District #18 School Board Searches for New Science Teacher

A long-time teacher at Elgin Public Schools has been released from her 2013-14 signed contract to accept a teaching position at Wayne State College with the hiring of a Columbus native to fill the position.
Science instructor Sara Walsh, who has taught at Elgin Public Schools for 11 years, was granted a release from her contract after the administration Thursday inked Allison Devoll, a May 2013 college graduate,
“I think Allison is very intelligent and eager to gain experience and be in the classroom,” Superintendent Dan Polk said about the Columbus native. Next fall, Devoll will be one of eight new faces at the school. Polk said he became aware of the situation with Walsh on Friday, May 3, and immediately began looking for a replacement. The search was especially hard, he said, because there were 30 science teaching positions open across the state, at the time of the school board meeting.
Since the start of 2013, Polk said seven new teachers and one principal have been hired, making this year one of the biggest in terms of teacher turnover in recent memory at the school.

For the complete story, see the print edition of The Elgin Review.

Pope John Graduates Receive Diplomas Sunday

Members of the 46th graduating class of Pope John Central Catholic High School were awarded diplomas during a program Sunday afternoon.
On a picture-perfect day, 21 seniors saw their goals of graduating from high school come to fruition.
During the hour-long program which included music performed by the senior choir members, the speakers on this day both reflected on past years and encouraged their classmates to excel in future endeavors.
Speaking first, Jenny Beckman said not only has the class excelled as Wolfpack athletes, winning state championships in football and competed with the best teams in other sports, there are other aspects of the high school years to cherish as well.
“We have stayed true to our Crusader roots, as we have ‘stood up and cheered’ our fellow Crusaders on to victory in both the classroom and other extra-curricular activities, which has ultimately led us to our ‘state title’ — graduation day. Throughout our years at Pope John, we have been challenged both academically and spiritually … We cared about each others’ success so much that we were willing to help each other when one of us did not understand … This is an attribute of a Crusader, to fight for those who struggle.”
For the complete story, see the print edition of The Elgin Review.

EHS Graduation Held Saturday

As a rite of passage, thirteen seniors at Elgin High School ended one phase of their live and began a new one Saturday.
Commencement exercises were held Saturday evening as the senior class accepted diplomas and took their first steps as alumni.
The gymnasium was nearly full of faculty, school board members, family and friends to witness the event which took slightly less than one hour to complete.
Before the diplomas were handed out, there were speeches.
First, salutatorian Angela Richart spoke of how coming to Elgin Public Schools six years ago was not a mistake. “There is no other school I’d rather be graduating from today…My classmates and I have been through a lot and we’ve all been looking forward to this day for a long time. We’ve made a lot of memories along the way. We will never forget the times we’ve had. And the moments we’ve shared,” she said.
After mentioning memories of each of her classmates and teachers, Miss Richart spoke of her late grandmother and how she inspired her to graduate from high school.

For the complete story, see the print edition of The Elgin Review.

NECC Diplomas to be Awarded Saturday

The 40th Commencement of Northeast Community College (NECC) will take place on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. in the Cox Activities Center on the Norfolk campus. The 10 a.m. start time is earlier than in previous years.
As of Wednesday, May 1, some 807 students, including those earning double majors and 169 who completed their studies last December, were to be listed in the commencement program.
Northeast President Dr. Michael Chipps will give the commencement address.
Amanda N. Lorenz, Osmond, will give the Student Address. She will receive an associate of arts degree during the ceremony.  Richard Chrisman, computer programming instructor, will give the faculty address.
Commencement Speaker Chipps was named the 8th president of Northeast Community College on January 6th, 2012. Prior to leading Northeast, he served as president for Mid-Plains Community College in Nebraska from 2003-2012. Previous to these presidencies, Dr. Chipps served as vice-president and chief executive officer of North Platte Community College in Nebraska and for 23 years held multiple instructional, student affairs, and administrative positions at Central Community College in Nebraska.
Visitors approaching campus for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony can tune to 101.7 FM for parking information.
A Touch of Brass, under the direction of Keith Krueger, will provide the musical prelude, processional, and recessional.  Dr. Linda Boullion, music department chair and director of choral activities, will sing the National Anthem.  She will be accompanied by Northeast Music Instructor Margaret Schultz.
The tentative graduation candidates, as of Wednesday, May 1, are listed below by state and hometown.  Key to abbreviations:  AAS-Associate of Applied Science; AA-Associate of Arts; AS-Associate of Science, and ADN-Associate Degree Nursing.
Clearwater — Laura Hemenway AA; Stephanie Petersen AA; and Kayla Spangler AA
Elgin — Traci Beckman Diploma Practical Nursing; Jared Beltz AAS Electromechanical Technology; Samantha Heithoff AA; Tyler Johnson AAS Drafting; Justin Kallhoff AAS Electrical Construction and Control; Karlie Schiltmeyer AAS Horticulture and Golf Course Management; Lauren Selting Diploma Practical Nursing; Brandy Suhr AA; Christopher Vacha AAS Wind Energy; and Gabriel Wiegand AAS Diesel Technology
Neligh — April Arehart Diploma Medical Coding; Travis Coleman AA; Jared Frasch Diploma Welding; Angela Hartz AAS Veterinary Technology; Kasey Hoffman AAS Agriculture-Agribusiness; Josh Hurtig AAS Diesel Technology; Hollie Jisa Diploma Practical Nursing; Tyler Schrage AAS Electrical Construction and Control; Colby Snodgrass Diploma Welding; and Jessica Werner AAS Business
Oakdale — Jared Hanson AS
Petersburg — Breanna Bode AA; Skyler Knust AAS Agriculture-Agribusiness; and Rebecca Voecks Diploma Administrative Assistant-Legal
Raeville — RoseMarie Fangman AS

NPPD Open Houses Scheduled for Neligh, Norfolk

A third round of public open houses focused on potential line routes and substation locations is set for May 14 and 15 on Nebraska Public Power District’s proposed Hoskins to Neligh 345,000-volt transmission line project.
The first of two open houses will be Tuesday, May 14, at the American Legion, 115 W. Third Street in Neligh. A second open house will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at the Lifelong Learning Center located at Northeast Community College, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., in Norfolk. Both open houses will run from 2 to 8 p.m. and input will be taken from landowners and interested public.
The open houses continue NPPD’s public involvement process in routing transmission lines. Two earlier sessions on the Hoskins to Neligh line gathered information from landowners that assisted in identifying potential line routes and substation sites, although NPPD has made not made a decision on a final line route or substation site. Landowners who are within close proximity to those line routes have been extended an invitation to attend the open house, and were provided a map showing what NPPD feels is the most suitable line route and substation site at this time.
NPPD is building the line route to enhance transmission system reliability and provide opportunities for additional renewable energy generation. The new line will cover approximately 50 miles in length, and also includes rerouting four, existing 115,000-volt transmission lines into a new substation location.

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