Alumni Panel 2024

Fort Calhoun High School welcomed back 6 graduates on December 13, 2024, for an alumni panel to speak to current juniors about their post-secondary paths. Topics included the alumni’s current career paths (ranging from college to entering the workforce) and what advice they would give the current juniors.  Juniors received valuable information to help plan for life after high school. The event is just one example of how the school prepares its students for college, career, and life. This alumni panel is an event the school plans to have on an annual basis.  So if any alumni are interested in being part of the panel in future years, please contact Mr. Wemhoff, Mrs. Hernandez, or Mrs. Krambeck.

The POPP Lock-In 2024 Was a Blast!

POPP (Pioneers Overcoming Peer Pressure) held our annual lock-in last Friday, November 8th from 5 pm-midnight. 
 
We had 160 High School Students attend this event. They enjoyed activities such as Volleyball, Basketball, and Dodge Ball Tournaments. They also had a variety of board and yard games as well as some video games and movies. 
 
Special Thanks to Connie Scott and our SRO Deputy Byelick for chaperoning all night and to all of the parents and our Army representatives who came in to assist throughout the night.  Through this activity, we gathered over 180 food items and raised over $550 for the Food Pantry and the Jesse Tree programs here in Fort Calhoun. 
 

Veterans Honored at Fort Calhoun High School 2024

On Monday, November 11th, Fort Calhoun Community Schools honored our Veterans with a Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The event was hosted by our Skills USA students with an introduction by Skills USA President Max Halford and the MC McKenzie LeColst. The High School Band and Choir performed several songs together including “God Bless American” and “Let Freedom Ring.” Plus, the 4th-grade students performed the patriotic song “America the Beautiful”. The keynote speaker was Fort Calhoun Alumni, Clayton Bolen Jr. Addie Benoit finished by playing “Taps” right before the Color Guard retired the colors. Several service members from the Military were in attendance and enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the school kitchen staff and served by the Skills USA students. Thank you to everyone who helped with this event. Once again, Fort Calhoun Schools would like to thank all our Veterans for their service to our country.

Shatter the Stigma Don’t Suffer in Silence

On September 18, Fort Calhoun Jr./Sr. High Students attended an assembly regarding the stigma of Mental Health and how we do not have to suffer in silence.  Coach Mark Potter, spoke about his bout with depression, during the height of his basketball coaching career. His speech was profound and moving. He inspired our students while providing HOPE for recovery. His wife, Nanette, also shared the often-forgotten perspective of the family’s side of the story. Having Coach Potter and his wife speak to our students was an experience they will truly remember. Follow this link to learn more about Mark Potter D2UP

Congratulations to Senior Anna Taylor

The Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA), located in Kearney, is wrapping up a $31.5 million renovation, restoration, and expansion and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024. The MONA’s Department of Learning and Engagement curated an art project to create a unique map of Nebraska. The map is intended to capture Nebraska’s diverse artistic spirit. The MONA reached out to 93 schools in the state, one from each county, and each school was asked to design original artwork to represent their county. Fort Calhoun Community Schools was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to participate in the project. Senior art student, Anna Taylor, was asked to create the design for our school district. Over the summer Anna earned the title of Washington County Fair Rodeo Queen. She participates in softball, basketball, and track and is also a member of the cheer squad. Anna is hoping to play softball at the collegiate level, and is planning to pursue a career in dentistry. She is an outstanding representative of the Fort Calhoun Community Schools, and Washington County. Here is what Anna had to say about her design:

“For my Washington County artwork, I wanted to evenly represent each of the three main towns in the county. I started by including the logos of all three schools, Blair, Fort Calhoun, and Arlington. I thought there should be one landmark from each town as well. For Fort Calhoun, I added the Fort Atkinson Historical Site; for Blair, I drew the Washington County Courthouse; and for Arlington, I drew the Washington County Fair arch. My favorite medium to work with is colored pencils, which I used to create this colorful piece of art. “

The collaborative map of Nebraska will be on display in the Postmaster Interactive Gallery. For more information on the MONA, and all the wonderful classes and programs they offer, please visit https://mona.unk.edu/mona/.