Tenth Street Times People of The Year Award Recipients
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Northwest students and staff are responsible for some of the best talent in the state of Iowa. This year, our Tenth Street Times People of the Year were selected for their outstanding achievements and leadership in their crafts. We recognize our 2023 recipients as Mr. Jack Daubitz, Staff Member of the Year; The Northwest Volleyball Team, Athletes of the Year; Jack Andersen, Performer of the Year; and Finley Habgood, Change Maker of the Year. We sat down with each of them to learn more about their impacts on our school.
Staff Member of the Year: Mr. Jack Daubitz
Above Vocal Music Teacher Jack Daubitz‘s window hangs a sign that reads ‘Love The Process.’ Any of Mr. Daubitz’s students know this slogan well. This idea that is featured on the backs of every show choir member’s shirts is one of utter importance to Mr. Daubitz.
“I don’t like to perform professionally that often. And it’s ‘cause it just doesn’t excite me. The idea of singing for an audience doesn’t excite me. The rehearsal excites me, which is why that teaching component is so big,” said Mr. Daubitz.
He encourages students to focus on these rehearsals over the rewards. He credits this to a discussion with Wartburg Professor Lee Nelson. During a choir tour in high school, Mr. Daubitz discussed his future in choir with Professor Nelson and did not look back.
“That conversation re-lit a fire in me to make music, to be around music, that I had sort of lost for two years,” Mr. Daubitz recalled. Since then, Mr. Daubitz has worked hard to give this opportunity to every student at Northwest.
“In 30 years, I would like to think there are thousands of kids that will have sung at Northwest, that have a connection to the world around them through music, have an ability to communicate in a healthy way, and to appreciate what’s going on around them,” he explained. Mr. Daubitz hopes to do this through his music programming.
During 2020, Mr. Daubitz was feeling burnt out. He was tired of making “uninspired art.” Mr. Daubitz is passionate about selecting music. He will sit and read poetry, have conversations with people outside of music, or reconnect with nature and see where he is feeling inspired in that moment. He wants students to focus on creating passionate music that resonates with the audience.
“What inspires me [is the] idea of like ‘Can we connect with each other?’ ‘Can we actually make an impact?’ ‘Can we leave something that betters the universe and betters our community?’” Mr. Daubitz asked. He is constantly imploring students to focus on performing and reaching out to connect with the audience. During each EOS show choir rehearsal, he asks students to add facial expressions to enhance their show. Multiple students believe that this is what helps them to perform so well.
“[Mr. Daubitz pushes] us every time to become even better, to push us closer towards our potential. He loves his students and encourages us to not just sing to people but [to] touch them, make them feel something when they hear us,” a student-nominator wrote.
Mr. Daubitz has created a program that does that. He has pushed students to make an impact. He hopes these skills will help them make a big impact in their future.
“You don’t need to sing professionally. You don’t need to go be a choir teacher. But if you can have that healthy appreciation for life and for everything around you and feel that deep connection to people around you, I think we won,” he says. And the best way to make an impact: to love the process of getting there.
Staff Member of the Year top 5 nominees:
- Mr. Hansen
- Ms. Rechkemmer
- Mr. Armistead
- Mr. Mickelson
Athletes of the Year: The Volleyball Team
11 state appearances and 4 state championships could hardly top one of Northwest’s biggest athletic accomplishments: the first volleyball championship title in Waukee School District history. Northwest’s volleyball team has set this district record, making them the top contender for Athlete of the Year, and well deserved. The Northwest volleyball team focused on teamwork and dedication to the sport among other things this fall.
“When we started the volleyball program, that’s what we built everything around: grit, respect, attitude, commitment, encouragement (GRACE). Basically, I wanted all the players on the team to focus on those things and learn that about life more than anything,” explained Head Coach Jodi Vogt. The team was quickly able to commit to this idea with their past experiences.
“A lot of us play club together, so like we know each other… [we] are very connected and we all bring that feel to other girls even if we haven’t played with them as long,” said senior player Chloee Hayes. The community is important to the team. Senior player Katrina Pelds agrees.
“I think we’re all best friends, we just love playing with each other, so it’s just a great community. We push each other around, we like having fun,” Pelds added.
The volleyball team was not the only one to find community over this sport and their road to state. Students from across Northwest and the Waukee Schools District tuned in to watch the games during lunches and classes during the school day.
“That’s what sports is all about, is bringing people together,” coach Vogt expressed.
The path to state was not all easy. The team quickly banded together to work around their roadblocks.
“It was kind of a wild season, it was really long obviously. We had a few obstacles, obviously, but I feel like this season as a team we’ve all come together more than we ever have,” Pelds explained. The team’s bonding helped bring them closer than ever and more determined to win the state title.
The team quickly made it to the state tournament and won their first game against Cedar Falls. After that, the team put their sights on their game against Ankeny Centennial.
“You prepare for the first game and you have one day of practice to prepare for the next two,” explained coach Vogt. The team practiced hard, beating Ankeny Centennial 3-2 and making it to the championship.
In the nail-biting game, Northwest won two matches and lost the next two. In the final match, Northwest and Dowling Catholic were tied 4-4 before Northwest pulled away with a 12-6 lead before Dowling caught up 14-12. Finally, senior Katrina Pelds scored the final point, marking the first volleyball championship in district history.
“[Winning state] was our dream coming in as the first full class to graduate here and to actually set a tone in the volleyball program was our biggest goal and to actually go to the state tournament last year and then come out this year and finish as a state champion is actually a dream true,” senior Hayes said. After a busy, competitive week, the trophy came home in the hands of Northwest.
Coach Vogt added, “The whole week was magical. Like Disney World magical.”
Athlete of the Year top 5 nominees:
- Tanner Philpot
- Grant Tigges
- Lillian Sundet
- Willa Hage
Performer of the Year: Jack Andersen
Ever since he was a child, performing in at-home productions for friends and family, Jack Andersen has shown a passion for the performing arts. Andersen is a frequent in Northwest Theatre Arts, participating in all mainstage and thespian performances since 6th grade.
“Creating theatre is one of my favorite forms of art. You can be anyone, you can do anything. The world of theatre is up to the players and audience to decide,” explained Andersen.
In the fall of 2023, he played Rosencrantz in Northwest’s production of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard.
“It was such an amazing show to be a part of,” Andersen reminisced, “It was great to work with such a hilarious script while surrounded by the amazingly talented company of the show.” Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead was one of three shows selected to perform at the Iowa Thespian Festival. The company was able to put on their show one last time for the thousands of attendees at the festival.
“Getting up in front of so many students who are passionate about theatre is nerve-wracking. They are experts in theatre and will pick you apart so easily,” Andersen explained. His nervousness quickly faded, however, throughout the first act.
“The positive thing about performing this show is that we were able to be over the top and break the fourth wall, allowing us to connect with the audience and feel their support,” expressed Andersen. Performing live comes with all kinds of ups and downs.
Andersen also played SpongeBob in Northwest’s first musical, The SpongeBob Musical. While preparing for their Saturday night performance, Tornado sirens went off, forcing the cast into emergency shelters.
“That performance was crazy,” Andersen explained, “We had less time to get ready and had to start the show while water was coming through the ceiling backstage. A few things got messed up, but it was a great bonding experience for our first musical as a school.”
Andersen has also helped to bond with students through Northwest’s thespian troupe. He served as Community Outreach Chair his junior year and is serving as Vice-President his senior year.
“I love being a part of the thespian board because I can make an impact on our troupe and help students grow their experiences,” said Andersen. He has helped to form two new events since the start of the troupe, a film festival and a 24-hour play festival.
He also loved performing in Northwest’s vocal music program. Andersen is in both Northwest Signers, Northwest’s varsity choir, and EOS, Northwest’s varsity show choir. Show choir is one of his favorite activities.
“The family bond that we make during rehearsals, camps, and competition days is unbeatable. We truly are a family and can rely on each other for anything we need. Those long Saturdays in the winter have formed some of my favorite memories,” Andersen noted. Show choirs work together from July until February of each school year, spending lots of time working together to put together their shows.
“It’s hard at first, but by the end of our season, we can perform our show so well. I think that we can contribute that to how much we have worked together to improve through the season,” Andersen explained. Andersen believes there are spots for anyone in performing arts. Both on and off stage, he thinks that anyone is welcome.
Andersen expressed, “Being able to be a part of the performing arts is amazing. You get to learn so much and make lasting memories and connections with people you never thought you’d meet.”
Performer of the Year top 5 nominees:
- Nolan Craig
- Lucie Buck
- Andrew Wittmer
- Frank Morris
Change Maker of the Year: Finley Habgood
Involved in student council, activities council, show choir, cross country, track, best buddies, NHS and RAK, Northwest’s Student Body President, Finley Habgood has learned a thing or two about being a change maker and helping Northwest become a safe space for students. Habgood is not new to Northwest students, as she has always had a knack for leading the pack.
“When I first got into Student Council my sophomore year I kind of took charge of Northwest Fest. I just asked so many questions and made sure that the event went well… From there I kind of gained respect with the advisors and I proved that I could work hard,” Habgood explained. The event did not flop either, after the third strong year of this event led by Habgood, Northwest Fest has had thousands of attendees and has brought back Northwest alumni from across the state and country.
“[My favorite memory was] the first Northwest Fest, that was awesome to see it come all together and see how the community reacted to it… everybody seemed to enjoy it and so that was just really rewarding. Yeah, it’s definitely been a hit,” Habgood expressed.
Part of the event’s success can be attributed to Habgood’s dedication to making connections at Northwest and to making the school a place where students feel loved and get involved. Habgood believes that this is because of her work and dedication to the student council. Because of her positions as Class President her sophomore and junior years as well as Student Body President her senior year, Habgood has been able to see what students want and collaborate with the Principals to make things happen in Northwest. These connections have also helped Habgood to become a better leader.
“You interact with so many different people and learn so many valuable leadership skills, communication skills, all of that,” Habgood said. She understands how to be a leader. Being exposed to so many events has helped her to feel empathy towards other students and staff members at Northwest. She claims that leaders understand how scary leadership roles can be and how the system works. Because of this, Habgood has been able to grow her empathy. This has also helped her to become a happier change maker.
“Making people happy [inspires me], I am generally a happy person, and bringing that happiness onto others, making them feel included, and have a good time is really important to me,” she explained. Habgood was not wrong while saying this. Many of her nominations for Change Maker of the Year noted her open arms and kindness to all varieties of people at Northwest High School.
“[Finley Habgood] has created such a positive space… to make people feel safe and welcome at our high school,” said one student-nominee.
Being a leader did not come easy, however. Habgood believes she has trouble delegating tasks.
“I want to do it all myself,” she explained, “So that’s still definitely a learning process.” She has overcome many struggles while being a change maker at Northwest, but one thing has stuck with her.
“Jump in, take charge, ask questions. Questions are the most important thing,” Habgood said, “If you don’t ask then nothing can be changed. So ask questions and just be willing to work hard for what you believe in.”
As Habgood looks ahead to graduation in the spring, she has one last hope for Northwest.
Habgood expressed, “I want people to be more involved in the school. I want people… to feel loved at our school.”
Change Maker of the Year top 3 nominees:
- Grace Fisher
- Naomi Pittman