Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a Child is born

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Members of the 2024-2025 GACC Wrestling team include, from left, front: Head Coach Josh Batenhorst, Dylan Schinstock, Trevor Steffen, Abraham Lopez, Ben Oligmueller, Brayden Rolf, Thomas Toline, Student Manager Addison Baumert;

back: Coach Josh Hagedorn, Tristan Steffen, Ryder Anderson-Ray, Dominic Johnson, Noah Brichacek, Jordan Timmerman, Dylyn Gentrup, Luke Hagedorn, Landon Schuetze, Coach Matt Steffen and Coach Mike Baumert.

The GACC wrestling team has enjoyed success this season, with a first place finish at the Christian Classic wrestling tournament on December 13, as well as a dual record of 8-0.

"We have endured some adversity this season with multiple injuries, but the kids continue to respond and find different ways to win duals. We will continue to improve and look to peak by Districts," said Head Wrestling Coach Josh Batenhorst.

The 2025 GACC Pro-life calendars are hot off the press, and are available for purchase in the High School and Elementary offices, Flower and Gift Gallery, and St. Mary's rectory. The calendars are $20. Make checks payable to St. Mary's Catholic Church (write Pro-life calendar in the memo). Money raised from the calendars funds local Pro-life activities, speakers, supplies and our fair booth.

The GACC freshman class decorated cookies and made Christmas cards for St. Joseph's Hillside Villa's residents and staff. When they delivered their Christmas treats to the Villa, the class sang Christmas carols to entertain the residents and staff.

Santa's helpers included, from left, front row: Nick Cohee, Hudson Bramlet, Grady Schmid, Anna Meiergerd, Tia Strehle, Abby Kreikemeier, Marie Wardyn, Addison Kaup, Emma Engelmeyer, Hannah Roede, Emma Cohee, Jena Schlecht;

back row: Eli Ritter, Landon Schuetze, Dylyn Gentrup, Kara Ridder, Hailey Kreikemeier, Bailey Gerths, Emerson Baumert and Avery Kaup.

* Please note - the $50 early bird price is good only until January 15, 2025.

Click the link below to place your Yearbook order online:

Tuesday was Ugly Sweater Day at GACC. From left, Buck Steffen, Henry Wooldrik, Maddie Thiele and Amiah Dirkschneider wore their best ugly sweaters.

Showcasing a variety of ugly sweaters are, from left, Molly Bracht, Jaelyn Grimm, Grace Guenther, Bella Doescher, Zoe Toline and Emory Woodbury.

From left, Candela Abellan Alloza, Ashley Ruskamp, Jessa Luebbert and Paisley Skoda helped make spirits bright with their festive attire.

From left, Julianne Ridder, Josie Ritter, Mrs. Lueshen, Kate Jansen and Grace Hunzeker sported their favorite ugly sweaters.

December

21 SPA Paper Trailer

23 - 31 Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL

January

1-3 Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL

10 Corn Hole Tournament

18 SPA Paper Trailer

26-31 Catholic Schools Week

28 Registration DUE for 2025 Steubenville Conference

31 School of Faith - NO SCHOOL

The Steubenville Conference provides students with an opportunity to focus on their Catholic faith with other teens. The conference invites teens to encounter Jesus Christ through dynamic speakers, engaging music, the Sacraments, small group discussions, and fellowship with other teens. Register NOW for:

Steubenville Conference

July 11-13, 2025

Held on the campus of Missouri State University in Springfield, MO

Current 8th-12th grade students are invited to attend

Parents, if you would like to be a chaperone or know of any young adults (18-21 years) who would like to join us, please contact Jen Kreikemeier for more information. Visit www.steubystl.com for information on this year’s theme and schedule.

COST BREAK DOWN:

• $220 per Youth (includes conference fee, on campus housing, and 5 meals)

- OR -

• $180 per Youth (includes conference fee, and 3 meals) + $ ADDITIONAL COST of a shared hotel room.

The above cost will be determined when we register online. If we are unable to secure housing on campus (it is limited), we will have to stay in a hotel.

• + To-go Sunday lunch for bus, and parish group t-shirt (approx $30)

• + Transportation (usually around $120 per person)

• + Extra spending cash for up to 3 additional meals, and any other food and souvenirs your child may want.

Options for fundraising:

• 4th of July - Neligh Park, Knights of Columbus food stand workers

Attendees and parent supervisors will have to work the stand to receive the funds. The amount that you receive will depend on how many students work that day. The Knights of Columbus have been very generous in the past, and we are extremely grateful for their support.

• Scholarships - The application and further information can be found at steubystl.com.

• Other - any other fundraising is left up to parents and attending students.

How to get signed up for the trip: (deadline January 28th, 2025)

1. Please completely fill out the pre-registration form (download the pdf below for the form).

2. Attach $50 (non-refundable deposit) - Checks payable to St. Mary’s

3. Submit the Pre-Registration Form & $50 Deposit to: (must have both to be complete)

the GACC HS Office -or- St. Mary’s Rectory Office ℅ Jen Kreikemeier

If you have any questions about Steubenville, registration, dates or payment, please contact:

Jen Kreikemeier

jen.kreikemeier@gaccbluejays.org 402-380-2010

The House Food Drive was a success, with many food items collected to benefit the West Point Food Pantry.

House Food Drive Results:

1st - Ignatuis (535 points)

2nd - Rocco (86 points)

3rd - Wolfgang (79 points)

4th - Kolbe (75 points)

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Food Drive!

A House Penny War was held this week, and raised $468.24 to benefit a GACC family in need. Results of the Penny War:

1st Place - Kolbe

2nd Place - Wolfgang

3rd Place - Rocco

4th Place - Ignatius

Thank you for your generosity!

The Spanish I, II and III classes celebrated the upcoming holidays with Fiesta celebrations this week. The Fiestas included delicious food, and...

In an effort to reduce stress and anxiety during Finals week, Trevor Steffen brought several puppies to the Fiesta.

There's still time to put your bid in and win:

• $50 Chick-Fil-A gift card
  
• $100 Pitch gift card

To get in on the fun, and play to win some great prizes, go to Facebook and search "GACC Fine Arts Fundraising," then click the button to "Join Group."

• Anyone age 18 and older in the United States can participate in the fundraiser. You can conveniently invite ALL your family and friends - no matter where they live in the U.S. - to play fun virtual games that benefit our school and give them a chance to win great prizes!

• Each virtual game offers a limited number of bids to win the specific prize for that game. The bid price is different for each game. Each virtual game is open until all the bids are purchased (details for each game are posted with that game).

• All proceeds benefit the GACC Fine Arts programs, including Band, Speech, One Act, Musical, and Art. If you have any questions, or want to donate a prize for the fundraiser, contact Charissa Steffensmeier at 402-380-9871.

Music was in air during GACC's annual Christmas program on December 18. Pre-school through seventh grade sang a selection of holiday songs, and the high school band and choir also performed.

FAFSA Night in West Point!

Tuesday, January 21, Northeast Community College will have staff and bilingual staff at West Point-Beemer School's Multi-purpose Room to help parents and/or students complete the FAFSA. It is an Open House from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and you are welcome to pop in when it works for you. Mrs. K will be there to answer scholarship questions.

WP-B will have computers available, but if you have your own device, you may want to bring it. Have your FSA IDs created ahead of time if you want to complete the FAFSA that night. If you have your 2023 tax return info that might be helpful, but most people with a SSN have their financial info pulled directly from the IRS through their accounts.

What: Diesel Technology, Auto Body Repair Technology, Automotive Technology, and Truck Driving

When: January 13, 2025

Where: The Diesel Technology Building on Northeast Community College’s Norfolk campus.

This job fair will replace the Diesel Technology Job Fair held in past years. Employers hiring for positions in the following programs will attend this event: Diesel Technology, Auto Body Repair Technology, Automotive Technology, and Truck Driving.

Schedule for the day:

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Job Fair

This day will offer the following experiences:

• View firsthand the classrooms and lab space in the Diesel Technology Building.

• Talk with Northeast faculty and staff in these programs.

• Visit with prospective employers to discuss the many career opportunities available upon completion of a degree in one of these fields.

  
  

This is an opportunity to have questions answered by a pool of professionals, both in education and industry. Students may bring parents/guardians to help get the most out of this experience.

if you plan to attend or have questions about the day, please call or email Chandra Roberts at 402-844-7264 / crober12@northeast.edu

We invite you to register for our upcoming spring events at SCC. Space is limited - Register today!

Careers in Technology Day

Lincoln Campus - February 12, 2025

Click the link below to Register:

Careers in Transportation Day

Milford Campus - February 18, 2025

Click the link below to Register:

Careers in Healthcare Day

Lincoln Campus - March 20, 2025

Click the link below to Register:

Don't miss out on these scholarship opportunities:

• Hagan Scholarship: Due - Jan. 15

Dates for 9-12th Grade Students: Feb. 12, Apr. 23

Dates for 7-8th Grade Students: Mar. 12, Apr. 16

Students are invited to join a camp at the University of Nebraska at Kearney from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. to learn about health sciences, professions in healthcare, UNK scholarships, and other opportunities. There is no cost to attend. Students may come with their school or health science club. Camps will have no more than 50 students.

For questions, reach out to Sara Bruner at 308-865-8144 or bruners@unk.edu.

Share your idea for making a difference and earn a $1,000 scholarship. This is your chance to tackle a challenge and make your mark! Submit your 2-minute video to share your idea - big or small - and earn a $1,000 scholarship.

This competition is open to students in grades 6-11.

Eight winners will be selected to:

• Recieve a "Change Maker" $1,000 Scholarship to be applied when you come to UNL
• Personalized campus visit (in-person or remote)
• Lunch with the Dean of CASNR
• CASNR Team will visit your classroom (in-person or remote) to regonize the Change Maker Winner
• CASNR media feature of the Change Maker

The video needs to address one or more of the following Grand Challenges:

• Feeding the World
• Water for the Future
• New Energy
• Climate and the Future
• Biodiversity, Sustainability and Environment
• Health
• Engaging Diverse Communities
• Developing Tomorrow's Leaders

Contest opens December 1, 2024 -- Deadline is noon on February 1, 2025.

Northeast Community College is hosting Hawk Visit Days once a month this year! This year's dates include morning sessions only (9:30 am - 11:15 am/11:45 am if eating in the cafeteria).

Each session will include a tour of campus and our residence halls, a student panel, a Next Steps presentation, and lunch in our Hawks Point dining hall!

Registration is limited to 150 students per day on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Walter Scott, Jr. Pathway Scholarship supports students pursuing up to a two-year degree in approved skilled and technical fields of study. This scholarship covers full tuition and fees, plus room and board for up to four consecutive semesters. Download the .pdf below for more information.

Email: justin.wardyn@gaccbluejays.org
Website: www.gaccbluejays.org
Location: 419 East Decatur St., West Point, NE 68788