GreatNews.Life Student Voices: The Munster Mustangs make headlines

What’s recently happened?

Munster High School (MHS) has a new title to celebrate: ABC7 Chicago’s 2026 Friday Flyover champion.

The Friday Flyover series highlights high schools throughout the Chicago area, giving viewers a glimpse into each school’s academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and the people who make the community special. Munster had its chance in the spotlight, showing off the programs and the school spirit that make being a Mustang something to be proud of.

On October 23, ABC7 announced Munster High School as the winner, awarding the school a trophy and $5,000 from Dunkin’. The victory came after a week of public voting, which was hosted on TikTok, among five featured schools. The Munster community showed up and proved its support for the Mustangs.

Winning the Friday Flyover was another opportunity to bring that pride together and share it with the surrounding Chicago area. While the trophy is certainly something to show off, the real win is the community behind it.

What’s coming up?

The spirit of community pride continues as Thanksgiving approaches, as Munster High School’s Student Government has begun its food drive. The initiative encourages students to think beyond their own holiday plans and give back to individuals and families who may need extra support this season.

Food insecurity affects millions of families throughout the year, making community donation efforts especially meaningful during the holidays. The donation period is set to end November 17; students may drop off all donations to their first-hour teacher.

While giving back is one way Mustangs are making a difference, there is plenty more to look forward to on the school calendar, too. The MHS band program is preparing for its winter concerts on Wednesday, December 9, with performances scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The concerts will showcase the students’ musical development and give families and community members a chance to enjoy the hard work happening beyond the classroom.

Staff spotlight:

For Munster High School band director Adam Beaupré, the best part of music education is not simply hearing a performance come together. It is watching students discover what they can accomplish along the way. From learning their first notes to performing on a bigger stage, he gets to be part of that growth every day.

Beaupré is in his sixth year teaching band in the School Town of Munster. He earned his bachelor’s in music education from Ball State University, and grew up just north of Indianapolis, attending schools in Fishers.

His own music journey began in sixth grade, when he joined the band as a percussionist. It was during high school marching band that he realized he wanted to help other students experience the same excitement and sense of accomplishment. Now, he gets to do exactly that with students in grades six through 12, a range that allows him to see musicians grow over several years.

“Being a band director in the School Town of Munster offers me the unique opportunity to work with students,” he said.

For Beaupré, that time together makes the experience especially rewarding. He watches students develop their skills, gain confidence and discover a genuine love for music.

“It is inspiring to watch our students fall in love with music and build the skills to be lifelong musicians,” he said.

One moment that stands out from his time in Munster came this year, when the Marching Mustangs advanced from semi-state to the Indiana State School Music Association’s state finals. Beaupré and fellow band director Mr. Lehman have spent the past several years building a culture of excellence, emphasizing hard work and attention to detail.

“Seeing the excitement and energy in their reactions is one of the most rewarding and memorable moments of my career,” Beaupré said.

When he is not working with students, Beaupré enjoys disc golf. He picked it up with friends during the COVID-19 lockdown and has continued playing, even competing in summer tournaments.

For Beaupré, the value of these experiences goes beyond the performances themselves. They give students opportunities to challenge themselves, build friendships, and see what they can accomplish as a team.

Through his commitment to teaching and mentorship, Beaupré helps Munster students find success in music while developing skills and memories that will stay with them long after their final performance.

Student spotlight:

A newspaper is only as strong as the people and stories behind it, and Evelyn Koncalovic knows that better than most.

As editor-in-chief of Munster High School’s student newspaper, The Crier, she helps bring those stories to life, giving students a chance to share their experiences and making sure the Mustang community does not go unnoticed.

Her journey with The Crier started with something a little different. During her freshman year, Koncalovic took a photography class and discovered how much she enjoyed capturing moments in time. A fellow swim team member involved with the newspaper encouraged her to join, and she became part of the staff during her sophomore year. What began with an interest in taking pictures soon grew into a love for getting to know the people behind the stories.

“I enjoyed interviewing people — getting to know them and the stories they had to tell,” Koncalovic said.

By her junior year, she had taken on the role of deadline manager, setting deadlines for each issue and keeping assignments organized. Now, as editor-in-chief, she oversees the staff and helps guide each issue from its first ideas to its final pages.

Koncalovic helps with writing, photography, interviews, and page design. She also trains new staff members, teaches Associated Press style, and helps students become more confident in their work.

“As editor-in-chief, it is my job to be a leader and to help anyone with any assignment, make sure everyone is feeling comfortable, and no conflicts occur,” she said.

That supportive environment is part of what makes The Crier so meaningful to her. Koncalovic credits her newspaper adviser, Ms. Sulewski, with helping her develop her leadership skills and work ethic. The newspaper has also introduced her to friends and new experiences she may not have pursued otherwise.

“Without joining the staff, I would not have met many of my friends, and I would not have been able to step outside of my comfort zone,” she said.

Of course, The Crier is only one part of her very full schedule. Koncalovic competes in three varsity sports, including cross country, swimming, and track. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of academics, Koncalovic also works as a lifeguard at Hammond Marina Beach and the MHS pool.

After graduation, Koncalovic hopes to attend college and become an English teacher, with the goal of teaching children in Spanish-speaking countries. She also plans to minor in journalism and join her university’s newspaper.

Through The Crier, she is already making connections while helping preserve the moments and voices that make Munster High School what it is.

In her free time, Koncalovic enjoys reading, spending time with her younger brother and sister, and being outdoors with her dog, Scotch. She is especially interested in different cultures and languages, an interest that took her to Spain for two months as an exchange student the summer before her junior year. She describes the experience as the best of her life.