The Sparkle Squad Character Guide

The Core Six

Marnie (Gordon) Thurston

Marnie Thurston is the quiet emotional center of the Sparkle Squad — steady, thoughtful, deeply observant, and the one everyone instinctively turns to when they need grounding. She carries a gentle strength shaped by years of introspection, faith, and a deep sense of responsibility toward the people she loves. Though soft‑spoken, she has a quiet conviction that gives her presence weight. Her warmth is subtle but unmistakable, and her calm steadiness often anchors the group during their most chaotic moments. A native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Marnie teaches American Literature at Pine City High School. She’s also named by many of her students as their favorite teacher.

Fun Fact

  • She was the first of the Squad to get her nose pierced — several years before the Squad even came into existence – a quiet act of rebellion from a former church choir girl that surprised everyone.

Lily Jorgenson

Lily Jorgenson is the heart‑forward, quietly radiant soul of the Sparkle Squad — warm, expressive, and deeply attuned to the emotional currents around her. Once Marnie Thurston’s student and now her colleague and close friend, Lily carries a blend of youthful idealism and hard‑earned resilience. She feels deeply, loves wholeheartedly, and brings a gentle brightness to every space she enters. A native of Pine City, Minnesota, Lily now teaches 10th grade English in the very classroom in which she was once a student. Though she once aspired to be like Marnie, Lily has grown into her own kind of strength: open, empathetic, and unafraid to show her heart. Of the five Squad members who attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Superior together, Lily was the informal leader of the group.

Fun Fact

  • She often wears infinity scarves, a style cue she picked up emulating Marnie Thurston from back when she was her student in high school.

Allison (Besonen) Heikkila

Allison Heikkila is the Sparkle Squad’s calm, quietly confident center — thoughtful, observant, and grounded in a way that makes people feel safe simply by being near her. She carries a steady presence shaped by resilience, deep empathy, and a strong sense of identity that has only strengthened with time. A native of Negaunee, Michigan, as a teacher at Ewen‑Trout Creek Consolidated School in Ewen, Michigan, she brings structure, compassion, and emotional intelligence to her classroom which allowed her to excel quickly and become a mentor to student teachers early in her career, and those same qualities define her friendships. While she once kept her guard high, Allison has grown into someone who trusts deeply and loves with quiet certainty.

Fun Fact

  • On move-in day into the dorms as Lily’s roommate at the University of Wisconsin-Superior as a freshman, Allison brought pasties that her mom made, a delicacy popular in the Upper Peninsula.

Maya (Patel) Nadeau

Maya Nadeau is the Sparkle Squad’s vibrant, culturally layered, emotionally intuitive force — a woman shaped by a life lived at the crossroads of identities, communities, and histories. Born to a mixed African‑American and Caucasian heritage and adopted as an infant by immigrant parents from India, Maya grew up immersed in a rich blend of cultures that shaped her worldview and her deep empathy. Her career at Minneapolis North High School is not just a job but a calling, one that aligns perfectly with her passion for advocacy, representation, and empowering youth. Maya brings energy, insight, and a fierce sense of justice to the Squad, standing out in ways that strengthen the group’s dynamic.

Fun Fact

  • She was the one Squad member at UW-Superior without a roommate, having a solo room for her four years in college, though she spent most of her time either in or out of class together with one or more of Lily, Allison, Sophie, and Rachel.

Sophie Kowalski

Sophie Kowalski is the Sparkle Squad’s thoughtful, analytical, quietly intense presence — a woman whose mind is always turning, observing, and making sense of the world around her. As a biology instructor at Northwood Technical College in her hometown of Ashland, Wisconsin, she brings a deep love of science, structure, and inquiry to everything she does. Beneath her calm exterior lies a rich inner life shaped by self‑reflection, vulnerability, and a growing willingness to let others truly see her. Sophie’s journey is one of emerging confidence, emotional openness, and learning to trust both herself and the people who love her.

Fun Fact

  • Sophie was the first Sparkle Squad member to get a master’s degree.

Rachel (Schneider) Berglund

Rachel Berglund is the Sparkle Squad’s bright, joyful, endlessly optimistic spirit — the friend whose laughter fills a room and whose enthusiasm can lift even the heaviest day. A high school English teacher with a gift for connecting with students, Rachel brings warmth, humor, and genuine delight to everything she does. Her life is shaped by deep love, steady faith, and a sense of adventure that led her from her home town of Green Bay to New Richmond and into a marriage that literally made headlines. Rachel is the Squad member most likely to turn an ordinary moment into a memory — and the one who reminds everyone that joy is worth celebrating.

Fun Facts

  • She once appeared on ESPN SportsCenter thanks to her husband Soren’s proposal at a Green Bay Gamblers game that went viral.
  • Rachel is the one credited with coming up with the term “Sparkle Squad” shortly after she, Lily, Allison, Maya, and Sophie all got their noses pierced early in their freshman year at UW-Superior. Her exact quote (“We’ll be the sparkle squad of UW–Superior”) became the group’s identity and the emotional anchor of the entire series.

The Inner Circle (husbands or significant others)

Ethan Thurston

Ethan Allen Thurston is the Sparkle Squad’s honorary big brother — warm, expressive, community‑minded, and the kind of man who makes every room feel more alive the moment he walks in. A social studies teacher at Pine City High School and native of New Ulm, Minnesota, Ethan blends humor, heart, and genuine curiosity about people into everything he does. His marriage to Marnie is one of the emotional cornerstones of the series: steady, affectionate, and full of the quiet, everyday tenderness that defines real partnership. Ethan is the kind of person who remembers names, celebrates small victories, and makes everyone around him feel valued.

Fun Fact

  • He is an avid collector of old records, particularly from the 1950s and early 1960s, which he likes to play at home in the evenings.

Shane Larson

Shane Larson is the Sparkle Squad’s quiet, steady, deeply grounded presence — a man whose calm confidence and gentle warmth make him instantly trustworthy. A union journeyman plumber from Pine City with over a decade of experience, Shane is known for his competence, reliability, and the kind of understated people skills that put others at ease. His relationship with Lily is built on emotional safety, mutual respect, and a shared appreciation for the simple, meaningful rhythms of life. Shane doesn’t seek attention, but his sincerity and steadiness make him unforgettable.

Fun Fact

  • He is the Squad partner most likely to help with a home project — and the one who never overcharges, even jokingly.

Erik Heikkila

Sgt. Erik Matthew Heikkila is the quiet, disciplined, deeply rooted presence of the Sparkle Squad’s inner circle — a man shaped by the forests, rivers, and backroads of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native of Sagola, Michigan who enlisted in the Marines upon graduating high school, Erik is now a conservation officer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and carries himself with calm authority, understated confidence, and a deep respect for the land he protects. His relationship with Allison is one of the emotional pillars of the extended universe: steady, mature, and grounded in shared values, family ties, and a profound sense of place. Erik is not loud, flashy, or attention‑seeking — but his integrity and quiet strength make him unforgettable.

Fun Fact

  • Erik knows the western U.P. like the back of his hand — especially the woods and back roads around Sagola, Kenton, Trout Creek, and Ewen. He also spent 13 years with the DNR in the Lower Peninsula in the Kalkaska area before coming back to the U.P.

Adrian Nadeau

Adrian Nadeau is the Sparkle Squad’s thoughtful, culturally grounded, quietly charismatic presence — a man whose life bridges communities, histories, and identities with grace and purpose. Born to a Bad River Ojibwe mother and an African‑American father, Adrian grew up moving between Minneapolis and northern Wisconsin, carrying both worlds with him into adulthood. Now a youth‑advocacy program leader in Minneapolis, he is known for his emotional intelligence, steady warmth, and ability to meet people exactly where they are. His relationship with Maya is one of the most dynamic and emotionally rich arcs in the series: vibrant, honest, challenging in the best ways, and rooted in shared values and mutual respect. Adrian doesn’t need to raise his voice to command attention — his presence speaks for itself.

Fun Fact

  • Adrian cooks exceptionally well — especially dishes that blend his family’s cultural traditions, from wild rice to Southern comfort food to barbecue.

Elias Thorsen

Elias Thorsen is the Sparkle Squad’s quietly brilliant, deeply rooted, intellectually grounded presence — a man whose life is shaped by the rhythms of Lake Superior, the forests of Bayfield County, and a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship. A freelance environmental writer and policy analyst from Bayfield, Wisconsin, Elias blends academic depth with real‑world advocacy, making him a respected voice in regional conservation circles. He has works published in academic journals and op-ed columns and is invited to speaking engagements around the region in both the U.S. and Canada. His relationship with Sophie is one of the most emotionally resonant arcs in the universe: gentle, thoughtful, slow‑building, and rooted in mutual respect, shared curiosity, and a deep appreciation for each other’s inner worlds. Elias doesn’t seek attention — but when he speaks, people listen.

Fun Fact

  • He has a deep love for Lake Superior shipwreck history — a lifelong fascination that blends science, storytelling, and regional heritage.

Soren Berglund

Soren Daniel Berglund is the Sparkle Squad’s joyful, big‑hearted, quietly ambitious presence — a man whose life blends Minnesota hockey culture, deep emotional steadiness, and a genuine love for people. A former call‑center supervisor turned NHL front‑office professional, Edina, Minnesota-native Soren now works in player development for the Minnesota Wild, a dream job he earned through persistence, humility, and a lifelong passion for the game. His relationship with Rachel is one of the most uplifting arcs in the series: warm, steady, deeply affectionate, and built on shared values, mutual encouragement, and a sense of partnership that feels both grounded and inspiring. Soren doesn’t try to impress — he simply shows up with sincerity, and that’s what makes him unforgettable.

Fun Fact

  • Soren grew up idolizing Herb Brooks — and had quotes from Miracle read at his wedding to Rachel.

The major minor characters

Danielle Savoy

Danielle Marie Savoy is the respected, warm, perceptive principal of Pine City High School — a leader whose steady presence, sharp instincts, and deep care for her staff make her one of the most beloved figures in the Sparkle Squad universe. A native of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and graduate of Lake Superior State University, Danielle is known for her calm authority, dry humor, and ability to read a room instantly, Danielle creates a school culture where teachers feel supported, students feel seen, and community truly matters. The story universe canon, however, never specifies what brings Danielle from the eastern U.P. to east central Minnesota. Her relationship with Marnie is one of the most meaningful cross‑generational bonds in the series: a blend of mentorship, friendship, and mutual respect that grows deeper with every book. Danielle doesn’t need to raise her voice to command a room — her presence does the work.

Fun Fact

  • Danielle attends staff baby showers, concerts, and games not out of obligation, but because she genuinely cares.

Mark Dawson

Mark Thomas Dawson is the highly respected, quietly charismatic choir director at Pine City High School — a man whose musical talent, calm leadership, and deep care for his students make him one of the most beloved faculty members in the Sparkle Squad universe. Known for his warm professionalism, dry humor, and ability to bring out the best in teenage singers, Mark has built a program that is both artistically excellent and emotionally safe. His personal journey — from his early relationship with Lily Jorgenson to his eventual marriage to Stacy Hendrickson — reflects maturity, emotional clarity, and a steady commitment to building a meaningful life. Mark doesn’t seek the spotlight; he creates it for others.

Fun Fact

  • Mark has a soft spot for the Christmas program — especially the beloved high‑school‑choir classic “Fruitcake.”

Peter Bouchard

Peter Bouchard is Pine City High School’s unforgettable 8th‑grade history teacher — a five‑foot‑five firecracker of dry humor, encyclopedic knowledge, and classroom charisma. Known for his straight‑man brilliance in the legendary Ethan‑and‑Peter staff‑meeting comedy duo, Peter is both a faculty favorite and a student‑room staple. His classroom is a living history museum, with nearly every inch of wall space covered in replica documents, artifacts, flags, signs, and Americana. Beneath the humor and the one‑liners lies a deeply serious educator: a gifted storyteller, a passionate historian, and a teacher who makes the past feel alive. Peter may be small in stature, but his presence is enormous — and Pine City wouldn’t be Pine City without him.

Fun Fact

  • Peter is surprisingly sentimental — especially about teachers who shaped him.

Clara Juntunen

Clara Marie Juntunen is one of the most emotionally resonant student characters in the Sparkle Squad universe — a bright, observant, quietly guarded girl whose journey from uncertainty to confidence unfolds over several books. Transferring to Ewen‑Trout Creek during Christmas vacation of her 6th‑grade year after her parents’ divorce, Clara arrived shy, cautious, and unsure of her place in a new school and a new town. Under Allison Heikkila’s steady, compassionate guidance, she slowly opened up, found her footing, and discovered both her academic strengths and her athletic potential. Now a rising star on the Ewen‑Trout Creek girls basketball team, Clara is emerging as a leader — thoughtful, composed, and quietly fierce. Her bond with Allison is one of the most meaningful teacher‑student relationships in the entire series.

Fun Fact

  • Clara played in a varsity game as an 8th grader — a brief appearance that hinted at her future potential.

Emma Koskinen

Emma Grace Koskinen is one of the brightest, warmest, and most quietly influential students in the Ewen‑Trout Creek storyline — a kind, steady, slightly shy girl whose friendship becomes a turning point in Clara Juntunen’s life. With her long, straight light‑blonde hair, gentle demeanor, and naturally encouraging spirit, Emma is the kind of student who makes a classroom feel lighter simply by being in it. She and Clara bonded quickly, forming a friendship that helped both girls grow academically, socially, and athletically. Now a rising contributor on the Ewen‑Trout Creek girls basketball team, Emma brings hustle, heart, and a quietly fierce determination to the court – and a unique on-court chemistry with Clara. She is one of Allison Heikkila’s most memorable students — thoughtful, hardworking, and deeply kind.

Fun Fact

  • Emma was the first student to sit with Clara at lunch — a moment that changed both girls’ trajectories and the beginning of a lifelong friendship.