Bluejay Bulletin
GACC High School Happenings March 6 - 14
No School for GACC Pre-K-12 Grades on Thursday, March 7
There will be NO SCHOOL for GACC Pre-K-12 grades on Thursday, March 7, in order to give GACC students and staff the opportunity to cheer on the GACC Boys Basketball team during their first State Basketball game since 2017.
School on Friday, March 8, will be determined by the outcome of Thursday's game. Go Bluejays!
The 2024 Boys Basketball District Championship team includes: from left, front row - Coach Bryan Mendlik, Luke Guenther, Sam Hass, Maverik Smith, Isaac Guenther, Chase Smith, Diego Onate, Assistant Coach Duane Mendlik;
back row - Assistant Coach Nate Bruning, Cody Hass, Seth Baumert, Jesse Steffen, Konnor Kralik, Myles Dinslage, Joe Schwer, Bryce Bailey, Jaxson Brunsing.
Photo courtsey of Mike O'Brien/West Point News
Hoop! Hoop! Hurray! Bluejays are going to State!
Congratulations to the GACC Boys Basketball team on their District Championship win!
The team heads into the State Tournament with a 13-13 record. "While the record may not look great, the team is playing well, winning nine of their last twelve games," said Coach Bryan Mendlik.
Coach Mendlik continued, "This season has been a wild ride. We had early highs of beating then D2-number-one Wynot, coupled with the mid-season lows around Christmastime when we really struggled. That mid-season lull we had was extremely difficult on the coaches as well as the players. We could see the potential, but unlocking it is always the hard part. That all changed in the Oakland game. In that game the players overcame tremendous adversity and were able to grind out an overtime win which really flipped the confidence switch for the team."
"The District final versus Howells-Dodge was the craziest game I’ve ever coached, and I’m extremely proud of the players because they truly have had to earn everything they’ve achieved thus far. See you in Lincoln," added Coach Mendlik.
The Bluejays play their first-round State Tournament game at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, at Pinnacle Bank Arena against North Platte St. Pat's.
There will be NO SCHOOL for Pre-K-12 grades on Thursday, March 7. Take State Bluejays!
Themes for State Basketball Games
Cheer on the Bluejays and show your team spirit by wearing theme attire for the games: Thursday - Grout-fit (gray on gray); Friday - Camouflage; Saturday - Blue Out. TAKE STATE BLUEJAYS!
GACC kicks off Capital Campaign
Lady Bluejays take 3rd at State
Congratulations to the GACC girls basketball team on their 3rd place finish at the State Basketball Tournament!
Pictured with their 3rd place trophy are GACC basketball team members, from left, front row- seniors Sydney Hutchinson, Isabel Hass, Jocelynn Skoda, Kelsy Steffen;
middle row - juniors Israeia Kreikemeier, Kennedy Baumert, Kate Jansen, Adyson Luebbert;
back row - Coach Jerry Stracke, Assistant Coach Lexis Utemark, sophomores Abbigal Toline, Charlie Dinslage, Julianne Ridder, Ava Nixon, Assistant Coach Kelly Dinslage, Assistant Coach Kevin Kreikemeier. Photo courtesy of Julie Hass.
Don't use Venmo? Drop a check off at the High School Office to join in the March Madness fun!
Mid-States Conference Honor Band
GACC was well represented at the Mid-States Conference Honor Band on Monday by, from left, Julianne Ridder, Rebecca Jansen, Ben Oligmueller and Kate Jansen. Congratulations on being selected for this honor!
2024 Graduation Week Schedule
Attention - Seniors and Senior Parents:
Download the PDF below for details and schedule of Graduation week May 1-12.
Help Needed for West Point Alumni Tournament
Help is needed for the West Point Alumni Tournament sponsored by the GACC Booster Club on March 22-23. Approximately 50 volunteers are needed for the concession stand, gate and downstairs bar to make this a successful event. Please sign up to help by clicking the link below. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Pro Life Essay Contest
The state Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an essay contest featuring the theme "On the Dignity of the Human Person." Any 7th through 11th grade student may participate in the contest by submitting an essay to Mrs. Kreikemeier by March 25. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places, and first place entries will move onto the statewide contest. Download the PDF below for guidelines and entry form.
8th Grade Blue Ribbon Dinner Volunteer Information
The 8th grade confirmation class will help serve at the Blue Ribbon Dinner on Monday, March 18, at 5:15 p.m. at the Nielsen Center. They will serve meals, pour drinks and clear tables. All volunteers will earn Service Hours.
- Dress Code: Black pants and white shirts.
- Pizza will be provided for all servers.
Car Valets Needed for Blue Ribbon Dinner
Six volunteers are still needed to help park cars at the Blue Ribbon Dinner. Volunteers will start parking cars at 5:15 p.m. Must be 16 years-old and have a valid drivers license. Volunteers may leave after parking cars, BUT need to return by 7:30 p.m. in order to return cars to the guests. A sign-up sheet is located on the bulletin board by the office.
Yearbook Happy Ads Deadline Extended to March 15
Show your love and support to your senior student by purchasing a Happy Ad in the 2023-2024 GACC yearbook!
- Happy Ad Cost: $30
- Deadline: March 15, 2024
- Size: 1/8th page
To order a Happy Ad honoring your senior student:
- Download the Happy Ad form below, fill out and return to Mrs. Thoene WITH PAYMENT and MATERIALS.
- Submit all materials (PHOTO and AD COPY) with your child's name on the file along with the form and payment by February 29 to Mrs. Thoene. Failure to submit ALL materials to Mrs. Thoene will result in the ad not being created and money refunded.
- Materials, form and payment may be dropped off at the High School office.
- Questions: Email Mrs. Thoene at bthoene@gaccbluejays.org, or call 402-372-5326.
Yearbook Orders Extended to April 1
Upcoming Events
March
6 Gr. 7 - 12 Parent Teacher Conferences
7 NO SCHOOL, Boys State Basketball
11 NO SCHOOL, Professional Development/School of Faith
16 SPA Paper Drive
18 Blue Ribbon Dinner, Nielsen Center
20 Edge, 7 p.m., enter through gym door
28 - April 1 NO SCHOOL, Easter Break
April
1 - NO SCHOOL, Easter Break
6 Prom
10 Spring Concert, 6:30 p.m. at the Nielsen Center
17 Edge, 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria
17 Pro-Life Speaker, 7 p.m. in GACC Activity Center
20 SPA Paper Drive, 8 -10 a.m.
24 Confirmation, 7 p.m. at St. Mary's
26 Musical, 6 p.m. at the West Point Movie Theater
28 Musical, 1 p.m. at the West Point Movie Theater
A.D. Announcements
Attention Parents - even though our minds are on State Basketball right now, baseball season will soon be upon us. Please sign up to take gate at the home baseball games by clicking the link below. This link can also be accessed on gaccbluejays.org under the supporters tab. Your help is greatly needed and greatly appreciated!
Campus Ministry
YDisciple Dates to Remember
YDisciple Ladies
- Teresa Kenney, APRN
- March 13, 7 p.m. in the GACC Cafeteria
YDisciple Men
- BBQ
- March 20, 7 p.m., Prinz Shed, E. Hwy. 32
EDGE
Parents, please note the March location change for GIRLS:
March 20, 7-8:30 p.m.
- Boys -GACC Activity Center
- Girls- Nielsen Community Center
April 17, 7-8:30 p.m.
- End of Year Gathering
Totus Tuus
Totus Tuus Dates:
- Grades 1-6: Jne 3-7 (Mon-Fri), 9 a.m. - 2:30 pm.
- Grades 7-12: June 2-6 (Sun-Thurs), 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Registration grades are based on entering grades for Fall of 2024 (2024-2025 school year).
Cost: $40 per student
Registration info and forms will be released mid-March. Stay Tuned!
Junior Missionaries Needed: High School students needed for the 1st - 6th grade program. Contact Jen Kreikemeier for more information. Service Hours will be given.
From the Guidance Counselor
March 10 is the deadline to sign up for the April 15 ACT.
Sophomores tour Omaha colleges
The sophomores toured Metropolitan Community College and the Univeristy of Nebraska - Omaha on Tuesday to see what community colleges and universities have to offer.
From left, Ava Knobbe, Abbi Toline and Tessa Lund tour the construction workshop at Metropolitan Community College.
A student tour guide showcases points of interest at the Univerisity of Nebraksa - Omaha campus. Pictured are from top left, Dereck Pena Romero, Blake Engelmeyer, Elliot Reeson, Ryder Anderson-Ray and Joe Bracht.
Scholarship Opportunities
Many scholarship application DUE DATES are coming up! For available scholarships, go to gaccbluejays.org, under the Academic tab, click on School Counselor, then click on 2023-2024 scholarships.
Apply NOW for:
- West Point Ministerial Scholarship, Due March 13.
- Knights of Columbus, Due March 18
- SALT, Due March 22
- Dodge VFW, Dodge Chamber, Beemer Freedom Riders, Due March 25
- Russ Herman Memorial Sports, Beemer Community, Jones Manufacturing, Due March 26
- GACC Local, West Point Community Theater, Sportsmans, Due March 27
FAFSA Processing Delayed
Federal Student Aid announced that the processing of FAFSA’s will be delayed until the first half of March.
What This Means for Parents/Students:
- FAFSA Submission Summaries will not be available until the first half of March.
- Families cannot make any changes to the FAFSA until they receive an email confirming the FAFSA was processed. They can then see their FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Colleges will not receive ISIRs until March, so financial aid offers will be delayed until April or May.
The good news is the tables used in the FAFSA calculations are being updated. This will increase the number of students receiving Pell Grants and the amount they receive.
Advice for Those Applying for Need-Based Scholarships
Ask your students to keep the following correspondence as it will be all they have available to prove financial need until their FAFSA Submission Summary is ready.
- PDF of the FAFSA confirmation page. View a sample.
- PDF of the confirmation email (subject: We’ve Received Your FAFSA Form). View a sample.
The documents must include their first and last name and the Student Aid Index (SAI).
Nebraska HOBY Youth Leadership is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for 9th grade students in the Norfolk area and surrounding counties.
We will be hosting a one-day leadership experience on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. at at the Norfolk Public Library.
During this free event, 9th graders will participate in several sessions including great speakers, leadership activities, service learning project, and reflections. It will be a fun, informative day with students from throughout the area.
Registration is now open for up to three students from each school. Registration will close when the capacity of 40 students is registered. Click the link below to register.
For questions regarding the CLeW, please email clew@hobynebraska.org.
CCC Automotive Career Days
This event is geared toward juniors and seniors.
Click the link below to register.
Military Academy Days
If you are interested in your child going to a Military Academy, there are informational meetings you can attend to learn about the process.
University of Nebraska - Lincoln Spring Leadership Symposia
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln invites students to the Spring Leadership Symposia, designed to help students prepare for college life! During each symposium, students will develop their leadership skills, gain insight from community leaders and get inspired by a keynote speaker. Juniors, sophomores and freshmen are invited to attend to learn the skills needed to be successful in high school.
- Wednesday, April 3
- Wednesday, April 17
9 a.m.—2 p.m.
Nebraska Student Union
High School Juniors, Sophomores, Freshmen
If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@unl.edu or 402-472-2023.
UNL Junior Jumpstart
The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is hosting two Junior Jumpstart Open House events on April 8 and April 29 for high school juniors and their families to experience the Husker hospitality and learn more about the University, its unique attributes and the application process. Students should keep an eye on their inbox for their official invite in February.
UNL Raikes School Computer Science Summer Camp
July 14-27, 2024
The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is now accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students. The Raikes School is hosting its eighth year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. The summer camp was highlighted by Forbes in 2019: "STEM-Focused Summer Programs for Ambitious High School Students."
During the two-week, overnight camp students will:
- Learn basic programming skills and innovation concepts through a project-oriented curriculum
- Receive instruction from Raikes School faculty members and experience what classes can be like in the Raikes School
- Visit campus research labs and local employer partners
- Interact with Raikes School students and staff, all of whom play a key role in the competitive selection process to our program each year
Key Details:
- Innovate: The Raikes School Way is a great opportunity for high school students, with priority given to students in the high school graduating class of 2025.
- No programming experience is necessary! (In fact, no experience is preferred)
- Students in the graduating class of 2026 will be accepted on a space-available basis
- The camp will be held at the Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School, in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus from July 14-27, 2024.
- Cost to attend is $2,050 and covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp.
- Full and partial scholarships are available - students can apply for scholarships through the Summer Camp application.
Priority Application Deadline: May 6, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after May 6 as space is available
Interested students can find more details and complete the application at https://raikes.unl.edu/summercamp/.
If you have any questions about the camp, please email tluensmann2@unl.edu.
UNL Scholarships Announced
UNL scholarships were announced on Feb. 1, so check your MyRed account to see what awards you may have received. Also, Housing Applications and Roommate Finder are now open.
Southeast Community College is hosting several opportunities for students to Visit SCC this Spring! Registration is now open! Please note, event space typically fills quickly, register as soon as possible to secure your spot!
Career Days: Our career day series gives students a hands-on experience as they learn alongside faculty, students, and industry partners. These events are for students interested in the specific career field. Lunch will be provided.
- Careers in Transportation Day, Milford Campus, February 20, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Careers in Healthcare Days, Lincoln Campus, March 21 or March 22, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Beatrice Campus
- March 26, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- March 8, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- April 15, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- April 8, 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
- Lincoln Campus, February 23, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Please register at least 5 days in advance of the event; early registration is encouraged to ensure we can accommodate complete groups as events reach capacity. More information about these events can be found here: Visit SCC
Have questions? We are here to help!
Contact us today at admissions@southeast.edu or call us at 402-437-2600.
Attend a Visit Day at Briar Cliff University
More than the regular visit day experience - these days will give you the chance to gather with other potential Chargers to experience the Briar Cliff difference. Together, you will experience firsthand the project-based learning, faculty expertise, and academic excitement that will be critical parts of your academic journey at Briar Cliff University.
All events are free and open to any high school and/or college student in the greater Siouxland area. Some visit days have limited capacity so please plan to register in advance!
Options for Everyone
Whether you're interested in Nursing, Social Work, Graphic Design, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Biology, we have the program visit day for you! Gather with students who share similar interests and learn about everything Briar Cliff University has to offer.
What to Expect
Every Visit Day starts at 9:00 a.m. with doors opening at 8:30 a.m. and end at different times. Lunch is provided for all registered students. All guests will leave The Cliff with an excellent understanding of what sets BCU apart from other schools by hearing from our faculty, students, and admissions team.
Social Sciences Visit Day-Friday, 3/15/2024
Careers in social work, psychology, behavioral analysis, and criminal justice focus on helping people in many different ways. Join us and conduct a simulated therapy session in the Behavioral Analysis Clinic, participate in crisis intervention with our Social Work faculty, and process a crime scene scenario with our Criminal Justice faculty.
You can sign up for a visit day here! We hope to see you soon!
Quest - A Christian Experience for 9th & 10th Grades
Where: Oakdale, NE
When: April 6-7
Who: High School Freshman and Sophomores
Cost: $50
Quest is designed to aid maturing young Christians. It is centered around the theme of: Love of Self, Love of Others, Love of God.
Download the PDFs below for a brochure and for forms that you need to complete and MAIL WITH the $50 fee prior to the event. If you would like more information, please contact Jen Kreikemeier.
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC)
Who: Juniors & Seniors
When/Where:
- March 16 - 18 at Glad Tidings
- July 19 - 21 at Tintern Retreat Center, Oakdale
Cost: $75
How to Reserve Your Spot: Download and complete all the forms and return with the $75 retreat fee to: Ruth Bloedorn, 493 River Road, Wisner, NE 68791
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a three-day retreat for high school juniors and seniors, as well as college freshmen. TEC draws participants into the heart of the Catholic Faith: Christ's Paschal Mystery (His passion, death, and resurrection) lived out in the Church. The weekend helps youth relate this mystery to the concrete realities of their lives and challenges them to make a deeper commitment to Christ.