 The students and staff of Pope John start their first day of the 2017-2018 school year determined and ready for a great year!   The school year got started on Wednesday at Elgin Public Schools. Kids made their way back to school to greet old teachers and friends before heading to a kickoff assembly.   PHOTO: The Miss Universe Organization As Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff was crowned the 2017 Miss Teen USA in Phoenix on Saturday night, many in Antelope County were also celebrating.
Dominguez-Heithoff, 17 of Kansas City, is the daughter of Andres and Amy Heithoff-Dominguez and granddaughter of Mel and the late Dorothy Heithoff of Elgin. Dominguez-Heithoff plans to attend the University of Kansas. The top five contestants were Miss Oregon Vanessa Matheson, Miss Nevada Alexis Smith and Miss Indiana Paige Robinson, Miss California Jaanu Patel .   FCCLA will be under new leadership at Elgin Public this school year as a new elementary teacher takes over the chapter.
Mackenzie Cooper of Orchard is embracing the role of sponsor starting this fall as she begins her first year of teaching. Cooper, a 2013 graduate of Clearwater-Orchard andrecent graduate of Doane University, will teach first grade at Elgin Public. Cooper, who is the daughter of Mark and Cathy Cooper, said her decision to go to Elgin was made based on the atmosphere she felt when first visiting the school. “I chose Elgin because of the welcoming feel that I got when I went for the interview. I also loved the small town feel, since I grew up in a small town,” she said. During the interview process, it was mentioned to her that the FCCLA sponsor position was available. Although she had no experience with FCCLA in high school, Cooper said she’s excited about the opportunity. “It was mentioned to me that the past FCCLA sponsor wasn’t going to be doing it anymore, so I was more than willing to do it,” she said. Since she will be serving as an elementary teacher, Cooper wouldn’t normally interact with high school students too often. “As an elementary teacher, I think this is a great opportunity for more to also become involved with the high school students,” Cooper said. The Elgin FCCLA Chapter produced multiple feats within the past few years, including seven national qualifiers and a Peer-Ed State Officer. The chapter was headed by Barb Bode for years until her retirement at the end of the 2016 school year. At the start of the 2017-18 school year, Julia Schwartz, the ag teacher and FFA advisor, volunteered to take over the role for this school year as a temporary advisor. Cooper will resume duties as FCCLA advisor this. Although admittedly a bit nervous as a first-year teacher, Cooper said she believes this opportunity will be as good for her as it so her students. “I’m very excited. I’m a little bit nervous, but I think it will be a great learning opportunity for me and it will be fun,” she said.   The Pope John students will hold a paper drive on Saturday, July 29th, 2017
Those in the Francis and Joshua Houses are in charge of the project. The following are contact persons: Clearwater, Rural St. John, and Ewing…………………………. Breanna Bartak……….(402-485-2662) Petersburg ……………………. Cole Preister…………...(402-386-5739) and Raeville Elgin…………………………... Marie Meis…………....(402-843-6732) Sister Pat……….,,.......(402-843-5461) Neligh……………………………Cameron Nielsen…….(402-929-3843) We will collect: 1.NEWSPAPERS, PHONE BOOKS, PAPERBACKS and SHREDDED PAPER 2.MAGAZINES, SLICK PAPERS and MAILINGS 3.ONLY FLATTENED CEREAL BOXES, etc., of that quality Please note: 1.If at all possible, please have papers bagged, (brown bags or plastic ones), but not put in cardboard boxes. 2.We may not collect: -corrugated cardboard boxes -hard covered books, unless the covers are removed -spiral notebooks, calendars, manuals, etc. Please have the materials at the pick-up locations by 8 AM on Saturday, July 29th, 2017, or placed in the protected area in front of the St. Boniface Gym NO SOONER than FRIDAY, but NO LATER than 10:00 AM on Saturday.   Congressman Adrian Smith met with Nebraska FFA students from Chambers, Elgin, Elm Creek, and O’Neill on Thursday to discuss agriculture issues.
Front row: Rosie Nelson (O’Neill), Megan Homolka (Chambers), Tayte Jussel (O’Neill), and Wyatt Hubbard (Elm Creek). Back row: Robyn Isom (O’Neill), Marie Meis (Elgin), Chandra Spangler (O’Neill), and Congressman Smith.   Elgin has officially voted to discontinue talks about the possible merger with area schools during the July meeting Thursday night.
On Thursday, July 13, the Elgin School Board held their July meeting at the school. The biggest issue on the agenda for the meeting was the discussion of the possible school merger into a cornfield school. Discussion started with Steve Heithoff explaining what he took away the meeting about the school merger along with Stan Heithoff. Steve said that in looking at the different scenarios, there wasn't a way to go about keeping the taxes from raising. "No matter which scenario you looked at, the taxes for the Elgin district would go up from where we are currently," Steve said. Steve continued by saying that from his many conversations with community members, he didn't walk away with a strong argument for joining the merger. "From the people that have talked to me about it (the merger), there hasn't been anyone really in favor Elgin joining the school system, mainly because the taxes would go up from where they are now." Stan Heithoff added that with this years conditions on the crops, tax raises are not within farmers' best interests. "With low commodity prices, especially this year with the little rain and the dry crops, the last thing they (farmers) want to talk about is their taxes going up," Stan said. Board member Lisa Welding added another angle to the situation, stating the possibility of shrunken employment numbers in the schools were to merge. "I have concerns that we would lose quite a few employees, because we employee almost 35 or more, and some of those may be out of a job." Bob Hoefer summed up his thoughts along with a majority of the community and his fellow board members by looking at the positives and the negatives." "The benefits don't outweigh the negative," Hoefer said. Stan Heithoff made a motion to discontinue talks about the possible school merger. Bob Hoefer seconded the motion, and the board unanimously voted in favor of discontinuing talks. Other actions that occurred Thursday night included the passing of multiple policies, the approval to repaint the football field bleachers, and the approval to purchase a new industrial dishwasher for the lunchroom.   A barn fire was quickly put out thanks to the efforts of the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department early Monday morning.
At approximately 4:20 a.m. Monday, the Elgin Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a barn fire 7 miles west of Elgin. The firefighters arrived on the scene and quickly put out the fire. This story will be updated as more information is available.   The Elgin Volunteer Fire Department is giving you 12 chances to win a new gun.
The EVFD is selling 500 tickets for its annual raffle. Tickets are $40 each or three for $100 and can be bought from any member of the department. This year's guns are:
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