Cedar Catholic grad’s communications skills earn him Burney award

HARTINGTON – The Kleinschmit family knows how to communicate.

Jennifer Kleinschmit coaches the Cedar Catholic speech team. Her daughter, Grace, was a state medalist in speech and played key roles in One Act. She also earned the Joan Rossiter Burney Communicator of the year award.

Now, Jennifer and John Kleinschmit’s son, Ben, has joined that elite club.

He too has advanced to State speech during his high school speech career, and has now also won the Joan Rossiter Burney Cedar County News Communicator of the year award.

The 2025 Cedar Catholic High School graduate is undoubtedly deserving of this award.

“I was pretty mellow about receiving it but I am honored to have been chosen,” he said.

His communication and leadership skills made him an easy choice as this year’s honoree, said Cedar County News Co-Publisher Peggy Year, who along with husband and Co-Publisher Rob Dump, created the award 10 years ago.

The award was established to honor the accomplishments of Holy Trinity High School graduate Joan Rossiter Burney. Burney was a natinally known author, newspaper and magazine columnist, motivational speaker and former National Mother of the Year.

Kleinschmit’s communication skills are matched by his leadership skills.

He has shown his ability as a leader in many different ways, especially throughout his senior year of high school.

“As the lone senior on the speech team this year, with many newcomers, I tried to be a leader and show the younger people the ropes and be helpful to them.” Kleinschmit said.

He was also the one on the bowling team who tried to keep the team morale up, always telling team members “We can beat anyone if we put our minds to it.”

Kleinschmit also took on the role of guiding others in this year’s one act play. “Giving others confidence to go out and perform their best was a big role of mine,” he said. He was never afraid to profess his Catholic faith to others, either. “As a member of the campus ministry team, I gave witness talks and helped people grow in their faith,” he said. The activities Kleinschmit was involved in during his Cedar Catholic High School career include: Speech, One Act, Bowling, Football, Golf, Band, Jazz Band, Choir, Swing Choir, FFA, C-Club, Campus Ministry, Student Council, and National Honor Society.

Kleinschmit says he is excited for his future.

His dream of being able to serve our country as part of the Air National Guard is in full swing.

“I am in the process of finding a job and where I will be located. It has been a stressful process but it will be worth it,” he said.

Kleinschmit plans on serving a sixyear contract with the Air National Guard with hopes of staying active for roughly 20 years.

“The leadership skills I have learned will help with responsibilities to communicate with people around me to lead effective missions.” Kleinschmit said.