History came alive in 5th grade! Nemaha Central Students researched colonial games, made or brought in a replica of them, and then presented their findings to their peers. The best part? The rest of the class period was spent playing the games!

February's character word of the month was kindness. Grade-level teachers chose one boy and one girl who showed the characteristics of kindness. Students received a certificate, a $5 gift card to Sonic, and a Red Hawk Character Kids T-shirt.

Pictured from back left to right: Teagan Preston, Ava Froeschl, Tessa Elliott, Eric Manche, and Colton Fleming. Front row left to right: Emerson Walsh, Zander Radford, Emmett Olson, and Clara Elliott. (Not pictured: Charlotte Verbick).

This recognition is made possible with a grant through The Foundation.

Congratulations to Mrs. Earp, Mrs. Burns, and Mrs. Mitchell for leading such an amazing group of learners who truly LOVE coming to school each day. Keep up the fantastic attendance and school spirit!

We frequently hear that bullying is an issue. If we’re serious about addressing the root cause, we have to build empathy. That means helping students understand other people’s experiences and conceptualize how those experiences feel.

This month, our our Middle School took a meaningful step in that direction by researching Black Hisotry Month.

As part of Black History Month, 7th grade social studies teacher Mr. Ross partnered with 7th grade ELA teacher Mrs. Abernathy on a cross-curricular learning experience centered on history, voice, and identity. Mr. Ross then coordinated with Kansas State Board of Education member Dr. Beryl New to speak to our middle school students about what it means to live with purpose and lead with compassion.

Dr. New grounded her message in the concept of the mandala — a circular design rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions, and one connected to her own heritage. She explained that the mandala represents unity, service, and the interconnectedness of people and community. It is more than art. It is a symbol of how we position ourselves in relationship to others.

Through that lens, she challenged students to think about three powerful ideas:

• Community – She shared the story of Benjamin Banneker, who helped design Washington, D.C., reminding students that unity and contribution matter. The circle at the center of a city, like the mandala, reflects belonging and shared responsibility.

• Communication – Through the life of Sojourner Truth, students saw the power of speaking your truth so others can find theirs.

• Compassion – Drawing on the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she reminded students that compassion cannot be legislated. It must be cultivated. Only love can drive out hate.

Her message was clear:

We each decide what we include in our circle. Unity. Communication. Compassion.

Those are not abstract ideas. They are daily choices our students face in classrooms, hallways, and online spaces.

If we want schools where students feel safe and valued, we have to intentionally teach empathy, purpose, and service.

Thank you to Dr. Beryl New for investing in our students and connecting history, heritage, and heart.

And a special shoutout to Mr. Ross for leading this collaboration and creating an experience our students will carry with them well beyond middle school!

Students from Atchison County Community High School recently stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of state government in Topeka — thanks to an invitation from Virgil Peck (commonly known locally alongside Senator Bowser’s office partnerships)* to serve as Senate Pages at the Kansas Senate.

As Senate Pages, students experienced the legislative process up close, assisting senators during session, delivering messages across the Senate floor, and observing firsthand how ideas move from discussion to debate to decision. What they study in government class came alive inside the historic walls of the Kansas State Capitol.

Throughout the day, students witnessed civic leadership in action — collaboration, respectful debate, and public service at work. The opportunity offered more than a glimpse into state government; it provided a powerful lesson in responsibility, professionalism, and the importance of informed citizenship.

Experiences like this help students see that their voices matter and that leadership is accessible. Walking the halls where laws are shaped gave them a deeper understanding of how state government functions — and perhaps even inspired future public servants among them.

We are grateful to Senator Bowser for investing in our students and creating this meaningful learning opportunity in Topeka. Opportunities like serving as a Senate Page connect education to real-world experience and leave a lasting impact far beyond a single day at the Capitol.

Thank you, Senator Bowser, for opening the doors of the Kansas Senate to our students and helping them see government in action!

Students from Highland Community College Technical Center are headed to the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Nashville (May 6–10, 2026) after an outstanding showing at the state conference in Wichita!

Congratulations to Emmalee Burnham, Kaydeece Fultz, Kayelee Manning, Adeline McManus, Elaina Minard, Emma Ramirez, and Aiden Rathert, along with advisor Carrie Miller, on an incredible performance across business and health-related events. From Administrative Support and Payroll Accounting to Medical Coding and Health Administration, our students truly showed up and stood out!

We are so proud to see HCCTC represented at BPA’s 60th Anniversary National Conference! Nashville, here they come!

Regional Championship!

Congratulations to our Mock Trial team on winning the Regional Championship! The Ravens defeated Olathe and Blue Valley to claim the title in impressive fashion.

Our JV team also had an outstanding showing—competing up in the varsity division and earning a 4th-place finish after defeating Shawnee Mission and Piper. What an incredible accomplishment!

The Ravens will compete for their 4th consecutive all-classification State Championship in just a few weeks. Way to go, young Raven lawyers!

Nemaha Central Students celebrated Pi Day at the middle school in a truly special way! Students teamed up with their wonderful Grandfriends to bake and decorate delicious pies as part of our annual Pi Day tradition. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine math, creativity, and community spirit all in one event.

The pies are now being sold to members of our community, and we are so proud of the teamwork, effort, and care that went into each one. Even more exciting, all proceeds from this year’s Pi Day celebration will go to Shirley Schmitz. Your support not only made this day meaningful for our students but will also make a positive difference in someone’s life.

Thank you to our students, Grandfriends, staff, and community members who helped make Pi Day such a sweet success!

Jefferson West High School FFA members Chase and Everett had the opportunity to tour HME in Topeka! A huge thank-you to Clint Lee, Jefferson West FFA alumnus, for an awesome tour and for highlighting future career opportunities for our Jefferson West Ag students.

We’re excited to continue providing students with experiences like this to explore employment opportunities and to strengthen the connection between local businesses and agricultural education.

First competition of the season, and the Holton Middle School Scholars Bowl team absolutely crushed it! We are so proud of these students for their hard work, teamwork, and strong start to the season. Way to represent, Wildcats!

7A – 1st Place
8B – 1st Place
8A – 2nd Place

What an awesome way to kick things off—can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings!

The PRMS STEM class along with some of the students who competed in the gifted program competed at the Kansas Regional KidWind Challenge. We took three teams today with the top 2 teams placing today qualifying for the state competition in April.

Colin Haas, Kamdon Hoppe, Cody Ernzen, and Owen Watkins placed 1st overall!

Josh Murphy, Hunter Simpson, Mitchel Waters, and Michael Freeman took 2nd place!

The kids competed in 4 different events that combined their scores. They had a wind tunnel performance of their turbine, a knowledge test, a group presentation to judges, and “blind” STEM challenge.

Last night at the RAC was all about the kids!

Elementary boys who showed up dressed for Frat Night or in costume got into the game for free, and they brought the energy with them. From big smiles to loud cheers, they helped make the Irish home finale even more fun and memorable.

Garrett Country Mart of Sabetha is pleased to recognize these three young men as our Student Associates of the Year, honoring their dedication to our store and community while balancing work with their academic responsibilities.

Congratulations to top award winner, Ethan Miller, and runners up James Sallman and Xavier Deters!

Your strong work ethic, positive attitudes, and willingness to step up whenever needed truly set you apart. We’re proud to have you on our team and excited to see all that you accomplish in the future.

Thank you for representing Garrett Country Mart so well—both in our store and in the Sabetha community.

On Saturday, February 7, sixteen Everest Middle School students traveled to Holton High School to take part in the annual Holton Honor Band Festival. Students were grouped by experience level and worked with guest conductors, preparing music ahead of time for a full day of learning and performance. This experience gave our musicians the chance to grow their skills, collaborate with peers from other schools, and perform at a high level.

We’re proud of our 6th grade participants: Kyla Tangen, Shilo Keo, Brynn Stirton, Brooke Speer, Michelle George, Henry Woods, Hudson Rice, and Max Selland; and our 7th/8th grade participants: Mya McAfee, Katani Ortiz, Nevaeh Howell, Domonic Clancy, Jarvis Ramirez, Freedom Lowe, Joe Smith, and Avaylia Jelks. Elisabeth Saxton was also selected to participate but was unable to attend. Great job representing Everest Middle School!