Dec 15, 2022 | News
The Elkhorn South High School music department had a successful fall semester, earning several honors including both individual awards and group honors. Notably, the ESHS Concert Choir was selected to perform at the 2022 Nebraska Music Educators Association conference after an involved process of submitting an audition and going through a panel review. The Choir performance took place at the St. Paul Methodist Church on November 17, 2022, under the direction of Molly Gonring and Cal Cross.
Additionally, a large cohort of music department students represented the school as members of the 2022 All State and All National Choir, Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra. In total, 39 ESHS students were selected as All State musicians after a competitive audition process early this fall, competing against students across the state of Nebraska to be included in these ensembles. Two ESHS music students were also selected to perform in the All-National Honor Band and Orchestra that is hosted by the National Association for Music Education. Louis Giacalone and Rachel Wu earned spots in the All-National Band and Orchestra through a competitive nation-wide audition process.
To end a successful first semester, various concerts were held in December including a Choir Concert consisting of Freshman Choir, Mixed Choir, and Concert Choir, and a Band Concert consisting of performances by the Parkway Jazz, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, and the Low Brass Ensemble.
Dec 7, 2022 | News
After demonstrating outstanding leadership potential, Grace Nichols was selected to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar. The HOBY Seminar, a yearly summer event held at a Nebraska College or University, will be held at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation.
Brett Vance was selected to attend the Nebraska Leadership Seminar (NLS) at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska this summer. Nebraska Leadership Seminar, Inc. (NLS) is a nonprofit organization focused on helping students recognize their leadership strengths. Each year, NLS hosts a four-day seminar for high school sophomores to challenge, empower and inspire them to become the leaders Nebraska needs.
Both students were selected to represent EHS after completing an extensive application and interviewing process, and both are actively involved at ESHS, with numerous volunteer and leadership experiences within our community.
Nov 30, 2022 | News
The instrumental music departments of the Elkhorn Public Schools are proud to present the first annual Elkhorn All City Honor Band Festival on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 PM. The event will be held at the Elkhorn High School Auditorium, located at 1401 Veterans Drive. The festival honors and challenges some of the most accomplished music students currently in the Elkhorn Public Schools’ programs by bringing them together for a day of music-making and growth, culminating with an evening concert open to the public. The program will feature a middle school concert band conducted by Kyle Dreessen, Elkhorn High School Band Director, a high school concert band conducted by Larry MacTaggart, former arranger of the US Air Force Band, and a high school jazz band led by Greg Simon from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Additionally, the concert will feature the world premiere of the new piece of music “Elkhorn River Portrait” by Larry MacTaggart.
Student musicians were nominated to participate in these ensembles and are a true honor roll of the Elkhorn Band programs, representing the top 20-25% of students involved at each school.
There is no admission cost to attend the evening concert, but free-will donations will be accepted at the door to support clinician costs.
Oct 14, 2022 | News
Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently released the names of only 16,000 semifinalists nationwide for the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists must now fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level and qualify for one of the more than 7,500 scholarships worth over $30 million that will be awarded in spring 2023. Of the 16,000 semifinalists, about 90% are expected to attain Finalist standing, with more than half of those finalists expected to earn a National Merit Scholarship.
To advance to the Finalist phase, semifinalists must submit an application detailing participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. The application also requires that a semifinalist have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed by a high school official, and provide a written essay. National Merit Scholarship Finalists will be announced in February 2023, with National Merit Scholarship winners announced in April 2023.
Semi-Finalist students representing Elkhorn Public Schools include:
- Jacob Langewisch
- William McCarville
- Megan Moore
- Leo Pechous
- Zoe Rasmussen
- Safal Sapkota
- Mason Shields
- Adam Svoboda
EPS students recognized as Commended Students for the National Merit Scholarship Program include:
- Hazel Chong
- Louis Giacalone
- Gabrielle Masteller
- Ryan Mayo
- Zane Rosenberg
- Lauren Sieck
- Sophia Thompson
Additional information on the National Merit Scholarship program can be found by visiting www.nationalmerit.org.
Sep 12, 2022 | News
According to a recently released AP Scholar Report, a record number of Elkhorn Public Schools students were recognized as 2021-2022 AP Scholars with various distinctions, with 454 students included in the report. For the 2021-2022 school year, EPS proudly recognizes the following:
- – 214 students earning the designation of AP Scholar for earning a score of 3 on three or more AP exams
- – 101 students earning the designation of AP Scholar with Honors for earning an average of 3.25on all AP exams taken and having a score of at least 3 on four AP exams
- – 139 students earning the destination of AP Scholar with Distinction for scoring an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and having a score of at least 3 on five AP exams
Over the course of the previous five academic years, EPS has nearly doubled the number of students earning AP Scholar designations as seen in the chart below.
EPS proudly congratulates all students who have achieved this academic success, and thanks them for their dedication and commitment to developing the knowledge and skills necessary to be lifelong learners.