FAB is a volunteer organization that works to support fine arts students and teachers at Spearfish High School and Spearfish Middle School. Our efforts include:
• Largest financial supporter of the SHS Band Trip
• Support student travel to other competitions and performances with stipends
• Host the annual Fine Arts Awards banquet
• Provide college scholarships to two SHS seniors annually
• Support arts activities as needed and requested by teachers and students
OUR MISSION is to promote, support and encourage student involvement in the arts; recognize student achievement in the arts, and provide a positive experience for all those who participate in the band, choir, drama, art, journalism/speech and debate programs in the Spearfish schools.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT FAB?
Become an annual member for just $20. Send a check to the address below, or scan the QR code to join! Spearfish FAB P.O. Box 534
Spearfish, SD 57783
Be a FABulous Audience Member!
• No talking, unless interaction in requested by performers
• Turn off your phone and other noisy devices
• Control coughing and other sounds, these noises can be a distraction
• Don’t take flash photos or videos
• Remove hats so you don’t block anyone’s view
• Keep the auditorium clean and take any trash with you
• Families sit together to allow everyone access to rows
• Enter or exit between performances, only if necessary
• Applaud courteously as the end of a performance (no whistling or yelling)
• A standing ovation is appropriate at the end of an exceptional performance!
FAB in Action...
Thank You to all of our Advertisers for 2025/2026 School Year!
If you wish to advertise next year or you would like to donate to the organization, contact us online or by mail at:
The Spearfish School District Board of Education prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco by staff members, employees, visitors or guests in all District buildings, on school grounds, in all school vehicles at all times, and at any school-related functions. For the purposes of this policy, tobacco means any substance or item, in any form, containing tobacco. The administration is directed to treat the use, possession or promotion of all forms of nicotine-containing products or nicotine delivery devices, which may or may not include actual tobacco, as a violation of this policy, provided the device is not part of an individual’s cessation program.
ART
Katherine Erickson is a visual arts instructor at Spearfish High School. She earned her degree in K–12 Art Education from Black Hills State University in 2015 and has spent the past nine years teaching and inspiring young artists. Beginning with the 2025–2026 school year, she is excited to bring her passion for creativity to the high school level. Katherine finds deep fulfillment in helping students discover their artistic voices and express themselves through the creative process. Outside the classroom, she enjoys mountain biking, gardening, skiing, traveling, and spending time with her family and two dogs.
Elise Fowlkes
is a 2004 graduate of Black Hills State University with a BS in K-12 Art Education. She has experience working with pre-school to high school age learners, and thoroughly enjoys creating artwork with students in her Photography, Ceramics, and Graphic Design classes at Spearfish High School. “For as long as I can remember, I have loved creating things, designing things, and looking at artwork. I like working with a wide variety of materials, but especially enjoy ceramics, photography, watercolor and collage/mixed media. As a teacher, I love sharing my passion for art with my students and love helping them view the world with different eyes.” She and her husband, Collin, are both artists and enjoy living in a community that values the arts and the outdoors.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
BAND
Katie Appl is in her eighth year of teaching band and keyboarding at Spearfish High School. She received her degree in Music Education from Northern State University in 2018. In her free time, Ms. Appl enjoys running, biking, water skiing, snow skiing, pickleball and reading.
Which Broadway musical featured a helicopter onstage? Miss Saigon
“Music is a more important instrument than any other for education because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.”
- Plato
CHOIR
Kelsey Kaitfors is in her twelfth year of teaching at Spearfish High School. She is thankful to have the opportunity to work with her wonderful students and colleagues each and every day. Miss Kaitfors received her degree in Music Education K-12 from Chadron State College in 2012. In her free time, Miss Kaitfors enjoys singing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
“Music can change the world, because it can change people.” - Bono
The Benefits of Arts Education:
72% of business leaders say creativity is “highly important” when hiring. - World Economic Forum
Students with high arts participation and low socioeconomic status have a 4 percent dropout rate—five times lower than their low socioeconomic status peers. - America for the Arts
New brain research shows that not only does music improve skills in math and reading, but it promotes creativity, social development, personality adjustment, and self-worth. - Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California
SPEECH & DEBATE
Cameron Miller
is in his third year as a School Counselor at Spearfish High School. He received his degree in Counseling and Psychology in Education from the University of South Dakota in 2023. In his free time, Mr. Miller enjoys watching sports and movies, cooking, and listening to music.
Bob Speirs started coaching Speech and Debate at Spearfish High School in 1988. He has coached more than 40 Academic All-Americans, more than thirty state champions, and will be attempting to help his students earn their tenth consecutive team championship in 2025.
“Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand” - Colin Powell
JOURNALISM
Alyssa Walters
earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Master’s degree from Black Hills State University. She loves teaching English and Journalism at Spearfish High School where she also serves as the yearbook advisor. She enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing with her husband and family.
What female journalist was known for pioneering the field of investigative journalism by going undercover in a mental institution for the New York World newspaper, and also for her record-breaking trip around the world in 72 days? - Nellie Bly
At the age of 19, Thomas Edison worked as a telegrapher for what non-profit news organization? - The Associated Press
THEATRE
Cynthia Scherer
teaches literature, composition, and drama at Spearfish High School. She has been active in theater in all capacities (acting, tech crew, and directing) for more than 20 years. She is so grateful and lucky to work with such amazing students; in fact, the best part of her day is walking into the theater for play practice and being able to experience the fantastic talent of SHS.
TRIVIA:
Which famous painter was also a sculptor, an architect, and an engineer?
Leonardo Da Vinci
Brenna Meyer
teaches literature, research, composition, and technical theatre.
Between acting, tech, and directing, she has been involved in theater for over thirty years! She thoroughly enjoys being able to share her love of theater with such talented students!
“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” - Oscar Wilde
MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND
Abi Case is the director of the Spearfish Middle School, including 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands and 7th/8th Jazz Band. A native of Harlan, Iowa, Mrs. Case graduated from The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 2003 with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with Trombone and Euphonium emphasis. She spent her first three years of teaching at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa. Mrs. Case’s Middle School Bands consistently earn Division I Ratings at Large Group Contest. Her groups are often heard performing throughout the community. In her free time, Mrs. Case enjoys spending time doing outdoor activities with her children and her husband.
How many times has the Mona Lisa been stolen?
- Once How old is the first known human work of art?
- 100,000 years old
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR
Rylann Olson directs the SMS choirs--6th, 7th, 8th, and Swing--and teaches music electives at the middle school. Originally from South Heart, ND, Miss Olson graduated from Black Hills State University in 2021 with a degree in K-12 Music Education. She feels so lucky to continue her career in the Black Hills where she receives wonderful support from the community! In her free time, Miss Olson loves reading, watching baseball, hiking, and participating in community music ensembles.
2025-2026 Fine Arts Calendar
Oct 20 Fall Choir Concert 7pm
Oct 31-Nov 1 All-State Chorus & Orchestra Sioux Falls
Nov 6-7 Fall Play 7pm
Nov 24 Spartan Spec 7pm
Nov 25 NH Band Festival 6:30pm SHS & BHSU
Dec 8 7th/8th Choir Concert 7pm
Dec 9 Winter Choir Concert 7pm
Dec 16 Band Concert 7pm
Dec 16 Winter Art Show Afternoon/Evening
Jan 23-24 SD Junior Honor Choir All Day - Rapid City
