Bison Alumni Newsletter reorganizing

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — The Bison Alumni newsletter is re-grouping and organizers are hoping to draw in more millennials and tech-savvy volunteers.

The newsletter first started in 1992. It’s now sent out electronically to 2,000 recipients and 4,000 through the mail, twice a year, to those who graduated from McCook High School. Cheri (Myers) Beckenhauer, one of the originators of the newsletter and now of Papillion, Neb., said a recent class representative meeting drew 35 people, where they “tried to figure out where they want the newsletter to go in five to 10 years.” With younger graduates getting much of their information from Internet devices, volunteers who are current with social media like Twitter are especially needed, Beckenhauer said.

The re-organization follows the recent passing of former Bison Alumni newsletter director, Randy Andrews.

Rick Haney, McCook Public School business manager and MHS alumni, attended that class representative meeting and updated the McCook School Board on the newest developments Monday night.

Not only are tech-savvy volunteers needed but those who are interested in connecting the newsletter with the community, Haney said. He also said that the McCook School district has donated a room with a computer for the Bison Alumni group to use, at the McCook Learning Center (formerly the National Guard Armory), saving on rental costs.

Those interested in serving on a committee can email Beckenhauer at cheri.beckenhauer @gmail.com

Also at Monday night’s meeting, Superintendent Grant Norgaard briefed the board on the upcoming NORE (Nebraskans on an Oceanographic Research Education) science club trip. Students from McCook High School and Cambridge will visit Baja, Mexico, where they will do hands-on scientific research among other activities. Previous trips included those to the rainforest in Costa Rica. Students pay for their own trip.

Board members Bob Elder and Loretta Hauxwell both said they had children who participated in previous trips, with Elder relating that it transformed his daughter’s life. She’s now studying marine biology because of her experience, Elder said. Hauxwell added that her daughter was surprised at how much they learned about the culture and geography.

Sponsors from McCook will be covered by the district’s liability insurance and Cambridge sponsors are responsible for their insurance, Norgaard said.

A presentation was given by Andy Long, vice president of McCook Community College and Student Affairs, on statistics and history of the college. The college covers an 18-county service area, covering one-third of the state with 5.5 percent of the state’s population. In partnership with the college, dual credit classes are offered at MHS, with 40 percent of 227 seniors last year earning 12 or more college credit hours.

Positive comments from the administration and board members included:

* Tom Bredvick, board president: cited the dedication of teachers who get involved with extra-curricular activities for students.

* Teresa Thomas, board vice president: thanked volleyball coach Dennis Troester for his years of coaching; Troester is retiring at the end of this year.

* Brian Esch, board member: complimented the high school student council on their commitment to the community and the partnership of McCook Schools and McCook Community College for their strategic planning in helping kids become successful. Some kids don’t think opportunities exist in rural areas, he said, but students become aware of the many options available through programs at MCC and the McCook School District.

* Bob Elder, board member: congratulated Matt Wiemers for being awarded High School Coach of the year from the Nebraska Tennis Association and McCook. Also cited McCook Elementary principal Greg Borland for his “Meet the Principal” night.

* Brad Hays, board member: was impressed with the talent at the fall choir concert. He also congratulated fall sports athletes and coaches.

* Loretta Hauxwell, board secretary: cited MHS first-year science teacher Kay Meysenburg, for being involved with the students.

* JoAnn Neel, student council board representative: the MHS band played at the Veterans Day program at McCook Elementary. StuCo, as well as other clubs at the high school, coordinated a Halloween activity for younger children as a fundraiser. StuCo members will also be decorating Santa Claus Lane this week.

* Superintendent Grant Norgaard: commended the organizations and clubs at the high school who hosted a “Haunted House” for children the weekend prior to Halloween, as a fund-raiser. It included two different “houses,” one less scary than the other and he’s heard positive comments from several on the event, Norgaard said.

* Rick Haney: encouraged volunteers for the Bison Alumni newsletter.

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