From the Ground Up: How Cade shaped collaborative culture at Northwest

April 13, 2026

Northwest High School senior Cade has used a healthy blend of intelligence, involvement and encouragement to become a role model for every Falcon on campus.
 
Cade’s humble and hardworking personality has helped him earn respect and admiration from hundreds of his peers. He has won state awards for his technical expertise in theater productions, qualified for the state tennis meet and is an active member of National Honor Society. He has also gained a head start on his future medical career in the Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program.

 
Cade began his Lincoln Public Schools career at Kooser Elementary School and Schoo Middle School. He chose to enroll at Northwest because he wanted to help build a solid foundation for future Falcons. The Class of 2026 is the first group of students to attend Northwest all four years of high school.
 
“I’m not in the Northwest district, but I decided to opt in here because I thought it was cool to start at a new school and be able to start it from the ground up,” Cade said. “I really like it here. I feel like this school is really collaborative. We can all work together very well.”
 
Northwest Principal Cedric Cooper said he has been impressed with Cade’s commitment to making everyone’s lives better. He has taken multiple upper-level courses in subjects like math and science, overcome health issues and held leadership positions in his activities. He is also quick to offer uplifting reassurance to classmates and friends.
 
“His perseverance, involvement and positive attitude make him a deserving candidate for recognition,” Cooper said. “Cade is not just a remarkable student. He inspires his peers to strive for excellence.”

 
Northwest Associate Principal Heather Steiner first met Cade when she was teaching math classes at Schoo. She watched him use his mathematical abilities to become a mentor for many Skyhawks. She said that willingness to put others before himself has allowed him to influence the same number of Falcons.
 
“It’s been fun watching him grow and becoming a young man and taking off on his journey,” Steiner said. “It’s been really cool. I had a former colleague of mine talk to me once about value hunters, and kids who seek to put value in other people’s lives. That’s Cade.”

 
The Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program is one place Cade has influenced others. The focus program is embedded in Northwest’s building and includes a comprehensive list of health care-based classes. Cade has applied for collegiate pre-medical programs and plans to become a neurologist.
 
“I’ve always wanted to go into health care,” Cade said. “I didn’t always know exactly what I wanted to do, but I feel like the focus program has helped me see all of the different sides of health care and what it means to be a provider. It’s really nice.”
 
Cade has extended his classroom work ethic beyond the focus program. He is a Nebraska School Activities Association Academic All-State Award recipient and has been a mainstay on Northwest’s Honor Roll. He has taken differentiated and Advanced Placement courses in a variety of subjects, which helped him meet people with many interests and pursuits.
 
“I think if we would look back at his classes, we’d see that he doesn’t take easy classes,” Steiner said. “He’s always taking some of the diff and AP courses and the dual credit courses. He pushes himself to try new things.”

 
Cade has also been a key member of the school’s theater productions. His contributions come in the auditorium’s control room, which gives him a bird’s-eye view of the entire stage and seating area. He ensures everyone enjoys Northwest’s one-act plays and spring musicals by adjusting microphones' volume and tone and overseeing sound effects.
 
State theater leaders have noticed Cade’s technical expertise. He earned a Class A Outstanding Technical Crew Member Award for his state play production work this past fall. He also helped Northwest win Class A Outstanding Technical Crew honors at the past two state contests.
 
Steiner said Cade’s ability to gather and process information has benefited the entire school. He has been involved in groups that have proposed ideas for events like Homecoming, pep rallies and focus program outreach sessions.
 
“He’s great at providing input and suggestions of things to think about,” Steiner said. “What can we do next, or is there something we can improve? He can provide insights into ways that we can help all of our students.”
 
Cade said he has enjoyed creating lifelong connections at Northwest. Librarians, teachers and students all gave warm smiles to him as he walked through the building one afternoon, which showcased his talent for making friends.
 
“It’s nice being in a smaller school, because I do see a lot of the same people in the hallways and classrooms and in activities outside of school,” Cade said. “I think it helps create stronger bonds.”

 
Steiner said she believes Cade has many bright moments waiting for him after graduation. She felt he would continue to be a healthy role model for others in college, medical school and beyond.
 
“He’s going to do fantastic,” Steiner said. “He’s a hard worker. He takes any challenge in stride and pushes through. He’s going to do an amazing job in his future.”
 
Are you the proud family of a graduating LPS senior? Find everything you need to prepare for the big day, including ceremony dates, times and venue locations. View the 2026 Graduation Schedule and Details.
 
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