The GNSF ”We Belong Here” Podcast

🎙️ 2026 GHS Homecoming Candidates This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome 10 incredible students from the GHS Class of 2027— the 2026 Homecoming Court, elected by their peers.

These students didn’t shy away from the tough questions and delivered thoughtful, high-quality answers. Of course, there were plenty of laughs and lighthearted moments along the way!

The Homecoming Court is a shin...

🎙️ This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our newest teachers!

Meet Hanna Sch...

🎙️ This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our newest teachers!

Meet Hannah Be...

🎙️ This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our new Grinnell-Newburg Superintendent, Ken Kasper!

Ken shares his enthusiasm about joining the Grinnell-Newburg community as Superintendent and visits with host Dan Walker about his years of experience as an administrator in other school districts.

Tune in to hear more about Ken’s journey, his excitement for the future, and his vision for ...

🎙️ This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our newest high school teachers: Maria Gomez Patino, HS Spanish, and John Rohde, HS Science!

Sit back and get to know our new teachers as they share where they came from, some of their favorite activities growing up, and what inspired them to become educators.

Stay connected. Stay inspired. Because We Belong...

Episode #48 features special guest Lisa York, instructional coach at Grinnell-Newburg School District. A Grinnell High School alumna, Lisa returned to Grinnell after college to begin a career in education that has spanned more than 31 years.

In this episode, we look back on her remarkable career, sharing stories and memories from her decades of service at Fairview, Davis, and Bailey Park schools. With Lisa set to retire at the end ...

Episode #47 features special guests Jan Phifer and Andrea Zhorne—better known to many students and families as Miss Jan and Miss Andrea. As Early Childhood Special Education teachers at Fairview Elementary, they’ve spent more than 30 years shaping the earliest learning experiences of Grinnell students.

In this episode, we take a look back at their remarkable careers, sharing stories and memories from decades of teaching...

Episode #46 of the We Belong Here Podcast features special guest Josh Smith, Principal of Fairview Elementary. Josh has strong roots in the area—he grew up just down the road in Victor and made his way to Grinnell in 2018 as a first-year administrator after many years of teaching in the HLV Community School District and other districts.

In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics, including exciting developments like th...

Episode #45 features special guest Kevin Hosbond, an 11th grade English teacher and Speech Coach at Grinnell High School.

In this episode, we dive into this year’s Large Group Speech season, highlighting standout performers and celebrating the groups that advanced to All-State. Kevin also shares insights from his experience coaching and working with students throughout the season.

We’ll also take time to recognize Kevin...

🎙️ Episode #44 – Jill Harris This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we welcome special guest Jill Harris, retired vocal teacher from Grinnell Middle School.

Join us as we take a journey through Jill’s 33 years of teaching in Grinnell, reflecting on the memories, lessons, and impact she made on generations of students. We’ll also talk about what she’s ...

Episode #43 – Zane Strawser-Picado

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Zane Strawser-Picado, Grinnell alumnus and President of the GNSF Board.

In this episode, Zane shares his journey through the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District and reflects on how his experiences shaped his path forward. He continued his education at Wartburg College and Southern New Ham...

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Kayla (Juni) Kelly, the new 4th grade teacher at Grinnell Middle School. A proud GHS alum, Kayla shares her inspiring journey back home and the path that led her to the classroom.

Sit back and listen—by the end of the episode, you’ll agree: Kayla is a perfect fit to say, “We Belong Here.”

Stay connected. Stay inspired. Because We Belong ...

Episode #41 – Bill Kostow This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Bill Kostow, Treasurer and GHS Student advisor liaison for the GNSF board.

In this episode, Bill shares a little bit about himself — where he grew up, what brought him to Grinnell, and different roles he plays in the Grinnell community.  Bill also visits about his involvement with th...

🎙️ Episode #40 – Peyton Stensrud and Sam Hatcher

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we dive into the “Great Debate” with Grinnell High School senior Debate Team members Peyton Stensrud and Sam Hatcher.

We often welcome GHS students to the podcast to talk about the clubs and activities they’re involved in, and this episode is another great example of student leadership and engagement. Peyton and Sam sh...

Episode #39 – Blake Walker

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome a special guest — Blake Walker, Class of 2019 and Social Media Manager at Bound-Iowa.

Even though it has only been five and a half years since Blake graduated from Grinnell, we take a step back to explore his journey through high school and college. His story fits right alongside the student voices featured in recent weeks...

Episode #36 – Harper Benesh & Lucy Skouson

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Harper Benesh and Lucy Skouson, both juniors and dedicated members of the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) chapter at Grinnell High School.

Harper and Lucy share their experiences from the National FCCLA Competition in Orlando last June, as well as their recen...

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Peyton Stevenson, a senior, and Lucy Truley, a junior — both proud members of the Grinnell High School Thespian Troupe.

Peyton and Lucy join us to share their experiences at the State Thespian Festival held at the University of Northern Iowa. They also reflect on their time in high school theatre — from the energy of Fall ...

Episode #36 – Maggie Dayton, Aden Wolfe & Ashley Wolfe

This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Maggie Dayton, a senior; Aden Wolfe, a junior; and Ashley Wolfe, Agricultural Science and FFA Teacher at Grinnell High School.

Maggie and Aden share their experiences in the FFA program, discuss the annual Fruit Sales fundraiser, and reflect on their trip to the National...