FCHS senior honored by Governor

On Wednesday, August 13, Gov. Dave Heineman recognized Falls City High School senior Tim von Behren. The talented student won a national contest for his patriotic artwork in the 2008 Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards Scholarship Contest.

The annual event is sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) of the United States. After winning the local, state, and district contests, von Behren’s artwork, titled “A Tribute to Jacob,” was selected from 44 entries at the national level. He will receive a $10,000 scholarship for winning this year’s contest.

Governor Dave Heineman looks on while FCHS senior Tim von Behren speaks about his award and reads "A Tribute to Jacob" at the press conference.

The colored pencil drawing is composed of images representing the life of Army 1 LT Jacob Fritz of Verdon, who died Jan. 20, 2007 in Karbala, Iraq at the age of 25. Jacob was a 2000 graduate of Dawson-Verdon High School and a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was the son of FCHS biology teacher Noala Fritz and her husband Lyle.

The Falls City High School Class of 2009 asked von Behren to develop the piece as a gift to Fritz from the Class of 2009. After giving her the drawing, von Behren asked Mrs. Fritz if she minded if he would take it back so it could be entered in the art contest. She was honored by the request. “A Tribute to Jacob” was entered in the contest by art teacher Patricia Steinman when she submitted it to the Falls City Ladies Auxiliary Post 1765.

Each section of the colored pencil drawing, which won first place in the national 2008 Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards Scholarship Contest, represents a significant part of the life of 1 LT Jacob Fritz.

In presenting Mrs. Fritz with the picture, Tim also gave her the following explanation of the picture:

“A Tribute to Jacob”

We, the class of 2009 of Falls City High School, present this gift to you, Mrs. Fritz, in memory of your son, Jacob Fritz, who died for his country.

The American Flag represents Jacob’s patriotism and Jacob’s life in the military…duty, honor, country. The United States flag has red stripes symbolic of spilt blood for freedom. This truly was the case for Jacob.

The grain in the forefront represents the portion of Jacob’s youth that was rooted in the family farm. There are 25 heads of grain, representing the number of years Jacob spent here on earth.

The waterfall symbolizes Falls City where he spent many summers as a lifeguard.

Mountains of Alaska are depicted in the background, as Alaska was a part of his life.

The soldier’s cross memorializes Jacob since he gave his life for his country. Because Jacob was a Christian, he was well aware of the symbolism of the cross; that being the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who died on a cross, giving his life for all mankind.

A brightly lit sky represents not just a sunset on his life on earth, but it also represents the dawn of a new day as Jacob begins his eternal life in heaven.

Mrs. Fritz, we salute your son. He was truly an American hero.

“This is touching example of a young Nebraskan reaching out to his teacher who lost her son in Iraq,” Gov. Heineman said. “It’s important to honor the memory and the service of those Nebraskans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”

Governor Heineman is pictured with Lyle Fritz, Noala Fritz, Tim von Behren, John von Behren, Glenda von Behren, and Dixie Hild, who is from the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

von Behren will be presented with the scholarship on Aug. 18 in Orlando during the 2008 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary National Convention. The drawing will be on display throughout the convention and featured on the cover of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Magazine. When Tim's parents found out he was allowed to bring one person with him, Glenda von Behren called Mrs. Fritz and told her that they wanted her to go with Tim. He will be joined at the convention by Mrs. Fritz.

At the press conference Noala Fritz explains what receiving the picture meant to her and her family.

Now in its 30th year, the patriotic art award contest encourages high school students to use artistic talents to express their patriotism. It is open to students in grades nine through 12. Entries are judged on factors including originality of concept and clarity of patriotic expression. Teachers, artists and others professionals judge the contest at local, state, district, and national levels.