Spud Spotlight

Spud Spotlight #6 with Rebecca Meyer-Larson -- Owning your Space and Voice: Belonging, Confidence, and Growth Through Theater

Welcome to the Spud Spotlight Podcast Series — where we shine a light on the heart of our community! Each episode, we celebrate the stories, journeys, and voices of Spuds from the past, present, and future. From alumni making waves in the world, to students building their path, to the people shaping what’s next — this is where we honor what it means to be part of Spud Nation. This month’s episode of the Spud Spotlight continues our season focused on the incredible activity opportunities available to students at Horizon. Each episode in this series highlights a different program—through the lens of our aligned Moorhead High School coaches and directors—to help families understand the value, purpose, and community behind each activity. Today we’re visiting with the high school musical director, Rebecca Meyer-Larson. Before we jump in, we also want to celebrate something pretty special. Mey-Lar, as she is known by her students, who is not only one of Moorhead High School’s most accomplished activity leaders, but one of the most decorated activity advisors in the nation—has been selected for induction into the *Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame** in April 2026. It’s an incredible honor deserving of much congratulations. Mrs. Meyer-Larson—Spud Nation is proud of you. With that we’re turning the spotlight to Musical Theater. In this episode, Mey-Lar and I explore what makes theater such a powerful place for students to grow. We talk about the culture and community that define the program, the confidence and life skills students build through performance and production, and how the Horizon experience can be a launch point for students who are curious about getting involved at the high school level—whether they’ve been doing theater for years or they’re brand new and just want to try something different. Enjoy

Spud Spotlight #5 with Amber Fugleberg and Kevin Feeney -- Building Culture, Confidence, and Community Through Volleyball & Football

Welcome to the Spud Spotlight Podcast Series — where we shine a light on the heart of our community! Each episode, we celebrate the stories, journeys, and voices of Spuds from the past, present, and future. From alumni making waves in the world, to students building their path, to the people shaping what’s next — this is where we honor what it means to be part of Spud Nation. This month’s episode of the Spud Spotlight continues our season focused on the incredible activity opportunities available to students at Horizon. Each episode in this series highlights a different program—through the lens of our aligned Moorhead High School coaches—to help families understand the value, purpose, and community behind each activity. We’re turning the spotlight to two of the most iconic and community-centered Spud programs: Volleyball and Football. In this episode, I sit down with Coach Amber Fuglberg and Coach Kevin Feeney to explore what makes these sports so meaningful for the athletes who join them. We talk about the culture and character that define their programs, the life skills they hope every athlete walks away with, and how the Horizon experience sets students up for success at the high school level. You’ll also hear about the mantras, traditions, and values that continue to shape Spud Volleyball and Spud Football into two of the strongest cultures in the region.

Spud Spotlight #4 with Erik Hanson and Isaac Lundberg -- Run the Course: Building Grit and Connection Through Cross Country

In this episode, I sit down with the varsity coaches of our Spud Cross Country program to talk about what makes the sport so unique, and why it’s about so much more than just running. We explore how Cross Country challenges athletes both mentally and physically, the lessons it teaches about perseverance and teamwork, and the powerful connection between our middle school and high school programs that continues to grow runners, and leaders, year after year. Whether you’re a current athlete, a parent considering new opportunities, or just someone who wants to understand what makes this sport special, this conversation shines a light on the culture, character, and community that define Cross Country in Moorhead.

Spud Spotlight #3 with Jeremy Larson and Spencer Stowers -- School Culture and Horizon East Vision

Welcome to the Spud Spotlight Podcast Series — where we shine a light on the heart of our community! Each episode, we celebrate the stories, journeys, and voices of Spuds from the past, present, and future. From alumni making waves in the world, to students building their path, to the people shaping what’s next — this is where we honor what it means to be part of Spud Nation. In this episode, we welcome Moorhead Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Jeremy Larson and Horizon East Principal Spencer Stowers. Jeremy and Spencer share their vision for Horizon, reflect on the core values that shape their leadership, and dig into why high expectations matter so much for student success. Together, they unpack what school culture really is, how it’s built day by day, and the role every student and staff member plays in making Horizon a place we’re proud to call home.

Spud Spotlight #2 with Rachel Lerum and Peter Ferguson -- Finding Your People in School

Welcome to the Spud Spotlight Podcast Series — where we shine a light on the heart of our community! Each episode, we celebrate the stories, journeys, and voices of Spuds from the past, present, and future. From alumni making waves in the world, to students building their path, to the people shaping what’s next — this is where we honor what it means to be part of Spud Nation. In this episode, we’re joined by two pillars of our student support team — Peter Ferguson and Rachel Lerum. Peter and Rachel open up about their purpose, their paths into student support, and the deep impact of relationships on student success. Together, they explore what it means to truly “find your person” at school, why that connection matters, and how we can create a culture where every student feels known, valued, and supported. From personal stories to practical advice for students, families, and staff, this conversation is a powerful reminder that no one does school — or life — alone.