Seward Rotary Club has announced the 2024 winners of the "Why I Like to Live in Seward" essay contest
Members of the Seward Rotary Club judged over 100+ essays on “Why I like to live in Seward by area students to select the “Royalty” for the 2024 Fourth of July Celebration.  The winners of the Seward Rotary Club’s essay contest are named “Miss. Independence” and “Mr. Firecracker” and they, along with the “Runners-Up,” will reign over the festival on July 4, 2024. The annual contest requires the student to write an essay on the topic “Why I like to live in Seward” and submit the essay for judging.
 
The essay winners include: “Mr. Firecracker” – 2024 – Burke Bargmann, the son of Derek and Molly Bargman. He was in the Third grade at Seward Elementary and his teacher was Mrs Brittney Carol.  “Mr. Firecracker-Runner-Up” 2024 is Paxton Hartmann, also from Seward Elementary School, who isthe son of Cory and Justin Hartman.  He was a Fourth Grader at Seward Elementary and his teacher was Mrs. Crystal Luebbe. 
 
“Miss Independence” – 2024 is Nevaeh Harms, the daughter of Amy and Nolan Harms.  She is a Fourth Grader at Seward St. John Lutheran School and her teacher was Katie Krause.  “Miss Independence-Runner-Up” is Amaurra Krohe, also at St. John Lutheran School in Seward, and she is the daughter of Allyson and Brian Krohe.  She was a Third Grader and her teacher was Deb Gebhardt.
 
“We had over 100+ essays to sort and judge at all grade levels K-4 and there were many deserving children,” commented Rotary President Ben Sprik.  “The committee all enjoyed reading the essays and the very sincere efforts made by the young writers, who tried to show us why they like to live in Seward! It was a tough but fun assignment.”
 
The students will be honored and receive their crowns at the official July 4 Celebration Kick-Off Party at the Nebraska National Guard Museum and read their essays on “Why I like to live in Seward.” 
 
“It is always great to showcase children from the Seward area,” noted Rotarian Ken Schmieding.  “We have so many great kids and these essays demonstrate what wonderful jobs of parenting are happening in our community.  These students are happy and feel blessed and expressed that in their messages to us.”
 
They will also be honored on July 1 at the Kiwanis Club meeting at noon at the Nebraska National Guard Museum and again on July 3 at the noon luncheon at the Jones Bank basement auditorium, for the project sponsors, the Seward Rotary Club. They are also invited to attend the July 3rd Concert at Seward High, saluting the “Civil War” and be recognized.  The students will be photographed and their essays and photos will be on the July 4 website and the Special Edition of the Seward County Independent - Fourth of July Celebration, Special Edition.
 
On July 4, the students will attend Mayor’s Reception at the St. John Fellowship Hall at 2:30 with the other Queens, Dignitaries and Guests and then ride in the Grand Parade at 4:00 pm.   They will be introduced and read their essays on stage at the Band shell at 6:00 pm and be presented with their engraved trophy and fireworks, compliments of the Seward Rotary Club-who have sponsored this program for community youth for over 50 years.