2026 - Speaking to the delegates of the United States Senate Youth Program on March 9, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama introduces herself. At the Mayflower Hotel, Britt spoke about the bills she is currently working on, like social media protections for minors and expanding childcare access. "It was such a surreal experience getting to hear from Senator Britt," Kinleigh Freeman, a delegate from Alabama, said. "I mean, how many people can say they got to have dinner with their sitting senator. It's such an amazing opportunity, and I'm forever grateful."

2026 - Delegates from the 64th annual United States Senate Youth Program walk through the National Archives on March 10. This week-long civic education program selects two high school students from all 50 states to travel to Washington, D.C. They learned the importance of bipartisanship, ethics and collaboration in government throughout the week.

2026 - Singing to "Baby" by Justin Bieber, Arianne Medina (MA) does the karaoke portion of her campaign with the help of background dancers, Elani Trejo Guerrero (IL), and Catalina Gutierrez (TX) at the Mayflower Hotel on March 11. At the United States Senate Youth Program, a week-long civic education conference that selects two students from each of the 50 states, delegates who wanted to deliver the commencement speech had to give a short two-minute speech and then sing a song on stage. The other delegates would then vote for their speaker based on the quality of their speech and karaoke.

2026 - Introducing keynote speaker, former astronaut and NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden, Camdyn Evans smiles at the crowd's cheers on March 10. Evans was representing South Carolina at the 64th annual United States Senate Youth Program. This week-long civic education program selects two high school students from all 50 states for a trip to Washington, D.C. She was selected to introduce Bolden, as he was born in South Carolina. "Charles Bolden's personality and accomplishments had a huge impact on me and my fellow delegates," Evans said. "I was honored to introduce him as our speaker at the National Air and Space Museum."

2026 - Attempting to sing-along to "Low" by Flo Rida, Jackson Wondercheck, and Arya Kashyap read the lyrics from Wondercheck's phone. Wondercheck represented Nebraska, and Kashyap represented Washington at the United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C. Out of the 105 students who were chosen to attend the program (2 from all 50 states), only two were elected to be the commencement speakers. Therefore, an "Election Night" was held, which included short speeches from the candidates and karaoke with the help of the crowd.

2026 - Before her 200-yard freestyle at state swimming prelims on Feb. 27, junior Shailynn Gatewood smiles as her coach, Kari Meister, cheers for her. "I felt pretty nervous and anxious before, but after, I felt relieved and proud of myself," Gatewood said. Gatewood swam a 2:05.42, over two seconds slower than her personal best. She placed 20th overall and did not advance to the finals.

2026 - Talking with Head Swim Coach Kari Meister on Feb. 27, sophomore Mya Hallgren learns she advanced to the state swimming finals in the 50-yard freestyle. Hallgren tied for 17th place and had to compete in a swim-off to determine if she went to the finals. Hallgren went a personal best of 25.51 seconds that day.

2025 - Meeting for the first time, sophomore Emmalynn Naylor's character, Kolenkhov, throws senior Joel Berck's character, Mr. Kirby, to the ground at the opening night one-act performance of "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" on Nov. 9. The two students had been trained in stage combat under Dr. Vincent Carlson (professional stunt actor). "In a performance, it looks like spur-of-the-moment chaos, but it's really very careful and practiced," Berck said.

2025 - Furious with Grandma Vanderhof (played by senior Adelaide Horst), Mr. Kirby (played by senior Joel Berck) yells at her after she criticized his business-first lifestyle at the opening night of the one-act on Nov. 9. The one-act, "You Can’t Take It With You," followed an atypical family clashing with an affluent one. Grandma Vanderhof was known to enrage the Kirby family, especially throughout the produciton.

2025 - Leading the rival teams as one, senior Callum Buss guides a prayer after the Gretna versus Gretna East game on Oct. 24. The Griffins defeated the Dragons 35-28 and had originally gathered in the center of the field on their own for their regular postgame prayer. As they saw the Dragons walking off, they quickly invited their rivals to join them in their postgame reflection and gratitude. Buss spoke about being grateful for the talents they all share.

2025 - After defeating their rival on Oct. 24, Gretna High School, Head Football Coach Justin Haberman explains to the players to be respectful and classy as they celebrate their 35-28 win. "Gretna is a great team,” Haberman said. “If you look at their three losses, they’re high-quality opponents. You can never overlook a team, especially somebody with the talent that they have."

2025 - Henry, the service dog, or "Wonderdog" from the Sarpy County Sheriff's department, poses for a photo at a football game on Oct. 24. Henry and his owner, Jeff Kaiser, often attended the games. There, Kaiser would throw a tennis ball across the field for fetch before the games began.

2025 - At the rivalry game against Gretna High on Oct. 24, the student section reacts to a surprise touchdown from senior runningback Connor Sams. The Griffins won the game for the second year in a row, 35-28. “Great senior leadership has been key,” Head Varsity Football Coach Justin Haberman said. “Great senior leadership and the execution of our plays on offense and defense, the kids have really bought in and focused on the execution factor.”

2025 - After being crowned Homecoming Princess, senior Ashlyn Dart meets senior Carson Hermann, the Homecoming Prince, on the sidelines in the pouring rain after the football game on Oct. 18. Dart and Hermann have dated for several years. “It was a really exciting and special moment,” Dart said. “I felt so grateful and overwhelmed in the best way.”

2025 - Taking charge of the student section, seniors Hailey Schwartz and Blake Harris write on the board to get the crowd cheering at the Homecoming game Sept. 19. The pair typically guided the student section with the help of seniors Jacob Hawley, Kasen Brown and Ashlyn Dart, who stand beside them in the photo. “We base it more on the crowd’s energy, not off a plan, just to try and keep the game fun and interesting,” Schwartz said.

2025 - Training younger players, sophomores Lexie Elliott and Serena Shanahan explain proper passing technique at a Gretna lacrosse camp on Sept. 6. Because Gretna Public Schools does not have an official school-sponsored lacrosse team, high school club players hosted the camp to recruit younger athletes and demonstrate interest to the district. “I would be able to be there sooner, and I could actually go to practices and know people there,” said Eliza, a seventh grader at Gretna Middle School, on the benefits of establishing an official high school team.

2025 - At a lacrosse camp at Aspen Creek Middle School on Sept. 6, Gretna East students gather on the field before splitting into groups to teach younger prospective players different skills of the game. They hosted the camp to grow interest in lacrosse in the Gretna community, as 12 students are needed to start official boys and girls teams.

2025 - Assessing the field, freshman Jaxen Freyer makes the game calls for Gretna Live on Aug. 18. This was Freyer's first time working with the school's broadcasting team. He spent over an hour before the game practicing pronouncing every player's name out loud.

2025 - During the fall pep rally finale on Aug. 25, freshman Braden Daniels, sophomore Sabrina Nix and junior Timothy White perform the Griffin Fight Song as the dance and cheer teams complete their final routine.

2025 - Jumping over senior Zoey Bowling, senior Tyler Cox leaps over her. At the spring pep rally on March 11, the dance team collaborated with male athletes for a joint dance to "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake. Each dance team member partnered with a boy. "The performance was so much fun," Bowling said. "It was way less stress than we're used to with our competition dances. The boys said they also had so much fun and can't wait for next year."

2025 - After freshman Emmalyn Naylor asks him to neigh like a horse, junior Porter Evans stands awkwardly. The pair was a part of an OID speech performance at the Eastern Midlands Conference tournament on Feb. 22. Their speech was a mini play about a producer trying to create a perfect boy band.

2024 - Senior Trevor Cox and junior Jensen Albers watch the state quarterfinals from the dugout at Tal Anderson Field on May 11. The team beat Plattsmouth 5-4.

2025 - At Senior Sunrise on May 8, senior Sonora DeFini laughs with her friend, senior Karli Williams. The two played basketball and soccer together all four years of high school, but will attend different colleges in the fall, with DeFini committed to Oklahoma State University and Williams to the University of Nebraska Omaha.

2025 - Filming their last ever "Question of the Week" for Gretna East Media's social media accounts, Peyton Parker holds the phone while Drew Rhoades interviews Kendall Logan and Grace Pedersen at Senior Sunrise on May 8. The pair asked their fellow seniors what their plans were after high school for the video. Rhoades and Parker had posted a "QOTW" every week for two years with Gretna East Media.

2025 - During Post Prom on April 12, magician Mike Bliss performs an act with the help of junior Jacob Hawley. "I was expecting a hypnotist, but he filled in pretty well," Hawley said.

2025 - Friends laugh as the artist reveals their caricature showing them kissing each other at Post Prom on April 12. There were four other caricature artists as well, all with long lines.

2025 - Strumming his guitar, Doody (played by senior Colton Knott), sings a heartfelt number, "Those Magic Changes," in the "Grease" musical on April 3.

2025 - Celebrating their 35-28 win against Lincoln Pius X, the girls basketball team storms onto the court after the state quarterfinals on March 6. Previously, the team had two home losses to Pius (41-46) (41-43), casting the Griffins as the underdog in the State game. “That was just absolutely unreal,” sophomore Lily Fredrick said. “We had already lost to them twice, so it felt like it was like the best day ever to finally beat them.”

2025 - After shaking hands with the Skutt Catholic Skyhawks, tears are shed as senior Hailey Levinson embraces sophomore Sophia Lindsey and senior Karli Williams embraces junior Taryn French. The team lost in the state finals on March 8 and took in their last game with their favorite senior players.

2025 - On a field trip for Gretna Live on Feb. 25, the broadcasting class gets an inside look at Husker facilities and media production. Walking with Husker Vision producer Tyler Rice, senior Brody Heidemann makes his way onto the field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Heidemann planned to attend the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and work with Husker Vision the following fall, so he spent his tour asking countless questions to Rice.

2024 - Tossing a ring, a pirate Trunk-or-Treater tries to hook it on the field goal that senior William Seim was wearing. This was a popular game among attendees at the Oct. 27 Trunk-or-Treat, put on by the National Honor Society, and often had kids waiting in line for a turn in exchange for candy.

2024 - At their Oct. 24 performance of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Hyde (played by senior Andrew Jones) holds a knife to the throat of Rachel Lanyon (played by senior Elena Bunker). At the state competition for this one-act, Jones won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of the violent Hyde.

2024 - Surrounded by seniors Kaydence Meraz, Ayla Meraz and Alyssa Belitz, along with junior Ava Fink, a Trunk-or-Treater smiles at a "Muffin" stuffed animal on Oct 27. The girls' trunk theme was "Bluey," which the little girl loved.

2024 - Hyde (played by senior Andrew Jones) explains his evil motives in a monologue during the one-act, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," on Oct. 24. "The students are used to the comedic style from last year, so teaching, breaking them out of their comedic reacting habits to bring them into a more realistic style of acting was a fun challenge for us," director Nicole Schlautman said. “It’s a different form of communication; it requires different language and direction to open them up to this style of acting.”

2024 - After Dr. David Lanyon, played by senior Colton Knott, is stabbed by Hyde, senior Elena Bunker holds her brother's dying body during the Oct. 24 one-act performance of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

2024 - Newly crowned Homecoming Queen, junior Addison Larock, is hugged by her sisters on Oct. 10 at the Gretna High School Stadium. The coronation took place after Gretna East's football game against Ralston. Senior Drew Rhoades was named King, senior Colton Knott was named Prince and senior Addison Upton was named Princess as well.

2024 - Right after the homecoming coronation, senior Addison Upton's mother readjusts her daughter's crown after she was named Homecoming Princess on Oct. 10.

2024 - In the final song of the show choir's performance on Oct. 3, senior Colton Knott faces the crowd with his arms outstretched. Knott portrayed Thomas Edison in the performance about the invention of the lightbulb.

2024 - Executing their choreography, members of Gretna East's show choir, Equinox, strike a pose in their opener, “The Spark of Creation/Our Time” on Oct. 3. "[Equinox Director Nathan] Wallace has just put a lot of work into the show," junior Logan Hartman said.

2024 - On Oct. 2, junior Adelaide Brosh donates blood for the American Red Cross.

2024 - Working through a math packet in the courtyard on Aug. 29, Aspen Creek Middle School students Averi Bachman, Bernadette Hebrew, Hadley McDowell and freshman Charlotte Barth discuss their answers during their first hour CP Geometry class. "It's better to be outside than the classroom," Barth said. "It's just a better environment."

2024 - Surrounded by her teammates, freshman Charlotte Barth celebrates their scrimmage win on Aug. 17.

2025 - Dancing alongside the Gretna East marching band, two young Gretna community members jump around at the Gretna Days Parade on July 27. This was the second year the marching band performed in the parade.

2024 - On their Olympic-themed float at the Gretna Days Parade on July 27, Head Volleyball Coach Mike Brandon soaks the crowd with a water gun alongside the Gretna East volleyball team. The float took first place in the parade float decorating contest.

2024 - Tony Vargas walks with his children in the Gretna Days Parade on July 27 for his campaign for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. Don Bacon also walked in the parade with high school students.

2024 - After scoring her 55th to become the single-season goal-scoring record-holder, senior Sonora DeFini is embraced by her teammates at the Class B state semifinals against Duchense on May 13.

2024 - After a tornado ripped through the community, the football booster club collects household items for affected families in the Griffin community on April 27. “We’re really impressed by the community’s turnout,” Cory Allan, one of the organizers, said. Their collections surpassed their needs, so they donated the excess to the surrounding communities like Elkhorn and Millard.

2023 - Ava's Army Ball attendees listen to Amanda Reinert's speech on Dec. 2. The ball, held annually by Reinert, honors childhood cancer victims and raises money for their treatment and research. "These families, afterward, say things to us like, ‘This is our new family tradition,’ or ‘This is the most we’ve seen her smile in two years,’” Reinert said. “Those things mean a lot, so even though it’s so much work, it is all worth it when you hear things like that.”

2023 - At the Ava's Army Ball on Dec. 2, two attendees take selfies with photo booth props. The annual ball honors childhood cancer victims and raises money for their treatment and research. The event featured activities for different age groups, from meeting Disney princesses to getting temporary tattoos, but the photo booth was especially popular with middle school aged attendees.

2023 - Going in for the high-five at the state quarterfinals, junior Hayden Hart celebrates a kill with teammates junior Hailey Levinson, junior Nyah Pothoff, freshman Ava Waters and junior Margaret Williams on Nov 1. The team eventually lost in three sets. "We were all speechless, it was so much fun," Hart said. "We got out there, and we were looking at each other like 'OMG, this is really happening,'" Hart said.

2023 - Performing their show, the Griffin Pride Band plays their songs "Spyfall" by Benjamin Hilton and "Skyfall" by Adele at the Nebraska State Band Competition on Oct. 21 at Millard South High School. Their show was titled "Double Agent" and was inspired by James Bond. The team took 9th place overall out of 23.

2023 - Performing "The Smell of Rebellion" in "Matilda: The Musical" on Oct. 7, freshman Sophia Cacioppo does a push-up as the students complete different exercises.

2023 - During "Matilda: The Musical," elementary school students sing "When I Grow Up" at the front of the stage on Oct. 7. The high school production recruited students from across the district to be a part of the ensemble.

2023 - For "Matilda: The Musical," after finishing a cake, Bruce, played by middle schooler Quinn Balcer, is cheered for by the students on Oct. 7.

2023 - Behind the scenes, musical director Pat Ribar plays the soundtrack for "Matilda: The Musical" on Oct. 7. Other students joined him in playing the drums and guitar.

2023 - Taking a photo, junior Margaret Williams captures Hayden Hart, Gabrielle Lund, sophomore Halle Nienaber and freshman Avery Kelsay at homecoming on Sept. 29. "I love getting together with all of my friends and having fun," Nienaber said.

2023 - At the Tiburon Pool’s annual “Dog Day” on Sept. 4, a patron takes her labradoodle for a dip in the shallow end. Each year, patrons are invited to bring their four-legged friends on the last day before the pool is drained for the season.

2023 - Before closing for the season, the Tiburon Pool hosts their annual "Dog Day" on Sept. 4. Guests can bring their four-legged friends for a dip, or maybe sometimes a jump, in the cool water. "I love seeing all the dogs jump into the pool,” pool manager Keegan Kruise said. “They just launch themselves; it’s so funny.

2023 - At the scrimmage on Aug. 17, juniors Wyatt Robinson and Mason Gunn, along with sophomore Jaxon Godfrey, have their eyes on the field as coach Justin Haberman talks about envisioning success in their upcoming season.

2023 - Giving a postgame speech after the team's first-ever scrimmage on Aug. 17, Head Football Coach Justin Haberman captures the attention of the team. "I wanted every kid to know everybody was going to get an opportunity, and everyone was going to be seen," Haberman said.

2023 - In a sea of football players at the fall pep rally on Aug. 13, sophomore Jaxon Godfrey is celebrated. Godfrey stood up and instructed the team to sing him "Happy Birthday," after which he was playfully roughed up.

2023 - During the first-ever pep rally at Gretna East on Aug. 13, varsity cheerleaders juniors Kayla Hartmann, Avery Babe and Mikela Kralik, along with sophomore Haley Paulsen, perform the team's game day routine. "I thought it was a good opportunity," Hartmann said. "I had never performed at a pep rally before."

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