Twelve seniors ended their careers at Callaway Public School on Sunday, while on Monday, 11 preschool students had their own graduation and look forward to beginning their journey in kindergarten next year. As many of us know all too well, the time between these two milestomes is just a blink. (Photo courtesy Callaway Public School)

It was the end of the line for 12 Callaway Public School students on Sunday, May 12, and the beginning of the line for 11 others on Monday. The day after a dozen seniors gathered for the final time as a class and received their high school diplomas, 11 youngsters were recognized during a preschool graduation ceremony.

The motto the Class of 2024 selected to represent their time at CPS was short and sweet - “Been there, done that.” As these 12 teens end one chapter of life and look toward the next, CHS Superintendent Bryon Hanson shared these words of advice, “Happiness lies in all of us - tap into that often. Do things and spend time with people who make you happy. No matter the path you take this life that is before you is about people and relationships. Be positive. And more importantly, be fiercely kind.”

Salutatorian Joslyn Reiff noted that most people who know her understand that she is not comfortable with public speaking, or with being the center of attention. However, she shared that being named salutatorian was a huge honor for her. She thanked her teachers and parents before sharing memories of her classmates throughout the years.

Joslyn’s speech was followed by valedictorian Maggie Birkel as she gave her address. As she presented her list of thank yous, Maggie included the community members among those. “You have always supported us through our academic and athletic endeavors. Your countless hours to show us your support through everything do not go unseen or unappreciated,” she shared.

“What I’ve noticed is that we have always been looking ahead,” Maggie continued. “We never stopped because we always believed there was something bigger and better yet to come. Now that senior year is finally over, I think I can speak for the majority of us that we wish we had just a little longer. If you take anything from my speech let it be this: laugh as often as possible, forgive others, take lots and lots of pictures, tell those close to you how much they mean to you, don’t be afraid to speak out, smile until your face hurts, love as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to take chances. Live in the moment, because as Dr. Seuss once said, ‘You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory’.”

Officers for the senior class were Maggie Birkel, president; Delaynie Laible, vice president; Skylar Ellison, secretary; Joslyn Reiff, treasurer; and student council members Joseph Sallach and Tesa Pandorf.

The members of the Callaway High School Class of 2024, their future plans, and scholarships received, are as follows: Jazlynn Bechtold- plans to attend Wayne State College and major in Criminal Justice. Jazlynn received the Wildcat Commitment Yr 1 Wayne State College Scholarship, Broken Bow Elks Lodge 1688 Most Valuable Student Scholarship, Custer County Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship, Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship, Callaway Education Foundation Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, Callaway Education Foundation Dorothy Redfern Scholarship, Brenda Still Excelsior Scholarship, and United Methodist Church Hazel R. Walker Scholarship Maggie Birkel - plans to attend the College of Hair Design in Lincoln, with hopes of opening her own shop. Maggie received the Richard and Print Zutavern Memorial Scholarship, SORC Scholarship, American Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship, College of Hair Design Scholarship, TeamMates New Generation Scholarship, Callaway Education Association Scholarship, Haven and Virginia Smith Scholarship, Callaway United Methodist Church Hazel R. Walker Scholarship, Callaway UMC Estergard Vocational Scholarship, Callaway UMC Scholarship, Bryson Booker Post 59 Scholarship (Alternate) Brady Brestel - will continue his Advanced Individual Training in the Army National Guard to be a Motor Transport Operator at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri this summer, then return to attend college at UNK. He plans to pursue a career in Oral Health. Brady received the Callaway Education Foundation Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, SORC Scholarship, Callaway UMC Hazel R. Walker Scholarship, and Full Tuition paid by Nebraska Army National Guard Dawson Doggett - will attend school at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, working towards a degree in Ag Business. He will also participate in rodeo. Dawson received the Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, St. Boniface Catholic Church Scholarship, Callaway Education Association Scholarship, Kelley Jo Gavin Memorial Scholarship, and Southeast Community College Rodeo Scholarship for full tuition and books Skylar Ellison - plans to move to Lincoln and pursue employment as a nanny. Skylar received the Richard and Ann Fox Memorial Scholarship, Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, and Dorothy Redfern Scholarship Dylan Handley - will attend Advanced Individual Training in the Army National Guard to be a Military Police officer at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, then hopes to begin study at Mid Plains CC in North Platte to study Automotive Technology. Dylan received the Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, and Full Tuition paid by Nebraska Army National Guard Delaynie Laible - completed the Certified Nurse Assistant course through Mid Plains CC. She plans to move to Lincoln to work as a CNA, and pursue a Medication Aide Certificate.

Tesa Pandorf - completed the Certified Nurse Assistant course through Mid Plains CC, and plans to move to Norfolk to pursue employment. Tesa received the St. Boniface Catholic Church Scholarship Joslyn Reiff - plans to attend Midland University to study Elementary Education and participate as a jumper on the Track and Field team. Josie received the Hazelle Jacobsen Headley Scholarship, Broken Bow Elks Lodge Most Valuable Student Scholarship, SORC Sandhills Outreach Charity Scholarship, Stithem Family Scholarship, Midland University Athletic/Academic Scholarship, Custer County American Legion Auxiliary Educational Grant, TeamMates New Generation Scholarship, Bryson Booker Post 59 Scholarship, Bev and Tony Pitkin Scholarship, Ted and Sadie Griffith Scholarship, Callaway Lutheran Church Scholarship, Robert Gavin Memorial Scholarship, Dorothy Redfern Scholarship (alternate), and Haven and Virginia Smith Scholarship (alternate) Joseph Sallach - plans to attend UNL to study agribusiness. Joey received the Hazel M. Empfield Scholarship, the Live Like Pat (Smith) Memorial Scholarship, Full Circle Irrigation Scholarship, CEA Employee Scholarship, Col. Wayne E. Thurman Scholarship, Hazel R. Walker Scholarship, and Callaway United Methodist Church Scholarship Brook Thomsen - completed the Certified Nurse Assistant course through Mid Plains CC, and will continue working at the Callaway Good Life Center as a CNA.

Lance Wooters - plans to attend Southeast Community College at Milford and study diesel mechanics. Lance received the St. Boniface Catholic Church Scholarship, and Full Tuition and fees paid by AKRS Equipment Jump Start Scholarship