SHS Senior, Tessa Greisen was selected and honored as the February 2025 Seward Rotary Club Youth Rotarian at the noon luncheon meeting of the Seward Rotary Club on Wednesday, February 5^th at the Jones Bank Auditorium.  She is the daughter of Jody and Chris Greisen.

Tessa is first and foremost a serious student at Seward High concerning her academic interests.  She has earned a 4.18 weighted GPA and enjoyed a series of honor/AP classes for dual credit -including /Certified Nurse Assistant, Basic Medical Terminology, Intro to Nutrition, Public Speaking, AP US History, AP Calculus, AP Biology, Spanish and Writing and Research.  She is a leader in the Seward High National Honor Society and was named a Carson Scholar Nominee.  Her name has been on the SHS Honor every term since entering high school. 

Her school leadership continues with the SHS Bluejay Leadership Team (Student Council) all four years of high school and she also serves as an SHS Ambassador- as part of the official “Welcome to Seward High” team and offers tours and a friendly face for visitors at SHS and offers tours for new students.  She also enjoyed being an Outdoor Ed Counselor at the Seward Middle School. 

She is very involved with sports and loves to run!  She is a leader in the SHS Women’s Cross Country Team and a state medalist in 2023 and 2024 and the Varsity Girl’s Captain two years of high school.  She is also a leader with the SHS Women’s Track program and a Varsity runner for all four years of high school as well. She was a State Track medalist for three years (so far) in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Tessa is a member of the HOPE Squad at SHS and a longtime devoted member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) program in Seward.  She is a leader with the SHS Family Community Career Leaders of America (SHS FCCLA) leadership organization and recognized with the FCCLA STAR Program in Interior Design-placing First at State in 2022 and Second at State in 2023.  She has served her Chapter as an FCCLA Vice President for two years of High School.

She has also been very involved with the SHS Skills USA Program and placed third at State in 2022 and 2023 in the Opening and Closing Ceremony (OCC) Team and won Second Place in Commercial Baking in 2022. 

As part of her life learning experiences, Tessa has been employed outside of the home- and worked for Sloup-Thorell Detasseling,  She is currently working summers for the City of Seward as a lifeguard at Dowding Memorial Pool in Seward and  also gives private swimming lessons. 

Her “Service Above Self” Volunteer activities center around her service avenues with her High School organizations including FCCLA and SKILLS USA-involving food drives, ticket sales and various programs and projects the groups choose of host, plus she has worked on a variety of Youth Sports camps and was the Run Club Leader for 2021-2024. 

She is an active member of her Church -St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church and serves in a variety of capacities for her church and their many activities and programs.  She is a leader in their local Godparents program and loyal to their weekly meeting schedule.

She plans to attend the University of Nebraska Kearney to major in pre-nursing. Then she plans on attending UNMC on campus to obtain her bachelors in nursing and later anticipates returning to school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) , with a Doctorate in Anesthesiology. 

Tessa was acknowledged and thanked for a strong career of leadership at SHS and presented with a bag of information on Seward and Rotary and presented with a Book Scholarship for college.  She is also, now a finalist for the Seward Youth Rotarian of the Year program. 

The Youth Rotarian Program honors one Seward High Senior a Month at the Seward Rotary Club meetings. Applications are available at the SHS Counselor’s Office. 

On Saturday, February 15^th the SHS AD Team was presented the Ne Academic Decathlon State Championship-Medium School Division after competing in a series of online tests, a speech contest, an essay contest, an individual interview and a quiz bowl competition. The team’s essay contest was at 7:00 AM on February 4 with an online format at Seward High and the rest of the competition was held at Bellevue University near Omaha over a two-day period -February 14^th and 15^th, 2025.  The team was required to finish the contest in person with nine students competing, after winning the Regional Contest on an online venue!

The SHS AD Team was given tests in Economics, Literature, Language Arts and Social Science, and Math-plus each student was required to present a speech, have a personal interview and write an essay, along with a Quiz Bowl on the Environment “Our Changing Climate!” 

The speech and interviews were in full business attire and the students wore their Rotary Academic Tee Shirts at the Saturday competition.

The SHS Academic Decathlon Team for State included for 2024-2025 includes members Nathan Shafer, Abigayil Wunderlich, Elizabeth Pracheil, Lukas Howe, Liam Krahulik, David Shiner, Jack Schulz and Connor Sveeggen!  Other SHS students on the local SHS Academic Decathlon team not attending State included Lincoln Stockwell, Dylan Hochstein, Kyla Novak, and Nathan Weber.  SHS was allowed to have 12 students at the Regionals and only nine at the State Contest. 

The results of the February 14-15 Medium School Medals from Seward High included

Math-

Varsity Level 2nd David Shiner, 3^rd Abigayl Wunderlich

Scholastic Level 1st Nathan Shafer, 2^nd Lucas Howe,

Honors Level 2nd Jack Schulz,

Science

Varsity Level 2nd Abigayil Wunderlich,

Scholastic Level 2nd Nathan Shafer, 3^rd Liam Krahulik,

 

Social Science

Scholastic Level 2^nd Liam Krahulik

Essay

Varsity Level 2nd Lincoln Stockwell,

Speech

Scholastic Level 3^rd Lucas Howe, 3^rd Nathan Shafer

Interview

Honors 3^rd Jack Schulz,

SUPER QUIZ BOWL

Varsity Level 3rd David Shiner and Abigayil Wunderlich

Scholastic Level 3rd Liam Krahulik, Lucas Howe and Nathan Shafer

Honors Level 3rd Jack Schulz, Elizabeth Pracheil and Connor Sveeggen

It should also be noted that the top team scorer medal was awarded to Jack Schulz

One team from all the levels-Very Large, Large, Medium, Small and Very Small was selected to represent Nebraska at the National level-the winning team was Mount Michael High School.  Seward competed against Medium Schools Omaha Skutt, Omaha Daniel Gross, Lexington, Alliance, Beatrice and York. 

The students each compete in a series of tests including math, literature, language, art, music, economics, science and social science-all online.  There is also a Super Quiz Bowl program, and an awards presentation, Awards and medals will be presented to the students in the three areas of Honors, Scholastic and Varsity levels.  The novel studied this year is “Solar Storms” by Linda Hogan and the theme for this year’s contest is “Our Changing Climate.”

Seward High’s Academic Decathlon team is sponsored locally by the Seward Rotary Club and the Seward School District High Ability Learner program (HAL).  The Seward Rotary Club is sponsoring team SHS AD Team Tee Shirts for the local SHS Academic Decathlon Team members.  The Seward Rotary Club members serve as the Proctors for the testing days.  The local coach for the SHS students is Noelle Baker, Counselor at Seward High.

At the Awards Finals -Team Photo ID-

L- R Jack Schulz, Liam Krahulik, Elizabeth Pracheil, David Shiner, Abigayil Wunderlich, Connor Sveeggen, Nathan Shafer, Lukas Howe. Not pictured was the SHS AD Coach and Sponsor Noelle Baker. 

On Wednesday, January 15^th the SHS AD Team began the regional competition, with three online tests in Art, Math and Science. The team then traveled to Pius X in Lincoln on January 18^th to finish the contest in person and won the Regional Contest and is now a State Qualifier on February 14 and 15 in Bellevue!

 

At Pius X on January 18^th,  the SHS AD Team was given tests in Economics, Literature, Language Arts and Social Science and a Quiz Bowl on the Environment “Our Changing Climate!” 

 

The SHS Academic Decathlon Team for 2024-2025 includes members Nathan Shafer, Nathan Weber, Abigayil Wunderlich, Kyla Novak, Elizabeth Pracheil, Lukas Howe, Dylan Hochstein, Liam Krahulik, Lincoln Stockwell, David Shiner, Jack Schulz and Connor Sveeggen. The students competed individually and as a team at the regional contest on-line January 15^th at the Seward High Library and attended a test session and a Super Quiz Bowl and the awards ceremony in Lincoln on Saturday, January18^th as well and won the right to compete at the State Contest! 

 

The results of the January 18^th Regional included

Art-

Varsity Level-Regular Team-1^st Abigayil Wunderlich; 2^nd Lincoln Stockwell,

Alternate Level-1^st Liz Pracheil;2^nd David Shiner,

Scholastic Level-Regular Team-3^rd Lucas Howe,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Weber; 3^rd Nathan Shafer,

Honors Level-Regular Team-2^nd Connor Sveeggen, 3^rd Jack Schulz,

Literature-

Varsity Level-Regular Team-2^nd Abigayil Wunderlich, 3^rd Lincoln Stockwell,

Alternate Level-1^st Liz Pracheil, 2^nd David Shiner

Scholastic Level-2^nd Liam Krahulik;

Alternate Level-1st Nathan Shafer

Honors Level- 2^nd Jack Schulz,

Alternate Level- 1st Dylan Hochstein,

Music

Varsity Level-Regular 2^nd Lincoln Stockwell,

Alternate Level-2^nd Liz Pracheil; 3^rd David Shiner,

Scholastic Level-2^nd Luckas Howe; 3^rd Liam Krahulik,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Shafer; 2^nd Nathan Weber,

Honors Level-2^nd Connor Sveeggen,

Alternate Level-1^st Kyla Novak, 2^nd Dylan Hochstein,

Math-

Varisty Level-1^st Abigayil Wunderlich,

Alternate Level-1^st David Shiner; 3^rd Liz Pracheil,

Scholastic Level-1^st Lucas Howe; 2^nd Liam Krahulik,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Shafer; 1^st Nathan Weber,

Honors Level-1^st Jack Schulz,

Economics

Varsity Level-3^rd Lincoln Stockwell,

Alternate Level-1^st Liz Pracheil; 2^nd David Shiner,

Scholastic Level-1^st Liam Krahulik,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Shafer,

Honors Level-1^st Jack Schulz; 2^nd Connor Sveeggen,

Alternate Level-1^st Dylan Hochstein; 3^rd Kyla Novak,

Science

Varsity Level-2^nd Lincoln Stockwell; 3^rd Abigayil Wunderlich,

Alternate Level-1^st David Shiner; 2^nd Liz Prachelil,

Scholastic Level-None,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Shafer,

Honors Level-1^st Jack Schulz,

Alternate Level-3^rd Dylan Hochstein; 3^rd Kyal Novak,

Social Science

Varsity Level-2^nd Lincoln Stockwell,

Alternate Level-1^st David Shiner; 2^nd Liz Pracheil

Scholastic Level-1^st Liam Krahulik,

Alternate Level-1^st Nathan Shafer

Honors Level-1^st Jack Schulz,

Alternate Level-1^st Dylan Hochstein; 3^rd Kyla Novak

SUPER QUIZ BOWL

Varsity Level-2^nd Lincoln Stockwell and Abigayil Wunderlich

Scholastic Level-2^nd Liam Krahulik and Nathan Shafer

Honors Level-2^nd Jack Schulz and Connor Sveeggen

 

It should also be noted that the top team scorer medal was awarded to Jack Schulz

 

The team now qualified for the state contest finals at Bellevue on February 14 and 15, where they will again take another test in each category-math, art, science, social studies, economics, literature, and language arts, have another Quiz Bowl and also be required to write an essay, be part of an interview and give a speech.  They will now compete for the top award, between all size levels of schools. 

 

The students each compete in a series of tests including math, literature, language, art, music, economics, science and social science-all online.  There is also a Super Quiz Bowl program, and an awards presentation, Awards and medals will be presented to the students in the three areas of Honors, Scholastic and Varsity levels.  The novel studied this year is “Solar Storms” by Linda Hogan and the theme for this year’s contest is “Our Changing Climate.”

Seward High’s Academic Decathlon team is sponsored locally by the Seward Rotary Club and the Seward School District High Ability Learner program (HAL).  The Seward Rotary Club is sponsoring team SHS AD Team Tee Shirts for the local SHS Academic Decathlon Team members.  The Seward Rotary Club members serve as the monitors for the testing days.  The local coach for the SHS students is Noelle Baker, Counselor at Seward High.

 

Team Photo ID-

Front row:  Liz Pracheil, Abigayil Wunderlich, Lincoln Stockwell, Kyla Novak

Middle row: Nathan Weber, Jack Schulz, Dylan Hochstein, Lukas Howe

Back row: Nathan Shafer, Connor Sveeggen, Liam Krahulik, David Shiner

SHS Senior, Will Ratkovec was named the January 2025 Seward Rotary Club’s Youth Rotarian at the noon luncheon meeting on January 15^th at the Jones Bank Auditorium.  He was introduced to the club and the son of  Jason and Tina Ratkovec of Seward.

Will is a scholar first with a GPA of 4.333.  He is always on the Honor Roll and a leader in the SHS National Honor Society at Seward High.  He has enjoyed a number of dual credit and AP classes at SHS, including AP Human Geography, Ap Environmental Science, AP US History, AP Biology, and Southeast CC Public Speaking-to name a few of the classes.  He is also involved in the Jays Mentoring Program and serves as a leader in the SHS Ambassadors program-hosting guests and new students with tours and as a table host at events.  He won the NSAA Academic All State Award as a member of the SHS Cross Country team, and the Microsoft Word Certificate in Business.

Will loves sports and is a three -year member of the SHS Cross Country Team and lettered in the sport as a varsity member all three years.  He was a member of the SHS Track Team for two years and ran the 800 relay, the one mile, two mile and solo 800 m as well.  He lettered as a result of his 800-relay team. 

He is a loyal member of the SHS Men’s Golf team as well and letterman.  He also enjoys working on the STRIV media program with the sporting events at SHS- in the areas  of both announcing events as the commentator and as a camera operator.

Will is a longtime and loyal member of the Seward High Select Choir and competed with the choir at the District Contests-winning Superior Ratings. 

Will has enjoyed many hours as a volunteer in the SHS Concessions Stand throughout his high school career-serving for a variety of projects and clubs who needed help with volunteers for concessions.  He also gathered a host of volunteer hours as a Seward Middle School Camp Counselor. 

He is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and involved in the local Godteens Program and involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) of Seward High. He has spent many hours in volunteer service to his church in a variety of menus. 

Will is a member of Skills USA and works with a variety of programs in the scope of the Skills USA offerings-competing with the program on the state level the last three years. This last year he finished second at state in the CSI competition with his team. 

‘He also has volunteered extensively with the Elementary After School Clubs as an Assistant to the program leadership. 

He has been employed with the Seward Dowding Memorial Pool since May of 2022 as a lifeguard at the pool and gives private swimming lessons.  He is CPR Certified and Lifeguard Certified. 

He has hundreds of volunteer hours in the area of service through his church, and the Junior Jays Mentoring program, as well as with the SMS program as an Outdoor Ed Camp Counselor and the STRIV programing, the Little Kids Track program, the SHS Concessions stand and the Elementary After School Club meetings and programs. 

He plans to attend Wayne State College and major in Exercise Science after high school-working for a degree in Pre-Physical Therapy, with a final goal to become part of a career in pediatric physical therapy.  He has spent many hours shadowing physical therapist and enjoyed the experience.

Will was presented with a Rotary Club Banner for his graduation table, and a bag of mementos and information on Seward and Seward Rotary Club.  He will be given a book scholarship and recognized again at the SHS Honors Night in the Spring and is a finalist for the Youth Rotarian of the Year scholarship. 

The Seward Rotary Club selects one SHS Student a month to be the Seward Youth Rotarian and applications are available at the SHS Counselors office.