Youth

Grand Island Elks Lodge 604 stopped at Wood River Rural High School on Thursday, March 16, to deliver shoes that were distributed to select students that were in need of new shoes. The donation was made possible by a $4,000 Beacon grant offered to lodges as community improvement grants through the Elks National Foundation. These grants are to assist communities in need and there are many youth in the Grand Island area that could use an extra hand. The grant provided 235 pairs of shoes and other items to six school such as Wood River. Pictured, left to right, are Grand Island Elks Lodge 604 representatives Barry Hopkins and Jeremy Brandt, Wood River middle-high school administrative assistant Kristi Gideon, and Wood River School Superintendent Terry Zessin. (–courtesy photo)

Five Centura speech team entries competed in the Class C1 portion of the 2023 State Speech Championships, held at Kearney High School on Thursday, March 16. Hope McDonald (pictured) emerged as the lone state medalist, earning a fourth place finish in entertainment. Other Centura entries at the state meet included Cove Engleman, Hope McDonald, Lily Campbell and BreyLeigh Smith in oral interpretation of drama; the duet of Brionna Lowe and BreyLeigh Smith; Peyton Janulewicz in extemporaneous; and Alaina Suntych in program of oral interpretation. (–courtesy photo)

Shelton High School senior Skyler Summers competed with other members of the Shelton High speech team at the D1-4 District speech meet at Franklin on Wednesday, March 8, and came away with an opportunity to compete in the state speech meet held in Kearney on Friday, March 17.