Jaelyn Dicke has been selected as the North Platte Community College’s 2025 student commencement speaker. Dicke plans to highlight the support she has received, and the relationships made at NPCC when she gives her address later this week.
Dicke, who is originally from Waverly, attributes much of her growth beyond collegiate athletics to the guidance and opportunities she received as a student at NPCC.
“I chose NPCC because it felt like home,” said Dicke. “They wanted what was best for me and through conversations I knew I was going to be given an opportunity to play collegiate athletics at the next level.”
Dicke was a two-year starter on the Knights volleyball team. She served as the President of Student Senate, Vice President of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, while also being a resident assistant and tutor on campus.
Dicke earned President’s List designation every semester and was named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Nebraska Team in 2025.
Her selection was based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community service among other criteria.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Dicke was chosen for the National Junior College Athletic Association’s All-Academic First Team for achieving a 4.0 GPA.
“It really felt like a home away from home,” she said. “I had many opportunities at NPCC and I will be forever thankful for the staff and the community for helping me feel welcome.”
Dicke will receive an Associate of Science degree at commencement. She is currently taking classes through Chadron State College in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in special education. Dicke serves as a substitute teacher for the North Platte Public School system and helps local youth develop love for the game of volleyball.
The public is invited to hear Dicke’s commencement speech at 3 p.m. May 10. The ceremony will be in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on the NPCC South Campus, 601 W. State Farm Rd., in North Platte.
