Eric Heidemann Selected Seward Youth Rotarian for February

By Kolterman, Clark on February 04, 2011

Launch the media gallery 1 player

Eric Heidemann, SHS Senior, was selected the 2011 February Youth Rotarian of the Month  and honored by the Seward Rotary Club.  He is the son of Teri and Mark Heidemann of Seward.  Eric was honored at the Seward Rotary Club luncheon meeting on February 2 at the Jones National Bank and Trust.  He was introduced and presented with a book scholarship and mementos from the Seward Rotary Club, along with information about Rotary International.

Eric is an outstanding young leader at Seward High in a variety of areas.  He is a leader in the classroom, always on the Honor Roll and a leader in the SHS National Honor Society.  He has been involved in the SHS One Acts all four years and was recognized as an “Outstanding Actor” at both the Central Conference and NSAA B-3 District One Act Contests the last two years.  He has also participated in the SHS Poetry Out Loud and was a finalist and participated in the VFW Voice of Democracy Speech Contest.  Eric is a member of the SHS FFA program.

As a musician, he has been involved in the SHS musical all four years and is the lead this year in their presentation of “Oklahoma.”  He is a four year member of the SHS Singers/Swing Choir and was a soloist at Hits Night.  He is in the Concert Choir and Select Choir.  Eric was a Fine Arts Youth of the Month.  He is a four year member of Marching Band, Concert Band and Jazz Band.  He is a four year member of the Seward Summer Chamber Choir and was selected to be a HOBY finalist and a Sophomore Pilgrim for the GFWC Seward Woman’s Club.

Eric has been a leader on the athletic field as well and was the varsity Center for the SHS Bluejay Football team, plays Varsity basketball and is a leader on the Varsity baseball team at SHS.  He has received numerous honors for his athletic accomplishments.

Eric is involved in his church, the Rock Lutheran Church in Seward and participates in the St. John Lutheran Godparent’s Group. He volunteered for the St. John Vacation Bible School and attended the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans.  He is also a member of the SHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Eric plans to attend either the University of Nebraska at Lincoln or Creighton University in Omaha to earn a degree in Biology or Chemistry and eventually enter into a medical profession, with a career goal to become a surgeon. 

Eric’s “Service Above Self” activity involves his volunteer leadership with young athletes and youth over the years, serving as mentor to the youth in various athletic programs, is an assistant coach for a Seward youth T Ball team and works with the Seward Recreation program.  He is also a writing tutor at Seward Elementary School.  He also worked in the servant events at the National Youth Gathering and has been involved at the City Mission.

He is now a finalist for the annual Seward Rotary “Service Above Self” Award Scholarship to be announced in May at the SHS Honors Night.  His book scholarship was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Billy Snell and Mr. and Mrs. John Owens.  The award is given once a month and applications are available in the SHS Counselor’s office.