JEFF FIELDER Editor
HEMINGFORD – Josie Stewart, a senior at Hemingford High School, is this week’s First State Bank Female Student of the Week. She’s involved in volleyball, basketball, track and field, cheerleading, One Act, Student Council, National Honor Society, FCCLA Big Brother/Big Sister, Three Act, choir, and FCA. Her GPA is 3.8. Her parents are John and Joli Stewart.
Q: Which activity do you enjoy the most?
STEWART: “I would have to say track and field. I’ve really grown to love to run. When I started track and field, I was a freshman. I liked running, but honestly, track is a love/hate relationship. Throughout the years, especially my senior year, I’ve grown to love the relationships that come out of being on the track team, like with the girls on my relay teams. When I made it to Burke last year [for the state track and field meet], the feeling was just amazing. And being able to run with my sister [Jori, a junior] is a huge thing, too. We’ve always been super competitive and have loved running together. When she got injured, that really made me realize just how special it is to have that bond and to be able to run with her. She’s back running again this year, so that makes me really happy.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
STEWART: “I really enjoy Student Council and National Honor Society. Also, I live on a ranch, so I do 4-H, too, and I really love spending time with my animals and being on the ranch.”
Q: What do you do in 4-H?
STEWART: “I show sheep, dairy cattle, rabbits, and horses, and I do sewing and baking. I’ve done pretty much all of it. I’ve been involved with that for about 10 years.”
Q: How long have you been involved in 4-H?
STEWART: “I’ve been involved with it for about 10 years, but this will probably be my last year. I have my market lambs that I’m going to do this year.”
Q: How is school going this year for you?
STEWART: “If I had to describe it in one word, it would be ‘fast.’ It’s going great, though. I’m taking college courses, and I’m taking advanced science classes. I really like science. It’s been a great year so far, honestly.”
Q: Are you sad that your high school career is quickly coming to a close?
STEWART: “I’m really thankful to be able to move on to the next level. But I’m going to miss being able to compete with my friends and my sister. I would say it’s bittersweet.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
STEWART: “I plan to attend Chadron State College and go into secondary education. I want to major in either music or science.”
Q: What do you hope to do for a job down the road?
STEWART: “I would love to be a high school teacher and either teach music or science and also coach either volleyball or track and field.”
Q: What gave you the desire to teach and coach?
STEWART: “Actually, I’m a Christian, so I’m really strong in my faith, and I kind of let God lead me to what I would do. At first, I wanted to go into physical therapy, but then I had a feeling that that wasn’t for me. I really got to talking to God about it, and I just felt like teaching was a good thing for me. I taught dance for a couple of years and being able to help kids was a lot of fun. Also, I’ve had a lot of teachers and coaches help me, and I want to be able to do that for other kids.”
Q: Which teacher has influenced you the most in your educational career?
STEWART: “I would say Jake Brummer. He used to be my track coach before he moved to Cozad. He was a big influence on why I wanted to become a teacher. Also, Randy Hiemstra is my weights coach and my track coach, and he’s also had a big influence on me. I’ve had a lot of amazing coaches and teachers who have helped me along the way.”
Q: You said you’re a big Christian. Where do you go to church?
STEWART: “I go to church at Christ Community Church in Crawford. I teach Sunday School there. I used to help in the nursery there, but then my boyfriend and I took over the kids’ classes with our youth pastor.”
Q: How are things going at your church?
STEWART: “Awesome. Our congregation has been growing. To see the impact that we’re making, it’s awesome. I love it.”
Q: Have you lived in Hemingford your whole life?
STEWART: “I actually live in Chadron. I live about 15 miles south of Chadron, so it’s about a 30-minute drive to Hemingford. I’ve lived on a ranch south of Chadron my whole life.”
Q: Because of where you live, was it tough to decide whether to go to school in Hemingford or Chadron?
STEWART: “I’m only 15 minutes from Chadron, but we went to a country school, and it got shut down my fourth-grade year. So, we decided to go tour Hemingford, and when we went there, we kind of fell in love with it. I’m thankful that I went to Hemingford.”
Q: What do you like best about going to school in Hemingford?
STEWART: “I’m thankful for Hemingford because at the school we’re all about respect and sportsmanship, and as a senior, you want your school to represent that. When we go to other places, we’re respectful and we help clean up. We always say, ‘Leave the place cleaner than you found it.’ Also, I think Hemingford’s educational programs will continue to grow a lot. I really believe that Hemingford is a great school.”
Q: What do you like to do for fun outside of school activities?
STEWART: “In the winter, I love snowboarding. I tried it this year, and I fell in love with it. I also love horseback riding and paddle boarding.”
Q: What kind of music do you like listening to?
STEWART: “I love country music, but I also love 80s and old country music. I kind of love all kinds of music except hard rock.”
Q: What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
STEWART: “I love Nicholas Sparks, but my favorite book is probably ‘Diary for Nicholas’ by James Patterson. I really like that one.”
Q: In your opinion, what’s the coolest place in Hemingford?
STEWART: “I would say that if you ever get the chance to come to Hemingford, I would stop by our pizza place, Village Pizza. The pizza there is great, and I’m not necessarily a big fan of pizza. But when I want pizza, that’s where I go. Their pizza is amazing.”
Q: Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
STEWART: “Yes, I have two older half brothers [Jake and Levi] and an older half sister [Sarah Mattson]. They’re about 20 years older than I am.”
NOTE: Josie and the other area high school students named Athlete of the Week or Student of the Week will be included in the upcoming issue of Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues), please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 60363, or call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 this month to the Golden Halo Foundation, which helps area children with long-term disabilities. Nspire Today!, a locally owned and operated business based out of Scottsbluff, focuses on positive, feel-good and inspiring content on people in the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming.
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