Leaving Their Mark

In Mr. Logan Koehler’s AP World History classroom at Norris High School, success is leaving a lasting impression…literally! A colorful collection of 129 student handprints adorns the classroom’s AP World History Wall of Fame, each hand representing a student who earned a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) exam.

This fall, 41 new handprints joined the wall after 73% of Norris students taking the 2026 AP World History exam earned a 3 or higher, outperforming both the Nebraska average (70%) and the global average (66%).

The tradition began with the first AP World History class in the 2022-2023 school year. Students in that inaugural group wanted a way to celebrate their accomplishments and year of hard work. What started as a student idea has become a source of pride and motivation. “It’s a simple tradition, but it has become something students look forward to,” Koehler shared. “They see the wall every day, and I hear students talk about working toward earning their spot on it.”

For many Norris students, AP World History is their first opportunity to experience college-level coursework. Offered during sophomore year as an alternative to Global Perspectives, the class challenges students to develop critical thinking, time management, writing, and study skills that serve them well beyond the history classroom.

Senior Rylan Hochstein credits the class with preparing him for more challenging coursework later in high school. “I have taken numerous college level classes and none of them have felt as difficult because I knew what to expect.” Junior Sean Buller agreed, noting that the class helped him develop better study habits. “It really helped me prepare for my other AP classes I am now taking as a junior.”

For fellow junior, Suzianna Tidball, the experience offered a valuable introduction to advanced coursework and the expectations of college-level thinking and testing. Earning her place on the wall meant that “all my hard work and dedication in May and throughout the year had paid off.”

Senior Lorelai Miller, who earned a 5 on her AP World History exam - the highest score possible - found that the experience helped her become a more effective student, particularly in developing stronger note-taking skills and learning when to ask for help. Seeing her handprint on the wall was particularly rewarding. “I was proud that I was able to achieve a five with the help of Mr. Koehler and my resources.”

Building on a Strong Foundation

Success in AP World History is part of a broader effort at Norris to provide students with rigorous academic opportunities and prepare them for success after graduation. During the 2025-2026 school year, a school-record 118 students completed 126 AP exams, reflecting growing student participation in advanced coursework.

Norris currently offers seven AP courses: World History, U.S. Government and Politics, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics 1. AP Biology, Chemistry, and Physics 1 are new offerings for 2026-2027, with the Biology and Chemistry dual-credit courses now aligned to AP requirements and Physics 1 introduced as a new course.

While dual-credit courses continue to be a popular option for Norris students, expanding AP opportunities provides additional pathways for students seeking college credit, competitive scholarships, and admission to selective colleges and universities.

Mr. Koehler believes beginning that journey early makes a difference. “AP World History can be a great first step toward that goal,” he explained, highlighting the potential for college credit and the confidence students gain from challenging themselves academically. For the students who rise to that challenge? There’s a colorful reminder that their hard work has paid off, along with a permanent place on Mr. Koehler’s wall.