This week's top stories

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stories
  • Rowe Morgan Bonifas stands amongst her passion, and FFA, projects. She has added a number of bedding flowers to her Morgan’s Mums business -- now dubbed Morgan’s Mums and More.
    Rowe Morgan Bonifas stands amongst her passion, and FFA, projects. She has added a number of bedding flowers to her Morgan’s Mums business -- now dubbed Morgan’s Mums and More.
  • Kendal Wineteer has been selected by Google to represent Nebraska in the Doodle for Google contest. Voting is open until the end of the day May 14.
    Kendal Wineteer has been selected by Google to represent Nebraska in the Doodle for Google contest. Voting is open until the end of the day May 14.
  • Hampton senior Melinda Montoya had a surprise waiting for her as she paraded out of the gym when Zachary Hollingsworth picked her up and carried her outside.
    Hampton senior Melinda Montoya had a surprise waiting for her as she paraded out of the gym when Zachary Hollingsworth picked her up and carried her outside.
  • Shelby Warnick shares an embrace as students presented flowers to those important to them.
    Shelby Warnick shares an embrace as students presented flowers to those important to them.
  • Aurora’s Daniel Elge was the winner in the shot put event as three of the top eight finishers in the event were Huskies.
    Aurora’s Daniel Elge was the winner in the shot put event as three of the top eight finishers in the event were Huskies.

    Morgan’s Mums and More: A colorful lesson
    No stranger to growing things, or even marketing them to locals in the community, the last of the Bonifas children has started her own FFA project turned business venture. 
    Morgan Bonifas, the lady in charge behind Morgan’s Mums and More, stepped away from her busy schedule and into the she-shed (greenhouse) at her home to reflect on her latest adventure.
    “Last year during COVID, I guess I was kind of bored and I was trying to think of ideas that I could do for my FFA project,” Morgan said on the beginnings of her business. “Also last spring I kind of really enjoyed helping my mom with all of her flowers and stuff, so I decided to start out with something simple like mums.”

    Kendal Wineteer selected in Doodle for Google contest
    An Aurora 13-year-old’s passion and hard work has officially paid off. 
    Kendal Wineteer has been selected as the Nebraska state finalist in Google’s “Doodle for Google” contest. 
    Wineteer’s drawing was selected, along with one from every other state and United States territory, among other students in grades K-12.
    The seventh grader at Aurora Middle School noted that this is the third time she’s entered the contest and that she’s very excited. 
    “In fifth grade our art teacher Ms. Beck told us about it and had us all enter,” she said, explaining how she learned about the contest. “I really enjoyed it and I liked having that creativity to create a drawing off of a prompt.”

    Hawk seniors bid farewell
    Hampton valedictorian MaKenna Clinch challenged her classmates and community to make the most out of every opportunity they get in life, and she did just that Saturday on a feel-good afternoon for Hawk Nation.
    “I am honored to say that I have been a part of the Hampton High School’s Class of 2021 and I am proud to know each and every one of you,” Clinch said during commencement exercises in the school gymnasium. “As we leave here today, celebrate what you have accomplished, but follow the goals you have set for yourself and change the world for the better, no matter how small that change may be.”

    HPC celebrates the Class of 2021
    Friends, family and community members gathered in Polk Saturday to celebrate the newest class of seniors to leave High Plains.
    In total, 19 students received their diplomas during the afternoon ceremony. The first to represent the class was salutatorian Brianna Wilshusen.
    “Fellow classmates, today is an important day in all of our lives,” she began. “As we gather here to celebrate more than a decade of long, hard years of learning, we are surrounded by all the people who taught and inspired us throughout our lives.”

    Elge takes gold at Central Conference
    Thursday’s Central Conference track meet was a preview of sorts for what is to come for many of the 10 member schools. 
    Aurora played host to the meet and will also host the B-5 district this week as ell with many of the same schools in attendance. 
    It was GINW, however, that came away with both the boys and girls team titles by day’s end. 
    It was a solid day on the track for the Huskies, who finished fifth in the team race with several high marks. Despite that, though, Aurora coach Gordon Wilson said he will be looking for bigger things at the district meet.

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