In 2001 the Seward VFW Post 4755 donated a plaque to hold the names of honorees recognized for the annual Seward Fourth of July Service Award for Civic Organizations honoring local civic groups that have given outstanding service to the annual Seward Fourth of July Celebration. The award is given each year at the June Kick-Off Luncheon at the Civic Center at noon the second Tuesday of June. It gives tribute and recognition to groups that have demonstrated the spirit of volunteerism for the previous Seward Fourth of July. The nominations are accepted by the Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee and the awardees are selected at the April or May Seward Fourth of July Celebration Committee meeting.

2026 Winner — Seward Kiwanis Holiday Flag Crew

Previous Winners Include:

Seward’s Firehouse Five-Plus
Seward High School Future Business Leaders of America
Seward County Visitor’s Bureau
Seward Civic Center Commission
Seward American Legion Post #33
Nebraska National Guard Museum Historical Society
Seward KiTones
City of Seward Municipal Band
Helping Hands Kiwanis
Seward Chamber of Commerce
Seward Airport Authority
Seward VFW Hamburger Fry Committee
Seward Kiwanis Club
Seward Rotary Club
GFWC Seward Womans Club
GFWC Seward Junior Women’s Club
Seward Optimist Club
Seward Youth and Community Club
Seward Ministerial Association
Seward High FFA
Seward High FCCLA

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.

Previous Winners Include:

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

2026 – Brady Boldt, Caden Meyer, Reese Meyer, Kora Carr
2025 – Xadrian Hernandez, Micah Thieszen, Isla Johnson, Mattie Schulte
2024 - Burke Bargmann, Paxton Hartman, Nevaeh Harms, Amaurra Krohe
2023 – Wilder Nix, Charles Wake, Sadie Owens, Mya Boggs
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

2026 – Governor Kay Orr, 36th Governor of Nebraska (1987-1991) | First Female Governor in Nebraska 

Previous Winners Include:

2025 - Harold Davisson Family | Trish Davisson Johnson

2024 – Major General Craig Strong | Nebraska National Guard, Colonel John A. Bolduc | Nebraska State Patrol, Scott Cordes | Nebraska State Fire Marshall — Honoring Nebraska’s “First Responders!”

2023 – Virginia Cattle 1921-2023, The Cattle Family, The Cattle Bank and Trust

2022 – Douglas Bereuter, Former Congressman and Native Seward County “Favorite Son”

2021 – Hughes Family Members – Descendants of the original Hughes Brothers, Inc.

2020 – Laurie Richards, State Director – Nebraska Film Office

2019 – Dr. Laurie Friedrich, longtime educator and Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University

2018 – Kevin Sjuts, Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year

2017 – Clark Kolterman, Mr. Fourth of July

2016 – General Daryl Bohac, Nebraska National Guard

2015 – Boyd Heyen, Marvin (Pee Wee) Schulz, LeRoy Dittmar, Harry Hoffman, Ivan Tyrrell, and Milo Navratil – WWII Veterans

2014 – Chuck and Julie Wisehart, Rivoli Theater

2013 – Tom Ash, Cornhusker State Games

2012 – Loren and Gloria Wissmann

2011 – Bill and Evonne Williams, Chairman of World War II Vet Trip

2010 – Dr. Van Vahle, Nebraska Family Physician of the Year

2009 – Eric Brown, Radio Broadcasting

2008 – Sam Koch, Professional Football Player

2007 – Denny Brauer, Nationally Recognized Fisherman

2006 – Ted Kooser, National Poet Laureate

2005 – Joe Spellerberg, Musician

2004 – Dr. Orville Walz, Educator

2003 – Bobby Layne, Musician

2002 – Nebraska Task Force 1 Urban Search And Rescue Team

2001 – Clayton Anderson, US Astronaut

2000 – Bob Dowding, World War II POW

1999 – Ron Brown, Nebraska Football Coach

1998 – Irma Ourecky, Wilber Czechs/Volunteer

1997 – Frank Morrison, Governor

1996 – Roger Welsch, Writer/Humorist

1995 – J. Burton Amgwert, Pearl Harbor Survivor

1994 – Dr. Martin J. Maehr, Educator

1993 – Les Vilda, Historian

1992 – Paul Fell, Cartoonist

1991 – Lucy J. Nevels, Nebraska Mother of the Year

1990 – General Stanley Heng, Nebraska National Guard

1989 – Charlie Evans, North Platte Buffalo Bill

1988 – Henry Brandt, Director of the State Fair

1987 – Carl Curtis, US Senator – Retired

1986 – Rose Blumkin, Successful Business Woman, Immigrant

1985 – Jim Hartung, US Olympian, Gymnist

1984 – D.B. “Woody” Varner, Educator

1983 – Carol Schrader, Television Reporter

1982 – Dale Holt, Pastor

1981 – Hugo & Mildred Wandel, Foster Parents

1980 – Margaret Hasebroock, Volunteer

1979 – Glenn Kreuscher, Secretary of Agriculture

1978 – Leta Powell Drake, Volunteer

1977 – Jack Snider, Director of University of Nebraska Bands

1976 – Tom Allan, Newspaper Reporter

1975 – Robert Manley, Historian

1974 – Reinhold Marxhausen, Art Education

1973 – Wendell Rivers, POW

1972 – Lloyd Cardwell, Decorated Veteran

1971 – General Lyle Welch, Nebraska National Guard

1970 – Mel Steen, Nebraska Game and Parks

1969 – George Thomas, Former Mayor

1968 – Joe Dowding, Vietnam Veteran, US Navy

1967 – Ed Goehner, Founding Family

The nomination forms for the Seward County Community Service Award are due every May 1st. Nominees that were not selected will be retained as candidates for up to three years.

2026 – Gerald (Jerry) Meyer

Previous Winners Include:

2025 – Larry Ruether

2024 – Stephanie Croston

2023 – Roger Wittrock

2022 – Charles “Chuck” and Jan Matzke

2021 – Dean Fritz

2020 – Roger Glawatz

2019 – Richard “Dick” Stillahn

2018 – Phil Wurst

2017 – Verlon “Tony” Vrana

2016 – Pam Williams

2015 – Marv Taylor

2014 – Sue Imig

2013 – Louise Warnsholz

2012 – Denny Erks

2011 – Jane Graff

2010 – Doug Brand

2009 – Larry Barth

2008 – Lyn Hemphill

2007 – Ralph Nielsen

2006 – Carol Larsen

2005 – Marvin “Peewee” Schulz

2004 – Helen L. Anderson

2003 – Marian Fosler

2002 – Gladys Phillips

2001 – Roy Carman

2000 – Betty Geis

1999 – Jeanne Prochnow

1998 – Anita Rowland

1997 – Dr. Richard M. Pitsch

1996 – Rhoda Bredow

1995 – Dessalee Rousselle and Rev. Dan Myers

1994 – Bob Dowding

1993 – Marilyn Crawford

1992 – Russell Endicott

1991 – Harold “Bud” Davisson

1990 – Greg Zabka

1989 – Alan G. Dunlap

1988 – David Mannigel

1987 – Martin J. Maehr

1986 – Della Miers

1985 – Bert Hafer

1984 – T.R. Hughes

1983 – Jean Hughes

1982 – Violet Wilson (Mrs.)

1981 – Erwin Sundermann

1980 – Alta Krasser (Mrs. Elmer)

1979 – Jane Jones (Mrs. John O.)

1978 – Tom Rea

1977 – Dr. James Carr

1976 – Albert Bolte

1975 – Elton Dohrmann

1974 – Verl Scott

1973 – Mel Bolte

1972 – John Anstine

1971 – Jean Kolterman (Mrs. Don)