Putting in the time and effort to achieve the best show is oftentimes a prize in itself.

St. Edmond senior Jonah Carlson has been performing since a young age and the entire process is what yields the most satisfaction

“I enjoy doing musicals, but mainly for the preparation part,” Carlson said. “It is a lot of fun to go to the practices and be around all of my friends messing around in the winter.”

Even with the constant hours of honing the best performance on stage, when everything comes together, the effort is worth the time.

“It is very time consuming, but it all pays off when we actually get to perform,” Carlson said. “Hearing an auditorium cheer for you is unlike any other feeling and it’s extremely rewarding to see all of our efforts celebrated.”

Carlson started getting the bug in elementary school.

“I became involved in theater when I was in about second grade with ‘Aladdin Jr.,'” Carlson said. “I had randomly decided to do it when my sister did it, and became really invested in it.

“I had a lot of fun with my first one and it became something I looked forward to every summer.”

Carlson has been on stage throughout his high school career and every time is different.

“I’ve been in a lot of musicals, but my favorites are ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ when I was Mike Teavee,” Carlson said. “I was President (Theodore) Roosevelt in ‘Annie’ and last year I was Danny Zuko in ‘Grease.'”

While at St. Edmond, Carlson has been involved in cross country, track, choir, and student council.

“Student council has been a lot of fun, and I’ve been doing it since I was a freshman in high school,” Carlson said. “This year I’ve been doing a lot more to try and make changes to the school and create a more welcoming student environment for everyone to enjoy.”

As well as being on the stage, Carlson has also worked on his mic skills.

“Choir is fun because of Mrs. Hindt,” Carlson said. “She has a lot of great energy and is always doing whatever she can to make it fun for us, which she does every day.”

Being in the fine arts, competing in the athletic spectrum and succeeding in the classroom is difficult at times, but is also something that Carlson thrives with.

“Balancing sports, arts, and school work can be a lot some days but most of the time it doesn’t get too stressful,” Carlson said. “I am able to plan ahead and make sure all of my homework is done the day before a meet or choir event, that way I don’t fall behind.”

Running is how Carlson has been able to strengthen his mental toughness as well as stay competitive.

“Cross country and track is a lot of fun for me,” Carlson said. “Cross country is such a mentally tough sport, but crossing the finish line is genuinely so rewarding.

“I’ve been very blessed to have great teammates all four years that push me to be better. It has been my favorite part of high school and I’m grateful for everything that it has taught me.”

Graduating is about what is ahead of you, but also what has been in your past and what is currently in front of you.

“I think I’m going to miss seeing the familiar faces every day,” Carlson said. “Walking the halls of St. Edmond, you tend to know everyone and there’s always someone to have a conversation with. I’ll definitely miss that friendliness that fills the school.

“But I will look forward to getting to live on my own and have some more independence. I obviously love living with my parents, but I think living on my own will be pretty fun too.”

While being at home Carlson has had his parents by his side to help guide him through high school and his life.

“My biggest influence has always been my parents,” Carlson said. “They’ve taught me everything I know and have always been there to lift me up when I ultimately fall.

“They have given me the foundation necessary to be as successful as possible, and every day I do whatever I can to make them proud.”

While attending St. Edmond Carlson has enjoyed the process, but also has carried the honor of being a Gael.

“Being a Gael is all about being hardworking,” Carlson said. “Going to such a small school, most students tend to be involved in multiple extra curricular activities. Not only that, but our classes can be very time consuming as well.

“We have to be very good about managing our work and our sports as well as anything else we have, but it becomes second nature very quickly.”

After high school Carlson wants to attend either Iowa State or Creighton to major in political science. Then he will go to law school to become a lawyer.