Get to know me

Tell us about some of the cultural experiences you have had growing up in Fort Dodge.

I would say one of my favorite things about Fort Dodge is how genuinely nice everyone is. The culture in Fort Dodge is unlike any other town I’ve ever visited. Everyone has such genuine care for one another and people want to be nice to one another, and it rarely feels fake.

What is your earliest memory performing?

My earliest performance memory comes from about 8 years ago when I was in Aladdin Jr. I was a very shy kid and remember standing up for my audition and completely freezing. It was honestly a lot of fun and allowed me to make a lot of friends that I still talk to today!

What do you most enjoy about performing?

My favorite part of performing is how easily it can bring a community together. Getting to look out at the audience and see so many new and familiar faces, and how many people come together to experience a beloved musical.

What did you most enjoy about playing Danny Zuko in St. Edmond’s School production of Grease?

My favorite part was the rehearsals. Our directors, Melissa Hindt and Kylee Hayek, always made every single rehearsal memorable. They both had so much energy and made the entire experience and production so much fun.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What 3 things do you bring?

I’d bring a lighter so I can easily start a fire.

Some type of tool, like an ax.

And lastly a camera so I can record my experiences, that way they’ll make a documentary about me some day when they recover the footage.

What do you want to do after high school?

Right now, I want to go study political science at a school and eventually become a lawyer.

Who are some of your role models?

For sure my parents. They have demonstrated so many characteristics that I want to replicate every day. They have taught me so many important life lessons, and I really hope that someday I can turn out just like them.

What other activities do you participate in at St. Ed’s?

I am on the cross country and track team, in all of our choirs, and am currently the class president!

Walk us through a typical day in the life of Jonah Carlson. 

Normally, I try and wake up around 6:30, but that doesn’t normally happen. I do like to get to school a little bit earlier, because my dad has always drilled my siblings and I about being places on time. Once school is over, I normally have some kind of practice to go to, and if I’m not in a season, I try and get in some type of workout. After that, I like to get my homework done before I do anything else, because it honestly makes me anxious to have a lot of work and little time. It is a pretty uneventful day normally, but it works!