'A Leap Into History': Gothenburg Pony Express station celebrates US, Nebraska history with sculpture dedication
It took Linda Egle two to three years to complete this bronze statue of a Pony Express rider and his horse in full gallop. Here she is pictured with the sculpture she calls, "A Leap Into History."
GOTHENBURG — On Wednesday, April 22, a bronze Pony Express statue by Linda Egle was dedicated after a 20-year effort by the Nebraska chapter of the National Pony Express Association at the Gothenburg Pony Express Station located at Ehmen Park in Gothenburg.
The statue, called "A Leap Into History," depicts a horse and its rider in full gallop, carrying mail. The Nebraska chapter of the National Pony Express Association commissioned it with the help of the Gothenburg Pony Express Station.
The organization first sought to commission a statue 20 years ago. Egle was the first artist approached, but she said her price was too high for the organization at the time. The project ultimately ended up in the hands of artist Gerry Ginther of McCook.
Ginther began work on the project but was unable to finish it after being diagnosed with cancer. After his death, the Pony Express Association chapter searched for a new artist who was willing to finish his work.
Egle agreed to see if any of Ginther's work could be salvaged after sitting in storage but ultimately she had to start from scratch.
Via donors, the local group raised the money to pay Egle for her work, though Matt Weiss said the project was just as important to Egle as it was to the Gothenburg Pony Express Association.
Weiss is the president of the Gothenburg Pony Express Association, its museum curator and the chairperson of the Gothenburg Tourism Committee.
He is passionate about the Pony Express and its role in American history.
He said that dedicating the statue during the 250th year of America was wonderful, and that he met with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and received a proclamation declaring April 22, 2026, Pony Express Day.
Weiss read the proclamation during the statute dedication ceremony on Wednesday.
Each year, 20,000 to 25,000 tourists visit the Gothenburg Pony Express Station, and most of those come during the summer when the gift shop is open.
Weiss said that by the end of May each year, people from all 50 states have usually visited the site. Visitors come from 60 to 70 countries each year.
"You'd be amazed how many people are so enthused to know more about the Pony Express and American Western history," Weiss said, adding that association members hope the statue will "maybe spark some new history buffs out of young kids."
Egle is a Thedford artist who works with bronze. She shared that the center of "A Leap into History" is hollow and that the entire sculpture is bronze, which she shaped into a galloping horse and rider.
In 2024, Egle presented a one-sixth-scale model of the sculpture at the Nebraska Pony Express State meeting and received a unanimous "yes" vote to commission the sculpture.
Lyle Gronewold of Gothenburg provided Egle with clay reproductions of a historically accurate revolver, army bit and mochila as references for her work.
Egle's family was present at the sculpture dedication, and her young grandsons sat in front of the finished statue, looking up at it in awe.
"It weighs about 13 hundred pounds," Egle said of the statue. "Because he's hollow. You can't have it ... the metal has to all cool at the same rate, so like the legs are kind of hollow, but the body is way hollow."
Artist Linda Egle (back right) poses with her family in front of the "A Leap Into History" sculpture April 22. Egle crafted the bronze horse and rider for the Pony Express dedication.
With a smile, Egle said she believes the stories and history of the Pony Express still resonate today because "people have an image of themselves getting on a horse and tearing across the country. I think a lot of people have those thoughts, and it's just as inspiring that most of these riders were kids. I think that no matter how old we get, we're still a kid inside."
Matt Weiss, president of the Gothenburg Pony Express Association, and Cathy Stevens speak during the dedication of the bronze statue "A Leap Into History" created by Linda Egle. The statue was created to memorialize the history of the Pony Express, and the young riders who rode during its existence.
The Pony Express lasted only 18 1/2 months and was what Weiss called "a daring experiment," but its hooves still echo across the nation as the National Pony Express Association shares its stories.
One such story is how the Pony Express carried President Abraham Lincoln's inaugural address, meant to draft California into the Union, across the nation in only seven days, seven hours and seven minutes when it should have taken 10 full days.
"You know, those early Pony Express riders, they united the country," said President Cathy Stevens of the Nebraska Division of the Pony Express. "It's wonderful history, and even today, people just love the Western aspect. They love it.
"They can't all ride a horse. They can't all join the Pony Express because they might live in different areas, but they all remember it and just love hearing about it, and it's a great part of United States history and Nebraska history too."
"A Leap Into History" stands outside the Pony Express Station at Ehmen Park. Visitors to the dedication ceremony were encouraged to explore the station and the Gothenburg Historical Museum across the street.
Alice Heinrichs, Luella Cox, Mary Hellmancone, and Tim Cox were only four of the many Nebraska Pony Express Association members present at the sculpture dedication ceremony April 22 in Gothenburg.
The Gothenburg Pony Express Station is located at 510 15th St. It is volunteer-run and open during the summer, seven days a week, April 3-Oct. 24.
Admission is free and the station door is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May through September and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in April and October.
For more information about the Pony Express, visit the museum website at ponyexpressstation.org/.
An annual re-ride of the original Pony Express route is being planned for June of this year. For information regarding it and the Pony Express Association or to become a Pony Express member, visit nationalponyexpress.org.
Around Town
The Around Town section of the Clipper-Herald is to notify the public of upcoming events and to publicize pertinent information from individuals, groups or service organizations.
LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS
Lexington Public Library's final creative writing class will be held on Monday, April 27 from 2-3:30 p.m.
"Hooked on Heroes" youth fishing event with veterans Saturday, May 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Plum Creek Park. This is a free event. Prizes for smallest fish, biggest fish and sportsmanship award. No license needed and all families and children are welcome.
The women of First Presbyterian Church invite you to attend the May breakfast on May 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall at 801 N. Lincoln St., in Lexington. The speaker is Cassidy Thompson of Creek Bend Family Farm. A free will offering will be taken. Please call 308-324-5507 if you plan to attend.
Pheasants Forever annual banquet Saturday, April 25 at The Well at 5:30 p.m. contact Michael for information and tickets at 308-651-0867 or Gunnar at 308-529-3732.
A Healthy Lunch Break Wednesday, April 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orthman Community YMCA in partnership with Lexington Regional Health Center. RSVP for a free lunch provided by LRHC by calling the YMCA at 308-324-1970 by Tuesday, April 21.
Grand opening of the Global Roots community garden will be Friday, May 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 801 N Lincoln St., Lexington.
YMCA Cinco de Mayo 5/10K walk/run Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m.
Mobile Food Pantry Thursday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at the Dawson County Fairgrounds.
Dinosaur Dimensions Show Friday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at Veteran's Pavilion.
GriefShare meets every Thursday through April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.
Parkview Baptist Church holds a food pantry every third Saturday of the month at the Refuge Building (1105 Park St.) in Lexington.
The Dawson County History Museum is hosting “Coffee with Carol” the first Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Lexington Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month at the Lexington Grand Generation Center.
Lexington Rotary Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at Dawson County Annex Building at noon. For more information or to join call 308-325-7006.
The Dawson County Democrats meet at 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at the Los Jalapeños Restaurant.
American Legion in Lexington meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles.
WIC Clinic Sites, Dawson County: Lexington – Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Building, 931 W. Seventh St., Tuesday through Thursday the first 4 full weeks for each month.
RYDE Transit — Public Transportation is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a ride in Dawson County or Lexington call 308-324-3670. Public Transportation is easy to ride and open to everyone.
COZAD HAPPENINGS
Food for Fines at the Wilson Public Library, the entire month of April. A canned food item waives $2 off a patron's prior fines.
Steak Night Dine In/Drive Thru Thursday, May 14 at the Cozad Grand Generation Center at 5 p.m.
Beef on the Green is back! Join the Cozad Chamber Ag Committee on Monday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 .m. for a delicious free‑will donation burger meal on the green. All proceeds support the Cozad FFA Chapter, helping grow the next generation of ag leaders.
Nebraska Scams and Fraud Education program at the Cozad Grand Generation Center Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library.
State Sen. Teresa Ibach will be at the Wilson Public Library for a Community Chat at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 1.
Cozad Community Health System is hosting a 75th year open house and remodel ribbon cutting Friday, May 15 from 4-7 p.m.
The Chamber Golf Tournament is Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m. Register now for the 18-hole, four-person scramble.
City wide garage sales Saturday, June 13. $15 registration to put your location on the map.
The Writing Society meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library. Open to all writers of all levels and genres.
Blacktop Classics Car Show Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. in downtown Cozad on Meridian Avenue.
Bands, Brews and BBQs will be held Saturday, July 11 with the Lemon Fresh Day band headlining the night and opener by Heather Wellman. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. More information on ticket sales will be provided at a later date.
Blood Pressure Clinic at the Cozad Grand Generation Center the third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center has Home Delivered Meals to the Community Monday — Friday. If you would like to receive Home Delivered Meals or would like to pick up a Curbside Meal at 410 W. Ninth St. from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., please call us at 308-784-2747 by 9:30 a.m. that morning, so we can arrange everything for your convenience.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center Bus is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a ride in Cozad call 308-784-2747.
OVERTON HAPPENINGS
The Overton Alumni Association 125th annual banquet will be Sunday, May 24 at 6 p.m. at the Overton school gym. Tickets are $25 each and must be purchased by May 18, and available at First Security Bank in Overton. For tickets and more information call Alyce Bauer at 308-987-2280.
GOTHENBURG HAPPENINGS
The Gothenburg FFA Greenhouse opens April 25. Dates are: April 25-26, May 2-3, May 9-10 and May 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 1311 Ave G.
NBC's America's Got Talent Joseph Hall as Elvis featuring The Roustabouts Band Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Sun Theatre. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $30 for VIP. Call 402-413-5747.
25th Annual Walk for Life at Lake Helen with registration at 9:30 a.m. and walking starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2. This is a fundraiser for the North Platte Women's Resource Center.
The 51st annual Gothenburg Area Fireman's Ball is set for Saturday, May 30 from 5 p.m. to midnight.
City Wide Garage Sales Saturday, June 20. Register for $20 to get your location on the map. Deadline is June 10.
Livin' Out Loud is set for Aug. 15-16 at Lake Helen.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
LEXINGTON
Majestic Theatre, 615 N. Washington St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $5, Students/Senior Citizens/Child $4
SHOWTIMES:
"A Great Awakening" (PG-13) - April 25-26, 29; Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 and 7 p.m.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" (PG-13) - May 1-3, 6 and 8-10, 13; Fridays/Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
COZAD
Fox Theater, 100 E. Eighth St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $9, Student/Seniors/Military $8, 5 and under $6.50, Matinee (all ages) $6.50
SHOWTIMES:
"Super Mario Galaxy Movie" (PG) - April 25-30; Saturday/Sunday at 4:20 and 7:10 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7:10 p.m.
"Michael" (PG-13) - April 25-30; Saturday/Sunday at 4:30 and 7:20 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m.
"Normal" (R) - April 25-30; Saturday/Sunday at 4:30 and 7:20 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7:20 p.m.
GOTHENBURG
Sun Theatre, 404 10th St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $5, Child (12 and under) $3, Senior Citizen $4
SHOWTIMES:
"A Great Awakening" (PG-13) - April 25-26; Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
"The Devil Wears Prada 2" (PG-13) - May 1-3; Friday/Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The Lexington Public Library hours are: Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. — 5 p.m., Sunday: Closed. Watch for lots of fun programs and activities this summer. Also, we are continuing curbside services; call the library at 308-324-2151 for information.
Novel Stitchers meets on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Board Room of the Library.
Storytime meets at the Library on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
The Wilson Public Library normal hours are: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Public and private meetings have resumed, with 24-hour notice appreciated. Limits to how many attendees based upon room need, what equipment is available and other restrictions can be found by calling us at 308-784-2019 or stopping at the front desk. Normal policies about room rental can be found under Policies at wilsonpubliclibrary.org.
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER
The exercise room is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Frog
12:45 p.m. - I've Got It
TUESDAY
12:45 p.m. - Pool
1 p.m. - Bunco
WEDNESDAY
12:45 p.m. - Cards
1 p.m. - Frog
THURSDAY
12:45 p.m. - Farkle
12:45 p.m. - Pool
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Homemade bread every day. Choice of skim, 2% or chocolate milk. No reservations are needed except for large groups. Serving time: 11:30 a.m. Please call 308-324-2498 by 10 a.m. for delivery or carryout meals.
MONDAY
Chicken Patty on a Bun or Liver and Onions, Tater Tots, Three Bean Casserole, Pears
TUESDAY
Cubed Pork in Gravy, Potato Casserole, Corn and Broccoli Casserole, Mixed Fruit
WEDNESDAY
Sweet and Sour Chicken, Wild Rice, Cali Blend Veggies, Cold Veggie Salad, Applesauce
THURSDAY
Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, Buttered Cabbage, Stewed Tomatoes, Plums
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER
When Cozad schools are closed due to inclement weather, the center will also be closed. Check KRVN or the TV for weather related closings.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
1 p.m. - Pitch
TUESDAY
8 a.m. - Tourism Meeting
Noon- Rotary
1 p.m. - Fraud and Scam meeting
WEDNESDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Salad Bar is available daily with meals served from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Potato Soup, Ham Salad Sandwich, Fruit Mix, Turnover
TUESDAY
Meatloaf, Baked Potato, Corn, Frog Eyed Salad, Ice Cream
WEDNESDAY
Tuna Noodle Casserole, Peas, Peaches, Dessert
THURSDAY
Chicken Alfredo, Roasted Potatoes, Beets, Pears, Ice Cream
FRIDAY
Tater Tot Casserole, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Salad Bar, Cookies
FARNAM SENIOR CENTER
The center will be closed on Fridays until further notice. When Eustis-Farnam Schools are closed due to the weather, the Senior Center will also be closed. Call ahead by 9:30 a.m. to get a meal 308-569-2359.
MONDAY
Philly Cheese Steak, Cheesy Potatoes, Carrots, Applesauce
TUESDAY
Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Peaches, Dinner Roll
WEDNESDAY
Sweet and Sour Pork, Broccoli, Corn Salad, Pineapple, Dinner Roll
THURSDAY
Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Pears, Dinner Roll
FRIDAY
Closed
GOSPER COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
All meals are served with vegetables, fruit and a sweet item. Please call before 10 a.m. for your reservation 308-785-2500. Menu is subject to change without notice.
MONDAY
Baked Potato Bar
TUESDAY
Pork Schnitzel
WEDNESDAY
Chili Burger
THURSDAY
Chicken Cordon Bleu
FRIDAY
Soup and Sandwich
ORGANIZATIONS
It Works Group: AA meetings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at 303 E. Sixth St., in Lexington.
First Christin Church NA: meets Sundays at 7 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m. 1206 N. Erie St., in Lexington.
Westside Group: AA/NA: open meeting on Monday and Friday nights from 7-8 p.m. Meetings are held at Grace Lutheran Church, 105 E. 17th St., Lexington, use the south door.
Women's Group: meets every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on the second floor lounge at the Dawson County Courthouse (700 N. Washington St.)
Celebrate Recovery: Meetings at 7 p.m. on Fridays at Parkview Baptist Church’s Refuge Building (1105 Park St., Lexington) Contact: 308-324-4410.
Four Roads Group AA: meetings are held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m., Fridays from 7-8 p.m. and Sundays from 7 p.m. at 1801 W. 18th St., in Lexington.
Grupo Lexington AA (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Saturdays from 8-9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon at 114 W. 6th St. in Lexington.
Group Nueva Vida Lexington (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at 114 W. Eighth St., in Lexington.
Full of Grace: Meetings from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Nazarene Church at 919 H St., in Cozad.
Southview Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1804 Papio Lane in Cozad.
SMART Recovery meets at St. Peter’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 905 East 13th St., Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sumner AA Group: meets Sundays and Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. at 205 E. Fifth Avenue, in Sumner. For more information call 308-325-5827.
Bertrand Thurs Night Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Thursdays at Hope Lutheran Church, 74094 Road 436 in Smithfield. Call 308-785-3567 or 308-472-3376.
Odie Group AA/NA: meetings at 8 p.m. on Sundays in Elwood at 501 Calvert Avenue.
Pony Express Group AA: meetings are held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church (515 18th St.) in Gothenburg.
Thirsty Thursday by the Cemetery: Meetings held on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church (2002 27th St.) in Gothenburg.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meetings are held the second Thursday each month at 2 p.m. at Lexington Regional Health Center (1201 N. Erie St., Lexington). For more information contact Dixie Menke at 308-325-5350.
Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Immunization Clinic, first and third Mondays every month: Open 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. by appointment at 931 W. Seventh St., Lexington. Previous vaccination records required. Contact 308-325-3436 or 308-325-3169.
Dawson/Gosper County CASA: seeking Volunteers. CASA Volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life, who advocate through the court system in the interests of children. Contact 308-324-7364.
Local
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At Lexington library, State Poet Jewel Rodgers invites community into the art of poetry
LEXINGTON — Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers visited the Lexington Public Library on Thursday, April 23, to offer a workshop during National Poetry Month.
Rodgers is a North Omaha native who was appointed state poet in 2025. She will serve through 2029.
Though Rodgers is widely viewed as a spoken-word poet, she said, "I've learned that sometimes there's a little stigma to that. So lately I just say I'm a poet."
Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers visits the Lexington Public Library on Thursday, April 23.
Rodgers said she is aware of a conversation that took place before her appointment regarding whether a spoken-word poet should be allowed to be appointed as state poet, because spoken word poetry is meant to be enjoyed through performance while written poetry is absorbed from the page.
Since she was 10 years old, Rodgers has been writing poetry. She learned that she loved the art form after reading a Maya Angelou poetry collection.
“Angelou taught me what poetry is,” she said.
In sixth grade, Rodgers combined the public speaking skills she’d learned in school with her love for poetry.
Then she experienced a moment that would reshape the rest of her life.
“At 12 years old I visited a house that was so beautiful it made me cry,” Rodgers said. The house ignited her love for architecture, and she invested herself in it, going on to study architecture in college.
But “I learned they (architects) didn’t have the level of autonomy over their projects I thought they did,” Rodgers said. She wanted to have control over her art, so she changed her major to business management and kept writing.
Rodgers said that for a while she was “living a double life” as she balanced a career in real estate with her hobby of poetry. She competed in poetry slams and attended open mic nights.
She balanced the double life so well that her co-workers didn’t even know she was a poet until she was announced as Nebraska’s state poet.
While she became a full-time working artist in June 2025, Rodgers has dedicated a large chunk of her time toward creating spaces where nature and art live in harmony.
The art of poetry is “very much a participatory practice,” Rodgers told attendees of Thursday’s workshop at the library.
She told them that snapping, clapping and “making yummy noises” at any point during her poems were allowed and are allowed in all cases unless the poet speaking has asked for silence.
She encouraged them to interact not only with the poems that she read but also with the ones written by other participants during the workshop.
The workshop was attended by seasoned poets, writers, librarians, people new to the poetry world, and people who just happened to find themselves there.
Each one of them was challenged by Rodgers to write their own pieces about either a moment when their expectations weren’t met or the first moment they remember experiencing joy.
She gave them five minutes to write and then encouraged them to share their poems aloud. Then she led them through an exercise to hone their skills via imitation.
“I recently learned this exercise is used in jazz,” Rodgers said. “In poetry you can look at someone else's poem and replace words or mimic the form.”
Imitation exercises can help writers break through writer's block by helping them get out of their own way, she said, because “maybe you have something in your heart, but you don’t know where to start.”
She encouraged the attendees to keep writing even if they got stuck, because while she was asking them to take their own concept and imitate another person’s poem, at the end of the day, “it’s still your poem,” and they could do as they wanted in it.
Rodgers’ personal writing process depends on why she is writing a particular poem.
When she is writing occasional poems — such as when she was asked to write a poem in celebration of America’s 250th birthday — her process starts with research. Then she’ll look at what other poets are saying about the same topic, and then she applies what she’s learned to her style and keeps building on it.
“Personal poems come right out,” Rodgers said. “Because the research is what I’ve experienced. They are just my emotions.”
If the poem she’s writing is meant to be presented to the public, she will record her voice so she can hear how it sounds.
Additionally, for poetry slams, she will record herself on video, as judges look at body language, facial features, enunciation, expression and timing.
“Every bit of your body on the stage wants to be contributing to the piece,” Rodgers said.
Many of Rodger’s poems have themes related to social issues, justice and growing up in North Omaha.
She said she "wants to see how far I can go in the poetry world.”
Though Rodgers is primarily known as a spoken-word poet, she has one published collection, “Wax Over Water.” It can be found on her website, jewelrodgers.com.
Local
Top Story Spotlight
Lexington's Oakley Burson. Sofia Silva-Benavidez win the Tree Board Poster Contest
Lexington third-graders Oakley Burson and Sofia Silva-Benavidez were this year's Tree Board Arbor Day poster contest winners.
The contest is held annually by the city's Tree Board. The winners were announced April 22 and 23.
Oakley, who attends Bryan Elementary School, said she was inspired by a poster last year with a drawing of a park.
Pictured here is Bryan Elementary School's winning poster by Oaklyn Burson.
Oakley used a combination of crayons and Sharpie to create a poster with a tree, a swing, a house, a sun and information about Arbor Day.
"I really like the way I did it," she said of her poster. "I really like how I put a smiley face on the sun and the house and I like all the information I put on it."
Sofia was the winner from Sandoz Elementary.
Pictured here is Sandoz Elementary School's winning poster by Sofia Silva-Benavidez.
Her poster was of a picnic beneath a large green tree with an airplane flying in the sky above. Sofia used crayon and markers for her poster.
Stephanie Russman, a third-grade teacher at Bryan Elementary, began her school's Arbor Day presentation on Thursday by telling the students about the history of the holiday.
"I think it's important for kids to know our state's history and how Arbor Day was started within Nebraska," she said, "and why trees are important and how they can help our community."
Pictured (left to right): Mark Burson; Oakley Burson, third grade poster winner at Bryan Elementary School; Amber Burson; and Tree Board members Dave Stenberg and Kevin Zelaya.
This year, 229 posters were submitted for the contest, according to Dennis Burnside of the Lexington Tree Board.
Bryan's third-grade class submitted 61 of those posters. The rest came from the third-grade class of Sandoz.
In previous years there were even more submissions, Burnside said, but because Bryan and Sandoz are the only schools in Lexington with a third grade, there were only two winners this year.
Though the presentation was for third graders, second graders were invited to listen in as a preview to next year, when they will be competing in the Arbor Day poster contest.
"Arbor Day started 154 years ago," Burnside told Bryan students. "Also, 54 years ago the Arbor Day foundation started Tree City USA. Lexington has been a Tree City USA for 29 years in a row."
Each year the Tree Board plants 65 trees in Lexington.
In the past, they have been planted at the schools and parks. But Burnside said those locations have filled up and the board is looking for new locations.
He told the students that a planting date has not yet been scheduled, but that when they do plant the trees, "any one of you can call any one of the trees your own."
Pictured left to right: Tree Board members Kevin Zelaya and Dave Stenberg, Sandoz Elementary School Principal Barry McFarland and Sofia Silva-Benavidez, the school's third grade poster winner.
A similar Arbor Day presentation was held at Sandoz Elementary on Wednesday.
When the Tree Board is choosing winners, they are unaware of who drew what poster. Contestants are asked to write their personal information on the back of their work, so the board can remain unbiased. Once winners are chosen, the posters are flipped over and the artists are contacted.
