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.

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.

In the ad titled Novig is Just Sports it features Sweeney in various scenes wearing minimal clothing while utilizing different sports equipment to obscure her body. Alongside their tagline “Just Sports” in the ad, Novig stresses that they are dedicated exclusively to sports predictions, separating themselves from other prediction markets that allow you to place bets on other subjects such as politics.

Following the ad’s release, it has faced widespread criticism and outrage from the public, stressing that the ad is disrespectful to female athletes and women working in the sports industry. People have gone to various social media platforms such as Instagram, X, and TikTok to voice their opinions on the ad.

Former U.S. gymnast Gracie Kramer took to her Instagram, calling the ad infuriating, saying, “I’ve spent my entire life competing in a sport where female athletes have been oversexualized, reduced to our bodies, and forced to fight to be taken seriously for what we can actually do.”

Alongside Kramer, four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Ariarne Titmus wrote on her Instagram, “I can’t describe how infuriated I feel when I watch this. How do we live in a world where monetizing a woman’s body and sexualizing women’s sport is still a thing?”

During a post-race interview with the BBC, British sprinter Amy Hunt states, “Sydney Sweeney, this is what women in sport look like. Muscles, hard work, sweat, blood, tears.”, after finishing fourth in the 200 meters at the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.

Despite the controversy of the ad, TikTok users have rallied together to respond to Novig’s ad by making various edits highlighting women in the sports industry as well as female athletes utilizing the song “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from the Disney film Mulan. Rather than allowing the ad to tear down female athletes and women working in the sports industry, the trend has allowed for women to reclaim what it means to be a female athlete and a woman working in the sports industry.

At the time of publication, neither Novig nor Sydney Sweeney had publicly addressed the backlash following the release of the ad.

The theater department originally planned to do The PROM! for this year’s Fall Fest, but because there were not enough cast members the production changed. Now the focus has shifted completely to Spitfire Grill, a smaller and more intimate musical centered on second chances, finding community and moving forward. Director of Theater Damon Klassen said, “I believe this performance will fit very well with our Fall Fest audience.”

Spitfire Grill follows Percy Talbott, a young woman searching for a new start after being released from prison. She learns about Gilead, Wisconsin, through a picture in a magazine of the fall colors. After arriving, she begins working at the town’s Spitfire Grill. As Percy settles into her new surroundings, her presence begins to bring change not only to her own life but to the people and community around her.

Klassen is especially excited for this performance. “We have a great mix of veteran talent alongside newcomers who have never stepped on the stage before,” Klassen said. With upperclassmen who are no strangers to the stage leading the way for the freshmen stepping out of their comfort zone, this performance captures the community of Bethel College coming together to tell the story of Spitfire Grill.

One element the audience may notice in this performance is its unique sound. Rather than relying on a large pit orchestra, Spitfire Grill features an accordion, cello, violin, bass and piano. “This orchestra will be playing from the kitchen of the grill,” Klassen said. “This gives the performance a more folk, small-town feeling that the musical is trying to capture.”

With rehearsals in full swing and Fall Fest drawing closer, the cast, crew and musicians are working hard to bring the town of Gilead to life. From a mix of familiar and new faces on stage to an orchestra playing in the kitchen of the grill, Spitfire Grill will bring audiences something a little different this Fall Fest. The curtain has yet to rise, but soon Bethel audiences will get to step into the Spitfire Grill for themselves.

Reach out to Shirley Dietzel in The Thresher Shop for information about tickets!

UCLA showed their talent off throughout the entire season, only dropping one game to the Texas Longhorns in late November. The Bruins found themselves facing off against the Longhorns once again in the final four, this time getting the win and helping solidify their season record of 37-1.

But who was behind the powerhouse of a program? UCLA’s head coach, Cori Close, has been leading the Bruins for 15 seasons, putting up an impressive 358-144 career record. After years of successful seasons, Close saw all the hard work pay off on Sunday.

In an interview, Close stated, “There were a lot of times we wondered if it could be true. I said I wanted to find uncommon, courageous women who were willing to make uncommon choices that maybe possibly could yield an uncommon result, and today it did.”

The NCAA is becoming increasingly unstable as the transfer portal expands each year, making it harder than ever for programs to secure long-term commitments from athletes.

That’s what makes two names in UCLA’s starting lineup so remarkable: Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez. Both were central to the team’s success, and unlike many players in the transfer portal era, they spent all four years at UCLA, making this win extra special for them.

Since the game was largely one-sided, it never produced the kind of thrilling buzzer-beaters that fans expect from a championship. Nonetheless, ESPN recorded some of the more memorable moments, saying in a post, “With 3:46 remaining in the contest, Betts and Kiki Rice exited to a standing ovation from UCLA fans and hugged coach Cori Close on the sideline. Shortly after, Jaquez drained a 3-pointer to put the Bruins up by 34. She amped up the crowd on her way off the floor and hugged Close, too. It was special for those three pillars of the program, all seniors heading into the WNBA, to have that moment exiting the floor for the final time.”

As the final buzzer sounded, UCLA’s historic season was complete. From a near-perfect record to a dominant championship performance, the Bruins cemented their place at the top of women’s college basketball.

Invincible is an adult animated superhero series centering on 17-year-old Mark Grayson, who inherits powers from his father, Omni-Man, the planet’s most powerful superhero. As the show progresses, it follows the story of Mark Grayson, aka Invincible, developing his powers and understanding that despite the legacy his father had left, Invincible must become the Earth’s next great defender.

After the show was originally released back in 2021, the show received a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, creating a high standard from the start. Since then, the show has maintained a steady and consistent rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, making this fourth season the third season in a row to achieve a perfect score. Coming back following its season three finale, garnering the highest-rated season finale, scoring a 9.9/10 IMDb rating, and joining shows such as Game of Thrones and Succession, the show’s three-episode drop ranked number one on the top ten shows on Amazon Prime that week.

Following the new season’s release, fans have praised the season for its darker tone, higher stakes, and showing how each and every character has a crucial role within the show, especially Mark, as he faces increasingly complex moral decisions that will eventually dictate the reputation of the hero. The show has remained consistent with having explosive character development and a strong musical soundtrack, as well as not being afraid to create highly intense and emotionally graphic scenes.

One of the biggest changes to the show that fans took quick notice of was the higher-quality animation the show created in the following season. Fans of the show have debated back and forth since the show’s original release that the quality of the animation was deemed poor and needed to be enhanced, yet this season has broken that critique. As this season progresses, fans are eager to get their hands on consistent, higher-quality animation.

With the continuing success of Invincible, Amazon Prime has already greenlit the next season, which is slated to be released between February and April of 2027. This early renewal highlights the platform’s confidence in the series and its growing fanbase.

The first four episodes of Invincible season four are now streaming exclusively on Prime Video, with the following episodes set to be released every Wednesday until April 22nd.

Season Four Invincible Schedule

• Episodes 1-3: March 18 (Now streaming)

• Episode 4: March 25 (Now streaming)

• Episode 5: April 1

• Episode 6: April 8

• Episode 7: April 15

• Episode 8: April 22

Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime show made history by becoming the first halftime show to be performed in Spanish while also bringing in 128 million viewers. Not only did Bad Bunny make history with his performance, but he also included various odes to Latin Culture and Puerto Rico.

The show started with a man playing the guitar while wearing a pava in front of a sugarcane field, who says, “Qué rico es ser Latino,” which translates to: “How wonderful it is to be Latino.” The man with a pava hat opening up the show represented the jíbaro, which is a traditional Puerto Rican rural farmer or agricultural worker.

Throughout the show’s set design, various street vendors and stands were featured representing Latin foods such as Piraguas (Puerto Rican shaved ice) as well as iconic street vendors and small businesses, including Los Angeles-based Villa’s Tacosand Brooklyn’s Toñita’s (Caribbean Social Club).

Additionally, several nods to common experiences in Latin culture were highlighted. For example, Bad Bunny waking up a small child who was sleeping on a set of chairs during the wedding reception was a nod to a universally relatable image from any Latin family gathering that goes late into the night. The people featured playing dominoes represented a social game that brings Puerto Rican communities together.

Although the halftime show had many references to Latin Culture, Bad Bunny used the big stage to share several messages for the viewers across the globe to take in.

During his performance of his song “Monaco” he shares in Spanish: “Mi nombre es Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, y si hoy estoy aquí en el Super Bowl 60, es porque nunca, nunca dejé de creer en mí. Tú también deberías de creer en ti. Vales más de lo que piensas. Confía en mí.”

This translates to “My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60, it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself. You’re worth more than you think. Trust me.”

For those who might not understand the correlation of the show and music as a whole, “Stranger Things” utilizes various songs from the 1980s to emphasize some of the most crucial scenes throughout the show’s history.

yMusic is incredibly vital for the show. The WSQK Collection vinyl packaging created by the Duffer Brothers shares that “Music is not just a backdrop, it’s an intrinsic part of the series, both in Hawkins (the prominent fictional town in the series) and for the audience watching at home.”

As stated previously, music is not just a backdrop; it’s integral to the show. One notable song tied to some of the biggest scenes in the show’s history is “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) by Kate Bush. This song has been prevalent throughout seasons four and five, emphasizing some of the events that take place surrounding the character Max Mayfield.

After the series finale of the show aired on Dec. 31, 2025, Spotify took to Instagram to share how the show helped skyrocket specific songs featured in the show’s final episode. Prince’s “Purple Rain” stream rate increased by 608% globally on Spotify in the week following Dec. 31, alongside the stream rate of his overall category, which increased by 190% globally on Spotify in that week as well.

Not only did Prince see an increase in streaming rates, “Sweet Jane” by Cowboy Junkies saw a 264% increase globally on Spotify in the week following Dec. 31.

Other songs that saw a large increase in Spotify global streaming rates following the show’s conclusion included “Heroes” by David Bowie, “Here Comes Your Man” by Pixies, and “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac.

With these figures in mind, it is hard to ignore how crucial music is within the show’s runtime. Although the show has concluded, the musical aspect of “Stranger Things” will remain prevalent for the foreseeable future.

Led by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film has generated high expectations. Robbie recently starred in the Barbie movie, which set records as the highest-grossing live-action comedy of all time. Elordi also achieved success in his 2025 film Frankenstein, winning the Critics’ Choice Award for best supporting actor.

The two have joined together to retell the English love story of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Since childhood, the two characters have always loved each other, but as the story unfolds, their class differences drive them apart. This leads to Heathcliff’s rise to wealth and Catherine’s life in her prosperous marriage with the successful Edgar Linton. Though they go their separate ways, fate eventually brings them back together.

The book continues the story through Catherine and Heathcliff’s children. The forbidden love story seems to come full circle when Heathcliff’s ward starts to fall for Catherine’s daughter. The reader has to question whether the historical love story will repeat itself.

While the book follows the generational love triangle, the movie seems to focus on the first 23 chapters of Brontë’s novel, following Catherine and Heathcliff’s forbidden relationship. Will the two end up happily ever after, or will their differences keep them apart eternally? It all unfolds in theaters on Feb. 13.

It’s no accident that this gothic romance was released on Valentine’s Day weekend. Margot Robbie says, “That was always the plan … and it felt like the perfect weekend.”

Wuthering Heights is shaping up to be a can’t-miss romantic experience, perfect for couples looking to celebrate with a memorable date night. Industry tracking suggests this film could bring in upward of $40 million on opening weekend alone.

So, whether you’re celebrating the holiday of love with family, friends or that special someone, be sure to get your tickets now. This film is set to be one of the romantic highlights of the year on screen.

Having one of the best running backs in the country, Marshawn Lynch, it was assumed the Seahawks would run the ball, punching through to the end zone. Attempting to avoid predictability, Coach Pete Carol chose to throw the ball, thinking it would fool the defense. This play didn’t end well for Seattle as Malcolm Butler, a cornerback on the Patriots, intercepted the ball to win his team the Super Bowl.

Seattle fans have yet to live down the embarrassment of this play. Reliving it year after year, however, this year they have an opportunity for a rematch. The Seahawks and Patriots will face off in the Super Bowl again this weekend, on Sunday, Feb. 8th.

This Super Bowl is projected to be an incredibly competitive match-up. The Seahawks come to the game with a 16-3 record (16 wins, 3 losses), whereas the Patriots hold one more win than the Seahawks, sitting at a 17-3 record (17 wins, 3 losses).

This championship game will feature the best defensive team versus the best offensive team. The Seattle Seahawks have had a historically great defense. A recurring tradition on the Seahawks defense is nicknames, most well-known being the Seattle secondary in the 2010s known as the “Legion of Boom.” The new nickname of their commanding defense is ”The Dark Side,” and they are led by defensive coordinator Aden Durde, who joined the organization in 2024. They currently lead in many metrics, most notably leading the NFL in fewest points allowed per game.

On the other side, the Patriots feature one of the best offenses in the league. Ranked 3rd in overall yards per game at 379.4, and 3rd overall in postseason yards with 835. This powerhouse offense is led by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye, who was drafted 3rd overall in 2024.

It is safe to say that this game is going to be a great watch. Who will win this time? Only time will tell. Grab your friends and tune in wherever you watch sports to see the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots this Sunday, February 8th.

The first convocation has occurred, reintroducing college norms as well as celebrating the achievements of the Bethel student body. Two weeks of classes have gone by, as well as a weekend celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The past week has laid the foundation for another spectacular semester for the Bethel College community. 

The first half of the academic year was filled with great memories across the board, featuring events such as Taste of Newton, Fall Fest, the fall musical, and many home football games. While acknowledging the joys of the past year, let’s take a look at what’s to come. 

Students are falling back into the swing of things and getting going with second-semester classes. Ashlyn Rushing, from Dallas, Texas, says she is excited to be back.

“It feels good to be back with friends. To return to our regular school routine,” said Rushing. Rushing is in the second semester of her first year in nursing school, and is looking forward to all of the exciting adventures she has ahead. 

With this being the last half of the year, it means the end of an era for some. Emma Killingsworth, a senior from Austin, Texas, stated, “I am excited to spend one last semester living with my best friends, taking in every second and making memories to last a lifetime.”  

With the return of students, the campus has undergone a shift in overall environment. While it may still be cold outside, many have noted a warmer ambience within the community now that everyone is back together again. Trent Voth even commented in convocation that he noticed this positive shift in mood after seeing students return to life on campus.

Some events to look forward to for the remainder of the year are the spring play, Bubbert’s film contest, Mudslam, Threshpies, and, of course, graduation. 

This semester is sure to provide many opportunities for students to have a wonderful college experience. Be sure to branch out and explore all that Bethel has to offer. 

“Connection is one of the most important protective factors against seasonal mood downturns,” says mental health expert Jennifer Kemlan. Students can get connected in many ways this semester, and intramurals are a perfect example. Every Tuesday night, students come together to compete and socialize — whether it is a game of soccer, volleyball, or something else — offering a chance to stay active, have fun, and connect with others.

Bethel will host a wide variety of sports events in the coming weeks. Whether students are interested in softball, basketball, or tennis, there is something for everyone this February. Attending these events, staying active, and connecting with others are great ways to boost mood and fight off the winter blues.

Behavioral science experts at Goldsmiths University suggest that attending live music can boost well-being by about 21 percent compared to other activities. Bethel’s choir will host a Chamber Singers concert on Feb. 1. The concert offers another opportunity for students to enjoy live music, lift their spirits, and connect with the campus community.

While attending events is a great way to combat the winter blues, there are also simple habits students can adopt to make the most of the colder months. Southern New Hampshire health experts recommend light therapy, time outdoors, vitamin D supplements, increased daylight, and daily movement.

Putting these recommendations into practice does not have to be complicated. Even something as simple as going for a walk outside on a nice day can provide more daylight exposure, fresh air, and physical activity. When outdoor conditions are less inviting, the new wellness center provides an alternative for staying active. From pickleball and basketball to treadmills, weightlifting, and volleyball, there are many options to help increase daily movement.

Together, these strategies offer effective ways to manage the seasonal sadness that often comes with the colder months. All Bethel events mentioned can be found on the Bethel website under the Events section. By staying engaged, active, and connected, students can make the most of the semester despite the lingering winter gloom.

The film follows a convict who is sent to explore an ocean of blood discovered on a desolate moon using a shabby submarine nicknamed the “Iron Lung.” His journey takes place in a post-apocalyptic future after an event known as “The Quiet Rapture” resulted in all known stars and habitable planets in the universe disappearing.

Prior to the film’s release, it had already developed a dedicated fanbase and a massive media following due to the popularity of Markiplier. He originally launched his YouTube channel in 2012, initially for sketch comedy, but quickly pivoted to gaming, gaining traction with the horror survival game Amnesia.

As Markiplier continued to upload a variety of videos, he began to build a massive fanbase following the release of the 2014 indie horror game Five Nights at Freddy’s. His gameplay of the game skyrocketed, gaining millions of views and rapid subscriber growth, later establishing him as a top gaming influencer.

For gaming and pop culture enthusiasts, the cast of Iron Lung has some familiar voices throughout the film. One notable cast member is Troy Baker, best known for his role in the game The Last of Us as well as the game Batman: Arkham Knight. Additionally, the voice actor for Charlie Magne in the hit show Hazbin Hotel, Elsie Lovelock, will also be included in the upcoming film.

Popular gaming YouTuber Seán McLoughlin, or Jacksepticeye, will act alongside Fischbach. For gaming YouTube fans, seeing the two act on screen together is a big deal due to Jacksepticeye and Markiplier being featured in many videos together over the last decade.

The anticipation surrounding Iron Lung’s release is prevalent due to tickets selling out in minutes across 2,500 theaters. Our own Chisholm Trail 8 in Newton will get its own showing of Iron Lung on opening day for the film. According to Deadline.com, the film is projected to garner $9M-$10M when it opens on Jan. 30.

Tickets for Iron Lung are available on the Chisholm Trail 8 website starting on Jan. 30.

In Theater Production and Direction, students taking the class have the opportunity to direct their own One-Act play. This means they participate in multiple facets of the production, including picking a play, getting the script, creating sets, and running lights and sound. These students also hold auditions for roles within the act, allowing students outside of the class to participate.

All One-Act performances, this year led by student directors Daniela Casique, Kaleb Scripsick, and Lilli Reisser, are held back-to-back, allowing students and faculty to experience all the hard work of the directors in one night.

Kaleb Scripsick, a senior Communication Arts major, is showing an act titled “Knock Knock” by Jason Pizzarello and Kathryn Funkhouser. This play is centered around package delivery and the surprises that may lie behind every door.

When asked about what audience members should expect, Scripsick stated, “My play is a comedy, so it has been really fun to produce. It should be really funny for the audience, I think they are going to like it.”

Lilli Reisser, a senior Psychology major, spoke about the challenges and joys of producing as well, in her play titled “Answers” by Tom Topor, a play speaking about the potential for abuse of power within the interrogation system.

Reisser stated, “Preparation has been chaotic at times, but I’m proud of my actors and excited to see how [the play] comes together by show night.”

Reisser continued by highlighting the fun parts of this role and stated, “I’ve always wanted to try directing in some aspect. Being able to put forth good effort and to see my actors care about their roles is a lot of fun.”

All three performances will be held in Krehbiel Auditorium in the Luyken Fine Arts Center on November 20, beginning at 7:00 pm.

In all seriousness, Halloween has passed, and Thanksgiving is coming up. The end of the year provides a time to get together with friends and family and enjoy the holiday season. For those looking for fun holiday activities to participate in, here are some nearby options.

The Dyck Arboretum in Hesston has an event called Prairie Lights. The event occurs on November 28th, 29th, and 30th from 5:30 to 8 pm. The weekend of December 5th will also have openings, with the same time slots available.

The arboretum describes to future attendees that at the event, they will be “observing tens of thousands of twinkle lights adorning the Arboretum path and illuminating our grounds.” They state that Praire lights “is a great way to kick off the holiday season and find renewed appreciation for the prairie landscape around us.”

Another popular event during the holidays is the lighting of the green. During this event, the campus turns off all lights and invites all students to the green for a moment to celebrate the holiday season.

Senior Emma Killingworth from Georgetown, Texas, was in attendance for the event last year. When asked what she enjoyed about the event, Killingsworth stated, “The music was really good, and the overall atmosphere was incredibly uplifting.” She mentioned that it reinforced, for her, the reason for the season.

Additionally, here in North Newton, there is a Christmas parade located right on Main Street. This year, on December 4th, the Newton Lions Club will be hosting its annual Christmas parade. Along with the typical parade floats and other activities, “the evening will also include hot chocolate, cookies, and photos with Santa after the parade.”

The parade is completely free to those who would like to attend, and businesses located on Main Street are going to remain open later into the evening for those who would like to shop.

The Holidays are a busy time for students, but events such as these are a great opportunity for them to get a break from their intense workload.

Every Halloween, several teams on campus take a break from their busy practice schedule to have light-hearted fun. This year, teams like tennis, women’s soccer, and softball hade practices where athletes dressed up in their Halloween costumes during practice. This, as it often does, led to a fun seasonal experience for the athletes.

This tradition gives student-athletes a chance to be creative with their teammates. The women’s soccer team was one example of this creativity. Sophomore soccer players Madison Davis and Madeline Moscrip went to practice dressed as Humpty Dumpty and The Wall. Another one of their teammates, Taylor Andrew, went as Lightning McQueen.

Athletes stated that instead of a typical practice, their team captains got to decide what activities they were going to do for the day. They first played a game called soccer tennis, which is played like a match of tennis with a soccer ball as a substitute. They then followed with a PK (penalty kick) shootout.

Softball practice had a similar premise. Junior softball player Cassie Albin came to practice dressed as Abby Lee Miller from Dance Moms. Her fellow teammate, Freshman Kate Quidato, went to practice dressed as Where’s Waldo.

The softball team participated in a kickball game, followed by pumpkin painting, watching Halloween Town, and eating pizza. Following the festivities, Quidato stated, “I think team bonding is very important. Everyone should have a team Halloween party!”

At this point in the semester, it is easy for athletes to feel burnt out and ready for the semester to end, especially with classwork piling up. Having practices like these can take some of the pressure off the practice routine. They serve as a reminder to athletes that it is good to take a break and have fun every once in a while.

Radio Practicum is one of these featured courses, and it is always a popular choice, evident by the long wait list for the class each year.

In Radio Practicum, students run their very own weekly radio show, broadcast on KBCU-FM 88.1. During their session, students are free to express themselves in many different ways. Some DJs choose to have guests on the show, ask them questions, and get their opinions on topics.

Other DJs on the KBCU radio station have used AI services to generate playlists that fit a certain theme they are maintaining for that day. One DJ does live broadcasting of Thresher sporting events, and another plays country music and talks about the weather. The possibilities are endless.

Reese McCord, from Newton, is a first-year DJ. McCord shares that her favorite part of the course is “getting to talk with my sister for fun.”

McCord has a show with her twin sister Mateya on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Those who tune into their show can expect to hear a lot of “rock, Michael Jackson, or anything seasonal,” McCord informs.

McCord encourages her fellow students to get involved with radio, stating, “it’s like a fun break, but a class at the same time.”

This course is often repeated by students. Not because they do not succeed, but quite the opposite, in fact. Students seem to enjoy this class so much that some even end up taking it each semester they attend Bethel.

Radio can be enjoyed by many. The frequency of the broadcast goes from here in North Newton to roughly Hesston. If listeners go online to the website (KBCU-FM 88.1), it will broadcast anywhere in the world, allowing more ears to hear what the students are up to.

The Student Activities Council (SAC) is one of these organizations at Bethel College, dedicated to enhancing student experience through a variety of events and activities. 

This organization is composed of six students led by their President, Karissa Wilson, a junior from Sterling. Karissa is currently in her third year of involvement with SAC. Karissa’s leadership roles include: coordinating, providing resources to SAC staff, and budgeting.  

SAC offers activities for students to participate in weekly. Events range from larger-scale gatherings, including local vendors, to smaller, more casual gatherings like ping-pong tournaments. 

These events are free to students and offer a space for community and involvement within the school. Organizations like the SAC are highly encouraged because they offer opportunities for students to gather together for food, games, socializing, and overall enhancing their Bethel College experience. 

The Student Activity Council is committed to making Bethel College a memorable place for every student. Karissa Wilson expresses this commitment by stating, “It is a really great opportunity for students to see something they want to happen on campus and  directly make it happen!” 

Groups like SAC are here for students, allowing them to participate in fun activities outside of their sport or music involvement. SAC has hosted several events already this semester, including “Snacks with SAC,” bowling night, and a Clash Royale tournament. 

These few examples show the wide range of activities that students can expect from an SAC event. There is bound to be an event for many interests. 

SAC is currently looking for more members to join their organization. Students who are interested should reach out to President Karissa Wilson or SAC advisor Camryn Harrison.