Exeter-Milligan Boys Lose in First Round of Silver Lake Tournament

 Exeter-Milligan boys met Shelton in the first round of the Silver Lake Holiday Tournament but lost 47-36.

Exeter-Milligan Girls Win First Round of Holiday Tournament

 Exeter-Milligan girls met a tough Shelton team in the first round.  Exeter-Milligan came out on top 50-35 in a rough and tumble game that saw two Shelton team members foul out.

Exeter-Milligan Teacher Awarded Golden Apple by 10/11 News

 Taryn Vanderford (second from the right) introduces herself and her reason for being at the Exeter Senior Center to (pictured from the left; Brenda Motis, Fillmore County Senior Services Director, Laura Kroll, Exeter-Milligan K-12 Principal, Exeter-Milligan first grade teacher Sara Pella, Vanderford, and Roma Rhodes.

  Elaine Krejci (left) and Landri Johnson (right) decorate sugar cookies together at the Exeter Senior Center.

  Golden Apple Award

 First graders enjoy coloring fun with the Exeter Senior Center crowd.  From the left are Tommy Kallhoff, Anton Classen, Kolt Songster, Braxton Harre and Nina Bartu.

 Taryn Vanderford (left) presents the Golden Apple Award to Sara Pella while Jon Vanderford films the moment for a 10/11 segment.

The Exeter-Milligan first graders made their monthly trek to the Exeter Senior Center on Wednesday, December 18 but this time they were filmed for television.  So in addition to decorating cookies and coloring Christmas pictures with their friends at the Exeter Senior Center the students got their chance to be on television.

Their teacher, Mrs. Sara Pella, had been nominated for the 10/11 News Golden Apple award.  News personalities Taryn and Jon Vanderford were in Exeter to present the award to Pella for her dedication to making a difference in the community and her students.

Pella, a York College graduate, began teaching at Exeter-Milligan in 2014.  She taught fifth grade for one year at Exeter-Milligan before taking over for retiring first grade teacher Sharon Lott.  Lott began taking her first graders to the senior center to read to them and interact with the seniors in 2011 and Pella continued the practice of the monthly gathering at the senior center.

“The students love going to the Senior Center. We have had a bigger turn out (from the senior citizens) each time we have gone this year, which is great, because I know the Seniors love it just as much, if not more.”

The relationships the students form with senior citizens continues outside of the senior center according to Pella,  “When the students are outside of school and see someone they have visited at the senior center, they get so excited and make sure to tell me that they saw them.  I know many of the students spend a lot of time with their own grandparents, but being able to still share a similar connection once a month means so much to those seniors who may not get to visit their grandchildren as often.”

Pella was nominated for the Golden Apple award by Exeter resident Roma Rhodes.  Rhodes filled out the paperwork almost a year ago nominating Pella for the distinction.  “We’ve so enjoyed her visits with the first graders for several years. The interaction is very special to each of us, the kids as well as the seniors.”

According to Taryn Vanderford, “I choose five of the top nominations each month and then forward them to a committee made up of Doane representatives and two employees of 10/11 and they decide on the winner.”

When she learned about the award Pella was “honored, thankful, and definitely surprised.  I don't feel like I need to be honored for ‘doing my job.’  All I want as a teacher, is to make an impact on the students I get to teach, the girls I get to coach, and anyone else I come into contact with.  I guess, I don't feel like I need an award for that, but I am so beyond grateful for this award.  It truly means so much, knowing that you are making an impact on those around you.”  

The only hard part about receiving the award was being interviewed for a spot which will air on Christmas night.  “Nerve-racking! The interview wasn't necessarily the nerve-wracking part, it's knowing ALL of these people will be watching it Christmas evening! Of course I wanted the interview to go perfectly, flawless, say the right words...I guess we will see in a few days! But in all seriousness, it was an honor to be interviewed and I just hope I can make Exeter-Milligan proud, because I am so proud to be able to call this wonderful community my home!”

A teaser will air on 10/11 at 4 and 5 p.m. on December 25^th with the full story to run in their 10 p.m. news show.

Merry Christmas

Exeter-Milligan Junior Senior High Christmas Concert

Exeter-Milligan Junior-Senior High Christmas Concert was held on Monday, December 16 in Exeter.

Mrs. Angie Murphy, director, led multiple groups through a celebration of the holiday season.

The entire junior-senior high band opened the concert with “’Handel’ for Christmas” and “Winter Holiday.”

The junior high choir performed “Let it Snow!” and “Somewhere in My Memory” before they were joined by the senior high members and the Friends of Vocal for “Deck the Hall.”

The first number for the senior high choir was “Silent Night” which the choir members sang and also accompanied themselves on ukulele’s which were purchased with memorial funds from the Jeannine Krejci family. The choir did a beautiful job playing and singing the piece.

The choir then shared “The Twelve Songs of Christmas” and “O Holy Night” with the audience before just the women sang “Sankta Lucia.”

The junior senior high band continued the concert with “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” which featured Mrs. Denice Kovanda as the narrator and welcomed the audience to join them in the traditional Christmas sign along.

 The junior high choir performs at the Christmas Concert at Exeter-Milligan.

The Exeter-Milligan Senior High Choir performed and sang “Silent Night” on ukulele’s.  Pictured from the left are Caitlin Murphy, Morgan White, Jozie Kanode, Briana Capek and Blake Meyer as they are directed by Mrs. Angie Murphy.

 The Exeter-Milligan Senior High Choir performs “The Twelve Songs of Christmas.”  Pictured from the left are Morgan White, Jozie Kanode, Briana Capek, Blake Meyer and Caitlin Murphy as they are accompanied by Mrs. Angie Murphy.

 Guidance Counselor Mrs. Denice Kovanda narrated “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” as the band played the piece.

 Kole Svec was a featured performer during “’Twas The Night Before Christmas.”

Exeter-Milligan's Coach Krejci Posts 200th Win

Exeter-Milligan Girls Basketball Coach Jackson Krejci notched 200 wins as head coach at Exeter-Milligan on Friday, December 6 at Osceola.  This is his 12th year as head girls basketball coach at Exeter-Milligan.  The team surprised him with a cake and a signed ball commemorating the coaching achievement.

Coach Jackson Krejci poses with his team to celebrate his 200^th coaching win at Exeter-Milligan.  Pictured behind Krejci in the middle row from the left are:  Morgan White, Alexis Turrubiates, Anna Sluka, Kayla Geiger, Jaiden Papik, Maddie Luzum, and Jozie Kanode.  Back row from the left are Jasmine Turrubiates, Emma Olsen, Cameran Jansky, Cammie Harrison, Joana Melchert, Daisy Kanode and Assistant Coach Sara Pella.