Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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As we look forward to a new year, we reflect on the stories that defined our region in 2025. Articles in this list - and the rankings - are based on page views from summerlandadvocate.com. 1. Hometown Hero: Summerland freshman uses SkillsUSA training to save infant's life As an eighth-grade student, Taelyn Nilson learned CPR and won a state title in Job Skills Demonstration at the Nebraska SkillsUSA Middle School Conference. In December 2024, Nilson used those skills to save the life of an... Full story
Personnel at the Orchard Swimming Pool dove into action Thursday during a coordinated emergency training exercise. After a simulated flip off the diving board, a lifeless body floated in the water. Lifeguard Preslie Robertson sounded her whistle and dove in. Co-manager Dani Janke called 911. Dylan Rotherham grabbed the backboard and sprinted to the scene. Lydia Robertson cleared the pool and joined the response. Once the "victim" was pulled from the water, the Robertsons and Rotherham took...
The University of South Dakota has released its academic honor and dean's list for the spring 2025 semester. The following Summerland-area students were included on the dean's list: Taelyn Switzer, Clearwater; Preslie Robertson, Orchard; and Hadley Cheatum, Page....
August Janke took a leap last week-not just off the diving board at the Orchard Swimming Pool, but into uncharted waters of courage. With lifeguards cheering him on, he tiptoed to the board's edge, nerves rippling like waves beneath the surface. Then, with a burst of bravery, he jumped into the deep end. "The guards told him, 'This is for the Huskers.' That's how they got him to jump off," said his mother, Dani Janke, who co-manages the pool with Angie Robertson. That moment marked more than a...
An Orchard native has returned to her roots and will serve as the Orchard village clerk. The Village of Orchard welcomed Mandi (Robertson) Weina, a 1994 Orchard High School graduate, to the position on April 28. Weina brings valuable customer service experience to the position. She was working in Norfolk when the position opened and welcomed the opportunity to work closer to home. While Weina didn't feel she had the full range of experience required for the position, she credited village officia...
Orchard Public Library representatives made its budget presentation to Orchard Village trustees during the Aug. 12 board meeting. Library director Donna Hamilton and library board member Amanda Shabram requested $21,000 - $1,750 monthly - for the 2024-2025 budget. Village clerk Brenda Harrison reported this is an increase of $3,806.27 annually, which is a $317.19 monthly boost. Prior to the budget presentation, Hamilton reviewed the library’s annual report, noting the number of visitors has incr...
The Orchard Public Library started summer reading on May 22. "It was a whirlwind of fun and adventure for everyone," said library director Donna Hamilton. The library had received a grant through the Nebraska Library Commission for interns this year. Preslie Robertson and Lydia Robertson filled the intern role. The interns helped plan all the programing during the summer and helped during some of the programs. Attendees were split into three age groups: newborn to 5, 6-8 and 9 and older. The Ant...
Northeast Community College recently announced students named to the dean's honor list for part-time students. To be eligible, students must earn at least a 3.75 grade-point average for at least six credit hours. Area students named to the list include: Barrett Stearns, Ewing and Deric Sayers, Orchard. Several students were named to the president's honor list for part-time students. These students earned a 4.0 GPA for at least six credit hours. Area students named to the president's list...
Grab a swimsuit and sunscreen and plan to make a splash when the Orchard swimming pool opens for the season, Saturday, June 1. Angie Robertson will return as pool manager. Dani Janke, Adrian Mejia and Preslie Robertson will served as assistant managers. Mejia and Preslie Robertson will also fill lifeguard positions, along with Omar Mejia, Carter Bergman, Deric Sayers and Jaycee Reynolds. The applications and corresponding salaries were approved by Orchard Village Trustees during a May 2 special...
Bailey Ahlers Is the lone state qualifier for the Bobcat girls' track and field team. The junior punched her ticket to Burke Stadium for a third time when she cleared 5' two inches and placed second in high jump. Teammate Lydia Robertson was on her heels, finishing third after sailing over the five-foot mark. In the 200m, Robertson set a personal record, runnng 28.97. She placed 10th. Other Bobcat competitors included: Preslie Robertson: 100m hurdles, 11th, 18.22, PR; Caydence Schumacher: high...
While a few tears flowed Saturday, most of the members of the Summerland Public School class of 2024 beamed during commencement exercises held in the main gym. The Summerland band played the processional. Adyson Mlnarik and Superintendent Kyle Finke welcomed faculty, family and guests. Pastor Mark Hoffman urged the class to live their best lives before leading the assembly in prayer. A packed house watched 19 students receive diplomas and listened to words of wisdom from co-valedictorians...
Seven points. That was the margin between first and second place at the Randolph Invite, held May 2. The Bobcats brought home the runner-up trophy in the girls' division after scoring 147 points. Ponca won the team title, with 154 points. Lenora Kester claimed the triple jump title. She reached 31' four inches. She also won long jump. She jumped 14' 7.25 inches. In the 300m hurdles, Kester took top honors with a run of 51.28. She picked up a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles, running 17.75. Bailey Ahlers won high jump. She cleared 5' one inch. A...
Scholarship Recipients CHRISTIAN BEHNK UNL Husker Power Scholarship UNL O & G Kammerer Scholarship Paul D. Cooper Scholarship KELTON BRUHN Northeast Community College Livestock Judging Scholarship ALANNA DOLL Creighton University Award Scholarship Menard Family Business Scholarship Father John Labaj Scholarship The John Greer Memorial Scholarship Timothy J. Thramer Memorial Scholarship AISLYNN KESTER NECC Scholastic Contest Waiver Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Scott L. Reynolds...
Summerland Public School introduced the salutatorian and valedictorians during Saturday's commencement ceremony. Adyson Mlnarik was named salutatorian. She welcomed faculty, students, parents and guests at the beginning of graduation activities. Co-valedictorians include Kelsey Schlecht, Aislynn Kester and Preslie Robertson. Their speeches are included below: Kelsey Schlecht: Good afternoon family, friends, faculty, staff, and board of education. Since Aislynn, Preslie, and I are all sharing...
Summerland Public School will bid farewell to its graduating class, Saturday, May 4. Commencement exercises will begin at 3 p.m., at the school, located at 51293 857th Road, Ewing. Summerland band, under the direction of Emily Heithoff, will play the processional. Superintendent Kyle Finke will present the welcome and the senior welcome will be presented. Principal Zach Rosenboom will announce senior scholarships, followed by the valedictorian's and salutatorian's addresses. Honor graduates...
The Summerland girls' track team relied on its high jump competitors to score points at the April 18th Tom Martin/Wausa Invite, held in Pierce. Bailey Ahlers struck gold, breezing over the bar at 5 feet. Lydia Robertson ended in second, clearing 4' 10 inches. Caydence Schumacher placed fifth, flying over 4' six inches. Lenora Kester scored the rest of the team's points after she finished third in triple jump. She set a season record of 31' 8.25 inches, finishing third. In other events, Kester...
On a chilly Saturday, rain and wind kept a damper on the Niobrara Valley Conference Track Meet, held in Atkinson. The Lady Cats finished sixth in team standings, with a lineup of usual suspects in the hunt for medals. Several athletes set personal records, despite the conditions. Bailey Ahlers and Lydia Robertson placed second and third, respectively, in high jump. Ahlers cleared 5' two inches and Robertson, 4' 10. Robertson brought home a fourth-place medal in triple jump, reaching 32 feet....
Karley Dawkins, Leah Wiese, Breckyn Bergman and Aubrey Parker topped the medal stand, April 15, at the Hartington-Newcastle Invite. The 4x800 team ran 12:05.79 en route to gold. Bailey Ahlers cleared 5' four inches to place first in high jump. Lydia Robertson was right behind Ahlers, jumping 5 feet, finishing second. She claimed the triple jump crown, reaching 32' 1.5 inches, a personal record. Robertson finished sixth in the 200m, setting a PR with a time of 30.09. Lenora Kester brought home a...
Funeral services for Randall Dean Robertson, 77, of Orchard, were Wednesday, April 17, at the Orchard United Methodist Church in Orchard. Pastor Janene Reynolds officiated. Burial was in the Orchard Hill Cemetery with military honors by Orchard American Legion Post 136. Randall died Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Arrangements were entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. ~~~~~ Randall Dean Robertson was born Oct. 18, 1946, in Orchard, to Glen and Minnie...
The Lady Bobcats finished sixth at the April 8 North Central Invite. Bailey Ahlers picked up a silver medal in high jump. She cleared five feet. Lydia Robertson finished fourth in high jump, clearing 4' 8 inches. In the 200m, she ran 30.61, finishing sixth. Robertson earned a silver medal in triple jump, reaching 31 feet. Lenora Kester earned bronze in the 300m hurdles. She cleared the obstacles in 53.87. In the 100m hurdles, Kester ran 21.62, finishing 19th. In triple jump, Kester finished thir...
The Nebraska School Activities Association and the Nebraska State College System have announced the 15,970 recipients of the 2023-2024 Nebraska State Colleges Multi-Activity Student Award. The award recognizes students in grades 9-12 who participate in at least three NSAA-sanctioned activities during the academic year. Each high school student who participates in at least three NSAA activities will be recognized and awarded a certificate of achievement by the NSAA and the Nebraska State Colleges. Activity participation will be tracked using...
Summerland's junior class hosted the junior-senior prom, Saturday, April 6, at the school. Following photos in an enchanted forest, students participated in the Grand March....
Funeral Services for Randall Dean Robertson, 77, of Orchard, will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 17, at the Orchard United Methodist Church in Orchard. Pastor Janene Reynolds will officiate. Burial will follow in the Orchard Hill Cemetery with military honors by Orchard American Legion Post 136. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 16, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the Orchard United Methodist Church. Randall died Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Arrangements are...
Lydia Robertson and Bailey Ahlers kicked off the 2024 girls' track campaign with medals at the Dan Lennon Class B Invitational, held March 18, in the Dakota Dome on the University of South Dakota campus in Vermillion. The two Bobcat junior jumpers tied for third place in high jump, clearing 4' 11 inches. Robertson ended in sixth place in triple jump, reaching 30' 11.25 inches. Lenora Kester finished eighth in triple jump, landing at 30' 4.75 inches. She also competed in the 60m hurdles, running...
