 Neligh-Oakdale celebrated its preschool graduation Thursday night with 13 students moving onto to kindergarten and 17 returning next fall. Preschool graduates were Hannah Elder, Lane Furstenau, Jace Hart, Molly Hughes, Rex Hughes, Caleigh King, Asher Kinnan, Haezlyn McGowen, Kayson Meis, Brynley Paulsen, Braxton Sparr, Rain Stenka and Palmer Wieneke. Returnees were Makenzie Blakeman, Eloise Fuehrer, Jacinda Hart, Elise Henery, Zandra Jacob, Abigail Johnson, Gage Kallhoff, Dacia Mitchell, Valerie Murray, Talon Novotny, Avery Paulsen, Lane Pofahl, Kyah Reinke, Tony Starkey, Madelyn Soper, Kyle Wingate and Caeden Wright.  After serving on the Laurel Hill Cemetery Board for the past 15 years, Keith White of Neligh was recognized Thursday morning. White has spent the last 10 years as president.
"It's a great board doing great things," White said. "We run primarily on donations, so we appreciate the help from the community, as well as the city and county." Board members are Gordy Hagge, president; Duane Tinsley, vice president; Cindy Hild, secretary; Kathy Sauser, treasurer; Andy Beyer, superintendent and Nancy Bitney, committee member. Not in the photo were Bennie Taylor, Chad Shabram, and Duane Eichberger. With Memorial Day approaching, board members have been busy preparing the cemetery for visitors. Those leaving flowers are reminded to have them removed by June 3.  Jan Heithoff is the 2019 Caring Kind Award Winner of Antelope Memorial Hospital. She was recognized for the award on May 7 during National Hospital Week.
Each year, the Nebraska Hospital Association honors employees from hospitals across the state as “Caring Kind” employees. The honored employee must exemplify the spirit of someone who gives that “something special” to others. Jan was nominated and selected by her fellow AMH employees to win this prestigious award. Her nominations reflected the many positive qualities she brings to work each day. She has been employed at AMH for over 42 years. Jan’s nomination described her as truly exemplifying the “caring kind” employee. It stated that "she models cooperation in her interactions with co-workers in all departments as she seeks to supply AMH with quality products at quality prices. Her work is done behind the scenes to most —as she makes certain that goods and services have the necessary paperwork for complete orders. She follows the order from start to finish—making sure the result is what was expected and paid for. She negotiates contracts with vendors to find the best deal for AMH. Each employee benefits from her work. She is ALWAYS cheerful, friendly, kind and positive. Plus, she always has a kind word to share and greets you with a smile. She is also soft-spoken—but fierce—as she stands her ground. She runs a tight department." In June 1976, she first began working in the AMH Business Office. Approximately a year later, she began serving as secretary to the assistant administrator. While serving in that role, she also began processing paperwork for purchasing hospital supplies and equipment. In 1978, she began working full-time in the purchasing department where she later became and continues to serve as the purchasing director. “I am very honored and humbled to receive this special award,” Heithoff said. “I feel we all reflect the ‘caring kind’ here at AMH—and that caring kindness is what makes our hospital such a wonderful place to work at. We are all SO blessed to have each other to work and grow together, as we navigate the challenges we face in health care as well as enjoy the special moments. It’s very rewarding and a privilege to be a part of something so special here. Each employee is truly committed to our patients’ care.” Jan and her husband, Jerry, reside in rural Elgin where he farms. They are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church and have four children, Jacque, Jenna, Jason and Justine. Jacque and her husband, Mark Mahony, reside with their daughter, Anna (age 3 mos.), in O’Neill. Jenna and her husband, Blake Sloan, live in Denton and are expecting their first child in July. Jason and Justine reside in Kearney and O’Neill, respectively. Jan’s hobbies include spending time with her family and caring for her flowers and garden. On Friday, October 18th, the Nebraska Hospital Association will host an award presentation at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in LaVista honoring Jan and other “Caring Kind Award” recipients in Nebraska.  Longtime Neligh-Oakdale kindergarten teacher Pat Foss will retire from teaching later this month.
"That one kind of hurts. We definitely wish her the best and will miss her," said Superintendent Scott Gregory. "There's no one who knows kids as well as she does." The Neligh-Oakdale Board of Education approved Foss's resignation, with regrets. Gregory said Neligh-Oakdale will not be filling the second kindergarten teaching position. With just 17 kindergarteners next year, Gregory said Shanna Lammers will be the lone kindergarten teacher next fall. The only increase he anticipates is for an additional para for the class.  The Neligh-Oakdale Board of Education will help send seven students to FCCLA nationals this summer.
During Monday's meeting, the seven students who will be attending the 2019 National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif., June 30-July 4 asked the board to pay for their registration and hotel fees, which will be about $550 per student. National qualifiers are Skylar Long, Emma Bixler, Jose Luna, Lesly Luna, Sadie Heckert, Aleesha Bergman, Meredith Wiseman and Hailey Bixler. Board members unanimously approved the financial support. The student are currently fundraising for other expenses of the trip.   Twenty-three Neligh-Oakdale seniors graduated Saturday as the Class of 2019. Members of the graduating class were Andrew Herley, Austin Rice, Ayden Donaldsen, Beau Murray, Cade Wilkinson, Cameron Wilkinson, Christian Carothers, Cole Belitz, Collin Dreger, Dallas Snyder, Dani Beyer, Dawson Francis, Haley Kerkman, Hannah Brady, Isiac Kurpgeweit, Jayden Arehart, Jordan Knievel, Jose Luna-Duran, Kenzi Tschirren, Kristen Snodgrass, Logan McConnell, Madi Grosserode and Tucker Knust. Belitz was the class valedictorian and Arehart was the salutatorian. The maroon carnation was chosen as their class flower and their class colors were maroon and white. Their class motto was "Sometimes in life, the biggest challenges end up being the best things that happen in your life." -Tom Brady  The Neligh-Oakdale class of 2019 will graduate on Saturday, May 11. Commencement exercises are set to begin at 2 p.m. in the Elmer Lindahl Gymnasium.
The 23 members of Neligh-Oakdale's graduating class are Andrew Herley, Austin Rice, Ayden Donaldsen, Beau Murray, Cade Wilkinson, Cameron Wilkinson, Christian Carothers, Cole Belitz, Collin Dreger, Dallas Snyder, Dani Beyer, Dawson Francis, Haley Kerkman, Hannah Brady, Isiac Kurpgeweit, Jayden Arehart, Jordan Knievel, Jose Luna-Duran, Kenzi Tschirren, Kristen Snodgrass, Logan McConnell, Madi Grosserode and Tucker Knust. Belitz has been named the class valedictorian and Arehart is the salutatorian. The maroon carnation has been chosen as their class flower and their class colors are maroon and white. Their class motto is: "Sometimes in life, the biggest challenges end up being the best things that happen in your life." -Tom Brady  Seven Neligh-Oakdale students have been selected for the spring 2019 Academic All-State team by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA).
Those earning the honors are Hunter Charf, boys golf; Austin Rice, boys golf and music; Trey Svatos, music; Cole Belitz and Ashton Higgins, boys track; and Emma Bixler and Claire Whitesel, girls track. Students are nominated by their schools for their individual academic excellence, leadership and significant contributions in their NSAA activity. To be eligible for the honor, students must meet three requirements: 1. A nominated student must be a varsity player or organizational leader who has played a significant role on the team or in the organizational activity during the seasons for which nominations are accepted. 2. A nominated student must have a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average, in all curricular subjects, of 93% or 3.7 on a 4.0-point scale or the equivalent. 3. NSAA high schools or their cooperative sponsorship may nominate a maximum of two students per NSAA activity program. Any student, freshman through senior, is eligible for the honor. Antelope County recipients by school: Clearwater Music - James Kester and Jacob Long Boys Track & Field - Jacob Long and Eli Thiele Elgin Boys Golf - Hunter Reestman and Allyson Wemhoff Music - Grace Rittscher and Allyson Wemhoff Boys Track & Field - Colton Wright Elkhorn Valley Boys Golf - Ben Wilcox and Josiah Wriedt Music - Amber Miller and Mitchell Petersen Boys Track & Field - Mitchell Petersen and Prestin Vondra Girls Track & Field - Kimberly Frey and Amber Miller Neligh-Oakdale Boys Golf - Hunter Charf and Austin Rice Music - Austin Rice and Trey Svatos Boys Track & Field - Cole Belitz and Ashton Higgins Girls Track & Field - Emma Bixler and Claire Whitesel Orchard Boys Golf - Blake Hoke and Ryan Wilhelm Music - Avery Cheatum and Kaci Wickersham Girls Track & Field - JoCee Johnston and Kaci Wickersham Pope John Music - Breanna Bartak and Marissa Preister Girls Track & Field - Lexi Bode and Faith Kinney  Several business and information technology students at Northeast Community College, including Hunter Bergman of Neligh, have qualified for the National Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Conference this summer after qualifying at the state level recently.
“Our competitors, who placed at the top of their respective categories, will be moving on to the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio this June,” said Angie Shaffer, business instructor, and Northeast PBL Club advisor. The Northeast team competed against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Midland University, Chadron State College, Peru State College, York College, Doane University, McCook Community College, North Platte Community College and Southeast Community College. “PBL places an emphasis on helping students transition to the business world,” Shaffer said. “There are approximately 11,000 PBL members on college campuses across the country. Students placing first and second at the conference automatically qualify to compete at PBL’s National Leadership Conference, June 24-27, in San Antonio, TX. Northeast students who received awards during the Nebraska Leadership Conference and Business Competition include: Accounting Analysis and Decision Making Trent Jorgensen, Brittney Dederman and Joshua Santiago, 2nd Accounting Principles Santiago, 5th Business Decision Making Benie Buzi, Dederman and Santiago, 4th Business Presentation Anthony Cayax, Santiago Perez and Buzi, 4th Client Services Hunter Bergman, 1st; Dederman, 2nd; Shanae Baker, 3rd; Buzi, 4th; Cayax, 7th Community Service Project Perez, Zaine Gallagher and Bergmann, 1st Contemporary Sports Issues Gallagher, 8th Computer Concepts Kody Salak, 1st; Kyle Lentz, 2nd; Natasha Sund, 4th; Anthony Ketelsen, 6th; Hayley Lazo, 7th Cyber Security Sund, 1st; Lentz, 2nd; Ketelsen, 4th; Lazo, 6th Job Interview Bergman, 1st Justice Administration Cayax, 4th Impromptu Speaking Santiago, 3rd Insurance Concepts Baker, 4th Marketing Analysis and Decision Making Baker and Buzi, 1st Networking Concepts Salak, 1st; Lentz, 2nd; Lazo 4th; Ketelsen, 6th Programming Concepts Sund, 1st Retail Management Perez, 8th Small Business Management Plan Buzi, 2nd Social Media Campaign Perez, Gallagher and Bergman, 1st Sports Management Marketing Gallagher, 5th  As a service project during Neligh-Oakdale Elementary’s Great Kindness Challenge Week, preschool through 6th grade students donated food and other items to Glenice Pollock of Oakdale who was affected by the recent flood. The remaining donated items will be donated to the Antelope County Food Pantry.
Other events that took place with the Great Kindness Challenge included a “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” that was hosted by the elementary student council and co-sponsors Cassie Koinzan and Becky Kerkman, “mix it up at lunch” days, a kindness challenge checklist for each student and a “Bucket Fillers” bulletin board for students and staff to recognize others who were doing kind acts. These activities took place under the direction of Becky Kerkman during guidance time.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: Raylene Francis, Dean Thies Siblings Names/Ages: Destiny, Emmett, Kalvin What is your favorite memory of high school? Early out days. What advice can you offer underclassmen? Do your work. What are your future plans (college with major if known or workforce) and where do you hope to be in five years? Study business at Northeast and work.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: Tim and Cynthia Knievel Siblings Names/Ages: Wyatt Knievel (22) What activities did you participate in while in high school? Band, choir, FBLA, FCCLA What is your favorite memory of high school? My favorite memory of high school was leaving. What advice can you offer underclassmen? Study. What are your future plans (college with major if known or workforce) and where do you hope to be in five years? I’m taking biology courses then I am moving on to the physical therapist assistant program. I see myself moving to a larger city and pursuing my career as a PTA.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: Jason and Desiree Wilkinson Siblings Names/Ages: Taylor (25) and Kyle (22) What activities did you participate in while in high school? Cross country and wrestling What is your favorite memory of high school? Making it to state wrestling all four years and getting second my senior year. What advice can you offer underclassmen? Work hard in school. What are your future plans (college with major if known or workforce) and where do you hope to be in five years? Working at a job and racing.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: Cris and Denise Kurpgeweit Siblings Names/Ages: Trinity (16), Mady (9), Asher Kurpgeweit (7) What activities did you participate in while in high school? Basketball, track, FBLA What is your favorite memory of high school? Sophomore year when we made it to state basketball. What advice can you offer underclassmen? Enjoy it while it lasts.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: David and Patty Dreger Siblings Names/Ages: Kayla (31), Kelsey (24), Kimberly (15) What activities did you participate in while in high school? Bowling, shopping at the mall, miniature golf, going to the movies, eating at the food court, working at so many places in Neligh What is your favorite memory of high school? Hanging out with Joseph, being around Mrs. Schindler and all the paras. I had a lot of fun being with nice caring people. All the ESU proms were a blast. What advice can you offer underclassmen? Do the best you can. Life is full of opportunities and smile often. What are your future plans (college with major if known or workforce) and where do you hope to be in five years? Continue learning with ESU until 21 and hopefully in a bigger area. I want to work in Norfolk and possibly be living on my own and meet new people. Right now I love working at Mama’s and Nana’s.  After Neligh-Oakdale's spring concert was repeatedly postponed due to weather, the show was able to go on Monday night. "Welcome to the spring concert that is finally here!" music teacher Jamie Sehi said to the crowd as she smiled and thrust her hands into the air in celebration. "We've been waiting almost a month for this." Sehi expressed her gratitude to the students for their hard work and ability to handle the adversity they've faced this year. She followed it up by saying, "It wouldn't be the same without a couple jokes," as she told several Nate Metschke-style groaners. The concert kicked off with a vocal solo of "Homeward Bound," sung by senior Cade Wilkinson. A flute duet of "Spinning Song" by Jorden Fulsaas and Griffin Claussen and "I Am Still Your Dreamer" by the women's glee were next. Dani Beyer and Wilkinson sang a duet of "You Raise Me Up" as a tribute to Metschke. Tears were flowing as the students and crowd gave them a standing ovation in the end. The program concluded with three songs by the choir, under the direction of Sehi, and three selections by the band, under the direction of Molly Burbach.  FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA disaster loans) will be in Neligh next week.
FEMA and SBA plans to be at the Neligh Fire Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 6-9. Anyone with questions may stop in. Whether you have registered already or not, FEMA encourages people to come to the firehall. Those affected may still get registered or have their application problems corrected. Those receiving an “ineligible letter” from their online application, should stop because help may still be available. “If you have questions of any disaster-related nature, come see us,” a FEMA spokesman stated. “If you are only requesting an SBA loan, come us. Even if you live out of county or out of state, come see us if your location is a declared FEMA disaster.”  Northeast Community College Singer's Express, featuring 2018 Neligh-Oakdale graduate Megan McWhorter, made a stop in Neligh on Friday as part of their annual Spring Tour. The Northeast Singers Express—an audition swing choir directed by Stewart Cramer, Northeast music instructor—performed at 10 high schools in Nebraska and South Dakota, including Neligh-Oakdale. The group was accompanied by Margaret Schultz. McWhorter and the swing choir performed a variety of different songs throughout the decades for her former schoolmates and teachers. Selections included “Everybody Rejoice,” from The Wiz, “Let it Go,” from Frozen, “Waving Through a Window,” from Dear Evan Hansen, “Someone Like You,” “The Auctioneer,” “Hello Girls?” and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” Members of the Northeast Singers Express, listed first by hometown, include: Bee - Morgan Kavulak; Columbus - Caleb Franzen; Hartington – Emma Meisenheimer, Cecelia Ponce; Lexington – Rachel Biehl; Neligh - Megan McWhorter; Newman Grove - Kala Rast; Norfolk – Andres Hughes, Katherine Perrigan, Sheldon Wattier; Pender – Shelby Laird; Randolph – Dalton Rath; Wayne - Sydnie Neimann.  “Oh, God! Help! He’s not breathing! He’s dead!” A girl frantically screams for help as a 911 dispatcher struggles to understand what she’s trying to say. As the emergency vehicles race closer, the wailing sirens are deafening. First responders methodically recite a list of injuries, “Possible skull fracture. Open fracture right forearm. Fracture right femur...” The gnarled metal of the wrecked vehicle becomes visible as the red and blue lights strobe. Then the sound fades, and there is nothing but silence. Keith Becker stopped the video and stood in front of the packed bleachers in the Neligh-Oakdale High School gym last Wednesday night. He looked at the crowd from side to side before speaking. “My brother was a young man with so much potential, so much to live for,” Becker said slowly. “As you saw in that video, he left the narrow road that led to his life and potential, and now he’s dead.” In the early morning hours of Feb. 6, 2005, 18-year-old Todd Becker of Kearney was killed in an alcohol-related car accident. A backseat passenger, Becker died after the car he was riding in collided with a parked pickup. His older brother, Keith, now travels the country to tell how that tragic night dramatically changed his life and has helped him turn to God. Becker said a pivotal moment happened when he rushed to his brother’s accident scene. At the far end of the road, he watched as the first responders shuffled around. Then, an ambulance drove away without any sirens on. “And then I watched as some paramedics walked around, and one of those paramedics took this white drape and just placed it over the back of that car,” he said. “I could only see from afar— but I don’t know how to explain it, guys—other than to say that when they put that drape over the back of the car, it was as if I heard a voice.” Becker said it was as if he heard his brother cry out “one last time.” “It was as if I heard him cry out and say, ‘Keith! Keith, you told me to live this way. Tell me then, why am I dead?’” he said. “That began the stirring in my heart, ‘Am I living the right way?’” Becker said he had helped his brother get a fake ID, buy him beer and taught him how to party. His brother had purchased two cases of beer and several bottles of hard alcohol at a local liquor store just hours before his death. Todd’s partying and promiscuous ways were his own ways. After talking with a local pastor, he learned more about the Bible and God’s ways. Becker said one meaningful verse to him is from Matthew 7:13, “The highway to destruction is wide, and the road that leads to it is easy for the many who choose this way. But the gateway to life is small and the narrow road that leads to it is hard, but only a few ever choose this way.” He now encourages others to make good choices and follow God by “taking the narrow road,” using the Bible “as a roadmap.” Becker is the founder and director of the Todd Becker Foundation in Kearney. His programs begin with a concert by the band, “Chye.” He has spoken to more than 50,000 people across the Midwest. His appearance at Neligh-Oakdale was made possible by the Calvary Bible Church in Neligh.  The City of Neligh’s spring clean up will be this weekend, April 27-28. The compactor and tree dump will be open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday at the Tree Dump from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The rain date will be May 4-5. Regular fees apply.
  School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents: Dan and Jenny Murray Siblings Names/Ages: Jordon, 20: Kimmie, 22: and soon to be brotherin-law Mack, 22. What activities did you participate in while in high school? Basketball, baseball football, golf, FBLA What is your favorite memory of high school? State basketball What advice can you offer underclassmen? Take work release, and eat more cabbage. What are your future plans (college with major if known or workforce) and where do you hope to be in five years? Attending Wayne State College as Industrial Technology major. Out of college, working in my future career, and having my own German Shepard.   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents Names: Robert Jenkins and Jennifer Jenkins; Dawn and Danny Snyder Siblings Names/Ages: Dominique (21), Andrew (19), Harley (16), Jackson (15) What activities did you participate in while in high school? Football, wrestling, track   School: Neligh-Oakdale
Parents: Tom and Michelle Carothers Siblings: Charles Carothers, Carter Carothers, Chloe Carothers Activities: Cross Country, Basketball, Track, Band, FFA Favorite memory: Calling Jayden Arehart Mopey What advice can you offer underclassmen? Work smarter not harder. Don’t let school take over your life. Future plans: Join the Marine Corps and get my nursing degree.  The touring band "Chye" will perform and Keith Becker will speak at Neligh-Oakdale on Wednesday night. The free admission program is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in the high school gym.
The Todd Becker Foundation, created following the tragic death of 18-year-old high school student Todd Becker in the spring of 2005, is bringing its Brand New Day Tour to Neligh-Oakdale High School. The night will feature a live concert from the Christian band “Chye,” followed by an impactful and life-changing message from Keith Becker. Keith, who was the older brother of Todd Becker, unfolds the true story of his younger brother’s unfortunate death in an alcohol-related car accident and the events shortly thereafter that changed his own life. Since 2005, the Todd Becker Foundation’s assembly and outreach program has reached close to 100,000 students in over 500 high schools across the nation.  Be aware of a utility scam call circulating Neligh. The City of Neligh does not use a 3rd party to turn off utilities. Do not give out bank information. If you have any doubts, hang up and call the City of Neligh directly 402-887-4066.
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