Wallace School District 65-R
May 2026 Newsletter
In my words!
It’s very tough to leave a party when you’re having fun and you like the people at the party. However, just because you left early doesn’t mean the party wasn’t fun. It’s really tough to leave a ballgame that’s entertaining before the game is over. That doesn’t make the game any less entertaining. How many of us have watched an outstanding movie and were fully engaged in the first 90 minutes of it and suddenly you wake up and realized you’ve dozed off and there are info commercials playing. That doesn’t make the movie any less outstanding.
My time at Wallace has been all the above. It has been fun, entertaining, and an outstanding experience. The school and community made me feel welcome from day one and hasn’t ever stopped. When you live, or teach in a place for a while, I think we have a tendency to think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. I’m here to tell you that the grass in Wallace is green and flourishing, and the grass isn’t greener anywhere.
I applied for the position in Wallace on a whim. I was looking at why a school in the area had a certain opening and saw the principal opening in Wallace. I saw the name Tom Sandberg as the superintendent. I had known Mr. Sandberg professionally from his time in Axtell when I was in Arapahoe. I gave him a call, and he offered me an interview. I had zero expectations and wasn’t sure I even wanted to be in education again after retiring once. I showed up expecting to interview with Mr. Sandberg and was taken to the board room to meet with the new superintendent!!! Hmmmm Tom had forgotten to mention he was retiring. Not only that, I walk back into the board room and I’m interviewing with someone that is younger than my own kids. Mr. Ferguson introduced himself and must have been thinking this guy is older than my grandfather, did the handi bus drop him off at the wrong place? This surely can’t be the guy that wants to be the principal here. After some brief family background we got down to business. I found myself very impressed with the professionalism and maturity of the new superintendent. The next stop was with some of the staff. I felt welcome, I felt at ease, I felt a sense of family when interviewing with the staff, really impressive. I was then given a tour of the facilities and headed back to North Platte. I honestly thought the interview went well, but figured that they would go with a younger candidate. I had made up my mind that if offered I would take the position for one year, if I liked it I would pursue something closer to home. If I didn’t like it, I would find something else to do. I was offered the position.
So what happened to the one and done plan? Well after working with Mr. Ferguson for a few weeks I knew right then that this guy was different. He was far more mature than his age, he was driven, a winner, and someone that didn’t want to be mediocre in anything. I found that we had much more in common than I ever expected. He was tough, but fair. He had a plan but always gave me input. He told me to take over his former position and make it my own. I’m telling you, very few people in this business would take that approach. I also found that despite Mr. Ferguson being young, we made each other laugh and got along really well. I started to feel really comfortable at Wallace Public Schools. Mr. Ferguson and I developed a trust and friendship that play a huge part in my staying here. Mr. Ferguson is as good a superintendent as you will ever see. I told my wife that Mr. Ferguson isn’t a long-term solution here because he is destined for a bigger school. He has since bought and modernized a home, and signed a three-year deal. I truly hope you all appreciate him, you don’t have to always agree with him, he and I don’t always agree. However, we always come up with a solution that is about kids. We are extremely lucky to have him here.
The school board is always a hit and miss at small school. Basically, if you decide to run for the schoolboard, you are in because they usually can’t find anyone to run. You never know what kind of group you are working with. I was blown away with the professionalism of the school board from the first time I met them. They work with, and trust the superintendent. And not only the superintendent, but also the principal, the AD, and the school counselor. I felt truly appreciated from the first meeting through my entire tenure here. Most impressively in my five years here, I haven’t seen one decision made by the board that wasn’t for the betterment of kids, or the staff. Not only a good board, but good people. By the way, we have five people on the ballot for this next election. Impressive!!!
The staff is top level. This group of professionals go above and beyond the call of duty for the kids. As the principal I know I’m going to hear far more negative things about teachers than good things, that’s the nature of the position I’m in. I can assure anyone that hasn’t quit reading this yet, that Wallace Public Schools doesn’t take a backseat to any staff out there regardless of school size. These people are dedicated and loyal to Wallace and Wallace Public Schools. They sincerely care about kids, and care about each other. They are as good as any staff as I’ve ever been around.
Mrs. McConnell will work very hard as your new principal. I ask that you please give her a chance to be successful, before you judge her work. The principal’s job in any school is difficult. We take a lot of the blame when things aren’t going well, and make sure the staff and students get the credit when things are going well. I am proud to say that I recommended Mrs. McConnell to be the next principal. Although she’s been here awhile, don’t forget she’s going to be a first year principal. I can assure you that nobody wants to be a first year principal. On the bright side, most principals don’t realize that until they are in year 3 or 4. I’m an old dog, pretty set in my ways. Mrs. McConnell is going to be a huge improvement in the area of technology and in the keeping up with new ideas in education. Wallace Public Schools is in good hands!
The office staff is as good as it gets. Nobody is better at their job than Kari Finley. That poor lady had to babysit me for five years. With the change in principal she will feel like she’s on vacation. I cannot say enough good things about her. Nobody cares about Wallace, or Wallace public Schools than Kari. She handles everything with a professionalism not seen at many places. What Kari is to the secretary position Kassie Pelster is to the bookkeeping position. She is outstanding at whatever she does. Not only are they great workers, but great people that I will consider friends forever.
The para’s, custodial staff, kitchen, bus drivers, and substitute teachers are the unsung heroes of a school. They are like the offensive line on a football team, they do all the hard work that doesn’t get noticed until the QB gets sacked. We are blessed by some very special people in these positions. They are the perfect fit for an outstanding team.
We are blessed by great kids in Wallace. Do we run into issues at our school? Of course we do. But we get them resolved and move forward. That’s possible because we have supportive parents. I cannot tell you how many parents I’ve talked to that have said you do whatever you need to do and you have our support. It isn’t that way everywhere. People outside of the school have no idea what consequences there are for behaviors, sometimes legally the staff isn’t even privileged to that type of information. I hear about people saying a punishment isn’t enough, or it’s too tough (many times with the same issue). But it doesn’t take any time before most people here move on. That is such a breath of fresh air. For those that haven’t moved on that is okay too. Sometimes not everyone is going to like what you do. I understand that. It’s the nature of the job!
Last and certainly not least is you, the people reading this newsletter. The community of Wallace is special. What you have here is not common. I’ve been so blessed to have worked in three communities that truly cared and supported the school. I’ve never been to a place that I felt like I was welcome the first day I was here. I had people saying “Hi Mr. B.” before I knew who they were. I had people asking me about my family, about my health, my day, about my drive, etc., people I truly didn’t know, but it felt like I did. My family felt like a part of the community whenever they came to town. Truly a special place!
So why leave now? I had a very wise man tell me one time that it’s always better to leave a place a little bit too early than to leave some place too late. I won’t be a stranger, I will come and watch some activities. I hope you all are ready for that next winter. What a great environment to play in. So much fun for everyone, I hope. The best student section in the state!!!
So how did one year turn into five years? The answer is all the above. You all are either responsible, or the blame, for me being here five years. I can tell you this, you all have done far more for me than I ever did for Wallace. I was a very small part of any success that occurred here during my five years. Things will keep rolling because of all the things I mentioned above. However, the impact the school, the community, and my Wallace kids have had on me will be with me and my family forever.
My family and I thank you with all our hearts!
GO CATS!!!
Hello friends of FFA!
Our chapter competed very well at State convention this year. The results are: Livestock Management-6th overall and Junior Livestock Evaluation-2nd overall. In Agriscience, our individual ribbon recipients include; Mollie McConnell-red and Gracie Strawder-white. In Agronomy; Lydia Friesen-white. Natural Resources; Max Hanson-white. Floriculture; Heidi Deaver-red and Elliana Robertson-red. Livestock Judging Junior Division; Allyson Kemp-purple and 7th overall, Cauy Robinson-purple, Wyatt Robertson-blue, and Colby Holm-red. The Livestock Management team got a blue and was 6th overall: 4th in the beef division, 6th in the poultry division, 6th in the swine division. In Meats Evaluation: Adan Juarez-red, Ryder Cable-white.The Nursery and Landscape team received a blue overall, with individuals: Lydia Friesen-blue, Adan Juarez-blue, and Gracie Strawder-red. Finally, in Vet Science. Allyson Kemp received a purple ribbon and 2nd overall.
Congratulations to our April MOM, Teegan Cook! This month we took all of this year's MOMs and the officers on a tour to Our Lavender Co. in Big Springs, Ogallala Livestock, and the Kingsley Dam. This was very fun and it was interesting to see different parts of agriculture that weren’t too far from Wallace. We also had a pizza party for the coloring contest winners which was second grade and fourth grade.
At our banquet on April 20th next year’s officers were inducted. Allyson Kemp, Cauy Robinson, Lydia Friesen, Regan Martin, Colby Holm, Mollie McConnell, Eden Villa, and Afton Nelms were selected by the committee. Star MOM was awarded to Bradley Hanson. Afton Nelms is the Star Greenhand and Allyson Kemp is the Star Chapter.
Wallace FFA Reporter,
Mollie McConnell
Wallace School District May 2026 Menu
Wallace School District May 2026 Activities Calendar
Field Day Student assignment schedule
Field Day Schedule
Kindergarten Enrollment Code for 2026-2027
Pre School Enrollment Code for 2026-2027
Ivan Aceves
Your parents' names: Angelica Juarez and Ezequiel Aceves
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Chick-fil-A Nuggets
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
“Pay attention in school, grades matter.”
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years? Winning a football playoff game.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Be Her by Ella Langley
Future Plans: I'm going to a trade school for a certification in welding.
Miriana Aceves Lopez
Parent: Javier Aceves Carbajal
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
"Do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again"
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years? Playing volleyball at state my Sophomore year.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Jersey Giant by Evan, Julia DiGrazia
Future Plans:I plan to attend McCook Beauty Academy and get my cosmetology license.
Hunter Bryant
Parents: Cody and Crystal Bryant
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?"Never give up”
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years?Playing football
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? How You Remind Me by Nickelback
Future Plans:
I am planning to go to college at EWC and get pipe certified so some day I can become contract welder
Ryder Cable
Parents: Melissa Kendall and Mark Cable
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
"Eat your greens"
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years? Being qualified to go to state my senior year after not placing at all during my sophomore year in speech.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Loco by Neton Vega
Future Plans: Go to University of Montana and get a bachelor's degree in Public Health
Brayden Gardner
Parents: Layta Gardner and Andrew Lange
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Chick-fil-A Nuggets
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct? "You live and you learn"
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years? Playing Football VS Kenesaw In the playoffs that went into triple overtime and we won.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by?
One Last Breath By Creed
Future Plans:
Going to college for welding and pursue a career in welding
Adan Juarez Vargas
Parents: Sergio Juarez and Maria Vargas
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
“You are who you surround yourself with”
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years?
When me and another classmate got a tour of the cafeteria kitchen.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
Future Plans:
I plan to attend the University of Wyoming and major in accounting.
Elliana Robertson
Parents: Brad and Julie Robertson
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
“Comparison destroys contentment”
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years? Competing at state cross country 3 years and having so much success as a cross country team my sophomore and junior year.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Cloud 9 by Megan Moroney
Future Plans:
I plan to attend UNL in the fall and major in Agronomy.
Kaley Sauser
If you had to eat pizza or Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? Pizza
What advice did your parents give you that proved to be correct?
"Your mind is a powerful thing, think about the good!"
What is the most memorable moment or event from your high school years?
Winning our district final game for volleyball my sophomore year and making it to the state tournament.
If you had a song play every time you walk into a room, what would it be and who is it by? Fever Dream by Alex Warren
Future Plans:
I plan to go to college at UNK and major in elementary education.