Osmond FFA Members Ryan Schmit and Mason Gansebom have been working in conjunction with UNL staff to collect and sample water from the Bazile Groundwater Management Area for pesticides, nitrites, nitrates, and other hard minerals that can make water unsafe to drink. Each sample is tested not only by the students at OCS, but also the UNL Water Quality Laboratory to ensure accurate measurements.

As Thanksgiving Day approaches Mrs. Schultze’s third grade class reflects on what they are thankful for:

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my teacher. She helps us to learn at school. I am thankful for classmates. We are nice to each other. I am also thankful for the lunch ladies. They make good food. These are things I’m thankful for. --- Jaylee Knepp

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my family. They support me in a lot of things. I am also thankful for my friends. They make me smile when I am sad. I am also thankful for school. I get to play games and learn new things. These are a few things that I am thankful for. ---Kobe Maertins

I am thankful for many things. One thing I’m thankful for is Mrs. Schultze. She teaches me a lot every day. I’m also thankful for my pencils. Then I can write. One more thing I’m thankful for is my family. They take care of me. These are things I’m thankful for. ---Katarina Miller

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my family. They support me. I am thankful for God. He keeps is promises. I am thankful for Santa. He gives kids presents. These are things that I am thankful for! – Trenton Wiseley

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my family. They support me in all the problems I have. I am thankful for my teacher, Mrs. Schultze. She teaches me awesome things and is very kind. I am also thankful for food and water. Water and food keep me healthy and alive. The last thing I am thankful for is freedom. I get to do what I want, and I get to believe in whatever I want. That is what I am thankful for! ---Evynn Kumm

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my teacher. She teaches me every day. I am thankful for my friends. They are very nice to me. I am thankful for my family. They make me smile. That is what I am thankful for. ---Drake Kingham

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my teacher. She helps me with my schoolwork. I am thankful for my Dad and Mom. They help me through bad times. I am thankful for food and water. These resources help me live. These are things I am thankful for. –Adalyn Koehler

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my family. They make my day bright. I am thankful for my friends. They are nice to me, and they are awesome. I am thankful for pencils. Pencils help me write. These are things I am thankful for. ---Emiliano Solorzano

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for my shelter. It keeps me safe and comfortable. I am thankful for my pet dog, Ollie. He makes me feel safe. I am thankful for my family. They make me feel safe and bright. I am thankful for my teacher, Mrs. Schultze. She is so nice and helpful. These are things I am thankful for! ---Kenley Friedrich

I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for God. He made us all. I am also thankful for Jesus. Jesus is very important. I am thankful for my family. My family raised me. God, Jesus, and my family are things I am thankful for. ---Rodgers Chishiba

Eighteen Osmond High School students participated in the Voice of Democracy contest sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838 and it’s auxiliary. Serving as co-chairpersons for the contest were Dallas Steckelberg and Keri Schultze.

Each contestant was asked to prepare a three-to-five-minute speech which was presented by audio tape for judging. The theme for 2019 was “What Makes America Great”.

Winning the local contest was Austin Vinson, son of Clark and Mary Vinson. Second place honors went to Johnson Chishiba, son of Rodgers Chishiba and Alice Shomari. Third place was awarded to Connor von Rentzell, son of Aaron and Jenny von Rentzell. Each of the top three winners received a cash prize and a medal. Austin earned the right to compete at the district level. State and national contests are also held.

Osmond Community Schools hosted the Osmond community Veterans Day celebration in the OCS gymnasium on November 11 at 10:15 AM. 

The community once again put on a professional and memorable celebration, involving students, veterans, and community members alike.

OHS’s band began the ceremony with by playing a processional where members of VFW Post 7838, American Legion Post 326, Sons of American Legion, and Auxiliaries marched into the gym and presented colors. 

All attendees then sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and then recited “The Pledge of Allegiance”. 

Pastor Glen Emery gave an invocation, blessing all present and all those who have served. 

One of the features of the ceremony came through Austin Vinson’s Voices of Democracy speech. In his speech Vinson alluded to his grandparents and the role they played in his life and how they have provided a model for Americans moving into the future. 

The OHS choir then sang a beautiful rendition of “Song of the Unsung Hero”. This included Allie Aschoff (Jr.), Kenzie von Rentzell (So.), Makenzie Vargas (Sr.), Hannah Ferry (Sr.), Tessa Ferry (Fr.), Diandra Polt (Sr.), Madeline Huwaldt (Sr.), Holly Jensen (So.), Riley Wagner (So.), Kiera Moes (So.), Austin Vinson (Jr.), Gabe Knepp (Sr.), and James Umberger (So.) 

Neil Bloomquist, VFW Post 7838 Commander, then introduced the cermony’s keynote speaker Sgt. Major Kenneth Yount, US Army, Retired.

Yount encouraged all in attendance to be inspired and motivated to keep America strong by looking at its heroes from the past. 

The OHS band then played “Service Songs” and “A House Divided”. Pastor Emery closed the ceremony with a benediction, and the members of the VFW, Legions, Sons of American Legion, and Auxiliaries then retired the colors and processed out of the gym. 

November Students of the Month!

Blake Bahr, Brenden Gillespie

Elliot Kumm, Kaylee Bahr, Emerson Wagner

WAY TO GO TIGERS!

FBLA Hayrack Ride

BY MADELINE HUWALDT

On November 5 the Osmond FBLA chapter had their annual hayrack ride around Osmond. There was a great amount of students who came and participated in the event. Everyone had fun on the ride despite the cold.

The ride departed the Osmond School parking lot and started the route down Logan St. and continued to travel down the rest of the streets in town. 

The students also listened to music and enjoyed some tasty hot chocolate. 

The FBLA would like to give a shoutout to Ross Stelling; he donated his trailer, pickup, and time to drive the students around. 

The FBLA would also like to give a shout out to the Huwaldts for donating the hay bales that the students used as seats. 

The Lewis and Clark Conference Vocal Clinic is scheduled for Monday, November 4th, 2019 in Wausa, NE. The clinician will be Matthew Armstrong from Wayne State College. Fifteen Osmond singers will be attending the clinic with a performance scheduled at 5:30 pm in the Wausa High School Gymnasium. The concert will consist of a variety of selections that include an auditioned Honor Choir performance.  Students selected to this prestigious group had to record an audition that was sent in to be heard by judges on the opposite side of the conference.  Representing Osmond within this group are junior, Austin Vinson and sophomore, Kiera Moes. This particular group will perform “May The Road Rise Up To Meet You” by Dale Grotenhuis. The Clark Conference Choir will sing four different pieces providing a variety of singing styles for the members of, not only the choir but the audience too, to experience.  It will be undoubtedly a wonderful experience and performance. The Girls Choir will sing “Never Enough,” and the Boy's Choir will sing “Oh Pretty Woman!.” The members of the Clark Conference Choir representing Osmond are, Allison Aschoff, Alexis Beacom, Hannah Ferry, Tessa Ferry, Aleynah Gray, Madeline Huwaldt, Holly Jensen, Gabriel Knepp, Kiera Moes, Diandra Polt, James Umberger, Makenzie Vargas Toledo, Austin Vinson, Kenzie von Rentzell, and Riley Wagner. These students put in a lot of hard work throughout the course of the semester so far and they are to be commended for that.  It takes a lot of time and energy to be able to make such a commitment, and for that, you are to be congratulated! 

CEDAR RAPIDS—The Osmond Tigers went into Thursday, October 24’s game at Riverside looking to make one more effort to keep their playoff hopes alive.

After a 60-16 loss, the Tigers ended their season.

The game really didn’t start for the Tigers until the fourth quarter where they outscored the Chargers 16-6; otherwise, they were outscored by the Chargers 54-0 through the first three quarters.

In the second half, the Tigers showed definite signs of life, coming out physical and seemingly hungry. The fourth quarter was definitely the Tigers’ best.

They put together two nice drives where they scored two touchdowns and added both conversions.

Bryan Solorzano (So.) and Patrick Vinson (So.) each scored a touchdown. Solorzano scored one of the two-point conversions while Connor Gutz (Jr.) added the other.

“Watching our guys play in the last quarter was very encouraging,” Tigers Coach Scott Morrison said. “We have some younger guys with talent. Hopefully they’re willing to dedicate themselves to working hard to fill recognize their potential.”

Solorzano, Gutz, and Vinson all ran well. Blake Bahr (Jr.), Caden Wingert (Fr.), Zach Reikofski (Fr.), Kayson Maertins (Fr.), Reese Hanna (Fr.), and Bradee Gubbels (Fr.) all fought hard on the line.

The game marked the final contest for seniors Josh Gansebom, Landon Stelling, and Logan Stelling. Alexis Solorzano is also a senior, but he was unable to play due to a season-ending injury he suffered in game four at Humphrey-St. Francis.

“We have a great bunch of seniors. Mostly, I’m proud of this group for the work they put in during the off-season and for continuing to grow as the season progressed.”

Zach Huwaldt (Jr.) had a nice game and ultimately had a really nice season. Brenden Gillespie (Jr.) was unable to play in the game. Alex Vinson (Fr.) has been out with a foot injury since after the Tigers game against Laurel-Concord-Coleridge.

“Overall, the season was fun in a number of aspects. What really impressed me was the character our players showed throughout the season.”

Of the highlights the season, the best is that NO ONE made it on the downs list, the list for students who are failing a class at any point during the year.

Also, this group was very conscious about expressing gratitude hardships in mind. There was more than one instance where the team was adamite about sending a thank-you letter or offering a condolence to someone experiencing a difficulty.

“Hopefully our guys football experience as football players and student athletes at OHS was as good as it could have been,” Morrison said. “More importantly we know that this will NOT be the high point of our guys’ live as they will continue to grow and blossom throughout the years to come.”

“We are looking forward to the rest of the school year with these guys, but we can’t help but to eagerly await the good news about their successes past high school.”

The team appreciates all of the hard work that a large number of people performed to help make this season a success.

Thus primarily begins with the teams coaches Mr. Todd Schulze, Mr. Mike Slagle, Mr. Cory Lenton, and Mr. Eli Neitzel. This is a really fun group!!!

This includes, but is not limited to, Mr. Brian Guenther, Mr. Kurt Polt, and Mr. Dave Hamm, Mr. Dwight Kahny, Mrs. Jolene Geneski, Mr. Kenny Boos, Mrs. Christina Gubbels, Mr. Randy Jochum, Mr. Doug Ketelsen, Pastor Mike Emery, etc…

Superior Honor Roll: (picture one)

TOP--Zach Huwaldt, Connor vonRentzell, Kaden Polt, Zach Huwaldt, Keaton Timmerman, Landon Stelling, Zach Reikofski, Karter Johnson, Sophie Gansebom

MIDDLE: Connor Gutz, Alex Vinson, Octavio Palacios, Ryan Schmit, Grace Gansebom, Kennedy Johnson, Diandra Polt, Anna Kahny

BOTTOM: Baylen Guenther, Robert Aschoff, Bailey Schmit, Lilly Gansebom, Molly Beacom Timmerman, Kenzie vonRentzell, Cali Gutz, Hannah Ferry, Madeline Huwaldt, and Erin Wagner. 

HONOR ROLL (picture two)

TOP: Macy Aschoff, Darren Kelly, Bodie True, Patrick Vinson, Logan Stelling, Brady Stech, Josh Gansebom

MIDDLE: Owen Severson, Matthew Alderson, Hunter Beacom, Mason Gansebom, Reese Hanna, Caden Wingert, Hayle Krienert, Ashley Wingert, Brittany Krienert

BOTTOM:  Mary Kahny, Kiera Moes, Riley Wagner, Ella vonRentzell, Brianna Kumm, Keely Gubbels, Josh Gansebom, Landon Oltjenbruns

LAMP OF KNOWLEDGE (picture three)

TOP--Macy Aschoff, Zach Huwadt, Connor vonRentzell, Keaton Wattier, KAden Polt, Keaton Timmerman, Zach Alderson, Logan Stelling, Landon Stelling, Kennedy Johnson

MIDDLE--Grace Gansebom, Lilly Gansebom, Bodie True, COnnor Gutz, Patrick Vinson, Ryan Schmit, Josh Gansebom, Diandra Polt, Brady Stech, Hayle Krienert, Brittany Krienert

BOTTOM: Bailey Schmit, Mary Kahny, Kiera Moes, Riley Wagner, Kenzie vonRentzell, Molly Beacom Timmerman, Mason Gansebom, Hannah Ferry, Madeline Huwaldt, Ashley Wingert

PERFECT ATTENDANCE:  (picture four)

TOP--Zach Reikofski, Landon Stelling, Owen Severson, Bodie True, Brady Stech, Kaden Polt, Logan Stelling, Connor vonRentzell

MIDDLE--Ryan Schmit, Patrick Vinson, Connor Gutz, Hunter Beacom, Matthew Alderson, Grace Gansebom, Maddie Huwaldt, Brianna Kumm, Ella vonRentzell

BOTTOM: Bailey Schmit, Kiera Moes, Lillie Gansebom, Molly Beacom Timmerman, Kenzie vonRentzell, Cody Gansebom, Landon Oltjenbruns