Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Volume 9 | Number 4
Welcome to Rise, the voice of Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. We show up every other month in over 9,000 in-boxes bringing you news, views, and memories of GISH. Rise is a publication of the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.
This is Issue #4 of our ninth year of publishing the only consistent connection for alumni and friends of Grand Island Senior High. That makes this iteration 52 of Rise. We are happy you’re a subscriber and hope you continue to read the comings and goings of Islander alums across the globe.
Here’s some of what you will find inside this issue: “At the Top'' underscores the notion that as GISH is in some transitions, so too is Rise. You’ll also have a chance to meet two new writers -- Mike Bockoven and Abigayle Frazier-Hansen -- for the newsletter and bid adieu to a third.
Part of that transition will be an addition to the Rise lineup: “Islander Trivia.” Each issue you’ll get the chance to test your memory (or your Google search skills) with some questions specific to our alma mater. Good luck.
In her “Making Your Mark” piece, Grand Island Public Schools Foundation Executive Director Kari Hooker-Leep reminds us that summer is a good time to say thank you to GIPS teachers and staff. Avery Rogers, our wonderful student correspondent, pens her last column for Rise.
Mike Monk's “Distant Mirror” explores the world of sleep, from why we need it to how it is used in literature (Shakespeare) and song (the Beatles.) Wandering Writer Sarah Kuta is sharing her summer bucket list, which she can complete close to home in a place she loves: Colorado. Yours truly has some moveable news in “I’ve Been Thinking,” plus some tips on downsizing and what it says about our family stories.
As usual, in our In Memoriam we have a list of Islanders who have passed, in Reunions we have class gatherings and other class get-togethers, and in Class Notes we have the lives and times of Islanders everywhere.
Stay in touch, Islanders. And remember: Keep pushing on.
-
At the Top
George underscores the notion that as GISH is in some transitions, so too is Rise.
-
Milestones
GISH alumni Luis Rodriguez (2019) and Madison Rodriguez (2020) will both present at the GIPS Foundation’s Harvest event.
-
Making Your Mark
Kari Hooker-Leep reminds us that summer is a good time to say thank you to GIPS teachers and staff.
-
Your Legacy. Their Opportunity.
Mike Bockoven shares reasons to attend Harvest.
-
Foundation Focus
Abigayle Frazier-Hansen introduces her new column.
-
I've Been Thinking
George has some moveable news plus some tips on downsizing and what it says about our family stories.
-
On the Island
Avery Rogers pens her last column for Rise.
-
Distant Mirror
Mike explores the world of sleep.
-
A Wandering Writer's World
Sarah Kuta is sharing her summer bucket list.
-
Class Reunion Updates
Class gatherings in Islander Nation.
-
In Memoriam
Remembering Islanders who have recently passed.
-
Class Notes
The latest happenings in the lives of GIPS alums.
-
Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
At the Top
New writers joining Rise
Transitions are in the air. As reported in earlier issues of Rise, Grand Island Senior High will begin again in August without three of its mainstays.
Executive Principal Jeff Gilbertson, Activities Director Cindy Wells and Head Football Coach Jeff Tomlin will not be at GISH to greet students for the 2024-2025 school year.
We at Rise are also in some transition, welcoming two new writers to the fold and saying goodbye to another. Say hello to Mike Bockoven and Abigayle Frazier-Hansen.
Bockoven has joined the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation staff as its Fundraising Coordinator. Mike is a gifted writer, author of a number of novels and former reporter for the Independent. Check out his story in this issue on the four reasons you should plan to be at this year’s Harvest on September 26. (Hint: All four are excellent in and of themselves but taken together … well, let’s just say 9/26/24 should be on your calendars.)
Abigayle Frazier-Hansen, the Foundation’s Office Coordinator, also makes her Rise debut in this issue. Her “Foundation Focus'' column will chronicle the GIPSF’s successes from holding fundraising events to awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to timely meeting of the needs of students. Welcome to Abi. I’m sure you will enjoy her work.
Finally, our “On the Island” correspondent Avery Rogers pens her last column for us in this issue. Avery is off to college next month. She has graced us this past year with her stories of life in our alma mater today and gave us not simply what happened but what it’s like to be an Islander in the halls, classrooms and gyms of Senior High in 2024, and, in Avery’s case, on its stages, too. Alex Weaver, who will be a senior, joins us in September. We will miss Avery but are sure of her success as she moves on from Grand Island Senior High.
(e) Mail Bag
Milestones
Luis and Madison Rodriguez to Present at Harvest
Luis & Madi Rodriguez
Harvest Mission Moment Speakers
Grand Island Senior High alumni Luis Rodriguez (2019) and Madison Rodriguez (2020) will both present at the GIPS Foundation’s Harvest event on Thursday, September 26. Their achievements after graduation and how scholarships helped in the pursuit of their goals will be a part of their presentation.
Luis recently began work as an Actuarial Analyst at Telos Actuarial in Omaha while Madison works at HUB International, an insurance agency in Omaha. Both graduated with 4.0 GPAs from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, which they were able to attend in part due to the Jack and Lucile Martin Memorial Scholarships. Since leaving school and marrying, the duo have turned their love of mathematics and statistics into rewarding careers.
During their presentation at Harvest, Madison and Luis will talk about their very different journeys to achievement and how the scholarships they earned at GIPS set them on a path toward long term success. You can hear their story and support the GIPS Foundation by attending Harvest, which you can do here.
back to top
Making Your Mark
Good time to say “thank you”
Executive Director
GIPS Foundation
Question: Is there anything better than receiving a compliment, big or small? I think there are times in everyone's life when a little pick-me-up comment boosts our energy, adds a bounce to our step and brings a smile to our face. Also, what about that unexpected “thank you” that warms your heart and gives you that little extra to say, "I can do this!"
When it comes to the end of the school year, everyone deserves those pick-me-ups. This is why we love our Teacher of the Year program. Let me expand on this. The Teacher of the Year program is really a time to say, "KUDOS. You make a difference. I see you." or just a simple acknowledgement that says, “Thank you for all you do.” The Foundation provides everyone — staff, parents, students and the public — an opportunity to say thanks. This year, over 440 GIPS employees received over 1,600 notes of recognition.
First, WOW! Second, every one was deserved. I had the amazing honor of providing these nominations to the nominees. Nominees must be current teachers, principals, administrators, specialists, counselors or support staff members (secretaries, custodians, para-educators, food service, crossing guards) in the Grand Island Public Schools. With this privilege came the time to read all 1600 plus nominations. I would love to share each and every one because I know what an impact they made on me, but that would be a full novel. Instead, I would like to share just a few snippets:
● She supports staff, students and families daily and does it all with a smile. We are lucky to have her.
● Whether she's lending a listening ear, offering words of encouragement or simply brightening someone's day with her positivity.
● He has shown me how to respect someone better and to not give up.
● She made me feel safe and always makes my day with compliments.
● She taught us to use our imagination and then draw our thinking.
● Whenever I felt like giving up or like I couldn’t give my best anymore, he was there to give me my confidence.
Just know that GIPS has some of the most caring, loving, giving and hard-working employees, bar none. The bonus of sending out the nominations through email is that I received some fantastic immediate feedback from those nominees. Here are just a few affirmations as to why this program is so very important:
● Always nice to hear there's a difference being made. I have always been blessed with great students in the 29 years I've been here.
● Thank you so much for sharing this!! This time of year is always so hard and overwhelming and this is such a great reminder of my why.
● Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. Reading all of these brought tears to my eyes. I am so thankful to be a part of the Barr family.
● Thank you so much for the great news. I am honored and humbled by the beautiful comments made by my students.
● Thank you very much. The nominations touched my heart. I am so appreciative of every one of them.
Everyone deserves recognition, and I encourage you to compliment someone each and every day. These words of encouragement and positivity can change someone's day or week and they can impact their lives.
In August, GIPS and the GIPS Foundation will have the honor of welcoming back over 1,400 employees following a deserved and needed summer break. During our Welcome Back celebration, the Foundation will take on the daunting task of choosing only six staff members to honor from the 440-plus nominees. So for right now, I just want to say thank you all for what you do to ensure that every student, every day, is a success and is given every opportunity to thrive and dream big. Now it’s your turn to go out and make a difference today.
If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased. - Maya Angelou
Your Legacy. Their Opportunity.
A quartet of good reasons to attend Harvest
Fundraising Coordinator
GIPS Foundation
To encourage you to attend Harvest, the GIPS Foundation’s third annual fundraiser on Thursday, September 26, I’m going to give you four reasons why you should put this spectacular event on your calendar, buy a ticket and get excited about being there.
Reason 1 – It’s Fun! – Harvest is a lot of things, but at its core, Harvest is a party. You can expect great food, great drinks, great people and a great time. The evening includes a cocktail hour, art from GIPS students, a silent auction, a live auction, dessert dash and MC Dave Hulinsky, who knows how to keep the evening moving. If you’ve never experienced this sort of event, it’s an evening to remember, and if you attend a number of these events throughout our community, Harvest has a unique GIPS flair you won’t find at other events. It’s also better with friends, so bring the crew. I should also note that this is a casual evening, so no need to break out the prom clothes. We want to be accessible to everyone.
Reason 2 – The Mission – If you’re reading this, you know the good the GIPS Foundation does in the lives of students and staff. Part of Harvest is us driving that point home. To do this, we will highlight the story of Luis and Madison Rodriguez, two students who received scholarships and turned that opportunity into amazing careers and achievements. Then, for our “Heart of the Foundation” award, we are honoring the late Lanny Martin, whose contributions to GIPS cannot be overstated. There will also be moments to talk about our impact throughout the evening. You will leave inspired by what has been accomplished and motivated to help us reach toward the future.
Reason 3 – The Support – The GIPS Foundation enjoys wide-spread support in our mission throughout our community. During Harvest, you can see that support in action. At our event, you will find donations from businesses across our district, from golf outings to tattoos to trips to legendary cheesecakes made by GIPS staff and much, much more. What this says, to me, is that our mission isn’t just important. It’s respected and supported in our community, which is a powerful thing to see in one evening. And, when you look at the sponsors who have made Harvest possible, that support gets all the more clear. You can preview our silent auction and get a taste of that support right now by going to our website (gipsfoundation.org).
Reason 4 – The Cause – It is one thing to be inspired by the important mission of the GIPS Foundation. It’s another thing to take part. By attending Harvest, you will be directly contributing to the mission of the Foundation and providing opportunities to help our students dream big. Whether you just attend for a fabulous evening or participate in all the auctions and other fun fundraising possibilities, you will have made a difference by attending Harvest.
Harvest is fun. Harvest inspires. Harvest makes a difference in the lives of GIPS students. That’s pretty good for a Thursday night. If I haven’t convinced you, or you have any questions, I’d love to talk to you in person, at (308) 385-5525 or via email at mbockoven@gips.org. We look forward to seeing you at Harvest on Thursday, September 26.
Foundation Focus
You and the Foundation build futures
Office Coordinator
GIPS Foundation
Hello, Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends.
My name is Abigayle Frazier-Hansen, and I am thrilled to join the GISH Alumni Newsletter, “Rise.” I have been with the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation since March, 2023, as the Office Coordinator. I will be dedicating my section to the incredible achievements of the Foundation, made possible through the generous donations of our dedicated donors. Each article will shine a spotlight on the tangible impact your contributions have made, covering a variety of initiatives such as classroom grants, events, legacy grants and scholarships.
Our Foundation plays a pivotal role in enriching the educational experience of current students and fostering a vibrant, supportive community. I aim to bring you inspiring stories and detailed insights into how your donations are transforming lives and nurturing future leaders.
One of the cornerstones of the Foundation's efforts is the Classroom Grants program. These grants empower teachers to bring innovative projects and resources into their classrooms, enhancing the learning experience and inspiring creativity. I look forward to sharing stories of how these grants have enabled everything from advanced science experiments to art installations to sensory stations and sharing closets. You’ll read about teachers like Nicki Nesvara, who established the Stallion Sharing Stable to provide basic needs for students at Starr Elementary or Chandra Kosmicki and Jean Vaughn, whose grant funded additional STEAM resources for the after school Makerspace at Engleman Elementary.
Another significant aspect of our Foundation's work is organizing and supporting various events throughout the school year. These events not only raise funds but also strengthen the bonds within our community. Whether it's the annual Harvest fundraiser, scholarship receptions, award ceremonies or alumni meet-ups, these gatherings are a testament to our school's spirit of unity and generosity. I’ll be diving into the heart of these events, sharing behind-the-scenes looks and highlighting the wonderful outcomes they produce.
Legacy Grants hold a special place in our Foundation's mission, honoring the lasting impact of our donors. These grants often support projects that benefit multiple generations of students. From helping students with basic needs to lending a hand in emergencies to providing equipment for sports, Legacy Grants ensure that the values and visions of our benefactors live on. I’ll introduce you to the people whose foresight and generosity are paving the way for future successes and detail the enduring projects their donations have made possible.
Scholarship funds are another vital component of our Foundation’s mission, providing essential financial support to students who might otherwise be unable to pursue their academic dreams. These scholarships open doors to higher education and professional opportunities, allowing recipients to focus on their studies without the burden of financial stress. I will be sharing the heartfelt stories of students whose lives have been transformed by these scholarships, illustrating the profound impact that your generosity has on shaping bright futures.
Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community. I look forward to sharing the many ways your generosity is making a difference, one story at a time.
back to top
I've Been Thinking
Choosing between packing and pitching
Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Photo courtesy of George Ayoub
From the personal files -- yes, the adjective is correct -- comes this: Sometime before Rise concludes its ninth year of publication (hint: this December), yours truly will be editing our little newsletter from somewhere other than a long walk or a short drive to Grand Island Senior High. I am moving to Lincoln.
I will continue as your editor. Rise, being an online endeavor, lends itself to all those remote possibilities. Plus, if I really need to be in the Foundation office for a staff meeting or attend an event such as Harvest, which I will in September, I’m about an hour and fifteen minutes away. Google Meet and Zoom may also be part of the mix, but suffice it to say that the editor’s chair for Rise may move, but the editing will continue as it always has.
The why of all this is about family. The how is the same old story: How much you can ditch in one of life’s most challenging arenas: downsizing.
Nothing seems more thoroughly modern and American than the accumulation of “stuff” … even when you’re trying to travel light. Since selling our house nine years ago, we’ve made two moves. Each time we pitched as much as we packed, or so we thought. Not even close. Sure, some big things like furniture went to relatives and friends, a pickup truck bed or two went to a garage sale and teeming trunks and backseats went to donation sites.
Yet, over the many years of marriage and moving, we have sorted, sifted and sworn we see no need to keep some silly bit of tchotchke, only to find it at the bottom of a box waiting to be foolishly wrapped and carted off to a new address.
As it is with many couples, my very wise wife and I are of divergent minds when it comes to downsizing. She is masterful in organizing, packing and determining what we “need.” Everything else is fair game for a garage sale, a giveaway or a dumpster. In contrast, I seemingly attach sentimental value to objects that surely are neither: the sentiment long gone, the value somewhere between rock bottom and nada.
Photo courtesy of George Ayoub
While I’ve made great strides in my overomancing of “things,” I come by it naturally. After my dear mother left us eight years ago this month, we found check registries from the 1940s when she lived in St. Louis. I do not have her skills or attitude for historical accounting, but I do have a penchant for needlessly hanging onto the unneeded. For example, in the desk drawer of my office I have a serious stack of business cards, most of which I have no idea how or why I have them. Near that mountain of cards are scraps of paper with phone numbers. Many of them have no names with them … just the numbers. My habit has gone high tech, too. The contact list on my phone includes at least a dozen phone numbers with first names only, the identities lost somewhere to the annals of time, displacement or some mysterious cyber alien just adding names to make me crazy.
I do have some actual sentimental items that remain of great value to me. Those include a huge collection of baseball cards and football cards, two hand-painted ties my father wore when he was courting my mother, every doodad and doohickey from my son’s childhood that he might be able to pass along to his children in the hopes of keeping a solid throughline to our family’s narrative. There are others, too, “things” that reflect or represent or recall my life and my family’s life. So, I’m hanging on -- to the object but more importantly to the story -- so someone down the line can tell it, too.
Meanwhile, if you're in the market for a pencil Xmas tree that hasn’t made it “up” for a number of holiday seasons or an actual hardcover dictionary with paper pages filled with the notes of a fledgling writer or maybe even a photograph of the Walnut Jr. High Wildcat boys basketball team from 1963-1964, I might know a guy.
On the Island
Bidding adieu to GIPS and Rise
Class of 2024
Student Correspondent
Hello, readers of Rise. I am so happy to be back for one final column. It has been such an honor and privilege to write for you, and I am grateful for the chance to do it one last time. It feels bizarre now that I have officially graduated from Grand Island Public Schools. My experience was positive, and I wanted to reflect on it in my final article.
I am looking forward to taking the next step and moving on to study in college, but I will always have fond memories from my time with GIPS.
Photo Courtesy of The Grand Island Independent
I attended elementary school at Stolley Park Elementary. This was back in the older building that was much smaller than the one we know today. I still remember my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Dobbins, who loved frogs and was one of the kindest people I have ever met. I remember being really sad to graduate into middle school. Coincidentally, my class was the last class to graduate from the old Stolley Park building before it was torn down. I think we still have some souvenir bricks somewhere in our garage. The new building is, of course, much more modern and up to date. In fact, every grade gets to attend class inside, rather than in the extra modular buildings that used to be reserved for the upper grades. But, I will always remember my experience at the old Stolley Park school.
For middle school, I attended Barr Middle School, which was just as full of enriching experiences. For most people, middle school is an awkward time that they would rather choose to forget. While there were definitely ups and downs, I am happy to say that my experience in middle school was an overwhelmingly positive one. Middle school was where I was introduced to a lot of the activities I would participate in later on in life. Barr’s “High Impact” show choir was one of the highlights from my time in middle school.
Photo courtesy of GIPS
I remember going to competitions and on tours of the elementary schools. We even won first place at the Omaha Westside Middle School competition my eighth grade year. Another highlight from middle school was getting to go on the Washington, D.C., trip. On the trip, we toured D.C. and saw many popular locations. We went to the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Holocaust Museum and Arlington Cemetery. My favorite place that we visited was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History where we saw artifacts such as George Washington’s teeth, the Hope Diamond and the shoes from the Wizard of Oz. Even though our trip and my middle school experience ended with the arrival of the COVID 19 pandemic, I still have a lot of fond memories to look back on. Although my experience was cut short, I think I value my time in middle school all the more because of it.
Initially, I was very anxious about the transition into high school. What was already a new and frightening experience was magnified by the fact that I hadn’t seen any of my classmates in a couple of months. I also remember everyone arriving at school in masks. I still think it’s very funny that I didn’t get to see many of my classmates' faces until late into second semester. The unusual circumstances did little to hinder my impression of high school, however. Although we missed out on certain activities, the people at Grand Island Senior High did their best to ensure that the freshman class did not miss out. The traditional tour of UNL was converted into a cool, virtual experience. And although many schools across Nebraska were unable to continue their activities, most of the activities at GISH were able to continue with the addition of masks, which were initially strange to incorporate. I think many students were happy about being able to continue doing what they love.
From there, my experience at Grand Island Senior High took off. I got to participate in a lot of exciting things such as show choir, the musical, National Honor Society, FCA and student government. I also believe that my time at GISH has truly prepared me to step out into the real world. My combination of AP classes and activities have allowed me to gain pretty valuable life skills such as time management, organization, teamwork and leadership.
Although it can be scary transitioning to college, I feel a little better about it knowing the teachers and staff at Grand Island Public Schools have done their best to prepare me.
As I mentioned above, writing for Rise has been such an honor. It really allowed me to develop as well as expand some of my writing skills. I was also introduced to many new people when I did interviews for different articles. Perhaps my favorite part was getting to show what was going on at GISH, especially for people who may not have always known about them. I was happy to give a sort of behind the scenes look into what takes place at the high school.
Although I am very sad to leave behind this experience, I am also very happy to announce that Alex Weaver, a senior-to-be, will be taking over this position. I know Alex will be absolutely fabulous, and he even made a few appearances in some of my past articles. Alex is a very talented writer and I can’t wait to read what he has to share.
A Distant Mirror
Sleep
Class of 1967
Rise Contributor
From time to time, it will strike me as amazing that each of the vital human beings we see and with whom we interact spend roughly a third of their lives sleeping. For a 75-year-old, that’s 25 years of your life between the sheets. However strong or determined one is, one must have the restorative and rejuvenating blessing of sleep. I have read that humans can live longer without food or water than without sleep.
Some people can function quite nicely with just four or five hours of sleep a night. Indeed, I have two friends about my age who routinely wake up at 4 a.m. and cannot sleep more. They wile away the early morn with reading, movies, exercise or, God forbid, screen time. But many others must have eight or nine hours or more of sleep or they cannot function.
Our sleep changes as we age. For the first six or seven years of their lives, my two grandchildren, when staying at our house, would rise at 6:30 a.m. or so, and come into my bedroom. They would peer into my sleeping face, about an inch away, and ask, “Grandpa, are you awake?”
“Now I am,” I would reply. But my affection for them would virtually always cause me to get up, play with them and fix them breakfast. I am historically a late sleeper, so this would not have been my usual rising time. But I realized that the only thing worse than them coming in so early would be if they did not do so. Now, my 14-year-old granddaughter will typically sleep until 9 a.m. or so, and only then emerge.
Teenagers and those in their early 20s, when possible, will often sleep late into the day. I can recall going into my high school son’s bedroom on a Saturday at noon or later and asking him when he was going to get up. There are night owls who seem to have limitless energy and emerge late at night. There are those who fall quickly asleep at an early hour.
Some of us, when we first awaken, cannot go back to sleep, whereas I can virtually always go back to sleep after awakening. Good sleep is essential to good health, and we all need it. Health professionals say many of us are sleep-deprived. On an airplane, even on a daytime flight, one will see many passengers are sleeping, finally finding time to do so. On the other hand, some cannot sleep at all on a plane. Our thirst for sleep at times surfaces in unusual ways. I have heard of soldiers and others who learn to sleep standing up.
But excessive sleep is also a classic sign of depression, and a sign not to be ignored. For those who have no demons plaguing them, sleep is a blissful dreamless event. For some others, falling asleep is difficult as they mull over their problems, their obligations and the goals they know they must pursue. Some say writing a list of your obligations for the next day can give enough solace to allow you to get to sleep more easily.
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
William Shakespeare has some beautiful lines about sleep. My favorite is the one that so vividly describes the blessings of sleep:
“Sleep, that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care, the death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast.” “Macbeth, Act II, Scene 2”
In Henry Fielding’s novel “Tom Jones,” there is a quote to the effect that “Hope” makes a better breakfast than supper. The blessing of sleep makes things look brighter the next day.
“To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub. That makes calamity of so long life.” “Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1.”
Hamlet, burdened with uncertainty about how to avenge his father’s murder, muses about how his actions might later impact his life. Will his dreams plague him thereafter?
Another aspect of sleep is indeed dreams. Is it not extraordinary how our subconscious creates these little dramas, combining people from different realms and times of our life together in strange plots? Dreams may involve our innermost yearnings, and at times, our greatest fears and anxieties.
We all have strange dreams that stick with us. My most vivid dream came in college. I dreamed I was in the old pioneer days, wearing Davy Crockett type clothing, walking by myself along a long river winding through a forest in the wilderness. As I walked along the river, all at once a huge bear loomed in front of me, looking ferocious and coming for me. Then, just as suddenly, I had an ax in my hand. As the bear approached menacingly, I sensed that I would have just one chance to attack the bear. My first blow would have to stop him. I knew I must strike at just the right instant to survive. Just as I raised the ax, the bear stood on his hind legs and began to speak to me. In a loving, soothing voice, the bear told me, “Mike, there is nothing to worry about, as long as you exercise discipline in your life.” My already disciplined study schedule became even more so thereafter.
When I was in college, there was always the issue of sleep. Like most, I would occasionally stay up too late and not get enough sleep. A group of my freshmen friends and I developed three maxims about sleep:
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
1. The more you sleep the more tired you get.
2. One feels rested based on when one rises, not when one goes to sleep. If you rise late, you feel rested even if you went to bed late.
3. There are two states of being in life: You are either asleep or tired.
While these rules are facetious and playful, they contain some grain of truth.
Finally, think of the lullabies and many songs that encourage us to drift into slumber:
“Lullaby and good night, go to sleep my sweet baby.
Rest your head and go to bed, I will see you in the morning.
Anonymous
“Now it’s time to say good night
Good night sleep tight
Now the sun turns out his light
Good night sleep tight
Dream sweet dreams for me
Dream sweet dreams for you”
The Beatles
In closing, I wish you all the best sleep that will “knit up the ravell’d sleave of care,” be the “balm of hurt minds,” and “great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast.”
I can be reached at michaelmonk47@yahoo.com
A Wandering Writer's World
Sarah shares her summer bucket list
Class of 2008
Rise Contributor
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
I have a few regrets about last summer.
I should back up and explain. Last summer was fabulous. I took not one, but two, fairy tale-esque river cruises through central Europe. I immersed myself in Basque culture in Boise, Idaho. I foraged for edible seaweed and hung out with elephant seals on California’s Central Coast. I experienced the roar of Niagara Falls for the first time.
But as Colorado’s aspen leaves started to turn gold, I blinked and realized with a jolt that summer was over—I had missed my favorite season in my home state.
Maybe you can relate to the feeling of time rushing past you in a hurry?
It’s something I’ve been thinking about ever since. I love traveling and visiting new-to-me places—and, believe me, I know how incredibly privileged and lucky I am to be able to do so.
But I also love Colorado. This place is downright magical in the summer, when colorful wildflowers dance in the sun, marshmallow-like clouds float lazily through the sky and lush, green grass covers the mountains. Everyone is out and about, soaking up the beautiful weather in their own unique way—whether that’s dining al fresco on a patio or ripping down a trail on a mountain bike.
So, with that in mind, this summer, I vowed to be more intentional with my time. I’m not taking any international trips, and nearly all of my upcoming travels are purely for fun, not work. I’m spending more time with friends and family, and less time gallivanting around by myself. I’m stacking my schedule with activities that align with my passions.
Lots of people believe spontaneity is the best way to enjoy life. But, for me, it’s a calendar filled with plans I’m excited about—the anticipation is just as fun as the activity itself. To hold myself accountable, I’m sharing my summer bucket list here. And maybe, you’ll find a little inspiration in it for yourself.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
More Arts and Culture
At GISH, I was a big theater buff (under the tutelage of the esteemed Greg “Gu” Ulmer), with a special passion for Shakespeare. This summer, I’ve got tickets to three different Shakespeare plays here in Colorado—“Macbeth,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Twelfth Night.” I played Viola in “Twelfth Night” in high school, and my parents are coming out for that one, so that performance will be a particular treat.
I’ve also got tickets to see Billy Joel at Coors Field (the home field for the Colorado Rockies), with a little staycation at Denver’s historic Union Station (which dates back to 1881) afterward. I’m also seeing Ben Folds—an artist I started listening to in high school—at the Colorado Chautauqua, which opened in 1898 and is one of the few remaining chautauquas in the nation.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
More Family (and Dog) Time
Since I travel primarily for work, I end up taking a lot of bucket-list trips by myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love solo travel, but it also means long stretches away from Russell and our two dogs (Daisy and Angus). It’s also time I could be spending with my family.
So, this year, I’m doing things a bit differently. I’m prioritizing shorter, closer-to-home, dog-friendly trips in Colorado that Russell and the pups can tag along for, and I’m keeping solo travel to a minimum. My parents are visiting for a long weekend in Colorado. And we’re taking a big extended family trip to Alaska to celebrate a milestone birthday.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
More No-Frills, Go-With-The-Flow Trips
Last summer, I spent a lot of time in airports, airplanes, hotels and restaurants. That’s fine but, after a while, the logistical hurdles of traveling started to get old.
This year, I’m focused more on no-frills adventures that maximize my time in the destination. For instance, for the Fourth of July, we’re spending the week camping in Crested Butte, a tiny (and quirky) mountain town that’s known as the wildflower capital of Colorado. Once we arrive, all I want to do is hike, sit around the campfire and spend time with Russell and our dogs—no layovers, no fancy dinners, no strict schedule to keep.
More Outdoor Adventures
When I look back at photos and reflect on my favorite memories, I really am happiest when I’m outside. So, this summer, I’m soaking up every last drop of the nice weather by playing in a four-on-four grass volleyball league, attending a women’s fly-fishing retreat, riding my bike whenever possible, hiking, camping, birding and more.
back to top
Alumni Reunions
Alumni Coordinator
kprice@gips.org
308.385.5525
Planning a class reunion?
We can help get you started!
Contact us for your class list and send us information about your reunion.
We will post it to our website.
NOTE: Reunion information in this newsletter is current as of the publication date. To see Reunion updates and additions go to our Alumni Reunions page.
-
1956The Class of 1956 wishes to extend an invitation to fellow classmates to join them at their monthly gathering. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Ramada Midtown at 6:00 pm.
-
Decades of the 60'sThe Decades of the 60’s breakfast continues to be held the second Saturday of each month at Tommy’s, 8:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity to reconnect over a cup of coffee and/or breakfast. We would love to have you join us!
-
1960The Class of 1960 meets the first Wednesday of each month at Tommy's Restaurant at 11 a.m. Join us for lively conversation and a good time. Send your email address to Donna Weaver Smith for monthly communications at: dowesm@yahoo.com
-
1965The Class of 1965’s Annual Meet and Greet will be held Friday, August 2 from 7-11 pm & Saturday, August 3, noon until … whenever. Events will be be held at Railside Downtown on Third Street at the Amur Plaza and Wave Pizza and Bonsai Beach Club at 107 N Walnut on the outdoor patio. Contact Monica Ayoub McClure at auntietomax@gmail.com for details.
-
1966The class of ‘66 meets for lunch the third Wednesday of each month at the Platt Duetsche, 12 noon. Please join us!
-
1969The class of 1969 invites all classmates to our Monthly Luncheons. We meet the second Monday of each month at NOON, at The Finish Line at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times.
-
1969
The Class of 1969 will hold their 55th Class Reunion on October 18 & 19, 2024. Both nights will be held at the Grand Island Saddle Club. Casual gathering on Oct 18, from 5:30 pm until midnight. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Dinner Buffet on Oct 19, 5:30 pm until midnight. Prime Rib, Fried Chicken, & Shrimp. Cost: (both nights) $69 single; $138 double. Friday night: $25 single; $50 double. Saturday night: $50 single; $100 double. All reservations with checks for reunion need to be received by Oct 7, 2024. Pay by checks to: GISH 1969 Reunion Committee, PO BOX 5661, Grand Island, NE, 68802. For any questions, email to GISH1969reunion@gmail.com Due to other conventions that weekend, don’t wait too to get a motel room. You can use this link to help look for rooms: https://user-98wfrft.cld.bz/VIBE-2024/58/
-
1974The Class of 1974 will hold their 50th reunion on August 2 & 3, 2024. Tickets are $65 per person (includes Friday and Saturday events and digital memory book). Tickets will NOT be available at the door. RSVP and purchase tickets at www.ReunionDB.com Main Event: Saturday, August 3 from 5pm-11pm at Riverside Golf Club, 2820 Riverside Dr., Grand Island. Attire: Dressy Casual. Meet & Greet: Friday, August 2 from 5pm-11pm at Prairie Pride Brewing Co. 115 E. South Front St., Grand Island. Attire: Casual. Questions? Contact Sheree Wagner Giesenhagen at (308)380-0555 or gishclassof74@gmail.com
-
1979The Class of 1979 will hold their 45th Class Reunion on August 23 & 24, 2024. Casual gathering on August 23rd, 5:30-12:00, at Platt-Duetsche. Dinner Buffet on August 24th, 5:30-12:00, at Riverside Golf Club. Cost (covers both nights): $50 per individual, $90 per couple. Pay by check to 1979 Reunion Account, Sheryl Knuth, 822 Pleasant View Dr., Grand Island, NE, 68801. Or pay by Venmo to @Sheryl-Knuth-1 RSVP by June 1, 2024. Please note the Nebraska State Fair is scheduled for August 24-September 2, 2024. Hotel options can be found at https://visitgrandisland.com
In Memoriam
May and June memorial list of GISH Alumni
Ellyn (Boehnke) Dillon, Class of 1962, died March 17, 2024 in Canton, OH at the age of 79.
Ronald Sawyer, Class of 1981, died April 25, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 60.
Ralph Rauert, Class of 1945, died May 8, 2024 in Rapid City, SD at the age of 96.
Jordan Bigger, Class of 2012, died May 11, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 30.
Diane (Hansen) Iacoponelli, Class of 1951, died May 12, 2024 in Cuervo, TX at the age of 90.
Fred Walker, Class of 1960, died May 13, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 81.
Gwyer Grimminger, Class of 1954, died May 14, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 88.
Tom Whyte, Class of 1971, died May 15, 2024 in North Platte, NE at the age of 71.
Norma (Clanton) Bullis, Class of 1948, died May 22, 2024 in Kearney, NE at the age of 93.
Brandy King, Class of 1991, died May 27, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 50.
Troy Javorsky, Class of 1987, died May 30, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 56.
Carl Lamppa, Class of 1965, died May 30, 2024 in Duluth, MN at the age of 76.
Gerrie (Buhrman) Johnson, Class of 1945, died May 30, 2024 in Doniphan, NE at the age of 96.
Leona (Mortensen) Thomas, Class of 1960, died May 31, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 81.
Carol (Senkbeil) Daberkow, Class of 1955, died May 31, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 86.
Geraldine (Happold) Stelk, Class of 1954, died June 9, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 87.
Kathy Cochnar, Class of 1977, died June 10, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 65.
Fidencio Rosas, Class of 1975, died June 15, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 67.
To report an alumni death since June 2024, please send an email with the first name, last name, class year and maiden name if applicable to alumni@gips.org
Class Notes
Rise wants to help you celebrate your successes with other Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. “Class Notes” is the place to highlight a birth, an anniversary, a promotion, a college degree, an award, or other notable personal accomplishments and triumphs. Tell us about that new business. That perfect baby … or grandbaby. That Masters degree you earned after years of hard work. That recognition from your company, your cohorts, your community.
-
GISH Alumni Classes, as proud alumni, you have a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and make a significant impact on future GISH graduates. Following in the footsteps of the Class of 1964 and 1973, who have established scholarships, the GIPS Foundation encourages you to create your own Class scholarship fund. By doing so, alumni can provide a chance for students to pursue their dreams. Together, you can make a difference in the lives of GISH graduates and leave a legacy that will be celebrated for years to come. Please contact Kari Hooker-Leep (khookerleep@gips.org) at the GIPS Foundation to discuss how to get started.
-
1965Patty A. (Vang) Morris is retiring after 5 years at GIPS. She was a Technology Assistant at Barr Middle School.
Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
Rise is starting a new feature each edition called “Islander Trivia,” questions designed to send you to the deep recesses of your memory … or at least to your yearbooks, Facebook friends from high school or even Google.
Here are the answers for this edition:
- Grand Island Senior High’s first stand-alone high school building was at 10th and Walnut Streets, opening in 1908. When GISH moved to Fifth and Elm, Walnut Junior High took over the location. The last GISH move to North Lafayette prompted Walnut Junior High to relocate to the building at Fifth and Elm. A new Howard Elementary School was built at 10th and Walnut, including what that had been part of both GISH and Walnut on the same site?
Answer: a gymnasium
- What were the names of two Islander “Royals” that included two holidays?
Answer: Miss Merry Christmas and Mr. Happy New Year
- Here’s a two-parter: What was the official name of what many knew as the “old college gym,” and what religious denomination originally built it.
Answer: Collins Memorial Auditorium-Gymnasium and Baptist
Do you have a trivia suggestions for our next edition? We would love to hear from you!
Privacy Policy
- What Information Do We Collect? When you visit our website you may provide us with two types of information: personal information you knowingly choose to disclose that is collected on an individual basis and website use information collected on an aggregate basis as you and others browse our website.
- Personal Information You Choose to Provide We may request that you voluntarily supply us with personal information, including your email address, postal address, home or work telephone number and other personal information for such purposes as correspondence, placing an order, requesting an estimate, or participating in online surveys. If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.
- Website Use Information Similar to other websites, our site may utilize a standard technology called "cookies" (see explanation below, "What Are Cookies?") and web server logs to collect information about how our website is used. Information gathered through cookies and server logs may include the date and time of visits, the pages viewed, time spent at our website, and the sites visited just before and just after ours. This information is collected on an aggregate basis. None of this information is associated with you as an individual.
- How Do We Use the Information That You Provide to Us? Broadly speaking, we use personal information for purposes of administering our business activities, providing service and support and making available other products and services to our customers and prospective customers. Occasionally, we may also use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. The lists used to send you product and service offers are developed and managed under our traditional standards designed to safeguard the security and privacy of all personal information provided by our users. You may at any time to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers.
- What Are Cookies? Cookies are a feature of web browser software that allows web servers to recognize the computer used to access a website. Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored by a user's web browser on the user's hard drive. Cookies can remember what information a user accesses on one web page to simplify subsequent interactions with that website by the same user or to use the information to streamline the user's transactions on related web pages. This makes it easier for a user to move from web page to web page and to complete commercial transactions over the Internet. Cookies should make your online experience easier and more personalized.
- How Do We Use Information Collected From Cookies? We use website browser software tools such as cookies and web server logs to gather information about our website users' browsing activities, in order to constantly improve our website and better serve our users. This information assists us to design and arrange our web pages in the most user-friendly manner and to continually improve our website to better meet the needs of our users and prospective users. Cookies help us collect important business and technical statistics. The information in the cookies lets us trace the paths followed by users to our website as they move from one page to another. Web server logs allow us to count how many people visit our website and evaluate our website's visitor capacity. We do not use these technologies to capture your individual email address or any personally identifying information about you.
- Notice of New Services and Changes Occasionally, we may use the information we collect to notify you about important changes to our website, new services and special offers we think you will find valuable. As a user of our website, you will be given the opportunity to notify us of your desire not to receive these offers by clicking on a response box when you receive such an offer or by sending us an email request.
- How Do We Secure Information Transmissions? When you send confidential personal information to us on our website, a secure server software which we have licensed encrypts all information you input before it is sent to us. The information is scrambled en route and decoded once it reaches our website. Other email that you may send to us may not be secure unless we advise you that security measures will be in place prior to your transmitting the information. For that reason, we ask that you do not send confidential information such as Social Security, credit card, or account numbers to us through an unsecured email.
- How Do We Protect Your Information? Information Security -- We utilize encryption/security software to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information we collect from unauthorized access or disclosure and accidental loss, alteration or destruction. Evaluation of Information Protection Practices -- Periodically, our operations and business practices are reviewed for compliance with organization policies and procedures governing the security, confidentiality and quality of our information. Employee Access, Training and Expectations -- Our organization values, ethical standards, policies and practices are committed to the protection of user information. In general, our business practices limit employee access to confidential information, and limit the use and disclosure of such information to authorized persons, processes and transactions.
- How Can You Access and Correct Your Information? You may request access to all your personally identifiable information that we collect online and maintain in our database by emailing us using the contact form provided to you within the site structure of our website.
- Do We Disclose Information to Outside Parties? We may provide aggregate information about our customers, sales, website traffic patterns and related website information to our affiliates or reputable third parties, but this information will not include personally identifying data, except as otherwise provided in this privacy policy.
- What About Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information? We may disclose information when legally compelled to do so, in other words, when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires it or for the protection of our legal rights.
- Permission to Use of Materials The right to download and store or output the materials in our website is granted for the user's personal use only, and materials may not be reproduced in any edited form. Any other reproduction, transmission, performance, display or editing of these materials by any means mechanical or electronic without our express written permission is strictly prohibited. Users wishing to obtain permission to reprint or reproduce any materials appearing on this site may contact us directly.
Terms & Conditions
Donation Refund Policy
We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.Automated Recurring Donation Cancellation
Ongoing support is important to enabling projects to continue their work, so we encourage donors to continue to contribute to projects over time. But if you must cancel your recurring donation, please notify us.Powered by Firespring
