EMF Boy's Golf Seniors

 Photo courtesy of Leesa Bartu.

Pictured L-R: Tucker Svec, Brett Kallhoff, Logan Krupicka, and Neal Scott.

HELP WANTED: Summer Maintenance

 

EMF FFA Members

 

Front Row L-R: Gracie Vyhnalek, Sophie Weber, Selah Petersen, Aniston Meints, Babe Weber, Cohen Harre, Jacob Spohn, and Caleb Black. Second Row L-R: Addison Foutch, Becca Scott, Sydney Engert, Kiley Oldehoeft, Alexis Paulsen, Kendall Filipi, Cheyenne Krupicka, Abby Klooz, Miley Ricenbaw, and Avery Tuttle. Third Row L-R: Titus Petersen, Maddux Milton, Bob Milton, Deacon Erdkamp, Meredith Paulsen, Makenna Burchett, and Tori Bresson. Fourth Row: John Cruz, Brenson Brandt, Jewel Lawver, Sadie Brandt, Hannah Petersen, Kate Pribyl, Brynnlye Johnson, Bristol Sladek, and Reese Tuttle. Fifth Row L-R: Levi Jurgensen, Clayton Pribyl, Elijah Oceguera, Hunter Svehla, Ty Svehla, Brett Kallhoff, Rylan Bartels, Keltyn Kirchhoff, and Truman Milton. Sixth Row L-R: Beau Becker, Dane Anderson, Keisyn Kirchhoff, Gehrig Weber, Grady Arp, Trigg Svehla, Landon Bartley, Jaxsin Brandt, Liam Capek, Archer Kanode, Ethan Bartels, and Bennett Buresh. Seventh Row L-R: Maliyah Burchett, Ava Svehla, Carlee Bresson, Gracelyn Becker, Kora Havel, Paxin Meints, Adilyn Meints, Blake Bruntz, Zach Zirkel, Devin Anderson, Crosby Oldehoeft, and Axel Erdkamp. Eighth Row L-R: Rylee Rohen, Valerie Spohn, Charlee Stutzman, Landri Johnson, McKinley Bartels, Kambryn Kirchhoff, Harley Hardesty, and Mackenzie Jaeger. Ninth Row L-R: Jack Harrison, Kolt Songster, Corbin Stutzman, Kellen Vossler, Braxton Harre, and Brock Bruntz.

Exeter Spring Clean-Up Day Information

 

EMF Students Make History at Class C All-State Band

For the first time since consolidating, Exeter-Milligan-Friend represented their school at the Class C All-State Band, bringing five student musicians to this well-known statewide event. On Saturday, March 28, Logan Krupicka, Kiley Oldehoeft, Tucker Svec, Deacon Erdkamp, and Beau Becker joined some of the top young musicians from across Nebraska in Kearney, marking it a significant milestone for the EMF music program.

Mark Perez, who has previously brought students to Class D All-State, noted that while structural differences exist between the two classifications, the level of competition remains equally high, “The main difference was that Class D All-State has a jazz band and Class C All-State does a junior high band, Perez said. “I believe that both are highly competitive.”

Preparation for All-State begins months in advance, with students committing to practice schedules outside of regular class time. Auditions take place in January, requiring dedication and discipline from those hoping to earn a spot. “Students usually find out if they are placed in an honor band a couple of weeks after auditions are due,” Perez explained.

This year’s event held special significance, as it marked the 40th anniversary of the Class C All-State Band. To commemorate the milestone, organizers commissioned composer Larry MacTaggart to create an original work for the Wind Ensemble.

The piece, titled, “Never Forget,” carried deep historical and personal meaning. Inspired by World War II and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, as well as the composer’s connection to his wife’s uncle - a prisoner of war in Germany - the composition offered students a powerful musical experience.

Adding to the uniqueness of the event, MacTaggart attended rehearsals and worked directly with the ensemble. “The composer came to work with the conductor and the musicians on how to perform the piece with his vision in mind,” Perez said. “To be able to do a world premiere of a piece is an experience that many musicians do not get to have, so it was really unique for my students to be a part of it.”


Performing a piece written specifically for the honor band gave students a rare glimpse into the creative process behind music composition. According to Perez, the experience allowed students to better understand the dedication and thought that goes into crafting a musical work.


Beyond the performance itself, the impact of the All-State experience extends into students’ personal and musical growth. “I think that students get to experience performing music at a high level with other great musicians throughout the state,” Perez said. “It pushes them to be better musicians and leaders for themselves, but also our own band at EMF.”


With competing at Class C All-State, EMF’s band program has taken an important step forward, setting the stage for continued growth and excellence for years to come.

Quiz Bowl Sweeps Competition at American Bowl

On Wednesday, April 1, two of EMF's high school quiz bowl teams swept their division earning both 1st and 2nd place trophies.  Additionally, they outscored the other 16 teams by well over 200 pool play points each, and were placed in the “middle” division composed of mainly class C to lower B schools.  If you happen to see them, please congratulate them on their amazing performance.

Happy Easter

 

EMF 7-12 Spring Concert

 Photos courtesy of the EMF Journalism class.

EMF Girl's Track Team

 

Photo courtesy of Leesa Bartu. The EMF girls track is pictured from the left (front row): Selah Petersen, Kaydence Haase, Babe Weber, Kiley Oldehoeft; (second row) Sophie Weber, Gracie Vyhnalek, Cheyenne Krupicka, Aniston Meints, Lindsey Landis; (top row) Brogan Staskal, Meredith Paulsen, Miley Ricenbaw, Makenna Pedersen, Ensley Stahl, Emily Bartels, Aubrey Schluter and Lyra Fennell.

Obituary: Leonard J. Chlup

A celebration of life will be held in Leonard’s honor in Fillmore County, Nebraska, in early summer 2026. Details to be announced at a later date.

Leonard J. Chlup was born to James and Rose (Kvasnicka) Chlup on June 25, 1939, on the family farm in Exeter, Nebraska, and passed away on March 7, 2026, surrounded by his family at home in Crowley, Texas at the age of 86.

Leonard grew up on the farm in Exeter. Proud of his Czech heritage, he embraced polka music throughout his life. He began playing the trumpet at age 12 and in 1955, joined the U‑Neta Orchestra, performing several nights a week while completing high school. His musical journey led him to bands that included The Royal Five and the Math Sladky Band—one of Nebraska’s most renowned traditional polka bands. His trumpet playing was featured on many recordings and radio broadcasts, and he performed to audiences across the Midwest, Texas, and Canada. In 2011, he was honored with induction into the Musicians’ Hall of Fame in Milligan, Nebraska, for his lifelong dedication to promoting Czech music.

Leonard proudly served his country in the United States Navy, enlisting in October 1961. He performed radar duties aboard the destroyer USS Morton (DD 948) and also served as the ship’s bugler. His naval service took him around the world and included duty during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in February 1966, and his veteran status remained a lifelong source of pride. He and his wife, Carolyn, enjoyed attending reunions with his shipmates over the years. Leonard’s service later inspired his granddaughter, Emma Zimmerman, to follow in his footsteps and enlist in the Navy in 2025; he proudly attended her graduation and gave her a heartfelt salute.

Leonard met his wife, Carolyn J. Hupka, at a polka dance while home on extended leave in 1965. They were married in June 1966 at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, where they made their home and raised their three children—Jim, David, and Julie. The family created many memories on camping trips throughout Nebraska, often caravaning with relatives and friends, including camping on the family farm in Exeter. His kids and grandkids were the pride of his life.

Leonard’s working years included early jobs as a cabinet maker, and he was later employed by the Soil Conservation Service as a cartography printer for many years. In 1982, his job relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, and the family settled in Crowley. Leonard subsequently joined the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Fort Worth, where his attention to precision, printing knowledge, and memorable personality earned him recognition as one of the facility’s senior pressmen.

Leonard retired in 2002 and though he had left the farm, the farm never left him. After inheriting a portion of the family farm in Exeter, he pursued his lifelong dream of building a cabin overlooking the prairie on the south 80 acres—a place that had lived in his heart since childhood. During retirement, he and Carolyn spent many summers at the farm as part of the local community, welcoming their kids and grandkids for visits. Leonard’s vision was that the farm would become part of their heritage and birthright. Additionally, Leonard and Carolyn spent their retirement years camping throughout the US and spending many weekends attending athletic events, concerts and other activities of their grandchildren.

Although he retired from performing polka music after moving to Texas, Leonard continued sharing his musical gifts at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Burleson, Texas. For more than 30 years, his trumpet echoed through the chapel, enhancing worship at both English and Spanish masses. He was beloved at the church and recognized as Musician of the Year in 2015.

Leonard loved his family, dogs, Shiner Bock, fried chicken gizzards, Czech food, polka music, old movies (particularly westerns), popcorn, vintage pickup trucks and hot rods, dancing in the kitchen with daughter Julie, woodworking, playing dominos, and many evenings sitting on the porch of his cabin with Carolyn and his family enjoying sunsets across the Nebraska prairie. He and Carolyn enjoyed going out to breakfast and raising their coffee cups each morning with a praise of “Thank you, Jesus!” to begin each day.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carolyn (Hupka) Chlup of Crowley, Texas; his children, Jim Chlup and wife Cyndi of Mansfield, Texas; David Chlup and wife Kristin of Fort Worth, Texas; and Julie Zimmerman and husband Steve of Arlington, Texas; as well as his sister, LaVerne Kempkes of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Leonard was a proud grandpa to Cameron Chlup and Carson Chlup (children of Jim and Cyndi); Lauren Chlup and Lily Chlup (children of David and Kristin); and Ethan Zimmerman and Emma Zimmerman (children of Julie and Steve).

His best friends were Tom Murphy of Lincoln, Nebraska, Johnny Halama (deceased) of Milligan, Nebraska, and Melvin Motis (deceased) of Exeter, Nebraska. He was also a second dad to his kids’ many friends, who affectionately referred to him as “The Main Dude.”