By Aaron Scheffler
editor@wayneherald.com
A week after local winners were honored, three students from the Wayne Herald coverage area were selected among the 48 of nearly 700 entries as leaders in Nebraska.
Currency 'Believers and Achievers' and the NSAA announced the statewide winners on Oct. 23 where seniors Josie Ley from Wayne, Kennedy Hall from Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Mayte Flores Garcia from Wakefield were highlighted.
This statewide program is designed to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.
Ley has been working on applying for several scholarships and going through the application process and mentioned it felt achieving that her hard work is paying off.
The Wayne senior patriciates in track & field, cross country, speech, one act, mock trial, dance along with starting a Green Team club influenced by her mom, Sandy Brown.
Wayne Athletic Director Dave Wragge broke the news to Josie.
She was super excited.
"I definitely know there's a lot of great kids that deserve this award," said Ley. "Knowing that I got it, definitely feels special."
Ley added that Wayne has brought many opportunities.
"I don't have to limit myself to one activity per season," Ley added. "I also can focus on school. I feel like Wayne does a good job in balancing it all. I think my coaches and my teachers have all helped me and my parents."
Kennedy Hall of LCC feels really blessed to be recognized at the state level.
Hall said it was crazy how she found out after her mom received a message from the school guidance counselor, Mrs. Beckwith reading...'Kennedy made it.'
"My mom didn't read the whole message and just saw that," said Hall. "My mom called me and was like 'are you supposed to be at one act practice?' Then she opened the message, and realized I made the top 48 Believers and Achievers."
Hall, who was recently traveling with her fellow FFA officers to Indianapolis for National FFA, is the president of the LCC chapter. She also participates in golf, play production, band, music and speech.
Hall said it's a neat honor to showcase LCC.
"Just because it gets our name out there a little more," said Hall. "I just think it's pretty cool that I'm able to do this what I'm involved in."
Mayte Flores Garcia of Wakefield was shocked to see her name on the list of 48.
"There are so many people in Nebraska that have had wonderful leadership and participation through NSAA activities," said Flores Garcia. "But it felt good knowing that all my hard work through my four years of high school paid off."
The Wakefield senior currently serves as the Nebraska vice president of public relations for FCCLA as well as the Wakefield chapter National Honor Society president and Educators Rising chapter president.
She also participates in wrestling, student council, FBLA, One World Club, was on the cheer club previously when they had a coach and is currently the manager of the school's Enterprise smoothies shop called "Better Blended."
Tyler Cronin, Director of Communications and Marketing with the NSAA reached out to Flores Garcia saying she has been selected as a 2025-26 Believer and Achiever.
Flores Garcia said it's a close-knit community in Wakefield.
"It really does feel good knowing that all of my teachers and classmates and friends have supported me to get to this point," said Flores Garcia. "I really couldn't be here without the opportunity that this town has given me."
What does Believer and Achiever mean to you?
"In order to work hard at something you really have to believe you can do it," said Ley. "For me, I just want to go at it with the best positive mind-set. By doing that it helps me achieve."
"Believing in what you stand for and achieving greatness in your life," said Hall. "Not only through one thing, but multiple things in your life."
"Once you sat your mind to something you're able to go after it," said Flores Garcia. "Put in the work to achieve what you've been working towards."
The three seniors will be recognized during a state championship event of their choice between November 2025 -April 2026.
Josie Ley plans to pursue an out-of-state experience gaining an International Business degree or along a business or law program. She also sees herself coming back to Wayne after achieving her goals.
Kennedy Hall from LCC is in the process of completing her associates degree at Northeast in Norfolk and will plan to enter the Nursing Program at UNL.
Mayte Flores Garcia is undecided for a major and is in-between on where to attend for college.
All recipients would like to thank their family, friends and teachers/coaches.
From those 48 finalists among the 698 nominees across the state, eight will receive $1,000 scholarships from Currency to use for the college or university of their choice.
An annual banquet is set for April 26, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the Lincoln Country Club.
