Pride
Saturday, March 24, 2012
People
Teacher, playwright, volunteer Stephen Viessman believes in giving back to the community page 4
A S TA R - H E R A L D P U B L I C AT I O N
W W W. S TA R H E R A L D . C O M
From small school to big success
Empty nesters to full house
For the love of helping others
Doing what she loves best
Community Christian School thriving after 24 years
Scottsbluff couple adds to family through adoption
Palomo connects with community through Scouting, tennis
Dedication to duty keeps court magistrate happy
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Photos by Roger Holsinger
Nancy Escamilla and Deb Carlson sit in one of the new reading cubbies in the new children’s library holding “Plaiderpillar” dolls that the two describe as happy monsters that welcome young readers to the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library.
They love the world of reading, and it shows By ROGER HOLSINGER Assistant Editor
They go by many names and variations. They even answer to each other’s names, especially when a younger reader sees them outside the library. To the two of them, that’s just an added benefit of the job. Deb Carlson and Nancy Escamilla said they can’t imagine doing anything other than inspiring young people to read and take advantage of the services offered at the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library. Carlson serves as the children’s librarian and supervisor of public services, while Escamilla is the young adult librarian. The two are instrumental in organizing and participating in the library’s summer reading program, and have implemented new programs designed to encourage children of all ages to read. Carlson is marking her 34th year at the library. She began as a library clerk in 1978. Carlson (Harsin) was born and raised in the valley, graduating from Gering High School in 1973. She attended and graduated from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and a minor in library science and English. After graduating, she returned to Gering and taught one year of kindergarten
Photo by Roger Holsinger
Travis Miller said the experience he gained during his two years on the Potter-Dix Public Schools Board of Education, and what he learned from Potter-Dix Superintendent Alan Combs, inspired him to someday become a superintendent.
Miller keeping the family tradition going By ROGER HOLSINGER Assistant Editor
Each year the two librarians visit kindergarten classes in the Scottsbluff Public School District and talk to young students about the importance of reading and encouraging them to come to the library and get their own library card as part of the Kinder-Card program.
at Gering Valley School, south of Gering, while still working at the Scottsbluff Public Library. Then she was offered more hours at the library and had to make a choice. “It was a tough decision, but I figured I could touch more lives being at the library,” she said. Carlson worked at the desk and helped the public, and when possible,
helped Marjorie Russell, the children’s librarian. In July of 1978, Carlson married Clay, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who was employed at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center. In 1983, Carlson took over as the children’s librarian and that same See LIBRARY, page 8
BAYARD — At 18, Travis Miller became the youngest Potter-Dix school board member ever elected in either school board’s history and possibly the state. He said the experience he gained during his two years, and what he learned from Potter-Dix Superintendent Alan Combs about the positive impact a superintendent can have on a school district and education, made him want to become a superintendent. Miller, 33, accomplished his goal last summer when he was hired as the superintendent for Bayard Public Schools. But for Miller, education seemed to be the most logical step. Both his parents, Larry Mike and Nancy, are career educators. But both also discouraged him from going into education.
“They wanted me to become a physical therapist,” he said. Both of Miller’s sisters — Lisa and Amanda — are educators and many of his aunts and uncles are educators. His two older stepbrothers are also educators, including Mike who is a math professor at Moorhead State in Minnesota. Miller was born in Gordon. Shortly afterward, the family moved to a farm near Dix, where his parents taught and coached for the school district. He graduated from Potter-Dix in 1997 and attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in education and an endorsement in social science in 2001. He earned his master’s in education administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2005. From 2001 to 2003, Miller See MILLER, page 3
Kara Rada sees her job as much more than a teacher By ROGER HOLSINGER Assistant Editor
Kara Rada doesn’t see herself as “just a teacher.” While teaching is her main objective, she’s also a counselor, coach, director and mother. Rada, who is in her tenth year as the high school speech and theater drama instr uctor for Scottsbluff Public Schools, said the thing she enjoys most about teaching is her students. “This is going to sound a little corny, but every day this job allows me to show unconditional love and support for every one of my students because many of them have never experienced that in their homes. I’ve had adults tell me that I’m immature, but I like to think of it as being young at heart. I really enjoy the company of my students,” she said. Kara (Siegfried) Rada was born and raised in Bayard, the oldest child of Karen and John Siegfried. She has two younger brothers, Eric and Shane. Karen taught third grade at Bayard Elementary School for 30 years and John had his own plumbing business. “I used to go out on service calls with my dad,” she said. “It wasn’t like I wanted to learn the business, I just loved spending time with my dad.” While in high school, she was
Photo by Roger Holsinger
Rada said that she enjoys her job as the high school speech and theater drama instructor for Scottsbluff Public Schools because she sees her students as more than just students, but also as an extension of her family. Here, she works with Tyler Hanson, left, Amy Colburn, sitting, and Kaylie Smith during drama class.
active in many activities, including choir, show choir, drama, volleyball, track and basketball. “I still hold the school record for fouling out of every basketball game my junior year,” she said with a smile.
After graduating in 1985 she attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln on a full ride vocal performance scholarship. “After a semester, I knew I had the wrong major. Deep down inside I knew that I wanted to be a
teacher,” she said. She sang soprano three years with the university’s prestigious Scarlet and Cream Singers, but unbeknownst to her, her singing career would not last. After years of singing improperly and strain-
ing her vocal cords, she began developing nodules on her vocal cords, which are similar to calluses. About 12 years ago, she was finally diagnosed and had to quit singing. “Not being able to do that type of performance art really directed me toward speech and drama,” she added. She graduated from UNL in 1989 with her elementary education degree and, through a job fair, was recruited to teach in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. She taught third grade and kindergarten for two years each. “In my first third-grade class I had 36 students and no teacher’s aide. Then I taught two half-day kindergarten classes and had 31 in each class with no teacher’s aide. I don’t know how I did it,” she said. In 1990, she met and later married another teacher at the school, Dave Rada. In 1993, the couple and their son, Zac, moved to Mitchell to be closer to family, and Kara began teaching kindergarten. The family increased with daughters Zoey and then Zaidee. She also took over the high school speech program and started the one-act performances. She and Brad Ronne also took over the musical tradition at the high school. See RADA, page 2
Pride S H RADA: Sees her job as much more than a teacher tar-
2 SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Continued from page 1 In the fall of 2001, she began teaching speech and theater at Scottsbluff High School where she brought back the one-act productions and rejuvenated the speech program. When she took over, the speech team had seven participants. “At the time, the speech program lacked leadership. When I was at Mitchell we had 30 on the team and when we’d compete against Scottsbluf f, my students would beat them ever y time. I think that core of students from Scottsbluf f realized they needed to step it up and began working really hard. “The next year we had 25 on the SHS speech team. We also saw a huge increase in the number of students interested in tr ying out for one-acts. The first year we had 12 to 15 tr y out and the next year more than 80 tried out for ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Now it’s not uncommon to have 60 students tr y out for productions.” Through the years, both programs have grown and seen success. In one-acts, SHS placed third in the state in Class A with “Sweeney Todd” in 2006, and “Damn Yankees” placed four th in Class A in 2007. In speech, SHS has had a number of state champions, including Katie Segrist in 2004 in Entertainment, Kor tany Schultz and Craig Mackie in Duet in 2006, Rachel Har vey in Persuasive in 2010 and Oral Interpretation of Drama that same year with “The Women of Lockerbie,” featuring Har vey, Sara Frederick, Nick Roussel, Colter Burkey and Aimie Adams. Last year, Roussel was the state champion in Serious and he and Tyler Webber took first in Duet. Another success came in 2008, Rada said, when Logan Vath placed tenth
in the nation with a Humorous speech. “That was one of the most exciting moments I had as a speech teacher,” she said. Rada said she attributes the success to how much the students enjoy what they’re doing. “If the students are having fun then they will want to continue it. They also form lifelong relationships and form a bond to the point where they don’t just want to see individual success, but don’t want to let their teammates down. I just want them to improve each time they perform,” she said. Rada said she is such an advocate of speech and public speaking because she knows the importance of the skill in life, “so it’s easy for me to promote it,” she added. “It’s also about building confidence and having them grow as adults, that’s what I believe is success,” she said. Rada said that many of the freshmen that take speech are shy and some are unsure of speaking in public, but what she said is gratifying is watching the confidence grow each year so that when they are seniors, they are confident. “I love it when students are involved in one-acts or speech and then win a state championship in cross countr y. I think the poise they learn in speech transfers to the athletic field,” Rada said. Roussel, who is living and working in Los Angeles as an actor, said while he probably would have chosen the same path, Rada’s suppor t and continued suppor t made the transition easier. Roussel said Rada was not only a teacher to him, but also a friend. “Whenever I needed help with anything, it was easier for me to talk to her. Her advice was al-
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Photos by Roger Holsinger
SHS speech and drama theater instructor Kara Rada is surrounded my memories in her classroom including trophies, stories and pictures of current and former students. Two former students are working in Hollywood and one, named Teresa Scanlan, wore the Miss America crown in 2011. Rada said her favorite part of speech is seeing students come out of their shells and be successful public speakers.
ways so loving and caring. “When I would watch her work with other kids, she would inspire them and the way she would communicate and relate to them, I think is one of her best qualities because it makes her so human,” said Roussel. From a speech side, Roussel said he always knew that he would be involved in speech after watching his sister go through the program. “She was always incredibly suppor tive with us (Nick and Tyler Webber). I think she knew we could handle and focus on the other students that needed more help,” he said. Another student that appreciates Rada’s dedication is Har vey, who said Rada was instrumental in her future. “She was like a Godsend for me in high school because she taught me skills that I’m now pursuing in college and will be my future career. Because of her I can do things that most college kids fear — which is public speaking,” Har vey said. She added that not only does she see her as
Sometimes, when the weather cooperates, Rada will instruct outdoors. Here, she works with a group of beginning drama students about how the movement of the body is used in drama.
“an amazing speech coach,” but was also one of her best friends. “She was always someone I could turn to, talk to and I feel so blessed to know Ms. Rada and call her my Speech Mama,” Har vey said. While she sees many positives to being a teacher, one of the negatives is knowing that some of her students lack
the suppor t and structure at home to help them become successful. If Rada was not a t e a c h e r, s h e ’ d s p e n d more time with her boyfriend, Shawn Acino, but would also pursue a couple of dream jobs. One of those would be working with incoming college freshmen and helping them adjust to college life.
“I am really a proponent of being involved in all activities. Activities like athletics, speech, music and others help students get involved and make that transition from high school to college more successful,” she said. The other job would be along the sidelines. “I would love to be a sideline repor ter for the NFL for ESPN.”
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Pride
Star-Herald
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 3
MILLER: Keeping the family tradition going Continued from page 1 was employed at Leyton Public Schools. “I taught just about everything; basically whatever they needed,” he said. He also was an assistant football coach and head speech coach. In 2003, he relocated to Gretna, west of Omaha, and taught history classes, was an assistant speech coach and coached 47 seventhgrade volleyball players for a year. He and Andrea Walton of Gordon got married in 2003, and she began law school at UNL and graduated in 2006. She was offered a position with Simmons, Olsen Law Firm in Scottsbluff and Travis was offered a position with ESU 13 as a staff development specialist. “I provided training and assistance to teachers and administrators and the position provided a great opportunity for me to get to know many educators in the Panhandle,” he said. The next year he was offered the principal position at Banner County Schools in Harrisburg and worked for that school district from 2007 until the summer of 2011. He said that even though his parents discouraged him from education, “I think I knew in my heart I wanted to be an educator. I guess you could say it gets in your blood.” His mother grew up in Callaway, and all of her siblings were in education at one point in their careers. Nancy Miller worked 30 years in the Potter-Dix School District teaching Spanish, science and coaching, while his father put in approximately 28 years with the district before retiring. Nancy is currently an elementar y PE teacher in Tor rington, W y o . H i s s i s t e r, L i s a Moravec, is the director of the dental hygiene program at the Scottsbluf f campus of the University of Nebraska Medical Center
while his other sister, Amanda Cochran, is a math instr uctor at Scottsbluf f High School. Miller said after his experience on the Potter-Dix school board, he set his sights on being a superintendent. “When I was 19, I set a goal of being a superintendent by the time I was 30. That experience on the school board and what I learned from Mr. Combs showed me what a positive impact a superintendent can have on learning and the school. “I loved being a teacher and I miss it a lot, but each day I try to be the best superintendent I can and try to improve each day as well,” he said. To remind him of the challenges, Miller has a sheet of paper under the glass of his desk with three goals including: developing partnerships to support the continued progression of BPS as a district of excellence; update procedures to ensure a safe, secure and effective learning environment for students; and develop and manage a budget to support improved students’ learning and achievement. Miller said those goals were developed in partnership with the board, which, he said, “has really been great to work with.” While being a young superintendent takes up a lot of his free time, Miller said he really enjoys spending time with his family fishing, hunting, camping and anything else they can do as a family. He and his wife have five children, including twins Kierra and Hunter, 7, Theron, 6, Joshua, 3, and Andrew, 20 months. With almost one year under his belt, Miller said he has learned a lot. “In this community there are three retired superintendents, and so this community has been fortunate to have such stability in the superintendent position. Mr. (Allen) Gross has been
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Photos by Roger Holsinger
Bayard Public Schools Superintendent Travis Miller is not the youngest superintendent in the state, but he’s close. But being a young leader is nothing new for Miller, who was elected to the Potter-Dix school board when he was still in high school. Miller said he is enjoying his first year at the school and strives to improve daily.
great to work with and has come in to help me. He came in to help me work through the first budget and continues to be a strong suppor ter of the school,” Miller said. He added that the parents of the district continue to be very supportive. “I have really appreciated their advocacy for their children. You will always see better outcomes in the education of students when parents take an active role and get involved,” he said. Miller said while things are going well for the district, he also knows that improvements need to be made. “Our test scores are good, but not where we want them to be. We want to see our math scores increase and we are focusing more on reading,” he said. So where does Miller
see himself in 10 years? “I plan on staying in education and continue to be the best superintendent I can be. The benchmark that I always think about is, are the decisions I’m making going to be good for my students? That is always my main objective.”
Travis Miller said he loves walking through the halls of Bayard Public Schools and observing student learning. He said he often has lunch at the grade school and visits with students. Here he visits with second-grade students, from left, Kolton Kriha, Sito Bates and Beau Lake, who are studying word usage.
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Pride
4 SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Star-Herald
Teacher, playwright, volunteer: Stephen Viessman believes in giving back to the community By ROGER HOLSINGER Assistant Editor
When Stephen Viessman was hired by Scottsbluff Public Schools in 1982, the superintendent advised him to get involved in the community. Viessman took that advice and continues to give back as much as he can. Viessman was born in Baltimore, Md. But he moved around as a child, as his father was a college professor. His life included homes in Las Cruces, N.M., and Brewer, Maine. Eventually his father accepted a position with the University of Nebraska where Viessman attended junior and senior high school. He attended UNL and said his favorite memory of college was on the first day of classes, when he met his future wife. “A young lady sat down next to me in history class and asked me if I wanted to have lunch. I had already made plans, but I asked her if she wanted to tag along, and she did. And the rest is history,” he said. He said while in college he wasn’t really sure of the path he’d take in life, but a test showed that teaching would be a position he could excel at. “Plus, the teachers I had in high school really inspired me and I wanted to give back, which I could do through teaching,” he said. Viessman graduated from the Teacher’s College in 1980 and began to take graduate work. During that time he served as an officer with the Student National Education Association, including two terms as state president. Then Viessman heard about a teaching position in Scottsbluff. “I remember the trip out here. It was like we were
coming out here on a wagon train. Then I saw Chimney Rock and later on Scotts Bluff National Monument and just loved the landscape.” Viessman interviewed for a sixth-grade position at We s t m o o r E l e m e n t a r y School in the summer of 1982 and was later offered the position. While he looked forward to his first job, his fiancée, Tammy, was still in Lincoln. But he did have one familiar face at the school, Cindy Downey, who had also attended UNL at the same time as Viessman. He rode the Greyhound bus from Scottsbluff to Lincoln on breaks to see Tammy. The couple married in Lincoln on Dec. 11, 1982, a year after their engagement. The couple then made their home in Scottsbluff, and Tammy began working for what is now Platte Valley Companies. Viessman earned his master’s in education from UNL in 1985. Viessman taught sixth grade for one year and then third grade for three years. “Then I learned I was a district employee and could be moved where needed,” he said. For the next 14 years Viessman taught third and fourth grades at Lincoln Heights Elementary School before returning to Westmoor for eight years as a second-grade teacher. Then Viessman approached Principal Charlotte Browning, requesting a move of his own. “It had always been a career goal of mine to teach kindergar ten,” he said, something he’s been doing now for four years, making this his 30th year in the school district. “I really enjoy it (teaching kindergarten), but there is something special about
Photos by Roger Holsinger
ABOVE: Westmoor Elementary kindergarten teacher Stephen Viessman works with, from left, Aiden Narvais, Macee Maddox and Patrick Weatherman during an assignment. Viessman has been teaching for 30 years, the last four as a kindergarten teacher. LEFT: A few summers ago the summer reading program focused on bugs. In addition to Viessman, right, librarians Deb Carlson and Nancy Escamilla joined in along with Viessman’s daughter, Beth Anne, left.
ever y grade level. In kindergarten you have the chance to see them grow in their reading and writing skills, and they have a lot of love to give. “As a teacher, I believe we need to nurture that love so they feel valued and safe, which makes them want to come to school. It also needs to be enjoyable See VIESSMAN, page 5
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Pride
Star-Herald
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 5
VIESSMAN: Believes in giving back to the community Continued from page 4 so they get off on the right foot,” said Viessman. He said that he would not be the teacher he is without the help of other teachers in the district, including Lori Blehm, who was a mentor to him when he was at Lincoln Heights along with Renee Fertig, Heather Neu and Dusty Sheilds at Westmoor. He said he also appreciates all that his para-educator Kate Sherwood does to assist him in his class, along with reading coach Marsha Green. “I have had so many that have helped me. I’m a product of a lot of individuals. Now I’m one of the senior teachers, but I still miss my buds and have learned to appreciate the people I work with. “The guidance of the Lord, too, has helped. He brought us out here and he helps me through the good times and not-so-good times,” he said. Viessman said his favorite par t of teaching kindergarten is the enthusiasm for life and learning the young students have. “They are able to show you the joy in life if you take the time to look at it. As adults we get involved in the world and the obligations of adult life and forget to look at the little things.” His passion for teaching now appears to be headed to another generation, as daughter, Beth Anne, is teaching at St. Agnes Catholic School and might return to college to become a teacher. When he is not teaching, Viessman often volunteers at the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library. In addition to this year marking his 30th year of teaching, it also marks 30 years of volunteering at the library. He said he first got involved after seeing Children’s Librarian Deb Carlson present a portion of the summer reading program. He asked if they accepted adult volunteers, and Carlson welcomed him with open arms. Viessman has become a regular during the summer reading program and has also served on the library board. Each year, V iessman comes up with a new adventure for Carolina Courageous, Digger Bones and Ann Tiquity. Each summer, Viessman writes up a new adventure for the group and the story is turned into a play, with Viessman playing Digger, Carlson as Carolina and Teen Librarian Nancy Escamilla filling the role of Ann. “Carolina is a young, female version of Indiana Jones, but always pulls her friends into the adventure and then takes all the glory. Digger knows what’s ahead for him and Ann always wants to help and be a part of it,” he said.
Photos by Roger Holsinger
ABOVE: When Viessman began teaching sixth grade at Westmoor in 1982, one of his students was Tracie Sittner. That young lady is now one of Viessman’s co-workers, Tracie Barrett, who teaches third grade at the school. RIGHT: Each year Viessman is part of the summer reading program for the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library, and during the wrap-up party he often lends his theatrical skills to portray characters. Last summer Viessman took on the role of Digger Bones and Snidely Snakeinthegrass in the play he wrote, “Carolina Courageous and the Big Story or Languishing at the Lied.”
Viessman began writing in college for a fundraising event and that blossomed with Carolina. Her adventures have included the high seas, Egypt and searching for ghosts at a haunted house. This summer, he said, he may have the group take a trip down memory lane. While he enjoys the writing aspect, he said the underlying theme of all the skits is the importance of books and reading. Carlson said Viessman always promotes the library. “He is a diplomat for our library, and is always there to help when we need him,” she said. Viessman has also been on the board of Theater West and will serve as president in 2013. He and his family also volunteer at the Midwest Theater, and the three
of them joined St. Agnes Catholic Church about four years ago. He is also involved in the Knights of Columbus. When he has a few moments, Viessman said he manages his “mammoth” collection of Department 56 villages. He said he really enjoys collecting the villages and said he became interested in miniature villages as a child. “When I was young, my father had a train set that included pieces from Germany. Every Christmas we would set it up and I want to create a legacy to hand down to my daughter,” he said. Something he said he is looking forward to this year is helping his mother celebrate her 80th birthday on her ranch near Crawford.
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Pride
Star-Herald
Community Christian School thriving after 24 years Photos by Kay Grote
By KAY GROTE
LEFT: The CCS school board ann o u n c e d their plans last April to p u r c h a s e 3 5 acres near the intersection of Five Rocks Road and M Street in Gering as a f u t u r e building site for a school. Phase I requires $300,000 for the purchase of the land.
For the Star Herald
The “old Bryant School” on West 14th in Scottsbluff is one of the last 1930s school buildings still in use in the North Platte Valley. Though the building shows signs of eight decades of wear and use, with cracks in the high ceilings and drafts breezing through some of the windows, the spirit inside is lively and fresh. More than 230 preschool, elementary and junior high students still bustle daily in the school’s hallways, fidget in the classrooms and roughhouse on its small playground. The students foster friendships, work through daily lessons and learn about God. Each day begins with the Pledge of Allegiance to both the American and Christian flags. Prayers are said before lunch and after sports practice. The school building was purchased by a small group of parents 24 years ago for $32,000 from Scottsbluff’s Berean Fundamental Church. They sought to give children a Bible-based education and an opportunity to openly worship while learning. They converted the then-abandoned school into Community Christian School. The school was state approved as a Class I School in 1989 and opened its doors with 26 students. To date, more than 300 students have graduated from eighth grade at the school. The school was structured as an interdenominational school based on Christian principles. The school’s first year of enrolled students represented about a dozen different church congregations. Barbara Senkel was among the original group of parents to envision the opening of a Christian school for the valley’s residents. She said several people were appointed to a committee to organize a school but only a dedicated handful stayed the course. She served as president of the committee, Deb Schmer was secretary and Lynn Campbell was elected treasurer.
BELOW: Community Christian School opened in 1988 at the “old Bryant school,” located at 511 West 14th St. in Scottsbluff, with just 24 students. Today, the school has an enrollment of 216 K-8 students, a foreign exchange student from Thailand, 10 cultural exchange students from China and a thriving childcare center and preschool.
“We had no money, but we did have faith that we would someday, so we elected her (Campbell) tr easur er,” Senkel said. A Pastoral Advisory Committee also met once a month to hear updates and pray. That committee also served to screen potential board members and offer expertise and advice and gather interest and support from the surrounding communities. “During the course of the summer befor e school opened, we attempted to meet with every pastor in Scottsbluff and Gering and several in sur rounding towns. There was not one who did not support what we were doing. Some became more actively involved than others, but all of them were encouraging and gave their blessing,” Senkel said. The original administrative board was comprised of local business people, church elders and members of Christian Media Inc. They were Cliff Shaw, Richard Snell, Lynn Campbell, David Hergert and Beth Chain. “Dick Snell loved this
school,” Senkel said. “He the school to conduct the anspent hours and hours fixing nual maintenance projects. up the aging building, invest- School administrator Chris ing personal resources when See CCS, page 7 the treasury had none. One of his biggest projects involved removing asbestos from the crawl space. He personally donned the white coveralls and crawled through the mazes under our floors. “Bud Hudson volunteered to clean and faithfully ran the dust mops and brooms. As the school grew, parents were hired to come in and help Bud, but the first year, he was our faithful janitor,” Senkel said. “That first year was almost a ‘family’ year,” Senkel said. “The parents came in a n d h e l p e d r e g u l a r l y. Some took vacation time to come in and do some badly needed painting. Others came in evenings and surprised us by morning with newly painted rooms and other work needing done.” Self-suf ficiency and a strong sense of volunteerism for the school has been the rule ever since. Each spring and summer school supporters gather at
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Pride
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 7
CCS: School thriving after 24 years Continued from page 6 Geary and current board members Sean McCracken, Marty McAndrew, Levi Umble, Kevin Woodward and Gil Watkins, along with dedicated volunteers, lead the charge to clean up, replace, repair and paint the interior classrooms of the aging building. “The school is held together by love and commitment,” board president Sean McCracken said after an annual clean-up day. “We have a good group of parents and volunteers and they are what keep the school going.” Senkel said when the early group was developing the criteria for teachers and staff, they required teachers to first be born-again Christians and certified by the State of Nebraska. According to Senkel, new staff was added the second year and staff moved classrooms into the “front” half of the building. Deb Demaranville, Loretta Roth and Joyce Clause joined the teaching staff, and Nancy Hergert became a full-time secretary. The student count went up to about 75 and then the 125 third year. Pat Snocker took the responsibility of head teacher the third year, and served in that position until Carl Laws was hired as full-time administrator where he served for 15 years. Present administrator, Chris Geary, was hired in 2006. Today, there are over 20 teachers and support staff serving the school. Irene Vernon was one of the early teachers who witnessed the transformation of the old brick schoolhouse into the bustling center of education and worship it is today. In 1988, Vernon was co-owner of the Golden Rule preschool housed in the east wing of the school. Vernon leased two rooms from
the church. Once Community Christian School was approved by the State Board of Education, the building purchase was finalized and the school opened, she said she could sense the beginning of something large. “We were just a small preschool here. When I heard that the church had sold the building, I wondered what would happen to us,” Vernon recalls. “But I loved it when the building started filling up with kids.” After 24 years, CCS stands poised to grow again. In early 2011, the school board signed an option to purchase agreement and made a $25,000 earnest payment on 35 acres at the intersection of M Street and Five Rocks Road in Gering. The earnest payment was made with funds raised through the CCS Foundation for that purpose. Geary said the school’s intent is to acquire the land and work with partners to develop the property not only for the school, but also for the community. Geary said the school’s future development would be completed in phases with the first phase being the land purchase and preliminary site preparation. Phase II includes the initial building stage, which will include the child care center and enough classroom and office space to relocate the present school at the Gering location. Phase III will allow for expansion to offer two classes per grade level and Phase IV will add classrooms that will allow for the expansion of classroom space for high school students who desire a Christian education at the secondary level. “I’m really excited for the school’s future and I have no doubt that it will be completed one day,” Vernon said as she reflected on the humble beginnings of the school. “But I’m also sad that I may not be involved as a teacher when it’s finally completed.”
Photos by Kay Grote
Community service has remained a strong component of the education offered at Community Christian School. Each year students, staff and school volunteers participate in spring clean up projects including tree planting at Riverside Park in Scottsbluff.
The enchilada factory has been a long-time tradition at CCS. Students, staff, volunteers and alumni gather each February and transform the school gym into an assembly line for thousands of enchiladas and sales help support the school’s yearly operational costs.
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LIBRARY: Carlson, Escamilla love the world of reading Continued from page 1 year changed the summer reading program. Her first program was titled “Super Reader.” Nancy (Altamirano) Escamilla was born in Scottsbluff, lived in Gering and attended McKinley Elementary School, St. Agnes and Roosevelt Elementary before graduating from Scottsbluff High School in 1978. She began working at the library when she was 15. “I met Mrs. Russell and she asked me if I could start that evening, and I said yes. I worked there for two months before I got my first check. Because I was only 15, I had to wait until my birthday because I wasn’t supposed to have been hired unless I was 16. The city just held on to my checks,” she said smiling. About that same time she met Manuel. He was a year older, and the two dated through high school and while he attended Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. The two got married on Dec. 29, 1979, in Gering. Manuel has worked for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for the past 33 years. Escamilla continued at the library for four years and then quit and stayed home for seven years raising the couple’s two sons. In 1986 she returned part time as a library clerk. In 1987, Carlson and Escamilla teamed up to produce a circus-themed program. Carlson said she was glad to see Escamilla return. “I grabbed her. We just fit.” In 1996, Escamilla went full time as Interlibrar y Loan/Technical Services librarian and also assisted Carlson with children activities. Then in 2003, Escamilla was promoted to her current position, young adult librarian. Today, the two are almost inseparable. “I see Nancy more than my husband,” said Carlson jokingly. “There are times when I’m out at the store or something and a child will see me and will come up and ask, ‘Where’s your sister?’” added Escamilla. Carlson said while the children’s program flourished, they were losing a lot of readers from the fifth and sixth grades. So Nancy’s task was to bring them back, and that was accomplished with the implementation of the Teen Advisory Council or TAC. Through the years, Escamilla has had assistants and now she h a s J i m P a u l e y, w h o stepped up to assist with the program and activities. “My goal was to make teens and pre-teens feel comfortable at the library, to serve them and encourage them to remain readers,” Escamilla said. TAC star ted with 15 members and now it has 25 with a waiting list of approximately 10. She said they average 200 teens involved in the teen portion of the summer reading program. This year, Escamilla will receive her 25-year certificate from the city, even though she’s worked at the library for 29 years. Those four extra years were as a student page. Thanks to Carlson and Escamilla’s dedication to making the summer reading program fun and interesting, the number of children involved has steadily risen. In 1982, there were 571 children enrolled. Another 65 children enrolled the following year and read 20,756 books after Carlson made changes to the program. Last year, 1,765 children were enrolled and read more than 45,000 books. “We have really come to realize the programming (of the program) is really important. If the children and their parents are coming into the library, then they are taking a vested interest in it,” said Carlson. During the program, weekly events take place that emphasize the theme and special guests are invited to reinforce the theme and show the children the importance of reading. Other successful programs that Carlson has implemented include pre-
Photo by Roger Holsinger
After Deb Carlson took over the Children’s Summer Reading Program, more events were added and each year the theme changes. Carlson and Nancy Escamilla, left, are never shy in trying to entertain and encourage the children to read and learn more about the world around them.
school stor ytime, the Kinder-Card program that encourages kindergar ten students to get their own librar y card and the Teacher-Tote program. In addition, Carlson was instrumental in coordinating the Cradle Catchers program with Delta Kappa Gamma. The program is designed to have parents and siblings read to newborn babies and it also reinforces the importance of taking children to the library at an early age and emphasizes the correlation between reading to a child and success in school. Other programs the two work with is Family Prime Time Reading, Read Across America, Children’s Library Week along with tours and presentations, to name a few. Carlson said one of the new things planned for the librar y is the 100 Best Books that will include 100 picture books she hopes every child reads and enjoys throughout their childhood. The two will select the titles and will have three copies of each book. They are also going to design a brochure so that each of the books can be checked off as its read. The two said this new pr oject would not be possible without the financial support of patrons, civic organizations and area businesses. Carlson said she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “When I was young, I grew up walking to the Gering librar y and I was given free reign there. I loved Nancy Drew and as I became older I realized what a tool reading was. When I began working here it became obvious that I needed to do something to get children reading and have their parents read to them as well,” she said. Escamilla’s first librar y experience came as a child because her grandparents would buy the Weekly Reader books and
she would also go to the librar y. “My aunt, Pauline Blackledge, and her daughter, Mar y Beth, lived two blocks from the Scottsbluf f librar y and Mar y Beth would walk me to the librar y and read to me. I remember her reading ‘David Copperfield’ to me
when I was in third grade and getting frustrated because I wanted to read my own books. Today, that book is one of my favorites,” she said. Escamilla also developed a love for reading while on the school bus. She said her first chapter book was “Treasure Is-
Life
land,” but she called it Treasure Is Land. “Each day the bus driver would ask me what book I was reading and I would reply, Treasure Is Land, and he would chuckle and I knew why. But I just loved to read and still do.” Carlson said she attributes the growth in the pro-
grams to the enthusiasm and excitement the two have. “We also love what we do and we receive a lot of support from the community, parents and local businesses,” she said. “I remember Debbie saying, ‘If we have to stand on our heads to keep them entertained and involved, we’ll do it,’ and that’s what we do,” added Escamilla. “You do this (be a librarian), too, because you love to do it. If you don’t, people won’t stay and you have to have a passion and love for children. “Families need activities that don’t cost money especially during these tough economic times, and we offer that here,” said Escamilla. Just recently the librar y was ranked No. 4 in the nation for children libraries. While Escamilla said she was pleased for the recognition, she disagreed with the rating. “We’re not No. 4. We offer the best ser vice and have the best librarians and clerks in the nation, and we are the best in the state when it comes to our teen librar y,” she said. Carlson said the librar y staff is what really makes the place special. “We have a great staff here. They check in and out the books, issue new cards and help all the time. We have a tradition of providing the best ser vice and being professional,” said Carlson.
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9 SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Star-Herald
Scottsbluff couple adds to family Photo by Maunette Loeks
By MAUNETTE LOEKS The Merrill family, made of Lisa, Kidus, Nati and Dr. Clint Merrill take some time on the family couch. The Merrills adopted the two boys in 2008.
Staff Reporter
Dr. Clint Merrill and his wife, Lisa Merrill, were close to being empty nesters when the couple adopted two boys in 2008. The couple married after meeting at a Fort Collins medical practice where they both worked. Lisa served as a medical technician at the practice and Clint worked as a hematologist and oncologist. Lisa’s daughters, Sierra, now 20, and Bailey, now 19, were in high school and readying for their own futures. Clint’s children, Erica, now 28, and Aaron, now 26, were grown. After the couple married, they lived in Laramie, Wyo., where Dr. Merrill ran his own private practice for nine years. “Basically, I got four weeks off in eight years,” he said, adding that the rigor of a private practice, as well as the financial constraints, made him look for a different opportunity. The couple moved to Scottsbluff two years ago. Merrill now practices with the Regional West Physicians Clinic — Internal Medicine as one of two new hematologist/oncologists in the community. As part of their medical career, Clint and Lisa served on mission trips to the Dominic Republic and Ecuador. “You see the huge need,” Lisa Merrill said. “It’s just so much to think about.” During and after those trips, the couple often thought about adopting. “You think about it. You try not to think about. You think, ‘We’re too old.’” Also, Clint Merrill said, the couple also knew of adoption horror stories, hearing of couples who made the required payments and other processes to adopt in countries like Ecuador only to find out they had been scammed. Wait periods can also be very long, he said, or require couples to live in the countries for short periods of time before allowing an adoption to proceed. It made the couple cautious about adopting from a foreign country. Then, Clint’s daughter Erica served for six weeks in an African orphanage with children who were HIV positive. When she came back and told the stories, sharing with Clint and Lisa Merrill her photos, “You just saw what she saw,” Lisa said. A drug representative that Clint Merrill worked with had adopted from Ethiopia, showing the couple a photo of the boy and girl he had adopted. Because there are not a lot of adoption pr ograms in Africa, the couple, inspired by the story of their friend, looked to Ethiopia, one of the few countries that did. It took two years, two long years. “The need is there, but it takes so long,” Lisa Merrill said. “It is sad that they do not try to make it easier.” Government processes in Ethiopia are very slow. For example, when the couple went to the embassy in Ethiopia to finalize the adoption, they spent hours waiting. As part of the adoption process, the couple also had to complete various steps of a screening process, undergoing physical exam, background checks and other requirements. Through the adoption agency, Lisa Merrill said, families develop a network of other families who have adopted or ar e going through the process. She said it is a comforting part of the process to have a support network through phone and email. With poverty and HIV greatly affecting the country, many children are in orphanages and awaiting adoptions. After eight to nine months of the application process, the pair finally moved into the selection process, with the agency attempting to match them with children. Initially, the couple had hoped to adopt siblings, but instead Natinael and Kidus were paired with the couple. Natinael had been in the orphanage for two years before he was adopted. “How could you ever say no?” Lisa said of the experi-
ence of being emailed photos of the prospective adoptees they were sent. “They literally give you three sentences of history about the kids, but it was love at first sight.” The couple traveled to Ethiopia in April 2008. For Clint Merrill, it was his first time overseas. They stayed in the country for 10 days, with interesting stories to tell about packing luggage into a small Toyota and other adventures. See MERRILL, page 10
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SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 10
MERRILL: Scottsbluff couple adds to family through adoption Continued from page 9
Photo by Maunette Loeks
Kidus flashes his trademark smile as his brother Nati watches during a bout of games on the Nintendo DS. The two boys were adopted by their parents, Lisa and Dr. Clint Merrill, in 2008 and have lived in Scottsbluff for about two years.
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“I had fun, but I was glad to be home,” he said. The most important part of the story though came in the first time they met the two boys they were adopting. After meeting the boys and becoming acquainted, the couple took the boys to a pizza parlor, an experience they had never had before. When asked if they were willing to go with the couple to have pizza, Lisa said, “they didn’t hesitate. From then on, they were completely dependent on us.” The couple didn’t want to leave the children at the orphanage, she said, so on their very first night, they became a family, staying in an Ethiopian hotel. The boys were gifted clothing and shoes, able to change out of toosmall and well-worn clothing. During the visits over the next few days, the couple’s driver looked at Nati, Clint said, sharing, “He is not free.” Days later, as the couple visited a zoo and other attractions, he changed his initial assessment — “Now he is free,” the driver said. However, Nati’s freedom and his new life didn’t come until after the couple also met the mothers of Kidus and Natinael, a very emotional process, during a traditional going away party for the
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children at the orphanage. It was a draining experience, Lisa said, but one that taught her that the two boys’ mothers had made the ultimate sacrifice — they wanted better lives for their children. Today, Nati and Kidus are brothers, despite not being biologically related. “They are definitely brothers,” Lisa said. “They fight like brothers. They play like brothers.” They are also part of a family. They fight and annoy their sisters — “Bailey and Nati went round and round for the first year and are now closer than ever,” Clint said. Most of all, they have adjusted well, Lisa said. Initially, when Kidus came to America, his muscle development had been so poor that he was physically behind other children, unable to run, jump or crawl up and down stairs. Today, the boys are active in sports, with the couple encouraging them to tr y different things. They are good students at Lincoln Heights, with Nati particularly interested in math. “We are so lucky,” Lisa said. “We have the greatest boys. They are incredibly smart. They are just incredible kids and they have adjusted so well.”
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SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 11
Palomo connects with community through Scouting, tennis Photos by Joe Dutton
By JOE DUTTON
Palomo on the Gering High School tennis courts that he has volunteered his time to help students learn the game of tennis.
Staff Reporter
In tennis, a player who hits a serve over the line gets another chance. That’s all the opportunity Matt Palomo needed to get a tennis program started in Gering. Palomo has been working with young adults for the past 42 years, including four decades as a Scoutmaster. He succeeded Dr. Max Gentry, the original scoutmaster of Troop 17 in Gering. His volunteer work includes 10 years as a tennis coach with adults and high school kids. His career includes 30 years in his own business specializing in lawn care systems and landscaping. His interest in tennis star ted with his wife’s brother, who used to play high school tennis in Texas. After he married his wife, Aurora, his brother-in-law introduced him to the game. Palomo played until he was 33. He quit playingfor 15 years because of his business and family priorities, but in 1998 his wife encouraged him to pick up the racquet again. From then on he has been deeply involved with the game. “My wife has always been a very, very good support system through my Scouting and through my tennis, because it takes a lot of time. She has been the cornerstone of all my volunteer work and she knows why I do it.� In 2002, Palomo had an idea to start a tennis league for high school students who didn’t play softball or baseball, both boys and girls. He wanted them to do something constr uctive and keep busy befor e school. “Twice a week they were involved, and they had to be committed to do it. That idea started with six kids in 2002 to about over 50 kids
now, from the ages of 7 to high school ages,� Palomo said. After three years, Palomo wanted to build a tennis team in the high school. He knew that the plan had to be approved by the school board. His first request was turned down, which was hard on both the kids and Palomo. “The kids kept playing and they said, ‘Matt, we are going to keep trying.’ I said OK. As long as you guys try, I will be there right with you. Just give it one more shot.� This year, there was a unanimous vote by the school board for Gering to have a high school tennis team. There are 16 boys and 14 girls signed up to play. All the students who are involved have a minimum of two years experience playing tennis and are ready to represent the high school. “I’m very grateful to the parents that trusted me with their kids and the kids that believed what I was teaching them. I teach very basic fundamental tennis: Get the ball over the net, that’s all I want,� Palomo said. “Then they can take it See PALOMO, page 12
Palomo stands next to the awards and photos that he has influenced for the past four decades.
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Pride
Star-Herald
PALOMO: Connects with community through Scouting, tennis Continued from page 11 from there, and it works.” Palomo says volunteering is a form of mental therapy — a time out from what he does. He enjoys being competitive and he said the people around him are remarkable. When it comes to the kids he is involved with, their facial expressions are the most important to him. “The kids give back to me in many, many ways. It is such a personal satisfaction to see a kid develop through scouting, tennis, whatever — because the foundation to their success is developing and having a proper comfort zone to let them know they are important, and they are going to go a long ways.” Palomo has been Scoutmaster to about 300 boys during his career for Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts meet at Christ the King Catholic Church in Gering ever y Tuesday during the academic school year. He is now in his second generation of Scouting at the same location. He puts beginners and experts on the same level to make them feel important. “I never want to make my higher level Boy Scout or my higher level tennis player above my beginners, because it has to be controlled. I want the kids to see that they are just as important as these people, but you are at a different level.” Palomo is not afraid to show his emotions. His eyes started to cloud with emotion as he reminisced about how important it is to him to be recognized for his contributions in their lives. “The boys always say thank you, in so many ways. You kind of expect them to say thank you verbally, but that is not the way it is. Some do, but others don’t and that is OK. I accept that. But when they come back to see you or they wave to you, it is ver y emotional to me.” Palomo wants to play tennis as long as he can, but he plans to retire from Scouting in three years,
Photo by Joe Dutton
Palomo stands proudly by the Eagle Scout board in the Boy Scout meeting room in the basement of Christ the King Catholic Church in Gering.
since that will complete his goal to reach 50 years within Boy Scouts of America. His high school students have encouraged him to apply for the fulltime tennis coaching position at the high school since he is the current club tennis coach. He has recently applied, but the results are pending. Palomo says the school will make the right decision in whomever they choose and if he isn’t the final choice, he’ll have the satisfaction in knowing that he tried. “Nobody owes me anything. In fact, I owe them. I have done ever ything the way it should be done and I feel good about that, and I never second guess myself.”
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SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 13
Dedication to duty keeps Hayden happy By SANDRA HANSEN Ag Editor
BRIDGEPORT — Stepping into Linda Hayden’s office in the Morrill County Courthouse is also stepping into her private life. You’ll find Elvis decked out in a red jacket dancing in time to the beat of the clock on her wall, and teddy bears in almost every nook and cranny. That’s what happens when you are dedicated to your job as well as your special hobbies. If you don’t have enough time with them at home, you bring them to the office. Hayden has been sharing her love of teddy bears, and her decorating skills, with other county employees and courthouse visitors for nearly 50 years. As associate judge for nine years, and clerk magistrate for an additional 39 years, Hayden has brought many of her treasures to her office in the southwest corner of the main floor of the courthouse, so she could enjoy them while working eight hours a day, five days a week. Other wise, the bears would sit at home by themselves, and probably lonely. A Bridgepor t High School graduate, Hayden is especially fond of her Cherished Teddies, ceramic figures that are tucked into corners or on filing cabinets and shelves throughout the office. Other favorites are Bearington and Boyd’s brands, more the traditional stuffed and cuddly critters. She estimates that more than 500 bears share her home and work space. In addition to her teddy bears, Hayden has created an entire village in a winter scene of small ceramic structures. It sits on top of several filing cabinets in the room that serves as office for the county judge when he is in town on the first and third Wednesday of each month. About 5060 figures are included in the collection she acquired over the six to seven years they were offered during the Christmas season many years ago at Herberger’s in Scottsbluff. So far, Hayden said, none of the judges have complained about the decorations of the office. She has worked with G. Glenn Camerer, James Macken and James Worden. Current Judge Randin Roland is based in Sidney, but hears cases in Deuel, Garden, Keith, Cheyenne and Morrill county courts.
Photos by Sandra Hansen
RIGHT and ABOVE: An appropriate symbol of Linda Hayden’s life is this ceramic teddy bear in judge’s robes. An avid teddy bear collector and interior decorator, Hayden has adorned her office with teddy bears and a large table top winter scene village.
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See HAYDEN, page 14
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14 SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Star-Herald
HAYDEN: Finds happiness working as clerk magistrate in Morrill Co. Continued from page 13 Hayden has seen many changes in the judicial system during the past 46 years. Although the local level courts are called county courts, they are in fact state run operations. This came about in the 1973 court reform legislation. The reform also renamed Hayden’s position. Until that time, her title was associate judge. “Most of the associate judges were women,” Hayden said, seated at her desk on a fairly quiet Tuesday morning. “There was a lot of paperwork then, and we did that, too.” The associates took care of a lot of traffic cases and some minor cases, and for the most part, people who showed up in court were polite and
respectful. She has also been registrar for probate cases. Training is and has been on-going for her position, Hayden said. A certain amount of annual training is required, and it can be delivered by webinars, in addition to on-site conferences around the state. The basic requirement for today’s clerk magistrate is a high school education, which is supplemented by the training programs. She also is allowed to wear a judge’s black robe, but that isn’t required. “I used to wear it more often, but now there is too much going on, so I don’t wear it as much,” she said. The twice-a-month courtroom schedule has been accompanied by a drop in cases, Hayden said. The latest figures
show about 1,700 cases were heard in Bridgeport in 2011, which was down some from the previous year. She said there had been as many as 2,000 cases in past years. While the courtroom and paperwork are the foundation of her job, Hayden said the people are important, too. “Here we meet some really nice people, but there are some (who say) that it’s always your fault,” Hayden said of the court’s clients. “You just have to take those reactions in stride,” she said. Office procedures also shifted with the court reform. Part-time help has always been included in the process, but now there is less of it. With the reform, See HAYDEN, page 15
Photo by Sandra Hansen
As clerk magistrate, Linda Hayden sometimes dons a judge’s black robes to hear cases in the courtroom, but not as often as in the past. Judge Randin Roland presides over cases in Bridgeport two days a month.
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Pride
Star-Herald
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012 15
HAYDEN: Finds happiness working as clerk magistrate in Morrill Co. Continued from page 14 half days were tried for a while, but with the extra person coming from the Oshkosh courthouse, there was almost more travel time than office time. That eventually was adjusted to two full days a week for the Bridgeport office. According to Hayden, the workload has changed over the decades. Part of it is because of budget cuts, and another part is because of tech-
nology, which has eliminated a lot of paperwork by placing forms and documents online. Payments can be made and forms can be accessed through the Internet. Tape recordings of courtroom proceedings are ancient history, as they are now recorded digitally and are on disks. As for the courthouse “family,” Hayden said they have all been great to work with, and she has had good working relationships with all of the
judges. “They all pretty much let me do my job,” she said. “They’re a great bunch to work with.” Away from work, she said there are some restrictions on what she is able to join and participate in, because as the clerk magistrate, she is held to the same judicial ethics that judges abide by. “You have to be careful what you belong to and what you do,” she explained. Looking around her, Hay-
den said she has brought some of her interests into the office, the bears and the village, but baking and reading are favorites for her time at home, and taking walks with her husband, Tom. Hayden also has a 9-yearold grandson, Hunter, who along with his parents, Brad and Cindy Hayden, lives in Gering. He just might qualify as her favorite interest in private life, even outshining the bears.
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Star-Herald
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he Board of Directors approved the purchase of property on South Broadway for $60,000 from CCA. The food store, restaurant and other buildings were located on this property. Sales for 1952 were $1,433,121 with a membership of 2,801.
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