Omaha Public Schools is home to extraordinary and hardworking students. This year, our students earned national awards, placed in state music competitions and even set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Water Balloon Toss.
As 2024 ends, we are showcasing the many ways students excelled in academics and through various extracurricular activities.
High School Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Five Omaha Public Schools seniors are among 16,000 nationwide named as semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This academically talented group represents less than one percent of the nation’s graduating seniors.
Two students from Central High, two from North High and one from South High earned this distinction by taking the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) during their junior year.
“It means I’m among the top scorers on the PSAT,” said South High senior Jay Peters. “It’s really cool knowing that there are only five of us in Omaha Public Schools, and I’m one of them.”
The five students, Hugh-Lowe Weyand, Mary McGill, Audra Morrison, Ellis Yamamoto and Peters, can now continue in the competition to earn a spot as a finalist. Finalists will be announced in February 2025.
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who “show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”
Omaha Public Schools Board of Education recognized the semi-finalists at an October Board of Education meeting.
Middle School Robotics Team Shines at World Championships
Each year, schools worldwide compete at the VEX Robotics World Championships. In April, the Bluestem Middle robotics team traveled to Dallas to represent Omaha Public Schools at the 2024 competition.
“It was amazing,” said Jonathan Worms, an eighth grader on the Bluestem Middle robotics team. “We placed 40th out of more than 80 other teams, which I think is really good.”
The students participated in three days of competition, playing games with various elements and requirements using a robot they spent months building and refining. Bluestem robotics coach Sherri Volmer says the program teaches students valuable skills like creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
“The fact that we had support from both our school and our district was awesome,” Volmer said. “To watch not just what they did in the ring, but how they held themselves outside the ring, was just as impressive.”
Volmer proudly noted that the Bluestem robotics team is the first to bring home a trophy to Bluestem Middle since it opened in 2023. The team has since doubled in size.
Central High Leveling Up in Esports
An Omaha Public Schools esports team is getting attention on the national level.
Esports, a competitive video gaming field, has grown rapidly throughout schools nationwide. It helps students develop teamwork, strategy and communication skills.
Central High introduced esports two years ago when teacher Jonathan Franta started a club. Now, he has 77 students on the roster. Franta recognized that esports provided a way to engage students who were not participating in traditional extracurricular activities.
“My goal was to create an environment where students could come let their true selves shine through and be who they are,” said Franta. “It’s a great community.”
Central High’s team participated in every event at the state esports championship in November. They finished second, third and fourth in several categories.
Ramon Wilson Jr., a Central High senior, joined the club his sophomore year because he liked playing video games at home. He placed second in the Super Smash Brothers competition at state.
“I feel great and like I’ve accomplished something big,” said Wilson. “Everyone in esports is a good person, and it’s a really good environment.”
Central High’s team made it into USA Today’s Week 3 Top 25 rankings at one point during the year.
To read more about student awards and accomplishments, visit our website.
Dec. 2024
