Most high school students win competitions on the field or court, but this group of Mead students found success in a different field. Land judging – an agricultural competition where students evaluate and rate soil – brought success to Mead FFA members. Ag teacher Cole Blomendahl did lots of preparing, leading Mead to be area champions of the district competition on Oct. 7, 2026. “We worked on identifying the factors of soil and then applying tho

The judges are watching and the spotlight is on. The team stands in front and center of many people, waiting for the music to start. The weeks of practice comes down to that very moment. Mead freshman Miley Larsen has experienced this firsthand. Larsen is a yell squad member at Mead and is in more than just the yell squad. She is also in Level Up cheer. Level Up cheer is Larsen’s team, a competitive cheerleading company in Wahoo. They practice for week

A best friend is someone with whom you can share your biggest laughs, your best memories and your important milestones. You would never imagine such a large word becoming part of the story you share. Cancer is a word that changes everything. But when it’s no longer just a word you hear or read about, and instead a part of your best friend’s life, it takes on a whole new meaning. When you hear the word cancer, you think the worst; or at least I did. When I found out there wa

In a fast-paced game, the Mead Raiders came out on top against the Omaha Christian Eagles. On Sept. 24, the Mead’s varsity volleyball team won at home with a final score of 3-0. It was expected that Mead would win, with its record of 8-11 compared to OCA’s record of 3-10. Mead volleyball coach Keshia Havelka said that she knew the importance of achieving this win. “Our expectation when we step on the court is to win every game,” Havelka said. Havelka said t

The activity known for keeping things upbeat and positive - cheer. That may make us wonder, is cheer a sport? Cheer consists of two major genres, which are sideline cheer and competition cheer. The two of them are very different. To start, I believe that competition cheer is a sport, but sideline cheer is not. Competition cheer includes that competitiveness that comes to mind when we think of a sport. For example, think of basketball. Basketball is a sport because it’s co

From teaching 16 years at Fremont to transferring to Mead Public Schools, new first grade teacher Linda Swartz is ready to take this year on. She is excited to be at Mead for many reasons. “I was nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time,” Swartz said. Compared to her 25-minute drive to her old school, Swartz enjoys it a lot more now that she lives just down the street. “It was a lot bigger there, and I was used to teaching with a team of teachers at the same grade

The stands were packed, alumni returned to the sidelines, and the lights shone on a game that meant more than the 62-30 final score. For Mead’s senior football players, homecoming was not simply another Friday night. It was one of their final chances to play under the lights with teammates they'd spent years alongside. Senior running back Wyatt Engel felt the weight of the night before the game even began. “Playing my last(homecoming) game as a senior really emphasized the

They aren’t the star quarterback or the head cheerleader – and they didn’t spend a second campaigning either. Yet, Ava Marshall and Oswaldo Cruz walked away from the homecoming football game with crowns on their heads. Marshall, the 2026 homecoming queen, was in total shock to receive the crown. She thought her fellow classmate had a better chance of winning. Alivia Dunaway, Leigha Divoll and Peyton Markvicka were the other queen candidates. “I thought Alivia was going to w

“And for our queen…” Lily's heart pounded as she waited impatiently to see who was named homecoming queen. “Put your hands together for Lily Smith!” The crowd's energy was electric, but she can’t quite recall what happened next. After 20 years, the memories have faded, but she is always excited to tell her students her homecoming story. Believe it or not, teachers were once in high school. Students are often stuck in what's happening now and rarely consider that their

Picture this - you come home from practice and a full day of school. Your siblings greet you at the door. Your mom and dad are in the living room watching TV. But that is just a pictured scenario, a scenario I play in my head at least once a week. My reality is I arrive home, and it is dark and the stillness is overwhelming. People say I’m “lucky” for this and being an only child, but I don’t see eye to eye with them. I don’t think I ever will. I think they are the lucky

The finish line is in sight, but the season isn’t over yet. After months of training, racking up hardware and running many miles, the Yutan-Mead cross country teams secured their spot into state, with one final race ahead of them. The cross country team traveled to the Kearney Country Club on Oct. 23 to compete at state. In order to qualify for state, the teams had to place top three at the district meet, which was held Oct. 14 at Boys Town. “I knew the girls were si

Students and/or parents can order the 2026-2027 yearbook in several ways. Bring $40 to Mr. Henkel or use the QR code below to order on line. Price will increase after Thanksgiving and again after Christmas. And next fall we will only have a limited number for sale.

He doesn’t climb trees for money; he does it because he loves it. A 16-year-old junior is turning one of his favorite hobbies into a licensed skill. This licensed skill would be arboriculture – managing plant health care alongside tree cutting and cultivation. Caleb Popken has been assisting his father’s tree and lawn-care business, Lawngevity, for almost three years now. After only being able to pick up sticks during these years, he is ready to take th

Homecoming traditions bring students together each year, but from last year to this year, changes have brought a new look to a familiar school tradition. Mead High handed over the student council club to a new advisor, Amanda Lee, and she looked to convert their 2026 homecoming dance in different ways. Senior Alivia Dunaway has been involved in student council since her sophomore year. She said some changes needed to be put into place. “I think the pas