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Bluejay Bulletin
GACC High School Happenings May 3 - 9
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Families,
Thanks to our April showers, we look forward to the May flowers gracing our world. This month promises to be a whirlwind of exciting events, exceptional student achievements, and the bittersweet anticipation of graduation.
Celebrating the Arts: Melodies and Applause
Our talented Fine Arts Department took center stage with a spectacular performance on the last weekend of April. This annual event showcases the dedication and artistry of our student musicians, vocalists, and thespians. I enjoyed the evening filled with beautiful music and captivating performances. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in making this happen.
Track and Field Excels: Chasing Victories
Our track team continues to break records and inspire with their incredible athleticism. They continue to break personal records and I look forward to cheering them on as they compete for district championships, and an opportunity to represent the Bluejays at State.
A Swinging Success: Golf Takes the Fairway
The dedication of our golf team has paid off! Their hard work and perseverance have resulted in a birdie-of-a-season. We wish them the best of luck as they strive for a coveted district title and the opportunity to drive their way into State.
Diamonds Dazzling: Baseball Steals the Show
Our baseball team is swinging for the fences with a winning season! Their teamwork, sportsmanship, and unwavering spirit are a true testament to the values we hold dear.. Let's Show our support and cheer them on to victory this first week of May at districts! Swing for the fences, and let's hit our way into State!
Graduation: A Mother's Day to Remember
As the school year rapidly approaches its end, we look forward to a very special graduation ceremony on Mother's Day. This momentous occasion will celebrate our graduating class's achievements and honor their mothers' unwavering love and support. We invite you to share this milestone with your students and witness the culmination of their journey at Guardian Angels Central Catholic.
Holding Those Impacted in Prayer
Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent storms. We keep them in our prayers and offer unwavering support during this challenging time.
May is a time of growth, celebration, and reflection. As we witness our students' blossoming potential, we are reminded of the blessings surrounding us.
In Christ,
Justin Wardyn
Principal, Guardian Angels Central Catholic High School
419 E. Decatur
West Point, NE 68788
Members of the 2024 GACC-WP-B baseball team are, from left, front: Isaac Guenther, Ethan Harstick, Haidan Hakel, Tristan Steffen, Colby Anderson, Henry Wooldrik, Maverik Smith, Gavin Kreikemeier, Elliot Reeson, Chase Brester;
back row: Trey Schlecht, Bryce Popken, Cody Hass, Myles Dinslage, Bryce Bailey, Colten Haber, Logan Rolf and Nick Daberkow. Not pictured is Luke Guenther. Photo courtesy of Mike O'brien/West Point News.
2024 Patriots Baseball Team
The Patriots' baseball season started off a little slow with six losses, but the tide turned when they won the next eight games. Unfortunately, they lost their last game of the regular season against Wayne.
"The team kept fighting and responded well. They never gave up, and once we started winning, it was contagious. The kids have been working hard and everyone does their part to win. It has been a good group to be around," said Coach Bruce Schlecht.
The Patriots defeated Ft. Calhoun yesterday and will play Malcolm at 5 p.m. today in Malcolm for the District Championship. Go Patriots!
2024 Musical
GACC and West Point-Beemer High Schools combined their talents to perform "Legally Blonde, Jr." on April 26 and 28 at the West Point Community Theater. "I really enjoyed and appreciated the collaboration of both schools to bring this show to the West Point stage," said Musical Co-director Tanya Oligmueller.
Members of the 2024 GACC/WP-B musical include:
Front Row: Grace Hunzeker, Alaina Eames, Skylar Kaup, Izzy Kreikemeier, Madeline Thiele, Erica Stutzman, Peri Guenther, Rebecca Jansen, Olivia Gross, Melanny Saldana, Helena Steffensmeier, Emerson Ortmeier, Vanessa Santana, Kimberly Pena, Joelle Peatrowsky, Abigail Toline, Katlyn Hittle;
Second Row: Brayden Doggitt, Elizabeth Hasemann, Jenna Draper, Ava Karnopp, Adyson Luebbert, Kate Jansen, Campbell Snodgrass, Mia Hunke, Rachel Mayes, Julianne Ridder, Claire Stutzman, Nicole Parker, Lizbeth Gonzalez, Katrina Moyer, Shea Robison, Samantha Francis, Kenadie Lindstrom, Molli Miller;
Third Row: Hunter Doggett, Jacob Dominguez, Caleb Ridder, Natalie Ruskamp, Tessa Lund, Gavin Johnson, Collin Stigge, Brayden Doggett, Isaac Wooldrik, Elijah Steffensmeier, Hollie Cole, Ellie Bruning, Willa Hughes, Viviana Morales, McKenzie Marksmeier.
Seniors and Senior Parents:
Graduation Reminders:
- Seniors will be honored at the 10 a.m. St. Mary's Mass on Sunday, May 12, in their caps and gowns.
- On May 12, parents and seniors need to meet at 1:15 p.m. in the old gym. Seniors need to be in their caps and gowns. We will walk in from the old gym to the new gym.
- Prior to the ceremony, programs will be placed on the parents and senors reserved seats.
- The graduation ceremony will not be professionally recorded, but feel free to record the parts of the ceremony that are important to you.
- After the ceremony, please promptly return your gown to Mrs. Jansen in the old gym.
Download the PDF below for complete details and schedule of Graduation week May 1-12.
Initial Live Safe Environment Training on June 17
Anyone who wants to volunteer or work in a Catholic school must be certified in Safe Environment Training. Initial live Safe Environment Training will be held in West Point on Monday, June 17, 4-6 p.m. in the GACC cafeteria. If you would like to volunteer at the GACC elementary or high school, you must complete an initial, live Safe Environment training. Pre-registration for the training is required. To pre-register, go to www.archomaha.org and click on the Safe Environment tab.
Upcoming Events
May
1 SPA Drive Thru Dinner, 5-7 p.m. at the Cafeteria
8 Professional Day
8 Awards Night, 7 p.m.
9 NO SCHOOL, Holy Day
12 Graduation
16 Noon Dismissal, Finals
17 Noon Dismissal, Finals and Last Day of School
June
17 Initial Live Safe Environment Training, GACC Cafeteria, 4-6 p.m.
T-shirts Need To Be Picked Up ASAP
There are several team t-shirts in the office. Students will not be able to check out on the last day if they have not paid for and picked up their t-shirts. Please pay with exact change or check.
- The following track t-shirts need to be paid for ($24) and picked up:
Johnson
Karnopp,
Perez
All Service Hours Are Due by May 8
Please turn in all your remaining service hours by May 8. If your service hours are not completed by May 8, your Theology grade will be incomplete, and you will have to report to school until your service hours are fulfilled.
Field Day Fun
iMACs Available for Families
GACC has 11 gently used iMACs that are available to GACC families for a minimum donation of $35. Please fill out the form below if your family would like one of the iMACs. The computers are available on a first come, first served basis.
Summer Drivers Education Course
West Point- Beemer Public School will be offering Drivers Education this summer. If you are interested, call WP-B for details.
Service Hour Opportunity
Get started on your Fall 2024 Service Hours by helping with the Totus Tuus program June 3-7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. We are in great need of 7th - 12 grade students to help with the 1st - 6th grade Totus Tuus program. There is a sign-up sheet by the high school office, or contact Jen Kreikemeier for more information.
Campus Ministry
Totus Tuus
ATTENTION - Junior Missionaries Needed: 7th - 12 grade students are needed to help with the 1st - 6th grade program! Contact Jen Kreikemeier for more information, or sign up at the high school office. Service Hours will be given.
Totus Tuus Dates:
- Grades 1-6: June 3-7 (Mon-Fri), 9 a.m. - 2:30 pm.
- Grades 7-12: June 2-6 (Sun-Thurs), 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Registration grades are based on entering grades for Fall of 2024 (2024-2025 school year).
Cost: $40 per student
Registration forms and information can be downloaded below, and are also found on Sycamore and gaccbluejays.org.
From the Guidance Counselor
- Parents of Grads: At Awards Night, you will receive a letter from me listing your child's scholarships and how to claim them. Please be sure to have your child write thank you notes to the donors. Also, be sure your child follows directions on how to collect the funds. Some awards are not given until second semester.
- 2024-2025 Schedules: All the students, grades 6-11, have registered for classes for next year. Mrs. Gentrup and I are trying our hardest to get the master schedule done, but we depend on receiving information from other locations before we can finish. If the schedule isn't completed by the end of the year, a Beacon will be sent this summer telling students when they can see their classes for next year.
Toolmaker and Machining Summer Camp for High School Students
If you are a high school junior or senior, come learn from the best! Join SCC's instructors on May 29-30 for a two day camp where youwill learn how to run various metal cutting machines, such as manual lathes, Bridgeport Mills, CNC Mills and CNC Lathes.
Camp Highlights
- Learn in one of the largest precision-machining facilities in the nation.
- Build your own 2-1/2 pound dead blow hammer.
- Work with various types of metals and metal cutting machines.
- Learn to operate the CNC Mills and CNC Lathes.
- Tour an industry-leading machine shop.
Turn your interests into real-world skills. Reserve your spot today!
Register by clicking the link below
Application Requirements
● Apply to compete: www.missomahamao.org/register-to-compete
● Submit all required paperwork by the July 24, 2024 deadline:
○ Resume
○ Community Service Initiative
○ Candidate Contract
● Compete in the Miss Omaha & Miss Douglas County Scholarship Competition this Fall 2024
Natural Resources High School Program
The Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University is hosting a Natural Resources High School Program, July 22-26 at Oak Lake Field Station in Astoria, SD. Space is limited and admission is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Lodging and meals are included in the registration. Registration is $300 and closes on May 31, 2024.
The Natural Resources High School Program is a great way to gain exposure to the world of natural resources, including fish, plants, wildlife, soils, invertebrates, and water. The program offers opportunities to gain hands-on experiences in natural resource ecology and management.
The program is intended for high school students entering grades 9, 10, 11 and 12, who have a strong desire to learn more about the natural world or who have an interest in pursuing a career related to natural resources. Permission of parent or guardian is required.
Possible activities the camp offers include Bird Banding, Lake Ecology, Pollinator Diversity, Camera Trapping, Archery, Radio Telemetry, Small Mammal Trapping, Reptile Trapping & Ecology, and Careers in Natural Resources.
More information can be found by clicking the link below, or emailing SDSU.NRM@sdstate.edu, or call 605-688-6121.
Ag Internships available
- Kaup’s has two summer internships available that we are open to seniors getting ready to enter an ag program next fall.
- Kaup's is also interested in sponsoring someone to enter the apprenticeship program at Northeast Community College. This new program allows someone to be employed and attend classes for diesel tech or applicator certification.
- Contact Mrs. Kreikemeier for more information.
UNL Raikes School Computer Science Summer Camp
July 14-27, 2024
The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is now accepting applications for a summer learning opportunity for high school students. The Raikes School is hosting its eighth year of “Innovate: The Raikes School Way,” led by Executive Director of the Raikes School, Dr. Steve Cooper. The summer camp was highlighted by Forbes in 2019: "STEM-Focused Summer Programs for Ambitious High School Students."
During the two-week, overnight camp students will:
- Learn basic programming skills and innovation concepts through a project-oriented curriculum
- Receive instruction from Raikes School faculty members and experience what classes can be like in the Raikes School
- Visit campus research labs and local employer partners
- Interact with Raikes School students and staff, all of whom play a key role in the competitive selection process to our program each year
Key Details:
- Innovate: The Raikes School Way is a great opportunity for high school students, with priority given to students in the high school graduating class of 2025.
- No programming experience is necessary! (In fact, no experience is preferred)
- Students in the graduating class of 2026 will be accepted on a space-available basis
- The camp will be held at the Kauffman Academic Residential Center, home of the Raikes School, in the heart of Nebraska's City Campus from July 14-27, 2024.
- Cost to attend is $2,050 and covers all housing, meals, instruction, and activities associated with the camp.
- Full and partial scholarships are available - students can apply for scholarships through the Summer Camp application.
Priority Application Deadline: May 6, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after May 6 as space is available
Interested students can find more details and complete the application at https://raikes.unl.edu/summercamp/.
If you have any questions about the camp, please email tluensmann2@unl.edu.
Investing in GACC's Future
Investing in GACC means providing for great educators, a great environment, and great facilities in order to offer our students a rich Catholic education. Your gift will have an immediate and future impact for our school. We are so grateful for your gifts - donations, time, and prayers. Find more information about the capital campaign at:
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC)
Who: Juniors & Seniors
When/Where:
- July 19 - 21 at Tintern Retreat Center, Oakdale
Cost: $75
How to Reserve Your Spot: Download and complete all the forms and return with the $75 retreat fee to: Ruth Bloedorn, 493 River Road, Wisner, NE 68791
Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is a three-day retreat for high school juniors and seniors, as well as college freshmen. TEC draws participants into the heart of the Catholic Faith: Christ's Paschal Mystery (His passion, death, and resurrection) lived out in the Church. The weekend helps youth relate this mystery to the concrete realities of their lives and challenges them to make a deeper commitment to Christ.
Cuming County Extension will host a two-day Tractor and Equipment Safety Training event in West Point on Tuesday, May 28 and Wednesday, May 29. The event is for youths ages 14-15.