Norris Educational Foundation Presents the: The 17th ​ ​ Annual Titan Awards and the Norris High School Alumni Hall of Fame Award

Yankee Hill Country Club Friday, November 18, 2016 Social Hour: 5:30 p.m. - Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

Norris School District Educational Foundation Hall of Fame Award and Titan Awards Yankee Hill Country Club Friday, November 18, 2016, Social Hour 5:30, Dinner 6:30 Welcome

Jerry Prange, President of NSEF

Dinner Program

Dr. John Skretta, Superintendent of Schools ● Greeting from the Norris School District ● SEED Grant o

Ambassadors: Norris 4th ​ ​grade teachers, Christina Boesiger and Ashley Wagner

● Propelr Card fundraiser for Foundation o

James Verhoeff, Nelnet/Propelr, Norris HS Class of 2010

Presentation of Awards- ​by Jerry Prange, President of the Norris Educational Foundation, and John Skretta, Norris Superintendent of Schools

Speaker

John Baylor

John Baylor

John Baylor graduated from Stanford University and is the President of John Baylor Prep, which helps schools and families create two- and four-year college graduates with minimal debt. Tens of thousands of students have taken John Baylor Prep's in-person and online ACT® and SAT® courses. Used by nearly 400 high schools in 23 states, JBP's online classes increase an entire high school's average ACT score. John has authored four books, including the award-winning Reaching Higher: One Simple Strategy to Transform America’s K-12 Schools and ​America’s Most Affordable Colleges: Our Definitive List. John also hosts the weekly, hour-long John Baylor Prep Show, available on three radio stations and three TV stations, and via podcast. The JBP Show helps students, parents, and counselors find that ‘best fit’ college at the lowest cost. Since 1994, John has been the radio play-by-play voice of University of Nebraska Volleyball. John is also a father of four,

husband, tennis player, and golfer.

“The world needs the strengths that each of us uniquely has to share.” -- Curt Liesveld Curt Liesveld was born in February, 1951 in Holland and was a graduate of one of the first classes of Norris High School. Curt went on to graduate with a ​Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan before embarking on his vocation as a minister. He later earned a Master of Counseling degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and became a leadership consultant with Gallup. Curt ​Liesveld was a pastor for over two decades in both South Dakota and Nebraska.

Curt graduated from Norris in 1969, and as a senior had begun dating Rosanne, the love of his life and a classmate from throughout his grade school years. Both Curt and Rosanne attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and then graduated from UNL. They were married in 1971. They have two children, Anne and John. Rosanne recalls how initially Curt, Rosanne and other students from the Holland area attended country school through about sixth grade, then to Panama, and that high school for Norris was actually in Cortland - while some of the fledgling district’s activities were held in Firth. Rosanne marveled at the logistics it must have taken to manage things in those early days of Norris, but said it always appeared that the communities were mostly favorable to and supportive of the consolidation. She attributes that optimistic tone and initial success of the district to Wes Shepard and other Norris leaders. As a Norris Titan, Curt could aptly have been described as a “Renaissance Man” who was active in a wide spectrum of school activities, and was especially strong in choir, where he was in a range of groups and performed as a soloist on occasion. A three sport athlete, Curt played football, basketball and track at Norris, and also excelled in the classroom, earning induction into the National Honor Society. After seminary school, Curt took an appointment as minister at a church in Mitchell, South Dakota where the family spent the next decade of their life together. At both the church in Mitchell and Hope Church in Lincoln, where he was a minister for thirteen years, Curt’s ministry inspired tremendous membership growth in their flocks. As Rosanne describes, “Curt was always just a natural

growth person. It was never about him individually, it was about serving others and helping the greater good.” After over a decade at Lincoln’s Hope Church, Curt resigned his position there to continue schooling, not sure what his next career move would be. While this was a bold move with a family at home, Rosanne insists it was simply consistent with Curt’s character: “In everything, he was about growth and not becoming stagnant. When his work was done in something, he just knew it and it was time to move on.” Having already completed an intensive leadership development workshop at Gallup, it turned out the organization knew Curt fit their profile for helping them help other leaders grow. So Curt went to work for Gallup, an organization where his wife Rosanne had already worked for years as a leading educational consultant serving schools. Curt’s impact at Gallup had an international reach, and, as Rosanne described it, “He just quietly grew so in love with this philosophy of strengths. He was really a conceptual genius in a lot of ways.” Curt’s ability to articulate those thoughts in writing and his gifts as “a natural teacher” meant that he was called upon to travel internationally in the service of Gallup, masterfully facilitating the efforts of others in accomplishing personal, professional and organizational development. At Gallup, Curt earned renown as a philosophical link to the core mission of the organization and its progenitor, Don Clifton. Although Curt passed away in May of 2015, his legacy and substantial contributions to servant-leadership continue to make a powerful impact on others. Curt served as a Learning and Development consultant at Gallup where he was an important leadership touchstone for many. He became known for developing organizational and business leaders from across the country as an

author, speaker, and seminar leader, who also routinely shared insights via coaching blogs and radio and webcast interviews. A co-author of the popular Gallup title ​Living Your Strengths, Curt’s leadership vision was anchored in the strengths-based philosophies that reflect Gallup’s defining values. Curt was as big believer in the notion that people must continuously grow and develop their strengths so that their individual talents are maximized. Curt was known for emphasizing the need for us to “focus on what’s ​right with people.” His work ​Living Your Strengths and his exploration of theme-based compatibilities on workplace teams has been studied by thousands of churches, ministers, and church councils across the nation to help churches fulfill their missions and serve their members. As Mary Sue Ingraham wrote of Liesveld, “Curt put flesh and bones on Donald Clifton’s StrengthsFinder work, bringing it into living color by working deeply, person by person, to help people grow.” Summing up his work, Rosanne described Curt as “helping others to lead and manage in a way that you study and learn from your successes, and are able to put people in the right places based on their strengths.” On Curt’s passing, Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton stated, “​Curt was simply a saint among us. You wonder how many lives he impacted in his tribe strengths ministry—he taught thousands and thousands of client-student—coaches—leaders of all kinds—then they go back somewhere and teach what they learned from him to tens of thousands more in their companies and organizations and institutions. He sent huge, serious, spectacular positive energy throughout our global teaching networks.”

Curt and his wife of many years, Rosanne, had two children, Anne and John. The 2016 Norris Foundation Hall of Fame Award is presented to Curt Liesveld. Accepting on his behalf, Rosanne (Kats) Liesveld, Norris Class of 1969.

Years of service in Norris District Dr. Bob Brandt started his 14 year career at Norris in July, 2000. He served as the Elementary Principal from 2000-2013, and Intermediate Principal from 2013 – 2014, after which he retired. Memorable accomplishment or activity

An accomplishment that Dr. Brandt is proud of is the reading curriculum and teaching strategies that was developed and implemented by the teachers and administrators throughout the elementary. All staff developed more consistent student instruction. This improved student achievement and helped students learn. Co-workers or colleague you especially appreciate The entire elementary professional & classified staff worked well as a team. I appreciated their professionalism as they worked with parents and the community. In addition, I appreciated the administrative team and school board which supported the efforts for student learning. Your hope for the future of Norris My hope for the future is for all Norris staff, administrators, and board members to further and advance learning for each student and family.

Years of service in Norris District Recently retired, Jan Zink began working for Norris in 1980. Ms. Zink taught High School Science at Norris for 36 years. When it came to activities Zink was a Volleyball Assistant Coach, Basketball Assistant Coach, Envirothon Sponsor and 8th​ ​ Grade Volleyball Coach. Years of service in Norris District

A couple of memorable accomplishments were helping coach the 1991 State Tournament Volleyball Team and coaching the Envirothon team. Working with students and helping them see their true potential is very inspiring! Co-workers or colleague you especially appreciate So many people believed in me as a teacher and coach, supported me and helped me to be become the best teacher I could be. They laughed with me, cried with me, and supported me and my family! I could not have been more blessed by the staff I worked with for 36 years. I do miss them, but they are forever with me in my heart. A heartfelt thank you goes out to each and every one you! Your hope for the future of Norris My hope is for Norris to continue to be one of the best schools in the state by challenging students to become lifelong learners but more importantly to be responsible human beings who care for others and will help others to become better people.

Years of service in Norris District Recently retired, Doug Malone began working for Norris in 1984. Mr. Malone was the Agriculture Education Instructor at Norris for 32 years. When it came to activities ​Malone was best known for his

incredible FFA program at Norris. Malone was the FFA sponsor and led the FFA to national prominence. This prepared students for state certification and national competition annually. Memorable accomplishment or activity One of my most memorable accomplishments is participating in the establishment of the Norris Learning Lab. Co-workers or colleague you especially appreciate I have particularly fond memories of Greg Hardin, Patti Wieskamp, Gary Pence, Dr. Nosal, Dr. Baker, Dr. Skretta, Galen Boldt, Irene Rice and Keith Brunkow. Your hope for the future of Norris My hope for the future of Norris is to continue to keep doing what is best for kids.

Years of service in Norris District Recently retired, Nancy Etmund began working for Norris in 1974. Mrs. Etmund held many teaching positions in her 42 year career at Norris. She taught 7th​ ​ grade Social Studies, 8​th​ grade American History, MS & HS Physical Education, and HS American History. She was the Head HS Trach Coach, Assistant HS Track Coach, Assistant HS Volleyball Coach, and 8th​ ​ grade Volleyball coach.

Memorable accomplishment or activity One of my most memorable accomplishments was winning the Nebraska State Track Meet in back to back years. In 1977, I was the assistant coach and in 1978 I was the head coach. In 1978 only 16 girls were out for the program, but there were the right 16! Co-workers or colleague you especially appreciate I really appreciated working with Bob Morris. Bob was always up front with his coaches, but always treated us with respect and had high expectations for himself and for the coaches. ​Ron Severson who was a high school history teacher and wrestling coach when I first started at Norris. He was someone I could talk to about classroom history information. Ann Schroeder, one of the PE teachers currently at Norris. She was very easy to talk to and we had a lot of laughs and many serious conversations over the years. Greg Hardin, our current AD. No matter how busy, he was always available to talk with and is a good listener. There have been others as well, but too numerous to mention when you have been around for so long. Many principals and staff members have played a role in my life over the past years, as have many students. People come and go during a life time and play a role in all that we do. Your hope for the future of Norris My hope for the future of Norris is that it will not settle for undisciplined staff or students, have high expectations for its educational standards-excellent reading/writing/and math skills which are the basic foundation for all other skills to build on and become the foundation for growth in many other necessary areas in life. We need to remember the human element in working with others. With all of our computers and cell phones, we need to remember how to communicate on a personal level.

Years of service in Norris District Patti started her career at Norris in 1987. She has been the executive secretary of the High School for 30 years. Doug has served as Norris Transportation Director 2000-2006, bus driver 2006-present, and set builder for the annual Norris musical 2007-present. Memorable accomplishment or activity Patti’s most memorable accomplishment was the year of the tornado (who can forget that). She knew all the State trophies and pictures for One Act and speech were all intact in the glass case outside the auditorium. She begged the constructions workers to get them out before they demolished the auditorium as some memorabilia you can never get back! Doug’s most memorable accomplished is building sets each year and seeing the excitement of the kids when it is finished and they are able to use it. One year I built a prop for Aaron Drury incorporating his wheelchair that he used so he could be a part of the show. He was so excited and it was great to see him participate! Co-workers or colleague you especially appreciate

Patti has been thru a few principals and A.D’s! From the past I would say Bob Morris taught me a lot about organizing athletic events. Galen Boldt, is a great friend and fun to work with (never took things too seriously). John Skretta and I got to know each other quite well since he started the year of the tornado and we were all in one classroom sitting practically on top of each other all summer. I really appreciate all the people I work with now, especially the people in the office. Greg Hardin, Charlie Hutzler, Ryan Ruhl, Ruby Duenk and Becky Progreba just to name a few. Doug has really enjoyed working with John Skretta as he is always somebody that you can talk to about anything. Wes & Jane Hansmeyer are like family to us. Your hope for the future of Norris We both hope that the patrons of the district always stay supportive of all activities at Norris -athletic and non-athletic. We have a great school system!

** Norris School District Educational Foundation Board Members:

Jerry Prange, President Dustin Addison Dr. Roy Baker Clark Bellin Gina Chambers Laura Devine

Kathi Huenink Kurt Kechely Dean Lesoing Chad Otto Lloyd Otto Dave Lueders

Clayton Doeschot David Dudley David Grosshans Larry Grosshans

Frank Savage Phil Severson Dr. John Skretta

SEED Program contacts: Dean Lesoing John Skretta TeamMates Mentoring Program Liaison: Lenny VerMaas

The Norris Foundation has been in existence since 1988 and the foundation has provided nearly half a million dollars in scholarships to Norris students.