Hiawatha Public Schools – USD 415

HMS lit up with curiosity and creativity at our #4 STEAM Night! Students and families explored hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math—building, experimenting, and discovering together. From exciting experiments to innovative projects, the energy in the building was incredible.

A big thank you to our staff, volunteers, and families for making the night such a success. Opportunities like this show just how powerful learning can be when we bring our community together!

The 5th grade wrapped up their germs unit in Health with a hands-on experiment that really brought learning to life! Students explored how germs spread by handling slices of bread with both clean and unwashed hands, then made predictions and tracked their observations throughout the week.

This engaging activity not only showed just how quickly germs can spread, but also reinforced the importance of good hygiene habits like proper handwashing. The class saw firsthand how simple actions can make a big difference in staying healthy. Great work, 5th grade—what a fun and meaningful experiment!

Our class had an exciting, hands-on opportunity to observe the life cycle of a butterfly! We watched tiny caterpillars grow bigger each day as they ate and prepared to form their chrysalis. Before long, they transformed into beautiful butterflies—an incredible process we learned is called metamorphosis.

We also discovered how butterflies use their proboscis to drink nectar from flowers, fruit, and even sugar water. To wrap up our learning, we observed the butterflies feeding up close before releasing them onto a flowering bush. It was a fun, engaging experience that brought science to life for our students!

(KMZA)--A local student team is heading to the world stage after an impressive showing at the state level.

The Nemaha Central Elementary and Middle School team known as the “WINders,” based in Seneca, earned second place in the sixth through eighth grade generator division at the KidWind State Competition, held April 11 in Salina.

Thirteen teams were crowned state champions during the day-long event. Teams finishing first or second in their divisions qualify for the World KidWind Challenge, coming up in May in Madison, Wisconsin.

The WINders secured their spot after advancing through regional competition. Organizers say a record 106 teams competed at six regional events this year, with 35 teams from 25 schools moving on to state.

KidWind is open to students in grades four through twelve. Teams of three to five students design and build wind turbines, which are judged on energy output, design quality, and their understanding of wind energy concepts.

Silver Lake students enjoyed a memorable day at the Capper Foundation’s 3rd Annual Abilities Day at the Zoo on April 20. The special event welcomed more than 1,600 attendees for a day of exploring the zoo, visiting exhibits, connecting with others, and celebrating inclusion in a fun and meaningful way.

Silver Lake’s Eagle’s Nest high school group attended alongside a small group of Silver Lake Elementary students. Together, they explored the zoo, shared a picnic lunch at the park, and spent time playing on the playground.

It was a beautiful day filled with smiles, friendship, and plenty of Eagle pride!

A nationally known LEGO artist will be at the Morrill Public Library from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 to help kick off the Summer Library Program.

Cody Wells will be bringing his program C3BRIX to several libraries in Northeast Kansas and Southeast Nebraska on that day. He is one of the most sought-after custom LEGO artists in the country and his clients range from private collectors and celebrities to Google, New York Hall of Science and beyond.

Wells work has been featured on the Steve Harvey Show, Good Day New York, Details Magazine and numerous other publications. He is an award-winning designer, winning the 2013 BRICKIE at Brickfair - Virginia in TV and Sci-Fi for his Star Trek Enterprise.

Wells said he enjoys working with children and presents at schools, libraries, museums and private functions nationwide. The motto of his company C3BRIX is "Rebuild Your Childhood," where he encourages adults to reminisce and children to use their imagination to think outside of the (LEGO) box by building anything they can imagine and not be limited by instruction books.

The Morrill Public Library is excited to welcome Wells and invites community members of all ages to join in the fun, according to Joey May, Community Services Librarian. 

"Bring your own LEGO creations to share," she said.

The program will be featured in the upstairs lobby of the library, located at 431 Oregon St., starting at 4:30 p.m. on the 28th. May said this is just one of several free family events that will be scheduled as part of the library's Summer Reading Program. 

Anyone with questions can contact her at jmay@hiawathalibrary.org or call the library at 785-742-3831. For more aboutC3BRIX and Cody Wells, find him on Facebook and Instagram @c3brix or go to his website at www.c3brix.com.

At Americare, wellness isn’t just a program—it’s a way of life. Through Flourish Wellness, we create meaningful opportunities for residents to experience vitality, purpose, and fulfillment at every stage of life.

Wellness Dimension: Environmental
Activity: Pet Therapy

Story:
Sometimes the smallest visitors make the biggest impact! This sweet 10-day-old baby goat was full of snuggles and quickly stole everyone’s hearts. His visit brought smiles, laughter, and a wave of cherished memories, as residents shared stories of farm life and days gone by.

Congratulations to Jefferson West’s Braxdon Penry on being selected as the Kansas FCCLA Voting Delegate! Braxdon will represent all Kansas District Presidents at the National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. this summer, during the celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday.

In this important role, he will serve on the selection team responsible for voting on bylaw changes and helping elect the National Officer team. Braxdon is a dedicated six-year member of the Jefferson West High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter, and this honor reflects his leadership and commitment.

Junior, Kayte Falk has been named one of the Top 5 winners in the 9th Annual Kansas Business Hall of Fame (KBHF) Student Essay Contest, a prestigious statewide competition for students in grades 9–12.

Falk, the daughter of Josh and Sarah Falk, earned this honor after advancing through two rounds of judging by a panel of business professionals. Her award-winning essay focused on Kansas Business Hall of Fame inductee Marci Penner, founder of the Kansas Sampler Foundation and author of the Kansas Guidebook for Explorers. Through her writing, Falk explored Penner’s impact on promoting Kansas culture, communities, and rural pride.

The KBHF essay contest encourages students to research influential Kansas business leaders and reflect on their contributions and leadership. As a Top 5 finalist, Falk will receive a cash award, generously sponsored by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and is invited to attend the official awards ceremony at Emporia State University. 

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame, housed within the School of Business at Emporia State University, is dedicated to honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas business while inspiring future generations of leaders.

At Holton High School, three students stepped into key leadership roles at the Topeka Model United Nations conference, representing our district with professionalism, confidence, and skill.

Marisa Meyer, Rebekah Lassey, and Olivia Doney each took on important responsibilities during the two-day event, helping lead and support a full-scale simulation with students from across the region.

Marisa served as Secretary General, placing her at the center of the entire conference. She delivered opening and closing remarks, coordinated logistics, managed crisis simulations, and helped resolve delegate disputes. It’s a demanding role that requires composure and strong decision-making, and she carried it out exceptionally well.

Rebekah was selected as Co-Secretary of General Assembly II and later stepped in as acting Co-President. She helped set the agenda, tracked resolutions and amendments, guided parliamentary procedure, supported communication among delegates, and contributed to the closing ceremony. Her willingness to step up when needed highlights her leadership.

Olivia served as Co-Secretary of World Council I, helping maintain the flow and structure of her council. She guided delegates through procedures, tracked amendments and resolutions, managed debate timing, and supported the leadership team with conference logistics.

Experiences like this go beyond learning about global issues—they build confidence, communication skills, and leadership that extend far beyond the classroom.

We’re proud of how these students represented our school and the dedication they showed in making the conference a success.

This semester, Blake Parker completed his Job Workplace Experience with the Brown County Police Department to gain a better understanding of law enforcement. His interest in this career began at a young age, growing up around the profession and watching his father serve with the department. Blake is drawn to the daily challenges of law enforcement and the excitement of never knowing what each day may bring.

During his experience, he observed many important aspects of the job, including completing reports, responding to medical calls, handling accidents, and patrolling the county. He also had the opportunity to learn about the administrative side of the department and how those roles help keep operations running smoothly. This hands-on experience gave Blake valuable insight into the responsibilities and dedication required in a career in law enforcement.

Falls City Public Schools District 56: Congratulations to Mr. Dunkhas on receiving the Region 1 Distinguished Service Award! His hard work, commitment, and lasting impact will be felt for years to come.

From Brown County Sheriff John Merchant

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and express my gratitude not only for my dispatch personnel, but also for our partner agencies.

We are very fortunate to have the highly skilled dispatch staff at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. The work they do is extremely demanding and often thankless, yet their professionalism and effectiveness in handling emergency calls make a tremendous difference every day. Their service is both rewarding and deeply appreciated.

Several years ago, Kansas formally recognized dispatchers as first responders—a designation they have long deserved.

I want to sincerely thank my dispatch staff and let you know that your dedication does not go unnoticed. You are appreciated more than you know.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) is observed annually during the second full week of April (April 12–18, 2026). This week honors the “first responders” who answer emergency calls and dispatch police, fire, and medical personnel. It recognizes the dedication, composure, and professionalism of 911 telecommunicators—often referred to as the “Thin Gold Line.”