Kearney School District's employees got fired up and inspired during their 2025 all-staff Convocation today, Aug. 15, in the Kearney High School Field House.

The theme of this year's Convocation was "Action > Motion" (action is greater than motion). This theme set the stage for the entire school year as Team KSD focuses on taking the right steps to move every student towards meeting our Portrait of A Graduate expectations.

Kearney Middle School teachers Trish Mendel and Dan Hermon did an exemplary job of serving as the MCs. Kearney High School's Choir, under the direction of Dustin McKinney, led off the event with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. That was followed by high-energy performances by the KHS Cheer Squad, led by Head Coach Erin Schmeltz, and the KHS Golden Girls, led by Head Coach Samantha Anderson.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Zach McMains recognized our Longevity Award honorees for their extraordinary years of service to our school system.

10 Years Ryan Blankenship Sheila Burgess Erica Hart Meeghan Masters Kaitlyn Parks Erica Rose (absent) Beverly Springer Dillon Starzl Audrianna Wooster 15 Years Debra Clark Owen Iseminger Jacqueline Lemoine Daniel Miller Rebecca Parks Mona Enfield

20 Years Danica Ballard Gina Baragary Susan Beery Angela Bomar Kristen Campbell Mandy Davis Jessica Fowler Tricia Parker (absent) Angela Paul Jennifer Remley Tina Taylor David Tyner 25 Years Andy Gustafson Stacie Gustafson Lynn Schreiber Tami Thomas George Tobin

New to Teaching Grants Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Valerie Utecht celebrated our 2025 school Teacher of the Year Awards and Support Staff of the Year Awards recipients, who were honored during the Team KSD Awards & Retiree Reception on Thursday, May 1 at Tobacco Barn Farm. Dr. Utecht also recognized our teachers who are starting their first year in the profession. They were each given $250 classroom grants by the KSD Education Foundation: Austin Bullock — 3rd Grade, Southview Elementary Lillian Campbell — Agriculture Education, Kearney High School Aidyn Foltz — 1st Grade, Southview Elementary Diane Herrero — Special Education, Hawthorne Elementary Michelle Johnston — Vocal Music, Hawthorne Elementary Gracie Liebhart — Early Childhood Special Education, KEEC Annie Nagamatsu - Special Education, Kearney Elementary Leslie Pilar — Special Education, Kearney Elementary Josh Polk — Special Education, Kearney High School

Keynote Remarks Superintendent Emily Miller took a few minutes to expand on this year's "Action > Motion" theme. She was followed by Kearney Junior High digital media teacher and KSD 2025 Teacher of the Year, Molly Kuebler, who spoke about the theme from a more personal perspective, describing her own process of learning how to create truly engaging educational experiences for her students.

Cheer Competition The program was closed out with the help of the KHS Cheer Squad, who led each school in a cheer and then selected one building to get the coveted Convocation Spirit Stick. Kearney Middle School was this year's winner! The staff were then dismissed to enjoy a complimentary breakfast served by KSD food service vendor SFE.