Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Volume 10 | Number 3
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 #3 of our tenth year of publishing the only consistent connection for alumni and friends of Grand Island Senior High. That makes this iteration 57 of Rise as we reach a decade of bringing the comings and goings of Islander alums across the globe.
We'll start with Wandering Writer Sarah Kuta’s piece on some of the incredible species of animals she has written about in her journalistic travels around the globe. Great read and videos. “On the Island” correspondent, Alex Weaver, takes us inside three big events for him and his fellow seniors, including graduation, which took place on May 11. By the way, Alex, congrats from the Rise family. Foundation Executive Director Kari Hooker-Leep and Foundation Office Resource & Data Coordinator Abigayle Frazier-Hansen take us back to kindergarten and then work their way through school highlighting the Foundation’s work along that journey.
In this issue’s “At the Top,” we remember the core focus of the Foundation and provide a link for readers to see who won 2025 scholarships. Mike Monk is offering a summer reading list for those interested as he details some good books in his “Distant Mirror.” My “I’ve Been Thinking” column reminds graduating seniors of a couple of important thoughts they shouldn’t miss on the way out the door.
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. And, once again, you’ll get a chance to test your memory or at least your Google search skills with another edition of Islander Trivia.
Stay in touch, Islanders. And remember: Keep pushing on.
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At the Top
George Ayoub remembers the core focus of the Foundation and provides a link for readers to see who won 2025 scholarships.
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Milestones
Islander Alum Hannah Luber is Wasmer Elementary School's new Principal.
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Making Your Mark
Kari Hooker-Leep takes us back to kindergarten and then works through school, highlighting the Foundation’s work along that journey.
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Foundation Focus
Abigayle Frazier-Hansen highlights the Foundation's scholarship receptions.
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I've Been Thinking
George Ayoub reminds graduating seniors of a couple of important thoughts they shouldn’t miss on the way out the door.
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On the Island
Alex Weaver takes us inside three big events for him and his fellow seniors, including graduation.
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Distant Mirror
Mike Monk details some good books as a summer reading list for those interested.
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A Wandering Writer's World
Sarah Kuta recalls some of the incredible species of animals she has written about in her journalistic travels around the globe.
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Class Reunion Updates
Class gatherings in Islander Nation.
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In Memoriam
Remembering Islanders who have recently passed.
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Class Notes
The latest happenings in the lives of GIPS alums.
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Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
At the Top
Scholarships remain the core of GIPS Foundation’s work
The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation has an oversized hat rack. That’s because the Foundation wears many hats while serving the needs of Grand Island Public Schools students, staff, and patrons. Read any Rise article from Executive Director Kari Hooker-Leep or Foundation Office Coordinator Abigayle Frazier-Hansen and you can get a sense of the breadth of activities and events the Foundation either leads or is a part of. That’s everything from Classroom Grants to Teacher of the Year celebrations to recognizing alumni through the Hall of Honor ceremony and more.
At its core, however, are the awarding of scholarships to high school seniors, the Foundation’s original focus. That was the vision of former Superintendent Marv Mauer when he launched the Academic Aristocrats scholarship program, the forerunner of what we know today as the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation. While the Foundation’s successful journey has widened its mission and impact, scholarships remain its central tenet.
With that in mind, here is a link to the 2025 version of that principle, the beginning of a legacy through these opportunities given to 79 deserving students … all of whom have earned not simply a scholarship but also a tip of the hat. Bravo!
(e) Mail Bag
Milestones
GISH grad named 2025-26 Principal at Wasmer Elementary, featured in GIPS video
Photo courtesy of GIPS
Hannah Luber, Class of 2010, has been selected as the new Principal for Wasmer Elementary. She will step into the role this summer.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to be the upcoming principal for Wasmer Elementary!” Luber shared, “More importantly, I look forward to serving our staff, students, and families to create a positive and safe learning environment that fosters growth, creativity, and success for every child.”
Recently, Luber was featured in a GIPS video series called "We Are GIPS", which you can view here.
Miss Luber has been with Grand Island Public Schools for over a decade, taking on impactful roles in both the classroom and program leadership. She has primarily taught at Starr Elementary, leading 1st, 2nd, and 5th Grade classrooms. Beyond teaching, Luber has coordinated Power Camp for the past three years—supporting over 250 students and numerous staff annually. She has also served as MTSS Chair, served on the Starr School Improvement Team, contributed to the District Task Force, and was part of the “Next Gen” Principal Pipeline through UNK.
Luber holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska (2014) and two Master’s degrees from Doane University—one in Curriculum and Instruction (2018) and another in Educational Leadership (2023).
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Making Your Mark
The GIPS Foundation provides amazing futures, one student at a time
Class of 1983
Executive Director
GIPS Foundation
The journey from the clumsy excitement of kindergarten, where sticky fingers proudly display artwork smelling faintly of glue, to the confidence of a graduating senior is a journey of a million wonderful steps. At Grand Island Public Schools, these steps are taken alongside the enduring love of parents, the quiet dedication of teachers and staff, the empathetic guidance of school counselors, and the hopeful investment of community members. It's a journey not just of academic progression, but of joy, support, dreams, and amazing futures.
Think back to that first day of kindergarten. One small hand, barely clutching a too-big backpack, was held tightly in a parent's reassuring grip. Tears, both big and small, were often shed at those brightly colored classroom doors. But even then, tiny steps of their journey were being taken. Patient teachers, with smiles that calmed anxieties, welcomed these precious little charges, their hearts already invested in their potential. They became guides, helping students to develop not just letters and numbers, but the very first sparks of curiosity and the beginnings of a magical journey. Parents, watching their little ones take that brave first step into the wider world, held onto a silent promise of unwavering support. A promise that would echo through every scraped knee and successful spelling test.
Photo Courtesy of GIPS
The years that followed were a sporadic dance of growth and challenges. Through bumps and bruises on the playground to anxieties about fractions, parents stood as their children’s true North, their love a constant source of reassurance. Teachers, igniting young minds, saw beyond the iffy answers and the fidgeting legs, recognizing the brilliance each student holds. They promoted not just knowledge, but a love for learning, a belief in the power of questioning. And then there were the school counselors, the quiet heroes who mended hurts, offered a listening ear, and steered young hearts through the choppy waters of growing up. They saw their potential, offering guidance towards their spectacular futures.
Remember high school years, with their high-stakes decisions that often feel like a tightrope walk. Parents, now seeing their children moving from mischievous Kindergartners to young graduating adults, trying to balance support and letting go. Their pride is not always spoken but seen through their beaming smiles. Teachers push their students to question, to dream bigger, to push and make their dreams a reality. And counselors become crucial navigators, helping students navigate the pathways to college and careers through a sea of choices. The GIPS Foundation is an essential part of making dreams a reality by providing scholarships and support.
It is here, at the finish line, that the profound impact of the GIPS Foundation truly shines. Scholarships are more than just financial aid; they are a tangible expression of a donor's belief and investment in students. They represent dreams taking flight and financial burdens lifted. Students see that their potential is boundless. For many students, these scholarships are the key that unlocks doors to futures they might otherwise only have imagined. Scholarships are a testament to the understanding that investing in education is investing in hope.
Photo Courtesy of GIPS
Graduation day for Grand Island Public Schools is full of emotions. Pride beams from the faces of parents, their eyes reflect years of sacrifice and untiring belief. A quiet satisfaction settles over the teachers and staff who have poured their hearts and souls into shaping these students' lives. Counselors watch with a deep sense of fulfillment as their students, once uncertain, now stand ready to embrace their futures. Supporters of the GIPS Foundation witness the emotional journey as a donor investment empowers students, nurturing their dreams from initial promise to reality.
The GIPS Foundation is committed to supporting GIPS students from the very start through innovative learning opportunities such as Classroom Grants and Scholarships. We also honor and celebrate the impact of educators through our Teacher of the Year program, while continuing to engage and uplift our community long after graduation through alumni initiatives. Beyond the pomp and circumstance, as graduates step off that stage, diplomas in hand, they will carry with them not just knowledge, but the belief that they were surrounded by stupendous support, from start to finish. Their new journey begins NOW.
If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased. - Maya Angelou
Foundation Focus
Celebrating student success with scholarships
Office Resource & Data Coordinator
GIPS Foundation
Each spring, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation celebrates something truly special: the potential of our students and the generosity of our supporters. This year’s scholarship season culminated in two exciting events. We held the GIPS Foundation Scholarship Reception on April 23 and the Martin Family Scholarship Reception on April 25.
These gatherings honored students who earned scholarships made possible through the incredible support of our alumni and community. More than 180 scholarships were awarded to hard-working students pursuing careers in medicine, engineering, education, business, and beyond—each one a meaningful step forward made possible by your generosity.
The power of these scholarships goes far beyond financial support. They open doors, spark ambition, and affirm that every student’s dreams are worth investing in. As Lesley Ruiz, recipient of the Lucile C. Martin Dream Scholarship, put it, the award was “a fundamental push, to remind myself that I am capable.” That kind of impact—confidence, motivation, and belief in oneself—is what your gifts help create.
Scholarship recipients also expressed how much it meant to meet the people behind the support. Riley Holling, who received the Jeffries Family Scholarship, shared: “I enjoyed the scholarship reception very much. Getting to meet and connect with the scholarship donors was very important to me, and I was glad I got to do that to express my gratitude.” It’s those personal moments, when students can thank the people who believe in them, that make these events truly memorable.
Your donations fund the scholarships themselves, and they also make these celebrations possible. They ensure our students are recognized, uplifted, and reminded that their community is behind them as they prepare for the next chapter. Together, we are empowering every student, every day, to succeed.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support is more than a donation—it’s an investment in a young person’s future.
Go Big Give Rock'Em Clash Results
And the winner of Rock’Em Clash is... the 1950s with Jail House Rock by Elvis Presley! Thanks to YOUR votes, comments, and donations, the King has claimed the crown! Huge thanks to everyone who stepped into the ring to support the GIPS Foundation during Go Big Give. You made this fun and impactful for our students and teachers. Together we raised $8,424!
Thank you to the Grand Island Senior High students who participated in the videos and photos this year! We won the Go Big Give "Reel in the Giving" prize for their video, earning us an extra $250. Click here to view the winner video and final results.
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I've Been Thinking
Laughter, tears all part of the chapter’s end
Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
We’re about to break out the sheet cakes, the glitter, the charcuterie boards, and such staples as the three-bean salad and marshmallow-topped jellos.
Yes, graduation is upon us. Venues are booked. Parents are wondering about empty nests, tuition bills, and guest lists. Tassels are at the ready.
Perhaps I should say “were” at the ready as the Grand Island Senior High Class of 2025 stepped out smartly last Sunday, May 11. The graduation ceremony was held at the Heartland Events Center, virtually guaranteeing every grammy, favorite aunt, and goofy uncle would have a seat for the big doings.
High school graduation is one of those seminal moments in the lives of not simply the graduate but often the parents, too, especially if this is a first or a last graduation. While the seniors more often than not just want it to be over, some parents may dread the waning days of what today’s society generally regards as the end of childhood.
What awaits these seniors is nothing short of the modern, dizzying, and wonderful world. Whether that indeed be an oyster or something far less, high school seniors -- myself included -- often miss a couple big picture items.
Photo Courtesy of GIPS
For starters, those off to college or schooling of some sort might actually employ a few calculus formulas, a smattering of historical facts, the basic principles of biochem, or even some interpretations of Shakespeare. No, really. They might. Those heading to the workforce or armed services will use the lessons of discipline, teamwork, and tenacity they gleaned from four years of high school.
While value certainly exists in all those crucial skills, the big picture we often overlook is that graduation from high school is a first vital step in a life where completing what we start underscores our success professionally and personally. Some earlier research of high school students in California indicated that completing a project was the number one indicator of future success.
Plus, there is something called the Zeigarnik Effect, which holds that we tend to focus on what we did not complete rather than what we did. The news isn’t all bad, either. Sure, we might spend a lifetime dwelling on missed opportunities or even lost loves. But studies show that when students take a break from grinding through material with some diversion, then return to the material for study, they retain the details better than students who plow straight through without a break. Of course, the key is returning.
Which is what those who matriculate through high school do. It’s a first foray into the value of completion. The trick is to apply the same resolve that got them their first class of the day for four years once they are on their own.
The second part of the big picture is simply the physics of graduation day. Never again will the Class of 2025 be together as one.
For some, that may bring a welcome relief. For others, however, the closing of this chapter can bring some bittersweet moments, too. That’s why you can be sure that about 4:15 p.m. last Sunday, the Heartland Events Center was filled with cheering, laughing, and yes, even a few tears.
On the Island
Islanders’ end to the 2025 school year
Class of 2025
Student Correspondent
Welcome back, readers of Rise. With my time at GISH coming to a close, I wanted to highlight some events that have taken place to finish out the school year. While the entire student body plays a part in each special activity, these events especially resonate with the senior class. As a senior myself, watching these monumental moments that I will likely remember for the rest of my life has been a mix of emotions. Senior Splashin’, Prom, and Graduation have all played a huge part in the lives of the GISH class of 2025.
Photo Courtesy of Google Play
A new trend, Senior Splashin’, has swept the nation. During the event, usually held towards the end of the year, each senior who would like to participate is assigned a “target” of sorts. Many seniors are given targets that they rarely interact with or know very little about. Each senior's goal is to eliminate their target by spraying them with a water gun. Rules vary across high schools, but many schools implement a “safe rule” in which wearing pool floaties or swimming goggles keeps players safe from elimination. Certain locations, such as in school, during work, and at home are off limits for eliminating your target. For Grand Island Senior High students, this new-found trend has been nothing short of exciting. Many seniors have been eliminated while out shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or even while getting their hair done. Players this year have put five dollars into the “pot” and the last senior left standing wins it all. All eliminations are posted to the Senior Splashin’ social media page on Instagram. Overall, this has been a fun, lighthearted event that has brought the senior class together. I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the videos of people getting eliminated in the least expected places.
Photo Courtesy of Class Secretary- Kenia Calderas Corona
Another huge event for seniors at Grand Island Senior High is our annual prom night. This year's prom took place on Saturday, April 12 at Riverside Golf Club. The theme for prom this year was Met Gala, taking inspiration from the annual fundraising gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Riverside was decked out with glowing purple stars, ambient lighting, and sparkling crystals. The atmosphere felt extremely luxurious and moody, encapsulating the Met Gala theme perfectly. Senior class officers are put in charge of Prom every year and did a fabulous job executing their visions for this year’s prom. Senior Class Vice President, Cydney Obermeier, said that officers start by asking GISH seniors for prom theme suggestions and that “Over a few weeks, many ideas are brought to the table.” From there, officers narrowed down the themes and the senior class got to vote through an online form. Cydney Obermeier says that once the theme was picked, officers immediately started to search for any decoration inspiration that they would like to include to make the night as magical as possible. Officers even added a purple carpet to the prom floor this year instead of the traditional red carpet. With the help of Roses For You floral shop, class officers did an amazing job making a magical prom night for the 2025 senior class.
Photo Courtesy of Josh Bergmeier
After the main prom dance, post-prom takes place at GISH. Running from 11:00pm to 3:00am, post-prom gives students a place to relax after the big dance. Senior class parents spend months planning the huge event, and this year’s post-prom was filled with big prizes, great food, and fun activities. Immediately walking in the door, students were given raffle tickets to put their name in raffle jars for some big prizes. This year, some prizes included Amazon gift cards, AirPod Pros, and even TVs donated by various businesses.
Additionally, the cafeteria was full of pizza, buffalo wings, pretzel bites, and even Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen. Walking down to the East and Middle gyms, students could find pickleball courts, giant tricycles, and inflatable obstacle courses. The hallways were turned into mini-casinos for the night, set up with many games to earn points. These points, along with other competition events, were added up to give away some more big prizes to students. Seniors ended the night by flocking to the auditorium to watch the hypnotist put their fellow peers under his spell. Post-prom was such a unique and fun experience this year that students were delighted to attend.
Photo Courtesy of Josh Bergmeier
As I’m writing this article, graduation has not happened yet, but thinking about that big day is an exciting vision. Graduation takes place on Sunday, May 11 at the Heartland Events Center. The 2025 class of seniors includes just under 600 graduating students. Leading up to graduation is a wild mix of emotions. I am, of course, extremely nervous for new beginnings. Living on my own and being in control of almost every aspect of my daily life is daunting. With that, there is also a sad aspect of leaving Grand Island Senior High behind. I have had some of the best experiences of my life, met some of the best people, and have grown so much as a person. But like most seniors, I am also extremely thrilled for new beginnings. I am so excited to pursue adventures that I am passionate about and learn important fundamental skills of independence.
Overall, the class of 2025 has had many experiences that we will remember for the rest of our lives. These events have also thankfully brought our class together. In such a big school, it is difficult to get to know everyone super well, much less know everyone’s name. These events have built connections among the class of 2025. Monumental events of high school fly by in the moment, but I am excited to look back at these memories in years to come.
A Distant Mirror
Summer reading fun
Class of 1967
Rise Contributor
As we gaze today into the Distant Mirror, we look back upon some of the most enjoyable books I have read. Since summer is upon us, many of us will be snuggling up with a good book, whether in the easy chair, in the backyard while sipping an iced tea, or at the pool or lake.
Many of my favorite books, like “War and Peace,” “The Pickwick Papers,” “The Stand,” and “The Magic Mountain” are wonderful books, but lengthy. But today I want to suggest a few shorter works, some just novellas. They can be read quickly and contain not only some laugh-out-loud moments, but also some terrific literature.
“Carry On Jeeves” by P.G. Wodehouse – P.G. Wodehouse is an English author who wrote many comic works, including prominently the works concerning Bertram Wooster and Jeeves, his suave valet. “Carry On Jeeves” contains ten short stories, each about 15-20 pages in length, written between 1916 and 1925. Jeeves, the gentleman’s personal gentleman, helps the hapless but lovable Bertie Wooster into and out of various social dilemmas. Bertie’s aunts, uncles, and equally hapless friends continually place the good-natured Bertram in awkward positions. But Jeeves, in his quiet, reserved, and knowing way, generally leads Bertie out of trouble. This is a laugh-out -loud book. Jeeves is introduced as follows:
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
“Now touching this business of Jeeves – my man, you know – how do we stand? Lots of people think I’m much too dependent on him. My Aunt Agatha, in fact, has even gone so far as to call him my keeper. Well, what I say is: Why not? The man’s a genius. From the collar upward he stands alone.”
Bertie, with astonishing self-knowledge, describes himself as follows:
“I mean to say, I know perfectly well that I’ve got, roughly speaking, half the amount of brain a normal bloke ought to possess. And when a girl comes along who has about twice the regular allowance, she too often makes a bee line for me with the love light in her eyes. I don’t know how to account for it, but it is so.”
Jeeves responds:
“It may be Nature’s provision for maintaining the balance of the species, Sir.”
Bertie describes his Aunt Agatha’s friend, Lady Malvern, as follows:
“Lady Malvern was a hearty, happy, healthy, overpowering sort of dashed female, not so very tall but making up for it by measuring about six feet from the O.P. to the Prompt Side. She fitted into my biggest armchair as if it had been built round her by someone who knew they were wearing armchairs tight about the hips that season.”
For a bit of translation, in theater terms, “Prompt Side” refers to the left side of the stage as you face the audience, and “O.P. (opposite prompt)” refers to the right side of the stage.
Punctuated by classic English humor, these stories are a joy.
“Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters: by J.D. Salinger - This is a wry short novella, written in 1955, by the author of the more well-known “The Catcher in the Rye.” “Raise High” tells the story of a man who arrives at his brother’s wedding in New York, only to discover his brother failed to show up for the wedding. He then finds himself leaving the wedding venue in a taxi with friends of the bride who are furious with the no-show brother. He initially conceals the fact that he is the missing groom’s brother, but is eventually found out. Great high jinks ensue as animosity turns to cordiality.
“The Wayward Bus” by John Steinbeck – Steinbeck is widely known for “The Grapes of Wrath” and “East of Eden,” literary classics that are lengthier. “The Wayward Bus,” a much shorter novella, is a small gem that is vastly entertaining, however. Written in 1947, the story follows the passengers on a rickety rural bus going through central California. The characters, who do not know each other, have remarkable interactions and drama. There are heroes and those less noble in the group. There is a self-centered businessman, his controlling wife, a troubled female beauty, and a local girl running away from home. Much of the action centers on the fictional Rebel Corners, a small café and garage in rural central California. Juan, the proprietor of the garage, his jealous wife, and a struggling young mechanic join in the action.
“Farewell My Lovely” by Raymond Chandler - Chandler is the master of the noir detective novel. His works are set in the exotic, criminal, and beautiful setting of 1930’s and 1940’s Los Angeles. Philip Marlowe, Chandler’s hard-nosed private detective hero, continually gets in scrapes, narrowly avoids death, and brings a moral approach to tracking down criminals. “Farewell My Lovely,” written in 1940, is a quick and pleasing read. The story begins when Marlowe runs into a recently released criminal, Moose Malloy, who is introduced as follows:
“He was a big man, but not more than six feet five inches tall and not wider than a beer truck……He wore a shaggy Borsalino hat, a rough gray sports coat with white golf balls on it for buttons, a brown shirt, a yellow tie, pleated gray flannel slacks, and alligator shoes with white explosions on the toes. From his outer breast pocket cascaded a show handkerchief of the same brilliant yellow as his tie. There were a couple of colored feathers tucked into the band of his hat, but he didn’t really need them. Even on Central Avenue, not the quietest dressed street in the world, he looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.”
Moose forces our hero, Marlowe, to go into a bar as Moose looks for a former girlfriend. An amazing opening scene unfolds in which Moose tangles with a muscular bouncer. The bouncer does not prevail.
In short, take a chance this summer. Go crazy, put aside your tablet and phone, sit down, and enjoy a wonderful book. I strongly predict you will enjoy it.
A Wandering Writer's World
Exploring the wonderful world of wildlife
Class of 2008
Rise Contributor
When I introduce myself to new people and explain that I’m a freelance journalist, they often ask what kinds of things I like to write about. I usually respond with a vague answer about how I’m a “Jill of all trades” who likes to dabble in a variety of different subjects.
But, when I really stop and think about it, a lot of my favorite stories have been about animals.
Over the years, and after lots of reading and research, my perspective has shifted to be much, much less human-centric. Though we’ve thoroughly dominated since we fell from the evolutionary tree roughly 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens is just one of the millions of species of animals that roam the Earth.
Humans tend to think of themselves as the most important beings on the planet. And while our species is certainly special in a lot of ways—giant brains, complex language, self-awareness, tool use—that doesn’t mean we’re more important than any other species.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Modoono / Northeastern University
I’m not going to rant about our destruction of the planet here (though I’ll gladly talk about this with anyone who’s interested). Instead, I thought I’d share a small sampling of the many animal tales I’ve gotten to tell over the years.
Some of the stories I get to write are fascinating, some are heartwarming, and some are devastating. But they’re all good reminders that we share this planet with other living creatures—and we should try to keep them in mind as much as possible.
Scientists Taught Pet Parrots to Video Call Each Other—And the Birds Loved It
Parrots are social birds. In the wild, they live in large flocks. But when they’re kept as pets, they’re often the only bird in the household—and, as you might imagine, this setup can be pretty harmful to their emotional and physical health. So, scientists decided to try an experiment: They taught parrots to video call each other. The sample size was small—just 15 birds completed the study—but the trial was a huge success. The birds forged strong bonds through their screens and even taught each other new skills.
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Why Your Cat is a Pickier Eater Than Your Dog
Dogs will famously eat just about anything—grass, mulch, their owners’ socks—while cats are much more particular about food. Why is that?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can get all the nutrients they need from animal flesh. Because of this penchant for meat, cats have lost the ability to taste sweetness. At some point along the evolutionary journey, one of the genes responsible for sweetness detection stopped working—and because cats have no real need for this gene to function properly, it simply stayed that way. They can detect umami, that rich, savory flavor often found in meat—which makes a ton of sense in the context of their diets.
Dogs, on the other hand, are opportunistic feeders who will eat whatever is available. It makes sense, then, that their genes produce taste receptors for both sweetness and umami.
Yosemite’s Peregrine Falcons Are Rebounding Thanks to Unlikely Allies: Rock Climbers
Peregrine falcons were once abundant in America. But their numbers dipped to a low of just 324 pairs in 1974. Nationally, they’ve recovered quite a bit since then, but the raptors have been slow to rebound in California’s Yosemite National Park.
In recent decades, the birds nesting high on the park’s sheer granite cliffs have found some unlikely allies: rock climbers. These intrepid humans have teamed up with wildlife biologists to help protect the birds and promote their recovery within the park. They’ve scaled Yosemite’s towering cliffs to collect eggshell samples, carefully remove eggs for laboratory incubation, and return hatchlings to their nests. They’ve also supported temporary, rolling closures of climbing routes as the birds return to their nest sites, lay eggs, and rear their babies.
Last spring, naturalists counted 17 breeding pairs, as well as 15 nests and 25 chicks within the park. These numbers may not seem like much, but they represent huge progress.
Elephants Can Use Hoses to Shower—and Even “Sabotage” Each Other
We already know elephants are extremely intelligent. But a recent study added one more skill to their long list of clever feats: They can use hoses to keep themselves clean (an example of tool use) and even play pranks on one another.
A 54-year-old Asian elephant named Mary at the Berlin Zoo cleverly used her trunk to manipulate a hose to shower herself with water, adopting various techniques to reach different parts of her body.
But while Mary was blissfully hosing herself down, another Asian elephant named Anchali seemed to use the hose to play tricks on her. While Mary was showering, Anchali would often kink the hose by squeezing, clamping, and standing on it—thus cutting off the water flow.
Researchers say it’s possible Anchali was intentionally trying to “sabotage” Mary’s shower time. She may have been doing this as a joke, or possibly she was getting a little bit of revenge, because Mary periodically acted aggressively toward her.
Wisdom, the World’s Oldest Wild Bird, Gives Birth to a New Chick at Age 74
Just as she has done for at least seven decades, Wisdom the Laysan albatross returned to Midway Atoll last fall to breed. In November 2024, she laid an egg, and it hatched two months later in January 2025. Conservationists later spotted her caring for her newest chick and captured some adorable photos and videos.
Wisdom is the oldest wild bird in the world. She was first banded in 1956, when she was already at least five years old. That makes her at least 74 years old today, but she could be even older. This impressive momma has laid between 50 and 60 eggs throughout her lifetime, and at least 30 of those produced hatchlings that survived to the fledgling stage.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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1965HELLO ALL ’65 GI SENIOR HIGH CLASSMATES!
I’d like to see who’s interested in joining me for a Zoom virtual Commemoration of our Graduation in a few weeks. I’ve only been able to attend one in-person reunion, many years ago, and doubt that will change this year, so I thought I’d try to connect with more of you using my Zoom account.
If you’re interested, please drop me a note at markedillon@aol.com, and I’ll be sure you get an individual invitation. As for scheduling, I recall our ceremony was the first week in June 1965, however, if you know the actual date, please reply with that for the invitation. -
1966Class of '66 meets for lunch on the third Wednesday of the month, 12 noon, with the place updated each month on our class Facebook page. Hope to see many friends attend!!
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1967The class of 1967 meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday from 2:00-5:00 at Tommy's for chit-chat, pie, and coffee.
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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.
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1975The class of 1975 will hold their 50th reunion on September 12-13, 2025. The schedule is as follows, with more details to come:
Friday, Sept. 12: 6:45 pm - Football game at new GISH stadium for those that would like to attend all or part of the game. 7:30 pm - Thunder Road (1607 S. Locust St.) Casual gathering with drinks & appetizers.
Saturday, Sept. 13: 10:00 am - Tour of Grand Island Senior High School. 7:00 pm - Riverside Golf Club (2820 Riverside Dr.) Formal gathering with drinks & dinner. -
1980The Class of 1980's 45th reunion will be June 20-21, 2025. Register before June 13th to avoid additional cost.
Both nights begin at 6:00pm
Friday night (June 20th)- Platte Deutsche (1315 W Anna)
Saturday (June 21st) - BALZ reception hall (213 N Sycamore)
Heavy hors d’oeuvres served both nights. Cash Bar.
Cost is $80 / couple - $40 / single (includes both nights). $40 / couple $20 / single for one night only.
Payments - Send check or Venmo. Message Lynne (Brown) Smith for details.
GOLF - Saturday morning at 9:00am at Centura Hills in Cairo. Message Roger Schmidt if interested. It will be a four man scramble format. -
1985The Class of 1985 will hold their 40th reunion on July 25th and 26th. Schedule is as follows:
July 25th, 2025, 6 p.m. We will meet at Wave Pizza for food, drinks, and conversation.
July 26th, 2025, 11:00 a.m. We will meet at the West entrance of Senior High for the high school tour.
July 26th, 2025, 6 p.m. We will meet at The Saddle Club for dinner and drinks.
More info to come! Contact Jim Gustafson at gusto85@gmail.com with questions. -
2000The Class of 2000 will hold a reunion on July 19, 2025 at Prairie Pride Brewing in Grand Island starting at 5:00 p.m. More details will follow. Contact Elizabeth Patterson at epatterson@keatinglaw.com with questions.
In Memoriam
March and April memorial list of GISH Alumni
Carolyn Bachman, Class of 1953, died November, 2024 in Colorado.
Dean Hatfield, Class of 1953, died February 13, 2025 in Oregon at the age of 89.
Wayne Schroeder, Class of 1951, died March 3, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 91.
Jack Henry, Class of 1968, died March 5, 2025 at the age of 74.
Donald Daberkow, Class of 1953, died March 5, 2025 at the age of 89.
John Larsen, Class of 1970, died March 14, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 73.
Albert Moeller, Class of 1956, died March 14, 2025 at the age of 86.
Curtis Vance, Class of 1991, died March 18, 2025 in Olathe, KS at the age of 52.
Taunya (Vogel) White, Class of 1973, died March 21, 2025 in Charleston, SC at the age of 69.
Gloria Lawrence, Class of 1972, died March 21, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 70.
Dennis Stark, Class of 1967, died March 21, 2025 at the age of 77.
Terry Rinke, Class of 1973, died March 24, 2025 in Buhler, KS at the age of 70.
Jason Warner, Class of 1998, died March 26, 2025 at the age of 45.
Barbara "Bobbie" Gonzales, Class of 1969, died March 27, 2025 at the age of 73.
Janet (Curtin) Cochran, Class of 1968, died March 30, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 75.
Pete Kruse, Class of 1959, died March 31, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 83.
Karen (Bowers) Hiatt, Class of 1968, died April 1, 2025 in Columbus, NE at the age of 74.
Rita (Powell) Kelly, Class of 1962, died April 1, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 81.
Ned Meier, Class of 1957, died April 2, 2025 at the age of 86.
Paula (Paulson) Spotanski, Class of 1964, died April 7, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 78.
Leann Stubbs, Class of 1986, died April 8, 2025 at the age of 57.
Sally (Wetzel) Jackson, Class of 1971, died April 8, 2025 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 71.
Dennis Schuyler, Class of 1965, died April 8, 2025 at the age of 78.
Janette (Nelson) Blake, Class of 1969, died April 9, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 73.
Carline (Clausen) Denman, Class of 1947, died April 10, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 96.
Richard "Rick" Boersen, Class of 1963, died April 17, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 80.
David Smith, Class of 1970, died April 22, 2025 at the age of 72.
Gerald Sundermeier, Class of 1948, died April 30, 2025 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 94.
To report an alumni death since April 2025, 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.
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1960Ken Aldridge's granddaughter, Nicole Weinberg received her Ph.D in Elementary Curriculum from TCU on March 10, 2025.
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1985
Ondria (Oberg) Gleason, class of 1985, was recently inaugurated President of the Tulsa County Medical Society in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She attended Grand Island Public Schools K through 12. Ondria was one of six valedictorians in the class of 1985. After graduation, she attended Hastings College and then earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical 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 is the trivia for this edition:
The vast majority of Islander alums first became part of the Grand Island Public Schools when they showed up at one of the 14 elementary schools below for the first day of kindergarten. Let’s see how well you know your neighborhood schools. Match the current principal and the mascot (yes there are three Wildcats) to each of the schools. Extra credit and mad props to those who can do it without looking them up:
Dodge Wildcats Dr. Maggie Mintken
Engleman Wildcats Selena Valentine
Gates Wildcats Angie Eberle
Howard Lynx Bianca Ayala
Jefferson Gators Kate Crowe
Knickrehm Cougars Lee Wolfe
Lincoln All Stars Jim Tews
Newell Knights Kelli Wemhoff
Seedling Mile Panthers Breanna McDonald
Shoemaker Eagles Jennie Ritter
Starr Dragons Jessica Schroeder
Stolley Park Huskies Charity LaBrie
Wasmer Stallions Whitney Flower
West Lawn Mustangs Nate Balcom
Answers:
Dodge - Dragons - Angie Eberle
Engleman - Wildcats - Charity LaBrie
Gates - Gators - Bianca Ayala
Howard - Huskies - Jessica Schroeder
Jefferson - All-Stars - Kate Crowe
Knickrehm - Cougars - Jennie Ritter
Lincoln - Lynx - Breanna McDonald
Newell - Knights - Nate Balcom
Seedling Mile - Wildcats - Kelli Wemhoff
Shoemaker - Eagles - Lee Wolfe
Starr - Stallions - Selena Valentine
Stolley Park - Panthers - Whitney Flower
Wasmer - Wildcats - Jim Tews
West Lawn - Mustangs - Dr. Maggie Mintken
Do you have a trivia suggestions for our next edition? We would love to hear from you!
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