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Bennington Alumni Reunite to Celebrate Badger Pride, Honor Distinguished Graduate

6–9 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A program for the 1st Annual Broughton High School All Class Alumni Reunion placed on a table with a blue napkin.

Alumni from seven decades of graduating classes gathered September 27 at The Dairy Barn in Bennington for the first all-class reunion hosted by the Bennington Public Schools Foundation, reconnecting with old friends and celebrating the community that shaped them.

The event drew approximately 130 attendees, representing graduating classes from 1949 through 2019. Alumni enjoyed dinner, mingled with former classmates, browsed yearbooks and participated in raffles for alumni merchandise. Some traveled from as far as Florida, South Carolina and Las Vegas to attend.

The reunion was part of the foundation’s efforts to strengthen alumni relationships and preserve connections between graduates and Bennington Public Schools.

“One of the goals in our 2024 Strategic Plan was to build our alumni relations which included hosting an all-class reunion,” said foundation Executive Director Blake Thompson and Community Relations Program Coordinator Megan Schafersman in a joint response. “We also have a very engaged Alumni committee who were very excited to put this together, so it was just the right time to go for it.”

Organizers initially hoped to attract around 100 attendees, making the final registration count of 130 an encouraging start for the inaugural event.

A smiling woman with short blonde hair wearing glasses, a white cardigan with blue details, and a blue shirt, standing in a rustic venue with wooden beams and warm lighting.
Brenda (Peetz) Blacketer brought her ’77 letter sweater to the reunion.

One of the evening’s highlights was simply watching alumni recognize one another after years apart.

“One of the best parts was seeing the pure joy on someone’s face when they recognized someone they hadn’t seen in a long time,” Thompson and Schafersman said. “Just listening to them reminisce was really special.”

Small-town traditions were on display, too. One of the first alumni to arrive, a member of the Class of 1970, had custom hats made for his classmates. Alumni Committee member Connie Wickham, a 1978 graduate, helped welcome attendees at check-in with hugs and smiles, greeting many people she knew. For organizers, those moments reflected the community’s enduring character, even as Bennington has grown.

Thompson opened the program by recognizing foundation board members and alumni committee volunteers before inviting attendees to reflect on the district’s history and future.

Two people examining materials at an event, with tables set up in a decorated venue.

A video featuring historical photographs, student achievements, district milestones and the Bennington High School fight song, performed by the school’s marching band, traced the district’s history from its beginnings in 1890 through its continued growth today. The presentation also highlighted current accomplishments and the upcoming second high school.

Although the district continues to evolve, Thompson said Bennington Public Schools remains grounded in a history of integrity, community and strong educational values. The foundation also shared its mission and highlighted the alumni association’s goal of keeping graduates connected and strengthening what it means to be a Badger. Thompson emphasized that every attendee had contributed to the district’s legacy in some way.

The foundation describes the reunion as a “friendraiser” rather than a fundraiser, focusing on bringing people together and strengthening their connection to the schools and community. Its “Beyond Blue” initiative supports students pursuing postsecondary opportunities and the alumni association.

A group of four people engaged in conversation indoors, with wooden walls in the background. Two individuals are smiling and holding drinks, while another is listening attentively. They appear to be enjoying a social gathering.

Organizers hope those strengthened relationships will eventually inspire graduates to give back through financial contributions, volunteering, coaching or other forms of support that help provide current students with opportunities similar to or greater than those they received.

Two alumni, Brady Potthoff, a 2006 graduate, and Joe Trader, a 2000 graduate, shared how their experiences in Bennington helped shape their lives and careers.

Potthoff (pictured below), a former recipient of a foundation scholarship, studied advertising at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She went on to work with the Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and USA Today Design Studio. She currently works as an art director, designer and creative for Allstate.

A woman speaking into a microphone while holding a smartphone, wearing a patterned cardigan, in a wooden venue.

Reflecting on a challenging assignment earlier this year, Potthoff recalled receiving an encouraging message from a creative director who told her, “Your point of view is not just valid, but necessary.”

The message resonated with her as a reminder that her perspective mattered, even in a corporate environment far removed from the small town where she grew up. She credited the experiences, lessons and support she received in Bennington with helping prepare her for her career, noting that the foundation’s scholarship had similarly communicated belief in her potential.

“Your perspective matters,” she said, encouraging alumni across generations to recognize the value of their own experiences and voices.

Trader (pictured below) also reflected on the influence of his hometown, describing himself as an especially proud Bennington alumnus. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, including a deployment to Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He later helped establish nonprofits supporting veterans and families and led efforts to advance shared parenting in Nebraska.

A man in a light-colored suit stands speaking into a microphone while holding a piece of paper, addressing an audience. In the background, an older man in a blue shirt is seated, engaged in the event.

Today, Trader works in real estate with Berkshire Hathaway and serves as a shareholder and regional account manager for a health care technology company. He credited his teachers, friends, coaches and the wider community with helping him along his journey, emphasizing the importance of sharing those lessons with others.

“We are all here for a reason,” Trader said. “You might not have found the reason yet, but the most important thing that we can do in what we were given in life is not only to live our lives the absolute best that we can, but also to make sure that we teach others and share our experiences with those around us.”

Havekost honored for decades of service

The evening’s recognition program honored Jeremy Havekost, a 1996 graduate, as the recipient of the 2026 Blue Apple Distinguished Alumni Award.

Two men shaking hands in a rustic wooden venue, with a banner in the background indicating a school or community event.

The award recognizes a graduate who demonstrates professional achievement, volunteer service and a continued commitment to representing Bennington Public Schools with pride, character and integrity.

Havekost coached cross country for Bennington Public Schools for 19 years and has served as a TeamMates mentor. He has also served as president of the Bennington Lions Club for 12 years, treasurer of the Bennington Community Foundation and a volunteer supporting community traditions, including the annual Santa event.

His service extends to St. John’s Church, where he has served on the Endowment Committee and Church Council and led the Senior Youth Group. He also proudly served in the U.S. Army, including multiple overseas deployments.

Havekost said he was grateful to have his efforts recognized, explaining that he had always wanted to follow the example of those who gave their time to the community when he was growing up.

“It’s neat to pay stuff forward and then have it recognized,” he said.

A man in a blue polo shirt holding a microphone and an award, speaking at a Bennington Public Schools Foundation event, with a backdrop featuring the organization's logo.

A member of a graduating class of just 32 students, Havekost said he has seen how even a small group of people can make a meaningful difference.

“It doesn’t take anybody special to do big things to improve the community and just to make things happen,” he said.

He encouraged younger generations to follow the example of community members who volunteer their time and talents to help others, noting that children who see that commitment may be inspired to do the same as adults.

Havekost also spoke fondly of Bennington’s small-town character, where people know one another and help each other through difficult times.

“There’s a lot of people in this room that I got to see when I was growing up and who helped contribute to making this a great community, a great school district to be in,” he said.

Keeping alumni connected

A woman with glasses and curly hair is looking at a book, while a man with short hair stands closely behind her, both engaged in a social gathering with other attendees in the background.

For organizers, the first reunion offered an opportunity not only to celebrate the district’s history but also to strengthen relationships for the future.

Thompson and Schafersman said they hope alumni left with memories of former classmates and a renewed appreciation for how Bennington Public Schools continues to shape students today.

“We heard over and over how excited people were to be back in Bennington and reconnect with classmates and other alumni,” they said. “Some hadn’t been back in more than 10 years.”

Three individuals are gathered around a table, reviewing a brochure. One man stands with arms crossed, while two women examine the printed material together. The setting is an indoor space with light-colored walls and large windows.

The foundation plans to evaluate attendee feedback and consider opportunities to build on the event, including whether to host an annual reunion or incorporate special anniversary gatherings for particular graduating classes.

Organizers also encouraged alumni to consider nominating a deserving graduate for the 2027 Blue Apple Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominees do not need to attend the reunion to be considered.

Ultimately, the gathering reinforced the deep roots and pride that connect generations of Badgers. As the district prepares for continued growth, the foundation hopes those connections will endure, bringing alumni back to their hometown and helping provide future students with the same sense of opportunity, support and community that shaped the graduates who came before them.

A woman with gray hair and glasses examines materials at a table during an event, holding a cup and standing near other attendees.
A promotional flyer for the Forever BPS initiative, featuring a graduate in a cap and gown, placed on a wooden barrel. Nearby are two small glass vases with flowers, including white roses and blue hydrangeas.
A wooden table displaying various promotional materials, including newsletters, raffle information, and T-shirts, alongside flower arrangements and cups.
Table setting with white tablecloth, featuring decorative plates, a small vase with flowers, and event menus in a rustic dining space.
Decorative commemorative plates depicting historical landmarks of Bennington, Nebraska, displayed on a table with floral arrangement and place settings.
A group of people observing displays of historical documents and photos on a table in a spacious wooden venue.
A group of five people socialize indoors, with one individual holding a drink. A dog is also present at their feet.
A group of four people engaged in conversation, two older women, one in a dark top and the other in a light sweater, are talking to a man in a striped shirt. Another woman stands nearby, observing the interaction.
A group of people interacting inside a well-lit room with a chandelier, wooden table, and large windows. Various individuals are engaged in conversation while others are walking around.
Two women engaged in conversation at a social event inside a warmly lit venue with wooden walls. One woman holds a document while the other listens attentively.
A blue glass apple award on a clear base displaying an engraving that reads 'Jeremy Havekost 2026 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Class of 1996'.
A display table featuring various educational documents, including diplomas, graduation photos, and official papers, with decorative flower arrangements.
People mingling at a social event inside a wooden venue, with individuals examining items on display tables while holding drinks.
People interacting at a community event inside a rustic barn, with tables displaying promotional materials and refreshments.
Two men examining a display of colorful booklets and documents on a table in a rustic wooden venue while attendees socialize in the background.
A group of people engaged in conversation in a modern indoor setting. Four women are standing together, two of whom are facing the camera. One woman holds a purse, while another has a friendly expression. In the background, a man and woman are standing further away, with a table displaying materials nearby.
An elegant barn interior with wooden beams and string lights, featuring tables set for dining. Guests in various outfits mingle and socialize in a festive atmosphere.
A spacious barn interior decorated for an event, featuring round tables with white tablecloths and blue accents. Guests socialize and mingle in the background under warm ambient lighting, with chandeliers and string lights enhancing the rustic atmosphere.
A group of men engaged in conversation at a dining table in a rustic setting with wooden walls.
A group of four people engaged in conversation at a social gathering, with a focus on two women discussing while another woman and a man look on. The setting features a rustic wooden background.
Three individuals engaged in conversation indoors, with a wooden wall in the background. One woman, wearing glasses and a black top, talks to two men: one in a plaid shirt and the other wearing a blue baseball cap and glasses, each holding a cup.
A man in a checkered shirt is showing a book to three women, who are listening and engaging in conversation. The setting appears to be a casual gathering with wooden walls.
A woman with long dark hair wearing glasses is writing on a notepad while standing at a table with various items and documents. Several people are visible in the background.
A woman in a blue jacket examines materials on a table at a lively event, while another woman with short hair stands nearby holding a cup. In the background, several attendees engage in conversation.
A man in a blue suit presents and holds a microphone while speaking, with wooden barn walls in the background.
A large indoor gathering in a rustic barn setting, featuring attendees seated at tables with blue and white decorations. A speaker is addressing the audience from a barrel, while chandeliers and string lights hang above.
A man standing on a stage inside a wooden barn, holding a microphone and speaking. He is wearing a blue blazer and light-colored pants. A wooden barrel is beside him, and a large screen displays a logo in the background.
A group of seniors sitting at a table in a cozy venue with wooden walls, wearing blue shirts and looking at the camera.
A woman speaking into a microphone in front of an audience of older adults seated at a wooden venue.
A man in a light-colored suit stands on a stage holding a piece of paper, speaking into a microphone at a Bennington Public Schools Foundation event. The background features a logo and a list of programs supported by the foundation.
A man in a blue blazer speaking into a microphone while holding notes, in front of a backdrop featuring the Bennington Public Schools logo.
A group of smiling people gathered in a rustic setting, with one woman holding up a blue T-shirt that reads 'B Public Schools Alumni.' Others at the table are cheering and applauding her.
A group of people in blue shirts watching a presentation in a rustic wooden setting. Two men are interacting, with one man presenting a shirt to another seated individual.
A presenter holding a silver bucket while joyfully engaging with a woman who is smiling and wearing a leopard print top, with an audience member seated in the background. The setting features wooden walls and a decorative backdrop.
A man in a black shirt is engaged in conversation while receiving a card from another man in a blue suit, inside a rustic barn with wooden beams and soft lighting.

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