Cardinal Community Newsletter

Parents/guardians of children turning 5 on or before July 31 should complete the online registration to enroll their student in Kindergarten. For those who are unable to complete the registration process online, DT offers in-person assistance at the Elementary Office.

Keep updated on the school website and our social media channels for reminders and more information!

🌮🥯🍌😋 As we wrap up the 2025-26 school year, we ask all families to ensure their student's lunch account balance is current and in the positive. We are unable to carry negative balances into the next year, so please take a moment to check your account and submit a payment if needed. Payments can be made online or by contacting the school office. If you have questions about your account balance, please don't hesitate to reach out — we're glad to help! 🌮🥯🍌😋

We’re rolling out a HUGE thank‑you to the amazing bus drivers who get our students to school safely, rain or shine, every single day. 🌦️🚌 Thank you for: Greeting our kids with a smile each morning 😊 Navigating early‑morning routes so families can rest easy ⏰ Keeping our buses clean, punctual, and safe from start to finish ✔️ Showing patience, kindness, and care—making every ride a positive journey ❤️ We couldn’t do school without you!

We’re shining a spotlight on the incredible administrative assistants who keep our school running like a well-oiled machine! From scheduling meetings to greeting visitors, you are the friendly faces and steady hands behind the scenes. 🌟 Thank you for: Managing calendars, emails, and deadlines with grace and precision 📅 Helping students, families, and staff feel welcome and supported at every turn 🤗 Tackling countless tasks—big and small—so that our school days run smoothly ✔️ Bringing positivity, organization, and a can‑do attitude to everything you do 💪 We appreciate your dedication more than words can express.

We celebrate the incredible teachers who shape young minds, ignite curiosity, and encourage every student to reach their fullest potential. 📚🌟 Thank you for: Crafting engaging lessons that make learning come alive 🎨✏️ Staying up late to grade papers, plan projects, and prepare for tomorrow’s class 🕗 Believing in each student’s unique strengths and cheering them on every step of the way 🎉 Creating a classroom community where kindness, creativity, and growth thrive 🌱 To all the teachers who inspire, challenge, and support our students every day—you are the heart of our school!

We’re celebrating the hardworking members of our Nutrition Services team who fuel our students’ minds and bodies every single day! 🍎🍽️ Thank you for: Preparing fresh, healthy meals that keep our students energized and ready to learn 🥦 Accommodating dietary needs and allergies with care and attention 🥕 Smiling through the lunch lines and making every meal service a positive experience 😊 Keeping our kitchens clean, safe, and running like clockwork ⏰ We appreciate all the behind‑the‑scenes effort that goes into planning menus, ordering ingredients, and serving up nutritious dishes!

💉💖 Happy School Nurse Appreciation Day! 💖💉 We’re honoring the compassionate, skilled, and tireless school nurses who keep our students healthy, safe, and ready to learn every single day! 🏫🌟 Thank you for: Providing expert care and comfort whether it’s a scrape, sniffle, or sudden stomachache 🤕 Administering medications, health screenings, and emergency first aid with calm precision 🩹 Educating students on wellness, hygiene, and healthy habits that last a lifetime 📚 Offering a listening ear and heartfelt support for both students and staff 🤗 We’re so grateful for your dedication behind the clinic doors!

🗣️💙 Happy Speech‑Language Pathologist Appreciation Day! 💙🗣️ We’re celebrating the amazing school speech‑language pathologists who give our students the tools to find their voice and communicate with confidence! 🌟 Thank you for: Assessing and supporting speech, language, and communication needs with expertise and care 🎤 Designing engaging therapy sessions that boost confidence and skill development 📚 Collaborating with teachers, families, and therapists to create individualized success plans 🤝 Celebrating every small victory—from clearer pronunciation to stronger social language skills 🎉 Your dedication transforms classroom experiences and empowers students to shine—one word at a time.

Welcome back to Nest News, Week 19, Semester 2! Where you get your news from inside the nest! 🪺 & farewell from the Digital Media team until next year! We wrap up our news broadcast this week with a behind the scenes look inside the Digital Media Team's studio with a speed tour from our Junior members! 🎥

1. Elementary
   
2. Preschool Happenings
3. Special Education Update
4. Secondary News
5. Activities Update

Our Cardinals finished the school year with some impressive academic results! First grade led the way with an 18-point jump in reading benchmarks (71% → 89%), and third grade posted an outstanding 93% in reading — an 11-point gain. Kindergarten continued its tradition of excellence, with 97% of students at or above benchmark. Across the board, multiple grade levels and subject areas are already meeting or exceeding our district's 26/27 proficiency goal of 80%, including strong showings in 3rd grade ELA (85%), 4th grade Math (81%), 5th grade Science (97%), and Acadience Reading in grades K, 1, 3, 4, and 6.

Beyond academics, it was a wonderful spring full of community connection. A huge thank you to MNB Bank, Coretva Ag, the Nebraska Ag Extension, and the Doniphan Tree Board for enriching our students' learning experiences. Our High School musical crew performed for elementary students, and Emma Hoppe and Charlee Richter created a beautiful new mural for our building. We also celebrated Staff Appreciation Week, Bike/Walk to School Day, and a fantastic STEAM Family Night with the Edgerton Explorit Center. We are looking forward to ending with our traditional end of the year Lil Red Track Meet and Super Kids Day!

What a year, Cardinals!

We are always looking for ways to improve communication between parents and our staff and make things easier for families. Our goal is to create a one-stop contact so parents do not need to reach out to multiple people.

For any attendance-related changes, please email:
Attendance-Elementary@dtcardinals.org

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Illnesses
• Vacations
• Medical or dental appointments
• Bus changes
• Late arrivals or early dismissals
• Any other schedule changes

Congratulations to our April students of the month! These students were nominated by their classroom teacher for being safe, respectful, and responsible at DT! We are proud of you all!

PreK: Sunny Hauserman, Thiago Marcario Miranda, Cooper Jones

K: Bryson Humphries & Mazie Rhodes

1st: Lennox Buhr & Savannah Hollister

2nd: Rowan Turner & Chloe Haile

3rd: Elias hyde & George Schleicher

4th: Maeson Lewis & Megan Williams

5th: Tessa Schleicher & Atley Kerr

6th: Max Mora & Joella Olena

Keep up the good work!

Congratulations to our April Teacher of the Month — Mrs. Hoffmann!

Mrs. Hoffmann is being recognized this month for the incredible impact she makes every single day. Known for building meaningful relationships with every student in her classroom, Mrs. Hoffmann brings heart, creativity, and dedication to her work in a way that is truly felt throughout our building.

Students and staff alike have been quick to share what makes her so special. Colleagues describe her as someone who "wears many hats and does it all with grace," a trusted friend who is always ready to listen and offer guidance. Students light up in her classroom, where learning is fun and every child is seen, supported, and encouraged to grow. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Hoffmann as part of the D-T family. 🎉

We love celebrating our students and one of the biggest awards we give is the kindness award. We want this to be a big deal where kids have to earn this award. Students are nominated by staff or other students for displaying multiple acts of kindness. These nominations are taken seriously and a group of staff members discuss them to ensure there are multiple examples of kindness displayed. We are so proud to announce these 20 students who received their kindness shirt today!
K: Madison Pomplun & Lennon Lauer
1: Kathleen Ramos Castillo, Hank Schneider, Abel Nielsen, & Natalie Hannon
2: Marlie Steinfeld & Serenity Lemirand
3: Huxen Weldon, Presley Lough, Quinnley Butcher, & Junior Cooke
4: Erika Heil, Camilla Duran, & Braxton Spencer
5: Annistyn Dyer, Tessa Schleicher, & Ashley Robb
6; Jase Knott, & Jaylee Hatt

Congratulations to our 6th graders who have been promoted to middle school! You are poised for great things!

Our early childhood program wrapped up a busy and fun-filled spring! Students and families enjoyed bowling with grandparents at Pastime Lanes, an FFA Petting Zoo, Family Night at the Park, May Day Baskets, and Bike/Walk to School Day. The school year closes with the Preschool End of Year Program and Graduation on May 14 and Fun Day on May 15.

Our special education students had some incredible experiences as well. In April, students attended the Vocational Life Skills Summit in Aurora, where they practiced real-world skills in simulated settings like a grocery store, coffee shop, hotel, and pizza parlor — building confidence, independence, and teamwork. In May, Mrs. Hatt and Hollister hosted an Art Club that welcomed students from Wood River, where participants collaborated to design custom artwork cookies and engraved slate coasters together.

If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the Doniphan-Trumbull Public School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or 504 services, please contact Nancy Niles, PO Box 300, Doniphan, NE 68832 (402-845-2730).

This student led store offers clothing, rugs, home decor, kitchen items, cookies, and gently used clothing. Many items are made by students and can be personalized to meet your needs. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays at 108 E Plum in Doniphan, NE!

Congratulations to the inaugural Cardinal Cup winners — the Freshmen class and Mr. Barth's 7th grade MAP classes! 🏆 To celebrate, 7th graders are heading to Lincoln for laser tag and mini golf, while Freshmen are off to Kearney's Drop Zone. A trophy reveal is planned for May 15. And in true Cardinal spirit, the FBLA fundraiser ended with a pie to the face for our principal — all in good fun for a great cause!

Our seniors finished the year strong. All graduating seniors have completed the FAFSA or submitted a waiver — fulfilling the state requirement. Honors Night showcased the incredible achievements of our Class of 2026, as well as our student body in 9th - 11th grades! Honors achieved include 33 seniors earning college credits, new members were inducted into the Cardinal Chapter of the National Honor Society, and students earned 22 trophies at Activities Day — the most ever! Additional highlights included a Regent Scholar, a National Merit Scholar, a Shrine Bowl representative, an Equine Science State Champion, CTSO students headed to Nationals, and Journalism Champions in individual events. Several Academic All-State, Academic Letters, and attendance awards were also given earned! 📚💥

Looking ahead, our administrative team is researching new science instructional materials aligned to Nebraska HQIM standards, with a resource adoption proposal planned for the June board meeting.

Junior High Awards Ceremony 🏆 is May 19, and the Last Day of School 😎 is May 20. What a year! 🌟

Here are the students that were nominated for the Cardinal Way in April.....

Taylor McDole, Rylen Soundy, Jon Kovanda, Trevin Huebner, Preston Sjuts, Ophelia Marcello, Jaydn Cummings, Quincey Bennett, Quincey Bennett, Michael Harrenstein, Aaralyn Kraft, Ryleigh Ridgeway, Ian Kohmetscher, WIll Johnson, Jordan Hawthorne, Kinsley Gehle, Brayden Rader, Caiden Oman, Caiden Oman, Rylen Eberle, Austin Harris, Makenzie Carmin, Emily Cashon, Jaxon Hammond, Zoey Burson- Cooke, DD Rader, Myiah Antle, Peyton Barnett, Mason Knott, Remy Colburn, Brogan Lundstrom, Lily Elsbury, Kinley Kaczor, Myiah Antle, Khloe Pomplun, Gracie Ridgeway, Hannah Schillereff, Chase Williams, Easton Wood, Mitchell Halte, Wesley Martin, Mason Knott, Gabe Turley, Peyton Barnett, Sophia Lewis, Taylor McDole, Kayli Nickerson, Charlee Richter, Camryn Engel, Hope Van Overeem, Hailey Hoffman, Khole Williams, Gabe Turley, AJ Bishop, Grace Hohlen, Landon Bartlett, Charlee Richter, Brynlee Shafer, Kaser Johnson, Preston Sjuts, Baylee Larson, Baylee Larson, Emma Hoppe, Addy Harrenstein, Kiera Heil, DD Rader, Brynlee Shafer, Blake Bivens, Zoey Kramer, Rory Callahan, Kendall Posey, Morgann Watts, Gage Naden, Xander Foster, Cain Kuil, Gracie Ridgeway

These students displayed positive attitudes, excellent class participation, listened well, and followed directions. They also showed great effort in the classroom and were willing to help their peers. Keep up the strong work!!

Here are the final standings for the Cardinal Cup!

🥳 Congratulations to the inaugural Cardinal Cup winners — the Freshmen class and Mr. Barth's 7th Grade MAP classes! To celebrate, 7th graders are heading to Lincoln for laser tag and mini golf, while Freshmen are off to Kearney's Drop Zone! 🥳

The Pie in the Face fundraiser made its debut at this year's Cardinal Cup Pep Rally, and it was a highlight of the event. Originally an FBLA fundraiser idea, the activity brought some extra fun and school spirit to the celebration.

The FBLA chapter voted on teachers, including Mrs. Goracke, Mr. Barth, Mr. Umphreys, Mr. Fischer, Mrs. Reich, and Ms. Atkinson. For two weeks, students and staff made donations to cast their vote for who they wanted to see take a pie to the face. The competition was friendly and spirited, and Mrs. Goracke ultimately came out on top.

At the pep rally, after a fun student game, Nolan Dzingle had the honor of delivering the big moment — much to the delight of the crowd. It was a great way to celebrate Cardinal spirit while raising money for a good cause. 🙃 🥧

🎶👏Congrats to our HS Band members at District Music Contest! We are so proud of your hard work and great performances!🎉🎵
Results:
👏 DT Band: 3 Superior Ratings from all 3 judges🏆🏆🏆
👏DT Clarinet Trio (Emily, Molly, Bella): Superior Rating
👏DT Trumpet Duet (Claire, Makenzie): Superior Rating
👏Emily Clarinet Solo: Excellent Rating
👏Molly Clarinet Solo: Excellent Rating

The Spanish 4 class recently made their own piñatas as a final project! 🪅

Students designed and created each piñata out of paper mâché before ending the project by smashing them open together! 🎉

The freshmen PE class is working on mastering their archery skills! A special thank you to the Carmin family for donating one of the kits necessary to have this unit of study!

It has been an incredible stretch for DT Cardinals — our student-athletes and activities students are bringing home hardware left and right!

Go Cardinals! 🔴🖤

Visit the school website or scan the QR code to register for summer youth camps!

*please note, the date of the wrestling camp is July 18 and may have been wrong on the flyer that was sent home from school*

✨Meet our Student Council Officer team for the 26-27 school year!!✨

President: Hailey Knott
Vice President: Makenzie Carmin
Secretary: Lauryn VanDiest
Treasurer: Claire Schultz

Congrats🎉

Congratulations to the boys and girls who competed at the Central Nebraska Track Meet!

• Sevyn Russell 3rd place - 400
• Charlee Richter 3rd place - Discus
• Bri Dunning 4th place - Triple Jump
• Jaxon Hammond 5th place - 200
• Kaser Johnson 2nd place - 3200
• Carter Hannon 5th place - 3200
• Jack Poppe 1st place - 300 Hurdles
• Xander Foster 3rd place - Discus
• Xander Foster 5th place - Shot Put
• Jack Poppe 1st place - Long Jump
• Jack Poppe 5th place - Triple Jump
• Boys 4x100 relay 2nd place
• Boys 4x400 relay 2nd place
• Boys 4x800 relay 1st place

We’re excited to share that 5 members of the Doniphan-Trumbull FBLA Chapter have qualified for the FBLA National Leadership Conference (NLC) in San Antonio, TX this summer! 🎉

Our National Land Judging FFA team wrapped up an incredible week in Oklahoma competing against some of the best teams in the country!

Out of 102 teams, the Doniphan-Trumbull team placed 31st overall at the National Land Judging Contest. Individually, Preston Sjuts earned an outstanding 13th place finish out of 398 contestants. Joe Schuler placed 159th, Riley Bishop placed 246th, and Jon Kovanda placed 272nd.

This contest challenged students to evaluate soils, land capability, and conservation practices on land very different from what we see here in Nebraska. We are proud of the hard work, growth, and dedication these students showed throughout the week and all season long.

Congratulations to Preston, Joe, Riley, and Jon on representing our chapter and community so well on the national stage!

Congratulations to Riley Bishop for signing with Chadron State to continue wrestling. We are so proud of you and the way you represent DT! 🎉🤼‍♂️

Your Doniphan-Trumbull Boys Track and Field Team are the LouPlatte Conference Champions!!

The Doniphan-Trumbull Junior High track and field program had a day to remember at the A-Town Showdown — an invite-only meet where athletes must qualify based on their fastest times and top performances. Our Cardinals didn't just show up — they made history, breaking four school records on the day.

The Girls 4x400 Relay team of Addie Rainforth, Olivia VanDiest, Elaina Deets, and Amelia Quist shattered the existing school record with a time of 4:32.09, smashing the previous mark of 4:54.04 — an improvement of more than 21 seconds! This group has broken the original record 2 other times, making today number 3!

Elaina Deets soared to a new school record in the High Jump, clearing 4' 11" to surpass the previous record of 4' 10".

Amelia Quist made it a family affair in the 1600 Meter Run, clocking a 5:40.76 to edge out the existing record of 5:44.14 — which just happened to belong to her sister!

And the Boys 4x800 Relay team of Kayden Olena, Caden Hannon, Emmett Dzingle, and Reid Vrooman closed out the record-breaking day with a time of 10:07.45, besting the old mark of 10:09.52 in an impressive team effort.

What a performance from our junior high Cardinals! This group qualified for one of the toughest invites on the schedule — and delivered when it counted. We're proud of every athlete who competed and can't wait to see what comes next this season! 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

Congratulations to Grayson Moorman for signing with Midland University to continue wrestling! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what you accomplish next! 🎉🤼‍♂️

DT girls track and field team are Centura runner-up and the boys track and field team are Centura Champions! Way to go Cards!

The DT Track and Field teams have broke multiple school records the past couple of meets:

• Jack Poppe - Long Jump - 23’ 9 3/4”
• Xander Foster - Discus - 159’ 3”
• Xander Foster - Shot Put - 53’ 2”
• Kaser Johnson - 3200 - 9:46.91
• Jaxon Hammond - 400 - 50.29
• Sevyn Russell - 400 - 58.22
• 4x400 boys team of Garrett Westwood, Luke Askey, Garrett, and Jaxon Hammond - 3:29.63
• 4x400 girls team of Emma Hoppe, Rory Callahan, Lauryn VanDiest, and Sevyn Russell - 4:16.55

The DT Junior High teams have broke several records the last couple meets:
Amelia Quist - 1600 - 5:40.76
Harper Volk - High Jump - 4’ 10”
Elauna Deets - High Jump - 4’ 11”
Bentley Henderson - Pole Vault - 7’ 0”
4x400 Girls team on Addie Rainforth, Elaina Deets, Amelia Quist, and Olivia VanDiest- 4:32.09
4x800 Boys team of Kayden Olena, Caden Hannon, Emmett Dzingle, and Reid Vrooman - 10:07.45

DT Junior High School Records broken at the Conference Meet:
Elaina Deets - High Jump 5’ 0”
Addie Rainforth - Triple Jump 31’ 10 1/2”
Bentley Henderson - Pole Vault 8’ 1”

These JH girls qualified for the JH State Track Meet in Gothenburg! Nice work, ladies!

DT School Records broke at the Centura Invite:

• Bri Dunning - Triple Jump 36’ 2 3/4”
• Kaser Johnson - 800 2:01.21
• Xander Foster - Shot Put 53’ 9”
• Girls 4x400 team of Emma Hoppe, Rory Callahan, Lauryn VanDiest, Sevyn Russell 4:12.62!

Your Doniphan-Trumbull Boys Track & Field team are DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!
They placed 1st in the C-8 District at Kearney Catholic! Way to represent DT! 🥇🏃

These Cardinal Tracksters will compete at the State Track Meet on Friday, May 22nd & Saturday, May 23rd at Burke Stadium in Omaha. We are proud of you! Good Luck! 🍀
#BurkeBound #TheCardinalWay #CardinalPride

1. Staff Spotlight
2. Positions Available at DT
3. Meal Price Updates for 26-27 School Year
4. Staffing Updates
5. Ode to the Class of 2026
6. Board Recognitions
7. Upcoming Dates
8. 2026-2027 Academic Calendar

Doniphan-Trumbull Public Schools has several openings for the 2026–27 school year, and we are looking for great people to fill them!
✅ Paraprofessional
✅ Full-Time Custodial / Maintenance
✅ Seasonal Custodial
✅ Seasonal Maintenance
✅ Seasonal Grounds Staff
✅ Kitchen Staff
✅ JH Girls Wrestling Coach(es)
✅ Sub Route & Activity Bus Drivers
✅ Assistant Musical Sponsor

At D-T, every position — in the classroom, on the mat, on the bus, or in the building — plays a vital role in our students' success. We are an EXCELLENT-rated district with a supportive administration, an engaged community, and a staff culture built on pride and purpose.
If you or someone you know would be a great fit, we'd love to connect!

👉 Visit dtcardinals.org and click "Careers" to apply, or call us at 402-845-2282.

Each spring, we review and set meal prices for the upcoming school year so you have ample time to plan ahead. After careful review and guidance from the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE), the board has approved the following meal prices for the 2026–27 school year.

Breakfast

• Student Breakfast: $1.95 (up from $1.85 | ↑ 5.4%)

• Adult Breakfast: $2.75 (up from $2.60 | ↑ 5.8%)

Lunch

• K–6 Lunch: $2.95 (up from $2.85 | ↑ 3.5%)

• 7–12 Lunch: $3.25 (up from $3.15 | ↑ 3.2%)

• Adult Lunch: $4.90 (up from $4.75 | ↑ 3.2%)

WHY DO PRICES INCREASE?

Our nutrition department is committed to operating as a self-sustaining program. While we occasionally draw from local funds to support nutrition services, our goal is for the department to cover its own costs over time. Nominal annual increases — ranging from 3.2% to 5.8% this year — help us move in that direction.

We're also pleased to share that our prices remain at or just below the regional average for the ESU 9 area:

• Elementary Breakfast avg: $2.09 | Our price: $1.95 ✓

• MS/HS Breakfast avg: $2.13 | Our price: $1.95 ✓

• Elementary Lunch avg: $3.03 | Our price: $2.95 ✓

• MS/HS Lunch avg: $3.34 | Our price: $3.25 ✓

Families who meet income guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. We encourage every family to apply — it's quick and confidential.

👉 APPLY HERE — Free/Reduced Meal Application Link

Applications are accepted year-round. If you applied last year, you will need to reapply for the new school year. For best results, turn in the application after August 1, 2026.

If you have questions about meal pricing or your student's meal account, please contact our Nutrition Department at 402-845-2282 or swilliams@dtcardinals.org

Thank you to Scott Johnson and Danae Birky for serving as full-time substitutes this year. Scott is moving to a bus driver position so that he can be more involved in his family's activities, and Danae has accepted a full-time teaching position.

Tanner Barth - Summer Strength & Conditioning Coordinator

Jordan Conner - Spring Weights Supervisor (After-school)

Tanner Barth - Youth Summer Strength & Conditioning Coordinator

Joseph Taylor - Head HS Girls Wrestling Coach

Emma Thede - Mock Trial

Justyce Williams - Kitchen Staff

Each year, I take this opportunity to share some of the accomlishments for the graduating class; from which I share at graduation.

I have watched this class of students grow over the course of five years. One thing sticks with me: This is a class of leaders.

This class has taken on the charge and responsibility of leadership in a commendable manner and is representative of our school's goals. They have learned the importance of leadership and now will learn the importance of serving others through leadership. A favorite author of mine once stated, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be a servant.” This class has taken the initiative to learn and lead, and will now serve their community as graduates of Doniphan-Trumbull.

They have embodied the phrase, from John Maxwell, “A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Their accomplishments, both as a collective and as individuals, serve as evidence of their efforts.

The Class of Two Thousand Twenty-Six’s legacy is one of achievement through leadership. They have learned the way from their families and school; they have gone the way by putting in work while no one was watching, perfecting their craft and skills, and now will benefit the greater good through service. Their greatest reward will be a lifetime of personal success, just as the Doniphan-Trumbull Public School collectively commits to.

The class of two thousand and twenty-six’s academic excellence and leadership have resulted in a legacy of innovation, service, and achievement, including:

• THIRTY-THREE (33) students earned at least three college credits, with some as many as 28 credits. NINETEEN (19) students earned at least 12 credits and completed one semester of coursework.

• TWENTY-TWO (22) students were Academic All-LouPlatte Conference and Academic Letter winners

• TWENTY-TWO (22) students earned trophies at the Actions Day, truly representing their well-rounded skills ranging from trivia to accounting to finance, among various other categories.

• TWENTY (20) students achieved three activity plaques for being involved in at least one sport or activity in each season of competition for all four years at D-T

• NINETEEN (19) National Honor Society members, where leadership and service are core pillars of their society

• TEN (10) Students were Nebraska School Activities and Athletics Academic All-State

• SIX (6) Future teachers in elementary, special education, and art.

• SEVEN (7) Different college activities will include Doniphan-Trumbull seniors next year, including wrestling, football, track and field, basketball, volleyball, rodeo, and cross country.

• SIX (6) students who found innovation in their path to a State FFA Degree.

• Members of this class have worked together to achieve FIVE (5) conference championship teams in Boys Basketball (Regular Season and Tournament), Boys’ Cross Country, Quiz Bowl, and Wrestling, not to mention a 3rd-place finish in the Conference Art Show.

• FIVE (5) students who achieved their Certified Nursing Assistant certification

• THREE (3) members of this class achieved National Qualifiers as part of the FFA team for Land Judging.

• Members of this class have collaborated as classmates who have earned National Qualifying marks in THREE (3) Career Technical Student Organization, including HOSA, FFA, and FBLA. Further evidence of their skills as leaders and learners.

• THREE (3) members of the class were individual state champions in Journalism

• THREE (3) students were Omaha World Herald academic all-state

• THREE (3) teams led by this senior class were members of teams that were in the top 4 in their state competitions. Boys Basketball placed 4th, while Dance and Boys Cross Country were state champions.

• ONE (1) student honored as a member of the Football Shrine Bowl

• ONE (1) Regents Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship for Rural and Small Schools

• ONE (1) Future Farmers of America in Equine Science State Champion

• ONE (1) Future Business Leader of America in the category of Job Interview

• This class is full of future leaders in utility linemen, tool and die manufacturing, welding, healthcare, agronomy and agricultural engineering, law, and finance.

• AND ONE (1) student who plans to enter the National Guard to lead and serve for our country.

In school and life, as individuals, we are given many gifts; the most daunting task is for each of us to use our gifts to benefit others and our community. If you have the skills to lead, it is your responsibility to society to do so. If you are blessed with a gift, it is your responsibility to use it for the benefit of all. This class has taken this challenge to heart, learned the way, challenged themselves across many endeavors to go the way, and now will lead lives in which they show others the way to success and achievement. I am honored to have served as their superintendent and look forward to working alongside them as fellow citizens to do the work necessary for our community for future generations.

The board of education recognized student organizations for their recent successes:

• Conference Quiz Bowl - LouPlatte Conference Champions

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

• Sponsor Sydney Atkinson

• Rylen Soundy — State Champion and National Qualifier in Job Interview

• Preston Sjuts - State Runner-Up, National Qualifier in Public Administration & Management and Agribusiness

• Riley Bishop - State 6th Place and National Qualifier Public Administration & Management, 7th place in Securities and Investments

• Camryn Engel, Baylee Larson & Emma Hoppe - State Runner-Up, National Qualifier in Graphic Design

• Natalie Keezer & Alyssa Piersol - Digital Animation - State 8th Place

• Emily Cashon - Public Service Announcement - State 5th Place

• Top 4% of Competition - Addisen Bishop - Intro to Social Media Strategy

• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

• Sponsor - Laurel Rader

• National Qualifiers - Kaser Johnson & Brody Cummings in Creative Problem Solving

• State 4th Place - Hailey Knott & Lauryn VanDiest - Public Service Announcement

• National Land Judging Team

• Sponsor - Lane Kelley

• Joe Schuler, Preston Sjuts, Rylen Soundy, and Riley Bishop

• Cardinal Cheer Team

• Sponsor - Danielle Kelley

• 9th Place State Competition

• Cardettes Dance Team

• Brianna Brown

• State Champions - Class C2/D High Kick

• May 20 - August 12 - Summer Break 😎
• August 7 - New Staff Reports
• August 10 - All Staff Reports
• August 13 - First Day of School 📚

Each year, the Doniphan-Trumbull Board of Education reviews and approves the district's academic calendar, and we're excited to share what's ahead for next school year!

This year's calendar includes a few thoughtful updates designed to maximize student learning time, support family planning, and provide consistent schedules throughout the year.

Access the calendar here: https://aptg.co/mGy15p

Mark Your Calendars!

• 🚨Aug 13 - First Day of School

• 🏫 First Day of School (Preschool): August 19, 2026

• ⛄Dec 21-Jan 4 - Winter Break

• 🎓May 8 - Senior Graduation

• 😎May 20 - Last Day of School

Here's what families can expect:

• 175 student days / 185 staff days — in line with Nebraska requirements and teacher contract parameters.

• Two-week Christmas break — returning again this year, consistent with last year's calendar.

• Adjusted spring break — three days have been grouped together for a more meaningful mid-spring break.

• Early dismissals moving to 12:30 PM — formerly 1:30 PM — will now be 12:30 PM dismissals, giving families a more predictable and consistent schedule on early-release days.

• Minor adjustments to parent-teacher conferences — updates were made to maximize instructional days and provide greater consistency for families with minimal disruption to the school week.

• One schedule note for May — D-T will host the LPC Track Meet, which results in one adjusted student day for that event.

• We're proud of a calendar that balances student learning time, staff professional growth, and family planning needs. Look for the full approved calendar to be shared soon!

• Questions? Reach out to the district office — we're happy to help.