Summerland 8th grader enjoys performing, playing baritone and making music
This week’s Summerland Musician of the Week is Caden S., an eighth-grade student who has been playing the baritone for four years.
Caden said his love of music and performing is what inspired him to continue with band.
“I love music and performing,” Caden said.
One of Caden’s favorite things about being in band is getting the opportunity to perform at games. He enjoys being part of the atmosphere and helping bring music to the school and community.
Caden’s favorite pep band song is “California Girls,” while his favorite musician is Michael Jackson. One of his favorite Michael Jackson songs is “Billie Jean.” When it comes to musical styles, Caden enjoys classic rock.
Caden also has an interest in musical theater. His favorite musical is “Hercules,” adding another connection to his love of music and performance.
When asked about his goals in music, Caden said he wants to continue working hard and doing well. One of his favorite feelings is being able to play really well and know that his hard work has paid off.
Outside of music, Caden stays busy helping on his family’s farm. He lives in Ewing and enjoys driving a tractor!
Caden’s four years of experience on the baritone have given him plenty of opportunities to perform and grow as a musician. His enthusiasm for music and performing continues to make him a valued member of the Summerland band program.
Tuesday September 29 2026 Announcements
Special Segment - Lane and Isaacs Interviews 1 followed by Joseph and Austin’s Would You Rather
Celebrating the work of Summerland High School ELA Teacher, Anna Mayes!!
Dear Jacob:
We are writing to congratulate and thank you for the incredible work that your teacher Anna Mayes has accomplished with the 2026 Nebraska Writing Project Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As facilitators of this intensive annual graduate seminar for teachers, we wanted to take this opportunity to share a brief note about Anna’s engagement and inspirational leadership.
Anna offered a research-based professional development workshop to our group of eighteen teachers entitled: Zip-Zab Collab: Pulling the Curtain Back on Theatrical Improv Exercises to Teach Successful Collaboration in Group Work. In this teaching demonstration and workshop, Anna showed how theatre principles and exercises can help teachers and students of all subject areas grow as collaborators, building their confidence to contribute their unique strengths and viewpoints to a group effort, their abilities to support their team members, and their listening and communication skills. Resoundingly, teachers explained that after this activity, they are excited to help students overcome barriers to creation and collaboration by using the low-stakes and playful scaffolds that Anna shared. A teacher participant remarked, “It was so creative and interesting. I observed that there would be no way for AI to recreate this, and that is the power of collective creativity. I also love how we had to ‘think on our feet’ while trying to stay in the loose context of the story. This would be interesting to use in the classroom to show how revision and creative play is an opportunity for something interesting to happen.” I am actually adapting Anna's workshop for use in a graduate course on collaborative learning next week!
We feel so grateful that Anna participated in our Summer Institute, and we know she will bring the new knowledge and professional development of their pedagogy back to her students in dynamic ways. We encourage you to consider tapping Anna to lead professional development workshops with other teachers in your context.
In the Nebraska Writing Project, we have been committed for almost 50 years to developing youth programs, graduate courses, teaching resources, and community events that center innovative and research-backed approaches to teaching writing. Please reach out if we can further support you or your teachers with professional development or youth programming or if you would like to know more about the Nebraska Writing Project.
Thank you for recruiting and supporting phenomenal teachers such as Anna. We are thrilled to learn with and from them, and we appreciate the positive impact they have on teachers and students.
Sincerely,
Rachael Shah, Grace Story, and Tina Le
Monday September 28 2026 Announcements
Special Segment - Debate with Isaac and Lane followed by Perfect Timing with Kayden, Rogan, and Mason
Friday September 25 2026 Announcements
Special Segment - Carson’s Interview with Coach Kaczor about football