It is a great honor to receive recognition, at the state level, for the accomplishments and contributions that you have made throughout your high school career. The NSAA's Believers and Achievers award is one of the highest honors a student can receive. The Believers and Achievers award is one that is given to only 48 students out of the 267 high schools in the state of Nebraska. That means, out of the more than 25,000 high school seniors in the State of Nebraska, only 48 of them can receive this honor. For the 2023-2024 school year, Osceola Public Schools has one of those 48 students, Hayden Lavaley.
Osceola Public Schools is blessed with great students that are very active in the school and greater community. We had numerous students this school year that were fantastic candidates for the award. The candidates are judged on their participation and success in NSAA activities and their participation and leadership roles in the school and in the community. Osceola had 9 students that met all of the eligibility requirements, 6 of which applied for Believers and Achievers. Each school can nominate 3 students. Students that were nominated through a committee of Osceola Public Schools staff members were Kale Gustafson, Matt DeMers, and Hayden Lavaley. Those applications were submitted to the NSAA. The NSAA then took all of the applications submitted, reviewed them, and selected their 48 representatives.
This is a fantastic award and one that Hayden will surely treasure forever. It is a true and humbling honor for anyone that receives it. Hayden will be presented as an award winner at a State Championship event to be determined later, be presented with his award at a banquet in April, and will be considered for a $500 scholarship to the college or university of his choice.
Congratulations to Hayden, Bulldog Nation is proud of you and your accomplishments. Congratulations to Matt and Kale for being nominated for Believers and Achievers. Congratulations to all the students that were eligible to be nominated, Rori Wieseman, Taylin Sanley, Emma Recker, Courtney Sunday, Creighton Sterup, Kenzie Tonniges. And a congratulations to all of the Seniors at Osceola High School for your accomplishments and efforts over these past four years of high school.