Rebecca Adams Ogallala H.S.
Madison R. Costello Gothenburg H.S.
Taylor Marten Sandhills H.S.
Mary P. Vasquez Paxton H.S.
Rebecca Adams Ogallala H.S. Rebecca Adams, daughter of Chad and Barbara Adams, graduated May 11 from Ogallala High School. She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. Rebecca plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study Chemical Engineering. “I have not yet made a decision on what I want to focus my career on, but with a degree in Chemical Engineering I can achieve just about anything,” she said. “If I decide to stay in Nebraska, I would most likely work for an ethanol producer. However, if I decide to go elsewhere, I would like to work with pharmaceutical, water treatment or food producing companies. As for my personal goals, once I have a secure job, I want to settle down and start a family. Some ambitious goals I would like to accomplish would be to run a marathon, climb to the top of a mountain and be a spectator at the Olympics.” Her many activities include being class officer for four years, student council, National Honor Society, Science Club, Science Olympiad, FBLA, cheerleader for four years, Spanish Honors Society, Tri-M (Music Honor Society), band, drama, speech, mock trial, cross country, track, yearbook and school newspaper staff, New Hope youth group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Rebecca’s most influential teacher is Jennifer Jones. “Mrs. Jennifer Jones, my science teacher, has
Virginia Phillips Wallace H.S.
Margaret Vinton N.P. St. Pat’s H.S.
been my most influential teacher and has given me my love for chemistry,” she said. “Science was my least favorite subject, but after having Mrs. Jones, I enjoy it so much I want to major in it. Her chemistry class was challenging, yet, brought humor and excitement into the subject.” Her community service includes Relay for Life, NHS Red Cross Blood Drive, church nursery volunteer, vacation bible school volunteer, Interact, peer tutor, Band Underage Drinking, Nebraska State Games torch run, CPR certified and many more. Academic achievements and awards include Regents Scholarships to UNL and UNK, Ogallala Optimist Essay contest scholarship winner, Cornhusker Girls State alternate, Master Bandsman, NSAA Academic All-State award for cross country, Southwest All-Conference, state qualifier for cross country, SWC champion in the 1,600-meter run, Chadron State College Contest in Chemistry and Advanced Math, Science Olympiad medal winner in Chemistry Lab, Experimental Design, Forensics and Thermodynamics, Homecoming Queen and junior and senior class president. “I have been blessed to be part of a family that has had a long history of perseverance and determination, whether it was in the classroom, athletics, or the workplace,” Rebecca said. “We are a family that stresses the importance of doing your best, no matter where you stand among others. It’s this hard work ethic that
Halle Gydesen Lexington H.S.
Preston A. Rieker Eustis-Farnam H.S.
Kelsey Woitaszewski McCook H.S.
has motivated me to become a 4.0 student, class president and a leader in two major service projects. I am grateful for my family, for without their example and encouragement, I may not have realized and worked up to my full potential. Another force that motivates me toward community service is the positive feelings I receive from using my talents to help others. Everything that I have volunteered for has felt so rewarding and I am sure I will continue my service in the future. I am grateful for my wonderful family, school and community, and I believe that it is my responsibility to pay back for everything that has been invested in me.”
Madison Rebecca Costello Gothenburg H.S. Madison Rebecca Costello, daughter of Steve and Becky Costello, graduated May 12 from Gothenburg High School. She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. Madison plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln to study Speech Pathology. “I plan to become a speech pathologist working in an educational setting,” Madison said. “I also plan to be endorsed in sign language so that I can help all children improve their communication skills. I also plan to become and educational leader by obtaining my administrative degree.” Her many activities include high school musical, speech, FFA, choir,
Alyssa Hunt Broken Bow H.S.
Tayler Nordhausen Wauneta-Palisade H.S.
Jessie Woodmancy Perkins Co. H.S.
one-acts and Student Council. Madison’s most influential teacher is Mrs. Roxanne Whiting. “The most influential teacher I have had has been my English teacher, Mrs. Whiting,” she said. “I had Mrs. Whiting for sophomore and senior English. Mrs. Whiting has always put her students above herself. She is constantly looking for ways to improve her teaching skills to give us a better learning environment. She is a teacher that cares about her students’ personal lives and not just the grade they get in her class. Mrs. Whiting has also done everything she can to prepare my class for college, even it that meant assigning several essays that no senior wanted to do. She has truly made a difference in my life, and I know she will continue to do the same in the lives of her future students. Her community service includes rodeo concessions, Valentines for Veterans, YCIP volunteer, highway trash pick-up, donated sandwiches and cookies for the Bloodmobile, chair of 4-H bake sale fundraiser, cemetery Memorial Day set-up, second grade mentor, elementary safety day volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Bible school helper and many more. Madison’s academic achievements and awards include speech degree of honor and degree of merit, district and state FFA public speaking champion and runner-up, SWC outstanding actress award, SWC Speech first place in informative speaking and persuasive
Brendan L. Johnsen Medicine Valley H.S.
Kylie Wroot North Platte H.S.
speaking, fourth place state speech in informative speaking, most motivational senior speaker award, volleyball letter winner, volleyball academic all-state and volleyball Miss Spirit award. “I am motivated to academic and community achievement in several ways,” she said. “First, my parents have always expected my siblings and me to do the best we can. They have also instilled the value of hard work in our family. My Dad always tells us, ‘You might not be the most talented member of a group or team, but you can be the hardest working.’ Both my parents have also been 4-H leaders and church volunteers and have helped me realize that it is important to be involved and help out other when you can. As part of a strengthsfinder opportunity, I found two of my strengths to be that of a maximizer and a quality called ‘woo.’ So, I guess I believe that academic achievement is in my personality — I try to maximize my effort in every activity I am involved in. ‘Woo’ means that I am a people person and enjoy being around people. I have found many opportunities to do this in the community events that I have participated in. I take pride in my achievements and I am grateful for the many opportunities that I have been given.”
Halle Gydesen Lexington H.S. Halle Gydesen, daughter of Barb Gydesen and Kent Gydesen, will gradu-
2012 INLAND PRESS ASSOCIATION ~ PRESS PHOTOGRAPHIC QUALITY WINNER
ate May 19 from Lexington High School. She graduates with a 4.5 grade point average. Halle plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is undecided about her area of study but is considering education or journalism. ‘My most important long-term career goal would be to finish college with a degree in whatever major I choose to follow,” she said. “I want to possibly come back to Lexington so that I can help the community or move to a town with an available job in my area of work. My personal goals are to start a family and be able to provide a good life for them.” Her activities include softball, basketball, soccer, concert band, marching band, student wellness committee, National Honor Society, L-Club, prom committee and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Halle’s most influential teacher is Kaitlyn Clark. “The most influential teacher for m has been Ms. Clark,” she said. “She was my world history teacher my junior year and is undoubtedly my favorite teacher. I have learned much more than just facts and statistics. While in her class, I gained confidence in myself that I thought I would never have. I gained a true friend in her because she really cares about me and where I go in life. Ms. Clark taught me that there are a few teachers whose goals aren’t just to get you to pass the class. Some of them also want
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