DHS Stars Place At State Track and Field Championship: Earlier this month, three DHS athletes qualified for the 2025 Nebraska High School Track and Field Championship Meet in Omaha, held May 23-24. When the dust settled, two Lady Longhorns brought home medals. Standout Junior Bailey Theis placed 13th in the discus (106 ft. and 3 in.) and third in shot put (42 ft and 11 in.). Senior Baylor Behrens finished seventh in 300 meter hurdles, setting a new school record of 47:35, while placing ninth in 100 meter hurdles -- again setting a new school record with a 16:47 run. Longhorn Faith Elkins also performed well, coming in 18th in 100 meter hurdles (17:51) and 23rd in 100 meter dash (13:51). Congrats to these student athletes for representing the community so well.
DHS Journalism Scores Well in State, National Contests: Dorchester High School's journalism program recently celebrated several students who placed in the Nebraska Press Women’s High School Communications Contest. Senior Gabby Theis captured first place in Yearbook Copywriting, second in Yearbook Photo, and honorable mention in Editorial Cartooning and Double-Truck Layout. Hailey Schweitzer took home first place in Double-Truck Layout and honorable mention in Yearbook Layout. Mackenzie Luzum captured second place in Double-Truck Layout and Honorable Mention in Opinion. Bailey Theis received second in Yearbook Copywriting. Andrea Pavlish won third in Yearbook Photo and in Editorial. Joseph Peacock captured Honorable Mention in Yearbook Copywriting. Gabby and Hailey’s first-place entries competed nationally and both placed third in the National Federation of Press Women High School Communications Contest.
Dorchester's Jacee Zoubek Earns UNL Honors: Dorchester graduate was among just 24 students from UNL's College of Education and Human Sciences who were recognized as Chancellor’s Scholars during the undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 17 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Chancellor’s Scholars are students who have maintained a 4.0 GPA on all collegiate work at Nebraska and elsewhere. Jacee graduated with a degree in nutrition, exercise and health sciences, and is the daughter of Brent Zoubek and Lindsey Zoubek.
National Spotlight on Dorchester's Dan Nerud: Dorchester's Dan Nerud is a fourth-generation farmer who also serves as a director for the Nebraska Corn Board and Board member for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Nerud recently spoke with Successful Farming magazine and podcast to discuss producer groups, farming with family, and mental health. Beyond all things agriculture, Nerud shared his experience with depression, which multiple studies show is between 2-5 times higher in farmers than the rest of the population, according to the publication. He said being prescribed antidepressants was a "game changer" for him, and his goal is to make sure other farmers dealing with depression know there is help available. He stressed the importance of watching out for others, encouraging family and friends to speak up if they notice changes in a loved one.