Somewhere along the spine of Highway 12, just east of Valentine, Nebraska, the land stretches wide and quiet like it’s holding its breath. Out here in the Sandhills, there’s a particular kind of silence—the kind that lets you hear the first tremble of thunder hours before the rain arrives. It was that silence I chased on a July afternoon, pulling over at the Fort Niobrara Overlook, camera in hand and eyes on the horizon.

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The state qualifying dance team was recognized by the Valentine Community School Board members at the April 9 meeting. They are pictured, back row, L to R: Greg Gass, Michelle Kluender, Shane Kime, Jo Hand, Jessica Coyle, Kris Larsen.

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the CK speech team finished as D2-4 Runners-up in Stuart, NE. CK junior, Kynzee McConaughey headlined the Cody-Kilgore outstanding oratorical efforts by winning the district title in Informative Public Speaking, and finishing third in Persuasive Public Speaking. Both efforts punched McConaughey’s ticket to the NSAA State Speech Championships in Kearney which were held March 28, 2025.

The Badgers did exceedingly well at the Sandhills Invite, held April 8, 2025, at Rock County High School. The boys and girls teams each earned first place.

On Wednesday April 2, 2025 everyone was up by 7:00 a.m. eating breakfast and ready to take on the day.