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Photo courtesy of Josh Salmon/The Grand Island Independent // Brandon McDonough shares his inspirational story of tragedy, despair and triumph during the Heartland United Way kickoff luncheon Thursday in Grand Island. -
The Erbst family has been through a lot over the past year, but is ready for a clean start. The family includes mom Dr. Alexis Erbst holding baby Casey, and dad Tate Erbst with son Cainan. -
Congressman Adrian Smith poses with Aurora senior Jeremy Hunter after the council’s first meeting. -
Javier Marino high steps through the Nebraska Lutheran defense on his way to pay dirt on one of his four touchdown runs in HPC’s 86-34 win Friday night. -
Kaitlyn Oswald ran well for the Lady Huskies in Thursday’s conference meet, claiming a 12th place medal.
United Way kicks off with a message of hope
The Heartland United Way kicked off its 2021 campaign Thursday with a heart-felt message from a man who said his life and so many others have been changed by the generosity and goodwill of others.
Brendan McDonough had a ballroom full of people in Grand Island mesmerized by his message of hope and gratitude, telling United Way volunteers and donors to keep doing what they are doing.
“That brought me back to the few people in my life that made a difference,” McDonough said after watching a United Way video featuring youth who benefitted in some way from services provided by local nonprofit agencies. “That’s what the United Way does. They make a small, integral, impactful, long-lasting difference in a young man’s life like mine. It took me years to figure that out.”
‘We’re ready for a clean start’
After almost an entire year of twists and turns, the Erbst family’s life has finally reached a plateau. Tate, Alexis and their two sons, Cainan and Casey, are officially back home in Aurora and set to return to their new “normal” starting soon.
A lot has happened since September of last year, when Alexis announced her move to Aurora and presence at Memorial Community Health as a doctor. Pregnant at that time, Alexis has since given birth, prematurely, Tate was diagnosed with cancer and treated for it, and the couple both tested positive for COVID-19.
Aurora senior joins congressman’s Youth Advisory Council
Aurora senior Jeremy Hunter was recently selected as one of 12 members of Congressman Adrian Smith’s “Youth Advisory Council” for the 2021-22 school year.
Interested in public policy, legislature and the like, Hunter was on the hunt for a way to get involved in the government realm when he found the application to Smith’s Council.
Storm rush past Knights in high-scoring rout
Only two teams scored more points than High Plains did in the state of Nebraska Friday night.
Behind a superior physical rushing attack, High Plains ran away with an 86-34 win over Nebraska Lutheran for its second win in a row and third of the season.
Only Cody-Kilgore (97) and Deshler (88) scored more points in week seven than High Plains, who did so behind a total of 437 rushing yards and a two-back tandem.
Aurora earns two conference medals
Elena Kuehner earned a fourth place medal in Thursday’s Central Conference cross country meet in York, pacing her team to a fifth-place finish.
Coach Tony Sigler said he felt like the Lady Huskies could have run a little faster on a perfect day for cross country at the York Country Club, though conceding that it was a quality field competing on a challenging course.
