Seward High Captures 2021 State Fair High School Sweepstake Trophy in Education Division Competition

September 13, 2021

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It is the sixth time in a row that Seward High captured the Nebraska State Fair Education Division Competition High School Sweepstakes trophy, based on number of entries in the fair’s education competitions-both static and live contests and placement of the students-the number of wins in that division.  Accepting the Sweepstakes trophy were the SHS Coaches/Sponsors for the school’s State Fair competitions-SHS teachers Melissa Pohl-Language Arts and Nathan Knott-Art and Jeanna Snyder-SHS Senior, who placed first of 68 entries in the State Fair Short Story Contest. Shelby- Rising City High School placed second and Lincoln Public Schools placed third in the Education Division’s annual State Fair Education Division Competition. The 2021 Sweepstake trophy has been placed on display at Seward High.  

The SHS students competed in a variety of contests-both” live”-in person contests such as Quiz Bowl, testing in Science, Math, Nebraska History, Spelling, and Grammar, along with Impromptu Speaking, Improvisation Drama Teams, Poetry Presentations and Speech.  The static contests included art, visual-wall art and three dimensional, photography, Community Service-both individual and group, along with writing contests such as short story contests, cursive penmanship, poetry, and essay writing. 

Four items from Seward High were selected to be on display at the State Capitol during the Statehood Day Festivities in March 1, 2022, featuring the First Place winning photo by SHS Olivia Volzke, the First Place winning art-watercolor by Kaitlyn Porter, the Individual Community Service Project by Julya Metschke and the winning Team Community Service Project by Hannah Kolterman-Wagner and Miriam Voehl. 

Each high school student that entered the competition was awarded a free tee shirt and a free ticket to the State Fair.  First place winners were awarded $100 scholarships upon High School graduation, a plaque and First Place Rosette.  

A complete list of all the results will follow at the conclusion of the State Fair upon the posting of the winners, naming the award winners.  

Photo: LR Holding a sample of the State Fair Education Division Student Tee Shirt  is SHS Senior Jeanna Snyder-First Place winner in the Short Story Competition of the Nebraska State Fair.   SHS Art Teacher/Sponsor Nate Knott and Co-Sponsor Melissa Pohl accept the Nebraska State Fair Sweepstake Trophy from the State Fair Education Division for 2021. 

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Congrats to Meiissa Pohl –SHS Language Arts Educator, who was selected the 2021 Nebraska State Fair Education Division’s State Fair Teacher of Excellence 2021.  She was recognized for her outstanding student’s static entries, her devoted two day sponsorship of the students at the State Fair, her serving as a reader for the State Fair Education Quiz Bowl and her work with the SHS Students and their “live” competitions.  She was awarded a special “Apple Trophy” thanking her for the efforts to make the 2021 State Fair experience memorable for her students.