Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Issues arising from digital platforms, apps and social media will be addressed Thursday, May 1, during an assembly at Summerland Public Schools. Jay Martin, school safety and security director for the Nebraska Department of Education, will speak to students in grades six to 12 about "Building a Better Digital Culture." Parents are invited to attend the assembly, scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. Martin has spoken nationally on the topic. He has firsthand experience in school shootings prior to his...
School history was made at the April 25 NSAA District Music Contest. "This is the first year that we have received all superior ratings. Our high school choir received a perfect score," said instructor Emily Heithoff. Summerland was one of 10 schools participating in the contest, held at O'Neill Public School. "I am so proud of the work our students put in to prepare for this year's district music contest. We took 16 entries including our band, choir, instrumental solos, vocal solos, duets and one trio," Heithoff noted. Instrumental performers...
The Nebraska School Activities Association and the Nebraska State College System recently announced the 15,246 recipients of the 2024-2025 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...
After warming up with a brain dance during Monday Morning Motivation, Summerland elementary students received news that warmed their hearts. They finished third in a national kindness contest. Elementary guidance counselor Denise Meyer said she received an email earlier this year from the host company, Values in Action, about joining a kindness challenge known as The Kindness Games. "We're trying to promote kindness here, so why not," she said. Meyer admitted she was unsure if the school would...
Summerland National Honor Society held its induction ceremony, Wednesday, April 23. Fifteen new members were initiated, including (front row, l-r): Brylie Billings, Isabel Ortiz Ramos, Ava Rittscher, Jaycee Reynolds, Jenna Funk, Sophie Rittscher, Sierra Thomson; (second row, l-r): Abryelle Kester, Ethan Kester, Parker Napier, Logan Kester, AJ Hobbs, Ryan Rifer, Breckyn Bergman and Cassie Livingston. Conducting the candlelight ceremony were current members (third row, l-r): Michael Koenig,...
The blueprint was clear: construct a small structure and showcase carpentry, roofing, electrical, and plumbing skills-all in just two days. For the Summerland SkillsUSA TeamWorks crew, it was a solid build from start to finish. First-year competitors Ashton Cleveland, Bennet Flenniken, Willis Mast and Alec Schindler nailed the assignment at the Nebraska SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Championships, held April 10–12 at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island. They walked away with gold m...
From more than 150 applications to 40 participants selected for two Community Leadership Challenges to additional interviews that resulted in the final 15, the 2025-26 class of the Hastings College Scott Scholars program completed official signings April 5 and 6. Lydia Robertson, of Orchard, a senior at Summerland Public Schools was selected for the honor. "This is an extraordinary group of students who have already demonstrated their leadership potential and academic excellence," said Dave...
Summerland High School band and choir will be participating in the District III Music Contest, Friday, April 25, in O'Neill. Summerland High School spring concert will be Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in the auxiliary gym. “Join us for an evening of music including the high school band, high school choir and many solos, duets and trios,” said director Eamily Heithoff....
Northeast Community College students finished in third place in the sweepstakes for two-year colleges at the 2025 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference. Blackhawk College (Ill.) won with the highest team score for two-year colleges, while Modesto Junior College (Calif.) was second. Northeast was one of 22 community colleges and 32 four-year teams to compete in the April 9- 2 conference held at West Texas A & M University in Canyon, Texas. Kelton Bruhn, a...
Parker Napier's future is as neatly trimmed as the lawns he's been mowing since age 11. The Summerland FFA standout cut through the competition at the Nebraska State FFA Convention, earning the prestigious State Star in Agribusiness and claiming the top spot in turf and landscape management-proof that his grassroots business is growing into something much bigger. Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Napier is the first Star winner from the school. The awards were presented at the 2025...
Sarah Wiese cooked up more than just a project-she's serving success on a national platter. The Summerland senior's interest in nutrition led her to create a standout FCCLA entry in nutrition and wellness, earning a gold medal and the state runner-up title at the Nebraska FCCLA Leadership Convention, held April 6 to 8 in Lincoln. Wiese will now become the first-ever Summerland student to qualify for FCCLA nationals. The nutrition and wellness event tasks participants with tracking food intake...
Members of the Summerland SkillsUSA chapter competed at the 2025 State Leadership Convention, April 10-12, in Grand Island. The Teamworks crew, comprised of Ashton Cleveland, Bennet Flenniken, Willis Mast, and Alec Schindler, won gold, finishing in first place. The group qualified for national competition at the National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 23 to 27, in Atlanta. Jason Shaver and Marlin Krysl won gold and finishing first in drone technology basics, which is a state-only...
Summerland FFA, FCCLA, SkillsUSA and FBLA members participated in their respective state leadership conferences recently. Several brought home medals from the competitions. FFA: Jenna Funk: cooperative speaking, fourth place, gold rating; Sara Hemenway: discover speaking fifth place, gold rating; Conduct of Chapter Meetings team, Braelyn Bergman, Taylen Nilson, Kanyon Allemang, Jaelyn Shaver, Asher Whiting, Damien Hupp and Ryder Hemenway: seventh place, gold rating; Livestock Evaluation senior...
A pencil drawing by Sophie Rittscher, a Summerland sophomore, receives the "Best of Show" award at the ESU 8 Art Show. Artwork from ESU 8 schools was on display April 11-13 in Neligh....
Six Summerland FFA members received one of the highest honors presented at last week's state convention. Carlie Livingston, Gavin Whiting, Parker Napier, Logan Kester, Carter Bergman, and AJ Hobbs received their state degrees, April 4, during the awards ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. State degree candidates must meet a checklist of requirements, including being an active chapter member for the past two years, holding Greenhand and Chapter FFA degrees, completing at least two years...
An evening of musical entertainment is in store, Thursday, April 10 at Summerland Public School. Musicians in grades five through eight will perform in the auxiliary gym at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the band performances, the junior high choir will sing multiple selections, according to instructor Emily Heithoff....
Wayne State College's chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society inducted 21 new members during Wayne State's induction ceremony held April 3. Faith King, of Clearwater, was selected for membership. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. Membership, by invitation only, is granted to the top 7.5% of college juniors and the top 10% of college seniors. Chartered in 2006 under the leadership of the late Wayne State President Dr. Richard...
Summerland juniors and seniors dressed up for an evening of fun, March 26, at the junior-senior prom. The event included introduction of students during the Grand March, a steak dinner, dancing and post-prom activities. Bailey Ahlers and Preston Hoke were named prom queen and king, respectively....
Summerland junior and senior high quiz bowl teams participated in the Greater Northeast Quiz Bowl, on Wednesday, April 2, at the Educational Service Unit #8 in Neligh. The junior high team finished second. Team members include Coach Connie Cronin, Dylan Gray, Cohen Schindler, Parker Napier, Jack Heim, Alvie Bearinger and Ian Rittscher. Shane Kindred, Raina Krebs and Brandon Pruden finished fourth in the senior high school division....
Members of the Summerland fifth-grade class completed the DARE program, on April 1, with a graduation ceremony at the school. To learn more about the DARE program, taught by Ewing Police Chief John Shaver, read this article previously published in the Advocate-Messenger https://www.summerlandadvocate.com/story/2025/02/19/school/not-your-parents-dare-class/7395.html...
Alec Schindler's first blood donation was a moment to remember, captured in photos and video by several of his classmates. As the Red Cross worker warned, "You might feel a pinch," Schindler chuckled, with Addyson Fletcher and Preston Hoke by his side to keep him at ease. Schindler deposited his first pint, Wednesday, March 26, during a blood drive hosted by Summerland Future Business Leaders of America. The drive was held in the school's auxiliary gym. "I've always thought it is cool to give...
If you were to describe recognizable places in Antelope County, what sites would you include? For Summerland Public Schools student Sophie Rittscher, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, Neligh Mill, St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Starlite Drive-In come to mind. Rittscher, a sophomore, sketched those memorable places on watercolor paper, bringing life and color to the page. Now, Rittscher's painting is part of the Collaborative Nebraska Map Project at the Museum of Nebraska Art in...
Bailey Ahlers and Preston Hoke were named Summerland High School prom queen and king, respectively. The announcement was made at the conclusion of Saturday's Grand March in the school's gym. The junior class selected a casino night theme for the event....
More than 50 Northeast Community College students, includingn Kelsey Schlecht of Clearwater, were inducted in the largest honor society in higher education, joining a group of greater than 2 million internationally. The Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony took place Thursday, March 20, at the Lifelong Learning Center. For over 100 years, membership in PTK has signified a singular honor and a willingness to embrace the society's shared commitment to academic excellence. Since the installation of...
Summerland speech team members brought home three medals from the Class C1-4 district meet, held March 18 at Boone Central. In duet acting, Aubrey Parker and Talya Nilson missed a chance to advance to the state meet. They placed fourth in duet acting. Raina Krebs competed in finals of program oral interpretation. She ended in sixth place. The Bobcats finished eighth overall, scoring 24 points. Boone Central claimed the team title, with 284 points, while Battle Creek took home the runner-up...
