Jan Knispel, former Valentine High School English teacher, has been awarded the 2022 Carol Mc- Daniel Teacher of the Year award from Nebraska Writing Project at UNL according to the Nebraska Writing Project website. The Mc- Daniel award was created in 2000 to recognize “a Nebraska teacher who exemplifies the principles for which Nebraska Writing Project stands.” Recipients are chosen through a teacher monitored nomination process. The Carol McDaniel Teacher of the Year is awarded to a “Nebraska teacher who has made a significant contribution to writing education in the state and honors a teacher who has not only taught writing well, but also has inspired other teachers or connected school to community, or publicly advocated for teacher expertise. These are the activities that the Nebraska Writing Project values as its purposes and includes in its vision for Nebraska education.”

Cherry County Hospital EMS celebrated EMS Week: Rising to the Challenge, May 15-21, 2022. Pictured are back row, from L to R: Kevin Meyer, Doug Kroeger, Jim Wright, Jocille Brinda, Lois McCann, Linda Ramos, Billie Whiting, Christine Lousias, Matthew Garwood, Steve Garwood.

Thursday, May 12, 2022, ten teams competed at the 2022 Valentine Invitational, where Valentine earned second place with 374. First place went to O’Neill with 362; in third place, West Holt with 380; fourth place, Ainsworth with 403; fifth place, Hyannis, 429; sixth place, North Central, 534; seventh place, Gordon Rushville; eighth place, Thedford; ninth place, West Holt JV; and in 10th place, Valentine JV.

Pictured from the left are: Saylor Biltoft, Tacey From, and Alivia Patterson in the 200 Meter Dash finals. Photos by Amanda Long Jack Lancaster is a state qualifier in the 1600 Meter Run.

Cody-Kilgore’s class of 2022 held their Commencement Exercises Saturday, May 14, at 10:00 a.m. MST. Their class flower was the orange dahlia; class colors, black, white, and orange; class song, We are Young by Fun; and class motto: “I regret nothing. The end.” Ron Swanson. They had two honor speakers, Riley Jones and Annalise Busentiz. Here is what Riley said to her fellow classmates and audience members:

Kallah Markley was born and raised in the Heart City, and is the owner of Sweet Aura Spa and Salon. “I have the best husband and two amazing boys. I am happy to raise my family in this small town. Recently we decided to expand my business by opening a new spa and salon! I have been a licensed beautician for 10 years with specialized training in facials, waxing, eye lash lift and tint, dermaplaning, and chemical peels.