Bobcats Advance to State Tournament

 On Saturday, February 28, 2026 the EMF Bobcats defeated Alma in the C2 District Finals. The Bobcats will be competing in the state tournament the week of March 8. Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

FFA Officer Feature | Cohen Harre, Vice President

Cohen Harre, a junior, serves as a vice president of the EMF FFA Chapter, focusing on leadership and member involvement. His responsibilities include helping plan activities and serving as a positive role model for fellow members.

Harre decided to become an FFA officer because of his love for the organization and desire to be more involved. “I wanted to become an FFA officer because I love FFA and I wanted to be more involved in this chapter. I also wanted to help make this chapter even better than it is now,” he said.

What Harre enjoys most about FFA are the friendships formed through the organization. The relationships built through shared experiences and teamwork continue to be a meaningful part of his FFA journey.

Obituary: Tim Thomsen

Timothy Dean Thomsen, age 61, Texarkana, Texas passed away on January 9, 2026. He was born in Seward, Nebraska on January 31, 1964 to Gale & Cynthia (Wilken) Thomsen.

Tim grew up near Cordova, Nebraska. He graduated from Exeter High School with the class of 1982. He was involved in sports, band, and Boy Scouts during school. He took pride in earning his Eagle Scout. He earned a Regents Scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he graduated in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Tim moved down to Texarkana, Texas where he worked for the Department of Defense as a mechanical engineer at the Red River Army Depot before retiring. In retirement he devoted his time to ministry and positively touched the lives of those around him. His interests included gardening, investing, theology, and Husker sports.

Tim is preceded in death by his father, Gale Thomsen, uncles and aunts, Richard and Shirley Thomsen, Roland and Marie Thomsen, Warren Thomsen and Vernon Thomsen.

Those left to celebrate his life include his mother, Cynthia Thomsen (Fairmont, Nebraska), brother, Neal (Tara) Thomsen, nephew, Paxton Thomsen, nieces, Bristol Thomsen (Palmyra, Nebraska), MacKenzie Graham, grand nephew, Anthony James Graham (Lincoln, Nebraska), uncle, Dan (Lana) Wilken (Beatrice, Nebraska), aunts, Lois Thomsen (Cordova, Nebraska), Grace Thomsen (Omaha, Nebraska) along with numerous cousins and friends.

Classroom Feature: Miranda Segner

Written by Miranda Segner | January is one of the busiest months in the agriculture classroom. FFA degree applications are due, contest practices for the first round of Career Development events are going on, and all of the new semester of classes are in full swing. While this can be an exhausting period of time, the fruit of hard work by so many students surely proves to be worthwhile!

On Feb. 4th, four FFA seniors who have met the requirements will interview for their State FFA Degrees. (Anticipated) congratulations to Selah Petersen, Babe Weber, Hunter Svehla, and Caleb Black for this accomplishment!

On Jan. 21st, the first round of Career Development Events was held at Thayer Central. EMF FFA walked away with 3 district champion state qualifying teams in: Agronomy, Agriscience, and Floriculture. Our next round of contests includes district welding on Feb. 16th and the rest of the CDE contests on Feb. 24th. Congrats and good luck to all!

In Mrs. Segner’s classroom, students have been learning a variety of topics. Agribusiness students are in the middle of a financial unit to understand the basic documents, terms, and equations needed to operate and manage an agricultural enterprise. In welding, the introductory students are trying their hand at the process of TIG welding while the advanced students are completing the MIG curriculum from Southeast Community College. The floriculture classes have practiced, planned, and executed a Valentine’s Day themed floral arrangement offered to teachers and are creating their own floral shops through an online design project. In 8th grade, exploratory students are spending a few days on each career pathway within agriculture as well as learning the basics of FFA, SAE, and Ag Classes for their future in high school. 

FFA Officer Feature | Aniston Meints, Vice President

Aniston Meints, a junior,  serves as a vice president of the EMF FFA Chapter, where she helps lead and support members throughout the year. As an officer, Meints takes on the responsibility of being a leader, role model, and helper for all chapter members. She also works with the officer team to plan chapter meetings, organize events, and design activities for members to participate in.

Meints chose to become an FFA officer because of her passion for involvement and leadership. “I wanted to become an officer to be a leader in our FFA chapter. I enjoy participating in our events and competitions, and being an officer for our chapter would further involve me in these events,” she said. She also credits past chapter leaders for inspiring her to step into the role and hopes to be a source of support and encouragement for other members.

What Meints loves most about FFA is the strong sense of community it provides. “Within our chapter and through connecting with other chapters at events and competitions, I have met many new people,” she shared. Meints also values the communication and leadership skills she has gained through FFA, skills she plans to carry with her throughout her life.

Kaydence Haase to Continue Volleyball Career at Midland University

Kaydence Haase, a senior at EMF, will be continuing her academic and athletic career at Midland University playing volleyball.

EMF Girls v. Pawnee City

 Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

EMF Boys v. Pawnee City

 Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

FFA Officer Feature | Selah Petersen, Vice President

Selah Petersen, a senior, serves as a vice president of the EMF FFA Chapter and plays an active role in planning and encouraging participation within the organization. Her responsibilities include planning chapter meetings alongside fellow officers, writing reports for meetings, and motivating members to take part in various FFA activities.

Petersen became an FFA officer to serve as a role model and leader for younger members. “I wanted to be a leader to the kids who participate in FFA. There are many opportunities to reach out to younger members and help them learn how to become leaders through this organization,” she said.

What Petersen loves most about FFA is seeing members discover and grow in their individual interests. “I love seeing what everyone has become the most interested in through different FFA activities. Everyone has their own views and interests and watching them excel in these areas has been fun to see,” Petersen shared. Her leadership helps foster growth, confidence, and enthusiasm throughout the EMF FFA Chapter.

Death Notice: Tim Thomsen

A Memorial Service will be Friday, February 27, 2026 at 2:00pm at Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska. Pasting Michele Kanzaki will preside over the Memorial Service.

A book signing and visitation will be Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 4:00-8:00pm at Farmer Funeral Home in Exeter, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to be made to: Church on the Rock, Texarkana, Texas; Fairview Manor Lighted Cross Fund, Fairmont, Nebraska; or University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Fund/Men's Basketball. 

Tim's service will be live-streamed to Farmer & Son Funeral Home's YouTube page.

https://www.youtube.com/@FarmerSonFuneralHome

Happy Valentines Day

 

FFA Officer Feature | Jacob Spohn, Vice President

Jacob Spohn, a junior, serves as a vice president of the EMF FFA Chapter, helping support chapter leadership and member involvement. In his role, Spohn is responsible for being on time to meetings, participating in Leadership Development Events (LDEs), and assisting with other responsibilities as needed to help the chapter operate smoothly.

Spohn chose to become an FFA officer to both educate others and grow as a leader. “I wanted to help people learn about agriculture and to learn about being a leader,” he said.

What Spohn enjoys most about FFA is the trust and teamwork it builds among members. “Being with people I can trust and working together with other leadership groups,” Spohn shared. Through his involvement, he continues to develop leadership skills while contributing positively to the EMF FFA community. 

FFA Officer Feature | Caleb Black, Treasurer and Vice President

Caleb Black, a senior, serves as both treasurer and vice president of the EMF FFA Chapter, taking on important leadership and financial responsibilities. As treasurer, Black keeps track of the chapter’s account balance and oversees financial records. In his role as vice president, he also helps fund and support chapter meetings, activities, and other FFA events, ensuring the chapter’s programs are run smoothly.

Black decided to become an FFA officer because of the positive impact he hoped to make. “I mainly wanted to become an FFA officer because of the positive influence I could have on my peers and community,” he said.

What Black appreciates most about FFA is the strong sense of unity within the organization. “The thing I love most about being in FFA is how much of a family-life bond we have together. We learn together, support together, and compete together. It’s such a wonderful community to be part of to advance our leadership abilities and teamwork,” Black shared. Through his leadership roles, he continues to help strengthen the EMF FFA Chapter while growing alongside his fellow members.

What's New on the Library Shelves? | Mystery and Thriller Edition

The Girl from Devil's Lake by J.A. Vance

Sheriff Joanna Brady is looking forward to the holidays with her busy family, and to celebrating her daughter Jenny’s graduation from the police academy. But the family is interrupted when a body is discovered beneath a flooded bridge in the Arizona desert, and Joanna is called onto the case. A young boy was murdered, and the details of the crime scene tell Joanna two This was not the killer’s first murder. And it’s only a matter of time before he kills again.

As Joanna digs deeper into the case, she begins to understand this murder is just one piece of a much, much bigger puzzle. She uncovers unlikely connections between cases of mysterious deaths and missing persons, having long since gone cold, that extend far beyond the confines of her small town and include the discovery of a body near Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. To get justice for the victims and to save the town of Bisbee from a predator, Joanna must chase down every dangerous lead.

Meanwhile, as a dogged journalist is circling the case and privileged information is leaked, Joanna can’t be sure who to trust. Could a prolific killer be hiding in plain sight? And how far will that person go to keep his many crimes hidden?

Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon

Maggie McCabe is teetering on the brink. A highly skilled and renowned Army combat surgeon, she has always lived life at the edge, where she could make the most impact. And it was all going to plan ... until it wasn’t.

Upside down after a devastating series of tragedies leads to her medical license being revoked, Maggie has lost her purpose, but not her nerve or her passion. At her lowest point, she is thrown a lifeline by a former colleague, an elite plastic surgeon whose anonymous clientele demand the best care money can buy, as well as absolute discretion.

Halfway across the globe, sequestered in the lap of luxury and cutting-edge technology, one of the world’s most mysterious men requires unconventional medical assistance. Desperate, and one of the few surgeons in the world skilled enough to take this job, Maggie enters his realm of unspeakable opulence and fulfills her end of the agreement. But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herself—or she will be the next one who is ... Gone Before Goodbye

The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

When the invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel—owned by reclusive billionaire Marcus Leidmann—arrives, it’s like the answer to a prayer. Three years after the birth of her youngest child, Lo Blacklock is ready to reestablish her journalism career, but post-pandemic travel journalism is a very different landscape from the one she left ten years ago.

The chateau on the shores of Lake Geneva is everything Lo’s ever dreamed of, and she hopes she can snag an interview with Marcus. Unfortunately, he proves to be even more difficult to pin down than his reputation suggests. When Lo gets a late-night call asking her to come to Marcus’s hotel room, she agrees despite her own misgivings. She’s greeted, however, by a woman claiming to be Marcus’s mistress—and in life-or-death jeopardy.

What follows is a thrilling cat-and-mouse pursuit across Europe, forcing Lo to ask herself just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save this woman…and if she can even trust her? 

Return of the Spider by James Patterson

The suspense classic Along Came a Spider introduced an unsurpassed Detective Alex the “human superhero” (New York Times) versus Gary the "most deliciously wicked character since Hannibal Lecter” (Lexington Herald-Leader). But that wasn’t their first meeting...At a desolate cabin in the woods, police discover a hidden journal titled “Profiles in Homicidal Genius.” Evidence points to it being a murder book kept by Soneji. As Alex studies the clues, he’s enmeshed in a web of evil Soneji designed to ensnare him all along. Plunging into the past, Alex must now retrace the steps of a long-ago investigation and face…the Return of the Spider.

EMF Girls Basketball Team Honors Legacy of Coach Sara Pella

The Exeter-Milligan-Friend community continues to remember and honor the life of former EMF girls basketball coach Sara Pella, whose impact on students, athletes, and the community remains deeply felt following her passing in June 2025 after a courageous battle with stage 4 colon cancer.

Photo Courtesy of Hadley Sladek.

Coach Pella was more than a basketball coach. She was a teacher, mentor, leader, and a constant source of encouragement for those around her. Known for her positivity, compassion, and unwavering belief in her players, she was often described as a beacon of light - someone who brought out the best in others both on and off the court.

This season, the EMF girls basketball team is honoring Coach Pella’s memory in a meaningful and symbolic way. At every game, the team brings two pairs of shoes - representing the presence and spirit of their former coach. The shoes serve as a quiet reminder that while Coach Pella may no longer be physically present, her influence continues to walk alongside the team. 

Many would agree that Coach Pella taught more than basketball, she taught how to be kind, resilient, and supportive.

Coach Pella’s leadership extended far beyond the gym. She was deeply invested in her students’ lives, always willing to listen, encourage, and celebrate their successes. Her dedication to EMF and its students helped shape a positive culture that will endure for years to come. 

As the season unfolds, each game is not only a competition but also a tribute. With every step taken on the court, the EMF girls basketball team carries forward Coach Pella’s legacy, one built on heart, integrity, and love for the game and community.

Though she is greatly missed, Sara Pella’s spirit lives on in the lessons she taught, the lives she touched, and the memories that continue to inspire the EMF family.

FFA Officer Feature | Sophie Weber, Secretary

Sophie Weber, a junior, serves as the secretary of the EMF FFA Chapter, playing a key role in keeping the organization organized and running efficiently. As secretary, Weber is responsible for taking detailed notes at each meeting, recording important information, and ensuring chapter records are accurate. Her work helps meetings run smoothly and allows the chapter to stay organized throughout the year.


Weber chose to be an FFA officer because of her strong passion for agriculture and a desire to build responsibility for her future. “I wanted to become a FFA officer because agriculture is something I am very passionate about. Holding this role also teaches me responsibility for my future,” she said.


What Weber values most about FFA is the life skills it provides. “The thing I love most about being in FFA is the amount of life skills I learn. I have learned social skills that no other activity would have been able to teach me,” Weber shared. Through her role as secretary, she continues to grow personally while supporting the success of the EMF FFA Chapter.

EMF JH/HS Winter Concert

 Photos courtesy of the EMF Yearbook class.