Nebraska
Blezek Awards Aim to Keep Agricultural Education Teachers in Nebraska
RECOGNITION …
Twenty teachers received Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation award
The Dr. Allen G. and Kay L. Blezek Teacher Retention Award recognizes agricultural education teachers’ service and supports their efforts. (Photo: Kateryna Hliznitsova, Unsplash)
LINCOLN, Neb.– The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded 20 teachers with funds in support of agricultural education and FFA programs in Nebraska.
“The Dr. Allen G. and Kay L. Blezek Teacher Retention Award is an investment in the future of Nebraska agriculture,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We are very proud to support these teachers as they get established in their classrooms and communities. The return on investment is clear as the number of schools that offer agricultural education and FFA grows, and alumni go on to contribute to Nebraska’s number one industry.”
Recipients are all agricultural education teachers in their first through fifth year of teaching. Teachers are eligible for increasing awards over time. As the teachers’ impact grows in the classroom, in their FFA chapters, and in their communities each year, the award recognizes their service and supports their efforts. A longtime program of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, the award was renamed in recognition of an estate gift from Dr. Allen Blezek. Dr. Blezek was an agricultural education teacher, the first director of the Nebraska LEAD program, and a founding member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors.
The 20 recipients of the scholarships are Nickolas Birdsley, Sarpy County; Danie Brandl, Platte County; Kaydie Brandl, Platte County; Kiley Codner, Hall County; Amanda Hafer, Madison County; Hunter Hill, Franklin County; Toriann Holly, Jefferson County; Cara Holtorf, Saline County; Karlee Johnson, Wayne County; Hallett Moomey, Buffalo County; Katie Nolles, Holt County; Jocelyn Pohl, Morrill County; Christy Schuler, Lancaster County; Kelsey Schulte, Nance County; Miranda Segner, Seward County; Kelsey Steinkraus, Chase County; Alex Stocker, Merrick County; Aurora Urwiler, Cedar County; and Payden Woodruff, Hall County.
The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org.
— Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Two Nebraska schools have been nationally recognized for academic achievement. One of the schools is here in Omaha.
Adams Elementary in Omaha and Bridgeport Elementary in Bridgeport are among the 63 schools nationwide named to the 2025 National ESEA Distinguished Schools.
Nebraska’s Department of Education says Adams Elementary was recognized for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
Bridgeport Elementary is recognized for exceptional student performance and academic growth.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
Is Nebraska for real? That’s the million-dollar question at the midway point of the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season.
The Cornhuskers sit at 16-0 heading into a home matchup against Oregon on Tuesday night. They’re one of just five remaining undefeated teams in Division 1, but is that enough for Fred Hoiberg’s team to be pegged as a No. 1 seed?
With a loaded week of college basketball on deck, FOX Sports bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy is here to share his latest NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament projections.
Here’s where DeCourcy’s projected bracket stands on Jan. 13.
EAST REGION
SOUTH REGION
MIDWEST REGION
WEST REGION
And it’s never too early to check in on the bubble.
According to DeCourcy’s projections, Texas A&M, Indiana, Missouri and Virginia Tech are the last four teams in the tournament, while UCLA, Ohio State, NC State and TCU are the first four out.
As for conference representation, the SEC leads the way with 10 teams in DeCourcy’s latest tournament projections, followed by the Big Ten and ACC with nine teams, the Big 12 with eight teams and the Big East with four teams. The West Coast Conference and Atlantic 10 also have two teams each.
Selection Sunday is two months away, and these projections will inevitably evolve. But for now, DeCourcy’s latest bracket forecast offers a clear snapshot of who’s rising, who’s falling, and which programs are already building the résumés they’ll need when March arrives.
Michael DeCourcy covers college basketball for FOX Sports with an emphasis on NCAA Tournament bracket projections. He has appeared on FOX Sports college basketball game broadcasts, while also serving as a college basketball studio analyst with Big Ten Network. He has been covering college basketball for nearly three decades at the Sporting News. You can follow him at @tsnmike.
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Heading into the 2026 season, there are question marks about who will be the starting quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. Will it be Dante Moore returning, a transfer, or another quarterback that is already on the roster?
In the transfer portal, Oregon has landed former Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola. Current Ducks quarterback Akili Smith Jr. will be in his second season with the Ducks come the fall and posted on social media after this news.
Akili Smith Jr. Reaction to Dylan Raiola Transfer
Akila Smith Jr. signed with Oregon as a member of their 2025 recruiting class. The four-star quarterback didn’t play in his freshman season in 2025, but there is a chance for him to play in 2026 if Dante Moore declares for the draft.
However, the news of Oregon getting Raiola could change things. Shortly after the news that Raiola would be coming to Oregon, Smith posted this message on social media.
“Trust the process,” Smith said with a 100 emoji and a duck emoji at the end.
Trust the process 💯🦆
— Akili Smith Jr (@Akilismithjr) January 12, 2026
It may just be one post, but this doesn’t exactly scream that Smith is thinking about entering the transfer portal. It more so says that it may take time, but his shot at Oregon will come eventually.
MORE: Fernando Mendoza’s Classy Move After Beating The Ducks Is Turning Heads
MORE: Two Massive Defensive Players Forgo the NFL Draft to Return to Oregon
MORE: Another Oregon Ducks Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal
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Dylan Raiola Commits to Oregon
Coming out of high school in the class of 2024 as a five-star recruit, Dylan Raiola signed with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In his two seasons there, Raiola threw for 4,819 yards and 31 touchdowns. Raiola’s 2025 season was cut short after he suffered a season ending fibula injury. His recovery timetable is still up in the air. He could end up having to miss time next season.
Following the 2025 season, Raiola entered the transfer portal. After going on a visit to Eugene, Raiola is now committed to Dan Lanning and the Ducks.
The Dante Moore Question
The biggest factor for who will start next season at quarterback will be based around what Dante Moore decides to do. Moore started all 15 games this year for the Ducks and played well. He threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Moore is currently slated as the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft per ESPN and CBS Sports mocks drafts. That is if he ends up declaring. The New York Jets have the No. 2 pick.
Moore has not yet made a decision. With Oregon’s season coming to a close against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff semifinal, a decision should be made in the coming days for Moore.
If he were to return to Eugene, there is no doubt that he would be the 2026 starter. If he declares, that would open the door for someone like Raiola or the highly recruited Akili Smith Jr.
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