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Members of the Grain Weevil team pictured at the Farm Bureau conference in Atlanta are, from left Zane Zents, Ben Johnson, Chad Johnson and Jeremy Heeg. -
Longtime farm hand and cattle industry veteran Ray Beck will be honored by the Hamilton-York County Cattlemen in late January. -
After picking out their choice of books, High Plains second graders, from left, Shayla Smith, Lacey Harris, Lyndsy Podliska and Kelsie Pike dive right in. -
Aurora graduate Baylor Scheierman was back in Nebraska last week with his South Dakota State Jackrabbits taking a 95-86 win over Nebraska-Omaha. -
Mack Owens recorded his 100th career win Thursday at the St. Paul triangular. Owens is Aurora’s second wrestler to eclipse 100 wins this season and third on the current roster.
Ag Innovation prize earns Grain Weevil nationwide exposure
The $50,000 ag innovation prize was a nice bonus, though co-founders of a product designed to improve on-farm safety say the exposure for and positive feedback to their Grain Weevil concept last week in Georgia is perhaps even more valuable.
Chad and Ben Johnson were both ecstatic about being named the top prize winner at a Farm Bureau conference last week in Atlanta, sharing their thoughts after returning home.
“Obviously we were extremely excited,” Ben shared in a phone interview from Omaha. “It’s just one more little piece of proof that what we’re doing is important. We got a lot of really good feedback from producers, as well as industry folks, and we need that support from both sides. It was just a lot of fun for us.”
Chad said he was pleased not only with the Grain Weevil’s first-place finish, but also noted that three of the four finalists in the competition were from Nebraska.
Ray Beck reflects on life spent in the cattle industry
Two things about Ray Beck are universally true -- he’s always wearing his cowboy hat and he’s been working with cattle for his entire life.
One or both of these facts have resulted in his most recent accomplishment. The Hampton resident and member of the Hamilton-York County Cattlemen is being honored by the organization for his dedication to and passion for the industry.
“When I was real small we lived up on a farm near Wakefield,” Ray began, speaking to his start in the cattle world. “Dad worked for a feedlot and a farmer up there.”
Born in Plainview, Ray and his older brother helped their father feed, milk and care for cattle -- whatever they could do to help out.
“That’s where I learned to drive a John Deere B tractor,” he added with a laugh. “I had to stand up to steer it, but we just had to help.”
HPC Book Booster program already turning pages
Something is simmering under the surface at High Plains Community Schools -- it’s building with the turning of every page and is completely free to the youngest Storm students.
That something is a book boosters program fostering a love for reading, sponsored by National Honor Society students and funded in part by educators and families in HPC areas.
“HPC Book Boosters is a program sponsored by the High Plains Community National Honor Society,” said Stephanie Carlson, High Plains educator and donor. “Their goal is to give elementary students books, which is so admirable and beneficial for their education.”
Carlson explained that she and her husband, David, decided to get involved as a donor/sponsor due to it being such a worthy cause.
The headband returns
Every time Baylor Scheierman circled around halfcourt during warm-ups, he took a peek into the stands, looking for someone.
His smile through warm-ups turned into an icy stare following a message-sending first-half dunk.
It was all part of a homecoming of sorts for the Aurora native, who had one of his best statistical nights of the season Thursday in a 95-86 win at Nebraska-Omaha.
While it was just another regular season game, the night had a bit of a special touch for Scheierman, who was playing in front of a flock of former teammates, friends and family.
While Scheierman won’t admit that some games mean more than others, this one stood out on the calendar.
“It was awesome. I definitely had this game circled on the calendar,” Scheierman said. “This was the first time I’ve played in front of most of them for a long time. I had a few jitters coming in seeing everyone in the stands but it was awesome.”
Owens records 100th career win for Huskies
It was an interesting week for Mack Owens.
The Aurora senior collected his 100th career victory Thursday night, the second Husky this season to do so and now the third on the team with 100 or more wins.
Not only that, but Owens also found himself in a rematch Saturday from last year’s state finals and a very possible preview of this year’s final.
The Huskies were in action Saturday at the Schuyler Invite, finishing fifth as a team.
Owens was a runner-up finisher at 195, falling to Bennington’s Luke MacDonald after a 7-3 decision.
During the 2021 Class B state finals, MacDonald defeated Owens on a 10-5 decision in Omaha.
The Huskies featured two winners from Saturday, including Jack Allen at 220 and Aaron Jividen at 285.
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