Aurora’s Future Problem Solvers program excels

Dear Editor:
Last weekend was the Nebraska State Future Problem Solving competition at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. We were in attendance and were amazed yet again at what a successful FPS program Aurora has, and has had, for decades.
While many schools attend the Nebraska state competition at UNK every year, for the past several decades Aurora has taken most, if not all, of the international qualifying places. We equate it to winning the top places in every event at a big track meet.
This year, as many as 23 Aurora students grades six through 12 will be representing the entire state of Nebraska in Amherst, Mass. (UMASS). They will again compete as either teams or individually in a written portion and then perform skits in front of international audiences. It is an extraordinary opportunity to meet critical-thinking students from all over the United States and other countries. Our students will meet fellow problem solvers from as far away as Australia and Singapore, and some “alternates” will even get to meet with and compete with those students. Students will also get to exchange Nebraska mementos for keepsakes from other states and countries. This is a fun way to share Nebraska culture as well as to meet other students and see what they feel represents their home.
Aurora has a 40-year history of success that is unmatched in any other community program or sport that we have, and we look forward to its continued success. We are writing to congratulate this year’s FPS program participants and state winners, and to highlight to the community just how impressive a program Doug Monson built. We can’t stress enough how hard the coaches and students continue to work each year to produce such unparalleled success.
They spend an entire school year studying, practicing and researching for one qualifying event, a local practice competition and then for those that qualify, one state competition in April. Even fewer get to the international competition in June. Each year these students and coaches put in a lot of work without a lot of time to shine. We would love for the community to be aware of and to celebrate their dedication and success.
FPS is an incredible process. These students are cultivating reading, writing, critical thinking and team building skills that will last them a lifetime.
Congratulations Aurora FPS, Go Huskies!
Robin Wilcox-Morris (FPS alum), Allison Heiss

 Society has strayed from God, Constitution
Dear Editor:
If any of you have ever experienced equilibrium disorder or extended times of dizziness, you will relate to my comments. Nothing feels stable; at the slightest move you are…(I’ll spare you the words!) It feels like your body and the world around you is totally out of control and it is, with nothing you can do about it.  
Now there are some drugs which can help, if you can keep them down. But still feeling normal? Far cry from that.
Twice in my life this has happened to me. About 32 years ago from an inner ear virus and now from my second cochlear implant. Talk about being out of sync.
Yes, I want to talk about being out of sync. We as a society are out of sync with reality. We’ve lost our equilibrium. We are out of sync with our Creator, Jesus. Back in the 60’s and 70’s we ripped His firm foundation out from underneath our culture, leaving us floundering as one with no equilibrium.  We are trying to play a game with no rules set in place. Talk about chaos if one football team should decide/demand that their touchdowns should be counted at the wrong end of the field? That they can carry the ball into whatever end zone they want and demand a score?  
Let’s face it, there is something peaceful about rules. Boundaries are set for a blessing. God wants to bless us. He knows the boundaries we need in life for us to thrive; for good mental health. I just think we need to stop being afraid of God’s boundaries and give them a try. Over and over in the Bible He talks about setting us free. God is the one who has given us inalienable rights for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That comes straight from the hand of God -- not man or government. Our Constitution has been the greatest on earth because our founding fathers sought to honor what God wants man to enjoy. We’ve gravely strayed from our Constitution and God’s freeing standards.
Caroline Epp,
Giltner