Midlands Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Harlan and Cherie Metschke and Dr. Rick and Kyle Black will receive the Reflection Award at the organization’s 2016 Reflection Ball on Jan. 16, 2016, at the Embassy Suites in LaVista. Each year Midlands Community Foundation honors an individual or individuals who have contributed significantly to Sarpy and Cass counties and the mission of the Foundation with its Reflection Award.
Dr. Metschke was born in West Point, Neb., and raised on a farm near Snyder, Neb. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, an Educational Specialist degree from Kearney State College and a Doctor of Education degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Metschke has nearly 40 years of experience in teaching and educational administration, most recently as superintendent of the Papillion-LaVista Schools District from which he retired in 2007. He served as an educational consultant to Building Bright Futures from 2007- 2011. He serves or has served as a board or committee member for the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce, Papillion-LaVista Schools Foundation, Papillion Area Lions Club, Papillion-LaVista TeamMates, Papillion Library Foundation and City of Papillion Parks and Recreation. He also belongs to the Nebraska Council of School Administrators.
Cherie Metschke was born in Tecumseh, Neb., and raised on farms near Filley, Ashland and Firth, Neb. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Masters of Science in Education degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Cherie also has nearly 40 years of experience in teaching, most recently as a reading specialist with the Millard Public Schools from which she retired in 2007. She served on the NAEP Assessment Team for Omaha Area Schools in 2010 and 2011 and currently works with Millard’s AIMSWeb Assessment Team. She volunteers her time with the Food Bank, Heartland Family Service, Assistance League of Omaha, and helping 2nd graders with reading and math. She also belongs to the Nebraska and International reading associations.
Dr. Metschke and Cherie have been married for 47 years and have three children and five grandchildren. They both have taken mission trips to Jiangmen, China, and Santiago, Dominican Republic and do volunteer work at First Lutheran Church.
Dr. Rick Black was born in Omaha, Neb., and raised in Millard, Neb. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Peru State College, a Masters in Elementary Administration degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and a Doctorate in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Black has 40 years of experience in teaching and educational administration, most recently as superintendent of the Papillion-LaVista Schools District from which he retired in 2013. Dr. Black serves or has served on the boards or committees of the Murray and Papillion Lions clubs, Sarpy County YMCA, LaVista Chamber of Commerce, and the Midlands Community Foundation.
Kyle Black was born in Haywood, Cal., and raised in Norfolk, Syracuse, and from age 11, Papillion, Neb. She holds a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Special Education degree and a Masters in Learning Disabilities degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and a Masters in Education Leadership degree from Doane College. Kyle has 27 years of experience in special education teaching and administration, most recently as Assistant Director of Special Education at the Plattsmouth Public Schools from which she retired in 2013. Kyle serves or has served on the boards or committees of the Murray Lions Club, TeamMates Mentoring program, Special Olympics, and currently volunteers weekly at Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK), an educational organization for women educators, dedicated to educational excellence and altruism.
Dr. Black and Kyle have been married for 43 years and have four children and 11 grandchildren. They both belong to the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and Lutheran Church of the Master.
“We are so pleased to present the Metschkes and Blacks with the Reflection Award at our 2016 Ball. All four of these dedicated and hard-working individuals have demonstrated a commitment to supporting schools and students in both Sarpy and Cass counties. We appreciate them sharing their knowledge and decades of experience in education, always putting students first. We also value the countless hours they currently devote through volunteerism in our communities,” said Tonee Gay, Executive Director.
The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement and service. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated millions of dollars to many worthy organizations with an emphasis toward prevention and education in the areas of health, art, culture, community, education, economic development and human services.
For more information, contact: Diane Knicky, Director of Operations and Public Relations 402-991-8027
