Mr. Firecracker and Miss Independence

Anvil Firing at the 4th of July Celebration in Seward, Nebraska

Mr. Firecracker and Miss Independence

The July 4th Mr. Firecracker and Miss Independence Essay contest is sponsored by the Seward Rotary Club. Phil Bangert is the Project Chairman.  Essays are judged by a volunteer panel of members of the Seward Rotary Club.  The Rotary Club has sponsored this project since 1967.

The students are honored at the Chamber Kick-Off Luncheon, read their essays there and are also guests with their families at a Rotary Luncheon and read their essays at the Rotary Club meeting.  They attend the Governor’s Reception on July 4, ride in the Grand parade and read their essays at the Bandshell on July 4.  They all receive a trophy and bag of fireworks and their photo and essay are printed in the local, Special Edition of the Seward Independent.  Their essays are also placed on the Seward July 4 website.

2022 Miss Independence and Mr. Firecracker

Michael Kolterman
Mr. Firecracker

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School – 4th Grade

Read Essay

Why I Like to Live in Seward

When I think of living in Seward I think of FUN and that is what I want to let you know about today. It is FUN to live in Seward and that is why I like to live here.  Now, I really live in the country near Seward but I am in Seward all the time and kind of live here too.  I like to live in Seward because it is FUN.

  Seward has FANTASTIC schools and teachers. I have had a lot of teachers and they are all great.  I know all the schools in Seward and they are just great.  My school is just one of the many in Seward but they are all very good because of the fantastic students.  I like to live in Seward because of the fantastic schools and teachers.

U    Seward has UNBELIVEAVBLE stuff to do for kids.  We have a movie theater, bowling alley, lots of gyms and a really unbelievable swimming pool.  The Seward pool is so much fun-it is round and square at the end with great diving.  We have an unbelievable library, great ball fields and so many great places to eat.  I like to live in Seward because of the unbelievable stuff for kids.

N  Seward has really NICE people who live in there in Seward.  Where ever you go, you find nice people.  Some of these people are even related to me and some are not related to me but they are all nice.  People I don’t even know talk to me and say hi.  Everyone in Seward likes kids and are nice to kids.   There are a lot of nice people in Seward and that is why I like to live in Seward.

FUN is what it is all about when you live in Seward.  Seward has FANTASTIC schools and teachers.  Seward has UNBELIEVABLE stuff for kids to do. Seward has really NICE people.  We all want to live where we have FUN and I am glad I live in FUN Seward.

Nathan Royuk
Mr. Firecracker – Runner-Up

St. John Lutheran School – 3rd Grade

Read Essay

Why I Like to Live in Seward

Seward is a great place to live!  There are lots of reasons that living in Seward is great, and I want to tell about some of my favorite things that make Seward so special.

One good thing about Seward is that there are lots of fun places to play.  I love swimming at the pool and going down the waterslide.  I also really like the new playground at the elementary school.  The slides are fun to do down.  I love to ride my bike on the bike trails too.

Also, Seward has lots of fun activities to join.  In Seward, I get to play flag football, basketball and run in track club.  The library has lots of fun programs like chess club, Pokemon Club and reading club.

Seward is full of friendly people!  I love living in a place where people are kind and help each other.  I like to help each other, too.  It is fun to volunteer in our community.

One other thing that I love is celebrating the 4th of July in Seward.  I love the parade, the yummy food, the air shows, riding the trolley and watching the awesome fireworks show.

For lots of reasons, Seward is a wonderful place to live.  I am very blessed to call Seward my home and I am thankful to live here.

Mallory Miller
Miss Independence

St. John Lutheran School – 4th Grade

Read Essay

Why I Like to Live in Seward

Do you love your town? I do because I live in Seward!  I like to live in Seward because of the pool, St. John School, and the 4th of July!

One reason I like to live in Seward is the awesome pool.  I like the pool because they have a fun water slide and diving boards.  Last year, I learned how to do a front-flip and dive on the diving boards.  I also like it because it is fun to relax and have fun. Another reason is because you get to interact with people.

Another reason I like to live in Seward is because of St. John Lutheran School.  I like St. John because we get to learn about God.  One way we learn about God is chapel.  We have chapel every Wednesday.  My favorite thing is they have fun activities in the summer like VBS and Summer Horizons.  The last thing is we have the best teachers.

My last reason about why I like to live in Seward is the 4th of July!  I love the fun parade!  I like seeing all the people who help in Seward.  My favorite part of the 4th of July is the fireworks!  The colors are so cool to see!  The last thing is the food.  We love getting snowcones and funnel cakes.  They are so good!

In conclusion, I Iike to live in Seward because of the fun pool, the awesome schools and the fun day of the 4th of July!  I love these things because they are fun, and you get to see lots of people.  That is why I like to live in Seward.

Annabelle Stellwagen
Miss Independence – Runner-Up

St. John Lutheran School – 4th Grade

Read Essay

Why I Like to Live in Seward

When I first moved to Seward, I wasn’t so sure about it.  But now I see that Seward is a great place to be in contact with friends and family.  I have never lived in a better place than Seward, Nebraska because of the library, the light show and the 4th of July.

One reason I like to live in Seward is the library.  I love reading chapter books.  I really like The Vandderbekers on 141 Street. My Mom got me the first and second books, and I love them both.  I also love doing the library’s  Escape Room with my friends.  I have done it almost every year.  It is so fun discovering the clues, locks and opening the boxes.  I have always escaped with my team.

Another reason I like to live in Seward is the light show at Christmas.  We go in the car and listen to the incredible music!  It is amazing how the lights connect to your radio.  My favorite part is the shining Christmas trees.  It all looks incredible and every year I love it all.

My favorite reason to live in Seward is the Fourth of July Parade.  It’s great to see all of our community helpers like the fireman and the police.  Every year the floats are amazing.  They are decorated in beautiful shades of red, white and blue.  The make all the floats come alive.

In conclusion, Seward is the best place to live in because of its library, light show and the Fourth of July Parade.  These three things all have something in common. They’re fun to go to, and I love them more every year.  Seward, Nebraska is the best.

Previous Winners

Winner from previous years are listed in order of Mr. Firecracker, Mr. Firecracker Runner-Up, Miss Independence and Miss Independence Runner-Up.

2022 – Michael Kolterman, Nathan Royuk, Mallory Miller, Annabelle Stellwagen
2021 – Nolan Brashear, Aaron Royuk, Sawyer Wollenburg, Ava Nitz
2020 – Michael Frisbie, Darien Sugden, Carly Kolterman, Jordyn Samuels
2019 – Quinton Moore, Henry Wake, Kennedy Dominy, Samantha Quist
2018 – Ethan Boggs, Layne Luebbe, Lily Brashear, Ayda Metschke
2017 – Lawson Luebbe, Connor Sveeggen, Molly Marroquin, Makayla Mumaugh
2016 – Conner Matzke, Matthew Schultz, Noelle Geidel, Ella Mohnike
2015 – Noah Fields, Braeden Dey, Julya Metschke, Sophia Matthias
2014 – Sam Matthias, Hank Hughes, Claire Geidel, Grace Roberts
2013 – Nathan Miller, Justin Matulka, Sydney Christensen, Hannah Bierbaum
2012 – Matthew Sherman, J. J. Metschke, Destiney Grunke, Corbynne Jester
2011 – Theo Hughes, Alec Sackschewsky, Kenna Piskoriski, Hannah Helmer
2010 – Jaden Volzke, Angelo Wignall, Lena Hughes, Gretchen Moll
2009 – Nathan Bierbaum, Grant Hartman, Lydia Asplin, Kenna Michaelson
2008 – Dakota Fernau, Matthew Sherman, Leah Sackschewsky, Madison Geidel
2007 – Adam Holtorf, Jacob Sloup, Morgan Doehring, Madison & Kelsey Sloup
2006 – Joel Ketner, Joe Gremel & Jacob Bierbaum, Ashlyn Hanson, Kristi Einspahr
2005 – Thomas Suhr, Andrew Cahoon, Sierra Wignall, Grace Halder
2004 – Sam Brauer, Adam Holtorf, Emily Culp, Brittany Baumbach
2003 – John Cahoon, Brandon Schaefer, Kara Einspahr, Emmi Moll
2002 – Richie Graves, Jake Suhr, Allison Pearson, Kylie Schildt
2001 – Clint Aegerter, Nathan Klintworth, Jennifer Gleisberg, Emma Blanke
2000 – Mitch Lyons, Nate Stepp, Alyssa McConnell, Felicia Kolterman
1999 – Austin Adamek, Rodney Mueller, Susan Neimoth, Katie Hofer
1998 – Cade Luebbe, Ben Gremel, Katie Bangert, Carrie Niemoth
1997 – John Sloup, Ben Hartmann, Katie Karel, Jessica Helge
1996 – Wesley Mahalek, Jim Thomas, Stephanie Frey, Jennifer Hartmann
1995 – Conor Hofer, Gavin Koehler, Wendy McConnell, Kate Owens
1994 – Tim Hartmann, Steven Pike, Megan Zabrocki, Stephanie Hotovy
1993 – Derek Hain, Blake Schulz, Rachael Schulz, Sarah Bollwitt
1992 – John Riggert, Craig Aldrich, Beth Kilzer, Kylie Brand
1991 – Dan Schipper, Matt Dinslage, Amanda McConnell, Jessica Kolterman
1990 – Ben Pratt, Nathan Kolterman, Stacie Kotera, Katie Dickinson
1989 – Ryan Brauer, Ryan Kinworthy, Alexa Pragman, Tina Schmeiding
1988 – Joshua Eickmeier, Titus DeBoer, Christine Mueri, Jamie Nesbitt
1987 – Cory Wood, Jeff Kimball, Amy Horton, Amy Gausman
1986 – Jason Zimbelmann, Andrew Schlueter, Suzy Ohlmann, Rebecca Mannigel
1985 – Greg Karpenko, Jeff Matzke, Angie Coon, Melissa Zabka
1984 – Jason Meyer, Tim Mannigel, Nicole Erks, Ann Pavletich
1983 – Mark Stein, Matt Ehrlich, Marie Obermueller, Angela Yost
1982 – Trent Thorell, Tom Pfliger, Mary Smith, Misty Brooks
1981 – Ray Koch, Nathan Lucas, Lisa Urbanek, Cari Hain
1980 – Scott Broekemeier, Doug Ortlieb, Anne Warner, Corrie Stelmachowicz
1979 – David Miers, Craig Jelinek, Bevin Gerkensmeyer, Kim Jost
1978 – Scott Seevers, David Stohs, Jennifer Kruse, Jennifer Rhode
1977 – Dan Oetting, Lukas Galen, Jill Volzke, Julie McConnell
1976 – Jon Oetting, David Stewart IV, Liz Brunworth, Kristy Rocker
1975 – Peter Glawatz, Tim Kraft, Kim Whittemore, Teresa Zoucha
1974 – John Korinko, Bob Schulz, Kris Plamann, Ginnelle Mueller
1973 – Peter Meyer, Alan Geis, Cara Hans, Barb Fiala
1971 – Kevin Probst, Doug Geis, Diane Sanders, Barb Geis
1970 – Brian Keller, Jean Brigham
1969 – David Lange, Michael Preuss, Brenda Peter, Susie Nutzman
1968 – Mark Schultz, William Roundey, Pam Jeary, Connie Schultz
1967 – Susan Boals, Miss Centennial

Comments are closed.