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Skyline One School, One Book
All Skyline families received a copy of Pie by Sarah Weeks to encourage reading as a life-long skill
The Skyline Elementary gymnasium was filled with students and Skyline staff on Friday, March 7th, to celebrate finishing their One School, One Book program. The students’ enthusiastic cheers echoed throughout space as if they were sitting front row at a game for their favorite sports team while they awaited the culminating activity: a pie eating contest.
This was the third year that Skyline participated in a school-wide classroom grant funded by the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation called One School, One Book. This program provided a copy of the book, Pie by Sarah Weeks, to every family at Skyline.
Brynn Selk, third grade teacher and head of the One School, One Book planning committee, explained the benefits of this program. “One School, One Book promotes literacy, reading together as a family, and building a sense of community. It provides opportunities for families to spend time together and talk about a book,” she said. “It also allows teachers the opportunity to have class discussions on the book and incorporate it into daily lessons.”
When looking for a school-wide book, it can be difficult to find a book that appeals and is appropriate for all students, kindergarten through 5th grade. However, Sarah Weeks previously did an author visit at Skyline, and a fellow Elkhorn elementary school, Blue Sage, used Pie for their school and had a lot of fun.
“Sarah Weeks was a recent author visit for us and our students were so engaged during her presentation. She was wonderful to listen to,” Brynn said. “Sarah Yandell and I looked at themes from the book, possible activities, and decided it was a good fit for this year!”
The One School, One Book program kicked off at the end of January with a secret dress-up day where all staff wore cat or pie-themed items since those are big topics in the book. To help families during One School, One Book, a reading pacing guide with an ending date was sent home. Each week an activity was sent home that connected with that week’s reading. The activities included a cat coloring page, a writing prompt about what they would do if they won the top baking honor, create a recipe for “Skyline Pie”, write a thank you card to someone special, and compose a jingle. Students who completed all the activities got a raffle ticket to enter the pie eating contest. The final activity was an assembly featuring a staff pie eating contest.
The One School, One Book program kicked off at the end of January with a secret dress-up day where all staff wore cat or pie-themed items since those are big topics in the book. To help families during One School, One Book, a reading pacing guide with an ending date was sent home. Each week an activity was sent home that connected with that week’s reading. The activities included a cat coloring page, a writing prompt about what they would do if they won the top baking honor, create a recipe for “Skyline Pie”, write a thank you card to someone special, and compose a jingle. Students who completed all the activities got a raffle ticket to enter the pie eating contest. The final activity was an assembly featuring a staff pie eating contest.
“Students were super excited to get to feed an adult,” Brynn said.
The day of the assembly the students’ excitement was palpable in the gym. Principal Sarah Yandell read a short passage from the book to the gathered students and staff as the participants prepared for the pie eating contest. Six staff volunteers outfitted in garbage bags (one staff member even had a shower cap topped with a pie headband) sat at the table with a slice of pie in front of each of them. Behind each staff member was a student who would be feeding the staff their pie. The students were selected from a raffle of individuals who had completed all the book activities.
When Principal Yandell said “Go!”, the participating students frantically started feeding the pie to the staff member, and the gym erupted in cheers for the participants. It didn’t take long before there was a two-way tie that was solved with a classic game of rock paper scissors. The winning team, fourth grade teacher Jared Crawford and fourth grade student Lona, both received a shiny trophy for their pie eating victory.
This fun and engaging program was one of the 68 classroom grants that were approved for the 2024-2025 school year. “When community members donate to the Foundation, they are directly impacting students of Elkhorn!” Brynn said. “It is SO cool that every student at Skyline was able to read the same book.”
Classroom grants like One School, One Book show students that reading can be fun and for any age. Brynn noted, “Thank you for this grant and supporting us! Reading is one of my passions (personally and professionally) so being able to lead the committee for this grant is such an honor.”
Alumni Spotlight: Joe Wherry
Interview conducted by Ann Huddleston, Alumni Relations
1996 Elkhorn High School alum Joe Wherry is a former detective with the Omaha Police Department, and current local business owner – Mathanisum and Junk King. Math is one of those subjects that just doesn’t come easily to everyone. Some of us might need a little extra help turning on that light bulb. Following a positive experience with his son and Mathnasium, Joe opened Mathnasium in Elkhorn on 205th St. in 2022. After graduating in ‘96, Joe studied Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He then interned for the Omaha Police department in 2000, joining the force the next year. In 2005, Joe became a detective and then a sergeant in 2007. He spent time in the North Investigations and Homicide divisions before transitioning to Internal Affairs in 2018. In 2020, Joe returned to Elkhorn to work in patrol at the West Precinct. He retired from the police force on February 1st, 2025, in order to focus his attention on his businesses. And since Joe likes to stay busy, he signed on to be a part-time School Resource Office for Omaha Public Schools. Joe and his wife, Andrea, live in Elkhorn with their two sons, Grant, ESHS Class of 2023 and Alex, ESHS Class of 2026.
What are some of your standout memories of your time in Elkhorn and Elkhorn High School?
One memory that stands out is when I recently volunteered with the West-O Chamber to deliver food baskets to families in need. It really brought me back to my own childhood. Growing up on the outskirts of Elkhorn, my family often needed help, especially since my parents were both sick. We got food baskets and other support from the community, which made a huge difference. I’ll never forget when classmates would drop off meals after my mom passed away. The Elkhorn community really came through for us.
Another memory is biking to school along the Old Lincoln Highway and stopping for ice cream at Dairy Chef afterwards. Also, my first job at Gateway Lanes was great. I loved being able to bowl for free whenever I wanted!
Do you have any favorite teachers?
I remember Mrs. Weckerman (though we called her Mrs. Watermelon). She was a fun, friendly teacher, and I remember her swinging on the swing set at Hillrise during recess. It was so out of the ordinary, but it made me realize how cool she was.
In high school, I connected the most with the football coaches—Mr. Wortman, Mr. Koll, and Mr. Bacus. I had a lot of respect for them and always enjoyed being in their classes.
How did you decide to major in Criminal Justice?
Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a police officer. Growing up, we didn’t have much, and we only had one TV in the house, which my dad controlled. He watched old westerns, Andy Griffith, and military shows, and I think that influenced me. Those shows always had good guys standing up for what’s right, and I wanted to be like them. We also had positive experiences with local law enforcement, and I admired their professionalism. I figured a Criminal Justice degree would help me get where I wanted to go in my career.
Can you share any interesting stories from your time as a detective?
I spent about 15 years as a detective, so there are a lot of cases I could talk about, but one that sticks out was one of my first homicide cases. At the beginning, we didn’t have much to go on, but through careful work, we brought in a suspect. During the interview, I could tell the suspect was starting to crack. Then, there was this moment when he became emotional, sighed deeply, dropped his head and confessed. It was a huge relief, and it felt great to give the family the answers they needed.
Another story I remember is when Elkhorn was annexed by Omaha. I was assigned as the detective covering the newly added Elkhorn area, and a lot of people were upset. As someone who grew up there, I could relate to their concerns and reassure them that crime wasn’t going to increase just because they didn’t have their own police department anymore. It helped to have that personal connection with the community.
You opened Mathnasium in July of 2022, what inspired you to open Mathnasium?
The idea for Mathnasium came from my son. When he was in 8th grade, he was really struggling with math, and his test scores were below the district average. I found a Mathnasium center nearby, and after a few months, he came home and said, “Math is easy now.” That was a big turning point for him, and I noticed how many other kids could probably use that same kind of help. So, when I returned to patrol, I realized it was the perfect time to try something new. I reached out to Mathnasium, and even though they initially told me Elkhorn wasn’t big enough, I convinced them to give it a shot. After a discovery day in Los Angeles, I bought the territory and opened the center in 2022.
How does it work? Why is it different?
What makes Mathnasium different is that we don’t just help kids with their homework; we address the root of the problem. If a student is struggling with division word problems, for example, we’ll look at their foundational skills and find that they might be missing something basic like understanding how to halve odd numbers. Once they master those building blocks, things like division become a lot easier. It’s not just a quick fix—it’s about building confidence and skills that last.
Traditional tutoring tends to only fix the immediate problem. A student might get help with a specific topic, but they’ll continue to struggle with other concepts if their foundation isn’t solid. At Mathnasium, we make sure they fully understand the fundamentals before moving on. And for advanced students, we push them ahead of their grade level. I’ve seen students test out of subjects like Algebra because they’ve already mastered it at Mathnasium!
Do you have any new projects in the works?
I’m excited to share that I’ve recently acquired the rights to a Junk King franchise, covering the entire metro area as my service territory. Junk King is North America’s leading junk removal company, with nearly 200 locally owned locations across the U.S. and Canada.
At Junk King, we make junk removal easy, affordable, and eco-friendly. Our trucks are 20% larger than the competition, providing more value per load. Plus, Junk King’s model requires franchisees to recycle or donate at least 60% of everything we haul—helping to keep items out of landfills.
I’m currently preparing for launch, with two weeks of training scheduled this month and an active search underway for the right location to set up shop. I plan to open between April and May and can’t wait to bring Junk King’s trusted service to the community!
What do you do in your spare time?
Right now, I exercise at Crossfit Elkhorn (formally OneGym Elkhorn) 4-5 days a week at 5 am. I am a fair-weather bicyclist. I like to ride from my house around Lake Zorinsky and back. It is a great way to decompress and listen to podcasts. On my days off from Omaha Police, you’ll often find me working other off-duty police jobs at local events. I like to stay busy. I also like to take at least one vacation a year, we have gone to Disney World a few times, Cancun Mexico (Moon Palace is great 3-times), and Las Vegas several times.
What is your advice for current high school students?
My advice would be to do your research before jumping into a career or business. Find something that suits your skills and passions. Also, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. When I thought about opening a business, I was really stressed about the uncertainty, but I did my homework, reached out to other business owners, and felt much more confident in my decision.
And, of course, math is super important. A lot of jobs in STEM fields require strong math skills, and that’s only going to grow in the future. If you search the top 20 highest-paying jobs out of school, you see most if not all have a basis in math. It’s a great way to open doors for your career!
EPS Middle Schools Host Speaker Kyler Erickson
Kyler Erickson, Omaha native and former University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) Men’s Basketball player, visited all five Elkhorn middle schools at the end of January thanks to funding from the Foundation’s Classroom Grant program. Kyler talked about struggles he’s gone through and how he’s turned that into something positive by sharing his story with others.
In 2011, Kyler witnessed a school shooting in his senior year at Millard South High School. This tragedy led to Kyler experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression as he began his college career. He spoke about how difficult it was to open up about what he was going through, but he eventually talked to some trusted adults and then found help through therapy. One of these impactful leaders was his UNO basketball coach, who told Kyler, “None of us are defined by what happens to us. We’re defined by what we do next.”
Kyler and his friends decided to make a pact: “However long we’re on this earth we’re gonna fight to stand up for people who can’t fight for themselves. We’re gonna try our best to prevent as many suicides as we can, to help people through the trauma that they’ve gone through.”
During his presentation, he encouraged students to use their talents, whatever they may be, to make the world a better place. Most importantly, he left students with this message, “You are loved, and you matter, more than you will ever know. If you think or ever find yourself in a situation that you may need some help, if you’re in a hole that you can’t climb out of,” Kyler says, “your teachers and administrators, every adult in this building truly loves and cares about every single one of you.”
Kyler also welcomed musician Nick Rucker to speak on his time in the military and National Guard. Nick has written three books, including one called Time Cap that is based on his journey in Baghdad and “getting his life back on track” when he returned. Nick invited students on stage to sing the YMCA with the crowd and then played an original song.
Kyler has turned sharing his journey into a career, traveling all across the country and speaking to over 700,000 kids. Kyler’s message to students was an important one, letting them know “It’s okay not to be okay.” The Foundation is grateful to be a part of these impactful opportunities for students.
Accepting Donations For Bids For Kids 2025
Mark Your Calendars for Thursday, Oct. 9th!
We know it’s early, but we wanted get Bids For Kids 2025 on your calendar! Tickets, tables, and sponsorships will be available during the summer. One way to contribute to Bids For Kids now is by donating an auction item. See below for auction item donation suggestions.
Interested in donating or have questions? Contact us at foundation@elkhornfoundation.org or call the Foundation office at (402) 289-1727.
Elkhorn High School sweethearts Jace (1991) and Teresa (Todd, 1992) Swartzendruber
High school sweathearts Jace and Teresa (Todd) Swartzendruber have been together 34 years together and counting! Jace Swartzenruber works at Conagra Brands as a supply chain manager. Locally, he serves as a TeamMates mentor and a high school youth leader at Relevant Community Church. He is also part of the EPS Alumni Scholarship selection committee. Teresa works at Fat Brain Toys as a warehouse coordinator. They have three children who all graduated from Elkhorn High School as well: Kyle, class of 2016, Emily, class of 2018, and Sophie, class of 2021. Kyle is married (also married his high school sweetheart from Elkhorn (Holly Poehlman), Emily is also married, and Sophie is finishing her senior year of college at the University of Nebraska.
Jace shared the answers to the following questions:
Give us a brief history of when you started dating and how long you’ve been married.
We started dating at the end of my senior year (Class of ’91) and the end of Teresa’s junior year (Class of ’92). We have been married 29 years and will be celebrating our 30 year anniversary this July.
What’s your favorite memory together?
My favorite high school memory is Teresa waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs of the senior balcony to say goodbye before she headed out to soccer practice. Every day I would look forward to it 🙂
When you were in high school, did you picture your lives together the way things are now?
Yes, very similar to our current lives. We dated for 4 years after high school but we both knew well before that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We stayed in the Omaha area but always wanted to get back to the Elkhorn school district before our children started high school.
Do you have any relationship advice?
Prioritize and invest in your relationship with your spouse over your kid’s activities. Time spent with your kids is short compared to the lifetime you will spend with your spouse.
Reading Across the Programs: Classroom Grants
Reading-Focused Classroom Grants Help Make Reading Accessible for All Students
The Foundation’s Classroom Grant program encourages teachers to dream and apply for supplementary materials that could deepen students’ learning in the classroom. The 68 classroom grants approved for the 2024-2025 school year support different areas of learning across the district, but notably, 24 of those grants support reading and literacy across the grade levels.
Those grants include several reading literacy programs, Bob Book Reading, math & reading toolboxes, literacy nights, audiobooks for elementary students, books for Battle of the Books at the elementary and middle school levels, the Sora platform for middle school, books for an AP literature class, One School One Book, a grade set of “Who Was…?” books, national park books, and books for a book swap.
At the elementary level, preloaded audiobooks called Playaways have made a lasting impact. Since 2019, more than 10 schools across the district have written grants for Playaways, and some of those schools have written repeat grants due to the Playaways popularity among students. Melissa Lightle, Fire Ridge Media Specialist, has witnessed the impact of Playaways at her school. Since 2019, Melissa notes, Fire Ridge has circulated 4,811 Playaways, and this year alone Fire Ridge has circulated 421 Playaways.
“The Playaways increase the selection of books for students because the audiobooks provide them an opportunity to tackle challenging texts that they would normally reject,” Melissa said. “I love that students feel empowered to tackle challenging books because of Playaways!”
Students take that empowered feeling about reading with them to middle school. With the help of the Foundation, the middle school media specialists worked to create cohesive programming that ties classroom grants, such as Sora and middle school Battle of the Books, to the reading incentive program and other reading challenges like the Golden Sower list.
According to Rachel Jussel, Elkhorn Grandview Middle School Media specialist, due to the interconnected nature of the programs, there just weren’t enough copies of certain books to accommodate all the students who were trying to read them. Students were trying to check out books from the Golden Sower list for Battle of the Books, to complete the Golden Sower Challenge, or just because it looked interesting.
Now there are copies specifically for students competing in Battle of the Books. “Through the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation contributions, we were able to provide people with resources that they need to succeed, including a wider selection of books, new team building materials, and access to engaging activities that foster individual growth and collaboration. This helps build a community of learners,” said Rachel.
Another classroom grant at the middle school level is Sora. The Sora platform provides students with access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks through the Nebraska Library Consortium and the Omaha Public Library. The middle schools had Sora during Covid and wanted to bring it back because it was beneficial for all students. According to Amy Williams, media specialist at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School, the platform is filterable, very easy for students to use, and can be used on the students’ school-provided devices.
“Sora just gives our kids more access to more titles that are going to change with the times,” Amy said. This platform is especially beneficial because it helps students who have learning differences or individuals who like to listen to the audiobook as they follow along.
All of the reading and literacy based programs at the elementary, middle school, and high schools have a clear goal.
“We want kids to read, and kids read when they have access to books and when they have an incentive to read. That’s it,” Amy said. “We want to give them reasons to read and we want to get them hooked, and then once they’re hooked, we want to make sure that they have access to the books.”
Golf Fore Grants 2025
Attending or sponsoring Golf Fore Grants 2025 on Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at Champions Run Golf Course is a tee-riffic way to show your support for the Elkhorn Public Schools!
- Who: You and your coworkers, friends, or family.
- What: Golf Fore Grants is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation to raise funds for our Classroom Grants program.
- Where: Champions Run Golf Course – 13800 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha, NE 68164.
- When: Monday, June 2nd, 2025.
- Check-in at the event begins at 11:00 a.m. with a noon shotgun start.
- Why: This fun-filled day of golf is a vital component to the success of our Classroom Grants Program which provides supplementary educational items at all building levels in Elkhorn Public Schools, impacting thousands of students.
- How: Sign up via our Golf Status event page!
During the 2024-2025 school year, the Foundation funded classroom grants including a welding TIG grinder for Welding II students, books for a middle school Battle of the Books, quiz bowl buzzers, literacy nights at several elementary schools, dramatic play items for kindergarteners, literacy and math assistance kits, play production materials, and more!
FOURSOME REGISTRATION: SOLD OUT! Sign up for the waitlist!
$1,000 per Foursome – Foursome registration includes an Eagle Card Package for every player!
Team Registration includes:
- 18-Hole Golf Round for four participants
- Grill-Out Style Lunch
- 19th Hole Social/Dinner Buffet
- Flag & Tournament Prizes
- 4 EAGLE CARD PACKAGES
Each Eagle Card Package includes:
- Complimentary Beverage Ticket
- 3 Raffle Tickets
- 1 Mulligan
- Golf Poker Participation
- 2 On-Course Games (Does not include Putting Green Contest).
2025 GOLF FORE GRANTS RAFFLE
Raffle tickets will be exclusively in Eagle Card Packages. The winner of the raffle will be drawn after the event at the 19th Hole Social/Dinner Buffet. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
2025 Golf Fore Grants Sponsorship Opportunities
In 2025, the support of our community members and businesses is more important than ever as the District’s needs continue to grow! Our Classroom Grants Program deepens students’ learning in pre-kindergarten through high school by providing a range of vibrant and varied learning experiences.
Being a Golf Fore Grants sponsor comes with many great perks including exposure across the event in addition to our website, social media channels, and email communications. Sponsorship packages will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be viewed and purchased through our Golf Status event website, which will be available March 3rd. Must be secured by May 23rd, 2025 (with exceptions on some sponsorships listed).
*If you prefer to mail a check rather than a Credit Card Payment via Golf Status, please give us a call at (402) 289.1727 so we can keep our registration numbers and sponsorship opportunities up-to-date and accurate.
Download a complete 2025 Golf Fore Grants Sponsorship Outline
(Does not Indicate which sponsorships are sold out.)
Become a 2025 Golf Fore Grants Sponsor!
| Presenting Sponsor – $7,500 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes a foursome, an opportunity to address event participants before tee-off, priority placement of signage, ball marker with logo for every participant, opportunity to put promotional materials in participant bags, extra beverage tickets, and priority placement of your logo across our digital platforms. | Dinner Benefactor – $5,000 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes a foursome, signage across the event, a tribute toast at the 19th Hole Social/Dinner Buffet, extra beverage tickets, and special digital platform shout-outs. Must be purchased by May 23rd. |
| Golf Cart Sponsor – $3,500 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes your logo on a sign placed on every participant golf cart, extra beverage tickets, and special digital platform shout-outs. | Golf Ball Sponsor – $3,000 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes your logo imprinted on golf balls given to all participants, extra beverage tickets, and special digital platform shout-outs. |
| Drink Ticket Sponsor – $3,000 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes your logo on all drink tickets including one for each participant, koozies customized with your logo given to all participants, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. These sponsorships do NOT include a foursome. | Pin Flag Sponsorship – $3,000 (1 available) Sponsorship includes 18 pin flags displayed on the course during the tournament with your logo and/or messaging on the front paired with the Foundation logo on the back, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. These sponsorships do NOT include a foursome. |
| Golf Cart Goodies Sponsor – $2,500 (2 options available) Sponsorship includes customized drawstring bags, golf towel (SOLD OUT), or divot tool with your logo given to all tournament participants, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. These sponsorships do NOT include a foursome. | Putting Green Sponsor – $2,000 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes signage placed on putting green, opportunity to have a representative at putting green, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. |
| Technology Sponsor – $1,500 (1 available) Sponsorship includes brand exposure across multiple digital platforms (tournament website and mobile app) during the tournament, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our social media platforms. Must be purchased by May 23rd. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. | Lunch Benefactor – $1,500 (Unlimited) Sponsorship includes signage at the event, extra beverage tickets, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. Must be purchased by May 23rd. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. |
| Raffle Sponsor – $1,000 (Unlimited) Sponsorship includes signage at the raffle prize display table, opportunity to have promotional materials at display, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. | Golf Tee Sponsor – $750 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes your logo imprinted on the golf tees given to all event participants and brand exposure across our digital platforms. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. |
| Photography Sponsor – $750 SOLD OUT -Sponsorship includes your logo on all photos shared after the event, a designated hole where you may have a representative, and brand exposure across our digital platforms. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. | Poker Sponsor – $500 (Unlimited) Sponsorship includes signage at poker pickup holes and the poker-scoring table and brand exposure across our digital platforms. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. |
| Pin Prize Sponsor – $500 SOLD OUT Sponsorship includes your logo on all pin prize stakes throughout the course, your choice of advertisement in pin prize winner bags, and your logo/link to your site on our event page. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. | Beverage Cart Sponsor – $250 (Unlimited) Sponsorship includes signage on the beverage carts and your logo/website link on our event page. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. |
| Hole Sponsor – $150 (Unlimited) Sponsorship includes your logo on signage for one hole and your logo on our event page. This sponsorship does NOT include a foursome. | If you would rather make a donation instead of purchasing a sponsorship, click this link to be directed toward our general donation form. |
If you have questions regarding event sponsorships, please feel free to give us a call at (402) 289.1727 or email us at foundation@elkhornfoundation.org.
Thank you for supporting Elkhorn Public School students and teachers. We appreciate your generosity and hope to see you on the golf course this summer!
Thank you to our 2025 Golf Fore Grants Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Dinner Benefactor
Dinner Benefactor
Dinner Benefactor
Golf Cart Sponsor
Golf Ball Sponsor
Drink Ticket Sponsor
Golf Cart Goodies Sponsor
Putting Green Sponsor
Golf Tee Sponsor
Lunch Benefactor
Lunch Benefactor
Lunch Benefactor
Photography Sponsor
Pin Prize Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Hole Sponsors
American Interstate Bank
Brooke Ayoub, Realtor
Chandler Conway, PC, LLO
CiShirts & Courtside Marketing
Commercial State Bank
Enterprise Precast Concrete
Live Hydration Spa
Nebraska Realty
Omaha Orthodontics
Owen’s Mowing
The Delano Code
2025 Hall of Fame Nomination Form
Hall of Fame 2025 Nomination Forms Now Available!
Help us honor the community members, educators, alumni, and/or businesses that have made significant and positive contributions to Elkhorn students, schools, and the Elkhorn community by submitting a Hall of Fame nomination(s) by May 30th, 2025.
You can submit one nomination at a time via our online Google Form. *Please note that we will only accept one nomination per Google Form submission. If you would like to make multiple nominations, you will need to submit one form for each nomination.
Complete the Hall of Fame Nomination Google Form
If you wish to mail in your nomination form(s), you can download the form here. *Please note that you must fill out a separate form for each nomination you submit.
Download the printable 2025 Hall of Fame Nomination Form
You can view a comprehensive list of past Hall of Fame honorees here.
Download the list of past Hall of Fame honorees
Thank you for supporting Elkhorn Public Schools! Our 31st Annual Hall of Fame Ceremony and Reception will be held on November 6th, 2025. Additional details to follow.
If you have questions, please give us a call at (402) 289.1727 or email us at foundation@elkhornfoundation.org.
Alumni Trivia Night 2025
THE 3RD ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT WAS A SUCCESS!
We had a fun-filled Alumni Trivia Night on April 10th! Kathy Burney (1988 grad) was our hilarious host of the following categories: Are you smarter than a 5th grader, Science, Music, Potluck, Decade’s Slang, and Elkhorn! All proceeds from the event benefitted the EPS Alumni Scholarship, and Nicci Clark (1992 grad) shared a few words about the great scholarship at all 3 EPS high schools! Classes in attendance were EHS ’61, ’69, ’70, ’73, ’75, ’79, ’80, ’88, ’90, ’92, ’96, ’97, ’99, and ESHS 2018 with a new winner “Hot Lunch”!
Congratulations to “Hot Lunch” (’92, ’96, ’97, & ’99) for winning the trophy!
Spread the word and look forward to next year’s Trivia Night!
NEW ACHIEVE Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship
A new scholarship pathway that parallels the successful ACHIEVE Advanced Placement (AP) Scholarship
Nebraska is no different than many other states who are facing employee shortages, especially in the skilled & technical trades. School administrators across the state are taking notice of these shortages and coming up with different solutions. The Elkhorn Public Schools and the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation decided to incentivize exploring more Career & Technical Education (CTE) and career exploration opportunities by creating the new ACHIEVE Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship.
In 2009, the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation teamed up with the Elkhorn Public School District and launched the ACHIEVE Program. The goal was to recognize and award students who challenged themselves by taking numerous advanced placement classes, participating in school extracurricular activities, and volunteering in their community. The program was unique in that all students who met the requirements would be awarded a scholarship.
The ACHIEVE Scholarship Program has been extremely successful. In 2009, there were 19 recipients, and the number has steadily grown from 80 in 2015 to averaging over 200 in recent years. The dollar commitment from the Foundation funding this program has also grown from $40,000 in 2014 to averaging $240,000/year.
Dr. Bary Habrock, EPS Superintendent, saw the impact of the Foundation’s ACHIEVE Scholarship Program on student achievement and wanted to replicate it to highlight careers. This parallel pathway rewards students who take a progression of CTE courses and complete a multitude of career exploration experiences with the goal of incentivizing more students to pursue a skilled & technical trade as a career. In an ambitious effort, they soft-launched the scholarship during the 2023-2024 school year. Administrators worked with their high school counseling teams to develop an application to identify seniors who were eligible to receive an ACHIEVE CTE Scholarship.
The results from the Class of 2024 were promising. Last April, the Foundation recognized 32 ACHIEVE CTE Scholarship recipients at its annual Scholarship Recognition Ceremonies! For the Class of 2025, the applications have been incorporated into the Foundation’s online scholarship platform, and we expect the number of recipients to steadily grow like the original pathway, which has been renamed the ACHIEVE Advanced Placement (AP) Scholarship. EPS administrators and the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation board members are asking Nebraska businesses and Elkhorn families to consider donating to the ACHIEVE Scholarship Program to ensure the sustainability of the program for future generations of Elkhorn students!
