Dual Credit Classes Help Promote Growth
Written By: Isabella Gaspers
Dual credit college classes are a wonderful opportunity that a lot of schools have started to implement more and more. Dual credit classes not only help students meet requirements for high school graduation they also help students get a head start on college. I believe it is important for all high school students planning to attend college for two or four years. I for example plan to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion this coming fall to major in Health Science on the track for Occupational Therapy. Being able to take college classes has allowed me to get a head start on my bachelors degree. This helps me knock off time so I can enroll in med school earlier. After graduating this year I will be entering college as a Sophomore instead of a Freshman because of the college classes I have taken. That is a whole year of time and money that can allow me to get into the workforce earlier.
The cost of college continues to be a major consideration for many career paths, as a degree is frequently needed for a variety of occupations. This creates a difficult problem because if you do not have scholarships how are you supposed to afford this expensive thing that seems like a requirement for many? Dual credit college classes can help with this. They are free for us to take through Northeast Community College. You are knocking out real life college classes that other students are having to complete in college. The only difference is that you are not paying thousands of dollars for these classes.
Since these classes are actual college courses, they count toward a student’s major and do not negatively impact how colleges view them for scholarships or admissions. On the contrary, colleges value students who go above and beyond by taking challenging courses that push them to a higher academic level.
I wanted to take the time to talk about how some of my college classes have already helped me in the real world outside of school. In the first semester of my junior year, I took a class called Medical Terminology. This advanced class taught the word parts of all the different systems of the human body. I was easily able to break down complex healthcare terms and figure out their meanings. You may be wondering how this helps a high school student, and I am here to explain.
Along with this class, I also took Anatomy and Physiology last year. Being able to break down words helped me immensely on tests. I could analyze an unfamiliar term, understand its definition, and figure out what the question was asking. This skill helped me earn an A in that class as a junior in high school. Any science class completed in high school looks impressive when applying to colleges. Additionally, for anyone interested in healthcare, understanding Greek and Latin roots is extremely important. Overall, having the ability to break down words has also helped me score high on both the reading and English sections of my ACT and MAP tests.
I also had the opportunity to take a CNA certification class, which allowed me to earn my State CNA license. Currently, I work at Boone County Health as a CNA, where I gain hands-on experience providing patient care, collaborating with healthcare professionals, and developing important skills such as communication, empathy, and attention to detail. This real-world experience in the healthcare field is giving me valuable knowledge and confidence that will benefit me in my future career.
All of us students are incredibly grateful for the opportunities these college classes have provided, giving us valuable steps toward our future careers. We upperclassmen are excited for younger students to have the same chance, helping them grow and prepare for the real world!
Robotics Classes Brightening Our Students Future
Written By: Tyler Reichmuth
Our second year of robotics classes has kicked off, growing from just five students last year to eighteen this year, seventeen in Junior High and one in High School. Led by our robotics and dual credit instructor, Jenny Korth, students are learning a variety of skills such as coding, which they plan to take to competition later this year. The main focus so far has been understanding and applying scientific methodologies, basic engineering, and simple machines and mechanisms. These skills are being taught through multiple programs, including Luma, and through building and coding robots that start with block coding and progress to Python over time.
The robotics class has also gained hands-on experience thanks to support from the community. One generous donation came from Nebraska Public Power District, which provided a game field and a VEX Robotics Kit for future competitions. These events will allow students to compete against other schools by completing a variety of tasks and projects with the robots they have built, testing both their designs and technical skills. With the number of robots available, there are enough for multiple teams, with about three students sharing each robot. Additional community donations have provided funds to purchase classroom materials, while others have contributed Pitsco Robotics Kits. Although these kits include instructions, the students have already begun creating their own unique robot designs.
When asked about if she enjoys teaching these classes, Jenny stated that she “loves teaching these classes” as she thinks of it as a “hobby and a stress reliever.” She also brought up that tinkering around, playing with legos, and tinker toys was something she loved to do as a kid. Jenny also mentioned that this class is not only enjoyable but is becoming increasingly important with all the innovation happening around us. Jenny also stated, “whether it is agriculture, manufacturing, industry, or vehicle maintenance, there are so many areas where learning these fundamental skills helps prepare students for whatever path they choose.” Everything around us, whether it is the vehicles we operate or the machines that produce the things we enjoy, involves some form of code, electricity, or mechanism. This creates many different types of jobs that our students may discover an interest in through their experiences in robotics class. It is also beneficial for students who plan to farm, as they will gain a deeper understanding of their equipment and be better prepared for the future of agriculture.
Another great part of robotics class is how invested the students are in learning and their eagerness to expand into new topics and experiments. The class will continue to follow the set curriculum, but the students are eager to try new projects such as building bridges and exploring rocketry. Much of what has been mentioned so far comes from our junior high class, but our high school class has taken things to another level. The current goal of our high school robotics class is to build a drone from scratch. The year began with assembling all the wiring and boards that power the drone’s propellers and allow it to lift off the ground. After completing the assembly, the student moved on to programming the drone to fly according to their design. Recently, they were able to get the drone off the ground for a short time, marking a big milestone as it brings them one step closer to accomplishing their goal. While getting the drone to work will be exciting, that is not the ultimate goal of our robotics class. Jenny hopes to continue challenging students to strengthen their critical thinking, leadership, and overall understanding of machines while keeping the class fun and engaging.
November Teacher Spotlight: Miss Jadyn Burenheide
Written By: Braxton Busselman
As we begin the second quarter, we are excited to introduce our new teacher, Miss Burenhide! She is originally from Howells, Nebraska, where she grew up and still resides nearby. Miss Burenhide recently graduated from Wayne State College in May 2025.
Q: What was the main thing that made you decide to come to Lindsay Academy?
A: “I feel at home here because I come from a small town, so being in another town of a similar size was appealing. I found the people to be really nice and welcoming, and it seemed like a great place to begin my first teaching career.”
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
A: “I enjoy reading and spending time with family and friends. On the weekends, I like watching the Huskers and the Chiefs play football. I also enjoy volleyball, especially watching Husker volleyball.”
Q: Do you enjoy sports, and if so what is your favorite?
A: “I enjoy watching sports. I don't really enjoy playing sports, so probably football or volleyball would be my favorite sports to watch but not necessarily play.”
Q: What has been your favorite meal this year?
A: “Cavitiny would probably be my favorite school meal, but it is also one of my favorite meals in general.”
Q: What is one of your favorite memories that you'd like to share, and why is it your favorite?
A: “One of my favorite memories is when my family and I took a vacation to Yellowstone in Wyoming. I remember that trip the most because it was one of our biggest and farthest trips from home. The scenery was breathtaking, and it was such a cool place to visit.”
Q: What is a short term goal that you have here at Lindsay Academy?
A: “Right now, my short-term goal is to help everyone continue improving throughout the rest of the year. I have already seen some progress, but I want to keep encouraging growth in students’ English skills. Hopefully, by the end of the year, students will also enjoy the class a little more. Overall, my goal is to support ongoing improvement while helping students develop a greater appreciation for the class.”
Q: What is a long term goal that you would like to accomplish as an English teacher at Lindsay Academy?
A: “Similar to my short-term goal, my long-term goal is to see continual improvement over the years, help all of my students feel more confident in their English abilities, and support their ongoing growth in skills and knowledge.”
Q: How has your experience been here so far at Lindsay Academy?
A: “My experience here so far has been really positive. The students are kind and willing to try the activities I introduce in the classroom. The staff has been very friendly, and the community has been welcoming, making my time here a great experience overall.”
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in this school year, and what are your goals for them?
A: “This year, I am assisting with the One Act team and serving as an assistant coach for the Speech team. For One Act, my goal is for the students to put together a strong performance, have a great showing at districts, and hopefully advance to State. For Speech, I am excited to watch the students grow throughout the season and work toward sending several competitors to State as well.”
Q: What is one fun fact that you would like to share about yourself?
A: “My fun fact that most people don't believe about me is that I am a triplet.”
Students have really enjoyed getting to know Miss Burenhide and appreciate the enthusiasm she brings to her classes. We are excited to see all that she will continue to contribute to Lindsay Academy in the years to come.