Ellen Klitgaard attended Harlan Community High School in Harlan, Iowa where she excelled in many areas. When Ellen graduated this spring, she ranked number one out of the 142 students in her class, earning a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. On her A.C.T.’s, Ellen earned a high enough score to qualify for all of her school’s academic honors as well as receiving All Conference and All Southwest Iowa Academic Recognition. As a Junior and Senior, she was a member of the National Honor Society and was chosen as one of the top 2,140 semifinalists for the Coca-Cola Scholarship Program that had 71,000 applicants.
Besides Ellen’s outstanding academic achievements, she was elected by her peers as the mayor of her school in her senior year. This shows the respect that the student body had for her. She was also involved in cross country, track, speech, Mock Trial, and Key Club. “Ellen Klitgaard is intelligent, charismatic, morally grounded and quite honestly is one of the most well rounded students we have had at Harlan Community High School. Her character, involvement and work ethic will allow her to be successful in any career she may choose to follow,” stated Superintendent Justin Wagner.
Next year Ellen plans on attending either Baylor University or Northwestern University. After receiving an Undergraduate Degree, she would like to go to in Law School and eventually become a criminal or litigation attorney.
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Matthew Goracke – 2011 Winner in Metro Omaha and Southwest Iowa
Matthew Goracke attended Red Oak Community High School in Red Oak, Iowa. He has truly gone “above and beyond” to be the best student he can be. Matt graduated first in his class, with a 4.12 G.P.A. His rigorous academic schedule included A.P. courses and 19 college credit hours. As a Junior and Senior, he was also a member of the National Honor Society - an organization that exemplifies the standards of “Character, Service, Leadership and Scholarship.”
While attending high school, Matt participated in football, basketball, tennis, speech, band, FBLA, Lettermen’s Club, Student Government, Additionally, Matt has been an active volunteer for the YMCA, Graud Theater, Red Cross Blood Drive, Nashville Flood Cleanup, Booster Club’s “Paint the Field House Day” and has helped create care packages for U.S. soldiers. He was described by Angela Spangenberg, Dean of Students and Athletic Director of Red Oak Community Schools, as “an outstanding role model and leader for our school. She described Matt, as “truly a life-long learner. His volunteerism, respect for others and work ethic are of the highest level."
Matt will be attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in the fall and is planning to major in Economics and Finance in the Lincoln College of Business Administration.
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Stephanie Parks – 2011 Winner in Metro Lincoln/Greater Nebraska
Stephanie Parks attended Norfolk High School in Norfolk, NE where she participated in cross country, track, basketball, musicals, Drama Club, Concert/Marching Band, DECA, and Girls N Club. She was class president in her Sophomore year, class vice-president in her Junior year and president of National Honor Society during her Senior year.
Stephanie received the following academic awards: Good Citizen Award, National French Exam, Level 1 (ranked 2nd in Nebraska, 10th nationally) and Rotary Student of the Month. She was also recognized on the Principal’s All A’s List. Her Language Arts Instructor Brenda Krivohlavek said, “Stephanie is a person that goes above and beyond the minimal requirements. Stephanie’s integrity and pride require her to always do her best. She does not want to disappoint anyone. That is why she is a shining star among the hundreds of students I’ve taught in the past 20 years.”
Besides being academically involved, Stephanie was also very engaged in her community; volunteering her time for events such as blood drives and Mercy Meals. She was also a Hoops youth coach, the co-coordinator for the Norfolk High Diversity Day and a camp counselor at Tintern Youth Camp. Additionally Stephanie worked at Hy-Vee, Parks Carpentry and provided child care for two Norfolk families.
This fall, Stephanie plans to attend Drake University where she will major in English, Writing, or Journalism. She wants to pursue a career as a novelist, editor or a publicist.
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Gabriel Connealy - 2011 Winner in Metro Lincoln/Greater Nebraska
Gabriel Connealy lives in Whitman, NE where he attended Mullen High School in Mullen, NE. This past school year Gabriel organized a service project and through his efforts, Mullen High School students were able to contribute a considerable amount to the Nebraska Make-A-Wish Foundation. Gabriel grew up on his family’s Angus ranch in the middle of the Nebraska Sandhills. As he has matured, he has taken many lessons from the ranch, ranging from agricultural practices to people skills, and has witnessed what are successful, ethical business practices.
Gabriel is an active member and officer in his school’s career student organization, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). He finished high school as an officer for the school’s competitive Parliamentary Procedure Team. On his ACT, Gabriel scored a perfect composite score of 36 and graduated number one in his high school class. He also participated in football, basketball, track, speech, Student Government, and was Student Council president in his Junior and Senior years. “His respect for others is clearly noted by his actions towards all ages and so is his willingness to help others when he sees the need arise. Gabriel has proven to be a responsible, reliable, positive leader with great personal integrity who will be successful in his chosen career,” said Diana Brost, business instructor and FCCLA advisor at Mullen High School
Gabriel is planning to attend Creighton University where he will major in Business Administration and minor in Theology.
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Nicholas Kantack - 2011 Winner in South Dakota
Nicholas Kantack just finished his junior year at Brookings High School in Brookings, SD where he has earned a 4.02 G.P.A. He participates in Forensics which consists of debate and oral interpretation, Student Congress, Quiz Bowl, band, orchestra, music, and Chess Club.
In 2010, Nicholas earned his Eagle Scout rank by completing his project that consisted of constructing a reading loft for a local preschool. Other scouting projects he participated in include food drives, serving meals, highway ditch cleaning, Agape House Deck Construction, constructing four horseshoe courts for the State Park, and landscaping a garden for a local grade school. In total, Nicholas has accumulated over 250 volunteer hours of community service. He has also served his community by teaching at his church’s Vacation Bible School, being a Quiz Bowl reader, and a library advertising assistant. One of his teachers described Nicholas as, “a person of significant and varied talents, high standards, and outstanding character. In my direct experiences with him, he has been focused, dedicated, caring, honest, and, is always willing to invest the extra time/effort required to reach desired goals.”
After Nicholas graduates from high school in 2012, he plans to attend a four year college where he will pursue an Engineering Science Degree. After college he would like to pursue a career in nuclear engineering.
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Tatianna Podhradsky - 2011 Winner in South Dakota
Tatianna Podhradsky attended Wagner Community School in Wagner, South Dakota where she earned excellent grades and a fine reputation for integrity, high character, respect and compassion for others. While attending high school, Tatianna was involved in many activities: the school yearbook, school newspaper, school plays, Concert and Marching Band, Chorus, Show Choir, Oral Interpretation, Improv, National Honor Society and was the student manager of the football team.
Tatianna served as a role model within her community as well. During her high school years, she devoted many hours volunteering at nursing homes, the Boys & Girls Club and her church’s Community Youth Group. She was also a member of her local Girl Scout Troop, earning the organization’s highest awards by completing projects that benefited the Wagner community. She was selected by the Girl Scouts to represent South Dakota at the Global Climate Change Leadership Institute in New York City. Additionally, Tatianna helped organize a community Blood Drive, collected items for the Food Pantry, helped as a volunteer at a Cancer Walk and donated items to the local hospital’s activity cart. Scott Alderink, leader of her church’s youth group said, “I am confident Tatianna will continue to carry great ethical values with her throughout her whole life. Her respect for others, trustworthiness, and responsibility will take her far.”
In the fall, Tatianna will attend Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota where she will study and decide if she wants to pursue a career in youth ministry.
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