The Nemaha Central class of 2026 had their eighth grade promotion on Thursday, May 12. The class included: Elizabeth Berkley, Daniel Childress, Cameron Clary, Hailee Daharsh, Laura Deters, Chariss Fritz, Candice Frye, Carter Hajek, Kadance Henry, Auron Hoskins, Jolie Jones, Marissa Koch, Robert Langill, Jordan Lewis, Alison Lueger, Cole Lyons, Jack Macke, Jade Macke, Kailey Mady, Sebastian Randall, Kamryn Ranieri, Savanah Rogers, Aubrey Rottinghaus, Kaysen Schlund, Jayden Seitz, Regan Sloop, Logan Snell, Cameron Strathman, Koree Stuke, Elijah Sudbeck, Vivian Thayer, Layton Thomas, Hendryx Wahl, and Kathryn Yunghans.
After the graduates entered, one of the school counselors, Mrs. Laurie Niehues, gave a welcome speech to all that were in attendance. Next, the principal, Dr. Amy Beck, introduced who would be speaking throughout the ceremony. After that, two of the eighth grade graduates, Jade Macke and Jayden Seitz, talked about the accomplishments of the class over the past two years in both sports and academics.
Next, Robert Langill introduced the video created about the eighth graders. When the video finished, Carter Hajek introduced the commencement speaker, Taryn Ganstrom, a senior at Nemaha Central High School. Another eighth-grader, Kailey Mady, gave a tribute to all of the graduates' parents and guardians. Then Jolie Jones gave a speech to pay tribute to a couple of teachers from the school that would be retiring after this school year.
Next, one of the school counselors, Mrs. Laurie Niehues, gave out an award called the President’s Award for Educational Achievement for those students who had earned a 3.00 or better four out of five semesters of middle school to Jordan Lewis, Aubrey Rottinghaus, Vivian Thayer, and Hendryx Wahl. The next award was the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. This award is given to students earning a 3.5 or higher GPA four out of the five semesters in middle school. The following students earned this award: Elizabeth Berkley, Daniel Childress, Laura Deters, Carter Hajek, Kadance Henry, Jolie Jones, Marissa Koch, Robert Langill, Alison Lueger, Jack Macke, Jade Macke, Kailey Mady, Kamryn Ranieri, Kaysen Schlund, Jayden Seitz, Regan Sloop, Koree Stuke, Elijah Sudbeck, Layton Thomas, and Kathryn Yunghans.
Following those awards, the class sponsor, Mrs. Angela Bass gave out the American Citizenship Awards to Alison Lueger, Jade Macke, Kailey Mady, Carter Hajek, Jayden Seitz, and Eli Sudbeck. Finally, she gave out the KSHSAA Citizenship Awards to Jolie Jones and Jayden Seitz.
After the awards were all given out, Mr. Darrel Kohlman, the superintendent of Nemaha Central, presented the class. Once he was finished, a few USD 115 board members, handed out the diplomas to that graduating class.
Finally, the principal, Dr. Amy Beck, wrapped up the graduation ceremony with her closing remarks. The newly graduated students from the class of 2026 proceeded out of the gym.
Click the links below for more photos.