They walked across a stage in Trojan Stadium, ceremoniously accepted their diplomas and began the next chapter in their lives, not expecting they would one day be back in their hometown as visiting members of a college pep band.
Friday, Sept. 12, during the New Prague High School football game vs. Rochester Mayo, New Prague High School graduates Kenzie Anderson and Maggie Giesen were two members of the Maverick Machine, a band performing at Minnesota State University, Mankato athletic and other events. The Maverick Machine was in New Prague performing with the New Prague pep band at the invitation of NPHS band director John Pohland. The college musicians played during the first half of the football game. Michael Thursby, MSU’s director of athletic bands, likely viewed the visit as a recruiting trip, while Pohland said he wanted to give his high school musicians the opportunity to play alongside more experienced, accomplished performers.
“In an effort to show my students how...
To see more on this story pick up the September 18, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.