Ava’s Army began as a dream to make a difference in other children’s future. When thirteen-year-old Ava Reinert was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age four, she underwent 800 days of chemotherapy and treatment, finishing in June 2019. Although she’s cancer-free, she continues to deal with neuropathy and […]
Author: Shelly Nosbisch
Trifecta of Talent
Skutt Catholic High School senior Laini Michaelis bubbles over with spirit. “I have always liked to be involved and try new things,” she said. “My parents recognized at an early age that I needed to be busy and had a lot of energy.” She began playing basketball in pre-K and […]
A Rising Passion
Niko’s Bakery began as a class project. Nikolas Kapalis, age 13, was given the assignment to learn to follow instructions by baking a loaf of white bread. He quickly discovered he loved every part of baking, from mixing the dough to watching it rise in the oven. His classmates’ reaction […]
Miles Ahead
Caleb Larsen | Senior | Gretna High School Gretna High School senior Caleb Larsen fell in love with running at a young age. “The rest of my family runs competitively, so it was a natural thing to begin running at age five,” he said. “When I was six years old, […]
National Ninja Warrior
Ten-year-old Ninja Warrior Violet Stieren doesn’t quit. When she’s confronted with an obstacle on her ninja course that stops her in her tracks, she waits patiently and tries again. And again. And again. A fourth grade student at Spring Ridge Elementary in Elkhorn, Nebraska, Stieren has been training at Midwest […]
A Legacy of Excellence
Emersyn Exner | Senior | Papillion LaVista South High School Papillion LaVista (PLV) South High School senior Emersyn Exner has been playing softball her whole life. “My dad was a high school baseball coach, so I was always around baseball and softball,” she said. “I played t-ball, then coach pitch, […]
Hope is on Deck
The SammyStrong Foundation is a nonprofit founded by Sarah Wemhoff-Strawn and her husband Joe Strawn after their youngest son, Sammy, was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer at age nine. SammyStrong is dedicated to bringing light and strength to other kids and families who are bravely battling pediatric brain cancer. They […]
Dominating the Pitch
Landon Carper | Junior | Millard North High School Millard North High School junior Landon Carper is focused. Whether it’s playing soccer, improving his grades, or coming back from an injury, he’s intentional about it. “As a freshman at Millard North, I just kept working hard and focusing on contributing […]
Happiness on a Stick
The Alford children—Bailey (17), Zoe (15), and Max (12)—are all “happiness hustlers” who run many of the Frios Pops events by setting up, serving the pops, and cleaning up afterwards. Their parents, Chris and Liz Alford, started the Frios Gourmet Pops business in Omaha in 2024. Max also helps create […]
Feel the Flow
Alice Ogura | Sophomore | Elkhorn North High School Elkhorn North High School sophomore Alice Ogura has big dreams. “I see myself swimming for the Junior National USA select team and the National select team,” she said. “I plan on swimming in college and hopefully going to the Olympics someday.” […]



