Southwest students gain global knowledge from Japanese course < Updated

Southwest High School students are discovering how the Japanese language is a never-ending source of academic energy.
 
Silver Hawks like Arrisyn and Jess are creating brilliant learning moments in a class that features many interactive lessons. Southwest is one of the few Nebraska high schools to offer the world language, and scores of students are learning from an award-winning curriculum. They brush up on their calligraphy skills, experience tea tasting on a local college campus and correspond with pen pals in Japan each year.

Arrisyn and Jess both wanted to sign up for the course when they enrolled at Southwest this fall. The ninth graders said they have been happy with the variety of activities on the class calendar.
 
“I just really like the Japanese culture, and I thought it would be fun to try it,” Jess said. “It’s been great. I’ve really liked learning the writing style and figuring out how to come up with sentences and paragraphs. It’s been a really good experience for me.”
 
“Honestly, the entire experience has been awesome,” Arrisyn said. “Everyone in the class is really open and welcoming, and that makes you feel good, because you know everyone is going for the same thing. We’re all trying to get better at Japanese because we like the culture and history of it.”

LPS Curriculum Specialist for World Language Katie Damgaard said Southwest is the only LPS high school that provides Japanese classes. The course has taken place at Southwest ever since the school opened in 2002.
 
Southwest teacher Tammy Lamprecht earned the 2023 Outstanding World Language Teacher Award from the Nebraska Languages Association because of her commitment to her craft. She said it is satisfying to teach a world language because of the many academic opportunities that are available. She has watched her students learn valuable life skills such as persistence, teamwork and dedication in her classroom. They have also gained knowledge about geography, culture, history and fine arts from their lessons.
 
“Language is something that constantly changes over time, so there’s never an end to the things to study,” Lamprecht said. “There’s such a depth to the Japanese language and the culture, which makes it extremely fun.”

 
ACTFL Language Connects, a national organization of teachers of world languages, provided one of the reasons why learning Japanese is an important skill. They surveyed 1,200 U.S. employers about their need for employees familiar with world languages. The report showed that 17 percent of companies wanted to hire employees who knew how to speak Japanese, making it one of the top five in-demand languages.
 
Lamprecht began studying Japanese in 1990 and spent a year at Kwansei Gakuin University in 1994-95. She later returned to Japan for three years before beginning her education career outside of Lincoln. She founded the LPS program in 2002 and is now teaching the children of those first alumni in her classrooms.
 
Lamprecht said one of the most rewarding parts of her job is watching students become familiar with the language’s writing style. The Japanese alphabet features the scripts of kanji, hiragana and katakana, which are phonetic symbols and logographic characters. It is different from Latin or Germanic languages such as English, Spanish, French and Italian, which can make it seem more challenging to learn.
 
“I think a lot of students think that because of the writing system it might be daunting, and then they realize that they can do it,” Lamprecht said. “My favorite part is equipping them so they can do this on their own. There comes a time when I tell them, ‘You don’t need me for this, because you have all of the tools to be successful. You can do this.’ I love those moments.”

 
Arrisyn said she has been proud of her progress with the language’s fundamentals. She is more comfortable with the sounds and words than she was several months ago.
 
“One hundred percent,” Arrisyn said. “I still have a long way to go, but I feel way more confident about reading and writing the language now than I did at the start of the year. It’s a really good feeling.”
 
Lamprecht tries to increase student wellbeing with many interactive projects. The Silver Hawks began one class period with a game that reinforced Japanese language principles. Students competed to see who could most quickly match the sounds of Japanese words with the correct symbol from more than 20 cards on their desks.
 
The class then moved on to a calligraphy assignment, which provided additional training with the written word. They brushed Japanese characters on special paper in a practice referred to as shodo. Calligraphy is an important part of the country’s culture and is a key part of the school curriculum there.
 
Jess said he has benefited in many ways from the wide assortment of lessons.
 
“It really helps with reviewing the sounds,” Jess said. “I have fun doing this, and I think that helps me absorb everything a lot better.”

 
Lamprecht said she is optimistic that even more students will gain similar academic energy in the future. LPS has created a course for sixth and seventh graders that introduces them to multiple world languages. The goal is to prepare students for global careers by helping them become more aware of various cultures.
 
“That’s been wildly successful,” Lamprecht said. “It makes me feel good knowing that we’re preparing students like this at LPS.”
 
LPS students are becoming informed global citizens with their world language experiences. Visit home.lps.org/worldlanguage to learn more about a wide range of language opportunities at LPS.
 
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Posted on December 15, 2025

Rockets learn keys of car sales through interactive project

Northeast High School students fine-tuned their educational engines this fall by gaining firsthand perspectives about the car sales industry.
 
Automotive students in Northeast’s Skilled and Technical Sciences (STS) Academy partnered with Sid Dillon Automotive on a project that covered all aspects of car sales. They learned about sales and marketing processes, communication strategies, vehicle inspection techniques and fundamentals of financing through the weeklong activity.
 
Northeast student Cesar felt the project would help him become more confident when he buys a car in the future. He also discovered valuable information about the wide range of careers found in the automotive industry.
 
“I feel a lot more informed about what to do,” Cesar said. “I found out how important it is to build a rapport with a customer and to get to know them. It was really useful what I learned in here today.”
 
LPS Career and Technical Education Curriculum Specialist Jason Thomsen said one of the project’s goals was to help students become more familiar with foundational car sales skills.
 
“The partnership is intended to teach students the process of selling a used car, everything from when it comes into the shop and gets inspected to how it is marketed, sales techniques and then learning the financial side of the car business,” Thomsen said. “But to be clear, LPS is not selling the car. The students are helping in the process of inspection and marketing and gaining practice at sales techniques.”
 
Northeast STS teacher Andy Christensen said he was pleased with the project’s outcome. He felt students like Cesar emerged from the lesson with a broader range of communication and financial tools.
 
“This is a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of car selling,” Christensen said. “However, the most important aspect is the knowledge the students gain, for they will also have buying power by understanding the process.”

 
Sid Dillon representatives Bill Siefker and Jon Lanik mentored students throughout the week. Siefker, a 32-year veteran of the car industry, has worked at Sid Dillon for 15 years and is now a sales manager. Lanik, a new and pre-owned sales consultant, has been with the business for five years.
 
The car professionals began the opening class by giving students a detailed description of their jobs. Siefker graduated from Northeast in 1986 and has helped hundreds of people purchase vehicles throughout his career. He told students that honesty, respect and trust are among a car salesperson’s most important character attributes.
 
“We want to make sure that our reputation is that we put the customer first,” Siefker said. “It’s all about taking care of our customers. It’s the main thing. Establishing that trusting relationship is absolutely key.”
 
Siefker said that customers first determine if they can trust a car salesperson before moving on to the emotional and logical portions of their decision-making process. He told students that a salesperson’s job is to answer questions about items like safety, performance and price in a straightforward and friendly fashion. Those conversations can help customers decide whether they want to buy that particular car or consider another vehicle.
 
Siefker then provided students with tips on how to approach the car-buying process. He told them it was essential to research both the car itself and potential car dealerships to visit. He also said establishing a good credit score and understanding the overall car market were both vital steps to take.

 
Lanik, Siefker and Christensen wrapped up the opening session by leading students on a practice sales walk-through of a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. They explained how to speak to customers, display the vehicle and answer questions about the car.
 
The Rockets inspected the vehicle on day two and completed a second sales practice session on the third day. Sid Dillon's sales staff gave them details about the financial process of purchasing a car on the fourth day.
 
Christensen said the project provided students with an important networking opportunity. He said many people have sources they can turn to for questions about topics like real estate, and the same logic applies to buying and selling a car. Siefker and Lanik gave the Rockets their business cards and told them they would be happy to help them with any future car concerns.
 
“It’s good that the kids will know both Bill and Jon now,” Christensen said. “If they ever have any questions, it’s nice that they can call them up and say, ‘Hey, I have a question,’ because now they’re someone they can trust.”
 
Siefker said he was happy to help the Northeast classes throughout the week. Not only did the project introduce students to potential careers, but it also handed them the keys of car knowledge that they can use for the rest of their lives.
 
“This is a good opportunity for them,” Siefker said. “If they decide later on to get into the industry, then they have that experience, and it also educates them on what the process looks like for buying a vehicle. They’re going to be educated when they go out in the real world and buy a car for themselves.”
 
Career and technical education (CTE) courses are helping LPS students learn a wide range of important life lessons. Visit home.lps.org/cte to discover details about nearly 100 CTE courses available in our school district.
 
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Posted on December 12, 2025

Spartans cruise academic skies by coding drones in computer science class

East High School students like Calvin, Owen and Ryan turned their coding knowledge into aerial adventures during a Computer Science Week lesson in early December.
 
Computer Science Foundations students learned how to program drones to accomplish specific tasks with block coding software. They instructed their drones to take off, move through the air and land on circular paper targets on a cafeteria table. The drones had to land on all three targets that were arranged in a triangular shape in the lunchroom.
 
Owen and Ryan said they were excited to try the activity for the first time. The ninth graders said they liked seeing their coding work come to life in the form of soaring drones.
 
“I think it’s kind of cool to see how your code actually can do things in the real world instead of just on a screen,” Owen said. “It’s fun to see your progress in real time.”
 
“I enjoy it because I think coding’s just kind of cool and a neat thing to do,” Ryan said. “Being able to do it with something that moves and not just on a computer program or a Chromebook is interesting.”

 
East math teacher Peter McGinley said he was pleased with the way the Spartans approached the assignment. He said these types of lessons were important because of the growth in computer science and technology industries. Drones are now being utilized in various career fields, ranging from agriculture to marine biology.
 
“We have a lot of kids taking it at East, but I think we should have everybody taking computer science in some form because of the logical reasoning behind it,” McGinley said. “It kind of shows why things work and how things work, and it’s something you’re going to see more and more in the everyday world.”

 
McGinley taught the Spartans how to use a block coding program called “Blockly” prior to the activity. It was one of the first times students used block coding in the Computer Science Foundations class. Much of their work this semester has been with a script-based coding program called Python.
 
Students started their code with a ‘run’ button. They created a ‘takeoff’ command that lifted the drone from its resting place on a table, and they then included an ‘up’ command that told the drone to rise above cafeteria tables that were between the starting point and the three targets. They completed the first part of the coding process by instructing the drone to move forward in the air before landing on the target.
 
After reaching the first piece of paper, the Spartans had to program their drone to turn 90 degrees in the air and land on the second target. Their goal was to then successfully return to their home base.

 
McGinley said learning how to solve problems through a trial-and-error method was a key lesson for the class. If drones came too close to each other, the resulting changes in airflow caused some of the devices to be pushed off their original path. Two students had to unexpectedly change their drone’s batteries midway through the activity, and others had to alter their code to accommodate for greater distances between the first and second targets.
 
“You would see them have some success after a little bit of trial and error,” McGinley said. “I think it’s important to show them that it’s not always going to work out the way they want to. It’s hopefully something that they can apply to other classes that they take.”
 
Owen said he enjoyed testing potential solutions for each of the puzzles. He, Calvin and Ryan adjusted their code during the afternoon to bring their drone closer to the right landing spot.
 
“Sometimes it was a little too far to the side of the target, but over time, we got it closer,” Owen said.

 
The Spartans also learned how to incorporate new strategies into their answers. McGinley moved around the cafeteria and offered advice to the groups when needed. Their excitement level soared when they watched the promising results of the updated drone flights.
 
“Mr. McGinley came over and helped us by telling us that if we used this command, it would help it go up further and it would help it not be attracted to other things,” Calvin said. “It just made it better.”
 
Owen said the Computer Science Foundations class has been a good extension of the earlier exposure he has had to coding and programming. LPS students begin learning how to code in elementary school, and they take computer science courses in both middle and high school.
 
“I enjoy being able to learn to code because I feel that’s something becoming a lot more prevalent today,” Owen said. “It’s a useful skill.”
 
“I’m kind of amazed at how developed my students are with their coding skills when they get here,” McGinley said. “I think that kind of allows us to raise our expectations, so I think it’s a great idea to get them started young.”
 
McGinley said he would encourage people of all ages to enter the world of coding.
 
“Anybody can be successful in coding,” McGinley said. “Even people who wouldn’t think that they would normally be good at coding, just give it a try, because I think it’s a great path to pursue.”
 
LPS students explore computer science topics in many classes and school organizations. Visit home.lps.org/cte/cs to discover more information about our computer science curriculum. 
 
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Posted on December 12, 2025

Hemmett earns statewide honor for school counseling leadership

The Nebraska School Counselor Association (NSCA) named LPS School Counseling Supervisor Lori Hemmett as the 2025 Administrator of the Year in November. It’s an honor she shares with the 137 school counselors serving LPS.

“This recognition means a lot because the nomination comes from the group I feel are my peers and who I aim to serve and advocate for every day,” Hemmett said. 

Hemmett’s path at LPS began in 2002 as a Spanish teacher at Southwest High School, where she was part of the original staff. After nine years, she moved to North Star High School to start her school counseling career. In 2016, she became the leader of East High School’s counseling team. She’s been in her current position as school counseling supervisor for three years.

“I was drawn to education because I knew I loved to work and help people, and what I discovered throughout my career is that my ability to foster and cultivate relationships was my biggest strength,” Hemmett said. “Leaning on this, I was drawn more and more to helping the adults I worked with have strong systems and support so they could best serve students, and that is what drew me to become an administrator.”

Hemmett said she started with a simple vision that outlined the role of the school counselor and the need for articulated goals and a K-12 school counseling curriculum.

“School counselors are involved in all facets of school, ensuring that all students have access to an adult that can help them with personal needs, academic support and career exploration, so I serve on several committees and other groups in order to bring the school counseling perspective to light when decisions are being made about programming, systems and student supports for all our students in LPS,” Hemmett said. 

Within her tenure as the school district’s counseling supervisor, LPS has added 24  school counseling positions. The school district added 16 counseling staff at the elementary level, two at middle school and six at high school.

Currently, the counseling team is building its school counseling core curricula with lessons based in four quarterly themes. These are designed to support the LPS mission of preparing all students for successful careers, lifelong learning and civic engagement. LPS also initiated an elementary summer school counseling program, featuring lessons designed to reinforce prosocial and career readiness skills for all elementary summer school students in grades K-5.  

“All of these initiatives exist because the hard-working school counselors in LPS demonstrate the importance of great school counseling, and that when we all work together with the same focus, we can make a difference and create outcomes for student learning and success,” Hemmett said.

During the NSCA awards luncheon, six LPS counselors were among the 12 finalists for Nebraska School Counselor of the Year. Ann Spotanski, the school counselor at Clinton Elementary School, received the NSCA Elementary School Counselor of the Year Award. Spotanski said Hemmett has been a role model for everyone at LPS with her award-winning leadership.

“I believe that leaders grow leaders,” Spotanski said. “That is what Lori has done for school counselors in LPS. Also, why I believe so many LPS counselors were recognized. She guides us to be our best and sets every one of us up for success within our own building.”

Want to learn more about school counseling at Lincoln Public Schools? Visit our website at home.lps.org/counseling to get more information. 

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Posted on December 11, 2025

New career readiness curriculum creates more college applicants at Bryan Community

Bryan Community students are watching college doors fly open this fall thanks to an increased focus on career readiness in school.
 
The Phoenix are using field trips, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) classes and personalized career planning sessions to achieve success. Prior to three years ago, only a handful of Bryan Community students applied to college each year. The school’s new strategy yielded nearly 25 college applications last spring, and that number is likely to grow for members of the Class of 2026.
 
Bryan seniors Shy, Emily and Bel are all planning to walk through college entryways. They credited Melissa Sellon, Chelsea Gibeault and Joanna Davis-Yoakum with helping them find postsecondary paths. Sellon is the school counselor and Gibeault and Davis-Yoakum lead AVID classes.
 
“They actually take the time to know what each of us want to do after we graduate,” Shy said. “Once they know, they try to help us learn about what we want to do so we’re prepared for it.”
 
“I like that they’re providing us with information and resources for how to get into college,” Emily said. “I really appreciate that we’re getting opportunities to find that information. It’s helping us find scholarships so we can go to school for a lot less money than we would have otherwise.”
 
“It’s just overall bettering your skills,” Bel said. “They’re teaching us about writing, doing essays, catching information on slides and getting an overall idea of longer pieces of information. They’re showing us a lot of things that we’ll need.”

 
Sellon, Gibeault and Davis-Yoakum came to Bryan three years ago when the school introduced a multi-pronged plan to boost college application rates. Establishing AVID classes was one of the strategy’s major components. The AVID curriculum teaches academic, social and behavioral skills that prepare students for both college and the workplace.
 
Gibeault said it has been exciting to watch students put their newfound AVID talents into practice. Not only have college applications increased, but the Phoenix are securing more scholarships and career footholds as well.
 
“The first year we started AVID, even bringing up college was met with a lot of animosity from the students,” Gibeault said. “But now, when you start the year, they already know, ‘Well, I’m going to go to this apprenticeship,’ or ‘I know I want to go to this school first and then transfer here.’ It’s transitioned from us teaching about college to being able to dive in and learn about the paths they’ve chosen and start getting them on that path. It’s really exciting for us.”
 
Sellon said Gibeault and Davis-Yoakum have created a culture that values ongoing learning and the pursuit of education and training beyond high school. They invest more class time to talk through the college-going process, since many students will be the first members of their families to attend.
 
“Bryan has long mastered getting students to graduation day, and we wanted to go even further: to the ‘beyond’ part of our mission,” Sellon said. “Not only are my AVID teachers incredibly knowledgeable about teaching postsecondary skills through the AVID framework, but they go above and beyond to plan how to tailor that for our specific population.”

During one class period, Gibeault asked students to read a handful of winning scholarship essays. After identifying strong points from each one, they began writing their own 500-word scholarship letters. They learned how to tell their own stories, deliver compelling introductions and explain why they were a good candidate for the award.
 
Bel took many notes from each essay before starting the first draft of her letter. She plans to major in social work in college and hopes to become a police officer.
 
“They help you go through things like this so you know what to do,” Bel said. “Where do you need help? What exactly are you looking for? They can help you get the closest thing to a perfect resource that you need to be successful.”
 
Bryan Community has also increased the number of field trips students have taken over the past three years. They have leaned into experiential trips that provide hands-on activities for the Phoenix. These have included visits to industrial arts classrooms, hairstyling schools and health care facilities.
 
Shy and Emily have both benefited from the field trips initiative. Shy was accepted at a local hairstyling college after visiting it with Bryan classmates last year. Emily plans to pursue either a career in criminal justice or automotive mechanics in college. Her interest level in the auto field increased this fall after a group of Phoenix went to Southeast Community College’s Milford campus.
 
Gibeault said the auto mechanics visit made a noticeable impact on students. They practiced painting a car with a virtual reality headset, worked with powersports engines and learned how to change car tires. Bryan is now partnering with the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to create Fund-A-Needs for additional field trips.

 
“We had a few students who dove right in,” Gibeault said. “They were just buzzing with excitement and jumping up and down. It was a really cool trip.”
 
Sellon said she is proud that many more Bryan students will be telling their stories at postsecondary institutions in the future.
 
“Their voices deserve to be heard,” Sellon said. “I’m just happy to hand them the microphone.”
 
AVID classes are helping many LPS students boost their future prospects. Visit our website at home.lps.org/avid to learn more about the AVID process and how middle and high school students can apply for the program.
 
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Posted on December 11, 2025

LPS honored for noteworthy contributions to All-State music event

Lincoln Public Schools employees received a note of encouragement this fall when they were honored for helping students play sweet sounds at a state music convention.
 
The Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) presented the LPS Music Department with the Bryan R. Johnson Distinguished Service Award. The NMEA gives special recognition each year to individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the music profession in Nebraska. LPS received the award this fall for providing music instruments and equipment for the NMEA Conference/In-Service Clinic on an annual basis.
 
“The LPS Music Department and the Nebraska Music Education Association share a deeply valued and longstanding partnership,” NMEA President Debbie Martinez said. “In recognition of the extraordinary support the LPS Music Department provides in ensuring the annual NMEA Conference is a success, the NMEA board is proud to present them with the Bryan R. Johnson Distinguished Service Award.”
 
NMEA Executive Director Cheyenne Grannan and NMEA Immediate Past President Clay Blackman said many All-State musicians and their families have benefited from the annual LPS contributions. All-State orchestra, choir, concert band and jazz band ensembles use the instruments for their public concerts at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts.
 
Groups from many Nebraska schools also perform at the NMEA event. More than 2,000 K-12 students, music educators, college students and music exhibitors gathered in Lincoln this fall for concerts, clinics and networking opportunities.
 
“The Lincoln Public Schools should be lauded for their willingness to help the Nebraska Music Education Association, which in turn, helps every All-State student, parent and teacher,” Blackman said. “For that reason, NMEA was more than happy to award them the Bryan R. Johnson Distinguished Service Award.”

“Their staff is consistently responsive and flexible, ensuring that our event operates smoothly,” Grannan said. “They also go above and beyond, taking extra measures to verify that any equipment they provide is in the best condition possible. Without this partnership, we would not be able to hold our concert hours, which showcased 18 different student ensembles during the conference.”

 
Amy Holloman is the LPS supervisor of music and Amy Thorpe is the LPS music coordinator. Both gave a large amount of credit to the LPS Distribution Center team for transporting items to and from the downtown conference sites. LPS Distribution Center Warehouse Supervisor Brian Kailing and fellow employees spent multiple hours planning logistics, delivering items before the convention and picking up instruments and equipment after the final All-State concert.
 
“Our music department works often and closely with distribution on a regular basis,” Holloman said. “Brian Kailing and his department are always wonderful to work with and have been flexible in times where we needed to pivot for pickup/delivery based on something beyond our control. We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful relationship we have with our colleagues at distribution!”
 
“We were incredibly humbled to be honored and grateful to have such a fantastic LPS Distribution Department that transports equipment across our district,” Thorpe said. “They are an incredibly hardworking team, and we are so glad that they were recognized for the outstanding service they continue to provide.”
 
Kailing said the distribution team enjoys helping the NMEA Conference run smoothly. LPS employees transported a marimba, xylophone, bass drum, glockenspiel, tam tams, chimes and a set of timpani for All-State musicians to use this year. A large portion of the convention took place at the Lied Center for Performing Arts and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Westbrook Music Building.
 
“We are just a small part of the puzzle for this event,” Kailing said. “Even though we are not in the classrooms, we take pride in knowing that we contribute to the overall success of the students and staff of LPS.”
 
Music and distribution employees begin planning their transportation strategy in early October each year. LPS high schools share instruments for the conference on a rotating basis, and it was East High School’s turn to provide items for the 2025 event. Holloman, Thorpe and Kailing determined how best to move instruments out of East’s building, which route to use to go downtown and when and where the NMEA would like instruments to be dropped off.
 
NMEA leaders provide a final list of needed instruments to LPS one week prior to the convention each fall. The All-State inventory can vary from year to year. Kailing said his team fit all of the 2025 items into one truck, which helped workers navigate construction by the UNL Glenn Korff School of Music more easily. LPS delivered two trucks' worth of equipment to the NMEA for last year’s conference.
 
Thorpe said teamwork is a vital component of the delivery and pickup process. Phone calls, e-mail messages and face-to-face meetings allow everyone to finalize important details each year.
 
“With so many involved, a positive working relationship and strong communication are essential,” Thorpe said.

 
Martinez said that helpful attitude was on full display during the past two years of construction at UNL. She praised the LPS team’s “consistent and exceptional willingness” to provide NMEA with instruments and equipment for the conference.
 
“During the period when construction required NMEA to relocate to other venues without essential resources, the LPS Music Department demonstrated exemplary teamwork,” Martinez said. “They transformed what could have been a debilitating logistical problem – far surpassing the routine movement of equipment – into a manageable operation through creative and shared solutions.”

Grannan said it is important to recognize these types of behind-the-scenes efforts. She said the timely delivery of percussion equipment and other essential gear ensures that each venue is ready to go for students, teachers and audiences.

“These logistical contributions often happen out of sight, yet they make every onstage moment possible,” Grannan said. “Honoring this work underscores how vital LPS’ support is to producing rehearsals, concerts and a positive experience for students and directors at this event that brings together people from across our state.”
 
Holloman said it is rewarding to know that LPS employees are giving students a chance to record pitch-perfect All-State moments every year.
 
“We have continued to provide instruments and equipment to help ensure LPS and Nebraska All-State students have access to what they need for a successful performing experience,” Holloman said.
 
LPS music teachers and administrators are helping students compose many sweet-sounding achievements in practices, concerts and performances. Visit our website at home.lps.org/music to learn more about our music curriculum. 
 
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Posted on December 10, 2025

Styling their futures: Bryan students explore careers in hair and makeup

Lincoln Public Schools students Jurny and Amiah saw how they could style their futures in the world of hair and makeup during a field trip to downtown Lincoln.
 
The Bryan Community Focus Program classmates traveled to the College of Hair Design (CHD) alongside fellow AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students. The group learned how to become hairstylists, cosmetologists and estheticians and discovered how those jobs help other people.
 
Jurny and Amiah said they are interested in traveling on that career path after earning their LPS diplomas. They said the topics of hair and cosmetology have had positive effects on their own lives.
 
“I love doing my hair and makeup and just love it in general,” Jurny said. “I know how it can make everybody else feel, and I just want to bring that good feeling to other people.”
 
“I always felt like those were things I enjoyed,” Amiah said. “What’s something that I like to do that I can combine with art and creativity, and then also make money from it and give people something that they like? I was like, ‘Oh, I could do hair. I could do makeup. I could do nails. I could do body care.’”

 
The field trip was the latest career exploration adventure for Bryan students in the AVID program. They have investigated a wide variety of job options by visiting with professionals, touring workplaces and learning about postgraduate schools. They went on six field trips last year and will take at least that many this year.
 
Bryan teachers Chelsea Gibeault and Joanna Davis-Yoakum and school counselor Melissa Sellon accompanied the group to the College of Hair Design. Gibeault and Davis-Yoakum began leading AVID classes at Bryan last year and incorporated field trips into their lineup of lessons. Gibeault said providing students with firsthand views of potential careers has been life-changing for many of them.
 
“Last year we had more kids apply to college and get accepted to college than ever before, and we attribute a lot of that to the field trips,” Gibeault said. “The trips showed students what the possibilities for their futures are. They showed them that these are careers they can do, and once the kids saw that, they wanted to know what steps they needed to take to get there.”

 
Gibeault and Davis-Yoakum have asked AVID students about their career interests to gauge which field trip locations would have the most impact. Class members have also completed career assessments to further pin down prime destinations.
 
“A lot of our students have been interested in cosmetology, esthetician or barber,” Davis-Yoakum said. “We decided that we would make it a point to take our students on a field trip to this area.”
 
Bryan sophomore Maddix said he was impressed with what he learned during the visit. Four current CHD students talked about their experiences at the school and why they wanted to join the profession. Several CHD instructors also spoke about their backgrounds and offered details about the college’s curriculum, class structure and financial aid options.
 
“It was really informative and it was really open,” Maddix said. “You could talk back and forth and there was a lot of opportunity to get feedback. It was less of a one-sided lecture and more of a conversation.”

 
CHD students complete 1,800 hours of schooling in the barber arts curriculum. In addition to core elements such as cutting, styling, shaving and chemical texturing, they also study chemistry, bacteriology and skin and nail diseases.
 
Jurnie has been cutting, styling and dyeing her own hair for several years. She would like to attend CHD and eventually open her own hairstyling business. She spoke with excitement after the presentation and building tour were completed.
 
“I want to do cosmetology and hair-cutting in the future, which is a big reason why I wanted to come today,” Jurnie said. “Coming here and hearing about the experiences everybody had made it set that I wanted to come here for school.”
 
Amiah said a previous conversation with a CHD staff member had been a confidence-boosting moment. The same staff member spoke with students during the field trip, which reinforced Amiah’s belief that a hairstyling career was possible.
 
“I’m the main person pushing myself to do it and I want it the most, so I feel like I can do it,” Amiah said. “She gave me a lot of motivation.”
 
Gibeault, Davis-Yoakum and Sellon said the field trips have dovetailed well with a new state law requiring students to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Sellon said it has been a revelation for many future LPS graduates to know that scholarships and grants are available.
 
“With the FAFSA law, kids are realizing that they can get financial aid to go to school,” Sellon said. “Some of them never knew that before.”
 
Gibeault said it is encouraging to watch Bryan students begin to braid together successful career outlooks this year.
 
“We’ve never had as many kids bring up the topic of college to us as they have recently,” Gibeault said. “It’s really cool. They’re definitely focusing on their futures.”

Learn more about our AVID program on the LPS website at https://home.lps.org/avid/.
 
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Posted on December 10, 2025

Lincoln AFJROTC cadets build camaraderie at Papillion Fitness Challenge

Lincoln Public Schools cadets made healthy history this fall by competing against students from across the state in a fitness challenge.
 
Lincoln Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) members traveled to Liberty Middle School in Papillion for the Papillion Fitness Challenge. Jackson, Sam, Saryia, Trinity, Kriss and Mathiaus completed multiple indoor and outdoor activities during the morning and early afternoon. They represented the NE-20091 AFJROTC detachment in both individual and team-based contests.
 
Mathiaus, Kriss, Sam and Jackson said they were glad to experience the event for the first time. They said it taught them valuable lessons about communication, teamwork and camaraderie.
 
“It was very fun and encouraging,” Mathiaus said.
 
“It’s very important to have team-building exercises,” Jackson said. “We learn to work together and build friendship.”
 
“It’s very important, because we build each other up and we strengthen our character as people and teammates,” Kriss said.
 
“It is important to have team-building activities like it in class, so then each person is comfortable with the other people around,” Sam said.

 
Retired Master Sergeant Justin Twilley is the LPS aerospace science instructor. He felt the trip generated long-lasting benefits for everyone involved, especially with respect to teamwork.
 
“Team building is the cornerstone of willful learning in my experience,” Twilley said. “People are willing to take shortcuts for themselves, but they will often go further for others than they will for themselves. Any activity that builds a small team or a small unit will almost always get better results, as the individuals will stop working for themselves and will try to advance the group’s interests instead. The moment when they start self-correcting and managing each other’s behaviors is a great thing to see.”
 
The Papillion Fitness Challenge is part of a nationwide JROTC fitness program called Raiders. Students from all six military branches compete in an array of team-based fitness challenges. They square off against other schools in male, female and co-ed categories.
 
The Papillion event featured physical education contests such as sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups inside the school’s gym. Students then journeyed outside for a series of endurance exercises. They participated in a rescue drill activity by carrying and pulling their partners across a football field. They also competed in relay races on the track.

 
The Lincoln cadets recorded many bright individual moments. Sam returned home with a championship medal after completing 63 sit-ups, and multiple students registered personal-best marks in their fitness categories. Twilley said the competition gave them a chance to reach current goals and discover new ones to set for the future.
 
“Fitness activities are always great for the obvious reasons like health and wellness, but competitions are wonderful for showing everyone how far they need to go,” Twilley said. “Seeing their peers perform the same activities and being able to measure themselves directly gives them real, tangible targets to aim for. The direct effect on their confidence and ability to interact with new environments only continues to build their personal toolkits and prepare them for new challenges.”
 
Jackson and Kriss said they picked up the tools of perspective, strategy and fortitude at the contest. In addition to showcasing these skills in physical fitness activities, they will also use them in their academic work each day.
 
“I learned how to pace myself during challenges,” Jackson said. “I also learned proper form and how to build more usable muscle.”
 
“It teaches you endurance and to have fun,” Kriss said. “And to not be discouraged about not getting a certain score as long as you had fun.”
 
The cadets also used the Papillion Fitness Challenge as a way to create community engagement opportunities. They met fellow JROTC members from many high schools and gained new ideas about possible classroom and physical fitness activities. They discovered that a large number of students are interested in participating in Raiders.
 
Twilley felt the trip to Sarpy County was a successful one for LPS. He said it was encouraging to watch students make positive memories from their time together.
 
“We are teaching the cadets how to function in a small team, how to manage at their own level, and how to coordinate and effectively communicate as they strive for a common goal,” Twilley said. “It may be a simple event, but the return we get from our cadets is a marked spirit of camaraderie and self-confidence, as well as a huge boost to their peer reliance.”
 
LPS students are gaining lifelong skills through our focus programs like AFJROTC. Visit home.lps.org/focus to learn more about how you can choose your journey with LPS Focus Programs. 
 
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Posted on December 09, 2025

LPS chefs display first-class cooking skills at LPS contest in new location

East High School junior Addie symbolized the main goal of this fall’s LPS Culinary Contest when she chose to decorate her frosted cookies with images of an owl.
 
Addie joined more than 200 Lincoln Public Schools students for a full day of culinary competitions at the Nebraska Innovation Campus. They gained owl-level wisdom by cooking, preparing, decorating and plating food for judges in more than a dozen contests. They also toured the Nebraska Innovation Studio, participated in food science activities and met fellow chefs from across the city.

Kristin Vest, the LPS coordinator for both family and consumer sciences (FCS) and health sciences, said students and teachers were excited about having the contest at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the first time. The event was beginning to outgrow its previous home at The Career Academy, and UNL leaders were interested in providing space for hundreds of participants and guests. The result was a five-star meal of academic opportunities for everyone.

 
“We are so grateful for the partnership with UNL and their willingness to support our students in helping to host this event for us,” Vest said. “The feedback from our students, teachers, volunteers, judges and UNL faculty and staff has all been positive. They have all asked us back next year!”
 
Addie began decorating cookies for the first time this year as part of her culinary classes. She said she has enjoyed figuring out how to make cookies interesting and attractive through the use of colors, textures and designs. She returned home from the contest with a first-place medal in the Culinary II Decorated Cookie - Royal Icing category.
 
“I just think it’s fun and calming,” Addie said. “You get to be creative.”

 
Grayson walked into the banquet hall with the same energetic mindset. The Standing Bear sophomore said he was looking forward to competing in a salad plating contest later that morning. He was also pleased to meet other students who shared his culinary interests. He joined Addie on the awards list with a first-place showing in the Culinary II Salads event.
 
“I love culinary a lot, so I thought it would be a great day to go around and see things,” Grayson said.
 
Vest was pleased to hear those types of comments as she oversaw activities in the banquet hall. She has watched the culinary contest expand its menu of options during the past four years. She said students learned a great deal from creating tasty entrees, decorating cookies and displaying vegetable-slicing talents.
 
“When students are working to demonstrate their culinary skills in a competitive way, they are earning recognition, communicating with industry professionals and showcasing their creativity and the technical skills learned in their culinary classes,” Vest said. “Additionally, for our students participating in the team competition events, they showcase communication skills, problem solving and teamwork in addition to the creative and technical skills learned in their culinary classes.”
 
Tracy Richter was one of six judges who worked with students during the dessert plating contest. Richter is senior assistant director of dining with UNL’s University Dining Service, and she was interested in learning more about the pipeline of potential culinary talent in Lincoln. A friend told her about judging opportunities at the LPS Culinary Contest, and she seized the chance for the first time last year.
 
“I thought it was a good opportunity to see the up-and-coming culinary and hospitality students,” Richter said. “It’s fun to see the students’ creativity and what they learn in school.”

 
Richter watched more than a dozen chefs display cheesecakes for the dessert plating contest. Northwest student Izabella produced a raspberry cheesecake theme for her dessert, and Southwest student Sutton created pink butterfly wings at the ends of her display. Other students incorporated beach colors, avocados and mixed berries into their presentations.
 
“It was good,” Richter said. “There was a lot of creativity. There were some nervous hands too, but they did really well.”
 
Younger chefs like Standing Bear students Delaney and Isaac were also eager to explore the contest’s academic opportunities. They were preparing to represent Standing Bear in one of the day’s quiz bowls. The contest requires teams to answer trivia questions about cooking terms, processes, equipment and ingredients.
 
“I decided to come today because I really enjoy culinary, and I think it’s really cool to get information about it,” Delaney said. “I’m doing the quiz bowl, so I like learning a lot of information.”

 
Isaac said he has enjoyed taking the Culinary I: Fundamentals of Food and Nutrition class this fall. The course serves as a foundation for a series of culinary arts classes at LPS.
 
“I feel like Culinary I is more about nutrients than it is about cooking techniques right now, but that’s okay, because you need to know what you’re eating,” Isaac said. “It’s been fun learning more things about that.”
 
The Culinary II: Culinary Skills course teaches students basic professional food preparation requirements and safe and sanitary food practices. The Culinary III: Advanced Culinary Skills class builds upon that knowledge by giving them chances to prepare meals and learn plating techniques.
 
Delaney said she was looking forward to stepping into the entrée arena for herself one day. She wanted to follow Addie’s example and continue accumulating owl-level cooking wisdom for a possible future career.
 
“I’m definitely open-minded about that,” Delaney said. “I think it’s a lot of fun to do this.”

2025 LPS Culinary Contest Results

Culinary I Knife Skills (34 entries)

1) Selena Mukusha (Southwest), 2) Oakley Coffman (Standing Bear), 3) Mady Thelen (Northeast), 4) Tracy Liu (Standing Bear), 5) Diamond Martin (East), 6) August Downes (Southwest), 7) Thao Ong (Northeast), 8) Gabe Albright (Lincoln High), 9) Ben Lynch (Lincoln High), 10) Brooke Lofquist (Standing Bear)

Culinary I Quiz Bowl (eight teams)

1) Standing Bear, 2) Southeast

Culinary I Nutrition Poster

1) Al Lococo (Lincoln High), 2) Graycie Kumpula (East), 3) Aaliyah Lafon Patterson (Southeast)

Culinary II Quiz Bowl (five teams)

1) Lincoln High, 2) East

Culinary II Safety and Sanitation Poster

1) Jennifer Cruz Guzman (Lincoln High), 2) Lily Hoffart (East), 3) Adyson Lakey (Southeast)

Culinary II Sauces (21 entries)

1) Eddie Meza-Vidales (Lincoln High), 2) Kaleigh Epps (Lincoln High), 3) Spencer Cacek (Standing Bear)

Culinary II Salads (20 entries)

1) Grayson Schroeder (Standing Bear), 2) Alex Rasmussen (Northeast), 3) Dorian Knowlin (Southeast)

Culinary II Decorated Cookie – Royal Icing (13 entries)

1) Addie Odle (East), 2) Anna Gomez-Rozmairek (Lincoln High), 3) Isabelle Watkins (Southeast)

Culinary II Decorated Cookie – Buttercream Icing (12 entries)

1) Chloe Troupe (Standing Bear), 2) Zoriah Stevens (Lincoln High), 3) Abby Irons (Southwest)

Culinary III Dessert Plating (11 entries)

1) Sutton Classen (Southwest), 2) Anthony Steen (Southeast), 3) Laura Traudt (Southwest)

Culinary III Team Entrée Competition (six teams)

1) Southwest Silver (Sam Cederberg, Prince Goronga, Mikayla Vauiso, Hailey Wagner), 2) Southwest Green (Jack Lipka, Lily Newcomer, Madeline Prouty), 3) Standing Bear Grizzlies, 4) Southwest Knights of the Round Tablecloth, 5) Southeast MidKnight Snackers, 6) North Star Gators

School Spirit Award

Standing Bear High School (For showcasing school spirit, attentiveness and participation in demonstrating excellent sportsmanship during the culinary competition)
 
LPS students are cooking up a full menu of nutritious academic meals in their culinary arts classes. Visit home.lps.org/cte/fcs to learn more about the school district’s family and consumer sciences (FCS) courses.
 
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Posted on December 08, 2025

LPS students shine in All-State music concerts

Lincoln Public Schools students scaled to the top of the All-State music mountain this fall when they sang and played with scores of other elite performers.
 
Elementary, middle and high school students took part in rehearsals and concerts at the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) Conference/In-Service Clinic. More than 2,000 teachers, exhibitors, college students and K-12 performers gathered in Lincoln for the All-State weekend. They showcased their musical skills at five downtown venues.
 
Southeast High School junior Charlotte made her second career appearance in the All-State Choir this fall. She said forming new friendships was her favorite part of singing with the group.
 
“It’s a really cool feeling already to be surrounded by 450 of the most talented people in the state, but it’s especially cool when you get to spend time with people from other schools that you know but don’t usually see, or even have the chance to meet new people,” Charlotte said. “That’s something I find so beautiful about music in Nebraska as a whole.”

 
Heera Jang and Riley Herringer both said the All-State experience was a superb teaching tool for students like Charlotte. Jang leads music classes at Prescott Elementary School and Herringer is head vocal music director at Southeast. Jang had four Panthers sing in the All-State Children’s Choir, and Herringer had ten Knights who were either selected for the All-State Choir or chosen as an alternate.
 
“I think participating in the All-State Choir gives students the opportunity to greatly improve their musical skills and gain confidence by working with an advanced ensemble and performing on a big stage,” Jang said. “It also helps them build responsibility and patience as they stay focused during long rehearsals while preparing for the concert.”
 
“Music connects people, and this unique shared experience allows all students involved to make music at a high level where everyone is invested in what they are doing,” Herringer said. “This is one of the experiences in our students’ lives that is hard to replicate and requires them to be engaged in learning and open to trying new things. Being able to make music like this with people they’ve never met before connects to the humanities we try to teach our students every day.”

 
LPS Supervisor of Music Amy Holloman expressed excitement about the large number of LPS students who were accepted into All-State groups. Musicians from 15 elementary, nine middle and seven high schools represented the school district on stage. This year’s concert lineup featured music from the All-State Band, All-State Chorus, All-State Jazz Band, All-State Orchestra, All-State Middle Level Band, All-State Middle Level String Orchestra and All-State Children’s Choir.
 
“We are always incredibly proud of the number of students from LPS who are represented in All-State ensembles each year,” Holloman said. “That is a testament to the outstanding instruction and music opportunities that our LPS directors provide.”
 
Holloman said it is challenging to earn spots. Elementary music teachers are allowed to nominate only a few students for the All-State Children’s Choir each year. Middle and high school students must compete for positions through a statewide audition process. They record digital files of their music and upload them through a website portal for judges to review.
 
“Students from all over the state audition every year to be selected as a Nebraska Music All-State student,” Holloman said. “It is the highest honor a music student can receive. The preparation and musical rigor is very difficult, and students spend many hours preparing for their audition.”
 
Pershing Elementary School music teacher Nicholas Besse said it was meaningful for five of his students to appear in the All-State spotlight. Alison, Gwen, Daynica, Adaline and Emerson learned they could achieve many life goals through hard work and motivation.
 
“For some of them, this was their very first time performing on a stage, much less singing alongside nearly 400 other students from across Nebraska,” Besse said. “Experiences like this show them a world of possibility beyond their everyday environment. They get to work with outstanding conductors, meet peers who share their love of music, and feel what it’s like to be part of something much bigger than themselves. Our Pershing students came back proud, inspired and excited to keep growing as musicians.”

 
Charlotte and Herringer both said the All-State kinship made the weekend even more special.
 
“From your school’s choir director to a director of a college ensemble, everyone in the festival wants to see you succeed, especially the All-State director,” Charlotte said. “Although it’s not possible for one All-State Choir director to individually meet and connect with everyone, they still want you, as a person, to enjoy your experience and to grow as a singer and person.”
 
“Students often find strong community ties to the music programs in our schools, and it’s very cool to see them experience that same feeling of community and belonging on such a large scale,” Herringer said. “Our students know that they are not alone in their interests and talents. It’s so special to see them shine in a place where they are understood and valued for who they are and what they can do.”
 
Charlotte said her All-State trip was a mountaintop experience that amplified her love of music.
 
“I met so many fantastic people and made some memories that I will remember not only for the rest of my high school career, but for the rest of my life,” Charlotte said. “All-State is a blessing and a privilege, and I could not be happier to participate.”

2025 LPS All-State Music Participants

All-State Children’s Choir

Arnold Elementary School: Alyssa Vine, Allura Duran, Luna Edwards, Aleah Hochstein, Emilia Wendel
Calvert Elementary School: Sebastian McAndrew, Eva Hicks, Harper Huckeby
Campbell Elementary School: Becca Broxterman, May Byron, Julissa Moncayo Gallegos, William Moses, Em Towle
Clinton Elementary School: Jaxon Dane, Remedi Wynne, Brinda Garis, Carlos Gonzalez
Fredstrom Elementary School: Dima Kheder, Jocelyn Joya, Brooks Quiring, Dah Hse
Hartley Elementary School: Eleanora Sheen, Angie Reyes, Grant Vadnais
Holmes Elementary School: Kendall Phillip, Nick Schwab
Kloefkorn Elementary School: Ben Furasek, Amaiya Zeeb, Brenna Hesser, Lucy Rischling, Lincoln Lambert
Maxey Elementary School: Kaylei Smith, Celia Barjenbruch, Breckin Carlson, Mattea Berge, Sawyer Suing, Tilly Kuhn
Pershing Elementary School: Alison Truong, Gwen Villines, Daynica Temple, Adaline Berks, Emerson Beaubier
Prescott Elementary School: Isley Hamel, Ivy O’Donnell, Olivia Owens, Fiona Ross
Randolph Elementary School: Phoebe Anderzhon, Leia Arleque, Johnnie Dodge, Iggy Gengler, Archer Sullivan
Robinson Elementary School: JJ Hansen, Izzy Johnson, Everly Sampson
Rousseau Elementary School: Lennon Abbott, Estella Pabst Beltran, Selah Cunningham, Amiah Hoover, Penelope Ianno, Kylie Kingery
Sheridan Elementary School: Oscar Lohrman, Bridget O’Donnell, Jane Rawson, Hudson Salem

All-State Middle Level Band

Culler Middle School: Sophia Contino (alternate), Elsa Luke (alternate)
Lux Middle School: Ella Peters, Nataliya Schliep, Liam Yunghans
Mickle Middle School: Keira Anderson, Mackenzie Nelson, Natalie Stone
Moore Middle School: Hailey Baker, Norah Profitt
Park Middle School: Orlando Streater
Pound Middle School: Toby Peterson, Phoebe Pointon
Scott Middle School: Logan Rowe

All-State Middle Level String Orchestra

Irving Middle School: Sawyer Antholz, Carson Blimling (alternate), Auggie Hansen, Amelia Harewood, Jaxon Harvey, Clara Hoyer, Qianyi Lu, Micah McKee, Elise Peters
Lux Middle School: Henry Conroy, Valerio Forgione, Koen Kanter, Harrison Littrell, Bella Sharif, Tyler Wilson, Judah Wittenburg
Moore Middle School: Mia Cooper, Lauren Ham, Mady Hart, Phoebe Stohs, Adeline Tran, Jonathan Zeng
Schoo Middle School: Teresa Dao, Kelvin Howell (alternate), Nadiya Solodovnik
Scott Middle School: Charlie Chance, Hazel Costenbader, Charlotte Handelman, Lucy Marino, Lucy Neri, Vanessa Pham, Logan Rowe

All-State Band

East High School: Julia Tully
Lincoln High: Oliver Brassil, Orion Welsch-Mixan
Northwest High School: Sierra Albers (alternate), Harper Pryor, Averie Smith, Olivia Solodovnik
Southeast High School: Madeleine Melang-Thoren, Joslyn Morgan, Brayden Neesen, Savannah Runyan
Southwest High School: Macy Gonderinger
Standing Bear High School: Hannah Baker, Peyton Roker (alternate)

All-State Chorus

East High School: Delton Dellinger, Alex Duden, Sawyer Elley, Myles Hardt, Zach Johannes, Emily Kumm, Harper Ricenbaw, Noah Robb, Gibson Sayre, Sophia Schulz, Phoebe Strong, Joslyn Walton
Lincoln High: Addison Davy, Avery Fletcher, Alex Gansher, Eli Martin, Sam Maser, Ryan Ostrander, Juliana Vazquez-Tapia
Southeast High School: Hanchan Ang, Carly Brittenham, Grayson Crabtree, Blake Gustafson, Avalee Hoyer, Sydney Kjeldgaard, Charlotte Mar, Devin Miller, Neely Nichols, Zenjin Schroeder (alternate)
Southwest High School: Emily Ayres, Garytt Brown, Leah Byelick, Joshua Carl, Xauiki Garcia-Adame, Kyrus Jensen, Grant Johnson, Jeremiah Keele, Josiah Kirchner, Vee Lundquist, Mide Omoniyi, Chance Ready, Esther Robinson, Carson Rogers, Avery Runestad, Edie Ulrich, Lily Wirth, Cayson Witt
Standing Bear High School: Gus Rose, Kenzie Schaefer

All-State Jazz Band

Lincoln High: Liam Giesbrecht (alternate)

All-State Orchestra

East High School: Bennett Bacon, Cecilia Cary, Wensi Cui, Luigi Forgione, Alyssa Freeman, Charlotte Fryda, Konnor Garrett, Alex Ge, William Guo, Anisa Kholmurodzoda, Annabelle Kumm, Abby Moorehead, Jeff Shen, Cora Thompson, Avery White, Brooks Xia (alternate), Jade Xia
Lincoln High: Sebastian Aracena, Colt Dillashaw, Eleanor Erickson, Hugh Skretta (alternate)
North Star High School: Wade Metzger
Southeast High School: Lucy Deitering, Hudson Lewandowski, Miles Melang-Thoren, Nnadozie Ogbonnaya, Baran Safa, Scott von Scheliha
Southwest High School: Lily Bohnart, Elsa Cortinas, Jamison Dixon, Kaylee James, Lily Johnston, Khang Nguyen, Ha Quach, Weili Wang, Caitlyn Yeggy
Standing Bear High School: Sam Cooper, Daniel Seifert, Jacob Thimmesch

LPS students are learning many life skills from their music experiences in elementary, middle and high school. Visit home.lps.org/music to find out more about our music curriculum.

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Posted on December 08, 2025

LPS students show kindness to others with Food Blitz drive

Hundreds of local residents will receive nourishing meals this holiday season thanks to hard work of many Lincoln Public Schools students.
 
LPS high schoolers gathered more than six tons of food and hygiene items for the People’s City Mission (PCM) during the Food Blitz XIII event. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and DECA business club students from East, North Star, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest and Standing Bear displayed life-changing kindness at the food drive. They collected 12,526 pounds of materials from shoppers at Lincoln grocery stores and transported the items to PCM’s headquarters.
 
Southwest FBLA students Harnoor, Addison and Xavier said it was fulfilling to help others with their gifts of communication, teamwork and volunteerism. They promoted the event on multiple media outlets, spoke to people at grocery stores and packed food, water, toiletries and cooking supplies into trucks.
 
“I think it is so important to help the community by doing this event because everyone deserves the opportunity to have an adequate amount of food, especially for those who may not be able to afford enough to feed themselves and their families,” Addison said.
 
“One thing I enjoyed about this year’s Food Blitz was having the chance to interact with the community,” Harnoor said. “I was able to talk with those who donated, but also those who were curious about what we were doing. In the end, everyone understood the impact that our Food Blitz makes and supported us in any way they could.”
 
“It was amazing to see so many chapter members passionate about our cause of fighting against food insecurity,” Xavier said. “It felt a lot like one of our biggest years yet, and to be able to work on all aspects of the event from news promotion to being there the day of, it was awesome to be so involved.”

 
Southwest business teacher Josh Hinrichs said he was thrilled with the way the Silver Hawks responded to the community’s need. Hinrichs advises the school’s FBLA chapter and began a food drive at Southwest in 2011. He said the project teaches students about community engagement, planning, organization and overall kindness.
 
“I am very proud of my students’ interest in and support of our event,” Hinrichs said. “The time my leadership team members gave up to promote the event on TV and radio and the time the members at large gave to help on the event day shows how much they care about the purpose of the event. I also appreciate when some of our alumni members come back during the event and donate.”
 
Hinrichs partnered with a local grocery store on Pine Lake Road in 2011 for a “Fright Hunger” event with his FBLA chapter. FBLA and DECA advisors from other LPS high schools joined forces with Southwest the following year. They determined they would send all of the items they collected from the “Food Blitz” community service event to People’s City Mission.
 
LPS students averaged 4,300 pounds of donated items during the first eight years of the drive. Hinrichs said those numbers began to significantly increase in 2022. The Food Blitz effort netted more than 9,000 pounds that year.

 
Hinrichs said some of the program’s recent success can be attributed to citywide communication. Students began promoting the event on local television and radio stations. They answered questions from professional journalists and were able to spread the word regarding the who, what, when, where, why and how of the drive.
 
“It has been a great experience for my students to learn how to represent our chapter and speak about an event to a broader audience,” Hinrichs said.
 
Groups from each school were then assigned to stand in front of store locations and hand out informational flyers to customers as they entered. The flyers listed items that PCM requested for its residents. Students asked customers if they would be willing to buy those products and place them in shopping carts outside for the drive.
 
Hinrichs said he watched many Silver Hawks develop important face-to-face conversational skills with local residents this year.
 
“This is a great experience for students, as communicating verbally with people they do not know is not something many of them have done,” Hinrichs said. “It is fun to watch the students step out of their comfort zone.”
 
Addison and Xavier said the activity also showcased the type of impact a simple smile can have on people. Multiple shoppers returned to the front of stores with full carts of items to donate.
 
“For this year’s Food Blitz event, I really enjoyed seeing how generous the community was with the donations they gave,” Addison said. “Many of them were more than happy to give food to a good cause, which was a great thing to see.”
 
“One of my favorite parts was working in the truck organizing food,” Xavier said. “Although stressful, it was fun to organize a whole cart full of groceries, only to see that there were another three to organize after. It was clear evidence of the ‘Nebraska Nice’ that Lincoln shows every day.”
 
The drive also has a good-natured competitive aspect to it, as each high school group tries to raise the most food in the city. Southwest and North Star FBLA chapters collected 3,941 and 3,237 pounds for the cause, and Southeast’s FBLA and DECA teams produced a school-record amount of 2,306 pounds. Standing Bear’s FBLA chapter also set a record with 1,819 pounds.
 
Harnoor said events like the Food Blitz are one way for LPS students to make life-changing differences during the holiday season.
 
“It is important to help our community because we are all one team,” Harnoor said. “You never know what your friends or neighbors are going through, and you never truly know the impact of what one can of food can do for a family. We are all trying to live life to the fullest, and everyone deserves the chance to thrive, not just survive.”
 
LPS students are learning many business, marketing and information technology (BMIT) skills through activities like FBLA and DECA. Read more about BMIT courses and student organizations at home.lps.org/cte/bmit and home.lps.org/cte/student-organizations.
 
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Posted on December 05, 2025

LPS students capture Cornhusker Awards for quality journalism

Lincoln Public Schools students received positive recognition this fall for producing premier-level words, photos and graphics in their newspapers and yearbooks.
 
Southeast High School and Southwest High School journalists earned prestigious Cornhusker Awards at the Nebraska High School Press Association (NHSPA) Fall Convention. Staff members of Southeast’s newspaper and Southwest’s yearbook claimed the award for their work during the 2024-25 school year. Students, advisors and professional journalists from across the state applauded their efforts at the annual conference.
 
NHSPA Executive Director Leslie Klein said the Knights and Silver Hawks could feel good about their state-level accomplishments. The Cornhusker Award is the top honor that high school newspaper, yearbook, broadcast and digital media newsrooms can receive each year in Nebraska.
 
“It is important to recognize quality journalism with awards like the Cornhuskers,” Klein said. “Awards have the power to legitimize programs by highlighting the good work being done in journalism classrooms while also affirming and empowering young reporters to continue engaging with journalism.”
 
Members of Southwest’s yearbook The Talon earned the award for the sixth time in the past seven years. Judges felt the Silver Hawks produced a high-quality publication that featured a wide variety of photos and stories. Staff members created a main theme for the yearbook, collected content for each page and spent hundreds of hours arranging information for readers to enjoy.

 
First-year advisor Delani Young said she was proud to watch the Silver Hawks win their fourth straight Cornhusker. Eleven students beamed as they posed with the wooden trophy at the state convention.
 
“It is encouraging for students to have earned a Cornhusker Award because it shows how impactful their hard work is on the quality of their product,” Young said. “The yearbook is a huge project that holds a lot of significance for their peers, so being recognized for excellence in this project is inspirational for years to come.”
 
Members of Southeast’s newspaper The Clarion pocketed a Cornhusker for the third time in the past four years. Co-editors Myla and Lily said they were pleased to hear the school’s name called at the awards ceremony. The Clarion was one of only three newspapers to receive the honor.
 
“It was really exciting, because there were only three schools that got a Cornhusker this year, and last year there were eight or ten,” Lily said. “You have to meet a lot of requirements to get this award, so it’s really special for our team to see all of our hard work pay off.”
 
“I wasn’t necessarily surprised, because I knew we had gotten it last year and our team does really high-quality writing,” Myla said. “I was definitely excited to hear that we had won it.”

 
Fellow staff members Mary and Lydia said the entire team was pleased to return home with the award. Mary is The Clarion’s photo editor and Lydia is one of the paper’s copy editors.
 
“It was awesome, especially because there were eight or ten schools that won the newspaper award last year, but this year there were only three schools, and we were one of them,” Mary said. “It was really cool. I think it’s something we should really be proud of.”
 
“I knew we had a good newspaper here, but I didn’t realize how good we are compared to other schools in Nebraska,” Lydia said. “It was really cool to see that we were recognized for our hard work.”
 
Judges reviewed three issues of The Clarion from the past year for the contest. They examined the quality level of the stories and photos and how staff members incorporated pictures and graphics into each issue.
 
Lily and Mary both credited journalism teacher Brianne Clark for guiding the Knights in class. Many students on The Clarion’s 2024-25 roster joined the newspaper for the first time last year. Clark taught them the foundations of journalism and worked with them on their story, photo and layout design ideas.

 
“Ms. Clark is always pushing us to do our best,” Lily said. “We do a lot of editing and revising and making sure everything is perfect. Our website looks good and our newspaper looks good, so I think we put a lot of time in.”
 
“Ms. Clark really enables all of this to happen,” Mary said. “I think the reason why our newspaper is so good is because of her. I feel like she shapes our potential.”
 
Lydia said the Cornhusker Award is a byproduct of the positive environment that exists in The Clarion’s newsroom. She said she has made many new friends during her time at the paper. Students from all four grade levels learn teamwork, communication and time management skills every time they produce an issue.
 
“I feel like we’re pretty close-knit in that way,” Lydia said. “We all share those experiences of going through the same process every month, and it’s kind of cool to share that experience. It’s a good way to connect with other people.”

 
Lydia said her newspaper role has also given her personal confidence and joy.
 
“I really love editing,” Lydia said. “It’s satisfying for me to fix things and make things flow. I really enjoy that and I like helping people, so that’s rewarding for me.”
 
Mary said working at The Clarion has also opened new career pathways for her. She and other staff members toured the Daily Nebraskan newsroom at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during the state convention. She said that made her realize that there are many premier-level possibilities for her future.
 
“I’m probably going to go to UNL, and that got me thinking about if I would want to do the Daily Nebraskan,” Mary said. “I feel like The Clarion has impacted my life in a really good way, and it’s gotten me thinking about what I want to do in college. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but being a journalist is definitely on the radar now.”
 
Journalism and Yearbook are two offerings provided within our secondary English Language Arts curriculum. To learn more about English Language Arts at Lincoln Public Schools, visit our website at home.lps.org/english.
 
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Posted on December 03, 2025

Hornets are helping future teachers through UNL partnership

Hartley Elementary School is serving as a garden of educational growth for future teachers like Michaela Nanfito and Alex Ohnoutka this fall.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Education and Human Sciences students are among 15 Huskers who are learning critical teaching skills on Hartley’s campus. Full-time Hartley teachers are mentoring the next generation of classroom leaders every Tuesday and Thursday during the semester. UNL students spend more than three hours each day gaining insights from the Lincoln Public Schools professionals about their future careers.

Nanfito and Ohnoutka felt their teaching talents blossomed this fall thanks to the nurturing mentorship of Hartley fourth grade teacher Beri Delaney. Ohnoutka initially enrolled in sports media classes before switching to education, and Nanfito began her time at UNL as an architecture major.

“You can put anybody in front of a group of kids and tell them to teach a lesson, but not everybody can do it successfully,” Nanfito said. “I think I couldn’t have done it successfully earlier, but with this experience, it’s teaching me more situations, the way things happen and the way things work in a classroom. It’s showing me how to be a teacher, which has been amazing.”

“My advisor told me that there’s a class where you’ll be doing a practicum at a school, and I was like, ‘Okay, let’s jump right in and do it. We’ll figure out if you want to do this or not,’” Ohnoutka said. “And it’s been great. I’ve learned so much from just this short time already. I’ve realized that this is what I want to do for a career for sure.”

Delaney said she has enjoyed watching Nanfito and Ohnoutka thrive in her classroom. She has been impressed with the leadership abilities they have displayed.

“I have loved seeing their passion for teaching within the classroom,” Delaney said. “They have both done a great job of really getting to know my students and creating relationships. I can tell they want to learn new tips and classroom management strategies and genuinely want to see students succeed.”

Hartley Principal Rob Rickert said the practicum partnership has benefited many people since it began in 2023. UNL students are absorbing valuable career insights, Hartley teachers are sharing their inspiring mentorship skills, Hartley students are forming trusting bonds with college-age role models and LPS is building a pipeline of future talent.

“Our staff does an outstanding job modeling strong instruction, building classroom community and guiding practicum students as they learn what it means to be a teacher,” Rickert said. “This partnership is a great example of our commitment to staff development, student success and community engagement, aligning closely with the LPS Strategic Plan.”

Hartley and UNL first cooperated on the project two years ago, and the partnership between the two schools strengthened even further last fall. Rickert connected with Teri Ourada, a former LPS administrator who now supervises UNL practicum students, to increase opportunities for Huskers to visit the Hornets.

All UNL education majors take the TEAC 297A Fall Professional Practicum class as their first formal teaching experience. Nebraska’s teacher certification guidelines require a specific number of practicum hours, and students are encouraged to take initiative, engage with students and actively participate in the classroom. They assist with classroom work, create bulletin boards and classroom displays, plan and lead group activities and support students who may be struggling.

Rickert said he has been pleased to see many Hartley staff members support the program. Twelve teachers have volunteered to serve as mentors this fall.

“One of the most meaningful ways we can address the ongoing teacher shortage is by investing in and inspiring the next generation,” Rickert said. “I’m incredibly proud of our staff for stepping up in this way.”

Delaney took the same practicum class when she was enrolled at UNL. She said that made it an easy decision to guide Huskers like Nanfito and Ohnoutka.

“I enjoyed all of my cooperating teachers so much and gained so much experience and knowledge from them,” Delaney said. “The practicums were so beneficial for my own learning, and I hope to be that same mentor for Michaela and Alex that my cooperating teachers were for me.”

Nanfito and Ohnoutka said Delaney has sown seeds of confidence with her calm and caring demeanor. During one morning, Ohnoutka called students to the front of the room to write multiplication facts on the whiteboard. Nanfito then helped the class review multiplication tables with an engaging call-and-response activity. Delaney praised both before starting a new math lesson on division with the Hornets.

“I really like Mrs. Delaney,” Nanfito said. “I love working with her. She’s been very welcoming to both of us in her classroom.”

“Mrs. Delaney has been great,” Ohnoutka said. “She’s shown me different tips you can use to manage a classroom, and how to be patient with them. Patience, especially with elementary kids, that’s a big thing. I feel really lucky to get to learn from her.”

Nanfito and Ohnoutka said they are looking forward to watching the teaching seeds they have planted at Hartley sprout into impactful careers.

“When I was growing up, everybody said I should be an architect, and so that’s what I thought I should do,” Nanfito said. “I realized that I know what my heart wanted to do, and I wanted to teach, so I came back to teaching. I’ve just loved all of it.”

Hartley’s partnership with UNL is one way Lincoln Public Schools is connecting with our community and encouraging future educators. Want to find out about LPS career opportunities to help our students? View home.lps.org/hr/careers to learn more about our current openings.

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Posted on December 02, 2025

TeamMates of the Month: Kelly and Gio

When Kelly filled out his materials for becoming a mentor, he mentioned an interest in sports, as many mentors do. He decided to add one more thing – guitar.

Gio, his prospective mentee, had darkened the bubble next to music. When he mentioned to the TeamMates facilitator at his school that he played guitar, she smiled.

“Mrs. Jacobson told me that she found a guy named Kelly who played guitar. Our first day, we introduced ourselves, and we just grabbed a guitar off the wall and started playing.”

When it became clear that they’d be strumming their way through building a relationship, they relocated. Kelly suspects they were a little too loud.

“They suggested us coming up here in the music room because the instruments are here and it's quiet and it would be quieter for them around the office too.”

Gio was a bit nervous and aware that his peers might wonder why he had a TeamMate.

“For people who have TeamMates, it's kind of hard, because you get a teammate for a reason. Either you're not doing so great, or you just feel lonely or sad. So you need someone to be there for you.”

And Kelly has been there, whether they play guitar or pick up a deck of UNO cards. Kelly said playing guitar with each other often gives rise to conversations about bigger things. 

“Sometimes we've talked about perseverance, how not every day is a great day, not every time we play the guitar do we play it right.”

Kelly has been impressed with Gio’s creativity.

“Gio has created three or four different musical pieces that we will return to. The latest piece has this nice slower rhythm that he picks through. It's soothing.” 

Gio keeps picking while Kelly talks, looking up periodically to check his mentor’s reaction. Kelly credits him with bringing guitar back into his life.

“Before he and I started getting together, I wasn't playing the guitar much, not regularly like I used to. But now I do and it’s fun.”

Gio agrees and would share his view with a peer who was considering TeamMates.

“I would tell them it's a joy to just relax, be with a kind person who's cool and talented, have fun, to kind of just be yourself and that person can also be themselves. It's like a circle or like a bubble of goodness, of positivity.”

Posted on December 02, 2025

Irving students increase math skills with innovative activity

Irving Middle School students unlocked mathematical doors this fall by solving escape room puzzles in their classrooms.
 
Dozens of Aardvarks increased their knowledge of polynomials, fractions and decimal-based division with an activity that produced shouts of joy. Students worked in teams to find numerical codes for many math-based riddles and equations. They then used the answers to advance to the next level of the escape room challenge.
 
Elise, Teddy, Annelise and Max celebrated when they discovered one of the answers after calculating an algebra problem on graph paper. They said it was exciting to sharpen their math skills together.

“My favorite part of the escape room is getting to work with a group,” Annelise said. “Because it’s really fun to be able to not work alone so I, like, don’t feel alone. I get to work with my friends.”
 
“I’d definitely recommend it, because it’s more fun than reviewing just normally for a test,” Max said. “It can help because if you don’t get something, people will explain it to you, and it’s nice. It’s more people and perspectives.”
 
Irving math teachers Ana Solano Becerra and Cody Liss said the escape room idea had become a winning strategy for both students and teachers. Pound Middle School teacher April Schermann shared her self-created puzzle with other members of her math tenure group earlier this semester, and Solano Becerra and Liss felt it would be worthwhile to try it in their classes. Student engagement levels and academic outcomes from Irving’s first activity were sky-high, which encouraged Solano Becerra and Lewis to write their own escape room storyline.
 
“Some of my students do not like math at all,” Liss said. “They would rather sit in detention than do math sometimes, actually. But I saw so much movement, so much work, so many questions coming out of it that I was like, ‘I think this would be a really good thing to do again.’”

 
Solano Becerra and Liss created an escape room puzzle that required students to review math items for an upcoming test. Each part of the challenge focused on core math concepts such as exponents, slope or constant numbers. They had to decipher clues that gave them the necessary parts of an equation to unlock either a three-digit or four-digit code.
 
After solving the equation for the story problem, the Aardvarks shared the code with Solano Becerra and Liss to move on to the next task. They continued the process until they successfully completed the final chapter.
 
Solano Becerra said one of the advantages of the escape room idea is that it has given her a chance to measure the progress of everyone in class. If a student is reluctant to help find the answer to a particular problem, it may mean they need more assistance with decimals or distributive properties. If everyone is pitching in, it shows that all team members are confident in their math abilities.
 
“I think it’s a great way for teachers just to be like, ‘Okay, who am I actually seeing contributing a lot to the team?’ versus ‘Who do I think I need to touch base with more before the test comes?’” Solano Becerra said.

 
Solano Becerra and Liss said they have also watched the Aardvarks develop lifelong talents from participating in escape room activities. Students must read directions carefully and encourage each other to find the right answers. This helps them realize how everyone can benefit from teamwork and mutual respect.
 
“They’re working on communication with each other, and not just being like, ‘This is the way to go,’” Solano Becerra said. “It’s a huge communication piece that we’re really working on also to be able to continue to work together and build together.”
 
Elise said she was proud of her group for joining forces on the project. They remained respectful to one another throughout the class period, and they applauded each time they solved one of the brainteasers.
 
“I feel it’s more interesting because you’re not doing it by yourself and not just being stressed by yourself,” Elise said.
 
“It’s also kind of like a backup,” Max said. “If you’re like, ‘Is this right?’ and then they can explain it. It helps a lot.”
 
The competition angle has also helped students reach their academic goals. The young mathematicians are aware when teams at other tables unlock a puzzle, and this motivates them to concentrate more on solving the clue at hand.
 
“You see the excitement of them in their group, and then they go on to the next one,” Liss said. “I’ll announce that we have a group going on to lock two, so it gets the other groups going. They want to pick up the pace and make sure they’re on task.”

“It’s really interactive, and it’s a fun way to learn because there’s, like, a goal and a reward to it,” Elise said.
 
All four Aardvarks said they would enjoy studying for future math exams in an escape room format. They felt the idea was helping them multiply their math knowledge and form friendships at the same time.
 
“It doesn’t feel like you’re reviewing for a test, which makes it more fun,” Annelise said.
 
LPS math teachers are using many innovative ideas to help students learn in their classes. Discover more about the LPS math curriculum and how it leads to successful academic outcomes at home.lps.org/math.
 
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Posted on November 26, 2025

Huskies help Lincoln residents with kindness care kits

Humann Elementary School students proved this fall that kindness can come in the form of toothpaste, deodorant and fruit snacks.
 
Humann Student Council members brightened the lives of many People’s City Mission residents through an inspiring community service project. They filled 123 kindness care kits with essential hygiene and nutrition items for people to use during the upcoming holiday season. They gathered hundreds of products, put together the packages and learned that kindness can have a long-lasting ripple effect.
 
Fourth grader Harper and fifth grader Olivia joined their Student Council teammates in Humann’s front lobby after school to work on the project. They said the group’s goal was to spread hope to everyone living at the People’s City Mission.
 
“I like being a part of this,” Olivia said. “It feels good being able to give people the resources that they need.”
 
“I hope they think that we are kind,” Harper said. “I hope they know it’s a good community.”

 
Student Council co-advisors Jill Gable and Kathy Dean and student teacher Morgan Gatzemeyer watched with pride as 22 fourth and fifth graders packaged several tables of items into plastic Ziploc bags. Gable said students were collecting many important lessons from the community engagement activity.
 
“I hope they learn that they are making a difference,” Gable said. “They’re doing something today that is going to help a lot of people. I also hope that they realize to always be thankful for everything they have.”
 
Humann Principal Laura Heller said she was thrilled when she learned about the Student Council’s kindhearted vision. The group chooses a service project each semester as a way to learn lifelong traits such as empathy, cooperation, teamwork and volunteerism. Students and advisors felt the People’s City Mission would be a good charitable organization to help again this year.
 
“The Mission will hand the kindness care kits to any individual who may need these items when times are tough,” Heller said. “Many times when a person enters the Mission, they are without the essential items.”
 
“We did this drive for the first time last year, and it went really well, so I thought, ‘Let’s make it an annual event,’” Gable said. “The kids did such a nice job with it last year, and I knew this year’s group would be the same way.”

 
Student Council members encouraged their fellow Huskies in prekindergarten through fifth grade to bring travel-sized supplies to school this fall. The People’s City Mission asked the school to provide shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sanitizer, band-aids, fruit snacks, beef jerky, granola bars, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, notebooks and pens for residents.
 
Olivia watched with anticipation as Student Council members prepared to assemble their packages. She said she was happy to have a chance to take part in the project.
 
“I want to be a voice for our community,” Olivia said. “This is something that I think helps all of us do that.”
 
The Huskies organized all of the items into separate places on a row of tables for the big day. They then carefully placed each product into a gallon-sized bag as they moved down the line. Dean gave each of them a printed kindness quote to insert at the top of their package. They then handed their bags to Gatzemeyer, who arranged them in rows on the floor for them to view.
 
Gable smiled as students rushed back to the beginning of the line to begin creating new kits.
 
“You’re doing an excellent job,” Gable told them. “I like how enthusiastic you are.”

 
After learning they had assembled 123 packages, the Huskies arranged them in the shape of a heart to symbolize their caring spirit. They then boxed up the kindness kits to transport to the People’s City Mission in early December. Students will personally see the impact they have made when they bring the packages to the center.
 
“I think it’s going to be a really meaningful experience for them when they visit,” Gable said.
 
Student Council members are planning to launch another kindhearted drive this spring for the Food Bank of Lincoln. Harper and Olivia said the community engagement projects are one reason why they are enjoying spending time in Student Council this year.
 
“I wanted to join Student Council because I like helping people,” Harper said. “I feel good when I’m helping people, and this is a place to do that.”
 
Student civic engagement is part of the mission at Lincoln Public Schools. Visit our Acts of Kindness page at home.lps.org/kindness/ to learn more about the various ways LPS scholars make a positive impact throughout the community. 
 
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Posted on November 25, 2025

Hansen earns state honor for social studies expertise

Brenna Hansen is helping Lincoln High students dig up valuable social studies knowledge with her ace-level understanding of the subject.
 
The Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON) recognized Hansen for her teaching talents this fall with the Bertolas, Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award. GEON leaders select one person from each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts each year to receive the honor. Recipients like Hansen promote and enhance geography education in Nebraska through teaching, research and professional learning activities.
 
Hansen said she enjoys leading Lincoln High classes throughout the year. She said it is satisfying to work with students, teachers and community members who have built a positive mosaic of ideas and backgrounds.
 
“I love teaching social studies at Lincoln High because of the incredible community,” Hansen said. “It extends from my supportive colleagues to the diverse, schoolwide environment. Lincoln High is truly special, bringing people from all different backgrounds together in the same classroom. This atmosphere feels like a genuine reflection of our ever-changing and interconnected world.”

 
GEON Chairman Harris Payne said the organization was proud to recognize Hansen for her important work. He said she and other Bertolas, Gildersleeve, Stoddard, Stone Award recipients are setting the stage for educational success across Nebraska.
 
“I believe it is paramount to have effective leaders like Brenna who are able to help students understand the complexity of our world in order to be an informed citizen,” Payne said.
 
Hansen used her strong work ethic to register successful results in both academics and athletics at Southwest High School. She was a Nebraska School Activities Association Academic All-State Award recipient during her time on campus, and she became a standout volleyball player for the Silver Hawks.
 
Hansen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary social science education. She began her LPS career as a teacher associate at Schoo Middle School and joined Lincoln High’s faculty in August 2021.
 
Hansen said she wants students to realize that global events impact everyday moments in Lincoln. For example, a change in the price of corn in South America or wheat in Europe can have major ramifications for Nebraska farmers and consumers. The same is true for hundreds of other economic, social, agricultural and transportation issues.

 
“My primary goal is for students to gain a worldly perspective of their daily existence,” Hansen said. “They are surrounded by people, events and objects that are globally connected, and I want them to recognize and analyze these connections.”
 
Hansen helped the Links experience those light-bulb educational moments in one of her morning classes this fall. She gave students several illustrations of how various cultures have increased their presence across the world. One example focused on the way American restaurants have found a footing in hundreds of international cities. Several chains now have stores on six of the seven continents, which makes American culture more widespread and influential.
 
Hansen also gave her class a chance to reflect on reasons why the world is more linked together than ever before. In previous centuries, people may not have learned the outcome of a global event for weeks or even months. The emergence of smartphones now causes information to travel from Singapore to Sweden with the swipe of a screen.
 
In addition to her classroom duties at Lincoln High, Hansen is also lending her leadership skills to East High School volleyball players. She is the head junior varsity coach for the Spartans and supports varsity athletes in their matches.
 
“Brenna has been such a huge add to our program,” East head varsity coach Nicole Johnson said. “Not just from a volleyball standpoint, but from an organizational standpoint and a relationship-building standpoint. It’s very obvious she’s an incredible educator with how she is with our athletes. She takes pride in her professionalism and how she communicates with our girls, and I’m so, so lucky to have her in the program.”
 
Hansen received her state award in front of more than 300 members of the National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) this fall. The organization held its annual conference in Omaha. NCGE leaders recognized Hansen and other geographic educators for their inspirational efforts.

 
Hansen said she would like Lincoln High students to learn more than just geography terms and concepts in her classes. She also wants them to become compassionate and considerate members of a global society.
 
“Ultimately, I hope students can take their personal experiences and apply them to the big, sometimes daunting, outside world,” Hansen said. “Crucially, I also strive to instill empathy and understanding for those whose experiences and backgrounds are very different from my students, both locally and globally.”
 
LPS social studies teachers like Brenna Hansen are providing exceptional education for students throughout Lincoln every day. Read more about the school district’s social studies curriculum and how it encourages lifelong learning at home.lps.org/socialstudies.
 
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Posted on November 24, 2025

Eastridge students celebrate effort with new schoolwide program

Eastridge Elementary School students are learning how effort can lead to excellent moments both inside and outside the classroom.
 
Fifth graders like Addie and Paul are part of a new Eastridge initiative to celebrate effort in academic, social and behavioral settings. The Eagles earn points each day for showcasing good actions like listening in class, working hard on assignments and asking for help if needed. They have learned how trying your best in every situation can help them reach individual, classroom and schoolwide goals.
 
Addie and Paul said they have noticed a difference this fall throughout school. They felt the effort plan has given all Eagles a chance to become better leaders, classmates and friends.
 
“It has helped us in showing our current behavior and how we can improve,” Addie said.
 
“It has helped in specialists,” Paul said. “I feel like our behavior is different now in specialists.”
 
Eastridge Principal Traci Boothe said the idea has led to many exceptional outcomes for the Eagles. Many teachers have reported a complete effort buy-in from their classrooms this fall, which has led to higher test scores and fewer behavior referrals.
 
“This has been incredibly successful,” Boothe said. “We try a lot of ideas in education, and some work out and some don’t. This is one of those ideas that’s a keeper. It’s worked out really, really well this year.”

 
Virginia Huckeby introduced the effort concept to students in August through her role as school counselor. Eastridge staff created an effort scale that gives students clear markers for their behavior. Each classroom can earn a maximum of 12 points per day. They can receive four effort points in their morning subjects, four points in specials like music and art and four points in their afternoon subjects.
 
“I’m outside the classrooms at the end of each day, and kids will come up to me and tell me what their effort score was for the day, especially if their class got a 12,” Huckeby said. “They’re really proud of what they’re doing in class. It’s really exciting, because they’re realizing that effort is important and that other people are seeing the type of effort they’re displaying.”
 
Eastridge staff developed the effort initiative as part of their 2025-26 School Improvement Plan (SIP). They set a goal of having 85 percent of students meeting district expectations in reading comprehension by the end of the school year. They also wanted 80 percent of students to meet district expectations in reading fluency.
 
Boothe said teachers felt there was a strong connection between effort in class and overall test results. They felt they had a better chance to reach their SIP goals if they encouraged effort-based actions as well as core academic material.
 
“Classroom engagement and positive behavior both make a huge impact on learning,” Boothe said. “We wanted to come up with a way to address both of those issues, and we wanted to be specific on the format that we were going to use. The effort initiative really tied into all of those areas well.”

 
Teachers give students a score of one if they have not met any expectations of successful effort. A score of two indicates that students were not fully engaged. The Eagles would have rushed through tasks and would not have followed directions or asked teachers for help on assignments.
 
A score of three indicates that students met their effort standards. They checked their work and fixed any mistakes, listened to instructions, asked for help when needed and remained focused on their tasks.
 
A score of four indicates that the entire class showed exemplary effort. They challenged themselves academically, remained highly focused and engaged in the lesson, worked carefully on assignments and showcased good problem-solving skills.
 
The effort scales provide extra motivation for the Eagles. For example, third graders in Jacob Baden’s class walk past a chart with spots for possible daily scores of one to 12. Baden attaches small plastic turtles to Velcro squares that indicate each day’s total.
 
One week, Baden’s class received a score of seven on Monday and six on Tuesday. Seeing those marks inspired them to be more energetic and attentive the next two days. Their effort skyrocketed to ten on Wednesday and nine on Thursday.

"They know what to do and how their behavior can affect the score," Baden said. "We are still working on some of them needing to put in more effort so they don't affect the score. It's a work in progress, and I think with incentivizing the cumulative score over time it will be rewarding. We've only just started this year, so I'm excited to see it evolve over time."

 
Staff members have also created incentives for students. For example, Eagles in several classrooms can earn extra recess time if they reach their effort goals. Other classes have celebrated positive scores with activities such as a “blanket learning day” in their rooms.
 
“They understand what the scores mean,” Huckeby said. “It’s neat to see how they set their goals and are truly trying to show good effort.”
 
Boothe said she believes the effort initiative will help the Eagles long after they leave Eastridge’s hallways.
 
“It’s been a great way for students to learn about bigger life lessons,” Boothe said. “For example, if their class has a lower effort score that day than they’d like, they learn that things might not always turn out the way you want to at first, but it’s important to keep trying. Keep going because you’re going to do well in the long run. Effort is something that’s a critical skill to have, because it’s central to so many areas of life.”

Eastridge’s effort goals are examples of schools taking action to support student wellbeing and outcomes connected to the 2024-29 LPS Strategic Plan. Learn more about our current strategic plan at home.lps.org/strategicplan.
 
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Posted on November 24, 2025

Wadhams makes substantial impact as substitute teacher for LPS students

Judy Wadhams is making a substantial impact on Lincoln Public Schools students through her significant work as a substitute teacher.
 
Wadhams is continuing her lengthy LPS career as a dedicated substitute teacher at many LPS buildings. She primarily serves in special education classrooms as both a long-term and short-term substitute. She taught special education at LPS on a full-time basis from 2003-21.
 
Wadhams said she enjoys helping current teachers in her meaningful subbing role.
 
“Yes, you do get paid, but they also need people,” Wadhams said. “They need people to come in and do these jobs. I know a couple of my friends who are retired are coming back in and doing it too, because, as a sub, you always have wonderful paraeducators or co-teachers that you’re working with. I could work every day. That’s just the way I am.”

 
LPS Special Education Coordinator Tara Troy said substitute teachers are important members of the LPS community. She said they provide experienced leadership in classrooms and allow students to continue making academic progress. Dozens of substitutes share their teaching talents across Lincoln every day.
 
“They’re essential,” Troy said. “Substitute teachers like Judy fill the need that we have for sustaining the academic rigor in our classes. We truly appreciate their help.”
 
Wadhams graduated from Wayne State College with a degree in earth science and biology. She taught outside Lincoln for several years before staying home to raise her children. She began subbing in LPS buildings in 2000 and earned a special education teaching degree in 2003.
 
Wadhams spent one year in the life skills room at Northeast High School before moving to the Independence Academy team. The program provides students ages 18-21 with opportunities for skill development in communication, employment and independent living. They work, learn and prepare for their futures with a variety of school and community activities.
 
Those experiences have prepared Wadhams for the wide array of assignments she accepts during the school year. Some of her substitute teaching positions are in life skills rooms, but she often assists students who may need extra help in subjects like math, social studies or reading.

 
“I just like going to different places,” Wadhams said. “It’s good for my mind, because I’m relearning eighth grade math, and just with social studies, I’ve revisited the Revolutionary War at several schools. I’ve also been able to work with some really cool young teachers who have great ideas. This job gives you an opportunity to keep your mind sharp.”
 
When Wadhams first began subbing, she would receive a phone call early in the morning from LPS employees who would inform them if any jobs were available that day. Those dial-up deliverers of subbing news have been replaced by an online system that is available on computers, smartphones and other devices. It lets teachers schedule subbing opportunities days, weeks and even months in advance, which Wadhams said has been revolutionary.
 
“You can get on the system and see when teachers put on their absences, and you can go and pick them up,” Wadhams said. “It’s incredibly user-friendly. The jobs are out there weeks ahead of time, but even if you wait until the very last minute, there’s always a job. There have been times that I’ve waited until the day before because I wasn’t sure if it was going to work with my schedule, but even then, there were jobs available.”

 
Classroom teachers can upload lesson plans and daily instructional files into the system for substitutes to read ahead of time. They can also provide additional peace of mind for substitutes with bell schedules, parking instructions and directions on which door to enter in the morning.
 
Wadhams said those types of supportive actions continue as the school day moves along. She said teachers, paraeducators and staff members have been kind and generous to her at every LPS building.
 
“I’m a little bit anxious every time I go into a new place, but every time I do go into a new place, everyone is like, ‘We’re here if you need help,’” Wadhams said. “And they are. I have not had any negative experiences. Ever.”
 
Wadhams said she also enjoys her role because of the flexibility it offers. She and other substitute teachers are not limited to a certain minimum or maximum number of jobs they can take throughout the year.
 
“If you have to take a day off, you can,” Wadhams said. “I have grandchildren in Colorado, so if I want to go visit them, I can, and if I want to teach, I can do that. It’s a really good situation. I try to get to as many places as I can now because I love doing it, but if I need or want to take time off, I have that option.”
 
Wadhams said she would encourage people to explore the idea of becoming a substitute teacher at LPS. She said it has given her a chance to continue helping students in substantial ways every day.
 
“I appreciate the opportunity to be able to come in and do this,” Wadhams said. “It’s something that I genuinely enjoy.”
 
Substitute teachers like Judy Wadhams are making a major difference for LPS students and staff every day. Want to explore the possibility of joining them? Visit home.lps.org/hr/substitutes to learn about the application process, pay rates, handbooks and other essential information for substitute teachers.
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 21, 2025

Bryan Community artists share hopeful mental health messages

Bryan Community art students turned the invisible world of mental health into visible displays of perseverance, inspiration and triumph this fall.
 
Students like Bella, Ivanah, Jurny, Lola and Manuel created powerful artworks that were displayed in the school’s main hallway. They offered messages of hope and support for people who either have been or currently are experiencing mental health situations.
 
Bella, Lola and Manuel said the project gave them an outlet to share mental health experiences that they have lived through. They said they wanted to express their feelings to help classmates who may be going through similar struggles.
 
“As hard as it is to talk about, it’s important to share your past experiences and the things you’re going through in the present,” Bella said.
 
“No one should ever be afraid to be able to explain how they feel or ever to hide how they feel about certain things or anything like that, because it’s not really fair for them or their mental health,” Lola said.
 
“I think about my mental health often,” Manuel said. “I just don’t think about a way to portray it to people often.”

 
Porter Chollet was proud of his Art 1 and 2D Art students who participated in the project. The Bryan teacher said they had impacted many people in positive ways.
 
“These students are awesome and they truly rose to the occasion, so for the most part, I just had to sit back, have some great conversations and watch it all happen,” Chollet said. “As with all projects, some students were quick to find their inspiration. Others needed more time to process and digest. However, in all classes I saw students having honest conversations about mental health, pushing and encouraging each other, which was all very empowering.”

 
Chollet first heard about the proposed project from Melissa Sellon, who is Bryan’s school counselor. Local Kiwanis Club members wanted to sponsor a student art show dedicated to mental health awareness during parent-teacher conferences earlier this semester. They also wanted to invite local agencies to set up booths at Bryan so families could learn about Lincoln-based mental health resources.
 
Chollet began the artistic venture by discussing how mental health diagnoses such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can affect an artist’s motivation and creativity. He then asked students to generate artwork that either expressed personal experiences or conveyed uplifting messages for friends, classmates or relatives.
 
Jurny lost someone close to her from suicide last year. She created a purple and blue butterfly with a semicolon-shaped body for her picture. The semicolon represents the choice of living while struggling with the trauma of suicide or self-harm. There are two scars on both of the butterfly’s wings, which represent wounds that are healing.
 
“I started with the body because I wanted it to be a semicolon, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do around it, but then I was thinking, ‘Well, people need to know that they can overcome it and help it, so I looked up what’s a symbol for recovery?’” Jurny said. “And it was butterfly wings. And I was like, ‘Okay, this is perfect. The body will be the semicolon, and we’ll do the butterfly wings around it.’”

 
Ivanah drew a woman holding several flowers over her eyes with her right hand. Her left hand is holding a watering can that is sprinkling water on the flowers. Her shoulder contains the phrase, “Always do your best. What you plant now will harvest later.”
 
Ivanah said she wanted her drawing to inspire people who are experiencing depression. She said the flowers are symbols of regrowth that can happen after periods of personal drought.
 
“I hope my project is a reminder that when you feel down or feel out of your body that it is okay, because at the end of the day, you’ll always be able to water yourself into the beauty that you’ve always had,” Ivanah said.

 
Chollet said the artwork had already made lasting impressions on everyone at Bryan. He said it had prompted many students to share their own experiences with mental health, which began healing processes for themselves, friends and family.
 
“It’s these connections that build community, support systems and feelings of self-acceptance, all the hallmarks of a show dedicated to mental health awareness,” Chollet said. “I hope this experience made them all feel proud, acknowledged and validated.”
 
Bella’s painting summarized the powerful feelings that Bryan Community students showcased. The artwork’s sky features a large yellow sun, an orange and yellow sunset and three rain clouds. The rain is falling on a field of flowers that have red, pink and yellow bulbs. She included a quote that she said is dear to her heart: “Let the flowers remind us why the rain is so necessary.”

 
“The flowers show the beauty even in the dark, stormy days, and the rain shows the bad,” Bella said. “But despite the rain being bad, you need it to grow, just like the flowers need the rain to grow.”

“I think the exhibition was a good reminder that our students’ interior worlds are much bigger than we often get to see, and that school is often only a portion of the day they are trying to navigate,” Chollet said. “Many students bravely opened themselves up, and I am truly proud and humbled by their efforts.”
 
LPS school counselors and social workers provide caring expertise and professionalism to help many students every day. Visit home.lps.org/counseling and home.lps.org/socialworkers for more information about mental health resources and support systems available throughout the school district.
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 20, 2025

Roadrunners take positive steps with help of supportive paraeducator

While Gemma Love was talking with another adult near one of Norwood Park Elementary School’s classrooms, a student walked downstairs and ran over to embrace her in a hug.
 
During the next five minutes, two other Roadrunners gave her bright smiles as they walked by, which caused Love to exclaim how much she loved her job.

 
Love has generated heartfelt moments for dozens of Roadrunners with her daily work as a paraeducator. She helps students who need additional assistance in subjects like reading, writing and math through individual and group visits. She said it is fulfilling to watch them reach their goals as they move through the academic year.
 
“I thrive on that,” Love said. “It’s the most rewarding part of my job when I hear them say, ‘Mrs. Love, I know how to read the first paragraph now!’ They feel confident and capable. They’re so excited to learn now, because you’ve provided that guidance and support, and now they can do it independently. It just makes me extremely happy that I can offer that support to them.”
 
Norwood Park Principal Monique Ruiz said paraeducators play key roles in the building. They serve as trusted adults whom students from all grade levels can rely on. They assist classroom teachers with their lessons, help students with academic needs and promote social-emotional learning throughout the building.
 
“It is incredibly important to have amazing paraeducators like Gemma,” Ruiz said. “Without them, we’re not able to offer the type of support that helps our students in so many ways. They’re extremely valuable members of our team.”
 
Love attended school in Washington state and worked as a paraeducator there for two years. She spent eight years as a paraeducator in Montana before she and her family moved to Lincoln in 2023. She said her time at Norwood Park can be summed up in one word: spectacular.
 
“As soon as I stepped foot into Norwood Park, I felt like I was part of a family,” Love said. “Everyone greeted me and welcomed me, and I feel everyone is treated equally here, which is highly important. Just knowing that I can go to any one of the teachers, the principal, the coordinators, if I have a question is huge. Whatever you may need, they have the answer, and they’re willing to help you.”

 
Love begins most of her mornings in kindergarten classrooms. She works with students individually to help them with reading comprehension activities, such as letter recognition. She then moves to older grades to assist Roadrunners with a wide range of subjects.
 
One example of Love’s leadership took place in a first grade classroom this fall. She helped a student read story problems in a math lesson at a table. She encouraged him each time he read a word correctly, and she beamed when he solved a number-based problem.
 
“You’re so smart!” Love exclaimed. “Yeah, you’ve got it.”
 
Love said offering that type of praise and inspiration to students is essential in her role. She said creating a trusting environment allows potential breakthroughs to take place.
 
“Building those relationships is huge,” Love said. “That’s what everything is based on. If they don’t trust you, then they won’t come to you for anything in class, and we want them to come to us. We want to be that person who is there to help them and support them.”

 
A central part of Love’s teaching strategy is showing students the value of patience and persistence. She said the Roadrunners are determined to reach their goals, whether it takes two days, two weeks or two months.
 
“I had a kiddo say to me the other day, ‘Mrs. Love, I don’t know it yet,’” Love said. “And I said, ‘I love how you said that. It’s not that we can’t do it, because we can.’ I then told him that I was happy that they were displaying perseverance, because they were trying for it. And they said, ‘Mrs. Love, we’ll get there.’ It was really neat to see. It definitely made my heart happy.”
 
In addition to one-on-one lessons, Love also helps students in groups of two or three in older grades. She said many Roadrunners emerge from those gatherings with valuable life skills.
 
“There’s a lot of teamwork being learned there, and that just helps set the tone for the classroom,” Love said. “We’re making sure they have what they need to be successful in class.”
 
Love is looking to continue her own educational path in the future. She is planning to obtain the necessary college credits to enroll in the Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program. She would like to become a full-time special education teacher once she completes the LPS Grow Your Own initiative.
 
Love said she is happy to share smiles, hugs and high fives with Norwood Park students every day in her paraeducator position.
 
“I’m just thankful for this opportunity,” Love said. “I would say if anyone wants to become a paraeducator, it is an incredibly rewarding job. If you love kids and love supporting them, this is a place to be.”
 
Want to help LPS students as a paraeducator? Visit home.lps.org/hr/careers to discover many job opportunities throughout Lincoln Public Schools. 
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 19, 2025

Owls help downtown mural take flight with printmaking activity

Elliott Elementary School students helped a downtown mural take flight this fall by picking up printmaking skills in their art class.
 
Dozens of Owls created hand-printed bird images for a new mural at the corner of 14th and N streets as part of a “What Moves You?” project. They used artistic tools such as water-based ink, plexiglass, rollers and a portable printing press to make many vibrant paintings. They joined a citywide effort that included artists from Lincoln High, Park Middle School and Everett Elementary School.
 
Fifth graders Jordan and Jonathan said they were happy when they learned people from across Lincoln would view their artworks. Elliott art teacher Jodi Heiser and guest artist Angelica Tapia led their class through a process that ended with students personally hand-turning the printing press to produce their birds. Both Owls beamed as they brought their drawings back to a metal rack to dry.
 
What was it like when they saw their birds coming out of the printing press?
 
“It was really cool,” Jordan said. “It was awesome.”
 
“I was very excited because it was fun to do,” Jonathan said. “I liked it.”

 
Tapia said it was encouraging to watch Elliott students experiment with printmaking during the morning. She grew up in a town near Kearney and first learned about the artistic style in college. She now owns a master’s degree in painting and printmaking and has showcased her skills throughout the state.
 
“It was such a thrill when I discovered printmaking, and that’s the feeling that I want these kids to have,” Tapia said. “I want to give these kids a chance to learn about this while they’re young. If they know about it now, who knows what they’ll be able to do with it in middle school and high school and beyond? They’re getting a real head start on this, which makes me happy.”
 
Local artists Kat Wiese and Lindsey Weber jump-started the project this summer when they began creating a mural at the MusicBox (MBX) rehearsal and recording venue. The Downtown Lincoln Association asked them to design a mural that focused on themes of connection and transformation.
 
Wiese and Weber wanted the artwork’s viewers to reflect on what moves them. Answers could be literal ones, such as travel, music or dance. They could also be metaphorical, like emotions or personal growth. They are currently in the process of collecting hundreds of hand-printed birds that will add another layer of movement to the mural.
 
Tapia began her time at Elliott by explaining how printmaking works to the Owls. She then gave each student bird-shaped cutouts made of delicate newsprint paper. They used watercolor crayons to decorate their birds with lines, pictures and drawings.

 
Students brought their birds to a table that contained plexiglass, rollers and several hues of paint. They told Tapia which colors they wanted to surround their bird, and she helped them roll a custom-made paint mixture on a rectangular pane of plexiglass. They then set the plexiglass in the printing press, placed their bird on top of the paint and laid a press blanket over it to avoid having roll marks appear.
 
Each Owl then moved the plexiglass through the printing press to create a stenciled image of their animal with the paint around it. Jonathan’s brown bird was contained in a sea of blue, green and yellow paint, and Jordan’s red-and-white bird was flying inside red and peach colors.
 
Jordan said he was proud of how his artwork turned out.
 
“I liked how it came out on the glass,” Jordan said. “I really want to keep it.”

 
Tapia said she was pleased with how the Owls followed her instructions.
 
“I think they got the idea of what to do pretty quickly,” Tapia said. “They did a really nice job listening to everything.”
 
Many Owls also used problem-solving skills to leave personal marks on their projects. Tapia told the class that the printmaking process creates a mirror image of an artwork when it travels through the printing press. Several students, like Daniela, wanted to include their name on their bird, and they realized that they needed to write the letters backwards in order for it to come out correctly.
 
“Writing names backwards is a huge challenge, and the fact that they did it was really impressive,” Tapia said. “That was pretty neat to see.”
 
Tapia said she hopes the printmaking activity will allow a love of art to take flight for all Owls who worked on the project.
 
“This was a lot of fun,” Tapia said. “I love working with students because they’re so full of energy and they have a lot of great ideas. Having them be part of this mural is hopefully something that they’ll remember for a long time.”
 
Thousands of Lincoln Public Schools students are flying into successful artistic frontiers in their classrooms every day. Learn more about the LPS art curriculum at home.lps.org/art.
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 19, 2025

LPS world language teachers win prestigious state awards

Four Lincoln Public Schools teachers are speaking the supportive language of providing excellent instruction for their students.
 
The Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA) honored Brenda Lopez Adame, Mohammed Alnajem, Sarah Klankey and Janine Theiler with state awards at their fall conference. Lopez Adame received the NEBLA Outstanding Language Teacher of the Year Award, Alnajem received the NEBLA New Language Teacher of the Year Award, Theiler received the Nebraska Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Teacher of the Year Award, and Klankey received the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French Teacher of the Year Award.
 
NEBLA Executive Director Danielle Fulcher said having passionate and dedicated world language teachers in Nebraska is important for many reasons. In addition to providing a host of college and career readiness skills, world language teachers also give students essential social and cultural knowledge in their classes.
 
“Those teachers have the ability to ignite their students’ curiosity to know more and to open their eyes to the world around them,” Fulcher said. “I read the nomination letters for these teachers, and there was a very clear commonality in all of them. Those teachers, like Janine, Mohammed, Sarah and Brenda, plant those seeds of love in their students and inspire them to love languages.”
 
LPS Language Curriculum Specialist Katie Damgaard said it was “an incredible honor” to have four of this year’s state recipients representing LPS world language programs.
 
“Their recognition reflects the exceptional dedication, creativity and expertise our language teachers bring to their classrooms every day, inspiring students to connect not only with cultures and communities around the world, but also with the rich diversity within our own city of Lincoln,” Damgaard said.
 
Brenda Lopez Adame
Lopez Adame leads a variety of Spanish classes at Lincoln High. She helps many Links learn the basics of the language each day, and she also guides students who have spoken Spanish for a longer period of time. She said it is fulfilling to help heritage speakers feel more comfortable with their conversational skills.
 
“The thing that I enjoy the most about teaching Spanish at Lincoln High is working with heritage speakers and helping them grow the language they have grown up with,” Lopez Adame said. “Even though they have grown up in a Spanish-speaking household, most students do not feel confident in their language skills, so seeing them grow, being more confident and helping them see the importance of maintaining the language is what I enjoy the most.”

 
NEBLA President Terri Wright said Lopez Adame has established herself as an influential member of Nebraska’s world language community. She began teaching at LPS in 2018 and has led professional learning sessions for many fellow instructors.
 
“Brenda had several nominations, not only from colleagues, but from her students,” Wright said. “Everyone praised her passion and dedication, noting a deep connection with students and their families that was above and beyond expectations for a classroom teacher. Her work with heritage language learners, which included her work with them in the classroom and her creation of a heritage Spanish speakers club, was highlighted and praised repeatedly.”
 
Lopez Adame had originally majored in business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but she switched to education after volunteering at several local schools. She enjoyed student teaching at Lincoln High and was thrilled when a full-time position became available there. She later earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
 
Lopez Adame said one of her top goals is creating a sense of community within the classroom. Students in one of her advanced courses achieved that one morning when they were immersed in the Spanish language. Lopez Adame spoke to them primarily in Spanish and helped them discover new words such as la manzanilla (chamomile herb), la sabila (aloe vera) and el ajo (garlic).

 
Lopez said she also strives to help students realize that everyone can accomplish hard things. Not only does this boost their confidence in their Spanish classes, but it also provides a meaningful lesson that will remain with them after they graduate.
 
Wright said that encouraging mindset makes Lopez Adame an outstanding world language teacher.
 
“Her creative projects, enthusiastic approach in the classroom and her collaboration with other teachers make her a role model for world language teacher colleagues and her students,” Wright said. “She is very deserving of this award, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to honor her.”
 
Mohammed Alnajem
Alnajem teaches Arabic classes to high school students at both North Star and Northeast. He said it is rewarding to help the Navigators and Rockets learn more about the language.
 
“Arabic has been my chosen field of study and professional focus from the very beginning of my life,” Alnajem said. “Studying Arabic not only deepened my appreciation for the language itself, but it also helped me develop the ability to learn English more easily and quickly. I found that I could communicate more fluently than many of my peers, which further strengthened my passion for teaching Arabic.”

 
Wright said one of Alnajem’s supervisors highly recommended him for the new language teacher award. She said the nomination letter confirmed how much of a difference he has been making for students.
 
“His work in teaching Arabic extends well beyond the classroom,” Wright said. “He has worked tirelessly to create all levels of curriculum for Arabic, and he founded the LPS Arabic for Arabic Students class to better differentiate the curriculum and reach students more at their level. He maintains great relationships with his students, is very giving of his time and is always willing to listen to students.”
 
The Rockets and Navigators rely on Alnajem’s expertise every time they open their classroom materials. He wrote the Arabic language textbook that they use each day for their lessons. He decided to author the book after observing the needs of his students in previous years.
 
Alnajem said he is continually encouraged by the progress students make in his classes. During one of his sessions at North Star, many Navigators spoke words and phrases with confidence in front of the entire group.
 
“I consistently remind my students of the goals they can achieve through studying a second language, or Arabic in particular,” Alnajem said. “When students set clear goals, understand their purpose and recognize their own progress, they experience genuine satisfaction and motivation. My overarching goal is for students to study Arabic over four years and become fluent in reading, writing and comprehension and be able to hold a conversation.”

 
Wright said Alnajem will continue to help many LPS students achieve those dreams in the coming years.
 
“He is the kind of new world language teacher that we want to encourage and keep in the profession,” Wright said. “Hopefully this award helps him realize how much we all value him and his contributions to world language teaching in Nebraska.”
 
Sarah Klankey
Klankey began leading French and World Languages classes at Moore Middle School two years ago. She said she enjoys watching the Mountain Lions learn how to read and write foundational nouns, verbs and adjectives.
 
“I love teaching French and World Languages because I love helping students discover a new way of communicating and viewing the world,” Klankey said. “Learning to speak another language is a long process that is fun, challenging and highly rewarding. I truly enjoy helping to start students on that journey!”

 
LPS teachers Stephanie Miller and Sara Parkening nominated Klankey for the Nebraska Association of Teachers of French honor. They said they have been impressed with her leadership and enthusiasm.
 
“Sarah has been a great addition to the world language team in LPS,” Miller said. “She has innovative ideas and takes the little things into consideration when working on curriculum planning. She is passionate about teaching French and enjoys imparting her knowledge to her students at Moore Middle School. Moore is lucky to have such a dedicated, hardworking teacher like Sarah!”
 
“Her passion for French and languages is evident in her teaching and in her collaboration with colleagues,” Parkening said. “She is hardworking, shares awesome ideas and contributes positively to curriculum development. She is an amazing addition to the LPS world language department.”
 
One example of Klankey’s uplifting teaching style came during a first-period French class. After teaching the Mountain Lions new family-based words such as grand-mere (grandma), tante (aunt) and oncle (uncle), she focused on basic conversational phrases such as reste chez moi (stayed home).
 
Students then created 30 flashcards filled with verbs, adjectives, feminine nouns and masculine nouns. The activity provided a fun way for them to continue learning important French words with their classmates. It also gave them more ownership in the process of studying for upcoming tests and projects.

 
Klankey said she wants to set up her students for successful language adventures as they move into high school.
 
“My goals for my French students are that they learn to communicate in French and that they get a lot of speaking practice every day,” Klankey said. “For World Languages, my goal is to introduce students to other languages and cultures and help them build skills that will help them learn languages down the road.”
 
Janine Theiler
Theiler teaches Spanish classes at Northeast High School and has spent more than a decade leading LPS students. She said it is a good feeling to help the Rockets reach new milestones on their Spanish language pathways.
 
“I find joy in the challenge of figuring out what motivates every scholar, of determining how to build that sort of ‘Goldilocks’ scaffolded space where every student is supported ‘just right’ so that they feel safe, capable and ready for success with language learning,” Theiler said.

 
Nebraska Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (NATSP) President Theresa Jensen said Theiler has distinguished herself as a state leader in both classroom management and instructional practices. Jensen received a quote from a Northeast student who said Theiler teaches Spanish with both excitement and enthusiasm. The student said Theiler’s “ability to keep any material from being boring” has been extremely helpful.
 
“It was an easy choice selecting Janine for Spanish Teacher of the Year,” Jensen said. “She exemplifies excellence as a master teacher who creates an engaging, immersive and equitable learning environment. She uses the target language consistently, tailors instruction with authentic materials and real-world applications, and is deeply invested in her students’ success, earning high regard from both students and colleagues as a leader and advocate for language learning.”
 
Theiler owns bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In addition to her teaching expertise, she has also worked for UNL and the Nebraska Department of Education. She was a research assistant at UNL from 2005-12 and was the NDE’s director of educator effectiveness from 2015-18.

 
Theiler said she enjoys watching the Rockets become more familiar with the Spanish language and culture during their high school careers.
 
“My main goals are that students build confidence in and skill with communicating using a language that is not their native language, and that they build intercultural competency while exploring the amazingly diverse world in which we live – whether that diversity be situated in the student next to us in class, our neighbors across the street or our friends in another land,” Theiler said.
 
Brenda Lopez Adame, Mohammed Alnajem, Sarah Klankey and Janine Theiler represent the strong world language curriculum that exists at LPS. Discover more information about the school district’s world language classes at home.lps.org/worldlanguage.
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 17, 2025

TCA celebrates educational milestone with tenth anniversary event

Maddy, Sha, Sami and Kaylie gave a perfect illustration this fall of the healthy impact The Career Academy has made on thousands of Lincoln Public Schools families.
 
The four health sciences students joined their classmates in a blood-pressure screening session during TCA’s tenth anniversary celebration. They checked vital signs of dozens of visitors at the event, which was held at TCA’s campus at 8800 O St. The future health professionals said it was exciting to prepare for their upcoming careers in a fun and engaging way.
 
“I loved showing people the process of how to do it,” Sha said. “It was fun to use the skills outside of class.”
 
“It allowed us to practice our skills on people besides our peers and allowed us to feel the sense of having a real patient,” Maddy said.
 
“I enjoyed meeting different people and getting different readings on people,” Sami said. “I also liked answering their questions and encouraging emergency medical training.”

 
Firsthand experiences like that have been the heartbeat of TCA for the past decade. The school, a partnership between LPS and Southeast Community College, offers both academic and real-world opportunities to students in more than a dozen career pathways.
 
High school juniors and seniors spend two hours each day at TCA taking lessons on everything from engineering to early childhood education. They complete their LPS degrees by taking their remaining courses at their home high schools.
 
TCA Principal/Director Josh Jones said he is proud of TCA’s growth since the building’s ribbon-cutting ceremony in August 2015. Approximately 800 students are currently registered for courses throughout the day.
 
“We have grown the enrollment of The Career Academy by over 500 students,” Jones said. “This is due to our dynamic partnerships with the business community and the incredible experiences our students are offered through these partnerships. These experiences include unique field trips, guest speakers, career fairs and internship opportunities.”
 
The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools sponsored the tenth anniversary celebration on TCA’s campus. Foundation President Natalia Wiita said she enjoyed watching visitors share smiles with everyone at the event. Students showcased their career pathways with many activities on both floors of the building.
 
“This milestone is a celebration of students, families, educators and community members who have made TCA a success over the past decade,” Wiita said. “The impact of TCA reaches far beyond the classroom. Students are exposed to careers in the trades, earn valuable college credit and build confidence, strengthening their lives and the Lincoln community as a whole.”
 
Culinary arts students like Drake, Ruby and Tayvian said they had fun making food for guests to sample during the evening. Chef Christina Bugay guided them as they prepared a wide variety of hors d’oeuvres. They then beamed as visitors complimented them on their delicious work.
 
“I enjoyed cooking, doing something new and getting to see so many people enjoy the food,” Drake said. “I also liked cooking alongside my classmates and Chef.”
 
“We got to share with the public all of the skills we have been learning these past couple of years,” Ruby said.
 
“I liked the experience of serving people,” Tayvian said.
 
Knowledgeable teachers in all 16 pathways and dual-credit programs provide classes with a large amount of information. More than 150 business and industry professionals have also teamed up with TCA to offer important mentorship opportunities. They serve on pathway support groups that arrange field trips, provide industry-specific advice and help students expand their career networks.

 
Isabel, Ruby and Tayvian said cooking in TCA’s state-of-the-art kitchens has been a recipe for their personal success.
 
“TCA has given me a head start on my career,” Ruby said. “I was able to find something I love to do in high school, which is an amazing resource at a fraction of the cost of college.”
 
“TCA sparked my passion for school again,” Isabel said. “It made me more confident and ready for the world.”
 
“TCA has helped me see what my future could be like and helped me decide on a career I want to go into,” Tayvian said.
 
Sami said TCA has also helped her develop talents for her future career as a doctor. She said it has prepared her well for the rigorous coursework she will have both in college and medical school. Kaylie and Maddy agreed with their classmate about TCA’s benefits.
 
“I feel TCA has shown me lots of opportunities that will be helpful for my career,” Kaylie said. “It is a learning experience, and I have liked being part of it.”
 
“TCA is allowing me to gain a head start in knowing and confirming what I want to continue my studies for, as well as gaining connections and hearing information from those already in the healthcare profession,” Maddy said.

 
The tenth anniversary event offered students, teachers and guests a chance to celebrate those types of life-changing highlights. Sha said the supportive atmosphere illustrated why TCA has made a healthy difference for so many people.
 
“TCA is a huge help,” Sha said. “There are a lot of resources, and it’s given me an opportunity to be a leader and strive in our community. I also love the classes and the way TCA shows us what the college experience is like, so we can test the waters and see if we want to continue our journey.”
 
Want to test drive your future with The Career Academy? Visit tca.lps.org to learn more about the various career pathways available and how to apply for the next school year. 
 
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!

Posted on November 17, 2025

Bay High students gain galaxies of social media skills at state workshop

Bay High Focus Program seniors rocketed into new social media galaxies this fall when they learned about branding, storytelling and content creation.
 
Bay High students like Emory and Lexie traveled to downtown Lincoln for the Class Intercom Content Generation Workshop. It was the first time Bay High had participated in the event, which focuses on digital content creation across social channels. They shared an educational orbit with professional journalists, storytellers and entrepreneurs who spoke about topics like caption writing, interviewing and online design.
 
Emory said she was excited about having a chance to meet people from across Nebraska at the workshop. She felt it was important for teenagers to learn more about the social media landscape and how the technology can benefit everyone.
 
“Social media is not going to go away anytime soon,” Emory said. “It’s becoming a bigger thing in all aspects of everybody’s lives, so it’s important to yes, learn why it’s bad, but also learn how it can support you and how it’s good for school, work, everyday lives. Students learn from being taught what they’re not supposed to do, but they learn a lot better with knowing what they should do and how to do it correctly.”
 
Lexie felt it was crucial to learn new ways to develop and promote positive social media content. She said many students are trying to avoid viewing negative content because it does not uplift them. Instead, they are gravitating towards reels, pictures and videos that make them feel better about themselves and the world.
 
“People are looking for positive, and if you know how to create positive and how to share that with the community, that will gain traction,” Lexie said. “That’s what people are wanting to find.”
 
Bay High business teacher Brent Jarosz said the workshop provided seniors with helpful information that they will use both in their classes and careers. Bay High students learn the basics of social media content creation in classes such as Sports and Event Marketing as juniors. They are taking several entrepreneurship courses this year, which focus on more advanced techniques to use to build a brand.
 
“It’s more of rehearing it again,” Jarosz said. “How to shoot a good picture, how to make a good caption, how to get people’s attention. It’s just another big reinforcement.”
 
Students spent a large portion of the day learning various ways to become better storytellers. Keynote speaker Mike Smith shared tips on how to increase connections with other people, expand a product’s appeal and engage readers and viewers with captivating details. Smith founded The Bay in 2010 and helped it become a nationally recognized youth development nonprofit.
 
Emory said she discovered that effective storytelling makes a difference for people who deliver and receive the content.
 
“Saying it in a way that impacts other people’s lives so then it’s meaningful to them, and they can carry your story with them to also help build their stories,” Emory said.
 
Students also spent time completing a variety of workshop challenges. They created content and submitted it to social media channels in real time, which let them practice their new skills in a team-based format. The Bay High group produced a video about their focus program experiences, shared part of their advertising plan for last year’s Skate Art Music Fest event and explored social media themes with other students.
 
Emory and Lexie said the quick-hit challenges mirrored what Bay High students do every day in their classes.
 
“At The Bay, this is kind of exactly what we do pretty much for all assignments,” Emory said. “It’s our own creative mix on a task that we’re given. It’s kind of just like getting back into a group with people who you enjoy working with and then creating something to share with everybody else.”
 
“All we do is create, and it was good to come out here and create for and in front of people,” Lexie said.
 
Jarosz said the professional panelists also gave key advice for Bay High attendees. Each of the six mini sessions focused on content generation tips that students could put to use right away. Several industry experts ended the day with a 30-minute discussion about social media subjects.
 
“Whether it’s them thinking about the pictures they’re taking or even the captions that they have, just so that it’s in the back of their mind, I think is the big thing I’m going for today,” Jarosz said.
 
Lexie said her time at the workshop was a worthwhile experience for her. She said she had acquired a solar system-sized amount of material that she would use for the rest of the year at Bay High.
 
“I’d say that these kinds of things are the most important part in learning and gaining skills and education, because when you’re around a big group of people and you have public speakers who are important and have done all of these large experiences, it’s the best thing to retain, or it’s the easiest to retain,” Lexie said.
 
Bay High Focus Program students learn about subjects such as video production, marketing, photojournalism and content creation in their classes. Explore summaries of Bay High’s wide variety of courses at bayhigh.lps.org.
 
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Posted on November 14, 2025

Kodiaks learn cool lessons about school from UNL student-athletes

Kooser Elementary School students like Maela and Matthew learned that school is cool from four college athletes who have enjoyed success both on and off the field.
 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln track and field athletes Axelina Johansson and Ashriel Dixon, women’s basketball player Logan Nissley and baseball player Caleb Clark visited with more than 400 Kodiaks at a special assembly. They delivered encouraging messages about setting goals, trying new things and working hard to a room full of third, fourth and fifth graders.

 
Maela said she liked how Johansson, Dixon, Nissley and Clark shared their stories with everyone. The fifth grader said it was fun to hear from the Huskers during the morning.
 
“I learned what they love and what sports they like,” Maela said. “I also learned that it’s good to try hard in everything you do.”
 
Fellow fifth grader Matthew said he discovered that the Huskers would be coming to Kooser shortly before the event started. He wanted to find out what they most enjoyed doing when they were not busy and what they like to do with their family whenever they visited them. He was pleasantly surprised when he was chosen to ask them one of his questions.
 
“I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak to athletes,” Matthew said.
 
Clark and Johansson both wore wide smiles as they gave hellos and high fives to the Kodiaks after their presentation. They felt it was important to come to Kooser for the inspirational visit.
 
“I remember what it was like being in elementary school and having a guest speaker come in and just hearing their words, remembering those things that they said,” Clark said. “This is the fourth time I’ve been able to do this in four years, so it’s incredible to come to schools and give back to the community. I’m not from Nebraska, but everyone here has kind of taken me in as their own, so I just always want to be able to give back.”
 
“I want to give back to the community, because I feel like we have such good support from the local fans,” Johansson said. “I have a lot of experience, and I wanted to share that with the kids. Hopefully it made a difference for them.”
 
The visit to Kooser was part of a weeklong series of “School is Cool” activities at Lincoln Public Schools buildings. Husker athletes also visited elementary students at Hill, West Lincoln, Zeman, Norwood Park, Cavett, Riley, Huntington and Hartley. The trips were co-sponsored by the LPS Special Education Department and the UNL Athletic Department as a way to celebrate public school education.
 
Clark, Johansson, Nissley and Dixon have all excelled both academically and athletically. Johansson, a native of Hok, Sweden, has been an Academic All-American three times and is a four-time Big Ten Conference shot put champion. She finished tenth in the shot put while representing Sweden in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
 
Nissley was the North Dakota Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year three times and the North Dakota Volleyball Player of the Year twice in high school. A child, youth and family studies major, she was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection this past year.
 
Dixon, a Georgia native, and Clark, who hails from Orillia, Ontario, Canada, are both majoring in sports media and communications. Both earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades this past year and have been key members of the track and field and baseball teams.
 
Johansson said she wanted to set a good example for the Kodiaks to follow in their careers, activities and hobbies.
 
“It’s important to try to inspire kids,” Johansson said. “I remember when I was younger, I looked up to athletes and thought they were super cool. I just want to show that it’s possible to be successful. You have to show the kids that they can do it too.”

 
Nissley encouraged the Kodiaks to explore a wide variety of interests while growing up.
 
“Everybody has different and unique talents, and so you don’t have to do the exact same thing as the person you’re sitting next to or your best friend,” Nissley said. “It’s just putting yourself out there trying new things, trying different things, getting out of your comfort zone. That’s going to help you find what you’re best at.”
 
Dixon told students that belief and perseverance are two main ingredients of successful outcomes. He emphasized that education is the driving force of those bright futures.
 
“There are going to be people who say you can’t do this. You can’t be a musician, you can’t be a teacher, you can’t be a professional athlete, but you can definitely do it,” Dixon said. “But it starts here. The foundation is here.”
 
Maela said she would remember what the Huskers had said to the Kodiaks for a long time.
 
“I loved how they came in to talk to us,” Maela said.
 
Clark hoped the “School is Cool” presentation would help Maela, Matthew and many other Kooser students flourish in their futures.
 
“As you start to grow up more, you realize that there’s a future ahead of you, and I have to find what I’m passionate about,” Clark said. “Maybe if they even think for a second that, ‘What do I really enjoy? What would I like to do?’ If that sticks, then I think we’re doing something right.”
 
Kooser Elementary School students are gaining valuable life skills from their classroom lessons every day. Visit kooser.lps.org to search library materials, view the Kooser handbook and learn information about many school resources.
 
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Posted on November 13, 2025

Pound students incorporate robots into interactive mathematics lesson

Pound Middle School seventh graders programmed mathematical excitement this fall with the help of measuring sticks, graph paper and aqua-colored robots.
 
Students in April Schermann’s Math Course 2D classes incorporated robots into a lesson about distance, rate and time. The main learning goal was for them to recognize that the robot’s constant speed acted as a rate of change. After measuring how fast per second their robots traveled, they could make accurate predictions about their future movements.
 
Liz and MihKing said they enjoyed exploring math equations in an energetic way. They programmed their robots to travel at different speeds, recorded many data points and built a graph that illustrated how to solve distance, rate and time problems.
 
“It was really fun and interactive,” Liz said. “Probably in the textbook, we wouldn’t be able to do something that is this interactive. We were able to do hands-on work.”
 
“We might have done something boring, but this was way more exciting,” MihKing said. “It was fun.”
 
Schermann began working at Pound this fall after spending the previous 23 years teaching high school math, physics and computer science classes outside of Lincoln. The original distance, rate and time lesson featured several options that involved wind-up toys and videos. Schermann decided to use the robots to give the Squires more memorable experiences to draw from.
 
“Now when we talk about proportions and the relationship of that idea of the robot going a constant speed, we always have that to relate back to,” Schermann said. “It was really good, because it’s a moment in their learning that they have as a core memory, and now we can always relate back to it, versus, ‘Hey, remember when we watched a video of a toy walking?’ They programmed the robot, they timed it, they measured it, they collected the data and they made the graph, so they had more invested in that learning experience.”
 
Students like Liz and MihKing began the activity by programming their robots to complete two functions. If the Squires pressed the machine’s A button, the robot would travel one meter at ten percent of its maximum speed. If they pressed the B button, the robot would travel at 20 percent of its maximum speed.
 
They then placed the robot on a flat surface next to a measuring stick. They used stopwatches to collect data based on how far the robot traveled in five, ten, 15 and 20 seconds. The sturdy makeup of the robots ensured they would move in a straight line each time, providing reliable data for the experiment.
 
The Squires then built a table, graph and equation that mathematically modeled the robot’s constant movement. They recorded their findings and compared them with other groups. The whole class then determined that their equations had proved the mathematical principle of distance, rate and time.
 
Schermann said it was exciting to watch light bulbs of understanding begin to shine bright for the Squires as the lesson unfolded.
 
“I knew we could incorporate a little bit of logic with coding, a little bit of physics with distance, rate and time, and then data collection and analysis with math,” Schermann said. “I really, truly think that students need more hands-on learning, whether it’s using a stopwatch, measuring, anything like that. Doing anything hands-on to enhance learning is really important.”
 
The activity was the second time Schermann’s students included technology in their math period. During a recent lesson on probability, she asked her classes to program tiny micro:bit computers with an accelerometer function. When they shook their micro:bit device, it produced random integers between one and 20. Students then studied whether the micro-computers came up with certain numbers more often or if there was the same probability for all of them to appear.
 
“It’s giving students opportunities to be creators of technology rather than just consumers of technology,” Schermann said. “They could have just clicked a link to do this, but they got more out of it when they actually programmed the micro:bit.”
 
Liz felt the robots and micro:bits could be part of many more math activities. Math Course 2D topics include proportional relationships, rational number operations, linear equations, probability, geometry, transformational geometry, 3-D geometry, angle relationships and the Pythagorean Theorem.
 
“I’m definitely hoping we can use the robots for other lessons,” Liz said.
 
Schermann said her goal as a teacher is to create meaningful lessons that help students increase their math knowledge. She felt this fall’s technology-based activities have met that standard.
 
“I think it’s been worth it,” Schermann said. “The payoff is definitely worth it.”
 
LPS students are multiplying their math knowledge at elementary, middle and high school levels every day. Visit home.lps.org/math to view descriptions of elementary and secondary math courses and access many helpful math tools.
 
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Posted on November 12, 2025

LPS students, staff celebrate Veterans Day with many activities

When Matthew Manning heard about the Veterans Day activities taking place at Riley Elementary School on Tuesday morning, he knew he wanted to invite one of his students to join him there.
 
That decision led to a happy conversation between Manning and Riley fourth grader Zora over doughnuts and orange juice in the school cafeteria.
 
Riley was one of multiple Lincoln Public Schools sites to hold Veterans Day ceremonies over a three-day span. Preschool, elementary, middle and high school students took part in assemblies, speeches and hallways parades on Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
 
Students and staff at several buildings also contributed photos of family members who either have served or are currently serving in the military. The schools mounted them on display walls for students to look at during the week.

 
Manning, a veteran, teaches instrumental music classes at Riley during the school day. Manning was the guest speaker at Riley’s 2023 ceremony, and he wanted to continue participating in this year’s event.
 
“Zora’s my bass player, and I thought it would be good to invite her to come today,” Manning said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity for her.”
 
Zora smiled when asked what her reaction was when she learned Manning had chosen her.
 
“It felt good,” Zora said.
 
Alissa Cookston has been teaching at Riley for 14 years and organized the school’s Veterans Day program. Her husband is a service member and joined her in the cafeteria for the pre-assembly breakfast. She said it was exciting to have community members join students for both events.
 
“This day means a lot to everyone,” Cookston said. “We’re really happy to be able to have this at school today.”

 
Riley students Darien, Kennedy, Nora, Elizabeth, Eliana, Ruth and Nefetari began the assembly by reading facts about the various military branches. Thirty members of a school choir then sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the audience. The program concluded with a slideshow that featured pictures of veterans who have ties to Riley students.
 
Cookston told the Rams gathered in the gym that she was pleased with the way they listened and acted throughout the ceremony.
 
“I am so proud of Riley Elementary students right now,” Cookston said. “I’m happy with how calm and respectful you were.”
 
School leaders at Fredstrom Elementary were equally happy with the pride and patriotism the Falcons displayed at their event. The school hosted a hallway parade for the first time last year, and administrators decided to repeat it this fall due to the positive reception from both students and veterans. Fredstrom Assistant Principal Kathy Moldenhauer said it was a good opportunity to increase family engagement and honor veterans at the same time.
 
“We feel it is a great way to recognize and celebrate our Fredstrom community,” Moldenhauer said.

 
The first part of the celebration took place outside the front doors. Nebraska Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Jasmine Main secured two military vehicles to bring to school for students to inspect. Falcons in preschool through fifth grade climbed into a smaller Humvee and sat in the back and front seats. They also gazed up at a larger rescue vehicle that service members use during emergencies such as flooding.
 
Main, who is based in Mead and has three children, said she was happy to help spread the word about the Nebraska Army National Guard to the Falcons.
 
“I serve on the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) here, and they do the veterans program here every year, so I was like, “Do you guys have any interest in stepping it up a little? I can get trucks here pretty easily,’” Main said. “So, we brought a couple of trucks, which was super fun. It was awesome to see the kids’ reactions to them.”

 
The smiles continued inside the school. Fredstrom sent a note home to families prior to Veterans Day encouraging them to participate in the hallway parade if they knew a veteran. Students then cheered for them on both sides of the main hallway with signs, posters and American flags.
 
Main’s son Dawson said he was happy to walk in the parade with his mom. They were at the front of a long caravan of veterans, parents and students who received applause from all of the Falcons.
 
“It was cool that everybody was watching and we were the first ones to go,” Dawson said.
 
Main said she was grateful to see the “pure appreciation” that the Falcons showed to dozens of veterans throughout the day. She said the joy on everyone’s faces made her 18 years of service well worth it.
 
“We fight for these guys to have the life that they live, and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Main said.
 
Schools across Lincoln celebrated a wide range of Veterans Day activities. View pictures from several LPS sites at photos.lps.org.
 
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Posted on November 11, 2025

Raptors soak up knowledge about water, engineering at project site

Robinson Elementary School students turned on faucets of aquatic knowledge this fall when they learned about water and engineering in Lincoln.
 
Students in third and fifth grades traveled to the intersection of 98th Street and White Pine Road to inspect a major water infrastructure project. They signed their names on two large water main pipes, sat in several construction machines and discovered the importance of having clean water to drink.
 
Third grader Aurora said she enjoyed writing her name on a water transmission main pipe that weighed 7,000 pounds. Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) employees provided students with markers to use on the blue pipe, which is part of a project called Lincoln’s Water 2.0: Securing Lincoln’s Second Source. The 98th St. transmission main will serve as a link between the city’s current water source in the Platte River wellfield and its proposed second source at the Missouri River in Cass County.
 
“It was really fun, because it’s going to be down in the ground for a long time,” Aurora said.
 
Classmate Marc said he was impressed with the size of the pipe. The sections of the transmission main will range between 54-60 inches in diameter.
 
“I’d kind of seen them before, but I didn’t think that they would be this big up close,” Marc said.
 
Robinson third grade teachers Ashley Lammers, Jordyn Moerer and Adina To smiled as their students climbed inside construction equipment, inspected the pipes and soaked up facts about Lincoln’s water supply. Lincoln Public Schools partnered with LTU to give the Raptors a firsthand view of the engineering project. Experts from Judds Bros. Construction Company and the engineering firm HDR were also on hand to help teach students.
 
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to partner with LTU to teach lessons on water and engineering,” To said. “It gives students an immersive, hands-on experience and correlates with our social studies unit about natural resources found in Nebraska, specifically water. We believe being involved in this experience will help students remember the importance of water conservation as they get older.”
 
“They’ve been really excited,” Lammers said as students walked to the site. “We’ve been talking about this all week.”

 
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said she was excited for students to become more familiar with water-based topics. She shook hands with the young Raptors, signed her name to the pipe and spoke with teachers about the educational opportunity.
 
“I don’t think a lot of people think about what it takes to have water flow to their kitchen sink, and this is a chance to show that to our kids,” Gaylor Baird said. “It’s also a chance to help them become a part of the conservation efforts that we need in order to have enough water for everyone in our community while we get this Water 2.0 project in place. And we hope that it might even inspire a few of the children to think about becoming an engineer, to be able to be the kind of community leader who helps get this work done so that we can grow our community far into the future.”

 
The 98th Street water transmission main project includes the design and construction of a pipe that will be installed under neighborhood streets. LTU is creating a connection between the Northeast Pump Station, located at 98th St. and Alvo Road, to the Vine Street Reservoir. The new water transmission main will allow the city’s water distribution and supply system to expand in the future.
 
The 98th Street project is one of the first steps in the large-scale Water 2.0 effort, which has a long-term goal of connecting Lincoln to Missouri River wellfields by Beaver Lake in Cass County. LTU employees are currently performing general survey work within both Lancaster and Cass counties to support future planning. Construction would likely begin in 2035 and would have a proposed completion date of 2048.
 
Aurora said she first learned about the water cycle process in second grade. She and her classmates discovered that liquid water becomes water vapor and turns into dew, frost, fog or clouds. The water vapor in clouds can then return to the ground in precipitation like rain or snow.
 
Marc said he was happy to find out more facts about the local water supply. LTU employees told students that Lincoln residents use approximately 40 million gallons of water each day. The city maintains 1,370 miles of water mains, 12,823 fire hydrants and 29,344 valves.
 
“It’s fun knowing more things about water, because all I knew about water was that it tastes good and I like to drink it,” Marc said.

Gaylor Baird said she is hopeful that Robinson students will continue filling up their knowledge tanks about water, engineering and resource management topics.
 
“This project is for them,” Gaylor Baird said. “This project is about the future. It’s about growing our community and making sure that we continue to have an amazing quality of life and all the resources we need for them to have bright futures.
 
“So really, it’s for them, and to have them come be a part of laying this pipe, to sign it, to learn more about what it takes to get it done, I think is really special, and hopefully will inspire them to think about how they can be caretakers for Lincoln’s future as they grow.”
 
Water is one of many science-based topics that LPS students learn about at elementary, middle and high school levels. Visit home.lps.org/science to view curriculum objectives, course guides and summaries of science lessons at LPS.
 
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Posted on November 07, 2025

Turley wins national award for guiding Links in geography classes

Chris Turley’s ability to link human geography concepts together for Lincoln High students has been noticed on a national scale by social studies professionals.
 
The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) announced this fall that Turley had earned the organization’s K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. The prize, which honors excellence in geography education at the primary and secondary levels, is one of the nation’s most prestigious honors. Turley is the first Nebraska teacher to win the award, which has been given to only 12 people in the United States prior to this year.

 
NCGE President-Elect Celeste Reynolds said Turley is shaping the future of geography education with his work at Lincoln Public Schools. She presented the award to him during the NCGE’s annual conference Oct. 17 in Omaha.
 
“Geography’s vitality depends on two things: a commitment to conveying the lessons that places and regions teach us, and a strong community of advocates who advance this endangered subject through classrooms, communities, school districts, social media and the halls of state capitols,” Reynolds said. “Chris exemplifies the very best of these ideals.”
 
LPS K-12 Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Jaci Kellison was one of three people who provided letters of support for Turley’s award. Harris Payne, chair of the Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON) organization, nominated him for the national honor. Kellison and LHS Social Studies Department Chair Laurel Maslowski both advocated for his selection.
 
Kellison said she is proud of Turley for his willingness to go above and beyond in the classroom. He joined Lincoln High’s social studies department in 2014 and has led world geography, human geography, psychology, civics and United States history classes on campus. He currently teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography and Government and Politics courses.
 
“Chris is an exceptional teacher and professional,” Kellison said. “His commitment to professional growth and leadership in geographic education is evident in all his actions, which makes him an ideal candidate for a prestigious award such as this one.”

 
Turley spends the majority of his day teaching AP Human Geography classes to ninth graders. He said leading AP Human Geography courses has acted as a second spark for his love of teaching. He said it means the world to him to help students figure out how global communities interact with each other.
 
“I love how the course really helps students understand the world around them, such as how connected the world is and how places and people are similar and different,” Turley said. “There is not a day in the class that the content we talk about does not impact students’ lives in some way. Helping students make that connection and helping them understand the world they are a part of is very rewarding.”
 
Turley said one of his top goals is to instill a deep curiosity about human activities on many continents. That includes understanding how people communicate with each other, what various cultures around the globe are like and how different cultures are similar to students’ own cultures. He felt that awareness would help them become lifelong learners in every subject.
 
“We learn so much in class, but it is only a fraction of what students can learn about the world, and I want them to keep adding to their own knowledge,” Turley said. “I hope students gain academic skills by improving their writing and reading skills. I also hope students learn helpful studying strategies that work for them, and perseverance to continue to improve their knowledge and academic abilities.”

 
Kellison said many LPS students, teachers and co-workers notice and appreciate Turley’s passion for people. Turley has worked on several leadership teams that have revised and updated the school district’s geography curriculum for thousands of students. He and other teachers have created new curriculum materials such as inquiry lessons, stimulus-based multiple choice questions and free response questions, and he has served as a mentor teacher for many incoming LPS geography educators.
 
“Chris is an exceptional social studies teacher because he has an incredible work ethic, is thoughtful and contributes positively to a team,” Kellison said. “He also cares deeply about his students, which is evident the minute you step into his classroom. He holds students to high expectations and provides them with the support they need to be successful. Chris truly believes that every student is capable of performing at a high level, and students feel that belief he has in them.”

 
A prime example of Turley’s dedication came when a group of teachers organized a new sequencing of AP social studies courses at LPS. Kellison said the work was both important and challenging since it was the first time an AP class was offered to ninth-grade students.
 
“Chris was instrumental in helping to prepare for the transition,” Kellison said. “His ability to think ahead, ask thoughtful questions and find positive solutions made him an invaluable part of the team, and his belief that all students deserve access to high-quality geography education was clear throughout the process.”
 
Reynolds said she was happy to celebrate Turley’s achievements at the national convention. She said his ability to connect students with geographic concepts would influence people for many years to come.
 
“I am grateful for the opportunity to present this award and confident that Chris’ work will continue to inspire colleagues and students alike to pursue leadership and innovation in geography education,” Reynolds said.
 
Lincoln Public Schools students are learning important social studies concepts from teachers like Chris Turley every day in their classes. Visit our website at home.lps.org/socialstudies to learn more about the social studies curriculum at LPS. 
 
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Posted on November 07, 2025

Spartan Spirit Soars: How East’s Inclusive cheer team is uniting more students

East High School is spreading more school S-P-I-R-I-T at home games on the sidelines with a new opportunity for its students. 

The Spartans added an inclusive cheerleading team last fall, which has doubled in size after one year. It went from four members in 2024 to eight this school year. This year’s team consisted of Alyssa, Anna, Mariah, Desiree, Sophia, Elly, Chloe and Hillary. 

“I feel amazing, honestly, because I get to see all my friends cheer with them, and it just makes me happy and just makes my day when I get to cheer with all my friends and do that kind of stuff and get involved,” Senior Alyssa said. She’s one of the team’s newest cheerleaders. 

Coaches Sydney Mickells and Anna Schulz got the idea to form the squad from another LPS high school and an inquiry from an incoming ninth grade parent. A future Spartan mom asked Mickells, the school’s head varsity cheerleading coach, if she had ever considered creating an inclusive cheer team while looking for high school activities for her daughter. 

“I think it's just really important that we are providing an opportunity for students with disabilities to be a part of, you know, their school community and school spirit,” Mickells said. 

That’s when Mickells, who is also a special education teacher at Robinson Elementary School, tapped the shoulder of her colleague Schulz to serve as a co-coach to start one. Schulz works as a speech-language pathologist at Robinson and East.  

“I said yes immediately, but I was like, ‘There's one problem. I know nothing about cheerleading.’ I was a basketball player,” Schulz said. “But I know everything about these girls because I was their speech-language pathologist, so I knew behavior plans, strategies to increase success.”

The pair not only collaborates to gather staff recommendations for new members, but also to find ways to adapt cheerleading techniques and routines to make them accessible to all their athletes and boost their confidence. Both coaches also noted the amount of development they’ve seen in the team over the season. 

“Last game, we couldn't believe their technique. It was so beautiful and so much progress,” Schulz said. “They are capable, like I don't know if people really understand how capable our girls are, but seeing them cheer and get the techniques down. Holy cow! They're so capable in every way, more than cheer.”

“We're just feeling so proud of them,” Mickells said. “Just a really big sense of pride seeing them out there and seeing them be really, really brave and just shine honestly in front of the school.” 

This year, the team cheered during volleyball and football matches. The inclusive cheerleaders worked to hype up Spartan fans during home games with East’s varsity cheer squad. The varsity members worked with their new teammates on basic cheerleading skills, such as arm motions, jumps, kicks and crowd involvement, also known as “spiriting.” The coaches said the spiriting aspect is the athletes’ favorite part. Their spirit also brightens the overall atmosphere for their varsity peers. 

“The thing that I like the most about our inclusive cheer team is the positive environment and how just being with those girls for one minute can make my day so much better,” East varsity cheer co-captain and senior Ava said. 

The positivity has also been a favorite part of the experience for Alyssa and her fellow teammates Anna and Mariah. Both seniors, Mariah and Anna are returners to the inclusive team. Anna has been its captain for two years and Mariah now cheers alongside her younger sister, Desiree, who joined this fall.

The cheerleaders added that there’s more to hear than just chants and the rustling of pom-poms at East sporting events. You can also hear laughter and the new bonds forging. They shared that the relationship building among the squads and the coaches has been a highlight.  

“Working with my new teammates on the inclusive cheer team has been a blast, and I love how close I have gotten with all of them,” Ava said. 

“I love all my cheer people and friends, and I also love you both, Miss Schulz and you (Coach Mickells),” Alyssa said.  

If you’re looking for ways to get involved at Lincoln Public Schools, check out our Athletics and Activities page on our website at https://home.lps.org/athletics/ for more opportunities. 

 
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Posted on November 06, 2025