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The student news site of C. M. Russell High School

Rustler News
The student news site of C. M. Russell High School

Rustler News

Early bird gets the Bible verse

Maddy Osterman, staff writer
April 7, 2025
Malena Gangi
Every other Wednesday at 7a.m., CMR’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club (FCA) gathers at Amy’s Morning Perk to enjoy a shot of espresso and a daily dose of faith.

Have you ever wondered what clubs CMR has in store for its students? One of the more popular of those clubs is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Many student athletes meet every other Wednesday morning at Amy’s Morning Perk to discuss the week’s Bible passage. Led by PE/Health teacher Lindsey Gustafson, the FCA welcomes all with nothing but open arms.

“We open in prayer and close in prayer,” Gustafson said.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes was created around 2012-2013 by Joel Auers and Taylor Edwards. Gustafson became a part of the program after Edwards asked her to join. Later, Auers retired from leading the club and Gustafson stepped into the role. Gustafson sees the role as club advisor less as work and more of a hobby she is passionate about.

“Knowing that you’re helping others find Jesus is incredible,” Gustafson said.

The early morning Wednesday meetings consist of getting coffee and enjoying breakfast together as students discuss the Bible lesson for that week. Someone is picked to read the passage, and afterwards the group goes over questions about the passage. Having the Bible lessons centered around being a better teammate, helps create a stronger bond between the athletes and their team members. One consistent member of the club gives her insight.

“It’s a great way to get to know people more and find people that you can trust and rely on as well as like. Even if you’re not in sports it’s still a really good group of people,” sophomore Zoe Hanson said.

Hanson said she enjoys spending every other Wednesday morning with her club, saying everyone brings something new to discuss for the meeting. She has been a member for the last two years, being invited by a close friend as a freshman. Hanson said she plans to continue playing her part in the club for her next two years at CMR. One of her favorite parts of being in the FCA is having an annual Christmas party with the Great Falls High FCA club. 

“It impacts me because I feel like it strengthens my relationships with people, helps me stay connected, and makes my faith fuller,” Hanson said.

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About the Contributors
Maddy Osterman
Maddy Osterman, Newspaper Staff
Maddy Osterman is a junior at Charles M. Russell High School. She enjoys many things such as learning Spanish, photography, and writing. She grew up in a family of six with many pets, moving all around Montana when she was younger due to her dad being in the military. She’s lived in Helena, Butte, and Great Falls. Osterman usually spends her free time running with the CMR cross country team, training for the Las Vegas Half Marathon, becoming a lady wrestler, and running track. She spends a lot of time with her friends and family, as they are a big priority for her. She enjoys a lot of different genres of music such as country, rap, and 90s hip hop. With many goals in life she aspires to go to college for photography or journalism, possibly join the military, and travel around. She has always wanted to go somewhere in Mexico and has helped that goal with learning Spanish the last four years.
Malena Gangi
Malena Gangi, Newspaper Staff
Malena Gangi is a junior journalistic writer and photographer at Charles M. Russell High School. She has had three years of experience in the journalism department, has been an intern for The Electric newspaper, and is currently a member of the school newspaper club. She is an athlete in cross country and long distance track. Gangi also can be found engaging in her outside hobbies, including playing electric guitar, volunteering at the MacLean animal shelter, and sculpting pottery at Paris Gibson Art Museum. She has lived in eight states, due to her dad’s military career, but has settled in for the long run to finish her high school years. She is a big rock n’ roll music fan, and particularly enjoys the bands The Smashing Pumpkins, The Goo Goo Dolls, Megadeth, and Soul Asylum. Besides music, Gangi loves her black cat and golden retriever, Oliver and Bengi, and is obsessed with coffee flavored ice cream. In the future, she hopes to involve herself with a career that exercises her skills in writing, communications, and creativity. However, she is open to embracing the adventure of finding her career path and trying new things.