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Board recognizes student champions; student councils describe community service and activities
Summary
The board honored multiple student teams and accepted student council reports from Papillion La Vista High School and several elementary schools outlining community service projects, fundraisers and upcoming events.
Papillion La Vista Community Schools’ Board of Education opened its March 24 meeting with a series of recognitions and student reports from across the district.
Superintendent and board members recognized state‑level accomplishments including: Papillion La Vista High School’s Educators Rising team (Samantha Draper, Maggie Novak, Samantha Ritterbush) for first place at the 2025 State Leadership Conference; Papillion La Vista South’s ProStart culinary team (Sophie Hamblin, Chase Olsen, Annalise Walton, Raymond Flynn, Caleb Vestal) for two state championships and qualification for national competition in May; state girls 1‑meter diving champion Lily Sherman (PL South); and three state powerlifting champions from PL South (Cooper Barnes, Taryn Lewis, Owen Rayborn).
The board then received a biweekly high school report from student council leaders Nova Degbe (president) and Maggie Novak (vice president) of Papillion La Vista High School. Nova Degbe listed athletics and activities highlights, including the boys’ basketball team qualifying for state for the first time since 2017 and nearly $6,000 raised at the Color of Hope game for cancer support. Degbe and Novak also highlighted numerous state placements across DECA, powerlifting and track and field, and announced upcoming events such as the spring musical and ACT testing for juniors. “Students have prepared been preparing all semester,” Novak said, describing ACT preparations and test logistics.
Elementary student councils from multiple schools presented short reports on ongoing service projects. Examples included:
• Bell Elementary — hygiene drive and community closet support, PBIS refresher videos, Toys for Tots and Thanksgiving food drive.
• Ramsey Station — Penny Wars fundraiser that raised $1,358 to adopt three families; winter coat and boot drive that collected 64 coats and 18 pairs of boots; ongoing spice drive for the Sarpy County Care Center.
• Ashbury Elementary — hygiene, food and pet supply drives; Socktober collection of 901 pairs of socks; tie‑blanket projects for local shelters.
• Patriot Elementary — canned food drives, support for Town and Country Humane Society (more than $300 raised), and an annual Giving Tree event to provide gifts to children in need.
• Portal, Prairie Queen and other schools — toy drives, blanket making for Project Harmony, gratitude chains and school cleanups. Student speakers described assemblies, movie nights and other activities that raise funds for charitable causes and bolster school spirit.
Superintendent and board members praised the students for leadership and civic engagement. No board action was required; the item was informational and part of district recognitions and reports.
