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The Wingspan

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The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

The Student News Site of Gretna East High School

The Wingspan

Colton Knott

Colton Knott, Feature Editor

Senior Colton Knott is a first year on the Wingspan staff and is ready to be a part of the team that keeps people in school connected. This semester he is serving as the Features Editor

His goal this year is to write something State-worthy and improve his skills as a writer. After high school, he is looking into writing as a potential career.

Knott is heavily involved at Gretna East with Speech, Musical, Show Choir and One Act. He is also the President of Student Council and Vice President of National Honors Society. Last year, Knott won Most Outstanding Male Performer at both District and State One Act along with many other theatrical awards in his time in high school drama. Outside of school he works at Scooters and hangs out with his friends.

All content by Colton Knott
Smiling after receiving Rookie of the Year award, vocal music teacher Nathan Wallace poses with his students for a commemorative photo.

Three Griffin teachers recognized for excellence by community-voted awards

Colton Knott, Feature Editor April 23, 2025

The Gretna Public Schools Foundation has announced the winners of the third annual Educational Excellence Awards,  and three of them have been awarded to Gretna East educators. Nominated by the...

Posing for their "senior photo", the Greasers and Pink Ladies drive their car, "Grease Lightning", onstage for bows.

Students embrace spirit of 1950s in production of ‘Grease’

Colton Knott, Feature Editor April 9, 2025

The theater was filled with the pride of Rydell High and rock and roll from the 1950s as audiences gathered for the choir department’s spring musical, Grease, on April 3-5. “Execution of the show...

The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is in sight for the Class of 2025.

Graduation, senior events set for early May as seniors approach final stretch

Colton Knott, Feature Editor April 2, 2025

The arrival of the fourth quarter means the beginning of the end for seniors who have been battling senioritis. However, the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to come in focus. In just five and...

Before the second half of the girls basketball State finals, Activities Director Ryan Garder talks to students at the front of the student section.

Griffins recognized for sportsmanship as policy debate continues

Colton Knott, Feature Editor March 14, 2025

The closure of winter sports marked a controversial season regarding student section expectations, but despite that, the Griffins were awarded the Currency Class B Sportsmanship Award, an award given to...

TikTok banned then reinstated, but for how long?

TikTok banned then reinstated, but for how long?

Colton Knott, Feature Editor January 23, 2025

From creating funny videos to trendy dances, the social media platform TikTok is utilized by 170 million American users. However, on Sunday, when users opened the app they were greeted with a message...

After making her 55th goal of the season and breaking the All-State record for most goals in a single season, Sonora DeFini jumps up with her arms in the air as she runs toward teammate Kendall Dobberstein during the NSAA Class B Girls Soccer State Championship game on May 13. The team ended up beating Duchesne 6-1 to become the 2024 State Champions.

Two GPS seniors named as finalists for ‘Nebraska Girl’s Athlete of the Year’ award

Colton Knott, Feature Editor December 11, 2024

From her state record-breaking 55 soccer goals in a season to her performance in the classroom, senior Sonora Defini has seen her fair share of recognition, and she is on the shortlist for more. Yesterday,...

Following their Eastern Midlands Conference win on Nov. 25, the One Act cast and crew for "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" gather onstage for a group photo with their championship plaque.

Griffin One Act crowned Eastern Midlands Conference Champions ahead of district competition

Colton Knott, Feature Editor December 2, 2024

After knocking on wood, fine-tuning their techniques and three home performances, the One Act team was crowned the Eastern Midlands Conference (EMC) Play Production Champions at Lincoln Northwest High...

Courtesy of the For Feek Forever Foundation

First annual Read for Feek silent book club event set to honor Brad Feeken

Colton Knott, Feature Editor November 4, 2024

The name Brad Feeken stands alone in the Gretna community. His dedication in the classroom as a seventh-grade reading teacher at both Aspen Creek Middle School and Gretna Middle School with his decorated...

Playing loud and proud, senior Charles Morgan leads his fellow trumpets in their preliminary performance at the Omaha Marching Invitational on Oct. 19.

All eyes on Griffin Pride Marching Band as they gear up for State

Colton Knott, Feature Editor October 24, 2024

From football half-time shows to 18-hour competition days, The Griffin Pride Marching Band has strived to entertain audience members since September, but now they're preparing for their final performance....

Executing their choreography, members of Equinox strike a pose in their opener, "The Spark of Creation/Our Time".

Eastside choirs hit high notes at debut fall choir concert

Colton Knott and Madeline Petrick October 8, 2024

The theatre was packed with audience members on Oct. 3 for the choir program’s premiere fall concert, which featured performances from all four choral ensembles: Concert Choir, Treble/Bass Choir, East...

Hope Squad proudly displays their 'Hope Banner' outside of the cafeteria. The banner is filled with positive affirmations written by students and staff alike to help students feel connected and seen in our school.

Hope Squad takes on Suicide Prevention Month in its first year

Colton Knott, Feature Editor September 30, 2024

The month of September was Suicide Prevention Month, which the National Alliance on Mental Illness describes as a month to bring hope to the highly stigmatized issue of suicide. Piggybacking off of that...

In the final leg of the Aug. 31 girls Gretna Cross Country Invitational, sophomore Avery Visser sprints to the finish line. Visser ended up taking 7th place, ahead of 48 other girls.

[Photo] Gretna Invitational kicks off cross country season, team prepares for Beatrice meet

Colton Knott, Feature Editor September 6, 2024

In the final leg of the Aug. 31 girls Gretna Cross Country Invitational, sophomore Avery Visser sprints to the finish line. Visser ended up taking 7th place, ahead of 48 other girls.

Sitting in their “family groups”, juniors Easton Roarty, Ava Fink, Elisha Toledo and Madelynn Baker-Klassen and sophomores Riley Critser, Taryn Stastny, act like scientists in their second number, “Thomas Edison/Weird Science.

Equinox Show Choir to take on history in group’s second season

Colton Knott, Feature Editor September 3, 2024

Under the direction of new Show Choir Director, Nathan Wallace, 55 Equinox singer-dancers have been putting in at least six hours a week preparing for their upcoming competition season which will kick...

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The Student News Site of Gretna East High School
Colton Knott