Hemingford Public Schools Announces Mrs. Samantha Gilkerson as New Activities Director
Launch the media gallery 1 playerHemingford Public Schools is pleased to announce that Mrs. Samantha Gilkerson has accepted the assignment of Activities Director beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Mrs. Gilkerson brings a rich variety of academic and career experiences to the position. Mrs. Gilkerson holds a Master of Science in Education (School Counseling) from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Rockies, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Counseling with a minor in Psychology from Peru State College. In addition to her leadership as a counselor, teacher, and coach, Mrs. Gilkerson’s experience has included serving as a correctional officer and unit manager at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, owning a private mental health practice, and serving as a specialized juvenile probation officer for the State of Nebraska.
Mrs. Gilkerson shared the following perspectives regarding the new leadership opportunity:
“As a Hemingford Alumni, I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as Athletic Director while continuing my role as a school counselor, because I truly believe the strength of our programs comes from working together. My vision is to build a unified athletic program that goes beyond seasons, one that focuses on student engagement, consistent expectations, and strong relationships. I want to work alongside our students, support and align with our coaches, and build trust and communication with our parents. When everyone is on the same page, it creates a more positive experience for our kids and strengthens the culture of our entire school. Ultimately, my goal is to help develop programs that not only compete at a high level but also reflect the values, pride, and connection of Bobcat Nation.”
Superintendent Dr. Travis Miller expressed appreciation for retiring Activities Director, Mr. Todd Westover, and confidence in Mrs. Gilkerson’s vision:
“I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to work with our retiring AD, Mr. Todd Westover. Mr. Westover has a great sense of humor, high expectations, and a passion for student success. Our students respect and appreciate Mr. Westover, and we will certainly miss working with him. We will look forward to seeing him in the stands at future events and hearing some fishing stories as he transitions from sports administration to sportfishing.”
Miller continued:
“Mrs. Gilkerson brings exceptional organizational and communication skills to the Activities Director role, along with a commitment to high expectations for both academic and competitive competency. She is dedicated to high levels of engagement among our scholar athletes, artists, speakers, actors, gamers, and students participating in a wide variety of academic and career/technical education competitions. Mrs. Gilkerson is a hard worker who cares deeply about our students, staff, and patrons. She routinely goes the extra mile for our staff and students, and is committed to a great education and quality extracurricular opportunities for our students as part of efforts to prepare them for great lives. I’m excited to have her stepping into this role.”
This transition reflects Hemingford Public Schools’ ongoing commitment to student growth and opportunity, aligning with the district’s mission of “empowering individuals to become resourceful, respectful, and responsible lifelong learners.”