LABOR DAY QUEEN JUDGES

Sharon Ellston from Grand Island, NE is an educator that works for the Grand Island Public Schools. She is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She likes reading, cross word puzzles, swimming and spending time with her family.

Sara Hento graduated with high honors from the University of South Dakota with a joint Juris Doctorate/Master of Professional Accountancy degree. After graduation, she served as a law clerk in the First Judicial Circuit serving judges in several counties. She proceeded to private practice and focused on estate planning and real estate transactions for agricultural producers. In 2016, Sara transitioned to the Avon School District to serve as the Business Manager where she currently assists the District with budgeting, forecasting, accounting, policy advising, and employee relations. In the area community, Sara serves as a committee member on the Bon Homme Food Pantry Board, the Avon Community Center Committee, and the president of the Avon Backpack Program. She also teaches high school CCD classes at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante and is a lector. Originally from West Point, Nebraska, Sara and her husband Tanner, an Avon native, moved back to the Avon community to farm. Her hobbies include fitness, cooking, travel, and helping on the family farm.

Natalie Ymker was raised on a farm in a small-town community. I attended a private school through middle school and earned my high school diploma at home. I have worked in home health care and at an assisted living. I worked as a teacher assistant for Jr high and high school students for 6 years. My heart was in it. I loved my students and I strived to reach out to each one of them and focus on their individual needs. I took classes to become an EMT, volunteering with Douglas County-Armour Ambulance. I am also a nurse aide at Douglas County Memorial Hospital. It means so much to be able to help people in my community. My colleague and I organized Freshman Impact - a program for freshman students - to focus on teen awareness to suicide, bullying, trafficking, drug and alcohol usage, etc. Away from work and volunteering, I enjoy spending time with my husband, gardening, baking, crocheting, and traveling.