Kooser Elementary School students like Maela and Matthew learned that school is cool from four college athletes who have enjoyed success both on and off the field.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln track and field athletes Axelina Johansson and Ashriel Dixon, women’s basketball player Logan Nissley and baseball player Caleb Clark visited with more than 400 Kodiaks at a special assembly. They delivered encouraging messages about setting goals, trying new things and working hard to a room full of third, fourth and fifth graders.

Maela said she liked how Johansson, Dixon, Nissley and Clark shared their stories with everyone. The fifth grader said it was fun to hear from the Huskers during the morning.

“I learned what they love and what sports they like,” Maela said. “I also learned that it’s good to try hard in everything you do.”

Fellow fifth grader Matthew said he discovered that the Huskers would be coming to Kooser shortly before the event started. He wanted to find out what they most enjoyed doing when they were not busy and what they like to do with their family whenever they visited them. He was pleasantly surprised when he was chosen to ask them one of his questions.

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to speak to athletes,” Matthew said.

Clark and Johansson both wore wide smiles as they gave hellos and high fives to the Kodiaks after their presentation. They felt it was important to come to Kooser for the inspirational visit.

“I remember what it was like being in elementary school and having a guest speaker come in and just hearing their words, remembering those things that they said,” Clark said. “This is the fourth time I’ve been able to do this in four years, so it’s incredible to come to schools and give back to the community. I’m not from Nebraska, but everyone here has kind of taken me in as their own, so I just always want to be able to give back.”

“I want to give back to the community, because I feel like we have such good support from the local fans,” Johansson said. “I have a lot of experience, and I wanted to share that with the kids. Hopefully it made a difference for them.”

The visit to Kooser was part of a weeklong series of “School is Cool” activities at Lincoln Public Schools buildings. Husker athletes also visited elementary students at Hill, West Lincoln, Zeman, Norwood Park, Cavett, Riley, Huntington and Hartley. The trips were co-sponsored by the LPS Special Education Department and the UNL Athletic Department as a way to celebrate public school education.

Clark, Johansson, Nissley and Dixon have all excelled both academically and athletically. Johansson, a native of Hok, Sweden, has been an Academic All-American three times and is a four-time Big Ten Conference shot put champion. She finished tenth in the shot put while representing Sweden in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Nissley was the North Dakota Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year three times and the North Dakota Volleyball Player of the Year twice in high school. A child, youth and family studies major, she was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection this past year.

Dixon, a Georgia native, and Clark, who hails from Orillia, Ontario, Canada, are both majoring in sports media and communications. Both earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades this past year and have been key members of the track and field and baseball teams.

Johansson said she wanted to set a good example for the Kodiaks to follow in their careers, activities and hobbies.

“It’s important to try to inspire kids,” Johansson said. “I remember when I was younger, I looked up to athletes and thought they were super cool. I just want to show that it’s possible to be successful. You have to show the kids that they can do it too.”

Nissley encouraged the Kodiaks to explore a wide variety of interests while growing up.

“Everybody has different and unique talents, and so you don’t have to do the exact same thing as the person you’re sitting next to or your best friend,” Nissley said. “It’s just putting yourself out there trying new things, trying different things, getting out of your comfort zone. That’s going to help you find what you’re best at.”

Dixon told students that belief and perseverance are two main ingredients of successful outcomes. He emphasized that education is the driving force of those bright futures.

“There are going to be people who say you can’t do this. You can’t be a musician, you can’t be a teacher, you can’t be a professional athlete, but you can definitely do it,” Dixon said. “But it starts here. The foundation is here.”

Maela said she would remember what the Huskers had said to the Kodiaks for a long time.

“I loved how they came in to talk to us,” Maela said.

Clark hoped the “School is Cool” presentation would help Maela, Matthew and many other Kooser students flourish in their futures.

“As you start to grow up more, you realize that there’s a future ahead of you, and I have to find what I’m passionate about,” Clark said. “Maybe if they even think for a second that, ‘What do I really enjoy? What would I like to do?’ If that sticks, then I think we’re doing something right.”

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From left, UNL student-athletes Axelina Johannson, Logan Nissley, Caleb Clark and Ashriel Dixon speak at Kooser Elementary School. They are standing in front of a stage in the school gym.

Kooser Elementary School

Kooser Elementary School

Kodiaks learn cool lessons about school from UNL student-athletes