Category: Jr. Sr. High School

The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Nicholas Kroon as the 2019 Outstanding New Principal of the Year.  This award is presented annually to a Principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school, region, and at the state level.  The winner will have demonstrated their enthusiasm for the Principalship by support from students, parents, teachers and peers.

Mr. Kroon has been in education since 2006 and has been the Principal at Fairbury Jr./Sr. High School since 2016 after serving as the Assistant Principal/Activities Director for 1 year at Fairbury.  Mr. Kroon has been a member of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for four years.

Stephen Grizzle, Superintendent of Fairbury Public Schools, praised Mr. Kroon, noting, “As a young administrator, Nick combines many great qualities such as enthusiastic creativity, empathy, and effective personnel management along with a desire to stay abreast of best-practice pedagogy, and, does this with an infectious passion for work.”

Fairbury American Lutheran Church Pastor Brian Julin-McCleary commented, “Nick is open and responsive to members of the community.  This availability is vital in a field of work that flourishes when leaders are transparent and accessible. Our community is greatly enhanced having a principal that can be approached and who welcomes feedback and thoughts from the wider community.”

Abigail Jones, an English teacher at Fairbury Community Schools states, “When Mr. Kroon was hired as principal, he did more than merely maintain the structures and systems that were handed to him.  Before the end of the school year, he sought input from staff on what they felt were the biggest challenges and problems facing the school, and came back for the new school year with specific solutions targeting those issues.”

Mr. Kroon states, “While I serve as the leader of the school, I feel most effective as a servant and cheerleader for our students!  Each day, I work to stay super-positive, listen, and support the students at teachers at Fairbury.” Mr. Kroon continues: “I am super proud of what WE have done at FHS!  We have a magnificent administrative team that works hard and is encouraging. We have many students each day who overcome mountains of obstacles and move on to succeed and contribute.  We have many outstanding teachers who are positive and driven to help our students. Teachers will always be the real heroes! They inspire me everyday to work harder, smile more, and remember that it is always about the kids!”

Mr. Kroon received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics/Secondary Education in 2006 from Dana College and earned Master of Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2010.  During his college career he played basketball at Dana College and was honored as an NAIA Academic All-American twice and was honored as the “Best Teammate” in 2003.

Nick Kroon’s teaching career began at West Point Public Schools, teaching 7th-12th grade Math and serving on the School Improvement and Technology teams.  Kroon was the head boys basketball coach at West Point from 2009-2015 prior to becoming the Assistant Principal/AD at Fairbury High School.

Congratulations to Nicholas Kroon for his outstanding performance as a Secondary School Principal at Fairbury Public Schools. NSASSP appreciates the contributions to the profession and are proud to name him Nicholas Kroon of Fairbury Jr/Sr. High School the 2019 New Principal of the Year!

On Monday, November 12th, students and staff were blessed to be part of the 2018 Fairbury Jr./Sr. High School Veterans’ Day Convocation. During the program, they were treated to performances from the band and chorus. There were also great speeches from Mark Schoenrock and Lyle Bartles. Mark discussed the importance of being committed to the future and continuing to serve the community, state, and nation. Lyle discussed how our soldiers were the true heroes of the country. This day is always a very moving and influential day, and it was made even more special by the veterans who attended the program. Each present veteran was introduced to the student body with his or her years of service, branch, duties, and tours. There were 21 Veterans present, and they all received a standing ovation from our student body. It was a great moment in the program.

By Kennedy DeBoer

Eighteen students traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 91st FFA National Convention and Expo. Students left Tuesday, October 24 at midnight from a Walmart parking lot in Lincoln, Nebraska on a charter bus. We traveled all night and arrived in Indianapolis around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon.

As a chapter we attended the opening session Wednesday night at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse where the Indiana Pacers play basketball. Kyle Scheele was the keynote speaker for that session. He gave a very inspiring message about leadership.

On Thursday, we got to start the day by going to the Indianapolis Speedway. We took a lap around the track and then got to “kiss the bricks” at the finish line. After we took the lap around the track we got to go into the museum and look at old cars and trophies. After that, we went downtown to eat. There is a food court in the mall and many different restaurants in walking distance in the area.  We ended the night by attending the Nebraska only FFA Dance in the hotel.

We started our Friday off by going to the FFA Convention Store and Expo. Members got to look at FFA gear that they could purchase and talk to different companies who gave away free things. Also, we watched FFA Creed and Parliamentary Procedure finals. That night we ended by going out to eat and then going to another session and listening to a keynote speaker. We also had the Nebraska dance at our hotel with the other Nebraska FFA Chapters.

Saturday morning, we went to Lucas Oil Stadium, and watched Carson Bohlmeyer get presented his American FFA Degree.  Fairbury FFA had four other members receive their American FFA Degrees but were not able to attend. Those members were Blake Bauer, Tyler Heidemann, Trevin Likens, and Patrick Ondrak.  We drove all day, arriving in Fairbury around 11:30 pm. All in all, we had a great trip to Indianapolis and a great learning opportunity for all of the members who went.

Centennial, NE – Friday, October 19, 2018  – The Fairbury Chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and nearly 150 FCCLA youth members and adult advisers from FCCLA District 2 gathered at Centennial High School on October 19  for the annual District Leadership Conference (DLC). FCCLA District 2 membership includes students from the following schools: Centennial, Fairbury, Friend, Lincoln Northeast, Lincoln Southwest, Milford , Seward, and Waverly.  These meetings provided FCCLA members with opportunities to gain leadership skill experience and learn how to become a better leader by exploring what FCCLA is all about and attending sessions aligned with FCCLA’s National Programs.  At DLC our goal is to have all of our members increase their leadership skills and have personal growth. Fairbury also had 5 members participate in the first ever District #2 choir presentation of The Star Spangled Banner.  Those participating included:  Dakota Gladson, Josi Mans, Taylea Mills, Claire Shumard, and Izze Schwab.

Christine Brungardt from Jana’s Campaign, Inc. was the Keynote speaker and brought a message of education and violence prevention. The organizations single mission is to reduce gender and relationship violence. In honor of the late Jana Mackey and other victims and survivors of gender and relationship violence, Jana’s Campaign delivers educational programs that prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.  Other breakout sessions included Self Defense, a message from a Public School Resource Officer, Knowledge Bowl competition information, York College-Competing for STAR presentation, State Officer, SPOT, and Power of One presentations by current and former FCCLA members, and a Plating and Food demonstration by Chef Sarah Anderson, Ashland Golf Course. The District Leadership Conference provided a positive outlook for youth today and inspiration for what tomorrow holds for our future.

About FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.  FCCLA has more than 164,000 members and more than 5,300 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. www.fcclainc.org