Thirty members of the Seward High School FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) chapter attended the Nebraska FBLA State Leadership Conference April 11th-13th  in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center.  

While at the conference, members attended workshops, listened to speakers from the business world, and competed in a variety of business related competitions. More than 2,000 students from around the state competed at the conference representing over 125 schools. The Seward chapter was recognized for its commitment to Nebraska FBLA sponsored community service and business enrichment projects by receiving 9 different chapter ribbons from projects completed throughout the year and for being a Sweepstakes Award winning chapter. Chapter president Layla Sugden was recognized as a “Who’s Who” of Nebraska FBLA recipient.

Seward FBLA had 8 members qualify for the national convention which will be held in Orlando this summer by placing in the top 3 of their events. Seward won 30 different individual and team awards which included top 8 finishers and members who finished the top 4% of events and received honorable mention certificates.   

Jena Eberspacher campaigned for and won the office of Nebraska State FBLA President for the 2024-25 school year. Jena had to deliver a campaign speech to the entire state membership, answered impromptu caucus questions, and ran a campaign booth throughout the conference. Jena will lead Nebraska FBLA next year by representing the state membership at national conferences this summer and next fall as well as leading statewide FBLA conferences during the school year. She will also be traveling to FBLA chapters around the state to present leadership workshops and promote the state officer team’s goals. Jena is the first Seward student to serve as an FBLA state officer in over 25 years.  

Six Seward High Students were selected the representatives to the annual GFWC NFWC Sophomore Pilgrimage at the State Capitol in Lincoln on Wednesday, April 1 in an all-day event. The students included SHS Sophomores Adrey Broadwell, Cardin Groacke,Avery Rodocker, LilyBrashear, Grace Matulka and Ayda Metschke, along with  Trevor Menke-SHS History and Government teacher. 

The students were co-sponsored by the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club, the GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club and the School District of Seward High Ability Learner Program.  The state event is sponsored by the GFWC Nebraska Federation of Women’s Clubs, INC.  The students were selected by a written application and interview in the fall of 2023. 

The students were scheduled and met with Senator Jana Hughes of the 24^th Nebraska Legislative District, Governor Jim Pillen, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, Secretary of State Robert Evnen, State Treasurer John Murante, Attorney General Mike Hilgers and State Auditor Mike Foley.  The official greeting was given by the GFWC NFWC State President Karen Crandall of Papillion, Nebraska and a history of the Sophomore Pilgrimage was shared by GFWC NFWC Past Presdident Bonnie Kruse. 

The students each met with their State Senator, with the SHS students visiting with Senator Jana Hughes, who is an SHS alum.  They enjoyed a pizza lunch at the Governor’s Mansion with Senator Hughes, after visiting the State Legislature in session. 

In the afternoon, the entire group visited the State Judicial Branch and toured the State’s Supreme Court facilities and a tour of the capitol.

The Sophomore Pilgrimage program has been recognized nationally by the GFWC for serving as a strong educational effort to assist in developing local leadership in the high schools.  Local GFWC NFWC State Public Affairs Chair and the event chair for this event was Jane Sonneland of Lincoln.  The GFWC NFWC is the official affiliate member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) for the State of Nebraska.

Seward High Senior, Maryn Johnson was recognized as the Youth Rotarian for March by the Seward Rotary Club at their recent weekly luncheon meeting at the Jones Bank Auditorium on Wednesday, March 6^th at noon.  She was introduced by Rotarian Anita Foor and presented with a sack of materials on Seward and Rotary and the Rotary Club Banner.  She is the daughter of Dr. Jill and Brady Johnson of Seward. 

Maryn is an ambitious student, taking advanced and dual credit classes through Nebraska Wesleyan, Southeast Community College and Concordia University in Seward.  These advanced classes will all be able to count toward her college graduation hours in the future.  She was also named a PRIDE Award winner for her Outstanding Preparation in Biology and has been on the SHS Honor Roll numerous times.  

Maryn loves sports and is an avid golfer. She was a member of the SHS Golf team and was named “Practice Player of the Year” her junior year and lettered in Golf for the last three years. Maryn’s Golf Team went undefeated in all of the duals and triangulars, as well as placing high in all of their tourney’s, including first at York, second at Central Conference and third at District Finals--which led to qualifying for the NSAA Nebraska State Golf Tournament and placing 11^th overall as a team!  

Maryn participated in SHS track and basketball her freshman year, and this year was a varsity member of the SHS women’s wrestling team.

She has been member of the SHS FFA program for three years and participated in various District Contests over the years.  She has enjoyed serving as an SHS Ambassador for the all four years of her high school career-hosting guests, giving tours and being part of the front line for Seward High.  She was selected to attend and represent SHS and the Seward Rotary at the Rotary District Youth Leadership weekend seminar (RYLA). She has enjoyed being part of the SHS Yearbook staff this year.

In the community, Maryn has been a longtime (six year) member of her local 4-H Club and worked many hours of volunteer time at the Seward County FairGrounds.

Maryn is currently employed by Ridgewood Rehab and Care Center in Seward as a Dietary Aide, and has also worked for Windmill Pines Tree Farm in Customer Service, the City of Seward and Dowding Pool as a lifeguard and with Premiere Detasseling of Seward as a detasseler.

She is a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward and a four year member of her Godparent program at St. John’s.  She attended the National Youth Gathering in Texas-representing St. John Lutheran Church and is considered one of the voices of youth in the congregation. 

Her “Service Above Self” service includes donating her time as a Seward High Ambassador, serving as a Summer Horizon’s Teacher’s Assistant, volunteering as a Youth Golf Camp helper, and spending time at the Blue River Pet Rescue program.  She has worked with the local FFA Chapter in a variety of volunteer efforts and projects and hosted and raised funds for St. John PTL with a special Pool Party, where she served as the lifeguard.  She has also worked on many volunteer projects with her membership in 4-H and worked and cleaned-up the fairground annually, preparing for the County Fair.

After high school, she plans to attend Chadron State College and major in Rangeland Management.  She someday hopes to work in a National Park, such as Yellowstone or Glacier as a Forest Ranger.  

She was presented with a book scholarship and will be recognized again at the SHS Honors Night in May.  She is now a finalist for the Youth Rotarian of the Year Scholarship.  Applications are still being accepted for Youth Rotarian of the Month. One student is selected monthly to be honored. Applications can be obtained from the SHS Guidance Counselor or contact Clark Kolterman at clark.kolterman@sewardschools.org.