Exeter-Milligan Update: Band News

Each year, approximately 3000 of the best high school musicians in the state audition for the Nebraska All-State Band, Chorus, Jazz Band and Orchestra which are sponsored by the Nebraska Music Educators Association. Selection as a member of one of these groups is one of the highest musical honors attainable in Nebraska. Mr. Nathan LeFeber, Chair of Band Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association, is pleased to announce that Jordyn Brandt, a flute player from Exeter-Milligan will be among the 155 students selected to be a part of the 2013 All-State Band. Guest conductor for the group will be David R. Holsinger – Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee. He is the inaugural conductor of the Lee Wind Ensemble and teaches composition and conducting. The band will rehearse Thursday, November 21st through Saturday, November 23rd on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, the host site of the 2013 NMEA Conference/Clinic. A final public concert will be held on Saturday, November 23rd at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. 

Exeter Cub Scouts Learn About School System

Webelos scouts in Exeter Cub Scouts in Pack 218 had a presentation from Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield during their meeting Monday, November 11^th.  The scouts learned how important education is and they also learned about the history of schools and how things have changed over the last century.  Mr. Sheffield is pictured at the board with the Webelos clockwise around the table, Blake Meyer, Clint Oldehoeft, Braden Capek, Ben Bartu, Christopher Kelch and Holly Kelch.

Exeter-Milligan Update: Second Grade

Math is Delicious

Second graders at Exeter-Milligan learned how fun math can be! The Saxon Math program, used at Exeter-Milligan, teaches a new mathematical concept every day and constantly reviews topics. This integrated, connected approach provides long-term mastery of skills and content. Most skills are taught with the use of manipulative items. This week, Grade 2 students learned how to read a recipe and identified measuring cups and spoons by size. Second graders agreed their applejack cookies were delicious!

Pictured are: Back L-R: Savannah Horne, Devin Harrison, Trenton Vossler, Andrew Vavra, Dravin Birkes, and Tyler Due

Front L-R: Savana Krupicka, Taylor Pribyl, Troy Kallhoff, Amarah Carr and Joshua Meyer

Welcoming Foreign Exchange Student Anne Dedenroth

Anne Dedenroth a Foreign Exchange student from Coppenhagen, Denmark has joined the 11^th grade class at Exeter, Milligan.

Dedenroth is loving her experience living in rural Cordova in the home of Doug and Dacel Thomsen and their daughter Maitlyn, also a junior at Exeter-Milligan.

So far Dedenroth has had a great time in America.  “I haven’t had time to miss my parents here.  I do miss my friends sometimes and I miss public transportation.”

Dedenroth just finished the ninth grade in Denmark and for her, tenth grade is the start of high school.  “This year doesn’t count for me but it’s worth it as it will help me in the future when I am looking for jobs.  Also, when I apply for high school I have a better chance coming in because of coming here and my English will improve.”

“I like the way school works over here but I am glad I am going through my education in Denmark because I gain more from that.  The three years of high school in Denmark compares to college over here.  I am thinking about coming here for college.”

At home in Denmark, Dedenroth has two younger brothers, and is used to doing a lot of family activities.  Life has been a little hectic at the Thomsen’s especially since both of the girls played softball on the Fillmore-Central/Exeter-Milligan team.  Dedenroth is also planning to play basketball and participate in track this year.

One thing Dedenroth has enjoyed is the food.  “I like American food and I really like peanut butter.  We have it in Denmark but we never have it at our home.”

Dedenroth has really appreciated the experience of coming to small town Nebraska.  “In the future I can go to the big cities but if I hadn’t gotten here as an exchange student I would have never tried it here.  I’m glad that I am here.”

The Thomsen family is glad to have Dedenroth here as well.  Dacel Thomsen noted, “It has been great! We are learning as much about her culture as she is learning about ours. She is just like a family member. She eats anything I make and never complains! She helps out around the house and helps in the kitchen. She and Maitlyn have become so close and Doug and I love to hear the two of them laughing together which they do a lot of. She has been a great sport to play softball which she has never done and she is now going to play basketball which she has done before.”

Dedenroth is really enjoying the Thomsen family.  “I love my host family.  I couldn’t have asked for better.”

They haven’t made any big travel plans but Dedenroth has gotten to experience a Husker game and enjoyed it.  She doesn’t know how much travelling she and her mom will do when her mom comes at the end of the school year.

Dedenroth hopes to find a future in language and business possibly back in the United State someday.

Brandt's perform in the Honor Band at Concordia

Jordyn and Trystan Brandt, children of Roger and Dianne Brandt of Exeter, were selected to perform in the Honor Band at Concordia University during their annual Musical Arts Day on Nov. 1. Jordyn, a Junior, performed flute, and Trystan, a Freshman, performed trumpet. They were chosen through a recorded audition. Participants attended from several states.