YHS One-Act Repeats as Class B State Champions

The YHS One-Act Team took First Place for the second year in a row at the State Competition in Norfolk on Friday, December 12. The team performed the play "Under Jekyll's Hyde." In addition to the team taking home the First Place trophy, senior Kalon Beeson was selected as Class B's Outstanding Male Actor.

Under the direction of Becky Stahr and assistant director Andee Bubak, the YHS One-Act Program has ascended into rare air. Winning one state championship is amazing. To do it two years in a row is off the charts.

We are VERY proud of all of the participants and our sponsors. They put in a lot of time, extra efforts, and dedication.

GO DUKES!

FFA Programs Remain Strong

We are very proud of ALL of our wonderful programs throughout YPS. Our FFA program is no different. Just look at what they accomplished at a district competition just this week.

What a day for York FFA, qualifying state bound competitors in 10 of 12 contests!

Jr. Parliamentary Procedure
Team 1 - 5th Place (Gage Sinsel, Madison Harcrow, Jaiden Vanderheiden, Leon Linhart, Sydney Samson, Reegan Cast, Schuyler Hellerich)
Team 2 - District Champions and State Qualifier (Tenly Hansen, Julia Lee, Simon Otte, Bryce Danielson, Kourtney Muhlberry, Lauren Riley, Nicole Mittman)

Ag Literacy Speaking
Lauren Kaliff - District Champion and State Qualifier

Ag Discovery Speaking
Hailee Pohl - District Champion and State Qualifier
Max Kohmetscher - 3rd Place and First Alternate State Qualifier

Jr Public Speaking
Leon Linhart - District Champion and State Qualifier

Sr Public Speaking
Josie Lee - 3rd place and First Alternate State Qualifier
Allee Maronde - 4th place and Second Alternate State Qualifier

Cooperative Speaking
Brody Garner - District Champion and State Qualifier

Natural Resource Speaking
Allison Riley - District Runner Up and State Qualifier

Creed Speaking
Genevieve Tonniges - District Runner Up and State Qualifier
Schuyler Hellerich - 8th Place

Ag Demo
Team 1 - 7th Place (Evan Pohl, Teagan Thorrell, Garrett Rediger)
Team 2 - 6th Place (Jesse Hoblyn, Hayden Sandall)

Extemporaneous Speaking
Tonya Grotz - District Runner Up and State Qualifier
Josh Garner - 3rd Place and First Alternate State Qualifier

Job Interview
Catie Bergen - District Runner Up and State Qualifier
Whitney Staehr - 5th Place and District Finalist

Christmas Kids Project for 2014

A few years ago, a fantasy football league buddy of mine named Randy Goetz (Lansing, KS) and my wife and I spread a little extra Christmas cheer to some children in need. We bought some coats, gloves, shoes, hats, and little things for about 10 children living in poverty that we were sure needed something to feel excited about. It was a great experience so we've kept it up over the past few years.

This year, I decided to kick it up a notch and sent out an email to about 12 of my friends here in York asking them to consider donating $10 or $20 to what we're calling the "Christmas Kids Project for 2014." Todd Kirshenbaum, our Chamber of Commerce Director, was on that email list and he encouraged me to allow him to forward the request on to the Chamber Ambassadors. We did.

I also sent the email to Randy Goetz and a few others down in the Lansing/Leavenworth, KS area. The email also went to a few school attorney friends we do business with.

As the mail began coming in today, we've already received $525! We have over $300 more that has been pledged! This is UNBELIEVABLE!

We're focusing on 16 students right now ranging from pre-school through 11th grade. We're going to be able to surprise them with the basics. Nothing fancy. These youngsters need clothes, food, etc. We're also going to do our best to get each of them at least one thing that is beyond the basics. Toys for the younger kids, maybe some iTunes cards or something for the older kids or a Subway card. You'd be amazed to know how many of these kids don't EVER get to eat out anywhere. What a BLESSING it is to be around such caring people. What a TREMENDOUS FEELING it is to know that so many adults truly care about our community's children.

I've been around lots of tough times in my life but my family always made Christmas special. It is a great honor to try and help make some others' Christmas a little bit brighter this year. I called one mama on the phone today (she has five of the kids we've targeted) to tell her what we were up to and she began to cry because she's so appreciative.

Yes, there is a lot of money in York. However, what many people don't yet understand is there also lots of poverty. Over 54% of our K-5 students qualify for free/reduced school meals today. Yes, over 54%.

We can't make it better for everyone but we can make a dent in it. We're going to make a difference for several kids this Christmas. Kids that are on the honor roll, kids that are respectful, kids that appreciate a new school folder or a pen that writes. Kids that don't take for granted a school meal because it's hot and they might not get another hot meal until school the next day.

As a superintendent (or stupid-intendent as I often refer to it), I don't get to do a lot of fun things with kids anymore. THIS project brings more joy to me than I can describe.

THANKS for all of the help and support. We have some amazing kids here in York, Nebraska!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Thanksgiving until New Year's is absolutely my favorite time of the year. Spending time with family is always something I cherish. I also love the excitement and anticipation in the air during this time. I hope that the 2014 holiday season is extremely special for you and all of your loved ones. I won't make it down to Florida to see my family but they'll certainly be in my thoughts.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

GO DUKES!

"The Main Thing"

One of my favorite leadership quotes is from legendary basketball coach, Pat Riley. He says "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." In other words, you have to identify what your priorities are and avoid all of the clutter that gets in the way.

At YPS, our "main thing" is our students and doing all we can to provide them with opportunities to be successful. From pre-school through graduation, and even beyond in some instances, we want to ensure that our kids get the experiences and exposure they need to be productive, happy, and resilient citizens.

We're currently working on some irrigation tech training and certification issues with SCC and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. We've got our Agronomy Academy up and running at Monsanto. We have eight career academies for our juniors and seniors. We have college visits for middle school and high school students. We've extended the school day and school year for our elementary and middle school students.

I love the focus that the YPS staff and school board have on our "main thing." We're going to keep getting better and better and better.

GO DUKES!

Students have a HUGE Impact on us Professional Educators

Being a lifelong educator is a GREAT job. Sure, there are horrible days, tough circumstances, constant criticism, etc. However, when all is said and done; it is a wonderful profession. In my opinion, the best part about the education profession is STUDENTS. Yes, we help teach our students some lessons but I'm here to tell you I learn a ton from our students as well.

As a former 3rd grade teacher from 1994-1998, I can still remember certain lessons, specific things that happened, etc. I often wonder how my former students are doing. I was in Broken Bow on Tuesday night and ran into the mama of one of my former students in West Point, Nebraska where I served as K-6 principal from 2000-2003. I had not seen this family since May of 2003 and over 11 years later, I could remember exactly who she was, her son Morgan, and her husband Bob. She told me Morgan has graduated from UNL and will be married next fall. Wow. He was JUST in 5th grade "yesterday."

I often think about Bobby from Bartlett Grade School, Russell from Franklin, Cyle from Fort Leavenworth, Morgan and Yanette from West Point, and many, many others.

Myself, like many educational colleagues, have been lucky to be around lots of awesome students throughout our careers. I highly encourage any young person that is contemplating what kind of career they want to have to seriously consider education. It's made a big difference in my life!

A Tribute to Mamas

Today, November 6th, is my mama's 63rd birthday so I've decided to dedicate my blog today to her and all the mamas out there. Mothers are simply the most important people in the world. I can't think of a close second place for this category! Mothers are unselfish, kind, generous, and loyal. Mothers are the glue of their family. Mothers get taken for granted. Mothers never get the credit they deserve.

My mama is very special. She has certainly dealt with way more than her share of adversity. She never quits. Her love for her family never falters. She puts her family above everything else...all the time. Every day. My mama has shown me the power of love, the power of never giving up, and the power of hard work.

I thank my mother, Karen Dugger Johnson, for all she has done and continues to do, for my family.

I thank ALL of the mamas out there for what you mean to your loved ones. Though they may not always show it like they should, you are appreciated.

We love you mothers. Thank you for all that you do.