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.

Giddy Up and Dance with the EMF Cheer and Dance Team

 Photos courtesy of the EMF Yearbook class.

MUDECAS | EMF Girls Defeat Sterling

After defeating Sterling at the MUDECAS Basketball Tournament, the EMF girl's went on to win the tournament against Pawnee City. Photos courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

FFA Officer Feature | Babe Weber, President

Each week leading up to the Nebraska State FFA Convention, we will be featuring each member of the EMF FFA Officer Team.

Babe Weber, a senior, serves as the president of the Exeter-Milligan-Friend (EMF) FFA Chapter, taking on a leadership role that guides both the officer team and the chapter as a whole. As president, Weber is responsible for leading officer meetings and chapter meetings, helping keep the organization focused, organized, and moving forward.

Weber’s decision to become an FFA officer came from a genuine passion for leadership and a deep appreciation for what FFA has meant in her life. “I became an FFA officer because I love to lead and FFA has changed my life in so many ways,” Weber said.

What stands out most to Weber is the strong sense of community it provides. “FFA has provided me with a strong community and so many opportunities for me to learn and grow as an individual,” Weber shared. Through leadership, teamwork, and hands-on experiences, Weber continues to make a positive impact on the EMF FFA Chapter while growing personally and preparing for future opportunities. 

EMF Elementary Winter Concert

 Photos courtesy of the EMF Yearbook class.