Six students from Seward High attended the recent Theatre and Speech Workshop at Concordia University in Seward, NE on Saturday, September 9 from 8:30 to 1:00.  The students attended a variety of workshops and sessions dealing both with aspects of the theatre and speech on the high school and college levels, including warm-ups, breathing and relaxation techniques and stage presence.  Sessions were also held on a general speech overview, vocals and non-vocals, public speaking, prep time, stage safety, stage combat, and concluded with a showcase event.

The event was coordinated by Bryan Moore, Director of Theatre and Professor Andrew Moffitt, of the CU Speech program at Concordia.  They were assisted by student members and leaders of both the CU Theatre and CU Speech Departments.   The event was held on campus at the TLEC Building.

Attending from Seward were Thomas Bosmeniel, Bailey Mooney, Nathan Miller, Heather Granfors, Hannah Roebke and Nolan Whitney. 

The students also each had an opportunity to visit with Prof. Bryan Moore and Prof. Andrew Moffitt various students in the Theater and Speech programs on the various offerings and opportunities in Theatre and Speech at Concordia University in Seward.

The students were also treated to a tour of the school and a complimentary lunch at Janzow Campus Center, sponsored by the CU Admissions Department and the Concordia Foundation.  There was no charge for the entire day of events, sponsored by the Speech and Theater Department of Concordia University.

SHS Senior, Alysa Biggs was selected the September Youth Rotarian of the Month by the Seward Rotary Club and honored at their weekly luncheon meeting on Wednesday, September 06, 2017 at the Jones National Bank and Trust Auditorium. She is the daughter of Don and Julie Biggs of Seward.

Alysa is an involved student at Seward High both academically and with extracurricular activities.  She is currently the top student academically in her class of 138 students.  Alysa is also a leader in the local SHS National Honor Society and has been on the Honor Roll for all twelve quarters at SHS.  She has enjoyed several Advance Placement classes and a member of the SHS Academic Decathlon Team, competing in Omaha in January.

She has been involved in the SHS Volleyball program, as well as a longtime member of Club Volleyball.  Alysa is also a Seward High Ambassador and a Mentor in the Circle of Friends program at SHS. 

She is an active, involved leader in the SHS Future Business Leaders of America Chapter (FBLA) and participated and was recognized at their State Leadership Conference in Proofreading.  She was a member of Key Club and involved with Skills USA-participating in the State Leadership Conference for the last two years.

Alysa was a member of the SHS Select Choir and participated in the school’s annual musical.  She took piano lessons for six years and enjoys a variety of musical venues.

She is a longtime participant at Shelly’s School of Dance and currently serves as a Dance Aid.

One of the real loves of Alysa is her work with the local 4-H program, as she has been a member and involved in 4-H since 2010, winning a host of multiple ribbons, various awards and numerous trophies at the County and State levels of competitions.  

Alysa is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic church in Seward and serves as a voice of the youth in her church, as well as an involved, loyal member of her local Godparent youth group.

Alysa has been employed by Sloup/Thorell Detasseling in Seward   She also has worked as a local “Nanny” and worked extensively as a babysitter in the area. This last summer she was also employed at the Dowding Memorial Pool.

In the area of “Service Above Self,” Alysa has worked with a variety of local campaigns of service to the community through her school clubs-FBLA, Skills USA and Key Club.  She has also been very involved in community service projects through her 4-H Club –Shooting Stars, as well as with her activities and service at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

At this time, Alysa plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and major in Physical Therapy.

Alysa was introduced at the Rotary meeting, recognized for her leadership and academic excellence and thanked for her “Service Above Self” activities.   She was presented with some information and mementos from the Seward Rotary Club, a club banner and will be presented a “book scholarship” from the Rotary Club.  Zabka Funeral Home in Seward and Rotarians Greg Zabka and Brad Perdue serve as the corporate sponsor for her book scholarship. 

She will again be recognized at the May SHS Honors Night, presented her book scholarship and is now a candidate for the Youth Rotarian of the Year award and scholarship, announced that evening. 

All SHS seniors are eligible for the Seward Youth Rotarian of the Month award. Applications are available at the SHS counselor’s office, on E-Backpack or with Mr. Clark Kolterman in SHS Room 116.  One student of the month is awarded for each month that school is in session. 

Jenna Williams, SHS senior, was selected to be the September Fine Arts Youth of the Month at Seward High.  She is the daughter of Craig and Lori Williams of Seward.

Music is very important to Jenna, although she is involved in a host of other activities at Seward High as well.  She is a leader in the local SHS National Honor Society and always on the Honor Roll. 

Musically, she is in the Select Choir and Seward High Singers-the SHS Show Choir and has been for four years.  She has also participated with the SHS Choir, small vocal groups and has participated in District Music contest in a variety of divisions.  She is also a cast member of the annual SHS Musical every year.

She is a member of the Seward Concordia Summer High School Chamber Choir and is involved with the annual Seward Concordia Musical Arts Day at CU.  She is looking forward to being part of the annual SHS Vocal Departments “Opening Night,” featuring senior soloists from the various high school music groups.

Jenna participates in many musical activities with her church-Hillcrest Evangelical Free Church, such as their Youth Group Praise Band and small musical groups/duets at church, along with her Youth Group at church.

Jenna participated in the VFW Voice of Democracy Speech contest and the Seward High Poetry Out Loud poetry recitation competition, along with many of the competitions

The Seward Rotary Club welcomed Barbara “Baki” Terzic of Zurich, Switzerland to Seward and Seward High School at their regular noon luncheon meeting on August 30^th at the Jones National Bank and Trust in Seward.  She is the daughter of Ankica Terzic (Mother), Edin Herrak (Step Father) and Dragisa Binic (Father).  She will be a sophomore at Seward High this year and her host family is Brady and Jill Johnson and family.  She commented on her experiences so far in Seward.

She was introduced and welcomed, presented some materials on Seward and Rotary International and volunteered to return and give an informative speech on her country, her family and her reactions to her year in Seward next spring!  The Rotary Club presented her with the Seward Rotary Club Banner.