FCDC Lentfer Attends Governor's Ag Summit

Kristine Benson-NEDED, Bill Moos-UN Athletic Director, and Patt Lentfer-FCDC visit during the Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture reception.

LENTFER ATTENDS Governor’s Ag Summit

Patt Lentfer, Executive Director of the Fillmore County Development Corporation, attended the Governor’s Ag Summit and the NIFA 2018 Innovation Marketplace in March.

The Governor’s Ag Summit was held in Kearney March 7^th & 8^th.  After the Governor’s remarks a panel of Nebraskan’s in the National Spotlight talked about working at the national level for their agricultural organizations.  Included in the panel were Terry O’Neel, President of the National Pork Board, Lynn Chrisp, first VP of the National Corn Growers Association, Craig Uden, past President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Don Bloss, Chair of the National Sorghum Producers, and Jim Mill, Chair of the US Soybean Export Council.

Other panels had presenters who talked about International Trade, Ag Diversification in Small Nebraska Communities, and the Growth of Food Processing Industry in Nebraska.

Bill Moos, Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska, was the speaker at the Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture Reception on Wednesday Evening.  Greg Ibach, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs gave a USDA update at Thursday’s luncheon.

With agriculture being the number one business in Fillmore County, Lentfer said it was very interesting to think beyond our county and state and consider the impact of international trade, national organizations and diversity that can occur in any size of community.

Grant Recipients Announced from Fillmore County Foundation

FILLMORE COUNTY FOUNDATION HOLDS SPRING MEETING

AND ANNOUNCES GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Fillmore County Foundation board met on March 6, 2018 in Milligan at Charlie’s Pub.  Eleven Board members were present.

Committee meetings began at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and the Board of Directors annual meeting.  The Publicity Committee, Fine Arts Committee, Grants Committee, and Scholarship Committee all gave reports of activities since the last meeting in September.  Abigail Sanders Elwong was elected to the Board of Directors.     

There were 14 grant requests and the following organizations received grants this spring:  Fillmore County CASA, Congregational United Church of Christ for restoration of a historic pipe organ, Shickley Sons of the American Legion, Milligan’s Veterans Green Space, Strang CIP, Milligan Bloodmobile, Fillmore County Development Corporation,  Geneva Arts Council, Fillmore County Museum, Exeter-Milligan Post Prom Committee, Fillmore Central Post Prom Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Fillmore County Coalition.

Grants were also awarded through the Earl and Jesse Wilkins funds to the Congregational United Church of Christ for restoration of their historic pipe organ and the Fillmore County public libraries for digitalization of newspapers.  Both of those grants require matching funds.  The committee generally supported funding projects to assist with housing in Fillmore County, Nebraska when further details are known. 

The Fillmore County Foundation acts as a pass through for specific causes or fundraisers, thereby making donations to those projects tax deductible.  The Foundation has served in this capacity numerous times.   When the Foundation accepts earmarked funds or acts as a pass through a minimum project size is required.

Currently the Fillmore County Foundation board consists of 28 Fillmore County residents selected from throughout the County. Scott Oliva is the current President of the Fillmore County Foundation.

The Fillmore County Foundation was founded in June of 1983 and since its inception it has been dedicated to the future and honoring the pioneer spirit by encouraging social, cultural and educational progress in Fillmore County.  During the 35 years of the Foundation nearly $2 million has gone back to the Fillmore County citizens in the form of community projects and scholarships.

Awards are granted in March and September of each year.  Individuals interested in applying for assistance for projects or with questions about the grant program may contact Scott Oliva at 402-629-4446.  Applications are available approximately one month prior to each meeting.  The next application period will be during the month of August 2018 for consideration at the September 11th, 2018 meeting. 

NFL Player Speaks to Exeter-Milligan Students

Above -  Scott Shanle is introduced to the Exeter-Milligan student body by Hannah Horne.

Below -Scott Shanle is surrounded by Exeter-Milligan students even after they had the opportunity for a question and answer period. They “might” have wanted to see his super bowl ring?

 

Seeing a Super Bowl ring up close and personnel was a thrill for Exeter-Milligan students.

Scott Shanle, a St. Edward, Neb. graduate walked on at the University of Nebraska before earning a scholarship to play for the University. After graduating, he went on to play in the NFL for the St. Louis Rams, the Dallas Cowboys and for the Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

Wearing an Exeter-Milligan sweatshirt he was given the last time he spoke in Exeter, Shanle explained that he wears it regularly, “Of all of the speeches I’ve done I remember you more than any other.  I remember your compassion. You are everything a small town Nebraska should be about.”

Although he planned to talk about his football experience, “My story is not so much about sports but about the things you will face.  There will be obstacles along the way but you need goals.  Keywords are goals, perseverance and obstacles.”

Shanle talked about some of the obstacles he faced as he dreamed of a football scholarship to Nebraska.  

One of the most important factors he learned was “trying to have a positive attitude during adversity which helped me get to the next step.”

This was especially difficult as he entered the NFL and eventually found himself picked up by the two teams he never wanted to play for, Dallas and New Orleans.

He shared about a special moment during the Super Bowl when he realized his team was going to win, “I saw all of my football moments playing through my head and I realized that moment would have never happened if I hadn’t made it through adversity.”

He encouraged the Exeter-Milligan students to set goals even though they won’t meet them all.  “You have to be ok with failure.”

He told the students there are three types of people, those who want, who wish and who make it happen.

Shanle encouraged the students to find their passion in life.  They may not recognize it now, but find something they like to do.

He also explained that he continues to write goals for himself as his career continues to change.  Even though he has left the professional football field behind, he continues to be involved as a TV analyst for the Saints. 

He reminded them to remember, “You are still writing your story. . .times will get tough.  Have a positive attitude.”

The students were given an open question and answer time and spent over twenty minutes asking him everything from what his favorite color was to his opinion on Nebraska Coach Scott Frost.

He was asked if he had any advice for graduating seniors, “It’s going to be scary whatever you do.  There will be uneasiness and it will be uncomfortable.  Get through those moments and stay positive.  That moment exists.” 

The students asked him where he enjoyed playing football the most, “In high school.  That was the most pure form of football without politics or business involved.”

He would love to move his family back to Nebraska and contribute to the Nebraska coaching staff in the opportunity arose.

Exeter-Milligan Senior Surprised with Scholarship

 Mrs. Kovanda kept a secret from Exeter-Milligan Senior Hannah Horne and was so excited to surprise her at the start of the assembly on Monday afternoon.

Hannah Horne was thrilled with the surprise of a scholarship presented by the College of St. Mary on Monday afternoon.

Hannah Horne got the surprise of her life during a school assembly on Monday afternoon. 

The Exeter-Milligan senior had been told to dress up so she could introduce the special speaker, “They told me to wear khaki’s which I thought was strange.”

As she was introducing the motivational speaker, Scott Shanle, school counselor Denice Kovanda interrupted with a presentation from the College of St. Mary.

Horne had been selected as a Marie Curie Scholar when she enters CSM in the fall.  She was presented with a scholarship check for $80,000, flowers and a sweatshirt.

The scholarship which is funded in part by the National Science Foundation is awarded to young women pursing STEM majors.

Horne has chosen to major in biology and will receive $20,000 annually for four years.  She will also receive free tutoring, have the opportunity to participate in national conferences and participate in undergraduate research.

She hasn’t chosen a career field, “The scholarship is more about learning and they don’t want us to look at a career.”

At one time Horne was set on a college career at Chadron State, but this school year she began to look into CSM.  “It was crazy how things worked out.  I was really surprised.  The scholarship is awesome.”

Part of her family followed the presenters from College of St. Mary and her mother, Connie, was particularly excited about the Horne’s choice because she is a CSM alum.

Horne has shown leadership and scholarship at Exeter-Milligan over the last four years.  She has been on the “A” honor role and is a member of the National Honor society, she has participated in extra-curricular activities including softball as well as serving as the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America chapter president.

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Exeter-Milligan Update: Espanol

Espanol at Exeter-Milligan

By Haley Stutzman, E-M Spanish Instructor

It is a busy time of year in the Spanish classroom!  Spanish 1 students are beginning to learn how to talk about their family and say numbers up to 1,00,000.  Spanish 2 students have been using the preterite tense to talk about what they have done in the past.  They are currently reading a novel along with their other content.  Spanish 3 students just began a new novel and we are getting read to start learning the difference between the preterite tense and imperfect tense in Spanish.  It has been a productive semester so far and we’re ready to finish this last quarter strong!

Pictured are Anna Sluka and Kayla Geiger.