This article originally appeared in a print edition of the Monitor published 27 February 2026.

Toryn Podschwit (#1) is a senior Communications major who plays attack for the Jewell women’s lacrosse squad. The Hilltop Monitor interviewed Podschwit as part of a series featuring senior athletes at Jewell.

THM: What got you into lacrosse?

Podschwit: I played volleyball for my whole life, and was out of that phase [by] my sophomore year of high school. And so I had one of my older friends say, “Well, you should join the lacrosse club!” I just randomly joined, and it became my favorite thing ever, very fast.

What brought you to WJC?

I was with Kallie Muck [former head lacrosse coach]. I was the first ever recruit for Jewell lacrosse and the first commit, and was the first ever to score a goal in Jewell lacrosse history. I followed [Muck] to St. Mary’s, and then she got the job here and created the program. So I ended up coming here my freshman year.

Tell me more about your team culture.

Our culture is really, really amazing. It’s like a family. And even if we do bicker, it’s definitely sister vibes. There’s no hard feelings ever. The culture we’ve developed is very unique and one of a kind!

As one of the first on, how has it been bringing up that team culture?

In the beginning, we were really nervous; it was very easy to have the twelve girls you knew and no outsider stuff. When that first class [of recruits] came in, we were really nervous to see the new blood, but they turned out to be my best friends ever. Each person we’ve added has brought their own uniqueness to the culture, and it’s been amazing. Now it’s just excitement to see what everyone can add.

How do you prepare for a game?

I wake up, I have to go get my coffee and my breakfast burrito or an energy drink… (And your go-to coffee?) Hammerhand, so either an iced caramel macchiato or a vanilla iced latte—lover Hammerhand, and a breakfast burrito from La Puerta [?] on the corner, with extra hot sauce. Then I come to the training room, get my shins wrapped & knees done, hit some wall ball, do some shots on the field. [The team goes] to the locker room and we dance and we sing and we get all hyped up in there. It’s awesome.

Who on your team has it been good to see grow?

Faith Bowles (#2), she’s my little baby. She came in and I was nervous because we both wanted to be each other’s friend, but we slowly became best friends; we’re very similar. She used to be shy, and now she knows what she wants, she’s outspoken and she’s very confident in herself. So it’s very fun to see her on and off the field as my best friend.

What’s next after Jewell?

My plans after Jewell are to begin my career as a clinical navigator for a rehabilitation center. 

What else do you want the Monitor to know?

I would like the Hilltop to know that WJ LAX does not deserve the Yik Yak hate, and that we’re actually fun and awesome. I love being at Jewell and have been for four years. It’s a great spot because it’s small, but I can also be myself and have people who love me for me.

Toryn, thanks for your time.
This interview underwent minor edits for brevity and flow. If you know a student athlete the Monitor should interview, talk to us at hilltopmonitor.jewell.edu/contact-us.

Photo by William Jewell College via LinkedIn.

Over the weekend of March 14, the William Jewell Speech and Debate team competed at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence  (NPTE)and became the new national champions. Third years, Patrick Terry and Trent Dixon, spent the academic year competing against some of the most renowned debate teams in the country. For Terry and Dixon, their previous summer was filled with preparing to compete against the country’s best and they walked away as the first William Jewell National Champions since 2007. Both will be returning to the team next year as seniors and are hoping to look at an undefeated season. 

“We are hoping to maintain our NPTE championship,” Terry said.

They are wanting to make the community of debate more welcoming . Parliamentary is an impromptu style of debate that gives the competitor 30 minutes to prepare for the entire round. Once the round begins, the teams aren’t allowed to engage in research or search through their files. Therefore, the competitors have to be prepared for any possible outcome. This skill set can take months to years to master, and many debaters can still struggle with this version of the event. As stressful as this may seem for those just starting, Terry explained that the upperclassmen are always ready to help. 

“We love coaching just as much as competing,” Terry said. “It helps build a spirit of success.” 

With the season now at a close, the duo is now looking forward and focusing on what is to come. They have already started to concentrate more effort into the team building and structuring it for next year. William Jewell is continuing to find ways to support its students with the resources they need but the team’s passion has never stemmed from obtaining money. Terry described their feelings for debate as a “love for the game” and something that he wants to grow more in the upcoming months. 

“We have a dedicated team and a great staff,” Terry said.“It’s a great way to build a community.” 

As the team known as Jewell DT, or team Dixon and Terry, goes into its last year at the college, debate teams all across the country are ready to see what they accomplish next. With a winning streak hot on their heels, Terry and Dixon are excited to see what comes next for their debate careers. 

“We are hoping for an undefeated season next year,” Terry reiterated “That would be the dream.” 
The team plans to hold on to their coveted title earned with unwavering dedication in the year to come. With this spotlight being shone on the William Jewell Debate Team, the hope is that they can continue to grow and high school students will continue to come after hearing about the program. Head coach, Mason Remaley, will continue to lead the team next year and, through the dedication of Terry and Dixon, the college is able to add another national championship under its belt and expand its horizons once again.

Production photo from “Terra Nova” at William Jewell College, photo courtesy of Jewell Theatre Co.

Cal Perkins is a senior theatre major at WIlliam Jewell College, having made his directorial debut with his 2025 production of “Terra Nova.” Written and published by Ted Tally in 1980, the play follows Robert Falcon Scott’s fatal expedition to the South Pole in 1911. In an interview with The Hilltop Monitor, Perkins shared his thoughts about the play’s significance and modern relevance.

Firstly, thank you for taking some time to answer some questions about your production. It was a real privilege to experience it first-hand.

Thank you so much for this opportunity! It’s so relieving and affirming to have someone so affected by my production. 

What did your responsibilities entail regarding the production of “Terra Nova” at William Jewell College?

Well, when it came to responsibilities, I had my plate full from the start. With the announcement of no (zero) budget for the Theatre Department in August of 2024, I had to make some split-second decisions. How was I going to put on the show I wrote (“Animal Farm”), when it was budgeted for $300 in the planning stages? I decided to do my backup project, “Terra Nova.”

When it came to a method for finding how to pay for the rights, I was relieved whenever [Professor] Wyman approached me and informed me that I had an anonymous sponsor for my capstone. From there, the responsibilities took off. For auditions, it was up to me to set the date and time, along with cutting sides or pages from the script for the auditioning actors to read. After, I did the same for callbacks. Immediately following callbacks, my production team went to the PLC to discuss the actors and which roles would fit who. It took around 2 hours total to get the final cast list, to which we announced immediately. 

Rehearsals mostly fell to my team, as they accumulated things for me to remember and things to do. But I made the creative decisions to make the concessions for the show fit the theme, the blocking, full directing and rehearsal schedules. I had to manage the program and design it, look into designing/hiring my friend to finalize the poster and so much more. Pretty much everything that came out of the final look of the show was between me and my crew. 

How old were you when you first encountered “Terra Nova” and what impression did it leave on you at the time?

Funnily enough, I saw “Terra Nova” as a One-Act Competition piece in 2019. I was a Junior in high school in Sand Springs, OK at the time – around 17 years old. 

When I first watched the show begin, I was interested in the least amount, to be honest. It was a chopped up amalgamation of scenes to fit in the key points of the show in thirty minutes, so it was a burst of information in such little time. However, Evans’ death scene was what spoke to me more than anything. We thought the actor for Evans was having a seizure on stage. Genuinely. He was so engrossed in his role and from there the rest of the deaths would happen between Oates and the final three of the Polar Party. 

I’m very interested in uncanny or depressing historical events, as painful as it is, and this one spoke to me deeply. It only spoke deeper as I read the play itself. Ted Tally is a true writer, which you can see in his poetical stage directions and descriptions. If you enjoyed the show, I cannot stress enough how much I encourage experiencing a full read of the script. It is a masterpiece on a horrific scale. 

Nonetheless, after looking up the actual events, it haunted me. It just stuck itself as the number one play of all time in my mind and there it still stays!

In your director’s notes, you presented a compelling interpretation of “Terra Nova” as a critique of nationalism. Based on your understanding of the playwright’s intent and the production’s historical context, do you believe this theme was deliberately embedded in the work? Additionally, do you think audiences at the time of its original production resonated with this message, whether intentional or not?

Nationalism, if stated so or not, was certainly a major theme in Ted Tally’s original view. At least, that’s what I believe. What really solidifies this for me is the scene with Amundsen and Scott in Act I. They go into a verbal spat about which way to get to the pole. Amundsen says something along the lines of, “You, a gentleman, and I a barbarian. A killer of dogs.” To which Scott declines, [and] Amundsen replies, “A foreigner, then. It’s the same thing to you.” 

This is what instantly set the theme in my mind. That and the constant use of derogatory language toward those of other nationalities. In a scene which I unfortunately had to cut for time purposes, the crew hallucinates an enormous dinner banquet with Amundsen as their server. This scene has a barrage of slurs toward other nations and countries. 

I feel that many people don’t see this, at least not clearly. That’s why I decided to make my author’s note more of a caution toward nationalistic perspectives. When I first saw the show, I didn’t get it. But it is the core and the key message of the show, one that is very important in these current times. 

How do you see the themes of “Terra Nova” reflected in today’s geopolitical climate? In what ways do you think the play remains relevant to contemporary international relations?

Right off the bat, after the effects of January 20th, there is importance to this message. From what I see President Trump doing, he appears to try and alienate the United States from the rest of the world. Whether it be through media, fearmongering and other uses. Same thing goes for Russia, as Nationalism is an enormous topic over there in a consistent pattern. 

Extreme nationalism is bad. That’s a given. Most people understand this. But a majority of Americans may be blinded by patriotism that may leak into nationalism. A nationalistic eye blinds others from the outside world, its influence and other cultures. If Scott studied with the Inuits, such as Amundsen did, perhaps he’d have a better chance. But the British always colonized and never adapted. 

Today, it’s a message that many people are not speaking about, but it is a vital element to keeping our history intact and growing. If we close ourselves off and foster this pride for ourselves and ourselves only, we only step further back in time and limit ourselves as a result. 

The production featured some incredibly intense and emotionally charged moments, brought to life through powerful performances by the cast. As a director, what was it like navigating these darker elements of the play? Was there ever a struggle with “taking the play home with you” between yourself, the cast, or the crew? 

As I mentioned before, darkness is kinda where I thrive. Not to be edgy. I just find such life in the trauma and darkness of some stories. The arc of action and consequence is something I just thrive in, especially regarding theatre or fictional stories. 

I had no problem taking home that darkness. However, with my cast, we wanted to keep things lighthearted and we wanted to make sure it stayed in the theater. Emma Kelly led decompressions at the end of rehearsals, where we laid on the ground and meditated for around ten minutes. It was very productive, especially what I’ve heard from my cast. 

Aside from that, we kept it pretty fun in rehearsals. While balancing the weight and the true events of the show, we encouraged deep character research and ways to really thrive and merge with that character in a healthy, productive way. By the end, I felt like everyone knew that we would leave the death on the ice and would come back into it only in rehearsals. Everyone did such a great job helping one another. It was just such a relief to have a healthy, communicative production. 

Looking ahead, what are your plans for your future in theatre? Do you see yourself directing “Terra Nova” again at some point, or perhaps auditioning for a role in another director’s adaptation?

For my future plans, I’m currently looking into being a Professor of Theatre. But that’s kind of changing at the moment. I really found a huge passion in directing, so I’m potentially considering a future as a creative director of some sort. Not too sure! 

As for “Terra Nova,” I’d love nothing more than performing the full-length show someday – and stepping into that tundra myself. Evans is certainly a dream role of mine, so I’d love to take a chance to play him. 

This show will certainly never leave me. This entire experience was so fulfilling, especially after my Duke Colloquium presentation last year. I’m just so elated that I had this opportunity with such a talented cast and crew. 

The Hilltop Monitor thanks Cal Perkins for his insights into a complex and important story—one told with passion and care on our campus. We look forward to seeing where his passion and skills take him next!

“Terra Nova” 2025 production poster, illustrated by Cal Perkins.

Photo by Thomas Bormans via Uplash.

In the past month, I’ve found myself completely consumed by the concept of hope, a shift brought on by reading Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark. Her exploration of hope, even amid uncertainty and despair, have, in short time, completely reshaped the way I see the world. In times that often feel overwhelmingly bleak, the question of hope, whether we still feel it, and what sustains it, has become increasingly important, particularly for college students who are trying to navigate their future in a world that feels more chaotic than ever.

To understand this better, I spoke with several college students at William Jewell each studying in different fields but facing the same challenges that mark these “unprecedented times.” Their responses highlight a collective struggle between hope and hopelessness, with higher education both intensifying their concerns and shaping their views of the future.

A World Gone Worse?

Most of the students I interviewed expressed a common sentiment: the world seems worse than it used to be. One Jewell education major spoke bluntly: “Politics, education and the environment are worse. People are more divided, and we’re trying to get rid of systems that protect education. We’ve ruined democracy.” This student’s perspective is not isolated; a psychology major reflected on growing up and realizing that “not everything is sunshine and rainbows.” For many, the loss of youthful optimism is compounded by a greater awareness of societal and political systems that feel broken or unchangeable. But it’s not just the present challenges that weigh heavily on students—it’s the feeling that their generation will bear the brunt of these crises. For those in education, like one student I spoke with, there’s the added pressure of being on the front lines of shaping the future: “As a younger generation becomes teachers, I hope we’ll see more progressive ideas.” However, even this hope is tempered by uncertainty. The responsibility feels enormous, but the tools and support systems in place often feel inadequate.

College as a Pressure Cooker for Hopelessness

College, for many, amplifies these feelings of despair. There’s the constant balancing act of newfound independence mixed with persistent reminders that they are not yet fully in control. A student put it simply: “You have the expectation of being an adult on your own without the rewards and opportunities. At times, you’re still treated like a child.” The disconnect between responsibility and recognition can foster a deep sense of helplessness.

For another student, the stress of inflation and rising tuition costs make the future seem particularly bleak: “Inflation has affected college prices and everyday prices.” I am sure many of us can relate. At times, it can feel like everything is getting harder, and there’s no relief in sight. With the financial burden of education growing, it’s no wonder that students often feel stuck, unable to imagine a future where their degrees will open doors rather than close them.

The Role of Academic Focus in Shaping Worldviews

Interestingly, each student’s major also plays a role in how they view the state of the world and their place in it. A psychology major, for instance, spoke about their studies as a means of coping: “I’m trying to learn ways to deal with these feelings, and I want to help the world.” Our education gives us tools to understand mental health and societal struggles, but it also deepens our awareness of how difficult it can be to find effective solutions.

A history major offered a more nuanced perspective, noting that while the world might not be “worse” than before, it is certainly facing unique challenges: “I feel like it isn’t really comparable… I feel like our political system is set up in a way that makes it really really difficult and complicated to change. I feel like it’s really easy to feel helpless when it’s difficult to make change.” When asked how their understanding of history has affected their view they said “… in order to compare how things are now to how they were before, it’s important to know where we stood before. I know how uniquely different our current issues are because I know what the challenges we’ve faced before looked like. I think it also influences my political helplessness because I have studied so many instances of people in similar political situations.” 

Is There Hope?

Despite the pervasive sense of despair, there is still a flicker of hope among these students—however faint it may seem at times. As the education major noted, there’s hope in the possibility of progress: “I feel slight amounts of hope. If a lot of things change, we could work together to create new systems and procedures.” This conditional optimism is echoed by others, even if it is tinged with skepticism and doubt.

For many students, hope is not an automatic response to adversity, but a choice—a deliberate act of holding on to the possibility of change, even when the evidence feels stacked against them. And perhaps that is the most powerful lesson that comes from their reflections. In these unprecedented times, hope is not always about believing that things will get better on their own. It’s about recognizing the darkness and still finding ways to move forward. Something I have been learning is that as long as the future is uncertain there will always be a chance for it to be better. There is always room for hope.  

In the end, college students today are navigating a world that feels heavier, more uncertain, and in many ways, more broken than ever before. But in their academic pursuits, their growing awareness of systemic issues, and their desire to shape a better future, there is a glimmer of hope—a belief, however small, that things can still change. And maybe, that’s what will keep us moving forward.