Thursday 2nd April 2026

Holiday Pack the Backpack Winner: Mrs. Darci Steckelberg

Holiday Pack the Backpack, presented by Central Office Supply, a division of Minuteman and Kix 101.1! Each month during the school year, we will be awarding $101 to a Kix Country classroom to help out with supplies. We will award the prize on the last Wednesday of the month. You can listen to each new winner at 8:30a on the Morning Kix Start.

Our 1st Holiday Pack the Backpack winner is Resource Teacher at BCLUW Middle School, Mrs. Darci Steckelberg. She was nominated by the Gardner Family and here’s what they wrote to Kix 101.1:

We have a very special teacher at the BCLUW Middle school that goes over and beyond for every single one of her students she is amazing and she is also the special education teacher as well. She is one of the best out there – big heart and just all-around amazing person. Her name is Mrs.Steckelberg (Darci) she has had 2 of my four kids and they just love her so much and has help my kids more than she will ever know. I asked my daughter what she needs and she says “She always has snacks for us. And she’s always helping kids with folders and notebooks and pencils and pens and she uses post it notes too!!” I know she does a lot on the white boards so stuff for that. Anything that helps kids with reading and math. I hope she gets picked!!

Thanks,

The Gardner Family

Take a listen to our surprise interview with Mrs. Steckelberg below!

Nominate your Kix Country class by submitting a letter to us at backpack@kixweb.com.

 

More Episodes

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Jonathan Knight

The List for Wednesday, April 1st 2026

Welcome to The List,

Meghan Markle allegedly thought she could jump the royal line. A new book claims she believed she should be queen next. Said she was smarter, better, and worked harder than Kate. That’s not confidence, that’s skipping the entire family tree.

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Two Blackhawk helicopters hovering over Kid Rock’s house raised eyebrows fast. Army pilots got suspended while the investigation played out. Then the Defense Secretary stepped in and shut it down. Suspensions lifted, no punishment, case closed just like that.

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Keith Urban might be ready to say a little more. A report claims he felt iced out of Nicole Kidman’s interview. She talked family and life but didn’t mention him once. Now there’s talk he could finally tell his side. Nothing says romance like a possible press tour response.

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And if you saw Jason Aldean storm off Colbert… relax. That viral story is completely made up from top to bottom. Wrong show name, bad details, zero credible sources behind it. The internet really said “let’s just create chaos today.” Moral of the story, not everything trending is actually true…I know…surprise right??

You can catch The List, weekdays afternoons at 4:20 with Jonathan Knight. Only on Iowa’s BEST Country KIX 101.1

 
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April 1, 2026
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Blog

April Pack the Backpack Winner: Sarah Fricke

The April Minuteman Printing & Graphics Pack the Backpack winner, is Sarah Fricke – K-4 Special Behavior Intervention Teacher @ Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Newton. She was nominated by Steven Marsh, Jaimie Bru, Ashley Durant, and Jonathan Duran, and here is what they wrote to Kix 101.1.

"She loves her job. She is good at her job. And she loves the students like they are her own kids."

"She works hard to help kids with behavior issues be successful at becoming their best self and helps get them on the right track to being able to be in classes with the other kids."

"Sarah is amazing with her students. She always goes above and beyond to make sure that her students are taken care of."

"Sarah teaches in and out of school no matter where you see her. She is always buying supplies, rewards, etc. out of her own pocket to ensure the kids are getting what they need. She goes above and beyond what any teacher is required to do. There are times she brings snacks to ensure kids get a birthday at school, Buys McDonalds, etc. if a child works hard enough on their issue etc."

 

On the last Wednesday of the month during the school year, we award $101 to a Kix Country classroom to help out with supplies. Nominate a Kix Country teacher today at Kixweb.com.

 
Listen Now »
April 1, 2026
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