Youth digest

City girls named for Girls State

COLUMBUS -- Cornhusker Girls State selections from three high schools in Columbus have been chosen by the panel for the American Legion Auxiliary.

Jenna Stecker, daughter of James and Lori Stecker, is from Columbus High School and is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 84. Stecker is active in dance, tennis, band, choir, student council, church worship team AWANA leader and has been selected to All State Choir. She also is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

Hillary Sander, daughter of Rob and Gwen Sander, is from Lakeview High School. Her activities include Viking Voices choir, cheerleading, band, drama team, 4-H clubs, Youth for Christ and participated in mission trip with Immanuel Lutheran youth. Sander is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary to Post 84 in Columbus.

Jennifer Hall, daughter of Jeff and Mary Hall, is from Scotus Central Catholic High School. She is a member of the school band, flag corps, National Honor Society, is in 4-H, dance, sports, cross country and swimming. Hall is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Society.

Karly Barada, daughter of Kelly and Jennifer Barada, is from Columbus High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and her activities include CHS softball, basketball, track, symphonic band and marching band. She also is active in the First Methodist Church and is a member of Columbus Youth City Council. Barada is sponsored by the Elks BPOE Number 1195.

Sixth-graders at vocation day

SCHUYLER -- Sixth-grade students from St. Anthony Elementary School, in Columbus, were among the nearly 300 students in attendance at an Omaha Archiocesan Vocation Awareness Day event last week.

Students participated in activities and small group presentations highlighting the variety of ways people live a consecrated life. They had the opportunity to meet and visit with sisters, brothers, priests and consecrated life persons from several religious congregations, as well as Archdiocesan priests.

Carly Cremers, Jared Duran and Jaime Gasper were among students to receive a Bible for scoring 100 percent on the “Vocations Test.” Others receiving prizes included Garrit Shanle, Erin Kwapnoski, Jade Mostek and Joslynn Afrank.

Urkoski, Wrigley gain induction

OMAHA -- Senior Adam Urkoski and junior Thomas Scott Wrigley were awarded membership in Beta Gamma Sigma at the University of Nebraska at Omaha honors program.

Only 51 students of the 2,044 enrolled in UNO’s College of Business Administration were inducted. To be eligible, a student majoring in business must rank in the top 10 percent of the junior or senior class, or top 20 percent of students graduating with master’s degrees in business.

Fadschild gains scholarship

CLARKSON -- Hannah Fadschild was announced as the recipient of the Clarkson Service League Gold Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 per semester by Clarkson College.

Fadschild, a 2009 graduate of Lakeview High School, plans to pursue a degree in nursing at Clarkson College. She is the daughter of Jeff and Kathy Fadschild of Columbus.

The scholarship is renewable each year provided the student meets the criteria listed in the Clarkson College catalog.

Shonka, Hopwood to Boys State

Two Butler County teens, Jake Shonka and Jake Hopwood, were recently selected to attend Cornhusker Boys State, scheduled for May 31-June 6 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

A junior at Aquinas High School in David City, Shonka is the son of Keith and Karen Shonka of Bellwood. He has been a class officer for three years, is a member of NHS, participates in football, wrestling, track, show choir, band, school musicals and the Centennial Conference honor band.

He is a member of St. Joseph’s Parish, where he is a regular Mass server. Shonka is sponsored by LaVerne Schmit Post 327 of Bellwood.

Hopwood, a junior at Shelby High School, is the son of Tim and Kathy Hopwood. He will be sponsored by the American Legion Post of Shelby.

Hopwood is active in student council, S-Club and FBLA. He also has participated in one-act, all school play, basketball and football, and his community activities include the American Red Cross Blood Drive and SOS Legion baseball. He attended HOBY last summer.

Lakeview students earn state honor

LINCOLN -- Four Lakeview students all qualified for the final “round of 10” at the State Junior Academy of Sciences (JAS) competition April 17 at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln.

They had earned the right to compete there via high finishes in District JAS competition held earlier.

Sophomore Michael Vacha, son of Carroll and Cindy Vacha; sophomore Johnathon Roe, son of and Mark and Staci Roe; sophomore Dyllan Coop, son of Chris and Beth Coop; and junior Derek Slama, son of Chris and Amy Slama, all qualified from the morning competition. They are invited to show their research at the National JAS convention to be held in San Diego in February 2010.

Vacha also finished in the “elite final top five” and will receive partial reimbursement to attend the National JAS. He also won a $50 award from the U.S. Army and certificates from SI and the U.S. Navy.

Slama also won the award for most outstanding junior project, a $50 award from the U.S. Army, $50 award, a medal from the Navy, a $10 cash award from Midwest Labs and a certificate and medal from the Yale Association. Coop won a $50 award from the U.S. Army.

Freshman Stephen Davis, son of Steve and Ramona Davis, also competed in the Junior Division of the State JAS.

Bose, Demers get scholarships

HASTINGS -- Scholarships and special recognition awards were presented to students at the 40th annual Student Recognition and Awards Convocation at Central Community College-Hastings.

Returning students who received scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year include Magdalen Bose, of Columbus, dental hygiene; and Christopher Demers, of Columbus, diesel technology.

City students gain degrees

LINCOLN -- More than 300 students representing 19 programs of study received associate’s degrees, college certificates, college diplomas or high school diplomas during the Winter Quarter Commencement exercises held March 20 at Southeast Community College’s Lincoln Campus.

The following local residents were among those to receive degrees and diplomas: Teresa Ann Koch, of Columbus, associate of applied science, associate degree nursing; Brock S. Miller, of Columbus, associate of applied science, criminal justice; Traci Deann Barton, of Columbus, diploma dental assisting; Brittany Lyn Vermeire, of Columbus, associate of applied science, early childhood education (with distinction); and Matthew D. Pollard, of Columbus, associate of applied science, visual publications.

Students earning “distinction” graduated with a 3.75-3.99 cumulative GPA.

Teens selected for Girls State

DAVID CITY -- Four Butler County teens have been selected for Cornhusker Girls State, scheduled for May 31-June 6 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Elizabeth Eberle and Jenna Beringer, of David City, will be sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Kregger Unit 125 and the David City Rotary Club.

Cassandra Amsler, of Rising City, will be sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary John Saylor Unit 146 and Shelby’s McMillan American Legion Post, while Brianne Hicks, of Bellwood, was selected by the Laverne Schmit American Legion Auxiliary Unit #327 of Bellwood.

Eberle is a junior at David City Public High School where she has been active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Stay-U, band, basketball, volleyball, track and platinum dancers. She dances with Desiree’s Dancers, helps with highway cleanup, works at the bloodmobile and is involved with Jobs Daughters Bethel #51. She is a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where she is active in the youth group, V.I.P. puppet troupe, Sunday school and vacation bible school.

Eberle is the daughter of Chas and Kathy Eberle of David City.

Beringer, a junior at Aquinas High School, has been involved in volleyball, basketball, track, dance squad, Teens for Life, SOUL club, Student Council, Youth Leadership and the spring musical. Jenna plays AYSO soccer, softball in the summer and club volleyball. She is a member of St. Mary’s Parish in David City, where she assists with parish dinners, Life Chain and March for Life. Beringer is the daughter of Kevin and Deb Beringer of David City.

Amsler is a junior at David City Aquinas High School, where she has been active in speech, band, volleyball, track, dance team, Serving Others Under Love Club, Teens for Life and the winter training program. She dances with Desiree’s Dancers and plays AYSO soccer. She is a member of Daughters of the Beatitudes, and she is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shelby.

Amsler is the daughter of Theresa and Randy Ruth, of Rising City, and Rich and Lana Amsler of Rising City.

Hicks, a junior at David City High School, is the daughter of Dain and Brooke Hicks, of Bellwood. She is active with David City High School’s Stay-U program. She also is involved in basketball, track, soccer, volleyball and band.

Brock part of handbell choir

SEWARD -- The Concordia Handbell Choirs will perform a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in the recital hall of the Music Center.

The concert will feature several Lenten and Easter hymns, classical and spiritual pieces and some contemporary arrangements using percussion. The public is invited to this free performance.