Please join us in congratulating our next HES Red Hawk Hero. A Red Hawk Hero is someone who exhibits characteristics of a hero. Our next recipient is Casey Hull, an amazing member of our kitchen staff. Here is what her nomination stated: The only way to describe Casey is incredible!! Everything she does is for the kids, her co-workers, and our school. I have become a better person knowing and working with her. I enjoy catching up with her every morning in the kitchen. Her smile is contagious, her laughter infectious, her voice is angelic, and Casey's dance moves are off the chart! From doing the "gritty" in the hallway with kids, to singing to every kid/staff who come through the line at lunch for their birthday. Her heart is open to love all the kids. As a co-worker she is one of the best, always a hug if needed, always checking on how everyone is, even when she is not having a good day. Thanks for working so hard, showing up, and keeping us all fed!

Red Hawk Leaders are a group of fourth grade students at HES who have applied to be a part of the group and exhibit leadership within our building. This fall when we met, they brainstormed ways in which they could help make our school a better place. They decided on after school activities for each grade level, one each month. They worked to plan books, activities, and snacks for the kindergarten students for January. Today, they put all their work into action! It is amazing to witness the leadership they exhibit with our younger students and the pride they take in helping make our school community a better place!

The Nemaha County Spelling Bee was held at Centralia Schools on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Representing Centralia were Draidyn Mueting, Boyd Kramer, Kambrie Rempe, Piper Koch, & Riley Broxterman. Centralia had two participants finish in the Top 3. Piper Koch a 5th Grader here at Centralia finished in 3rd place. And winning the Nemaha County Spelling Bee was Draidyn Mueting a 5th Grader from Centralia! Draidyn will advance to the Sunflower State Bee held on March 22, 2025 at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. Congrats to all participants and Good Luck Draidyn at the Sunflower State Bee!

Congrats to the Holton Varsity Scholars Bowl team on winning the inaugural Big East league championship!

The Nemaha Central School held its annual Spelling Bee to kick off the second semester. A spelling competition was held for students in the fifth through eighth grades, featuring participants Norah Palmer, Evan Ross, Corbin Meyer, Miles Kuckelmen, Trey Stuke, Lily Romney, Will Martin, Ethan Jost, Mason Enneking, Anna Jost, Hudson Kuckelman, and Jayla Nolte. The event consisted of a total of 26 rounds. The top six are expected to represent Nemaha Central at the upcoming County Spelling Bee.

Alan Lubert, representing the Ronald McDonald House Charities, came to HES to visit with students and staff about the history of the foundation and the mission of the Ronald McDonald House to help families with housing while their children receive medical care. This was our first year having Mr. Lubert present to our students! Classrooms will be collecting pop tabs if you'd like to help us in supporting the RMHC!

These great kids were our November and December Positive Office Referral drawing winners!

8th grade STEM students: Deja Beck, Charli Keller, and Gabby Mackey competed in the Future City Competition today in Topeka. The girls spent a semester of researching, planning, designing, writing and building a futuristic, floating city. With the help of our community mentor, Tom Martin, they did a great job having innovative ideas centered around clean and healthy living. Things like a water distillation center, UV lights and microorganisms in plumbing and aeroponic grow towers among others, the girls presented their ideas to different panels of judges!!

Congratulations to our Knights of Columbus Free Throw winners: Left to Right: Robert Reynolds, Alexis Willich, Dayne Covert, Maria Mendez, Declan Kettler, Lily Edwards, Maleah Brown, Brody Nigus, Jackson Jagels and Anna Edwards. They will advance to Sabetha on Feb. 2nd. Congratulations!

Nemaha Central celebrated "Snowball" this past weekend... Congrats to Colby Frehe and Addie Haverkamp on being selected this year's King and Queen, and big THANKS to the KAY Club for once again sponsoring this wonderful event.

Atchison County Community Junior Senior High School congratulates the 2025 King and Queen of Courts and their court, who were crowned at halftime of the boys' varsity basketball game with Riverside HS on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Stephan Feek was crowned King of Courts and Gracie Kimmi was crowned Queen of Courts. Rounding out the royal court were candidates Caden Behrnes, Rebekah Caplinger, Nate Oom, and Mackenzie Scholz. Assisting with the crowning were representatives of the ACCHS Cheerleaders and Student Council, and announcer, Junior Class President Avery Gilliland.

Atchison County Community Junior Senior High School is pleased to announce the candidates for 2025 King and Queen of Courts. Queen candidates are Rebekah Caplinger, daughter of Courtney and Chris Caplinger; Gracie Kimmi, daughter of Angie and Gene Kimmi; and Mackenzie Scholz, daughter of Kristie and Trevor Scholz. King candidates are Caden Behrnes, son of Karin and Chris Behrnes; Stephan Feek, son of Stephany and Paul Koci; and Nate Oom, son of Brandi and Matt Oom. The crowning ceremony will take place Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in the ACCJSH Gym, at halftime of the boys' varsity basketball game against Riverside.

2024 was a record breaking year for the Brown County Humane Society, and our best one yet!!! Here are 2024 statistics: 761 - Total # of dogs and cats that entered our shelter (In 2023, 439 was our total)! Of the 761 total - 252 were cats and 509 were dogs! 306 of the dogs were puppies under 6 months old! 513 dogs and cats were ADOPTED!! 123 dogs and cats transferred to other rescues! 72 dogs and cats were REUNITED with their owners! Our euthanasia rate was 3.5% (a combination of medical and some aggression cases) 69 dogs/pups and cats are currently in our care at BCHS 21 dogs/pups and 4 cats are currently in foster homes! We also spayed and neutered 253 dogs and cats in our community!!! We want to say THANK YOU to all of our adopters, donors, followers, and foster families! There is no way BCHS could have helped this many homeless or unwanted dogs and cats without each and everyone of you all!!!! Here's to an AMAZING 2025!!!