Exeter Days Information

Exeter Days FLYERS

Happy 4th of July!

 

Local Students Attend Trip to Europe

Kiley Oldehoeft and Liberty Johnson in front
of the Matterhorn in Switzerland.

Breathtaking. Historical. Unique. These are words that describe the bi-annual Nebraska Ambassador of Music Trip. Two Exeter-Milligan students, Liberty Johnson and Kiley Oldehoeft, embarked on a journey to Europe in June. This trip allows musicians from across the state of Nebraska to visit five countries: Austria, England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. Before taking the flight overseas, students participated in a camp to rehearse music with over 245 other individuals. Some of the more notable instrumental pieces included “New York, New York” which was made famous by Frank Sinatra, “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa. 

“I wanted to attend the Nebraska Ambassador of Music trip because it involved my passion in music and it has given me the opportunity to see a lot of places I’ve dreamed of seeing,” stated Liberty Johnson, a recent 2025 graduate. Liberty Johnson was a second chair clarinet and remarked her favorite performing experience was in Rothenburg, Germany where they were in the town center and approximately 1,000 people came to watch their performance in every direction. Kiley Oldehoeft, an upcoming senior at EMF, stated her reasoning for attending the trip was largely influenced by her older brother, Clint. “Ever since he attended this trip I thought it would be cool to play my instrument in other countries and share our stories over there.” Kiley, a 2nd chair trumpet, enjoyed performing in Switzerland, “Their atmosphere was amazing. People cheered so loud after each song and were very excited for us to be there.”

An average day on this trip included waking up around 7:00am, eating breakfast, then heading out on their first excursion. These experiences include seeing Mozart’s birthplace in Austria; Big Ben and the Tower Bridge in London, England; the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame in France; Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Germany; and the Alps and Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Just after lunch, musicians would perform for an audience, then they ate dinner and started the day over again. 

One of the most recent newsworthy experiences in England was seeing Trooping the Colour in London. Musicians were able to see King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Kate, and their children. “We weren’t sure if we were going to see the King and Queen,” mentioned Kiley, “it was really cool seeing the guards play their instruments while on their horses.” 

Experiencing the culture, food, and architecture of each country was what made this trip unique. Liberty and Kiley both agreed that being part of a music program influenced this trip greatly. “Band is another form of art that I was able to continue doing and learning more of. It’s fun seeing people enjoy what you get to create and perform for others,” expressed Liberty. Kiley added, “I really enjoy participating in band because it’s something that is different. You get to share a story through something aside from using your words.” Both students would wholeheartedly recommend this trip to future students and are grateful for the support they received from surrounding communities.

EM Update: One Last View from the Front Office

 

VIEW FROM THE FRONT OFFICE

            The view from the front office is quickly coming to an end. The reality of my pending retirement is starting to feel real. I’ve thought about this last article for a few months, but I find it hard to believe it’s time. Time sure does fly by when you are having fun.

            It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure! This adage from the US Navy says it all. Over the last 33 years (17 at E-M), I have worked alongside some wonderful people and watched students grow into mature, quality young adults. I could say that some of my students are now “older” adults. No matter what, I have never looked at it as just a job. It truly has been an adventure - an adventure that I never anticipated.

            Career day/career exploration in the “old” days was not like it is now. My early career thoughts included truck driver, chemical engineer, nuclear engineer, electrical engineer, mathematician, and computer network analyst.  I was three years into college before I switched to education, which added another three years to my undergraduate career. Once I was finally in my own classroom, I realized working with kids was my calling. It took some time (and challenges) for me to find my passion. I was all in, which sometimes put my family on the back burner, but they supported me and joined me in this passion. We have always stressed to our own - follow your passion! If you enjoy what you do, then everything else falls into place.

            As I reminisce over the last 17 years, I hope to have positively influenced the students who have graced the halls of Exeter-Milligan Public School. As we go through life, in the end, we will not be judged on what we have, but on what we have done with what we have.  I know that some of the decisions I have made have not pleased everyone.  But, in every instance, the prevailing thought influencing every decision has been, “Is this what’s best for the students?”  My ultimate goal has always been to provide a positive, safe learning environment for students and staff.  This is one goal that I can mark as accomplished!

I am not a conventional administrator who looks to bark (or bite) before anything else.  If students are treated with respect, one will receive that respect in return. We like to have fun, but we all know when it’s time to get down to business.  Not once in my 33 years in education did I wake up in the morning and not want to go to school. Being with the teachers and kids was not a job to me. It was a chance to spend time with my extended family and learn as the day went. I hope that everyone who has passed through these hallowed halls has learned from me as much as I learned from them!

            This is a bittersweet article. As I put on our graduation cards, “What in life appears to be an end is a new beginning.”  This is my last article for the Timbertracks and I have not always finished them on time (this is where I tell students to do as I say and not as I do). Twenty-seven years ago when I started my administrative career, I was this bright-eyed new principal (with more hair, too) who had big ideas of how I would save the world.  As time passed, I realized that some of my ideas and thoughts were a bit unorthodox, but overall, I wanted to make sure that students had a great time as we went along on our knowledge journey. That’s how I looked at it - this was a journey that all of us were going on, and we might as well make the most of it. As teachers and administrators, we are only the guides along the way.

            As we look to the future, let this little phrase help guide our decisions: “Is this what’s best for the students?” If the answer is yes, then do it—get ‘r done. If not, then find a way to make it beneficial for the students. I will wrap this last article up with a few morsels that I have shared over time and a quote I take true to heart. Thanks for the memories!

…

Let's be careful out there!

 

Build it and he will come

 

Fair is what you take your animals to in the summer

 

Ease his pain

 

If I was any better, I'd be twins

 

Finer than a frog hair

 

Just another day in paradise

 

Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and lawn darts

 

 I have truly lived a dream!

 

“One hundred years from now, it won't matter what car I drove, what kind of house I lived in,
how much I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like,
but, the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.”

 

 

EM Updates: Math Marvels

 

E-M Math Marvels

By Sandi Snyder, Exeter-Milligan Math Instructor

 

What’s the official animal of Pi Day?  The Pi-thon!!!!  March is always a great month in the world of Mathematics, with Pi Day celebrations on the 14th.  This year was no different, except that E-M students had to celebrate early with some pie treats.  

 

The Algebra I students have moved away from lines and linear functions to quadratics.  The students have been practicing the different ways to factor and using this knowledge to solve quadratic equations.  They will soon be graphing quadratics.

 

Pre-Calculus will finish their trigonometry study soon.  To finish out the year, they will look at polynomial functions, their behaviors and graphs. It has been and interesting and exciting year with this class!

 

The Calculus I students spent much time applying derivatives.  In fact, they found the best shape of a 12 ounce soda can if surface area was to be minimized.  They made models of the can, found why that can isn’t the most popular shape and discussed the importance of optimization.  The class is finishing the year with integration.

(pictured L-R: Aidan Vavra, Jayden Capek, and Kmlia Benitez)

 

This year’s group of E-M students has been a joy with whom to work!  It has been a pleasure to teach them.

EMF Players chosen for Sertoma 8-Man All Star Game

 EMF's Jacob Klooz (left) and Mikey Bartu were both chosen to play in the Sertoma 8-Man All Star Game on Saturday in Hastings.  The recent graduates spent a week at Central Community College practicing for the game.  They were members of the East Team and won the game 14-8 (for the first time in three years the East team won).

Obituary Sara Lincoln Pella

 Sara Jane Pella, 33, of Exeter, Nebraska, passed peacefully from this life on June 10, 2025 at her home in Exeter. A devoted wife, loving mother, and deeply cherished daughter, Sara’s light touched the lives of all who knew her.

She was born on June 23, 1991 in Winslow, Arizona to her father and mother, Ernest (Lynn) and Malynda (Mindy) (Robinson) Lincoln. She grew up in Leon, Iowa and graduated from Central Decatur High School in 2009. Sara began her college journey playing basketball at Southwest Community College but later transferred to York (College) University to be closer to family — a decision that reflected her devotion to the people she loved. For Sara — family was never just a part of life — it was the heart of it.

At York University is where she met her husband, Jordan Pella. Their love quickly became the foundation of a beautiful life together. They were married on November 2, 2019 and have been blessed with two children, Winslow (4) and Lincoln (2).

Sara and Jordan made their life in Exeter and Sara quickly poured her heart into the close-knit community. As a devoted teacher and girls’ high school basketball coach at Exeter-Milligan, she was known for her steady encouragement, fierce belief in her students, and the way she celebrated every victory—on and off the court. Her players looked up to her not only as a coach, but as a role model who led with compassion, strength, and integrity.

Sara’s love for her community ran deep. Beyond her roles as teacher and coach, she gave generously of her time and talents to make Exeter a better place for everyone. She managed the town pool during the summers, creating a safe and welcoming space where countless children learned to swim and laugh under her watch. At one point, she also took on the role of librarian, sharing her love of books and learning with readers of all ages. A dedicated member of the Exeter Community Club, Sara was always at the heart of local events—organizing, volunteering, and showing up with that dependable, can-do spirit that made her so beloved. Her presence was a thread woven tightly through the fabric of the town she called home.

Sara found joy in life’s simplest and sweetest moments. She loved spending time at the family ranch—working hard, riding horses, and sharing laughter with those she loved most. A devoted ‘Friends’ fan, she had watched every episode multiple times over, never missing an opportunity to quote her favorite lines. Sara had a creative spirit and a big heart, especially when it came to her children—planning matching Halloween costumes, making every day an adventure, and creating memories they’ll carry forever. Her love for family was woven into everything she did.

Sara’s cancer diagnosis was a heartbreaking shock to all who knew her. True to who she was, she faced it with courage, grace, and strength. Her greatest source of that strength was her family. Her husband, Jordan, stood faithfully by her side, steady and selfless through every challenge. Their children remained her greatest joy, and she was constantly lifted by the love and support of her parents, siblings, and in-laws, who never left her side. The community she had poured herself into also rallied without hesitation—offering meals, fundraisers, prayers, and a steady presence. The love Sara had so freely given throughout her life came back to her in full, a beautiful reflection of the life she lived and the hearts she touched.

Sara is survived by her husband, her children, her parents; her sisters, Jenna (Jesus) Perez and Ella Lincoln; a brother, Mike Lincoln; aunt, but more like a sister, Desiré (Philip) Grismore-Jones; grandmothers Margaret (Peggy) Rogers, MaryAnn Lincoln and Barbara Perkins; father and mother-in-law, Rodger and Lynette Pella; sister-in-laws Amber (Alex) Lefferdink and Morgan (Terry) West; countless aunts and uncles, four nephews and nieces and many other family and friends.

Exeter-Milligan update: 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 conveyed by the Exeter Area Community Foundation and the Exeter-Milligan School Foundation to the 2025 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 little voice will be telling them, “Who says you can’t go home!”

 

Pictured front L-R: Aidan Vavra, Carter Milton, Mikey Bartu, and Jayden Capek

 

Back row: Emma Meyer, Kierra Papik, Lily Jeffries, Liberty Johnson, and Kmila Benitez

Exeter-Milligan Class of 2025

 The Exeter-Milligan Class of 2025 attended their first alumni banquet.  They are pictured from the left: Lily Jeffries, Jayden Capek, Mikey Bartu, Aidan Vavra and Kierra Papik.

Exeter-Milligan Class of 2015

 The Exeter-Milligan Class of 2015 pictured from the left: (front row) Amber (Pribyl) Axline, Madison (Horne) Luzum, Kyle Jensen; (back row) Broc Mueller, Jarett Maxson, Derek Luzum, Dillan Jindra, Dusty Axline, Zach Kroll and A J Underwood.