Hershey High School proudly recognized the accomplishments of its student leaders and athletes during the annual Hershey Activities Honors Night, held earlier this week. The evening served as a celebration of excellence, dedication, and Panther pride across the many activities and athletic programs.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Senior Male and Female Athlete of the Year Awards, given to students who have demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement, leadership, and commitment throughout their high school careers.
This year’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year honor was awarded to Ethan Elliott. A standout wrestler, Ethan is a three-time Nebraska State Wrestling Championships medalist, earning second and third place finishes. In addition to wrestling, Ethan contributed to Hershey’s cross county and track and field success playing a key role in his involvement in each of those sports. His excellence extended beyond athletics—Ethan was a state runner-up in the Job Interview event at the Nebraska State FBLA Conference, qualifying for nationals.
Katie Abbott was named the Senior Female Athlete of the Year, honoring her impressive achievements across several sports and academic pursuits. A leader on the softball field and tennis court, Katie helped guide the Panthers to strong finishes while consistently demonstrating determination, sportsmanship, and leadership. Off the field, Katie maintained a 4.0 GPA and was consistently ranked in the top of in her class. She was recognized as the HPSEF September Student of the Month and received the NSAA Believer’s and Achiever’s Local Award. Katie’s involvement includes Band, Play Production, FFA, and National Honor Society, reflecting her remarkable dedication to both academics and extracurricular excellence.
“These two students represent the best of Hershey High School,” said HPS Activities Director, Bernie Madison. “Ethan and Katie have set an incredible example for our younger Panthers through their dedication, performance, and character.”
In addition to athletic honors, the school celebrated a group of students who earned the prestigious 12 Activities Honor Award, given to seniors who have actively participated in four season of three school-sponsored activities during their high school careers. This year’s recipients were: Katie Abbott, Max Berntson, Bryce Bode, Rhett Edelman, Emma Elliott, Ethan Elliott, Cayler Hacker, Aubrie Martino, Ezra McConnell, Avalon Quick, Erika Rahn, Tatume Rinke, Zoe Schmitt, and Shelby Smyth.
