Speaker: Growing up here can be a real advantage

HARTINGTON - Wildcat students and families gathered at Hartington-Newcastle on Friday evening for the annual Booster Club Kickoff.

This year, the school’s special guest was a Class of 2002 Hartington High graduate, Jenna Rehnstrom.

Many know her as an anchor at KCAU ABC 9 News, and she says despite her job, she still gets nervous public speaking.

“It was an easy yes, but I get a little bit nervous too,” said Rehnstrom. “I do public speaking for my job, but not in front of people and not in front of these people that I love the most. So I was nervous but really thankful for the opportunity.”

During her speech, Rehnstrom touched on the aspect of community support that Hartington demonstrates year in and year out.

“It takes me right back there,” said Rehnstrom. “I don’t feel like that much time has passed. So many of those memories are still there.”

She kept her speech light hearted, bringing a cardboard cutout of herself for a joke to break the ice at the beginning of her speech. She then touched on how important it is for the students to feel that support coming from the parents and rest of the community.

Following Rehnstrom, coaches from each fall sports team gave a short speech about their upcoming season.

The Booster Club Kickoff is an annual event where people can renew their Booster Club membership, have a nice community meal with the potluck style of everyone bringing something, and even win some prizes.

Last year’s Booster Club president Deb Harms picked raffle item winners throughout the night, as she concluded her term as president. She handed the title off to Angie Pick, who will take on the responsibilities for the 2018-2019 school year. 

To end the Kickoff, athletes from last year’s boys’ track team were presented with their medals for winning the Class C State Championship. The ‘Core Four’ of Cole Schmidt, Brian Santiago, Lincoln McPhillips, and Turner Korth won the State Championship back in May, with Schmidt scoring 38 of the team’s points.

All members of the boys’ track team earned medals, and it was even revealed that the ‘Core Four’ became the first Wildcats to sign the back of their State Championship Trophy.

After the Booster Club Kickoff concluded, a dance was held in the gymnasium for all students.