Hemingford Public School District #10 Logo

Class of 2016

20 Hemingford High School 16
Student and Faculty Highlights of the Year 
This page features athletic records, officers, themes, important numbers, important happenings, and other educational information from the year in question. It provides a quick and ready resource for Bobcat Grads and families!

Student Council Highlights – Sponsor was Kay Horstman. STUCO Members attended a special workshop during the fall. Students attending were Abby Bright, Carli Cullan, Natalie Gasseling, Madison Glendy, Devan Hanson, Kelli Horstman, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Cody Laursen, Anna Manning, Faith Rohrbouck, Brittany Thomas, Brooke Turek, and Cooper Weber, along with sponsor Kay Horstman. As always Homecoming was a tremendous success because of the hard work of the students in STUCO.
Student Council Members – Seniors, President – Cooper Weber; Vice President – Devon Hanson; Secretary – Brittany Thomas; Treasurer – Abby Bright; Juniors – Faith Rohrbouck, Taylee Neefe, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Natalie Gasseling, Kaden Morava, Tucker Loomis, and Brooke Turek; Sophomores – Kelli Horstman, Madison Glendy, Kelsey Winner, and Liam Swires; Frosh – Jacobi Stumpf, Luke Cullan, Lauren Gasseling, Cade Payne, and Boston Goodsell; Eighth Grade – Xavier Robb, Elijah Walters, Rachelle Neefe, Becca Hanson, Emily Knote, and Jacob Clouse; Seventh Grade – Alexis McGowan, Katelynn Varner, Danea Hanson, Alex Neefe, Kylie Mediola, Tatum Swanson, Rayne Jespersen, Dante Lambrecht, Brian Turek, Jack Payne, Kendall Huss, and Blake Jensen.
National Honor Society  – NHS Sponsor Bridget Cullan and NHS members held our Spring National Honor Society Induction in late April, an annual affair to recognize deserving students, who are outstanding in four areas in their school and community life: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. Hemingford students inducted this spring were Sydney Riggs, Anna Manning, Craig Anglesey, Kelli Horstman, Macee Buchheit, and Brooke Galles. Members, parents, and guests enjoyed the ceremony, as well as cake and punch afterwards. Congratulations to these students and their parents! 2015-16 officers are:  President Jacob Horstman, Vice President Cooper Weber, Secretary Taylor Keegan, and Treasurer Lee Jespersen.  Other members include:  Cody Laursen, Abby Bright, Dylan Ernesti, Faith Rohrbouck, Mikayla Randolph, Natalie Gasseling, Carli Cullan, Taylee Neefe, Mathew Davis, Cole Walters, Taeller Ansley, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Emily Hansen, and Johnny Manning
Music Department – Hemingford High School sent twelve High School Instrumental Musicians to the Western Trails Honor Band clinic. They were Abigail Bright, Carli Cullan, Natalie Gasseling, Madison Glendy, Emily Hansen, Cody Laursen, Joe Mazanec, Jon Mazanec, Mercedes Mazanec, Taylee Neefe, Toby Phillips, and Jason Randolph. Their instructor is Ms. Sara Schmidt.
Drama and One Acts – 
CLASS C1 STATE PLAY PRODUCTION QUALIFIERS (third year in a row!)
Hemingford High School won Districts again! "The Strength of Our Spirit "; Written by: Cynthia Mercati; Director: Tabitha Bryner; Assistant Director(s): Irene Prochazka Cast Members: First Nazi: Devan Hanson; Second Nazi: Troy Isom; Third Nazi: Cade Payne; Older Miriam: Natalie Gasseling; Young Miriam: Taeller Ansley; Mrs. Goldsmit: Taylee Neefe; Rachel: Danika Adam; Mr. Presser: Boston Goodsell; Liese: Kaitlyn Kumpf; Ellie: Brittany Thomas; Johann: Matthew Sorensen; Rilke: Madison Glendy; Mother: Emily Hansen; Karl: Cooper Weber; Jacqueline: Brianna Grumbles; First Actor: Carli Cullan; Second Actor: Lauren Gasseling; Third Actor: Kelli Horstman; Technical Crew: Macee Buchheit, Kage Jespersen, Taylor Keegan, Cody Laursen, Peyton Sutphen
Drama students attended the CSC Drama Day in Fall, 2015. Attending were Danika Adam, Taeller Ansley, Macee Buchheit, Carli Cullan, Lauren Gasseling, Natalie Gasseling, Madison Glendy, Boston Goodsell, Brianna Grumbles, Emily Hansen, Devan Hanson, Kelli Horstman, Troy Isom, Kafe Jespersen, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Cody Laursen, Taylee Neefe, Cade Payne, Peyton Sutphen, and Cooper Weber.
Football – (8-2) Head Coach was Jordan Haas, assisted by Taryn Wood and Tim Hiett. The Bobcats shut out three opponents on the way to a 7-1 regular season record, winning games against Twin Loup, Crawford, South Loup, Morrill, Dundy County-Stratton, Creek Valley, and Sutherland, losing only to a much improved Perkins County team. In the State Play-offs, the Cats won their first round game, but dropped a quarter-final match with Elgin / Pope John, to Finish (8-2) Hemingford's (8-2) Football Team garnered several 2015 Individual All District Honors for Coach Jordan Haas.The Runner-Up Cats look to be back in the thick of things in 2016!
2015 First Team All-District Football Tanner Benge /Senior; Mathew Davis /Senior; Johnny Manning /Senior; and Jameson Wood /Junior
D-1 2015 Honorable Mention All-District Football Denton Payne /Junior; and Kage Jespersen /Sophomore
Volleyball – District Runner-Ups – (23-9) New Coach Natalie Wood had the Lady Cats hitting on all cylinders, as the team won the Hemingford Invite (3-0) , the Mitchell Invite (3-0) , and the Panhandle Activities Conference Tourney (2-0). Varsity Team members included Taeller Ansley, Carli Cullan, Madison Davis, Lauren Gasseling, Natalie Gasseling, Mackenzie Glendy, Emily Hansen, Kelli Horstman, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Anna Manning, Faith Rohrbouck, Josie Stewart, and Brooke Turek. Laura Wurst was the student manager.
Cross Country – Head Coach was Cindy Lanik, assisted by Tim Lanik. Toby Phillips, a senior at HHS, qualified for the State Meet in Kearney in Cross Country. Throughout the year the thinclads had success, especially in the Junior High Boys Division, where the team led by Levi Clause, won three meets including the Western Trails Conference Championship. It was the second year in a row the JH Cats had won the WTC meet. High School team members were Hunter Ernesti, Lee Jespersen, Gavin Kersley, Joe Mazanec, Jon Mazanec, Xavier Picket Pen, Jason Randolph, Mikayla Randolph, Manager, Cooper Weber, and Konnor Weber.
Girls Basketball – New Head Coach was Steve Morava, assisted by Lisa Janssen. The Lady Cats had a GREAT season, finishing 21-3, and were District Champions! How about those 2016 Lady Cats? The girls beat a salty Ravenna team 47-42 for the right to represent the Far West in Girls Basketball at the Nebraska State Tourney for the first time since 1986. Many Bobcats fans were in attendance at Sutherland High School Gym to see the victory.
Mothers and aunts of current players that played on the 1986 team all felt like they were 17 again! Great Job Lady Cats! This is just the second girls team ever to get to state in Basketball at HHS! Brooke Turek, Kaitlyn Kumpf, Natalie Gasseling, and Faith Rohrbouck earned all-conference honors in both the PAC and the WTC
Boys Basketball – New Head Coach was Brennan Vogel, assisted by Joe Collins The year was going to be a rebuilding year for Bobcat Basketball. New coach, some new players, several four-year letterwinners lost to graduation, what could we all expect? Hemingford basketball has always had a winning tradition, but this year looked like it could be a tough one to win a lot of games. Enter Jumping Johnny Manning and Rugged Tanner Benge. Enter a hustling Jacob Horstman. Enter a fine supporting cast that included Jason Randolph and Toby Phillips. Those were this year’s Bobcat Basketball Seniors, and that’s where the leadership came from for a successful season.New Coach Brennan Vogel, along with a high scoring sophomore post named Brandon Chancellor, a powerful Junior Jameson Wood, Sophomore Konnor Weber, promising Junior post Austin Wobig, and a quicksilver freshman guard Casey Lashley all contributed to a very positive 16-7 season. 
Wrestling – Head Coach was Pete Gomez, assisted by Jake Frost and Kyle Walker. The Cats did well throughout the season, qualifying six wrestlers for the State Meet in Omaha, with 106 pounder Cooper Weber finishing in fifth place, 195 pounder Kage Jespersen won two matches, and Justin Davis and Lee Jespersen each won once in Omaha.
Injuries at state claimed the last two Cats, with Tarin Jespersen and Troy Isom wrestling tough, but were not able to continue.
Track and Field – Head Coach was Randy Hiemstra, assisted by Jake Brummer and Lisa Janssen
Golf – Head Coach was Joe Collins. Three time State Meet qualifier Jacob Horstman was back to lead the Bobcat Linksters, who also boasted five seniors.
Speech – Co-Sponsors were Bridget Cullan and Shelly Smaha. Mikayla Randolph was the C2 District champion in Extemporaneous and qualified for state in Kearney! Mikayla also placed 2nd in Informative, qualifying her for state in that event as well. Abby Bright was the C2 District champion in Informative and also qualified for state. Mikayla medaled at State as well, winning third place in Extemp.
Other HHS C2 District placements include: Devan Hanson and Macee Buchheit-5th in Duet, and Abby Bright-5th in Extemp.
FFA- Sponsor was Gordon Karney. At Districts the Hemingford FFA Agronomy team consisting of Cole Walters, Jacobi Stumpff, Madison Davis and Macee Buchheit placed first. Individually, Walters placed first, Stumpff placed second, Davis placed third and Buchheit tied for sixth. Team 2 consisting of Connor Swanson, Denton Payne, Taren Jespersen and Kage Jespersen placed third with Connor Swanson tying with Buchheit for sixth. There were thirteen teams and fifty five individuals in the competition.
FCCLA- Sponsor was Mrs. Suzanne Neefe.  Ten students from Hemingford attended and competed in the 2016-17 State Leadership Conference. Members participated in STAR events, attended leadership sessions, participated in service projects, and did State and Peer officer presentations and interviews. Emma Gomez participated in the Center for People in need service project. Jacob Clouse received a Bronze in Food Innovations. Cooper Weber and Taylee Neefe received state runner-up and a silver medal in Culinary arts. Maddie Glendy received Gold in Life event planning. Mikayla Randolph received gold in Job Interview. Kelli Horstman and Emily Hansen received a Bronze in Chapter in Review Portfolio. Rebecca Hanson and Rashell Neefe received silver in National Programs in action. Hemingford Chapter also received a Gold Chapter Award. Maddie Glendy and Mikayla Randolph serve as State Peer Team Officers. Mikayla was Financial Fitness Coordinator and SPOT Council Vice-Coordinator. Maddie was Families First Vice-Coordinator. Maddie also was representing our district as our District 12 State Officer candidate. Taylee Neefe was elected as the 2016-17 Family Leader State Peer team Coordinator and overall SPOT team Vice-Coordinator.
Journalism- Sponsor was Mrs. Kay Horstman. The class went to a workshop, sold ads in Hemingford and Alliance, and spent many hours taking photos and writing stories.

Cheerleading – Sponsor was Mrs. Laura Weber
Homecoming Activities – Homecoming 2015 at HHS had several dress-up days, a dance, decorating, and games:
Homecoming 2015—Clash of the Clowders (A clowder is a group of cats in the same place—Hemingford Monday—Mini Locker Decorations- Dress up day: Super hero vs villain / The Great Outdoors. Tuesday—Coronation, Pep Rally, and Burning of the “H”/Bonfire - Dress up day: Topsy Turvy / Ball-up! Wednesday—Field Day Fun Day! - Multiplicity Day / Nerd Day Thursday—FREE popsicles - Dress up day: College Day / Circle of Life Day Friday—Homecoming decorating, mini pep rally, tailgates!  Dress up was SPIRIT DAY!!!!
Prom Royalty –  Queen – Becca Stone; King – Tim Finnell; Attendants – Carli Cullan, Tarin Jespersen, Anna Manning, and Kage Jespersen. Crownbearers were Natasha Randolph and Cooper Galles.
Prom Theme – The Great Gatsby. The dinner was held at St. Bridget’s Hall, and featured sliced pork on mashed potatoes. A group of sophomores served the meal, which included exotic (but non-alcoholic) drinks. The dance followed coronation before a large crowd at The Fairgrounds Multi-Purpose Hall. The decorations included lots of soft fabrics, lights and a full-size period car. Following the dance the After Prom was held in the big gym, and included a hypnotist .
Senior Class Motto – “Nothing we do changes the past, everything we do changes the future” – Anonymous
Senior Class Colors, Flower, Song, and  sponsors – Class sponsors were Mr. Karney and Mrs. Horn, Class colors were silver and red; the class flower was the Red Gerbera Daisy (Google it); and the class song was, “Send Me on My Way”, by Rusted Root.
Senior Class Officers – President – Johnny Manning; VP – Lee Jespersen; Secretary – Cody Laursen; Treasurer – Taylor Keegan; Faculty Sponsors were Mrs. Horn and Mr. Karney
Junior Class Officers – President – Denton Payne; VP – Carli Cullan; Secretary – Emily Hansen; Treasurer – Mikayla Randolph; Faculty Sponsors were Ms. Cullan and Mrs. Ahrens
Sophomore Class Officers – President – Anna Manning; VP – Kage Jespersen; Secretary – Macee Buchheit; Treasurer – Madison Davis; Faculty Sponsors were Mr. Brummer and Ms. Janssen.
Freshmen Class Officers – President – Kobe Coryell; VP – Josie Stewart; Secretary – Alex Plog; Treasurer – Jace Stumpff; Faculty Sponsors were Mrs. Hurtt and Mrs. Neefe.
Co - Valedictorians – Abigail Bright and Cody Laursen

Special or Unique Happenings – Mrs. Christy Ningen, a Para-Educator in District 10 for the past 13 years, was honored as the Para-Educator of the year in Nebraska! Mrs. Plog nominated her, and a panel of state-wide educators made the selection. NDE Commissioner Dr. Matthew Blomstedt made the presentation at the annual state Para Conference in Kearney.
Young Fishermen make biggest Catch of Their Lives               
Four Hemingford students that love to fish were in the right place at the right time this spring, when they came across a capsized boat on the far shore of Box Butte Reservoir, and stopped to investigate. Austin Huddle, Beau Edwards, Chase Lucas and Keegan Lucas were headed back towards shore after fishing and became rescuers of a local man who had been in the cold water for an hour without a lifejacket. Fate had brought the young men to Box Butte, since they had originally planned to go further north to Whitney to fish.What a wonderful ending for this event, which could have turned into a tragedy. These four rescuers are fairly quiet kids who stepped forward when they were called to. Their parents, grandparents and everyone in and around our community is proud and thankful for the way they responded! Great Job Guys!
Senior Class Enrollment – 33
Kindergarten Class Enrollment – 31
Superintendent – Mr. Casper Ningen, 13th Year at District 10
Principals – Mrs. Peggy Foster (HS), 12th year at District 10; Mr. Ron Foster (Elem), 12th year at District 10
SPED Director - Mrs. Mandy Plog, here at District 10 for 19 years!
Elementary Teachers - Sue Benzel, Jeanette Chasek, Joei Cullan, Morgan Keilwitz, Linda Folkerts, Ammie Frost, Shari Frost, Jennifer Gasseling, Dee Hannaford, Kerri Heusmann, Pamela Huddle, Samantha Kresl, Cindy Lanik, Sarah McCabe, Michelle Osmotherly, Robyn Prochazka, Natalie Wood, and Sara Schmidt.
Secondary Teachers - Cindy Ahrens, David Chatelain, Joseph Collins, Cathy Herstead, Randy Hiemstra, Kelly Horn, Kay Horstman, Ramona Hucke, Jacob Brummer, Bridget Cullan, Jill Hurtt, Lisa Janssen, Gordon Karney, Suzanne Neefe, Brad Olson, Shelly Smaha and Brandy Stark.
Other Staff Members  - Kassy Broadway, Tobie Buchheit, Andrea Gerdes, Beth Dahl, Janelle Dutton, Shawn Phillips, Alicia Harvey, Dena Paris, Cheyenne Broadway, Tammy Wickham, Mary Curtiss, Sylvia Reinmuth, Shelley Wyland, Deb Campbell, Brenda Davies, Lori Glendy, Lisa Haas, Sandy Haas, April Hanson, Jeanette Hucke, Phyllis Jesse, Joyce Klemke, Jennifer Lashley, Jim Miles, Megan Miles, Christy Ningen, Tre Surbeck, Pat Vogel, Lynn Weldon, and Kim Wills.
New Staff: Mattie Churchill, Art and Spanish; Amber Jacoby, School Nurse; 
Retiring Teachers – Mr. Ron Foster, Elementary Principal; Mrs. Cindy Ahrens, longtime Math teacher and Girls Track Coach.