Exeter-Milligan Honors Veterans

Cub Scout Axel Erdkamp posts the Cub Scout flag with the help of Richard Hickman at the Exeter Veteran’s Day Program on Monday.

Exeter-Milligan Student Council President Katherine White welcomed the audience to the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day program on Monday, November 12.  

Braden Capek, a member of Boy Scout Troop 218, led the flag ceremony and pledge of allegiance with Pack 218 members providing the color guard.

The Junior High/Senior High band played the “Star-Spangled Banner” and the Junior High choir sang “Our America.”

Together the Junior/Senior High choir sang “Inscription of Hope” and the Senior High choir sang “one Great Nation.”

Mrs. Denice Kovanda introduced the speaker, Mrs. Mary Lou Vossler.

Vossler began her talk giving the history of Veteran’s Day which was first celebrated in 1919 and became an official holiday in 1938. The purpose according to Vossler, “Pays tribute to all American veterans living or dead.”

Vossler noted that at count in 2017 there were 18.2 million U.S. living veterans with seven million from the Vietnam War and 558,000 World War II.

On a sobering note, Vossler mentioned that every day 22 veterans commit suicide.

Vossler shared her own military experience with the audience.  “My senior year of high school I felt the pressure of what I wanted to do with my life.”

As the youngest of four children, Vossler knew that her family could not fund college for her, nor could she even ask them to help.  Her brother Bill had enlisted in the National Guard and she explained that when he told her he would get a bonus if she enlisted, she decided to sign up for a six year stint.

Her father had served in the Navy and her mother had been in the reserves along with other family members who served.  

Vossler felt that her experiences “Changed my life forever.  When I was asked why I chose to serve, I answered ‘Why not?’ I did it because of the respect of those who served before us, to protect our country.  I took the oath to support and defend the constitution.“

For six years Vossler spent one weekend a month and 15 days of training each summer along with the commitment to be available if her unit was activated.

She spoke of being an 18 year old female from David City, Neb. who had never been away from home or flown in a plane.  “At this time I found my inner strength to make my family proud and most of all make myself proud.”

She spoke of the intense experiences of training, learning about guns, soldier skills and first aid before moving on to become a 42L administrative specialist working with personnel records in the 867^th Combat Engineering group in the branch out of Seward.

“These moments were life altering and allowed me to serve my country. Today I attend our Combat Engineering Company reunions and it’s just like having supper with your brother and his wives. The only regret I have is not staying in the National Guard.”

Vossler encouraged the audience to remember not only those who are serving but also those who are left behind while their spouse or children are serving.

The Exeter-Milligan band played “National Emblem” before recognizing each branch of service during the playing of “America’s Finest.”  Veterans in the audience were asked to stand as their anthem played and the audience recognized them with applause.

The program was closed by Student Council Vice President Caitlin Murphy.

Cub Scouts led the flag Ceremony at the Exeter Veteran’s Day Program on Monday.  They are pictured from the left Levi Jurgensen, Deacon Erdkamp, Richard Hickman and Axel Erdkamp with their Cubmaster, Becky Erdkamp behind them.

The Jr. Sr. High Band performs

Above - The Exeter-Milligan Junior High Choir sings “Our America.”
Below - The Exeter-Milligan Sr High Choir.

Above – National Guard Veteran Mary Lou Vossler was the speaker at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program.

Below – Local Veterans stand as their military branch anthem  is played at the Exeter-Milligan Veteran’s Day Program.

Above – Air Force Veteran Chuck Werner stands as the Air Force anthem is played.

Below – The Exeter-Milligan Band trumpet line plays during the concert.  Pictured from the left are Trever Zelenka, Jaiden Papik, and Mitchell Manning.

Above- The Clarinet line
Below - Caitlin Murphy closes the program.

EMF Falls to Creighton

 Exeter-Milligan/Friend traveled to Creighton Monday night.  It was a matchup of two unbeaten teams for a berth in the D-1 State Championship game.  Unfortunately the Bobcats saw their season come to an end as they were defeated 72-26.

Exeter Cub Scouts Donate Books

Exeter Cub Scout Pack 218 recently used some of the funds they raised by selling popcorn to pick up books to purchase and donate to Exeter Public Library.  Pictured from the left are Bear Cub Scouts Levi Jurgensen, Richard Hickman, Deacon Erdkamp and Tiger Cub Axel Erdkamp.

Courtesy photo

Exeter-Milligan Update: FFA LIvestock Judging

On November 7th the EMF FFA, under the tutelage of Advisor and Teacher Jesse Bower, took nine students to the York County Fairgrounds to compete in the District 5 Livestock Judging Contest. The students enjoyed their competition and are patiently waiting for results to be posted next week!

Pictured left to right: Ty Underwood, Josie Vyhnalek, Colton Benjamin, Braden Benjamin, Cade Kresak, Jesse Duba, Kiah Songster, Avery Kraus, and Christian Weber

Maker Space at Exeter-Milligan

Beau Becker puts the finishing touches on his MakerSpace fall decoration.

For the past three years, Exeter-Milligan students have had the opportunity to stay after school once a month (at each campus) and create.

Second grade teacher Marla Weber and Media Specialist/Technology teacher Lisa Soukup teamed up to start the MakerSpace program at Exeter-Milligan to encourage “problem solving with school-aged students,’ the two explained.

“MakerSpace programs have become popular over the past several years.  Other schools may designate their program as STEM  (science, technology, engineering, and math) or by adding art they have a STEAM program.”

Exeter-Milligan’s program does include the art component. The program is free at both campuses and when it started, the students had the opportunity to make a multitude or projects and creations. Now, Weber and Soukup have three or four projects available for the students to choose from to streamline the process. 

This month a group of students built multi-tiered platforms to display pumpkins, while others created banners to thank veterans.  Other students painted pumpkins and gourds or created seasonal fall decorations with gourds and with additional supplies.

All elementary students are welcome to stay for the free program after their parents sign a permission slip. Most of the supplies have been donated by parent’s, other patrons and businesses.  Soukup and Weber noted that Exeter resident Elva McBride has been “a major contributor to our supplies.”

Besides the fun factor, which is obvious when you step inside the space, the two teachers have seen additional results.  “One of the greatest benefits we have seen by providing MakerSpace opportunities is teamwork. Over the years, the students have learned how much more can be accomplished when work is completed with a partner on a project. Many times the teams are composed of multi-aged groups. The older students gain leadership skills and younger students look up to the older students.”

The district has been a big supporter of the program providing a space for the program along with designated storage areas at both campuses.

Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield commented, “When I was first approached about offering the program, my first thought was how are we going to do this? Lisa Soukup and Marla Weber have done a fabulous job getting everything arranged and I hope to continue offering it in the future.” 

“MakerSpace provides an opportunity for students to use their creative side as well as their problem solving skills.  It's neat watching the kids work together, design and build something.  AND the kids get to take home their projects.”

Soukup and Weber plan to continue the program and while they don’t have specific future plans they plan to keep their students’ interests in mind along with infusing changing technology into their formula.

Chezney Kanode (left) and Kaylie Schlueter work together choosing paint colors for their project.

Levi Jurgensen stands next to the patriotic banner he created at MakerSpace.

L-R Cohen Harre, Deacon Erdkamp and Titus Petersen begin to build their pumpkin stand.

Lisa Soukup helps some students with their projects.

L-R Titus Petersen,Deacon Erdkamp and Cohen Harre arrange pumpkins on the stand they built.

7 – L-R Titus Petersen, Deacon Erdkamp, Cohen Harre and Braxton Harre with their completed multi level pumpkin stand.