By Samantha Bonifas
Silver Lake recently kicked off a new school year. The Mustangs are glad to welcome Seth Elley, Morgan Trausch, Paul Bade, Rachel Kathman, Jacob Lovejoy, Alarissa Gomez, and Shaun Fisher as new staff members.
Mr. Elley is a new teacher at the high school who will teach various math and science classes. Before Silver Lake, he spent time as an offensive assistant football coach at Concordia University; a math and science teacher, strength and conditioning coordinator, science olympiad coach, and quiz bowl coach at Hastings Saint Cecilia; and the math and science teacher, head football coach, and junior high basketball coach at Franklin Public School. “I am most looking forward to getting to know and work with the staff and students,” he said. His favorite movie is Rudie.
Mrs. Trausch is the new agriculture and STS educator. She is also a co-FFA advisor. She spent the past 9 years at Lawerence Nelson as an agriculture and STS teacher. Her favorite part of Silver Lake has been the welcoming atmosphere and she is looking forward to being in the same school system as her children along with a shorter commute to work. Mrs. Traush’s favorite meal is mashed potatoes or Chinese food.
Paul Bade takes on the role of head boys basketball coach this year. He will also be taking a role as an assistant football coach. He previously was a math teacher at Norris High School and Middle School for 12 years and then the Norris Middle School Counselor for the next 13 years. He spent last year as the school counselor for Lincoln Public Schools in remote learning. He is currently working as a guidance counselor for Hastings YTRC. He has been an assistant basketball coach at Beatrice, Norris, Lincoln East, and Doane College. “Moving here without knowing anyone, I have to say how amazed I have been by the welcoming and friendliness of everyone I’ve gotten to meet. The people in this district made this a great transition for me,” he said. His favorite movie is My Cousin Vinny.
Rachel Kathman is the new Speech Language Pathologist. “Speech Language Pathologists help students with how they speak, what kind of language and vocabulary they use, how they write, social skills such as manners and turn-taking, and a variety of other things”, she said. She graduated from the University of Nebraska Kearny in May. “I am looking forward to getting to know students and staff and becoming a part of the Silver Lake community. My favorite part of Silver Lake so far has been how welcoming and helpful everyone is. There are a lot of things that I am figuring out since I am new and this is my first job, but the kindness and support from both students and staff have made it a smooth transition,” she said. Her favorite hobby is spending time with family and friends doing activities such as going to the lake, concerts, and Husker games.
Alarissa Gomez is joining the Mustangs as a para educator. She is looking forward to teaching the students and helping them learn in their unique way. “My favorite part about being at Silver Lake so far has been being able to come back to Silver Lake and work in Mrs. Rupprecht’s classroom,” she said. Her favorite hobby is cooking and doing anything artsy.
Mr. Lovejoy is the new K-6 Title 1 teacher. This is his fifth year teaching. He previously was the 4-6 English Language Arts teacher at Red Cloud. “I am most looking forward to working in the community where I live. I have lived in Bladen all my life and feel like it is a homecoming,” he said. Mr. Lovejoy’s favorite part of Silver Lake so far has been how welcoming the staff has been. His favorite music genre is classic rock.
Shaun Fisher is the new boy’s basketball assistant coach. He graduated from Silver Lake in 2007. “I’m looking forward to taking the Mustang basketball program to the next level. I’m anxious to start helping these athletes develop the tools and skills to be successful.” Shaun is eager to step into his position. “It will be a great year to be a Mustang,” Shaun said. He says you can’t go wrong with a good steak, but he also enjoys pasta as his favorite meal.