Our Youth

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Comfort with a Cause – a Message of Love

There’s something special about the perfect pillow. Not only can it provide a good night’s sleep, but it’s often associated with comfort, security, and an overall sense of well-being. Ten-year-old Eliza White, with the aid of her younger sisters Evelynn and Everley, has taken the pillow-as-comfort concept to a new […]

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Natural-born Storyteller Remarkable at Young Age

Some people are natural-born storytellers, and 11-year-old Annah Vogelpohl is one of them. At the age of three, she recited stories to her mother, Olivia, who wrote them down for her in blank books while Annah drew the illustrations. She’d even make edits while her mother read the story back […]

girl blowing a balloon up

Get Pumped Up – The Remarkable Macie Scott

Kids and adults alike have a fascination with balloons, especially when used to create cute animals and fun objects like hats and swords. Ten-year-old Macie Scott from Plattsmouth, NE, discovered her fascination for balloons a year ago. Now the self-taught balloon artist performs her craft at the local farmers market, […]

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Dad & Daughter are a Powerful Real Estate Duo

Parents often wonder how to get their kids interested in their work. For Nathan Eckles, a real estate Winvestor, it was relatively easy—he took his daughter, Ryleigh, on the job with him when she was just an infant. Over the years, it became second nature to Ryleigh, and now at […]

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Leading the Pack as an Official Eagle Scout

Fifteen-year-old Lacy Mehaffey grew up with the Boy Scouts—her father, Chris Mehaffey, is the CEO of the Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America—so it was only natural for her to join when girls were allowed to formally participate. In just three years, not only has she earned her Eagle Scout […]

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Building Character

Performing on stage isn’t something that comes naturally for most 15-year-olds. But Gretna High School sophomore Nivi Varanasi is a triple threat with a talent for dancing, singing, and acting. With five performances on her resume and an upcoming role in Corduroy at The Rose Theater in November, Varanasi has […]

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Entrepreneurial Artist

When 15-year-old Amor Lopez attended an herbal aromatherapy class with her friend several years ago, little did she know it would be the start of her artistic entrepreneurial journey. She created animal patterns out of fabric and filled them with lavender flowers and sold them under the business name “Aromapets.” […]

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Crafting for Critters

Last summer during the pandemic, 11-year-old Reese Neu, a fifth grader at Prairie Queen Elementary in Papillion, wanted a project she could do at home. Her neighbor kept tiny buckets of nuts on a picnic table to feed the squirrels, and it sparked an idea. Reese set out to make […]

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Infinite Wisdom

The pandemic has proven to be a challenging time for everyone, but it has also brought opportunities for creativity. While quarantined at the start of the pandemic and unable to attend school, Westside High School senior Andrew Li received an email from his physics teacher about a global math and […]

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Going for Gold

Kids often try numerous activities before they find one that sticks. But when 11-year-old Faith Crooks stepped onto an ice-skating rink for the first time four years ago, she was immediately hooked. It was no surprise to her father, Chris, who grew up playing and later coaching hockey, but what […]