A brand-new class of senators is joining the Nebraska Legislature. This class of policymakers includes novices and seasoned legislators. They have varied talents and backgrounds. And they approach the world in both familiar and unique ways.

Each Sunday, we’ll help you get to know the senators who are beginning their terms in this 2007 session. Today, we introduce Sen. Danielle Nantkes, in her words. 

I'm originally from Seward County and my mom and dad still live there, in the same house I grew up in, north of Seward on Highway 15.

I have a younger brother, Ross, who is a seed salesman for Frontier Coop and graduated with an agronomy degree from UNL a few years ago. He just had a birthday, and he's 26.

My mom's a public school teacher. She teaches here in Lincoln at Arnold Elementary out in Air Park, first grade. And Dad is a deputy sheriff in Seward County and has been for over 25 years.

My mom's very artistic, and unfortunately I didn't inherit any of those talents.

From my mom (I got) her compassion and generosity, her commitment to a strong family. She's very affable and socially gregarious, so I definitely follow in her footsteps that way.

I probably have my dad's sense of humor, which is a little bit more dry.

I don't know if it's a talent, or something that you learn, but his love of the outdoors and fishing and camping and boating, that's definitely from his side and something I've inherited.

I go fishing as much as I can, mainly in farm ponds around Lancaster County and Seward County. But we also like to take frequent trips to state rec areas and Branched Oak and Lake McConaughy.

We recently went deep-sea fishing over Thanksgiving, to Mexico, which was fantastic. We caught a sailfish and a mahi-mahi that was beautiful and delicious.

I like to fish for anything from sunfish all the way up to sailfish. I just think it's such a fun, relaxing way to spend a nice day. But I don't really like ice fishing. It's too cold.

(The first day at the Legislature) coming onto the floor and seeing my name, I just kind of got a little emotional at first because it was like, this is for real now.

At Seward High School … I was a cheerleader for four years and in swing choir and the musicals and on speech and debate team. I was in what used to be called Future Homemakers of America, but then they changed the name to Youth for Tomorrow, (I) was an officer in that. Spanish club, key club, those kinds of things.

My friends have what they call "Danielle time," where they will tell me we're going to meet at a restaurant for dinner a half an hour before we're supposed to meet.

I'm getting better. I'm really trying. And now having other people manage my schedule, that's really helpful. But I always figure there's some sort of window (regarding arrival time).

I don't like jewelry. I don't like any accessories on me.

I was blessed to have all of my grandparents around us growing up. We spent a lot of time with them.

My Grandpa Sadowski told me when I was junior high or high school age that it's important to really slow down and savor every moment because we never know what's going to come tomorrow, or if there is going to be a tomorrow. And I reflect upon that quite frequently because I think it is really sage advice.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. I'm a huge believer in that. Adherence to that rule has paid off countless times. 

There is a bias against low-income families within our society. And I think it's partly a misunderstanding of some of our American ideals, where we think, if you work hard enough anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps and succeed. And while, generally, there is a lot of opportunity and that can be true, we have to start from a fair and even playing field in order for that to really work out.

When people don't have the same access to nutrition and education and family support and basic needs, that dynamic becomes very skewed.

Coming from a small high school, you had two music choices: country or heavy metal. And my friends and I went more down the heavy metal path. So I do have a fond place in my heart for more loud, heavy rock and roll.

In high school I loved the Beastie Boys and Nirvana. Nirvana was probably my favorite band. "Come As You Are" was probably my favorite song, still to this day.

It's a mixed bag on my joke telling. If it's one I'm really familiar with, I'm usually OK. But if it's a newer one, sometimes I forget the sequencing.

Al Franken. I love every single one of his books. I have a signed one that's one of my prized possessions. I got it in Chicago in 1996 at the Democratic National Convention. He definitely makes me laugh.

I really love Chicago. My Cubs are there. I've been a huge Cubs fan for a long time.

I also really love New York City. That's where my mom's family's from, so we've spent a lot of time there over the years. I have some dear friends who live there now.

Knock on wood, I've never had to go to the hospital for anything, which is good, because I'm terrified of needles and blood and all that that involves. It kind of helped me decide on a career path knowing that doctor and nurse were out of the question.

Probably the best advice I've heard so far has been to not be afraid to take a strong stand on issues. Very few re-election campaigns are lost over issue-based disagreements.

Reach JoAnne Young at 473-7228 or jyoung@journalstar.com