According to MusicRow, Bryan teased several of the songs throughout the summer, including “Robot Killed the Working Man” and “Backwards,” which became familiar to fans attending his live performances.

Known for his emotional songwriting, Bryan has built a career around music that explores heartbreak, relationships and everyday life. His latest release continues that approach while bringing different musical influences into his work.

One of the project’s most anticipated tracks, “Lies,” features Lana Del Ray, whose melancholic style complements Bryan’s country sound. The collaboration brings together two artists known for their emotional storytelling, creating a matchup that appeals to listeners across genres.

Another notable collaboration comes on “Plainsman,” featuring Turnpike Troubadours. Both Bryan and the band have Oklahoma roots, and Bryan has made references to the Troubadours in past albums.

The release follows an already successful year for Bryan. According to MusicRow, With Heaven on Top debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while all 25 tracks appeared on the charts.

Bryan spent much of 2026 performing across North America and Europe. Consequence reported that his October performance at Gillette Stadium had 73,538 fans, setting a new attendance record for the venue.

Alongside the EP, Bryan announced his first in-depth memoir of the same name. According to People, the book will explore the past decade of his life, including his military service, musical success and personal experiences.

Despite his busy year, Bryan is not slowing down. He has announced a 23-date stadium tour for 2027, with performances scheduled across North America and Australia.

With eight new songs, major collaborations, a memoir and another tour approaching, Bryan continues expanding his career beyond transition country music. His latest project offers longtime fans another look at his songwriting while introducing his music to new audiences.

Before arriving at Bethel, George had various work experiences that allowed him to gain valuable knowledge and skills. “I worked at a company called Dynamic Disk,” he said. “I was a content producer and marketing. I moved to Wichita and ended up with the Boys Scouts of America. I oversaw like six countries and 100 units.”

George also worked at Southwestern College in Winfield, where he was involved in both the financial and recruiting aspects of the institution. “I was in the academic side of it all with planning people’s schedules and getting them enrolled,” he said. “Just the advising piece.”

After his time at Southwestern, George was recruited to be part of the marketing department at Friends University in Wichita. “I had a friend who worked at Friends,” he said. “He mentioned that they had an opening in the marketing department and so I spent 4 plus years at that institution as a marketing person.”

Some of George’s responsibilities in this position involved digital advertising, print, emailing and CRM background, along with some AI. All of these job experiences helped him gain valuable skills and knowledge in his field of work, ultimately leading him to Bethel College.

Vice President for Enrollment Management, Heidi Hoskinson, saw George at a conference and connected with him. “I spoke at a conference for the KICA about how we were using AI to create interactive people for marketing purposes and recruiting purposes,” George said. “Heidi Hoskinson established a conversation with me and that is how I ended up here at Bethel.”

George has various goals and achievements that he wants to pursue in his new position as Director of Admissions. “I want to continue growing enrollment,” he said. “I think that is the biggest goal for anyone in this position.” He also highlighted the importance of recruiting young people that love and care for Bethel as an institution.

For George, co-workers and staff growth are also part of his personal goals. “I want the staff here to grow and to flourish,” he said. “Be willing to take risks, but at the same time, understand where we are in the market and understand our most beneficial recruiting territories.”

The environment and community around Bethel is something that has already stood out to George in his short time working here. “I want to create an environment that allows the people on campus to grow and excel,” he said. “I am already seeing that kind of environment created throughout here.”

George also gave some advice to incoming students for their involvement on campus. “Get involved as much as you would like,” he said. “Try to do something outside your comfort zone. You might find out that you really enjoy different hobbies that you didn’t think you would have. Try to grow and get outside of your area as much as possible. Do not be afraid to meet people, it is fairly easy on the campus’s size.”

Finally, George shared his thoughts on his first few weeks working at Bethel. “I have been welcomed with open arms and I am excited to be here,” he said. “I’m looking forward to continuing building what Bethel can be and taking that lead from a few people that have already laid that foundational legacy.”

Bethel will continue to grow and add to its staff to enhance and strengthen its institutional name and legacy. With the hiring of more people who understand what Bethel needs, different changes will emerge, which will ultimately put the college in a better spot in every aspect.

“I’ve appreciated the professional and life experience that Dr. MeMe brought to this role, and wish her well in her next endeavor,” stated Goering.

Dr. MeMe was appointed to this role in December of 2022, making her time at Bethel a three-year, 10-month stint.

Wren-Coleman was also the advisor for the Development, Inclusion, and Values Council (DivCo). Co-President Kaitlyn Marroquin of Denton, Tex., shared that they will be searching for a new advisor immediately.

“We appreciate the time that she took to help with planning student events. Said Marroquin, “We wish her well in her next chapter.”

Student Activities Council (SAC), led by Mara Oswald and Amerdid Marial, will also be impacted, as Dr. MeMe also served as their advisor.

“It will be interesting to see how things work moving forward, but we have a great group of people to keep up our work we have started thus far,” said Oswald, of Newton.

Goering states that no other positions in Student Life will be affected and to reach out to Heidi Hoskinson, Vice President for Enrollment Management, for any other questions.

Wren-Coleman does not wish to comment at this time.

Woven was founded in 2010 and is currently comprised of 10 singers. They meet twice a week to rehearse. Woven sings a variety of different songs, from classic arrangements like Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird”, to religious songs, especially when they perform in churches. Woven performs not only in churches, but also at other community events. They have performed at coffee shops and all around Bethel’s campus. They also do performances with the other student-led a cappella group, Open Road. Their goal is to share music with as many people as possible.

Rehearsing twice a week along with their other choir rehearsals, performances, classes and extracurriculars is no easy task, but students in Woven say it’s worth it. “I enjoy it because I get to make music with my friends,” said sophomore Adah Hodge. “It’s a really fun experience and we get to choose our own music to sing. It’s also completely student-led, so it’s fun to get the opportunity to really make it what we want.”

While it does seem like a lot of time and effort is put into Woven, senior Emma Graber explained how they still have fun with it. “The best part of being in this group is the laughter during rehearsals,” said Graber. “Whether it be because we just messed up entirely or we are goofing around with our accents, it’s always a good time.”

Open Road, the tenor/bass ensemble, was founded in 2001. Like Woven, they perform at churches and various community events. They also perform annually for a home concert in Memorial Hall. Throughout the years, they have performed at Mennonite Church USA conventions in Charlotte, N.C., and San Jose, Calif., and have been a selected choir at the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) annual convention. They have performed with the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus as well.

“Open Road is great,” said sophomore Ethan Wilcox. “I love picking whatever songs we want to sing and then working through learning them together. I recommend everyone try out, it’s a very enjoyable group to be in.”

Both Woven and Open Road performed on the Prairie Sky Stage at Fall Fest on October 17. Woven performed at 9:00 a.m and Open Road followed them at 9:30. Those who want to see them live can mark their calendars for Nov. 1, the date of the “Bethel Sings” choral concert. Students and members of the community are encouraged to show up and support the a cappella groups and other choral ensembles and share in their love of music.

The members of Woven and Open Road put lots of work and time into their groups and deserve to be praised. Although advised by choir director Dr. Russell Adrian, these groups are completely student-led, which takes great leadership and commitment. Being a part of these groups is not just about the work the students put in, but also about the relationships they build with each other and with music. They know how to have fun, get work done and share their talents with the Bethel community.

It is well-established that community is a central part of the Bethel experience. In a recent edition of The Bethel Collegian, news writer Adah Hodge wrote, “At Bethel, community is all we have,” but what makes community such an essential part of life at Bethel?

At a small college like Bethel with only 451 students enrolled this semester, community seems to be built into everyday life. Students see the same people every day in class, the caf or at events, creating countless opportunities to build relationships. However, simply being surrounded by the same people does not automatically create a sense of belonging. A strong community depends not on shared spaces, but on whether people feel welcomed and included in them.

Bethel’s community also extends beyond campus, involving local residents, including host families, who help students feel at home. As an international student myself, I have come to appreciate the difference one single person can make in your experience. Studying in a foreign country, or even a different state for many Bethel students, means being far away from familiar surroundings and navigating a place where most everything is new.

Building a strong community doesn’t always require big gestures. Often, small, everyday interactions can make the biggest difference. Talking to someone new and including others can make people feel that they belong. A simple act of kindness that seems minor may mean much more to somebody else. Building community means looking beyond our own circles and recognizing our role in making others feel like they belong.

Community can be one of Bethel’s greatest strengths, but it requires ongoing effort. The Thresher Way begins with community, but people are what make it meaningful. It is not created simply by attending a small college, but by the way people treat each other every day.

Everyone can contribute to the kind of community they want to be part of and can be proud to be part of. Whether it means starting a conversation with that one person who sits next to you at convo every Monday or inviting someone sitting alone at the caf to join you, you can make a difference in somebody else’s experience.

If community is really all we have, it is worth making sure everyone feels that they are part of it.

One of President Trump’s key points was his endorsement of Marshall. He supported Marshall’s reelection while also defending his record on medical debt during his remarks. President Trump said that Marshall was mandated by law to sue his patients, a claim fact-checkers have found to be untrue. While defending Marshall, Trump also used a slur drawing on an antisemitic stereotype associating Jewish people with money, saying that Marshall was not that type of person.

Another key point was Trump’s criticism of candidate Adam Hamilton for his views on immigration and gender. President Trump said that Hamilton supports “flooding Kansas with unvetted refugees who go around killing people.” He also said that Hamilton used church funds to help transgender people and was “mocking Jesus.”

Besides endorsing Marshall, President Trump also introduced a “Harvest Fuel Relief” program. He claimed that the program would offset high diesel fuel prices for farmers. This program would function similarly to Farmer Bridge Assistance, which was implemented earlier this year to account for the drop in aggregate crop receipts. The Harvest Fuel Relief program would help farmers cover diesel expenses during the busy harvest season.

President Trump also reversed his decision to ban Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier from doing business in the United States unless it moved its manufacturing operations there. Trump stated that since Bombardier employs 1,500 people in Wichita, he would protect the company from the ban and allow it to manufacture parts outside of the United States.

There were several protesters at the rally as well. Five people heckled President Trump at the event during his speech, and he claimed they were “paid protesters.” One woman was arrested for failing to comply with directions from a police officer directing traffic. The other person arrested was a young man accused of threatening to assassinate the president. He allegedly made comments on local Facebook pages claiming he had ammunition and routes mapped out on nearby rooftops.

With the Nov. 3 election approaching, there will likely be more rallies such as this one. These rallies can encourage people to go out and vote.

“Going into the Avila game, we were confident, especially after back-to-back wins. Regardless of who we faced, our mission was still the same: win the game.” Said Junior Luis Aviles from Houston, Texas.

The game started quickly, with both teams searching for an opportunity to score. It looked like Avila had a main focus on defense in the first half of the game; Bethel blew Avila out of the water, outshooting them 10-5. It wasn’t until late in the first half, at 39:41, that Bethel took advantage of the defense.

Aviles caught the defense from the right side of the field and found Connell Silmon from Wichita, who gained speed and attacked for the first and only goal of the match. This erupted the Thresher fans in the stands.

“When I saw my teammate winning the ball, I thought, ‘This is our chance.’ I picked my head up and saw him; I gave it to him, hoping he’d score, and he did.” Said Aviles.

This was Junior Aviles’ first collegiate assist; going into the second half, this momentum kept the Threshers rolling, as he attempted a goal of his own. For the rest of the second half, the Threshers seemed to be continuing the same game plan as before: pressuring their defense. This was highlighted as the boys outshot Avila 4-1 in the second half. Freshman Hugo Duran from Portonovo, Spain led them with three shots, two on goal.

“We’ve done so much to prepare for every game; we found their weakness, so the strategy was to keep attacking it, and it ended up working for us,” Said Aviles. “As a team, we were focused on getting a big win. Unfortunately, we did struggle, but we found ways to secure the win.”

The Thresher Men’s soccer team has been able to finish games, with defense being a huge key. They held McPherson College to one goal; their only loss was to Evangel University, and they tied against Oklahoma Wesleyan. The boys will face Evangel University at home on Oct. 24, at 6:00 p.m.

“The Dine at Nine series event will happen weekly or monthly,” Oswald said. “This is a time where people gather in the evening and have a meal together.” She also mentioned sports activities like dodgeball and ping pong.

Oswald went on to highlight a wide variety of special events SAC is planning to arrange. “We hope to bring a comedian to campus and along with that we want to do something for Halloween,” Oswald said. “We are planning a bingo night for students that will hopefully be big and we are just trying to get bigger events this year that people will be more interested in.” Having these types of events allows students to get out of the routine of college life and try new things that enhance their overall college experience.

Like every organization, a hardworking, responsible team is needed to plan activities and events. “My co-coordinator, Amaziah, is a freshman who works with me,” Oswald said. “There are people for Sports and Leisure who are in charge of sports events, a Series Coordinator in charge of Dine at Nine and weekly events, Special Events responsible for bigger events and Social Media in charge of advertising events and spreading the word to students.” All of these roles are held by students who help the club run smoothly.

Oswald highlighted her goals and aspirations for this year’s events and overall engagement amongst college students. “My goal approaching SAC has been to create Bethel Bridges,” she said, “Bethel is a very sports-heavy school, so creating spaces that can bridge those gaps between the ways people interact with each other and making friends outside of your social circle can be beneficial.”

Coming to these types of events can be anxiety-inducing for some individuals. However, Oswald emphasized the importance of engaging and simply having fun regardless of those doubts and impediments. “Lead with a little bit of courage,” she said. “Go out there with an open mindset and try to meet someone that maybe you have not before. Do not be scared to. I want people to be able to go rather than have an impending doom if you do not know someone, because you will be able to find other ways to enjoy where you are at.”

Amaziah Barze Richardson, SAC’s co-coordinator, echoed this sentiment. “I want to make this fun,” he said. “I can sympathize with the freshmen, being one myself, so I want everybody to feel included and connected socially.”

Richardson also shared his excitement regarding future events. “I am excited for the Halloween event,” he said. “Me and Harlem are working hard on it and it will be a whole thing that hopefully Haury, Voth and the Mods take part in.”

Richardson highlighted Oswald´s work ethic and enthusiasm for her role and responsibilities related to SAC. “She is definitely on top of things and organizes very well,” he said. “She does a very good job including me as well. It is not just a one-sided thing. On my end, I try to communicate well with her and make sure we are on top of all of the events. We are going to do good this year.”

With Oswald and Richardson’s work, SAC will be an organization that creates exciting events and activities that bring people together. Hosting events where students from different social environments get together opens opportunities to create a supportive student community across campus.

Bethel finished with 46 kills and a .278 hitting percentage while holding Southwestern to 15 kills and a negative .038 hitting percentage.

Setter Dalaina Schutte of Halstead says the bench plays an important role in the team’s success, even if its contributions do not appear in the statistics.

“One thing the stats will never show is how supportive and hard-working our bench is,” Schutte said. “If there were stats for a bench, ours would be All-American!”

The bench keeps the energy high with cheers, encouragement, and player-specific chants. With cheers for nearly every player, teammates celebrate individual contributions and help create a fun atmosphere throughout the match.

That energy carries onto the court as Bethel takes the first set 25-16. The Threshers held a 14-7 advantage in kills, with Cameron Offerle of Spearville recording five and Dylan Cochran of Valley Center adding four. After Southwestern closed the gap to 19-16, Bethel finished the set with six consecutive points.

The Threshers continued their momentum in the second set, building a 9-0 run to extend their lead from 13-8 to 22-8. Cochran served eight consecutive points, including two aces, as Bethel won 25-10.

Schutte helped guide the offense by reading the opposing defense and distributing the ball among Bethel’s hitters.

“As a setter, I’m always reading the opposing team’s block and how they are responding to each hitter,” Schutte said. “It’s also important to feed the hot hand, and with a game like Southwestern, all our offensive options were open, and everyone was killing it.”

Bethel closed the match with a 25-12 third-set victory, recording 19 kills while limiting Southwestern to three. Offerle led the team with 12 kills and 10 digs, while Cochran added 11 kills and 12 digs. Alayna Vines of Lawton, Okla., recorded 10 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and a team-high of six total blocks. Schutte finished with 38 assists, and Abby Koontz of Newton led the defense with 16 digs.

The sweep highlights Bethel’s offensive and defensive strengths, while the bench’s cheers and support reinforce the importance of every teammate in the team’s success. The Threshers will be home, celebrating their seniors on Oct. 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. against Saint Mary University.

“Esther has been fantastic in my Major British Authors class this semester,” said sophomore Grace William. “She genuinely cares about us as people and is helping us grow in our writing and critical thinking.”

Having a professor who has experience is always a good thing. Reilly has done lots of research-based academic writing. Topics she has researched include British literature, disability studies, sensation fiction, freak studies and the history of the body.

“I’m currently a Visiting Research Fellow at George Washington University, where I’m continuing work in disability studies,” Reilly said. “Much of my work focuses on Wilkie Collins, and I’m currently working on a book called The Enfreakment of Disability in Nineteenth-Century British Literature: Wilkie Collins and the Spectacle of Bodily Difference.”

Reilly also published ‘Half Man, Half Chair’: Disability and the Posthuman Technological Imaginaries of Miserrimus Dexter’s Sensational Body in Wilkie Collins’ The Law and the Lady in 2022. Her certifications include the CertTESOL Level 5 Certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, which was issued to her in May 2022. Aside from research, Reilly practices jiu-jitsu. She was a 2023 European Master Jiu-Jitsu Gold Medalist.

Reilly was drawn to Bethel because she would be able to teach a wide range of courses, both within and outside her immediate specialization. “At a smaller institution like Bethel, I have the chance to really get to know my students and see how their thinking develops over time,” she said. Reilly loves when students stop by and chat about a book they love or give a film adaptation recommendation.

Reilly already seems to have made a positive impact on students. “I think Esther brings a strong personality to the English department and a love for teaching and helping her students get the most out of her classes,” said sophomore Katelyn Johnston. “She is very friendly and her door is always open to talk.”

Students can expect to see Reilly teaching Major British Authors, Studies in Fiction: War Literature and First Year Seminar. She is also advising senior theses in Senior Seminar. Reilly loves how she is able to teach about many different time periods. She mentions how in one class she can talk about Chaucer or Shakespeare, while in another class the French Revolution is central to the discussion. “What I like about being at a liberal arts college is that I get to keep returning to different periods and texts that I genuinely enjoy,” she said.

Being a new professor comes with excitement. Some of Reilly’s excitement stems from getting to know the students at Bethel and seeing students grow and become more confident in their own interpretations and thinking. She knows that college gives students questions that they may not have easy answers to, but she believes a part of her job is to help the students become more comfortable thinking for themselves to answer those hard questions.

“If there’s one thing I’d want the Bethel community to know about me, it’s probably that although my research can get pretty specialized, teaching is central to how I think about being a professor,” Reilly said. “I genuinely enjoy talking with students about literature and helping them become stronger writers.”

Reilly cares deeply about her students and the impact that she will make on them. She has already built a positive reputation at Bethel and the community is excited to see what her future holds.

“I stayed focused on running my race and doing what I needed to do to help secure the win,” said Johnson. “I think the biggest keys to our success were that everyone understood their role and knew what they needed to accomplish going into the race. We trusted our training, stuck to the plan, and executed when it mattered most.”

Not long after Johnson finished, senior from Newton, Marcus Fiedler placed third in the race with a great time of 27:33:8.

“My legs felt heavy, and there was not a lot of competition to push me,” Said Fiedler. “However, I still finished with a good placing, so I am fairly happy with the race. I felt that the race as a whole for the guys’ side went well. We beat out MidAmerican Nazarene by four points to win the meet, which was a great way to close out the last home meet of my career!”

Another notable performance on the men’s side was sophomore Braylon Hunnell from Halstead, who finished 9th with a time of 28:51:6.

On the women’s side, all four fought hard throughout the race. Senior Emma Graber from Divide, Colo., led the team, finishing fourth with an impressive time of 20:54:1.

“I think the race went pretty well, and what got me through was my competition. This course was a pretty fun one where you’re weaving through a field, and even though the ground is a little bumpy, the rain we had earlier in the week actually helped even it out a bit. Even though Cross Country is a mainly individual sport, my teammates always bring great energy and make the race just a little bit easier.”

The Bethel College Cross Country team is in great shape, as they continue their season to making strides of greatness. They will be traveling to the Blazing Tiger Classic on Oct. 24, 2026.

The National Weather Service in Wichita reported on Thursday, Oct. 15 that showers and possible thunderstorms were forecast to move east throughout the day. Forecasters also warned that temperatures could drop into the 30s later that week, bringing the possibility of frost in central and south-central Kansas.

The change in temperature came after an unusually warm September. According to a report published by the Kansas Reflector, statewide temperatures averaged about 77 degrees Fahrenheit through Sept. 29, which is approximately eight degrees above normal. Kansas was approaching a potential record for its warmest September, with overnight temperatures remaining particularly high.

However, the latest forecast signaled a return to more normal or typical fall conditions. Wichita’s forecast called for cooler temperatures following Thursday’s rain, with daytime highs forecast to remain in the upper 50s and low 60s Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17. Overnight temperatures were forecast to fall into the 30s, creating conditions favorable for frost.

Rain was also a concern for many parts of the state. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Wichita area through the early afternoon on Thursday, Oct.15. While widespread flooding was not expected, forecasters warned that localized flooding could occur in low-lying areas, particularly in southeastern Kansas.

The sudden temperature change could have affected residents who had grown accustomed to the warmer weather. People who had continued wearing summer clothing may have needed to prepare for colder mornings and evenings. Gardeners were advised to monitor overnight forecasts, as frost can damage sensitive plants.

The changing conditions served as another reminder of how quickly Kansas weather can shift during the fall. Warm temperatures can persist well into October before a cold front brings cooler air across the region. Residents were advised to monitor local forecasts as temperatures changed.

Although cooler weather may have come as a surprise after September’s warmth, the latest forecasts suggested that fall conditions were becoming more noticeable across the state. Kansans and visitors were advised to prepare for cooler days, colder nights and the possibility of frost as the state transitioned away from its unusually warm start to autumn.

Grand Theft Auto is an open-world, action adventure video game where players are able to take the role of criminal protagonists where you are able to complete different story missions, drive cars and explore the map freely. The first GTA game was released back in 1997 where it was available to play on PC, Playstation One, and later on the Game Boy Color in 1999.

Before GTA became a pop culture icon, it first was a 2D game where players were able to climb the criminal underworld across three fictional cities that were based on real world locations. Players were able to explore Liberty City which was based on New York City, New York, Vice City based on Miami, Florida and San Andreas based on San Francisco, California. The premise of the original game was to rise through the ranks of organized crime by earning a number of points in each level. In order to earn these points you had to complete criminal jobs such as car thefts, robberies and more. The more points a player earned the higher ranking they would become.

However the game has evolved since its 1997 initial release with GTA VI becoming a full fledged 3D game with next generation photo-realistic graphics, dynamic lighting and fluid physiological movements. In GTA VI, players will follow a criminal couple as they are caught in the crossfire of a massive statewide criminal conspiracy across the fictional state of Leonida (inspired by Florida).

The GTA series has been able to garner a massive cult following throughout the 28 years of the series existence. Bethel College alumni and current Bethel Assistant Athletic Trainer Drannon Lenox shared his excitement for the game’s release stating, “I’m very excited for GTA 6 to come out next month! It’s a series that I grew up with and I just hope the wait will be worth it.” Current Bethel College student-athlete David Ultreras said, “I’m so excited for GTA to come out. It’s been thirteen years since GTA V came out so it’s been a long wait. I was able to preorder GTA VI for just $1 in September so I took advantage of that.”

GTA VI is available for pre-order and will be released fully on November 19, 2026!

What began with 12 teams competing for a championship has now narrowed to four: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.

The Cleveland Guardians took a difficult route to the American League Championship Series. After falling behind 2-0 against the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland battled back with three consecutive victories completing their comeback with a 2-0 win Oct. 10.

The Guardians carried that momentum into the American League Championship Series, defeating the Rays 7-3 in Game 1. Tampa Bay answered with a 3-1 victory in Game 2, tying the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Meanwhile, the National League features a matchup with history on the line.

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the postseason chasing their third consecutive World Series championship, a feat last accomplished by the New York Yankees 1998 to 2000.

Standing in their way are the Milwaukee Brewers, who are chasing their first World Series championship in franchise history. After defeating the San Diego Padres in the Division Series, Milwaukee advanced to face Los Angeles in the National League Championship Series.

The Brewers opened the series with a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers on Oct. 11 and have not looked back. Milwaukee followed with a 7-4 victory in Game 2 before defeating Los Angeles 6-2 on Oct. 14. The three consecutive victories have given the Brewers a commanding 3-0 series lead, putting them just one win away from their first World Series appearance since 1982.

For the Dodgers, the pressure is mounting. Los Angeles must win four consecutive games to keep its hopes of a third straight championship alive.

As the championship series continues, the stakes are only getting higher. The Rays and Guardians remain locked in a close American League battle, while the Brewers are closing in on the National League title.

The winners of each series will advance to the World Series, scheduled to begin Oct. 23.

Every inning brings another opportunity for a game-changing moment. A single home run, strikeout or defensive play could determine which teams continue their seasons and which head home.

The road to the World Series is getting shorter, the stakes are getting higher and the race for baseball’s biggest prize is far from over.

For students, it can be one of the busiest times of the year. Student clubs and groups host booths and provide various forms of entertainment throughout the day. One group that plays a major role in Fall Fest is the Student Alumni Association (SAA). SAA President Madelyn Maltsberger says, “We help the alumni office a lot during Fall Fest. They are in charge of the setup on the green so we help them set everything up.”

Since the Alumni office is in charge of a big portion of Fall Fest, SAA helps ensure the event runs smoothly. Another thing Maltsberger said is, “In the evening we do a shuttle service for the football game.” This might seem like a small task, but walking from the stadium entrance to the stands can be difficult for older alumni and visitors. SAA’s shuttle service helps make the game more accessible.

Another big part of Fall Fest is the Fine Arts Department’s small groups. The two student-led acapella groups, Woven and Open Road, perform during Fall Fest. Woven member Kyra Linenberger says, “We perform music that we’ve been working on all semester and then we perform it during the Saturday of Fall Fest.”

Since this is an alumni event, performances by groups like Woven and Open Road can help alumni reconnect with their time at Bethel. Many alumni were members of these groups themselves.

Clubs and small groups also use Fall Fest to raise money. Woven and Open Road hold a bake sale and sell T-shirts, while clubs like the Bethel Barbeque Club smoke brisket and also sell T-shirts. For some clubs, this event provides most of their money for the year. The Bethel Barbeque Club uses the money to buy more meat and fund campuswide events. For Woven and Open Road, the money goes toward purchasing music and T-shirts for the following year.

Fall Fest is a great opportunity to get involved on campus. Many other clubs and student groups also participate, such as DivCo and the Psychology Club. Students play a major role in making Fall Fest possible, and the event brings together Bethel’s campus community and alumni.

Bethel needed to respond in the second quarter, and that’s when junior running back Darick Dubose from El Cajon, Calif., flashed through the defense for a 17-yard rushing touchdown. This touchdown evened up the score at 14, creating a close game. Bethel responded a few minutes later as Norman threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver McMillan to put the Threshers up 21-14. Saint Mary responded a few minutes later with a 16-yard touchdown pass to tie the game up 21-21 heading into halftime.

In the middle of the 3rd quarter, Norman found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run, but Saint Mary came back and responded with a field goal, trimming the Bethel lead and making it 28-24. Bethel immediately responded as Norman found McMillan again, connecting for a 59-yard touchdown pass. putting the Threshers up 35-24 to end the third quarter.

Bethel showed strong defence with an early forced fumble in the 4th quarter by Joshua Santos from Laredo, Texas, and a few minutes later, sophomore defensive back Will Smiley from Panama City, Fla., delivered with an interception, ultimately sealing Bethel’s first win of the season.

While Bethel’s defense played well, there are a few offensive performances to highlight. Junior running back Darick Dubose from El Cajon, Calif., and sophomore running back Xavier Craven from Weatherford, Texas, combined for over 200 rushing yards. Freshman quarterback Brady Norman finished the game with three passing touchdowns, with help from junior wide receiver Kenyon McMillan, who had a dominant performance, finishing the game with 90 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The team traveled to Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) on Sept. 26 and ended up reverse-sweeping the Eagles, winning the last three sets to take the match. The turning point came as the Threshers settled into their game and began to play with more confidence. Head coach Brittany VanRoyen said the team was initially playing too cautiously but found a different rhythm in the final three sets.

“I think we found our confidence in those last three sets,” VanRoyen said. “We were playing timid and trying too hard to make things perfect in the first two, rather than just playing freely and having fun.”

Bethel’s newfound confidence showed in the third set, when the Threshers overcame an 18-17 deficit before closing out the set 25-23. The team continued to battle through another close fourth set, taking a 21-20 lead after the score was tied at 20.

VanRoyen credited the Threshers’

passing and defense as key factors in the comeback. Bethel finished with 78 digs and ten blocks while also recording a season-high 62 kills.

The offensive production was spread across the lineup, with four Threshers reaching double digits in kills. Dylan Cochran finished with 16 kills, Cameron Offerle added 15, Mari Phillips recorded 14 and Alayna Vines contributed 12. The balanced attack gave Bethel multiple options at the net and helped the Threshers maintain pressure.

Dalaina Schutte played a key role in keeping that offense moving, recording a season-high 49 assists while adding 13 digs.

VanRoyen said the comeback showed what the team is capable of when faced with adversity. “It shows that we should never be counted out of a game by an opponent or ourselves,” VanRoyen said.

It is probably one of the most common questions we ask each other. Somewhere along the way, we collectively decided there was only one acceptable answer: “Busy.”

We are busy with classes. Busy with practice. Busy with work. Busy with clubs. Busy with homework. Busy trying to maintain relationships. Sometimes, it feels like we are even too busy to explain exactly what we are busy doing.

Being busy has become more than a description of our schedules. It has become a status symbol. Heck, it even has its own name at Bethel!

Bethel Busy is kind of an unspoken competition surrounding who has the most on their plate. You can tell someone you only got five hours of sleep, and they got four. Mention you have two assignments due tomorrow, and someone else has three. Say you had a long day, and suddenly everyone starts comparing schedules.

The busier you are, the more successful you must be. At least, that is what we convince ourselves.

College encourages us to get involved, join organizations, work, play sports, volunteer, build our resumes, maintain good grades, and somehow still have a social life. None of these things are bad. In fact, I think they can be some of the best parts of college. The problem begins when doing more becomes more important than actually enjoying what we are doing.

I believe part of the problem is that slowing down can make us feel like we are falling behind. When everyone around us seems to be constantly working toward something, taking time for ourselves can almost feel irresponsible. We become so focused on what comes next that we forget the value of simply enjoying where we are right now. College only lasts for a few years, and we should not spend all of them worrying about whether we are doing enough.

A free afternoon should not feel like something that needs to be fixed. Taking a nap does not make you lazy. Saying no to another responsibility does not mean you lack ambition. Sometimes, doing absolutely nothing is exactly what you need.

There will always be busy seasons in college. Midterms will happen, practices will run late, and deadlines will somehow land at the same time. Being busy itself is not the problem.

Glorifying it is.

Maybe instead of asking, “How much can I fit into my schedule?” we should start asking, “Which things are actually worth my time?”

Field of Screams Kansas is the state’s premier haunted attraction for those who dare to enter. The attraction began as a pumpkin patch after Kip and Jody Scott returned to Wichita in 2001.IT was inspired by Kip’s father Bob Scott and his Prairie Pines Christmas Tree Farm. After a three-night test run in 2003, the attraction officially opened in 2004 and has since become a Midwest horror staple.

Although Field of Screams itself is deemed a “horror attraction,” the real horror comes from the story built on the ground Field of Screams lies on. Field of Screams sits on the property owned by the Spurlock family, centered on Jebediah Spurlock in Maize, Kansas, in 1966. The family became feared by locals after strange events and disappearances were connected to their farm, eventually leading to the vigilante murders. According to the legend, the Spurlocks disappeared and are said to return every October, making their story part of the frightening experience at Field of Screams.

When reaching out to our Thresher community, Kansas native and sophomore at Bethel College, Ashley Poe said “Field of Screams is such a fun event to go to with friends that will leave you scared and laughing! I love going every year to see what changes they make and see the new surprises!”

In addition to Poe, fellow Kansan and senior Thresher, Tressa Ring shares “I liked it! It’s definitely fun in a good group! I would definitely recommend going with a good group of friends to have a better quality experience!” Another Kansan and senior Thresher, Avery Richardson described his experiences growing up going to Field of Screams “It’s something my mom took us to every year, it was a very scary experience growing up and even going now it’s still a good experience.”

Former Thresher and Wuppertal exchange student Rabia Can recounts her experience by stating “It was an insane amount of fun with our big group back in 2023 but I got to say there was one guy with a chain saw that followed us. Thanks to him I lost my voice and had to be held by both hands by two of my friends.”

For tickets and more information about Field of Screams visit https://scaryprairiepines.com/

Season 35 kicked off with a special two-night premiere Sept. 15 and 16. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as hosts, alongside judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. This season began with 16 celebrities paired with professional dancers, tying for one of the largest casts in the show’s history.

The cast includes several familiar faces such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress Tatyana Ali, The Rookie star Jenna Dewan, Hanson singer Taylor Hanson and 10 Things I Hate About You actress Julia Stiles. The ballroom also welcomed athletes, reality television personalities and social media stars, including Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech, Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, Tyler Cameron and Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson.

The premiere looked a little different this year. The male celebrities performed during the first night, while the women took the ballroom the following evening. Each celebrity performed to a No. 1 song from the year they were born. The competition wasted no time sending contestants home, with Connor Leavitt and professional partner Adele Zaikman becoming the first couple eliminated. Sarah Jane Nadar and Hailey Bills followed them out on night two.

Week two brought all of the remaining celebrities together for the first time for “Viral Hits Night on Sept. 22. The couples performed to songs that have found popularity online, while trying to improve from their first performances.

Week three brought ‘Yacht Rock Night,’ where Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr. emerged at the top of the leaderboard with 24 points each. The night ended with another surprising goodbye as Hanson and Stewart were eliminated, narrowing the competition to 12 couples.

Through the first three weeks of competition, Season 35 has already brought surprising eliminations, standout performances and plenty of improvement across the ballroom. As the scores continue to rise and the competition gets tougher, each performance will become even more important for the celebrities hoping to make it to the finale and take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available the following day on Hulu.