This week's top stories

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stories
  • Pictured from left, Aurora pilots Dr. John Wilcox, Keal Bockelman and Brett Mitchell have agreed to share their aviation experience during the Edgerton Explorit Center’s first-ever air academy beginning June 28. At right is Mary Molliconi, the center’s executive director.
    Pictured from left, Aurora pilots Dr. John Wilcox, Keal Bockelman and Brett Mitchell have agreed to share their aviation experience during the Edgerton Explorit Center’s first-ever air academy beginning June 28. At right is Mary Molliconi, the center’s executive director.
  • Aurora senior Ellie Wanek was named Nebraska State FFA president Friday during a virtual state FFA convention. “I didn’t hear them announce my name because as soon as I heard Aurora I immediately screamed and started crying,” Wanek said. “I was so happy.”
    Aurora senior Ellie Wanek was named Nebraska State FFA president Friday during a virtual state FFA convention. “I didn’t hear them announce my name because as soon as I heard Aurora I immediately screamed and started crying,” Wanek said. “I was so happy.”
  • Aurora’s Kennedy Smith (16) is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the lone goal in the second overtime against Crete Thursday.
    Aurora’s Kennedy Smith (16) is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the lone goal in the second overtime against Crete Thursday.
  • This 1969 Ford F150 is nearing the end of a remodel started by the late Roger Petersen and finished by friends, including L. Duane Donnell.
    This 1969 Ford F150 is nearing the end of a remodel started by the late Roger Petersen and finished by friends, including L. Duane Donnell.
  • Katherine Larson models the Aurora 150th celebration shirt that she designed.
    Katherine Larson models the Aurora 150th celebration shirt that she designed.

    Edgerton programming to go airborne
    The Edgerton Explorit Center will soar to new heights in June, expanding its popular summer camp series to include an air academy that will put youngsters in flight with the help of three local pilots.
    Mary Molliconi said she and her staff are always brainstorming about new ways to make science hands-on, relevant and fun, thus she is excited about the opportunity to add an aviation component to the summer curriculum. With the help of Dr. John Wilcox, Brett Mitchell and Keal Bockelman, the Edgerton Air Academy is set for take-off June 28-July 2.
    “Brett was here at the center and talked to some of our educators about wouldn’t it be cool to have a flight camp,” recalled Molliconi, the Edgerton’s executive director.

    A life-changing moment’
    Ellie Wanek watched from a crowded convention center as a new state FFA leadership group was announced when she was a freshman three years ago. 
    Aurora FFA advisor Tony Sigler leaned over at that point and told Wanek, “I hope that’s you up there some day.”
    “I thought it was the coolest thing,” Wanek said later. 
    At that point, the seed was planted. Friday night, the plant from that seed was in full bloom as Wanek, a month from graduation at AHS, was selected to be the Nebraska State FFA president for the 2021-22 school year.

    Cardiac Lady Huskies finish strong 
    Drama, high pressure and excitement followed the Aurora girls soccer team last week. 
    The Lady Huskies posted a pair of victories, both coming in the most dramatic of fashions. 
    Aurora picked up a 1-0 win at Kearney Catholic April 6, coming in the program’s first-ever shootout and followed that up with a 1-0 win at home over Crete in overtime Thursday. 
    Aurora coach Micayla Dunn was more than pleased with how the team continued to fight through a pair of overtimes and even a shootout session. 

    Community rallies to get vintage Ford cruising once more
    Fixing up an old car can be a hobby, a family experience or a way to keep a memory alive. For the friends of the late Roger Petersen of Marquette fixing up a 1936 Ford F150 was all three.
    Friend L. Duane Donnell spoke on the experience of fixing up “Pete’s” final project, which will be given to his daughter Renee.
    “Roger is a friend of mine and to a lot of other people in the community here,” he began. “He liked hot rods, cars and trucks and motorcycles. He started on this truck project and he got ill and was unable to finish it. We all got together and worked as a team and got it finished up for him.”
    The vintage Ford started life as a farm truck in Guide Rock, when it was found sitting in a shelter belt. Donnell noted that almost every single piece had to be replaced and updated.

    Help celebrate Aurora’s 150th with limited-edition shirts
    As the town on Aurora creeps closer to celebrating one of its biggest milestone birthdays, the Plainsman Museum has set out to commemorate the occasion with limited-edition t-shirts.
    “The purpose of the shirts is to celebrate Aurora’s 150-year anniversary,” said Katherine Larson, assistant at the Plainsman and shirt mastermind. “It’s a very exciting time. At the museum we wanted to do something special to commemorate the event.”
    After some brainstorming, an item for purchase sounded like a good option. The idea transformed into “something people could wear” shortly after. 

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