Featuring Appearances by
JJ Kapur
JJ Kapur will be entering his senior year at Valley High School this fall. When he’s not lugging his 20-pound backpack around the hallways, he’s traveling the country with his speech and debate team. His desire to share his Sikh community’s story led him to found the Iowa Turbanators, a youth-led service group focused on “turban-ating†the negative stigma surrounding Sikhism.
Torina Gedler
Torina Gedler, an Iowa native, creates music and art when not helping out at a daycare, doing respite at ChildServe or hanging with friends and family. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Drake University and hopes to further her education, possibly going into music therapy or counseling.
Abe Goldstien
If the definition of a gentleman is someone who knows how to play the accordion but doesn't, Abe Goldstien is certainly no gentleman. He plays the accordion every chance he gets. His accordion reputation is equal to his reputation as a leading figure in the local advertising and jazz community.
Jacqui Kalin
Jacqui Kalin works for a start-up company called VersaLifts. A former collegiate and professional basketball player, she also has a blast picking up shifts at Scenic Route Bakery and dog sitting. In her free time, you’ll find her "CrossFitting" or snuggling with her miniature dachshund, Gimel.
Bill Blank
Bill Blank has been a stand-up comedian for almost 20 years. He was born, raised and still lives on Des Moines' north side. He's married with three teenage children and loves touring the country's major comedy clubs.
Agenda
August 24, 2017
Champions and Underdogs: JJ Kapur - 'The Turbanators are born'
JJ Kapur was 2 years old on 9/11. As a Sikh, he wears a turban, leaving him open to the Islamophobia that pervades certain corners of American culture. The Turbantors are his response.
August 24, 2017
Champions and Underdogs: Torina Gedler - 'How to hold a bratwurst pen'
When Torina Gedler had a brain injury at 14, the star student discovered that she would longer use ball points with names like Velocity and Atlantis. No, she was stuck with the “bratwurst pen.”
August 24, 2017
Champions and Underdogs: Abe Goldstien - 'Squeezing out a life'
This is the story of how Abe Goldstien became an accordion player. And, yes, he’s heard all the jokes.
August 24, 2017
Champions and Underdogs: Jacqui Kalin - 'I have the most HORSE wins'
Jacqui Kalin played basketball from age 6 to age 26. When she realized she didn’t want to play anymore, she had to figure out how to move forward.
August 24, 2017
Champions and Underdogs: Bill Blank - 'The proudest beatings I ever took'
In first grade, Bill Blank wanted to get into a fight. Three decades later, that fight has morphed from a schoolyard brawl to a life-changing event.