find the best combinations of athletes who complement one another's strengths. While it's always bittersweet to see cheerleaders graduate and leave the program, it's also incredibly rewarding to welcome new faces and start building a fresh team dynamic. There is nothing better than seeing the progress the team makes when everything starts to click,” says State. If you are thinking about trying out but are on the fence, I hope this helps! If you are interested or someone you know wants to try out, feel free to reach out to Traci Osterberg in the registrar’s office or reach out to the Instagram page @USFcheer.

Photos by Assistant Cheer Coach Traci Osterberg

University of Sioux Falls Cheerleading

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Steel Magnolias: A Celebration of Wom Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Moses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.~(Matthew 27:55-56) In Steel Magnolias, the strength and compassion of women shine through laughter, heartbreak, and resilience. Much like the women who followed Jesus from Galilee, the characters in this play embody steadfast love and care for one another in every season of life. Their friendship becomes a quiet act of faith, showing how presence, service, and compassion can reflect Christ’s love in ordinary moments. Just as Mary Magdalene and the others stood by Jesus in his suffering, these women stand by each other through both joy and loss.

Steel Magnolias was presented on the Meredith stage November 12, 13, 14 at 7 p.m. and November 15 at 2 p.m. Written by Robert Harling, the play is set in a 1980s Louisiana beauty salon, where a group of women gather to share in life’s joys, challenges, and changes. Their conversations, filled with humor and honesty, reveal the deep bonds that hold them together through every season.

Alecia Juelfs, the Assistant Professor of Theater and Theater Program Director here at USF, explains that the idea to put on Steel Magnolias

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The cast of Steel Magnolias sharing a tender moment began with a personal connection through her mom. “[Steel Magnolias is] her favorite thing in the entire world,” Juelfs said. “I was familiar with it in that way. We [also] have lots of very talented women that I feel don’t always get as many opportunities to shine.”

This combination of personal meaning and artistic opportunity made Steel Magnolias the perfect choice for this season’s production.

Juelfs saw the play as a way to both honor her mother’s love for the story and celebrate the remarkable women within the USF theater community. Centered on friendship and resilience, the production celebrates both the strength of its characters and the community of women bringing them to life.

men and Friendship By: Toby Knutson

While the beauty salon in the show is the ladies’ place of connection, Ellie Erickson, a senior Criminal Justice major, who plays the role of Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, talks about a place of connection in her own life. “The atmosphere of Steel Magnolias feels similar to my grandma’s house when I was growing up,” said Erickson. That sense of warmth and familiarity is what makes the show so special for Erickson, reminding her of the love and laughter shared across generations of women in her own family. Erickson recounts the times when her, her sister, and her mom would visit her grandma’s house while she was baking.

“We were always in the kitchen, she’s baking something and we’re just yapping,” Erickson shares.

With these personal connections and heartfelt themes, the production invites audiences to reflect on what Steel Magnolias reveals about love, faith, and the power of community. Juelfs hopes that “they [the audience] think of the women in their lives that have shaped them, have made sacrifices, have loved them well throughout their lives. I firmly believe not a single person has been successful in anything they’ve done without a woman influencing them in some way.” Along with Juelfs’ hope of reflection, Erickson invites the audience to realize “there is so much more depth to women than being physically beautiful, being a gossip, or just kind of all the stereotypes.” While Steel Magnolias leans into these stereotypes a little – being set in a beauty salon, or seeing these southern women gossip – Erickson asks that the audience would “dive deeper into the actual dialogue and the subtext of everything that’s going on.

And that female friendships can be some of the most fulfilling ones of your life.”

Like the women who followed and stood by Jesus, Steel Magnolias celebrates the steadfast love, faith, and friendship that holds

communities together.

Ellie Erickson (left) rehearsing alongside Regan Malley (right).

“God has given women throughout all humanity very specific, but intentional roles”, said Juelfs. The story reminds us that God’s grace is often revealed not through grand gestures, but through simple moments of care, laughter, and presence.

In watching these women stand by one another through life’s joys and struggles, we’re reminded of the quiet, powerful ways love reflects Christ in our everyday relationships.

Alecia Juelfs (left, hard at work directing the cast.)

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As the track season gets closer, the Cougar Jumps Team gets more excited for the chance to use the skills they have been preparing all year.

USF track involves athletes in several different events, but the students involved in long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault have been preparing since the end of summer for their chance to shine. The Coo Jumps Club involves all athletes in the events mentioned above. Their only off season is the summertime, but otherwise they are preparing and working on their skills to get ready for the beginning of the indoor track season. Even though much of the team is spread out and back home over the summertime, the team still tries to get together and work out when they can.

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USF COO JUMPS By: Tori Schroeder

To keep followers updated, the Cougar Jumps Team has a social media page on which they post their recent hangouts, activities they do together outside of practices, as well as showcasing the progress they are making for the upcoming season.

Student Amarise Okken, says “The Coo Jumps Team is really close and we do a lot of stuff in the summer or towards the beginning of the year.

When its warmer we’ll play volleyball, spike ball, or we’ll just get together and hang out and play games... the team atmosphere is great...you just have friends automatically when you join the team.”

When asked what made Okken want to continue jumping in college, she said, “In high school I didn’t start till my Junior year and I just think after my senior year I was like wow I love this sport, I want to continue, so I was really grateful for the opportunity to do it in college. Our coach is amazing, so it’s really helpful to have a coach who knows what she’s talking about, can help you see improvements… doing track in college (as opposed to high school) is more serious but still lighthearted and you meet a lot of good friends. It’s such a good community and a good atmosphere and so it’s just awesome, it’s way different from high school but it’s way better.”

The Cougar Jump Team’s first meet was Friday December 5, at 2:00 p.m. at Wayne State College.

They would love support from the crowd for their many spring meets, so visit the University of Sioux Falls Athletics website for their schedule or check them out on their Instagram page, USF Coo Jumps. Everyone is invited to come cheer them on!

Photos courtesy of USF Coo Jumps

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FOOTBALL FEATURE

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Tate Schafer’s Debut Start By: Mauloa Wells

On October 11, 2025, the USF Cougars secured a big win over Southwest Minnesota State University with a score of 35-14 at Mattke Field inside the Schwan Regional Event Center in Marshall, Minnesota. Freshman Quarterback Tate Schafer was named NSIC offensive player of the week after an outstanding performance over the SMSU Mustangs.

“My mindset going in was to play freely and to my best ability. I knew the guys would have my back and that we would do what we are supposed to do,” Schafer said.

After redshirt sophomore quarterback Bennett Brueck suffered a season-ending injury, Schafer stepped in and set outstanding numbers, putting up 454 total yards of offense and five touchdowns to power the Cougars past the Mustangs. He completed 21 of 34 passes for 384 yards and Photos by Jurgens Photography

three touchdowns, while also adding 70 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. “I thought running the football worked really well for us, as well as just getting the ball to our receivers in space,” said Schafer.

“I feel pretty good about my performance thanks to the O-line and receivers. I left some plays out there on the field I wish I could have back,” Schafer said. With two quarterbacks, Camden Dean and Bennett Brueck ruled out for the rest of the season, Schafer will take over the starting quarterback role to end the Cougar’s season.

“I thank my family for all the support they have for me.

Also, my teammates for having full belief in me and having my back,” said Schafer, giving his support system recognition.

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT By: Mauloa Wells

Hank Brown Jr.

The USF Cougars have wrapped up their 2025 football season with a record of 7-4 (64) in conference and are looking forward to transitioning into the 26-27 football season with new goals to achieve.

The Cougar’s offense did receive some all-conference nominees on the offensive side of the ball and sophomore receiver Hank Brown Jr. received 1st team All-Conference wide receiver. Brown was one of the most dynamic players in the NSIC. “I’m truly blessed to receive 1st team all-conference, thanking the man above and the coaches who push me to be the best receiver in the NSIC,” Brown said, on how he felt receiving the recognition everyone feels he dearly deserved.

The sophomore put up 83 receptions with 979 receiving yards, with 2 receiving and 2 rushing touchdowns and is one of the top 5 receivers in Division 2 football leading in receiving yards in one season.

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He is just shy of 35 more yards to break USF alumni, Coach Kalen DeBoer’s record, who played and coached when USF was named Sioux Falls College. Brown said, “This was all God’s work for allowing me to perform at my best ability possible, but I will be named one of the best receivers in Sioux Falls.”

Brown unfortunately got injured in the last game of conference of the regular season against Concordia St. Paul and is looking forward to a fast recovery. “Injuries happen but I will come back next year fully recovered and better than ever,” Brown stated as he broke his fibula, but is expected to be 100% healthy for next season.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT By: Mauloa Wells

The USF Cougars successfully won a big home game over the Winona State Warriors with a score of 4924on Saturday, November 1st, 2025. Senior defensive tackle Preston Yohnke was named atomic wings player of the game after an outstanding performance coming from the senior.

Yohnke has been here since the beginning of the Coach Glo era and hasn’t beaten Winona since 2023. “It feels great. Especially to win on our home field. We knew it was going to be a tough game and I’m happy we were able to come out with a win,” Yohnke stated.

“It takes the whole defense.

Preston Yohnke

We started a little flat and gave up two touchdowns early. But then we settled in, and our defense was firing on all cylinders. D-Line was getting after the quarterback, and the secondary was covering the pass very well,” Yohnke stated on what it took to shut out the Winona offense.

He put up a total of 1 tackle, but was so outstanding up front that their offense didn’t want to run anywhere near Yohnke. But the Cougars have lost a couple of key defensive linemen with experience early in the season and now transition to a very young group.

Photos by Jurgens Photography

Yohnke pointed out that, “The young guys really stepped up like Max Elrod, James Woodward, and Dashawn Rohlik. These guys haven’t gotten a lot of reps and know they are being asked to play a lot of meaningful snaps and they have really stepped up for the D-Line.’’ These young guys were very impressive in this game.“I plan on moving back home and start work,” Yohnke said, since he is near to closing out his career here at USF. The 6’2, 290lbs graduate student will focus on finishing his career here on a strong note with two games left in the season.

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Photos by: Clayton Cooper

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TV PRODUCTION

These students are part of the television production classes in the Media Studies department. They learn about recording live television, how to direct the show, run audio, camera operation, floor directing, controlling the teleprompter for the anchors, and being the on-camera talent. Students in these classes go on to have professions

in journalism, both print and television news, radio, photography, videography, editing, marketing, public relations, social media management, and sports marketing.

If you are interested in learning about these media studies classes, please email Dr. Nick Poppens or Nancy Sutton.

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PERSONAL EFFECTS By: Faithanne Rukavina

On Halloween weekend, Jones Theater, also known as Black Box Theater, hosted a spooky but sentimental Senior Show called Personal Effects. Directed and written by Senior Communications and Theater Studies Major, Sydni Mauldin, the story revolves around a mortician’s adolescent daughter, Lydia (played by Kyla Schwager), who stumbles upon a dusty box tucked away in a corner of the funeral home, which happens to be personal effects of unidentified bodies.

She discovers soon after that she can see the ghosts whose souls still roam the funeral home. Lydia befriends Ada (played by Faithanne Rukavina), a 22-year-old traditional 1950s housewife whose charm, bubbly spirit, and gentle wisdom stand in contrast to Lydia’s uncertainty.

Ada quickly becomes both a mentor and companion as Lydia learns to navigate her new abilities when meeting the other ghosts living at the funeral home. Ada introduces and guides Lydia with her new abilities, and they build a wholesome friendship that neither of them was expecting to appreciate so much.

The show ends in a tear-jerker plot twist that gives you a new perspective on life, death, regret, and friendship. “I was sitting with my friends, and they were telling me stories of how they grew up in the funeral home.

Stories about having to dig graves for

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a job and handing out pamphlets for the ceremonies.

That conversation sparked the idea of Personal Effects, and I started writing it in my playwriting class last spring in hopes of producing it,” said Mauldin. The show was cast in late September, and it debuted on October 29, running until November 1. It beautifully captures how friendship can bloom in the most unexpected places.

The show marks another strong contribution to the university’s growing legacy of student-led productions.

Personal Effects ultimately delivers a haunting yet heartfelt reminder of the beauty in connection and the stories we leave behind.

Christmas Movie Night The Holiday Before the Holidays By: Toby Knutson

‘Twas the night before finals, and all through the theater, every student was stressed, in need of a heater. The Jones was filled with holiday cheer, with a movie set to quell their fears.” ~ Between the stress of finals and the semester coming to an end, STAB, the Student Theater Advisory Board, hosted a Christmas movie night December 7, the Sunday before finals. Keeping up their annual tradition, the event was held in the Jones theater with homemade hot cocoa, crafts, snacks, and a showing of The Holiday, directed by Nancy Meyers.

Kadie Huls, a junior Elementary Education major, is the Activity Coordinator for STAB. “It’s a fun way to bring the community back together,” Huls said. “At TCF (Theater Company Fellowship) we have a lot of fun as friends and family. And getting to come together and watch a movie together is just a fun way to continue that.”

In search of a place to rest in between studying for finals, many students showed up to partake in an evening of coziness and relaxation. One of these students, Bethany Dunkle, a sophomore Music and Psychology major, loved getting the chance to hang with her friends. “In a time as stressful as finals, the chance to focus on spending time with people and build relationships can be the most wonderful way to de-stress”, Dunkle said. “There’s nothing quite like getting to spend time with my friends while we relax and do fun Christmas activities.”

Christmas is a time of spiritual reflection, gratitude for God’s love, and embodying faith through acts of generosity, service, and kindness. For Dunkle, Christmas is one of the most special times of the year. “Christmas helps remind me to hold my loved ones close, cherish the people in my life, and hold close the memories of the loved ones no longer a part of my life,” said Dunkle. “We have the blessing of a God who loves us enough to give us the best Christmas gift in the form of His son.”

And with His gift, Dunkle has the chance every day to have her cup filled by the

wonderful people in her life.

The theater department’s Christmas movie night was a chance to tie a bow on the Fall semester while also ringing in the Yuletide season. Huls says that events like these, “would be a good opportunity to sort of meet the people.” Filled with laughter, food, and Christmas cheer, it was a nice way to end off the semester. Dunkle reflects fondly on her evening relaxing with friends. “It’s memories like these that make the whole college experience worth it.” And memories such as this are also what Christmas is about; spending time with the ones you love while rejoicing in the birth of our Lord. And as students stepped back out into the chill of finals week, they carried with them the warmth of fellowship and the hope found in the season’s true meaning.

The group sitting around enjoying The Holiday.

(Top left to right) Kadie Huls, Charlie Wood, Sarah Mawdsley, and (Bottom left to right) Ben Fletcher, Bethany Dunkle, Regan Malley all enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation.

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Madrigals at Christmastime By: Faithanne Rukavina

Candlelight, bells, warm, scrumptious food, joyous voices, and laughter ringing in the air. That is a memory that is fond of many when it comes to Madrigals during the Christmas season. Also known as the Camerata Chamber Singers, Madrigals is a smaller group of singers that perform in the masque.

The masque is a lavish courtly entertainment featuring music, dance, elaborate costumes, and scenery.

They also serve an exquisite dinner with a delectable dessert. This Madrigal group usually consists

of 4 sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Within this dinner drama, most of the ensemble play part of the royal party, eating a fabulous meal with the king and queen. A smaller group plays humorous characters along with the king and queen. The style of this performance is Renaissance and early Baroque periods, which adds to the magical feel.

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The beloved Madrigal Dinner returns December 5–7. Each evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception in the Ward Lobby of the McDonald Center before guests are led to Salsbury Dining Hall for a 7 p.m. feast. Between each course, audiences are treated to lively entertainment—jokes, dramatic sketches, solos, instrumental pieces, and of course, the rich harmonies of the Madrigal Singers. Student musicians, dancers, and even a court jester round out the Renaissance-style celebration. There will be a student showing on the first night, where it will be a free way to support your classmates who will be performing, while also getting a good laugh.

The Madrigal Dinner tradition started here at the University of Sioux Falls in 1963, founded by Lois Harchanko, who was a music professor. Ever since, students who have been cast in this group have been performing with the audience eager to attend each year. It is now run by David Dehoogh-Kliewer, and he takes a lot of pride in it. “Christmas time would not feel the same without seeing madrigals!” many of the guests say while leaving the performance.

Madrigals are not easy groups to be a part of. Many would groan when asked how hard it is to be let in when one auditions. At the beginning, rehearsals are at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 50 minutes each.

The roles of king and queen are routinely given to whoever has been a part of Madrigals for the longest. This year, the titles of King and Queen go to Elijah Olson and Anna Klungseth. For Elijah, he heard of the opportunity and decided to give it a shot. He ended up having a blast. In Elijah’s words, it was “extremely fun and enjoyable” to be a part of, especially since you can be able to do it with your friends. Elijah continues to do it since it feels so natural to keep going. One of his favorite parts of Madrigals has been the bells. “The bells are great.”

Elijah laughs in excitement. Although there may be a lot of work to learn bell parts alongside memorizing their own music to sing, it is very rewarding in the end. For Anna, madrigals seemed appealing to her because of the community. “The community seemed really strong. I’ve made a lot of my closet friends through Chorale and Madrigals, and it is so fun to be goofy and perform.”

As the final notes fade and the last candle flickers, the Madrigal Dinner leaves guests with more than a festive evening; it offers a glimpse into centuries of musical tradition and the vibrant spirit of USF’s campus community. Whether you come for the music, the feast, or the camaraderie, the experience lingers long after the holiday season, reminding all who attend that the joy of singing and fellowship is timeless.

Photos courtesy of Dustin VanHunnik, USF Marketing

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