High School Celebrates Academic Achievement
Picture: ACT Achievement Award Winners (L to R): Emily Loseke (Gold), Alicia Holmberg (Bronze), Cassidy Hoffman (Gold)
Picture: NSAA Academic All-State Team (L to R): Emily Loseke (Speech, Track), Cassidy Hoffman (VB, GBB, One-Act), Makenna Held (Music), Natalie Brabec (Music), Kanyon Held (One-Act)
By: Leah Pinkston, a freshman at Leigh High School
With the absence of a fourth quarter during last year’s school year, there was a special feeling to the end of this school year. To that effect, having all the end-of-the-year awards ceremonies and banquets in person after the roller-coaster pandemic year provided a great sense of accomplishment.
And the students honored in the May 12th Leigh Jr/Sr High Academic Awards Ceremony certainly deserved to be recognized for their accomplishments!
The ceremony took place at 9 am in the Leigh High School gym. All 7-12 students and teachers, as well as some parents, were in attendance.
At this ceremony, each teacher gives awards to students with top grades or students they feel worked diligently year-round and exceeded expectations.
"We are proud to recognize the multiple academic achievements of our students,” Leigh 7-12 Principal Troy Holmberg said. “We also have great participation in the fine arts, and these efforts need to be noted. It is wonderful to celebrate everything from high ACT scores to the over 50 students involved in the One-Act play.
“I also agree with what others have stated,” Holmberg continued. “We still would like to see more students involved in multiple school activities, taking college courses, and striving to be on the honor roll. We never want already being good to stand in the way of being great."
Featured below is the list of award receivers listed by teacher. In addition to these awards, Mrs. Hollatz also handed out library reading challenge awards at the end of year at a later date.
Mr. Holmberg – 7-12 Principal
ACT Award:
Bronze (26-27) - Alicia Holmberg
Silver (28-29)
Gold (30+) -Cassidy Hoffman and Emily Loseke
East Husker Conference Senior Academic All-Conference: Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke, Alicia Holmberg
Norfolk Daily News All-Area Academic Team: Cassidy Hoffman
NSAA Academic All-State: Cassidy Hoffman (VB, GBB, One-Act), Kanyon Held (One-Act), Emily Loseke (Speech, Track), Makenna Held (Music), Natalie Brabec (Music)
Valedictorian: Emily Loseke
Salutatorian: Cassidy Hoffman
Mrs. Cerv – Art
Conf. Ribbon Winners:
Purple: Cortlynn Cadwallader, Korbee Wendt
Blue: Layne Krutz, Albert Diaz
Red: Korbee Wendt, Emily Loseke (2), Morgan Bunner, James Grotelueschen, Taya Hambleton, Cassi Rayback, Nathan Bahns, Sydney Reeves, Andrew Rivera, Jordan Noonan, Jessica Hoffman, Simon Wemhoff,
White: Jordan Noonan (2), Jessica Hoffman, Simon Wemhoff (2), Mason Whitmore, Tanyn Larson, Carter Timm
Mr Korus - Math
Pre- Algebra “A” average for the year: Kammy Held, Isabel Hollatz, Brianne Kuhr,
Baylee Settje, Brynn Settje
Top Average: Brianne Kuhr
Algebra I “A” average for the year: James Grotelueschen, Aubrie Hanna
Top Average: Aubrie Hanna
Geometry “A” average for the year: Jessica Hoffman, Sydney Reeves, Zoey VanDyke, and Dalton Zulkoski
Top Average: Zoey VanDyke
Algebra II “A” average for the year: Kanyon Held, MaKenna Held, Kennedy Settje
Top Average: Kennedy Settje
Ms. Remmereid - Business Classes
Intro to Business Students of the Year: Tanyn Larson, Aubrie Hanna
Accounting Student of the Year: Cassidy Hoffman
Shark Tank Competition winners:
Kyle Holmberg (1st)
Jessica Hoffman (2nd)
Jackson Mullenhoff (3rd)
Digital Marketing Students of the Year - Natalie Brabec, Cortlynn Cadwallader
Business Student of the Year - Emily Loseke
Ms. Wietfeld - Science
7th Science of the Year: Brayden Loseke
7th Science Most Improved: Sofia Hake, Karly Wendt
Ms. Pokorney - Science
Chemistry Student of the Year: Kanyon Held
Anatomy Student of the Year: Alissa Kasik
8th Science Student of the Year: Brianne Kuhr
Biology Student of the Year: Zoey Van Dyke
Physical Science 1 Student of the Year: Nathan Bahns
Physical Science 2 Student of the Year: Jordan Noonan
General Science Student of the Year: Cortlynn Cadwallader
Most Improved Students: Sydney Reeves, Jacob Martensen
Mrs. Hillen - FCS
Intro to FCS/Foods: Aubrie Hanna
7th Grade Rotation 1: Elizabeth Hoffman
7th Grade Rotation 2: Luke Eisenmann
8th Grade: Izabel Hollatz
Child Development/Parenting: Emily Loseke
Culinary Arts: Cassidy Hoffman
Relationships: Kennedy Settje
Careers: Zoey Van Dyke
Housing/Interior Design: Jessica Hoffman
Life Skills: Layne Krutz
Student Aide: Cassidy Hoffman
Mrs. Fischer - ELA
English 12 Valedictorian Award: Trevor Zulkoski
English 10 Valedictorian Award: Zoey Van Dyke
English 10 Salutatorian Award: Sydney Reeves
Speech 9 “Spectacular Speaker” Award: Macy Clausen, Aubrie Hanna, Taya Hambleton, Gracie Eisenmann, Jordan Noonan, Tanyn Larson
Reading 8 “Terrific Trio” Award: Brianne Kuhr, Izabel Hollatz, Baylee Settje
Writing 8 “Fab Four” Award: Brianne Kuhr, Izabel Hollatz, Baylee Settje, Brynn Settje
Writing 7 “Terrific Trio” Award: Elizabeth Hoffman, Luke Eisenmann, Kyle McMullin
Most Improved Student: Paige Kurpgeweit
Amazing Aide Award: Madisyn Pelan
Journalism:
Letterwinners: Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke, Kayden Schumacher, Natalie Brabec, Kennedy Settje, Makenna Settje, Jessica Hoffman, Sydney Reeves, Korbee Wendt, Jacob Martensen, Morgan Bunner, Sage Fernau, Leah Pinkston, Aubrie Hanna, Tanyn Larson
4-Year Letter Winners: Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke, Kayden Schumacher
Best Staff Writer Award: Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke
Norfolk Daily News Staff Writers: Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke
Top Newcomer Awards: Aubrie Hanna, Sage Fernau, Tanyn Larson
One-Act Play:
East Husker Conference Best Actor: Kanyon Held
East Husker Conference Best Supporting Actress: Rylee Olson
Conference or District Outstanding Actor Awards: Kanyon Held, Maddie Noonan, Rylee Olson, Makenna Held, Logan Schroeder, Kayden Schumacher, Trevor Zulkoski, Alicia Holmberg, Mason Whitmore, Leah Pinkston, Aiden Miller, Audie Tejkl, Madison Noonan
Outstanding Tech Crew: Emily Loseke
Letterwinners: Leah Pinkston, Alicia Holmberg, Madisyn Pelan, Kayden Schumacher, Natalie Brabec, Alissa Kasik, Riana Grotelueschen, Macy Clausen, Gracie Eisenmann, Korbee Wendt, Kyleigh Rayback, Aubrie Hanna, Kennedy Settje, Audie Tejkl, Morgan Bunner, Dylan Higby, Aiden Miller, Kanyon Held, Mason Whitmore, Rylee Olson, Cassidy Hoffman, Makenna Held, Cassi Rayback, Jessica Hoffman, Tanyn Larson, Sydney Reeves, Isaac Rodenburg, Kevin Becerril, Roque Tejeda, Dalton Zulkoski, Kyle Holmberg, Logan Schroeder, Madison Noonan, Trevor Zulkoski, Albert Diaz, Emily Loseke, Layne Krutz, Jacob Eisenmann, Justine Thompson, Zane Williams, Dylan Brabec, Kyle Kasik, Jackson Mullenhoff, Deandrea Rivera, Nathan Bahns, Jack Brabec, James Grotelueschen, Jordan Noonan, Andrew Rivera, Xander Ross, Simon Wemhoff
Junior High Crew Recognition: Baylee Settje, Brynn Settje, Kammy Held
Mrs. Kowalski - Instrumental Music
John Philips Sousa Award and East Husker Conference 1st Team Honor Band: Alicia Holmberg
Jr. High Honor Band: Emily Stender
Mrs. Settje - Choral Music
National Choral Award Co-Winners: Rylee Olson and Alicia Holmberg
Letterwinners in Choir: Natalie Brabec, Lily Bunner, Morgan Bunner, Cortlynn Cadwallader, Albert Diaz, Makenna Held, Alicia Holmberg, Emily Moore, Rylee Olson, Leah Pinkston, Cassi Rayback, Sydney Reeves, Deandrea Rivera, Isaac Rodenburg, Xander Ross, Kennedy Settje, Audie Tejkl
East Husker All Conference Choir: Makenna Held, Leah Pinkston, Natalie Brabec, Isaac Rodenburg
East Husker Conference 1st Team Honor Choir: Rylee Olson, Alicia Holmberg, and Audie Tejkl
Most Improved: Isaac Rodenburg, Kennedy Settje
Music Aide: Rylee Olson
Jr. High Honor Choir: Paige Kurpgeweit, Amaiya Ross, Keeley Campbell, Sydney Messerlie, Alisyn Lich, Maryn McCord
Mrs. Went - Ag
7th Grade Ag Student of the Year: Quentin Mullenhoff
8th Grade Ag Student of the Year: Brianne Kuhr
Intro to Ag Student of the Year: Taya Hambleton
Natural Resources Student of the Year: Sydney Reeves
Plant Science Students of the Year: Madison Noonan, Makenna Held
Ag Leadership Student of the Year: Alissa Kasik
Ag Construction Student of the Year: Jacob Eisenmann
Mr. Bachman - Social Studies
7th Social Studies Student of the Year: Luke Eisenmann
8th Social Studies Student of the Year: Brianne Kuhr
9th Civics Student of the Year: Aubrie Hanna
10th World History Student of the Year: Zoey VanDyke
11th US History Student of the Year: Kennedy Settje
12th Government Student of the Year: Cassidy Hoffman
Most Improved Students: Isaac Rodenburg & Korbee Wendt
Mrs. M. Held - ELA/Spanish/Yearbook
College English: 1st - Emily Loseke, 2nd - Cassidy Hoffman, 3rd - Kayden Schumacher
Junior English: 1st - Kennedy Settje, 2nd - Makenna Held, 3rd Tied - Justine Thompson, Kanyon Held
7th Reading: 1st - Liz Hoffman, 2nd - Brayden Loseke, 3rd - Kyle McMullin
Freshman English - 1st Aubrie Hanna, 2nd - Macy Clausen, 3rd - Carter Timm
Spanish II - Tied for 1st - Kennedy Settje & Kanyon Held, 2nd - Makenna Held, Tied for 3rd Kevin Becerril & Justine Thompson
Yearbook Staff certificates: Macy Clausen, Gracie Eisenmann, Tanyn Larson, Aubrie Hanna, Korbee Wendt, Jessica Hoffman, Sydney Reeves, Victoria Dalton, Dee Rivera, Justine Thompson, Maddie Noonan, Natalie Brabec, Kyleigh Rayback, Alicia Holmberg, Alissa Kasik, Madisyn Pelan, Riana Grotelueschen. Business Managers: Rylee Olson & Cassidy Hoffman. Editors: Emily Loseke & Kayden Schumacher
Mrs K. Hillen - 7th Math/Honor Society
Honor Society - 1st year members - Kyle Holmberg, Jessica Hoffman, Zoey Van Dyke,
Sydney Reeves, Dalton Zulkoski, Madison Noonan
2nd year members - Kennedy Settje, Kanyon Held, Justine Thompson,
Makenna Held, Natalie Brabec, Jacob Eisenmann,
3rd year members - Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke, Alissa Kasik,
Kayden Schumacher
Honor Cords from Central Community College for having completed 12 or more hours in Early College Courses - Cassidy Hoffman, Alicia Holmberg, Alissa Kasik, Emily Loseke,
Madisyn Pelan, Kyleigh Rayback, Kayden Schumacher.
Quiz Bowl Team - Cassidy Hoffman, Emily Loseke, Kanyon Held, Justine Thompson,
Calvin Wemhoff, Kyle Holmberg, Aubrie Hanna
NECC Scholastic Contest - 3rd place Bronze Medal - Audie Tejkl - Computer LIteracy
Kevin Becerril - Spanish 2, section b
Kayden Schumacher -Parenting/Child
Development
2nd place Silver Medal - Calvin Wemhoff - American History
Albert Diaz - World HIstory
Emily Loseke - English Composition
1st place Gold Medal - Zoey Van Dyke - LIbrary Usage
Kyle Holmberg - Physics
Plus all participants will receive a certificate of Merit:
Cortlynn Cadwallader, Cassidy Hoffman, Natalie Brabec, Taya Hambleton, Jordan Noonan, Kanyon Held, Emily Loseke, Jacob Eisenmann, KOrbee Wendt, Jessica Wendt, Rylee Olson, Makenna Held, Justine Thompson, Layne Krutz, Aubrie Hanna, Aiden Miller, Kanyon Held, Jessica Hoffman, Trevor Zulkoski, Alicia Holmberg, Kayden Schumacher, Macy Claussen, Dalton Zulkoski, Alissa Kasik, Roque Rejeda,
7th grade Math - A Average in 7th Math
Liz Hoffman* and highest average
Luke Eisenmann* and highest average
Brayden Loseke* and highest average
Kyle McMullin
Ava Kasik
Nevaeh Zulkosk