Scholars show much talent in Golden Plains

In the heart of graduation season, it is appropriate to honor Nebraska's high school scholars. And that's what the Omaha World-Herald has done, using statewide panels of teachers, counselors, principals and superintendents to select 737 of the best and brightest Nebraska seniors for special recognition.

In an 18-page section called "Scholars," the state's largest newspaper paid photographic and factual tribute to graduating seniors who met very high standards. Honorees had to either have an ACT score of 32 or above; an SAT score of 1390 or higher; and/or a rank of first or second in their classes.

The southwest corner of the state was honored to have two dozen of its seniors included in this elite scholastic listing.

Leading the way was an 18-year-old McCook High School senior, Brad Haas, who was named one of 12 members of the Academic First Team for West-Central Nebraska. Brad, who achieved a score of 34 on his ACT, plans to major in computer science at the University of Nebraska's Peter Kiewit Institute.

"Brad loves to learn and has always liked computers." said his father and mother, Raleigh and Kathy Haas. Scholarships will help with his college education, as Brad has received awards from the Walter Scott Foundation, UN Regents, the World-Herald, and Mid-Plains Community College, as well as being named a Kiewit Foundation alternate.

Students from schools throughout Southwest Nebraska achieved Honorable Mention recognition from the World-Herald for scholastic achievements. The honored scholars include Katherine Chambers and Madison M. Scott of Arapahoe-Holbrook; Alison Glidden of Benkelman Dundy County; Cassie Bruckman and Jennifer R. Shafer of Cambridge; Bryce Cook and Eden Louise Maynard of Culbertson; James D. Leggott of Elwood; Reba Craig and Breann Korrin Easterday of Eustis-Farnam; Kayla Ranae Laird and Sara Jo Richter of Hayes Center; Jaime Coolidge of Indianola Republican Valley; Clinton James Norgaard and Elizabeth Helen Weaver of Maywood; Rebecca Post of McCook; Erin Davenport and Jarod Murdoch of Oxford Southern Valley; and Ashley Kauffman and Wooddy Miller of Stratton-Trenton Lakeside Central.

The "Scholars" edition also saluted Jesse Bayliss of Republican Valley and Brad Haas of McCook as Scott Scholars for 2004, and Kendall J. Christensen of Arapahoe-Holbrook as a G. Robert Muchemore scholarship winner.

We're proud of these scholars because we appreciate how much study it takes to master a wide range of subjects and to maintain a straight A average in school work. But, of even greater importance than our acclaim, is what the scholars have gained. Through their hard work, they have paved the way for success in college and in their chosen careers. We congratulate them for their achievements and extend our best wishes for future success.