The Lawrence Nelson High School graduation ceremony was held Saturday. The class motto was "This is why we can't have nice things" -Beth Himmelberg; class flower, white carnations; class colors, sage green and light blue; and class song, "Ain't No Mountian High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

Here are accomplishments and future plans for the 2023 L-N seniors:

William Dougherty is the son of Jason and Karen Dougherty of Nelson. He was in Football Lettermen's Club, and participated in Teammates and Hosa. Will plans to seek employment and continue to live in the Nelson area.

Alexandra Faith Haba, of Dewese, is the daughter of Misty and Dave Haba. Alexandra's favorite subject in high school was Spanish. Her favorite extracurricular was art.

Alexandra would like to thank her mom for always pushing her to do her best, always being there to help and being her confidant.

She hopes to earn an internship at the Black Diamond Tatoo parlor in Hastings. In 10 years time, she sees herself working full time as a tattoo artist.

Wyatt Hajny is the son of Jarrod and Lacey Hajny of Nelson. He was involved in Football Lettermen's Club. Wyatt will attend Eastern Wyoming College to study ranch management and participate on the rodeo team as a steer wrestler.

Wyatt received the following scholarships: Bushy Nutz Squirrel Hunt Scholarship, Eastern Wyoming Community College Rodeo Scholarship, South Central Cattleman's Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, and the Nelson Community Club Scholarship.

Chad Michael Holcomb is the son of Kris Holcomb of Nelson. Chad was a Teammates participant.

His favorite class was English 12 with Ms. Kinley. His favoite extracurricular activity was FFA.

Chad would like to thank Mr Brown for always being there for him and checking in on him.

Chad will be attending Southeast Community College in Beatrice this fall to study diversified agriculture. In 10 years he sees himself working on a farm or in the agronomy field.

Chad received the following scholarships: the Susan Thompson Buffet Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Lawrence-Nelson Teammates Scholarship, Ryan Pittman Memorial Scholarship, and the Nelson Community Club Scholarship

Evan Jacobitz is the son of Kim Jacobitz and Terre Jacobitz of Nelson. Evan received the Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship. He has plans to attend Southeast Community College, Beatrice, and study agriculture management and production.

Toby Joseph Kotinek is the son of Kris and Peggy Kotinek of Lawrence. Activities he participated in and honors received are: Football Lettermen's Club, 1st Team All-District Running Back, 1,000 Yard Rush Club, received All-Tribland Honorable Mention and a basketball letteman.

Toby's favorite class was Spanish because a lot of good memories were made in that class while learning. His favotite extracurricular was golf because he enjoyed doing it every day. Toby would like to thank he mom for always being there for him and pushing him to be the best he could be. He will attend SCC Beatrice in the fall and plans to get his degree in turf grass management. Toby hopes to settle down in the Hastings area and work at a golf course.

He received the following scholarships: Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Lawrence Community Club Scholarship, Deweese Community Club Scholarship, and the Lawrence Legion Ed Souchek Memorial Scholarship.

Tyson Anthony Kotinek is the son of Kris and Peggy Kotinek of Lawrence. Activities he participated in and honors received are: Football Lettermen's Club, 1st Team All-District End, All-Tribland Honorable Mention, Omaha World Herald, All-State Honorable Mention, Lincoln Journal Star All-State Honorable Mention, Huskerland Prep All-State Honorable Mention, basketball letterman, and TVC Honorable Mention Acting Award.

Tyson's favoitie subject was Spanish because he enjoyed learning the language. His favorite extracurricular was track because state track was a fun experience.

He would like to thank his parents for teaching him right from wrong and always being there for him.

Tyson will be attending SCC in Beatrice and will study turf grass management. He hopes to continue his adult life living in the Lawrence area and working at a golf course or with the state patrol.

Tyson received the following scholarships: Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Deweese Community Club Scholarship, Lawrence Legion Steve Schendt Memorial Scholarship

Krayton Matthew Kucera is the son of Greg and Teena Kucera of Lawrence. Activities he participated in and honors received are: football, Lettermen's Club, 1st Team All-District QB, Secondary, 1,000 Yard Rush Club, 1,000 Yard Pass Club, All-Tribland 1st Team QB, Huskerland Prep 1st Team All-State, Bobby Mills 1st Team All-State, Omaha World Herald All-State Honorable Mention, Lincoln Journal, Star All-State Honorable Mention, SERTOMA All-Star Game Selection, Academic All-State. Basketball, TVC 1st Team-TVC All Star Game, Letterman.

Krayton's favotie subject in school was history, and his favorite extracurricular was football. He enjoyed the four years not for the wins but because of the memories and bonds created that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

Krayton would like to thank Mr. Brown for helping him develop as a player, a person and a student.

Krayton will be attending UNL with a major in business administration. He hopes to continue his adult life in the Lawrence area and utilize his degree. Krayton received the following scholarships: Nelson American Legion Scholarship, Husker Power Scholarship, Albin Family Scholarship, Gene Kucera Memorial Scholarship, Roy & Velma Schiermeyer Rorabaugh Scholarship, and the Jake Kleen Memorial Scholarship

Katelyn Rae Mazour is the daughter of Phil and Denise Mazour of Lawrence. Activities she participated in and honors received are: volleyball, letter winner, Hastings Tribune Honorable Mention, OWH Honorable Mention, LJS Honorable Mention, All-TVC Honorable Mention, TVC All-Star game participant, basketball, letter winner, TVC All-Star Game, All-Tribland Honorable Mention. HOSA participant.

Katelyn's favorite subject in school was Spanish. She enjoyed learning the language as well as the teacher she was learning from. Her favoite extracurricular was volleyball. She has always enjoyed the sport and playing with her friends.

She would like to thank her mom for teaching her so many things that will help her in her future. She hopes to be a strong woman like her mom someday.

Katelyn plans to attend Central Community College in Grand Island majoring in medical assisting. In 10 years she hopes to be married with at least two children and working in her field of study. She also hopes that a golden retriever puppy will be in her future.

Katelyn received the following scholarships: Central Community College Committed to Your Success Scholarship, Central Community College Transition Advantage Scholarship, Peter Kiewit Foundation Scholarship, Warren & Velda Wilson Scholarship, CPI Scholarship, Kendall Schendt Memorial Scholarship, and the Nuckolls County Scholarship.

Salutatorion Keaton John Mazour is the son of Craig and Amy Mazour of Lawrence. Activities he participated in and honors received are: football, Lettermen's Club, 1st Team All-District Offensive/Defensive Line, 1st Team All-Tribland Offensive Line, Omaha World Herald All-State Honorable Mention, Lincoln Journal Star All-State Honorable Mention, Huskerland Prep All-State Honorable Mention, basketball, letterman, Academic All-State. Omaha World Herald All-Academic Program.

Keaton's favorite subject in school was welding because he was able to work on his own projects and do things on his own. His favorite sport was football.

Keaton would like to thank all his coaches from over the years for holding him to a higher standard and helping him to better himself.

Keyton plans to start his own farming operation.

Keaton received the following scholarships; Little Blue ND Scholarship, Vocational NEBRASCOE Scholarship, Traditional NEBRASCOE Scholarship, NASCOE Vocational Scholarship, CPI Cares Scholarship, Warren & Velda Wilson Scholarship, SCC Academic Excellence Scholarship, LN Alumni Association Scholarship, Nelson American Legion Scholarship, Knights of Columbus ST. Stephen Council 1906 Scholarship, Nelson Dental Clinic Scholarship, South Central Cattleman's Scholarship, Hastings Area Chamber Agri-Business Council Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Kurt Allen Memorial Scholarship, Harry B. Sweet Foundation Scholarship, and Farmer's & Merchant's Bank Scholarship.

Kelia L McKaskle is the grand-daughter of Jim Theer and Brenda L. Theer of Lawrence.

Kelia's favorite subjects were history and English. She found history class to be interesting and was a good English student. Her favorite extracurricular was drama because it was something she enjoyed and had fun doing. Kelia would like to thank her grandparents for the way they raised her and for everything they have done for her. She will be attending Nebraska Weslyln University and major in health and fitness. She hopes to become either a nutritionalist or a personal trainer.

Kelia received the following scholarships: P-Wolf Priority Scholarship, Education Quest Financial Aid Program Scholarship, N.W.U Achievement Scholarship, Black & Gold Scholarship, Wesleyan Grant, Access N.W.U Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, and the Nelson P.E.O Chapter J Scholarship.

Trev Allen Mueller is the son of Nathan and Shellie Mueller of Superior. He was a football letterman.

Trev's favorite subject in school was history with Mr. Brown. His favorite extracurricular was golf because it was relaxing on the course with his friends.

Trev plans to attend Southeast Community College and major in diversified ag. He received the Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship.

Thomas Safago is the son of Pam and Joe Safago of Nelson. Awards he received are TVC ACT Award and the Presidential Award. Thomas received the following scholarships: The University of Nebraska Omaha Regents Scholarship, NWU Board of Governors Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation, TVC ACT Scholarship, Nelson Community Club Scholarship, UNK Frank Nama Family Scholarship, and the UNK Nebraska Career Scholarship.

Valedictorian Emily Sue Troudt is the daughter of Joni and Casey Troudt of Lawrence. Activities she participated in and honors received are: volleyball, letter winner, LJS Honorable Mention, Hastings Tribune Honorable Mention, All-TVC Honorable Mention, TVC All-Star game participant, basketball, letter winner, Omaha World Herald All-Academic Program and HOSA participant.

Emily's favorite subject was Spanish. She enjoyed learning a new language and class was always interesting. Her favoite sport was volleyball in and out of school.

She would like to thank her teachers and coaches who always encouraged her to be the best she could be. Emily will attend CCC in Hastings in the dental assisting field.

In the future she see's herself living close to home and working as a dental assistant in Hastings.

Emily received the following scholarships: Central Community College Committed to Your Success Scholarship, Central, Community College Transition Advantage Scholarship, EducationQuest Foundation Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Diane Rose Sole Memorial Scholarship, Brodstone Healthcare Evelyn Brodstone Scholarship, 2nd Alternate-Glenwood Telephone Membership Corporation Scholarship.

Erik John Wheeland is the son of Kevin Wheeland of Nelson. Activities he participated in and honors he received are: football, Lettermen's Club, All-District Honorable Mention, All-Tribland Honorable Mention, BB Letterman, One act, TVC Honorable Mention Acting Award.

Erik's favorite subject in school was history because of the many deep discussions had in class. His favoirte sport was football, Lawrence Nelson football has been a big part of his life since he was seven years old.

Erik would like to thank his father for being such a remarkable impact on his life and teaching him to be disciplined in all his endevors.

Erik plans to attend South Central Community College in Beatrice and get his associate's degree in turf grass management.

In 10 years he sees himself either living in Kearney or back home in Nelson and working for a lawn care company. Erik received the following scholarships: Lawrence-Nelson Alumni Association Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Ryan Pittman Memorial Scholarship, Nelson Community Club's Inspirational Athlete Scholarship, and the Harry B. Sweet Foundation, Inc. Scholarship.

Devyn Wayne Zikmund is the son of Zach and Cheyanne Zikmund of Edgar. Activities he participated in and honors received are: football and basketball letterman. One act, TVC Honorable Mention Acting Award. NAHS and Teammates participant.

Devyn's favorite subject was history because if was easy for him to understand. His favorite extracurricular activities were track and golf. He said he has always been good at golf and it is a fun past time.

Devyn would like to thank his father for teaching him so many valuable life lessons. He said he wouldn't be the person he is today without his father. Devyn plans to attend Midland University in Fremont and study digital marketing and participate on the track team.

Devyn received the following scholarships: Midland University Athletic Scholarship, Nuckolls County Foundation Scholarship, Lawrence-Nelson Teammates Scholarship, and the Hustle Scholarship - Brodstone Healthcare.

The majority of the Class of 2023 reported they hated washing dishes and folding clothes. A few of the students said their least favorite chore was cleaning Dad's shop and scooping the cat box. When asked what advice they would give to their underclassmen, the majority of the seniors said. "Enjoy every second. It goes by too fast!"

This is not a complete record of all these students' achievements. Congratulations, Class of 2023.

The unsung heroes of the day, our teachers. They create bonds with our children just as strong as any family member. They pick our children up when they fall down, deal with the tantrums and excuses, watch them grow, and send them off to fly, not knowing if they will ever see them again, but hoping that their best was enough. Pictured Brian Blevins and Thomas Safago.