The Fort Dodge senior joined choir late in his seventh grade year and saw a performance on stage that prompted him to act on it.

“Late in my seventh grade year I saw King Arty and The Knights of The Rad Table,” Wagner said. “That performance inspired me to be involved in the following year’s musical, The Wizard of Oz. I ended up being cast as The Scarecrow and it was the most fun I had experienced up to that point.

“Every rehearsal helped grow my knowledge and love for acting.”

Wagner has made himself into a well rounded student that has tried his hand at a number of activities.

He is involved in Performers Club, fall play. Large group and individual speech contest. He has also taken part in spring musical, bands (marching, concert, and jazz.

With his voice, Wagner sings in Acapella Choir, Iowa All-State Chorus, vocal lessons, Fort Dodge Choral Society and praise band.

On the academic side in the Dodger halls, he served in Dodger Senate, National Honors Society and Ambassadors.

Athletically, Wagner is on the Fort Dodge cross country and soccer team as well as boys volleyball.

Being involved in theater and athletics can be challenging, but Wagner has been able to accel at both.

“The biggest struggle I’ve had with activities is scheduling,” Wagner said. “It takes time and coordination to know what takes priority in my day-to-day schedule.

“Aside from that, putting in my full effort for each activity can be draining at times.”

While he is on stage, Wagner is able to transform himself into someone else and step out of the box.

“Playing a character’s role is my favorite,” Wagner said. “It’s such a unique experience to be put in the shoes of another person.

“You get to live through their ups and downs and realize the motivation for their decisions along the way, that has always been interesting to me.”

During speech students have the opportunity to do many different activities that can showcase their love for drama.

“At speech contests, the atmosphere is very unique,” Wagner said. “You have the chance to meet a lot of very nice people, see others perform, and just be in a space where everyone else has a love for drama.”

Wagner’s days walking through the FDSH hallways have always begun with a song. Whether it’s in band or choir, Wagner enjoys sharing his talents.

“On top of scholarship opportunities, being involved in band or choir always helped to start my day,” Wagner said. “Whether from an instrument or voice, there is just something so soothing about harmonies and a melody coming together to perform a song.

“It helps me deal with the stress of school.”

While earning his diploma from FDSH, Wagner has learned to stay busy and build his resume for his future.

“Staying busy has helped me in being a well-rounded individual with good grades and that sticks out to colleges,” Wagner said. “It also can show you different types of people and teach you how to work with them, which is very important in any job.”

The senior has had many memories as a Dodger, but singing with the Iowa All-State Chorus, sticks out.

“I’ll never forget the first time I sang with the Iowa All-State Chorus,” Wagner said. “Everyone there was focused on singing to the best of their ability and when you have 600 of those people in the same room, the experience is unmatched.”

Vacation destination: Greece.

People I would like to have dinner with: Eric Whitacre and Andrew Feldman.

It would surprise people that: I don’t drink coffee or energy drinks.

Performer that inspires me: Luciano Pavarotti.

My everyday role model: Ryan Madden.

I can’t go a day without: singing.

Where do I see myself in 10 years? I would like to be financially stable and teach a high school choir while working on getting a doctorate degree in music education.

What are you listening to: Being alive from the Company.

Dream piece or show: “Bonnie and Clyde The Musical.”

A show you binge watch: The Clone Wars.

Favorites…

Song: “Top of the World” from Tuck Everlasting.

Movie: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Musical: Dear Evan Hansen.

Book: Frankenstein.

Performance: Les Miserables.

Musical genre: Show tunes.

Instrument: Voice.

Class: Choir

Phone App.: Spotify.