As we embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving, it is a great time to celebrate and honor the
extraordinary members of Southeast Nebraska who have made substantial contributions to our community. Not only are the stories of commitment and service motivational, but they also serve as a testament to the strength of Nebraska.

Leslie McIntosh, an outstanding teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School, has earned the Milken Educator Award. Her innovative teaching approaches and successful projects, such as the “Summer Blast” program, demonstrate her dedication to improving student learning and community participation. I am thankful for teachers like Leslie, whose passion and creative teaching significantly improve students’ lives and build our community, exemplifying the true spirit of educational excellence.

In the world of sports, we bid farewell to Rick Janssen, an NSAA referee who retired after a distinguished 47-year career. Rick’s last game represented the end of a journey distinguished by fairness, sportsmanship, and genuine passion for the game. His long-standing commitment to refereeing has left a long-lasting imprint on the Nebraska sports community. A special thank you to Rick Janssen for his decades of dedication in sports officiating, which has left a legacy of fairness and enthusiasm that will be remembered for years to come.

I also want to recognize K9 Officer Mack’s retirement and the work of his handler, Sgt.
Christopher Richardson, from the Nebraska City Police Department. Mack is leaving around five years of valuable service and is well-known for his remarkable talents in drug detection and tracking. Sgt. Richardson’s and Mack’s relationship is a touching example of loyalty and teamwork. I am thankful for K9 Officer Mack and Sgt. Christopher Richardson for their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe, and I wish Mack a happy and restful retirement.

As the holiday season approaches, so does the legislative session. In the coming weeks, I will begin a series highlighting the legislative process. This will shed light on how laws are crafted and passed, and the critical roles we play in shaping the future laws of our state. In the meantime, we wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68509-4604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.