This week's top stories

  • The new logo chosen by students for the H&H sports coop between Hampton and Heartland Community Schools
    The new logo chosen by students for the H&H sports coop between Hampton and Heartland Community Schools
  • Aaron Nilson presents his speech on true heroes
    Aaron Nilson presents his speech on true heroes
  • High Plains junior Brodey Spurling was the area’s lone gold medal winner during last week’s state track and field championships at Burke Stadium, setting a new Storm school record in the triple jump with a mark of 44-6.5. He also finished third in the long jump and ran on HPC’s sixth place 400 relay team.
    High Plains junior Brodey Spurling was the area’s lone gold medal winner during last week’s state track and field championships at Burke Stadium, setting a new Storm school record in the triple jump with a mark of 44-6.5. He also finished third in the long jump and ran on HPC’s sixth place 400 relay team.
  • From left: Clinton Griess, Damaris Olsen, Dane Schafer, Todd Roehrs, Danielle Bamesberger and Gene Winters, members of the Hampton Veterans Memorial Committee, stand beside the memorial project display board.
    From left: Clinton Griess, Damaris Olsen, Dane Schafer, Todd Roehrs, Danielle Bamesberger and Gene Winters, members of the Hampton Veterans Memorial Committee, stand beside the memorial project display board.
  • Aurora grad Bryan Willey is one of four actors playing the title role in the musical production of “David” at Sight & Sound Theatres in Branson, Mo. this summer.
    Aurora grad Bryan Willey is one of four actors playing the title role in the musical production of “David” at Sight & Sound Theatres in Branson, Mo. this summer.
  • Lori Thiele and Michaela Perry
    Lori Thiele and Michaela Perry

    The students of the new H&H Sports Cooperative formed between Hampton and Heartland Schools of Henderson have spoken again and we now know what the coop’s mascot will look like. Several weeks ago after the cooperative was finalized, students from both schools voted overwhelmingly to select the Bearcat as their mascot, but then began the process of designing the actual H&H Bearcat logo. Presented with two choices of Bearcat logos on May 14, students in grades 6-11 from both schools selected Concept #1 by a vote of 81 to 19 percent.

    After a weekend of much-needed rain, the showers stopped briefly for the Memorial Day service at the Aurora cemetery, hosted by American Legion Post 42 of Aurora. While the overcast day may have turned away some from the event, many showed up to honor the veterans of Hamilton County. The ceremony started with a welcome from Alan Anderson, adjutant of Post 42. “This day is sacred with the almost visible presence of those who have gone before us,” Anderson said.

    A healthy Brodey Spurling is dangerous, and everyone watching Friday’s Class D triple jump found out the hard way. The HPC junior hit a new personal record by well over two feet, set a new school record and won the gold medal, hitting a mark of 44-6.5 and clearing the field by just over a foot. Spurling was awestruck afterwards, finding it difficult to come up with the words to describe the gold medal feeling.

    A growing effort to honor Hampton veterans is gaining momentum, with the committee hosting a fundraising event set for Saturday at 5 p.m. that will include a silent auction and multiple gun raffles. The event will also include a short program with keynote speaker Dan Kuester. Plans for the Hampton Veterans Memorial started with Rodger Bamesberger, the late owner of Bamesberger Welding, who passed away in 2022. When Bamesberger died, his family dedicated all the memorial money to help fund the veterans memorial.

    When Bryan Willey stepped on stage at Sight & Sound Theatres to sing his heart out in this summer’s production of “David” in Branson, Mo., it was the fulfillment of a childhood dream for the Aurora grad. Willey, who plays the title role in the production,  recalls watching a Christmas pageant as a young boy with his family. “I remember when I was 5 years old, David came out, and seeing his boldness and his courage that he could take down Goliath, even though he was afraid, even though people told him that he was too small or that he couldn’t do it,” Willey said.

    The Hamilton Community Foundation’s outreach programs, Women in Philanthropy (WIP) and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) will be under new leadership when they start up again in the fall. And conversations with both the former HCF Outreach Coordinator and her replacement, as well as HCF Executive Director Tammy Morris, indicate the highly successful programs will be in good hands going forward.

    These stories, plus more photos from all four area high school graduations, more news from the state track meet and much more can be found in the print or e-editions of this week's Aurora News-Register.