Wauneta-Palisades’ Sandman takes part in NSAA, NASB events

Wauneta-Palisade senior Alexa Sandman spent two days last week with her finger on the pulse of Nebraska high schools.
Wednesday Sandman, a member of the Nebraska School Activity Association Student Advisory Committee, was in Kearney for one of four Sportsmanship and Leadership Summits. SAC panels of five members hosted the meetings at Alliance Nov. 16, Norfolk Nov. 18 and Lincoln Nov. 19.
During the five-hour event, SAC members led breakout sessions which encouraged attendees to discuss how they rate their school’s environment and what should their school’s standards include.
Sandman said the shortage of high school officials and the future of officiating were also discussed, as was student mental health, elements of competitiveness and the differences between good and bad fans
Attendees were asked questions and each school group provided an answer. One activity was to write the sportsmanship letter read to fans before games.
Sandman said she saw several RPAC schools there.
After last year’s summits were held by Zoom, Sandman said it felt very different this year and she enjoyed being there in person.
Following the summit, Sandman traveled with her mom, Allison, and Laurie Maris to Omaha for the Nebraska Association of School Boards’ convention at CHI Health Center Arena. Allison Sandman is the WP Schools Board president and Maris serves as vice president.
Sandman was nominated by WP Superintendent Randy Geier to be a panel member of the Student Voices hour-long session.
Geier said Sandman is a good student who’s involved in several activities.
“Alexa has a great attitude and is a leader at our school. She has a great work ethic and is dependable,” Geier said.
The seven-member student panel was asked questions by a group of around 50 attendees.
Questions included what helps and prevents students from succeeding, what makes school administration and teachers effective, what opportunities do schools provide to develop leadership, what can schools do to help students and how can schools get more students involved.
Sandman is serving a two-year term on the Student Advisory Committee.
She said it has been a fun and awesome experience and has enjoyed making new friends.
It’s been nice to have a familiar face on SAC this year, she added, with the addition of Dundy County Stratton junior Corbin Horner.
After the recent November meeting, she said there are one or two SAC meetings left this spring.