Saturday, May 27, 2023

Exeter-Milligan Update: Senior Mailboxes


 

As Bon Jovi says:

“There’s only one place left that I want to go,

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T GO HOME!”

 

This was the message the Exeter Area Community Foundation and the Exeter-Milligan School Foundation expressed to the 2023 graduates at Exeter-Milligan.  Each graduate received a personalized mailbox, reminding them that they will always have a home at Exeter-Milligan and are always part of the pack.  It may not be on the graduates' radar now, but in five or ten years, when they have a family of their own and are looking for a place to raise that family, the hope is that a little voice will be telling them, “Who says you can’t go home!”

 

Pictured front L-R: Sophia Gilliam, Olivea Swanson, Morgan White, Jozie Kanode, Jasmine Turrubiates, and Hannah Baller

 

Back row: Chase Vnoucek, Marcus Krupicka, Cade Kresak, Daysan Staskal, and Gabe Jindra

Friday, May 26, 2023

Kanode is EM Network VIP


 

Courtesy photo - Exeter-Milligan’s Jozie Kanode, right, was presented the EM Network MVP award and scholarship by Eric Johnson.

 

Eric Johnson presented the 2023 EM Network MVP award on Friday afternoon to senior Jozie Kanode.

Johnson explained that just like last year, “The EM coaches had the opportunity to nominate an outstanding athlete and then I sent the nominations out to all of our sponsors and the get a voice to vote for one athlete.”

After all the votes are tabulated Kanode definitely had the majority of the ballots.  The award also included a scholarship from the network.

Johnson noted that Kanode excelled at “showing a true positive character on the court. She was always trying to make sure the team succeeded despite the circumstances.  She definitely put the team ahead of herself.”

 

 

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Pool Opening Postponed

 The Exeter Aquatic Center will not be opening on Memorial Day as scheduled due to mechanical issues.  The estimate for fixing the issue is several weeks.  Swimming lessons will also be postponed.

Throwback Thursday: 05/19/2013

 

05/19/2013

Exeter-Milligan held kindergarten graduation on the last day of school, May 16th.  Eleven students were presented as future members of the class of 2025.

The students sang two songs for the audience of family and friends, received their packets of certificates and awards from their teacher Judy Kassik and elementary principal Laura Kassik and posed for pictures.

After the ceremony the students and their guests were invited to a cake and punch reception in the cafeteria.  The students also received medals and tassels.

Graduating students were Liberty Johnson, Ayla Kahler, Emma Meyer, Kierra Papik, Emma Rose, Mikey Bartu, Jayden Capek, Carter Milton, Madison Rankin, Aidan Vavra and Jolene Vossler.

Exeter-Milligan Kindergarten, First and Second graders enjoyed their field trip to Hastings Museum on Thursday, May 2nd.  They started the day by watching an IMAX movie about Lewis and Clark.  After eating lunch they explored the museum until it was their turn to see a show in the planetarium.  They had time after the planetarium to see more of the museum before heading back to Exeter.

Exeter-Milligan Third and Fourth Grade classes took their annual field trip on Thursday.  They began the day with a tour of Memorial Stadium, where they got to see the inside workings of the stadium and work out rooms before trying to touch the lucky horse shoe and running the tunnel walk out onto Tom Osborne field.  Next they walked to Morrill Hall to watch a show at the planetarium.  Lunch was provided the Soybean Board of Nebraska along with some special gifts.  The students then traveled to the State Capitol where they had a tour which included the Supreme Court room and then had an opportunity to watch the legislature in action.  While viewing the legislature they were recognized and acknowledge with applause by the senators.  

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Exeter Senior Center Hosts Senior to Senior Breakfast

 

For 22 years the Exeter Senior Center has honored the graduating Exeter-Milligan seniors and their grandparents by serving them breakfast before the graduates head off to graduation practice.

Friday morning 8 of the 11 graduates joined their grandparents for a delicious breakfast of egg casseroles, donuts, fruit, juice and coffee. 

This program, the senior to senior breakfast, was initiated by Elva McBride, a long-time member of the Exeter Senior Center.

Brenda Motis, Fillmore County Senior Services Director, spoke at the event noting, “It’s the parents who get all the recognition as they should.  But we also know how important the love and support of grandparents can be in the lives of their grandchildren.” 

The students and their grandparents were served the breakfast by volunteers from the Exeter-Milligan Student Council at the senior center.  Motis who noted this is the 25th year the senior center has been open introduced the Senior Center board of directors who were present including Dave Polak, Bob Bartu, Diane Hanson, Elaine Krejci, Barb Jansen and Sharon Dyer. 

Motis reminded the seniors that they were the first class that their first grade teacher, Sharon Lott, brought to the senior center once a month.  They often read books together, or practiced reading out loud with those at the senior center.  The group would share a snack or a craft at times.  Motis passed around pictures she found from their visits.

After breakfast was consumed, Motis asked the seniors to introduce themselves and elaborate on their plans after graduation.  She also asked them to introduce all of their grandparents and family members who were present. 

The grandparents were also given an opportunity to share stories about the graduates along with special memories.  The laughter in the audience was contagious. 

Motis reminded the graduates, “No matter what, always remember you’ll always have a link to the Exeter and Milligan communities and family, friends and neighbors like us who are thinking of you and supporting you all the way.”

The graduates enjoyed some time visiting with their grandparents at the conclusion of the breakfast. 

The senior center gave away two gift cards to the graduates by drawing the names of Olivea Swanson and Daysan Staskal.

 













 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Exeter Public Library Summer Reading Program

 


The Exeter Public library is all set to begin its summer reading program in June.  This year their theme will be "Friends Together Now!"

This program is for all ages (children under four need to be accompanied by an adult) and begins on June 13th.
The library is hosting a kick off for the program on Thursday, May 25th at 2 pm where they are promising a mystery visitor with some special guests no one will want to miss.

The program will be on Tuesdays from 10 - 12 including June 13,20, and 27 then in July on the 18th, 25th and August 1.  Parents are encouraged to sign up their children by June 1st and bring them in to decorate a library tote bag.

This summer the program will include two interns from the state extension program and the 4H program and will feature lots of STEM projects and activities. In July the program on the 18th will feature "Jammin' Randy" which will be a music event.

The last scheduled meeting on August 1 will include a picnic for the participants.

Pat Sudrla, one of the Exeter librarians explained that their theme of "Friends Together Now!" is to "focus on the kids caring for one another. We will use books and activities to emphasize caring."

Exeter public library is open from 10-5 Monday through Thursday and there are books and DVD's to check out along with a maker space area that is available during library hours.

Monday, May 22, 2023

Vossler Retires at end of year


 

They say you should leave on a high note and Exeter-Milligan Family Consumer Science teacher Mary Lou Vossler has opted to retire just as she was recently awarded the FCCLA (Family, Career, and  Community Leaders of America) Distinguished Service Award.  She emphasized, “It's quite an honor to be nominated and receive the award.”

Vossler started as a long term substitute at the Milligan school for the Home Ec teacher before being hired as the part time teacher.  Prior to this she filled her days substituting, doing alterations, and working at the locker in Milligan.

When Exeter and Milligan consolidated in 2001 Vossler became the fulltime Family and Consumer Science teacher in Exeter. She became the FCCLA (formerly the Future Homemakers of America) adviser 20 years ago in 2003.

 

She has also “served as District #4 FCCLA Adviser and District #4 STAR Coordinator.  As District Adviser, the main responsibility is to lead the FCCLA Advisers, Chapter members, and District Officers.  District Adviser is responsible for planning the District Leadership Conference for the entire conference, coordinating with advisers and CCC staff, securing keynote speakers, creating conference schedules and session descriptions, working with District Officers, and leading an officer installation at District Leadership Conference.  As District #4 STAR Coordinator, I was responsible for physically setting up the competition area, securing judges, creating schedules once registration was submitted, having judges' rubrics and specification sheets ready, ordering medals for participants, communicating with participants and advisers, submitting results to State FCCLA Dept., and serving as a room consultant at State Leadership Conference.”  

 

Through those experiences in FCCLA she noted some of the highlights including having a student, Caitlin Murphy, serve as a State FCCLA Officer. Other outstanding moments she experienced included “serving on the FCCLA Board of Directors, having members gain an understanding of the importance of community service projects, STAR participants at District, State, and National Levels, attending National Leadership Conferences seven times, being honored at the National Leadership Conference with the Nebraska FCCLA Spirit of Advising Award, Nebraska FCCLA Adviser Distinguished Service Award and Nebraska Association of Family and Consumer Sciences with the Teacher of the Year Award.”

 

Many larger districts have eliminated family and consumer science courses but Vossler lauded their benefits as they “allow students the opportunity to gain skills in life management, employability skills, gain an understanding of self and relationships, child development skills, an understanding of human sexuality, foods, and nutrition, decision making, and conflict resolution.”

 

In the classroom Vossler has enjoyed “having the ‘Reality Babies’ in child development classes, seeing the kids explore possible careers they might be interested in the future, and gaining professional grade small appliances through Carl Perkins funding.”

 

She has enjoyed teaching her students the male/female reproductive system along with the baking section where students learn to make kolaches, naan and cinnamon rolls.

 

Some of the most important things she has taught her students is that “they are ‘enough,’ to step outside their comfort zone and try new things, the respect shown lets you get respect back, the importance of honesty, cherish your parents, and understand that parenting is one of the toughest, most rewarding jobs, the importance of communication, FCS provides skills that will be used throughout their young to old adult years, and it is better to give than receive.” 

 

Superintendent Paul Sheffield reminisced about the indelible mark that Vossler has left on both of the communities and her students over the years, “She has brought her own ray of sunshine to help make everyone’s day a little brighter and a little better. Her service and dedication to the E-M community has been overwhelming and we hope she always remembers where she came from and also realize she will ALWAYS be a part of the pack!  For those who have had Mary Lou over the years, the "12 Days of Christmas" song will never be the same.”

Vossler plans to spend as much time as possible with her family during her retirement as she is a two time cancer survivor. She also feels the burden of having recently lost multiple families members. “I just want to take time to do things with my husband, kids, grandsons, and family members.  I want to sew more, which I haven't had a chance to do, and use the time to catch up on some landscaping projects, watch my grandsons more, travel, and substitute teach at EM.  I'm excited to start the day with new projects, not having as many deadlines and still being involved in NAFCS, FCSTN, and Delta Kappa Gamma (professional organizations) and church activities.  I am also looking forward to being an FCCLA STAR judge at State and possibly taking in judging at Nationals which will allow me to travel.”