As the leaves change and we settle into the rhythm of the school year, our halls are filled with energy, learning, and connection. Students are finding their footing in classes, participating in activities, and demonstrating what it means to be a PACT Panther—both in character and academics.

Here are some highlights:

We were thrilled with the incredible turnout for conferences this year! Both evenings provided meaningful opportunities to welcome families, discuss student progress, and strengthen connections—especially with our new staff. A heartfelt thank-you to our PTO for providing meals for staff on both conference nights. Your ongoing support and generosity are deeply appreciated!

We’re thrilled to kick off the 2025–2026 Speech season! Our new coach, Karsten Piper, brings a wealth of experience and passion to PACT. With over 20 years of teaching experience and more than a decade of coaching speech, Karsten has guided teams to success at the state level while focusing on what truly matters—helping students develop as confident communicators, leaders, and individuals of character.

Seniors recently met with Coach Piper to share their hopes for making this season incredible—from mentoring new teammates to building team unity and pursuing state-level recognition.

This season, students will have the opportunity to compete in a range of categories, including Drama, Poetry, Duo Interpretation, Informative, and Discussion. These events give students a platform to explore their strengths, connect with peers across the region, and represent PACT with pride. Through weekly practices, feedback sessions, and tournaments, our speakers will continue to grow both on stage and beyond.

We can’t wait to see this talented team find their voices and make PACT proud all season long!

We’re thrilled to welcome Jaylin Hustedde to PACT! Jaylin is an actor, director, and teaching artist based in the Twin Cities. A recent graduate of the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, she holds degrees in Theater and Communication Arts and Literature Education.

Jaylin has worked with students of all ages through Locally Grown Theatre and Blue Water Theater Company, directing and choreographing productions such as The Jungle Book, Pickle Chiffon Pie: The Musical, and These Shining Lives. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers, she brings enthusiasm, creativity, and heart to every project.

Over the next six months, students will explore all aspects of theatre—from performance techniques like monologues and scene studies to the technical elements that make productions come alive. Through games, workshops, and possible guest artist sessions, students will gain a deeper appreciation for the art of theatre, culminating in a spring performance.

Thank you to families for your continued feedback on parking and traffic flow. To keep our campus safe and efficient, please remember to come to a complete stop at all stop signs and drive slowly through the parking lot. We also ask that students be dropped off on the east side of the building, as front-door drop-offs can cause delays for buses and create safety concerns.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our most recent Principal Perk-Up! We had a great turnout and rich discussion on several key topics, including the new PACT Online Campus, attendance expectations, campus security, cell phones, and discipline. We’re looking forward to continuing these conversations at our next Principal Perk-Up on December 12.

Mark your calendars for PACT Preview Night on November 18! This exciting event will introduce our new PACT Online Campus, launching in the 2026–2027 school year, and highlight what makes our on-campus experience so special. Families will get a glimpse into “a day in the life” of a PACT student and learn what it truly means to be a Panther. We can’t wait to welcome prospective families and share the PACT story!

Thank you to all our families for partnering with us to develop students of character and academic excellence. We’re grateful to walk this journey together and appreciate all the ways you support our school community.

Enjoy the long weekend—you’ve earned it! 🍂

Warmly, 

Dr. Shawn Lohse

Secondary Principal