"Trying to figure out my locker for the first time ."
Zaid Alqaraghuli ·
"I was worried that people wouldn't be nice, but I've made lots of new friends " " It was really hard to
Every year at Scott , we welcome new things and new people to the building. Every thing from new 6th graders , to new class opportunities like weightlifting or new clubs like , Dungeons and Dragons , and Art Club. One of the best new additions this year was Jodi Alva , Speech Language Pathologist , and her two dogs , Milo and Jersey
Milo and Jersey both passed the Canine Good Citizen Test and the Pet Partners Test to be certified to be in a school setting. The dogs have many important jobs here at Scott from encouraging students to come to school to supporting kids with anxiety. Mrs. Alva herself had some anxiety when she first brought Jersey to Pound Middle School. She was worried that he might get trampled in the hallway. Milo joined Jersey at Pound for a year when Mrs Alva decided that it would be best to take a year off. It is now the next year and Scott is so happy to have Mrs . Alva , Jersey , and Milo as part of our Scott community . Jersey and Milo have helped many students in multiple ways
Mrs. Alva says that , "They really help build relationships and some days I feel like they work harder than me. " Sometimes even just holding Milo or Jersey can encourage a student to make it through their day. Jodi , Jersey , and Milo Alva have changed the Scott community for the better.
Jersey Alva and Jace Krings
Mr. Oxford
"All of the staff and students . the y were really friendly and helped me o ut a lo t. "
"The staff made me feel welcome right off the bat and they helped me find my place ."
Ms Konwinski
"Everyone knew my name when I first got here and the students were really welcoming !"
The cross country season started with 40 students and ended with a total of five practices and four meets. The season was a roller coaster of weather from balmy 70 degree days to extremely hot and windy days The students on the team persevered and were all in the starlight for the four weeks that the season lasted.
During the cross country season , our Scott Stars were still able to shine despite the fact that they only got to practice five times during the year . Multiple practices got canceled or were moved inside due to teacher meetings and extreme weather.
"When we didn t have practice because they got canceled , my friends and I practiced together for the meets , " 8th grader , Brayden Nelson , said.
Not only were the team ' s practices limited , but the meets were challenging as well. "The weather makes it difficult , and the hardest pa rt is the last 100 meters of the race when you ' re sprinting as hard as you can , ' Brayden also stated.
The final meet was the last challenge of the season. The temperatures reached a high of 96 degrees , making it the hottest September 29th in Nebraska history. The meet times had to get moved up because p f the heat and wind. Despite these obstacles , the team finished the season strong and showed how we shine at Scott Middle School.
Blaine Kivett
11 I ate a chewy chocolate chip granola bar before the races. Mrs. McClintock brought them for us. "
Cael Brinegar
"I
just eat a Clif Bar before a meet. I don't eat lunch on the day of the meet though."
Addison Psota
1 usually ate a granola bar and drank a big glass of water before a meet."
The Scott Soccer T earn had an amazing season with a 5-2 record shared between the 7th and 8th grade teams. But the season almost didn t happen .
' A couple of 8th grade boys emailed me asking me to coach They said they wouldn ' t have a season if I didn ' t and I couldn ' t let that happen ," said Mr. Danley , one of the coaches for the Scott Soccer T earn th is year
Although Mr. Danley hadn ' t coached soccer since his own children were young , that did not stop him from leading the Stars to the Starlight. One of those Stars was 8th grader , Ali Saeed .
' Today is my morn ' s birthday and I told her I would score her three goals ," said Ali Saeed at the September 23rd game against Goodrich Middle School.
Ali ended up scoring two goals , bu t it is moments like these that make coaching middle schoo l intramurals so important. Over 40 s t udents were able to have memories like these because of the effort of Mr. Danley , the 7th grade coach , and Mr. Askar , the 8th grade coach
Zach Michel
"'As
goalie. I was able to save at least 15 goals this season.··
Layla Ferris
··Everyone got to play in different positions~ Also. it was really fun to play on a team that encourages you~··
Setting s~he
Throughout the 2023 season, there were many victories and moments that our volleyball stars shined in the starlight. No matter victory or loss, students gained memories to last a lifetime.
"The best part was the games because they were more fun than the practices and I liked the girls on my team, " said 8th grader, Bentli Williams .
Some students had been playing volleyball for years , and others for the very first time. Seventh grade student Scarlett Trover said, "This was my first time playing volleyball. I enjoyed learning all the·skills that it takes to play volleyball. It was a great first team experience. "
It wasn ' t just students who were playing for the first time , Mr. Kanara had three new coaches helping him out. Mr Oxford helped with the 8th grade teams and Ms . Kobza-Deutsch and Ms. Wojtasek led the 7th grade teams to many wins.
"Game days were a lot of fun and the players were very energetic. The teams were also great to coach , 11 said Mr. Kanara.
The 8th grade A T earn even had an undefeated regular season and made it all the way to the City Championship versus Moore Middle Schoo l.
Harper Murray because I met her in person and she was really nice to talk to . She is super strong on the court and gets a ton of kills and blocks every game Every t ime I see her warming up at a game she is always working super hard .
Lexi Rodriguez because she is really good and gets a ton of the balls that get shanked She is also super fast and can move all over the court really well. She 's also super entertaining to watch and see play .
eeley
Laney Choboy because she is super fast can get to the ball quick, and can save everything. She is also a defensive specialist which is the same position I play.
Emma
Bekka Allick because she came from VCN where I play It also shows that even though she is from a smaller town , Lincoln , that she can go from playing at a regular volleyball program to one of the best teams in the country
Mrs. Westphalen and P ayton Uternark
for the
BASKET BAL
Samantha Penner
Emerson Hogeland BTeam
Reagan Becker
7th Grade C Team Green -
Beckett Meens
Game 1 vs. Pound
January 13th
Cancelled
Game 2@Park
January 20th
Win
Game 3@Sc January 27 w
Game 4 vs. Mickle February 3rd Win
Game 5 @ Moore
February 10th Win
Semifinals vs. Moore
February 22nd Win
Quarterfinals vs. Irving February 21st Win
Game 6 vs. Irving
February 17th Win
Championship vs. Schoo February 24th
Win
The Stars won their regular season games against Park , Schoo, Mickle, Moore, and Irving. The team also won its two playoff games against Irving and Moore. The 8th Grade A team won the LPS City Basketball Championship thanks to a pass from Thatcher Shelton to a layup made by Grady Vernon with 1.4 seconds left in overtime The Stars won 35-34, capping off an undefeated season and winning the second championship in a row for the Class of 2028. Over 120 students from Scott were at the game , supporting their fellow Stars and creating a memorable moment for the team 's last game of the season and their last game as Scott Stars!
QJteway ef t:1w $tzl/iugnu
Each year band orchestra , and choir have concerts This year there were other unique music events that defined the starlight.
Eight students made the Middle Level All-S tars for choir. These students put in the work outside of school hours , their hard work shines through!
Keira Findley , a member of choir says , "I like being able to sing with friends , and meet new people One of my biggest accomplishments was getting the opportunity to sing a solo for School Festival Choir!"
In Orchestra , five S tudents participated in the Junior Youth Orchestra and three in the Youth Ensemble of Strings.
"The teacher is really funny. And I tried out for Junior Youth O rchestra and I made it! As well as playing music with my friends ," said H arriet Kulwicki when asked what she enjoyed about orchestra.
The 8th grade band was selected by competitive audition to perform at the S tate Music Educator's Convention this fall This is a big honor as very few groups were selected. In fact the Scott 8th Grade Band was the only middle school group that was chosen. In addition , four students were selected to be in PANgea , seven students were selected for the 8th grade All-State Band and Jazz Band. In March , band students from Scott participated in the Solo & Ensemble contest with an impressive showing. Out of 56 total 7th and 8th grade entries , Scott students received 46 S uperior and 10 Excellent ratings , a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Mitchell Ripley who is in band says , "Doing jazz band has been a highlight , and band after school is a great way to make friends The teachers are also very nice."
These students have put in the time and effort to be in the MELODY OF THE STARLIGHT
WILL CARPER
I would say my favorite song to play is ' HOT CROSS BUNS '. It is the easiest song to play and easy to learn.
JACE
WILLIAMS
My favorite song to play is ' DARK RIDE ' because there is a fun part for the tenor saxophone. Also my class makes tha t song fun .
DHIYA
HUMESHK AR
My favorite song is 'CO N ECTED ' bec a use it brings the wh o le choir together and makes the class actually feel connected. It is a beautiful song to sing.
CECI SCHUL TE
'SI G YOU THE STARS ' because it has some really pretty harmonies Also the alto get to do what is called a suspension
"Friends because I met
"The amount of music opportunities for students to be a part of . 11 Savannah Soper
"All the resources they provide for
"Being able to choose my extra
"Working with others doing school
"The variety of food options in the lunch room."
"The different ideas and personalities of everyone." Musf i rah Naveed
"The routine and being able to know wha t will happen each day ." Kyl e r H unsbe r ge r
"Being able to talk to my counselor at "How inclusive they are of
'The way the building is designed and h easy it is to get around."
"Being able to take our chromebook home. 11
Addison Everett
"Having all my classes in one pod."
Andrew Shaeffer
"How much more-freedom they give you compared to elementary
'The awesome principal and assistant principal." Cade
"Hanging out with friends at lunch and recess."
Santiago Arana
"The nice and caring nurses we have when we are sick."
Joseph Paulos
"All the
"The teachers because they are nice and make class easy, fun, and enjoyable."
Braelyn Parkinson
"The variety of
"The awesome games and activities we get to do in PE with the fun every hour."
"Being able to walk in the hall to all my classes by myself."
Blaise Fink
It's really great being a choreographer, because I can help people with their mistakes and know what I m talking about.
-Shiloh Bacon , choreographer and plays the part of Ms choreographer, but it ~ nice being a leader. It was fun seeing the cas improve from the min 1 we give them the choreography to whe they get on the stage.
-Gracie Kathman ,
I play the part of Rooster Hannigan who is a s lickster and is a really fun person to play. It was also pretty fun to play him because he ' s a villain and I've never played a villain b efore .
I felt really excited to play Annie and chose to audition for her because she ' s a really cool character and I like her part. She also has a lot of
-Cora Sm ith , Annie
eons and ns Club is a where fell ow keepers and get together joy one of their ·te games.
ungeo ns and rago ns Club
Hope Squ ad
Hope Squad is a club that helps people if they are struggling and need some guidance in the right direction. All of the members of this club are peer nominated for being someone trustworthy.
Timilehin Bankole
Student Council represents a community of students working together and thinking of ways to make our school a better place. This year the staff sponsors were Mrs . Morgan and Mr. Kanara. The co-presidents were YunA Kort and Paul Hart.
"I choose to sponsor because I really enjoy seeing students getting involved. If I could summarize student council in one sentence, I would say that student council is a good first step in realizing the impact we can have in the world," said Mr. Kanara.
Student Council is divided into two committees: School Improveme nt and Community Involvement. School Improveme nt simply works to make Scott a better place . One example from this year is students wrote thank you notes to teachers and put a thank you note on each student's locker before Thanksgiving . Community Involvement helps the community This year they hosted the 'PIE a Scott Staff Fundraise r', which raised money for the Food Bank of Linco ln.
Cate Rawlings , a 7th grader, stated, ''Student Council means sharing a community , being a leader, and being able to help and go the extra mile."
What motivated you to join Student Council?
Boden Becker
11 I felt like the school should be improved. We have had fundraisers that helped the community."
Lily McAfee
" I decided to join because I wanted to be engaged in school extracurriculars and help plan school spirit week."
Holli Longe Shelley Lyon McKenzie Magbitang Megan Manning-Kechely
Katie Marx Marisa McClintock
Janet Millnitz Adam Monk Marissa Moore Brenda Morgan Sean Murphy Sandra Murphy-Robb
Eric Nelson Holly Noser Angela Nykodym Kristin Oakland-Maxwell
Tim Oehring Suzie Olberding
Noah Oxford Mark Patton Lori Payne Falcone Liz Peters Kelly Phillips Kate Pittack
Rhonda Poulsen Allan Rezac
Martha Ross Tobi Scaggs Megan Scott Lyndse Shively
Teacher Bank
Mrs. Jones Mrs. McClintock Mrs. Green Miss Tenney Mrs. Pittack Mrs. Channell Mrs. Westphalen Mrs. Kloefkorn
Ella Oakley Webster Snips
We want to give a big thank you to all of our custodial and kitchen staff! Your hard work and efforts are greatly appreciated!
Tia Smith Nick Spencer
Brett Thompson Sam Towne
Jackie Williams Malia Wojtasek
Jeseca Stolte Christian Summers Elizabeth Tenne y Becca Thompson
Angela Updegraff Laura Walker Jennifer Wallman Rachel Westphalen
Taylor Zillig
Ms. Burkey
"Being
Mr. Ernst has been the Associate Principal at Scott for 22 years and he was the second ever at Scott. He 's going to miss the environment at Scott and having conversations with all the kids. Mr. Ernst says the staff at Scott is amazing and always steps in for each other if needed. Ernst said that the 8th graders this year were some of the best kids he has ever met and will continue to watch us grow. A lesson he learned from Scott was that life doesn 't go in a straight line and things always change. Mr. Ernst says he will figure out retirement along the way , but has plans to spend time with family and to travel to places where he can experience history up close.
Mrs. Kloefkorn has been teaching at Scott for 26 years the 2nd year it was open . She says she is going to miss the staff the students and all the good laughs Some of her favorite memories were when her class TP'd Mr. Towne 's class and when she taught the 7th grade dance unit. Something she learned from teaching at Scott is that life changes constantly and you have to be ready for it. She 's looking forward to playing lots of pickleball going to National Parks and going on hikes and biking in her next phase of life.
Mr. Brown was the last standing original teacher that taught at Scott when it first opened . He said that the average class size was around 12-13 people in each class when the school opened and now there 's around 25-30 people in each class. Some of his favorite memories at Scott were taking students on field trips and having competitions between the pods. Something he learned from teaching was to relax and don 't worry about the little things. Mr. Brown is looking forward to spending time in Grand Lake Colorado and enjoying relaxation time in his retirement.
