A roundup of the week in Omaha-area school news:
Musical: The musical, “Zombie Prom,” will be performed by Abraham Lincoln High School students in the Council Bluffs school’s auditorium tonight at 7 p.m.
Memorial service: Benson High Magnet’s JROTC Color Guard, under the direction of retired 1st Sgt. Daniel Falcon, will present the colors for the Heartland Airborne Memorial Association’s Memorial Day Service at Heartland of America Park at 1 p.m. Sunday. The event will honor America’s airborne soldiers – parachutists, glidermen, air assault troopers and rangers – and mark the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which signaled the end of the Vietnam War.
Student-athlete awards: Benson High Magnet gave special recognition to 49 students who performed well in their respective sports while maintaining a GPA above 3.5 throughout the school year. The students were given awards during a banquet in the school’s gym on Tuesday.
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Band to perform at CWS: The pep band of Lincoln Southeast High School has been invited to perform at the College World Series at the 2 and 7 p.m. games on June 19, and for the championship game at 7 p.m. on June 23.
Vikings of Distinction: Seven people were named North High School’s 2015 Vikings of Distinction during the 33rd annual banquet on May 15 at the Regency Marriott. The purpose of the event is to recognize deserving alumni, former faculty members or friends of North High School. Those honored were: Ronald B. Cooley of Omaha, Class of 1967; Micah Laaker of Mountain View, California, Class of 1993; Mike McGee of Omaha, Class of 1977; Dwight L. and Marleen Morgan of Milwaukee, Class of 1962; Lance G. Morgan of Winnebago, Nebraska, Class of 1986; and Judith A. Wells of Omaha, Class of 1968. Proceeds from the banquet will used to fund scholarships for North High seniors.
Artwork installed: Blackburn Alternative School students worked with artist-in-residence Kim Darling (Kim Reid Kuhn) to create two large-scale canvas paintings for the school’s commons area. During the creation of the murals, Darling encouraged students to explore their personal iconography and the art of mark making. A brief ceremony and reception on Monday celebrated the installation of the murals.
OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
African culture: Pinewood Elementary students presented songs and dances they learned from members of Omaha’s African Culture Connection during an all-school assembly in the school’s gym on Thursday. Following the performance, students and their parents signed a letter pledging to continue their educational journey by graduating high school. Tom Lee, principal of Northwest High Magnet, was on hand to offer words of encouragement. The ACC works with young people to help them understand the African culture through dance and visual arts as well as empower them to have pride in themselves and appreciate how Africa’s history directly relates to their lives.
Give them a hand: Picotte Elementary staff who are retiring received a special send-off on the last day of school. Fourth graders lined the halls and gave a standing ovation to the five employees as they left the school on Friday.
LEWIS CENTRAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Video contest: Titan Hill Intermediate School in Council Bluffs was awarded $1,500 for taking second place in Woodmen of the World’s “Patriotic Pride” video contest. Students from across the nation were asked to create 30- to 60-second videos on the topic “Why I Love America.” Three winning schools were selected by popular vote from the 32 entries on Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society’s Facebook page. To watch the winning videos, go online to 125.woodmen.org.
OMAHA ARCHDIOCESE
Business lesson: St. Pius X / St. Leo School third grade students recently finished a lesson on entrepreneurship. The students formed small companies and, by following classroom rules, earned “play” money to purchase supplies for their businesses. Students filled out a supply list, paid for the supplies, and then made a product to sell on market day, when parents and grandparents were invited to make purchases, also using pretend money.