Feature

By Sherry Stevens

Nathan Klintworth, a Seward High Senior, was selected to be honored as the May Seward Youth rotarian of the Month.  Nathan is the son of Mitch and Priscilla Klintworth and plans to attend Southeast Community College in the fall and major in Business.

Nathan is a Vice-President and Board member of the Seward High FFA and recently received his FFA Chapter Degree.  He is also responsible for the SHS basketball stats and was involved with coordinating the local nursing home activities for the FFA Chapter with pet visits for the residents and game nights with the residents.  He is an active member in the Green Machine 4-H Club and Junior Leaders, serving in leadership roles.

Nathan is an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, involved with the Youth Program, having recently partipated in the National Youth Gathering in Florida.  He is a member of a Godparent group, ushers and volunteered as a host of church activities and mission work. 

Nathan's "Service Above Self" effort has been focused on volunterring at the area nursing homes and was recently recognized as the Youth Volunteer of the Year for his work and volunteer efforts at area nursing homes and retirement center.

Nathan was honored at the recent Seward Rotary Club meeting on May 7, 2008 athe the Jones National Bank and Trust in Seward.  He was presented several mementos from the club and presented with a Rotary Banner and a book scholarship for college.  All of the eleven Youth Rotarians of the Month were also recognized and introduced at the recent May 6, 2008 SHS Honors Night and presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

The May Youth Rotarian concludes the program for the 2007-2008 school year and applications for the 08-09 Seward Youth Rotarian can be obtained at the Counselor's Office in August.  The selection process is based on scholarship, leadership and service to others, as the Rotary International motto is "Service Above Self!" 

By Sherry Stevens

The Seward High Quiz Bowl teams competed at the Lincoln Northeast Brain Brawl Quiz Bowl tourney on Saturday, April 29 at 9:00 AM in their math wing of the school.  SHS entered two teams in the contest and it opened with a round robin tourney in the morning, followed by a seeded, single elimination tourney in the afternoon.  Both teams did well and the SHS Freshman A Team placed Fourth Overall in the 9th Grade Division of the contest, which involved many Class A teams from across Southeast Nebraska. 

The teams included...

Seward Team A:

John Cahoon

Grace Smetter

Rob Kirkland

Kara Einsphar-Captain

Team B:

Alex Shriver

Jillian Kongsjord

Daniel Buss

Larissa Krenk

Micah Kohlwey-Captain

The teams were funded by the School District of Seward High Ability Learner Program and their coach was Clark Kolterman, SHS educator. 

Seward High School band presented their final performance of the school year on May 1^st at Seward High School. The Concert Band was under the direction of Leslie Stratton and the Jazz Band was directed by Joshua Meisner. The concert was kicked off with instrumental soloists who received superior ratings at districts. Rachel von Kampen performed a soothing solo piece on the trumpet and Holly Kozisek-Seher executed a beautiful piano solo. The trumpet trio that was sent to district music contest also received a superior rating and performed their piece at the concert. The members of the trio included Rachel von Kampen, JT Cattle, and Nathan Walden.

            The Jazz Band presented six pieces which included Get it On, Take Five, Tijuana Taxi, Killer Joe, Harlem Nocturne, and Birdland. The Concert Band performed four songs which included Fanfare for the Common Man, Swords of Evolution, The Golden Vanity, and Fanfare and Curiosity.

            There are 39 students who participated in Concert Band. The students included Jessica Guy - flute, Megan Lee - flute, Alicia Kirschbaum - clarinet, Reba Wilke - clarinet, Eric Heidemann - clarinet, Alyssa McConnell - clarinet, Grace Snavely - clarinet, Mandi Drohman - clarinet, Josh Moravec - alto sax, Nick Couch - alto sax, Luke Stevens - alto sax, Kayle Thege - alto sax, Alyssa Kamphaus - alto sax, Kevin Kophamer - tenor sax, Dani Albrecht - French horn, Zoie Smetter - French horn, Rachel von Kampen - trumpet, JT Cattle - trumpet, Nate Walden - trumpet, Luke Garbers - trumpet, Grace Smetter - trumpet, Mikhail Guenther - trumpet, Malynn Brandenburg - trumpet, Chesany Eberle - trumpet, Larissa Krenk - trumpet, Sarah Garbers - trumpet, Preston Shepherd - trombone, George Couch - trombone, Collin Post - trombone, Alex Peek - trombone, Kenny Stratton - tuba, Karl Luebbe - percussion, Eric O'Connell - percussion, Trevor Ritchers - percussion, Ashley Leising - percussion, Rebecca Nelson - percussion and Logan Gee - percussion.

            The Jazz Band contains 15 students. The students included Holly Kozisek-Seher - piano, Megan Lee- flute, Katie Thrailkill - alto sax, Nick Couch - alto sax, Josh Moravec - tenor sax, Mandi Drohman - baritone, Rachel von Kampen - trumpet, JT Cattle - trumpet, Claire Miner - trumpet, Sarah Garbers - trumpet, Logan Gee - drum set.

            Seward High School, the music department, and Ms. Stratton would like to send a special thanks to those who made the last three years wonderful. A special thank you is sent out to the Band Boosters, Presidents Curt Nelson and the Moravecs; Pam McConnell, Carmen Johnson, Jimi Krutz, parents and administrators. The biggest thanks are sent out to the band students of Seward High. Thanks for a great year band!!!

By: Sherry Stevens

Several SHS students placed first at the recent GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women's Club, Inc. State Writing Contest.  SHS senior Allyn Williams placed first in the Poetry Grades 10-12 Division of the contest and Ciara McCormack placed first in the Short Story Grades 10-12 Division of the contest.  McCormack received an honorable mention with her poetry in the contest and Williams received an honorable mention with her short story.  Cale Thomason also received an honorable mention for his short story and Mandi Drohman received an honorable mention for her poem, all in Grades 10-12.

In the Grades 7-9 Division, Seward Middle School students, Tasha Tieken and Alyssa Sleight won honorable mention awards for their short stories.  St. John students, Emma Blanke won second place with her poem and Sierra Wignall was selected honorable mention with her poem.

St. John student, Emmi Moll, placed first with her short story in the 4-6 Grade Division and SMS student Hayli Frosheiser received an honorable menton.  In poetry, SMS students Allison Kadavy and Maiah Dyell both won honorable mention.

The students were sponsored by the GFWC Seward Women's Club and the GFWC Seward Junior Women's Club.  The first place entries will go on to the national competition and winners will be announced this summer in Chicago. 

 By Kelsey Wullenwaber

 On April 17^th and 18^th, Seward High School's band and choir students participated in the Music Districts Competition at Norris High School. Seward High is happy to announce that each of Seward's instrumental and vocal groups and soloists received excellent and superior ratings.

            Seward High's concert band received an excellent rating at districts. Other excellent ratings included Josh Moravec, Ashley Leising, and Grace Snavley, on piano, Rebecca Nelson on percussion, and Megan Lee on flute. The trumpet trio, which included Nathan Walden, Rachel von Kampen, and J.T. Cattle, received a superior rating, along with Rachel von Kampen's trumpet solo. Other superior ratings included Holly Kozisek-Seher and Ciara McCormack on piano.

            The Seward High mixed chorus and swing choir received many superior ratings throughout the competition. The mixed quartet, girls' glee, and girls' triple trio received superior ratings. Holly Kozisek-Seher performed a soprano solo and also received a superior rating. Nathan Walden (bass), and Kenny Stratton, (tenor), performed solos and received excellent ratings.  

            Congratulations to our band and music students for their great accomplishments!

By Kelsey Wullenwaber 

Sam Koch, a former Seward High graduate and hometown hero, will be honored as the recipient of the 2008 Nebraskan's Friend Award by the Seward Fourth of July Committee. The theme for the Fourth of July is "Celebrating the American Dream." Sam, his wife Niki, and his three children, Ryan, Braxtyn, and Kaidyn, will be honored at the Governor's annual reception. They will also ride in the parade and receive the award at the Seward bandshell.

Sam Koch was a Seward Bluejay and played football for Seward High. In college, he became the star punter for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Now, at 6'1" and 230 pounds, he is a proud professional football player and punter for the Baltimore Ravens.

Congratulations to Sam Koch and his family for being a prime example of the "American Dream" and receiving Nebraskan's Friend Award!

By Sherry Stevens 

Two teams from Seward High School competed in the annual Northeast High School Quiz Bowl tourney in Lincoln, NE on Saturday, April 5, 2008.  The teams competed in a round robin tourney in the morning and a single elimination tourney in the afternoon.  There were thirty teams in the tournament from two states.

Seward's teams included the following...Cather Team-Seward White: Jake Weber-Captain, Kevin Jerger, Theresa Honeycutt and Eric Heinicke.  Sandoz Team-Seward Blue: Josh Luff-Captain, Matt Schranz, Clint Aegerter, and Rhinannon Root.  Clark Kolterman, SHS instructor, serves as the coach for both teams.

The Seward Blue team won two games in the morning and lost one game.  They were seated ninth of 30 teams in the afternoon.  The Seward White team won one and lost two games in the morning and were seated 13th in the afternoon.  Both teams won their first game and lost their second game in the afternoon.

The SHS Quiz Bowl team is funded through the School District of Seward High Ability Learner Program. 

 By Kelsey Wullenwaber

The District Music contest is an annual event for the Seward High Music Department. This year, districts will be held at Norris High School. Ms. Stratton, Seward High's choir and band director, has sent 118 students from to participate in this exciting event. Both the choir and band will be attending districts; however, they perform on separate days. The Seward High instrumental ensemble, jazz band, and drum line will be performing on April 17^th, along with the Seward High Show choir. The Seward High Singers will be performing on April 18^th.

            There are 7 contestants entered from Seward High for an instrumental solo on the piano; Holly Kozisek-Seher, Ashley Leising, Ciara McCormack, Joshua Moravec, and Grace Snavely. Other instrumental soloists include; Megan Lee on flute and Rebecca Nelson on percussion.

            J.T. Cattle, Rachel von Kampen, and Nathan Walden are representing Seward High in the cornet and trumpet trio. The Seward High Drum line is also participating at districts. These members include Clint Aegerter, George Couch, Ian Didier, Logan Gee, Lindsey Hofer, Alexander Koehler, Heather Kuhlman, Karl Luebbe, and Bethany Luethke.

            "District music is fun. It's a great way to show how our hard work paid off at the end of the year," said senior, Logan Gee.

            Ms. Stratton entered 3 vocal soloists as well; Holly Kozisek-Seher, Kenneth Stratton, and Nathan Walden. Also entered is a girl's triple trio including Elizabeth Canning, Holly Kozisek-Seher, Alyssa McConnell, Ciara McCormack, Cassidy McLaughlin, Natalie Nichelson, Micaella Radke, Regina Roebke, and Kelsey Wullenwaber. Finally, a mixed quartet was entered, consisting of Holly Kozisek-Seher, Regina Roebke, Kenneth Stratton, and Nathan Walden.

          "I love attending the district music contest. I have participated every year," said senior, Jessica Owens.

By: Sherry Stevens

Twenty two students from Seward High participated in the recent Julius Caesar Project at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, March 7, 2008.  The workshop and student matinee featured sessions on "The Protocol, Politics and Performance" of Julius Caesar Workshop.  Preceding the performance, a session on "Protocol" was presented to the students in the Johnny Carson Theatre by UNL Professor Nancy Engen-Wedin and Tammy Meneghini.  The students had a private showing of a contemporary interpretation of Julius Caesar by the New York Aquila Theatre Company.  Following the performance two break out sessions were presented to the students.  One was on "Politics" by UNL Professor Steve Buhler and a session on "Performance" by Richard Willis and Scott Drummond of the Aquila Theatre Company in the Johnny Carson Theatre.

The Auila Theatre is a company of British and American artists dedicated to classical drama.  Founded in London in 1991 by Peter Meineck, Aquila is now based out of New York City and is the foremost producer of touring classical theatre in the United States, visiting over 70 cities per year.  Besides the student presentation, the company performed the entire contemporary interpretation of the play "Julius Caesar" twice and also a performance of "Catch 22."  

The three Nebraska schools that received grants to attend the sessions included Bryan Learning Center, Seward High School, and Omaha Nation School.

The program was made possible with the funding from the Nebraska Arts Council, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Program, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the Nebraska Humanities Council and the Seward Arts Council.

The students also visited the new UNL Visitor's Center, the Mary Rippa Ross Theater and the UNL Campus Student Union.  Teacher sponsors from Seward High included Ms. Erika Bruening, Mrs. Lynnette Petersen and Mr. Clark Kolterman.

Students attended included students from the High Ability Learner Program, the SHS English 12 class and others selected from self nomination.  The students attending included Travis Anderson, Kenny Stratton, Amber Schmersal, Lizzy Pfeiffer, Claire Miner, Adam Hans, Michelle Ness, Steven Perkins, Josh Moravec, Theresa Honeycutt, Josh McKey, Stephen Sova, Emily Temple, Felicia Kolterman, Neil Dahlgren, Raejean Cunningham, Cody Winchester, Jeff Bulmer, Mandi Drohman, Andrew Martin, Eric Heinikce and Robert Kolterman.

For more information on Aquila Theatre go to their website at www.aquilatheatre.com.