2017 KKD Winners

Luke Bartles will begin working on pre-health studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall. As a student at Lincoln Lutheran High School, Luke has been active in Student Council, golf, basketball, football and the National Honor Society. His community activities have included the Youth Leadership Lincoln class, ushering at his church, going on mission trips and helping with student hunger drives.
Hailey Bohac plans to study business administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall. While attending Bishop Neumann High School, Hailey has been involved in volleyball, dance, track, the National Honors Society and the Future Business Leaders of America. She has also been an active volunteer for the community, donating hours to groups including the St. Wenceslaus Godteens Program, Open Door Mission and Saunders Medical Center Nursing Home.
Kelly Broad plans to earn a degree in biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and pursue research positions after she graduates from Lincoln High School. During her high school years, she has been active in the Science Focus Program Science Olympiad, Lincoln High Slam Poetry, Zoo School yearbook and the Zoo School Key Club. She has served the community through volunteer work with Bright Lights, K-Kids and Pannier Labs on UNL’s East Campus.
Devon Michael Caler plans to enroll in computer hardware engineering with a minor in computer science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln next fall. While attending Seward High School, Devon has been involved with the Future Business Leader’s Association and the Key Club.
Ripley Creamer plans to earn a degree in biology through the academic transfer program at Southeast Community College and then transfer to a four-year institution and possibly go into a medical field so she can help others. At Dorchester Public High School, Ripley participated in volleyball, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), One Act and Girls’ State. She has been an active volunteer, spending more than 500 hours in service through FBLA, teaching Vacation Bible School, leading youth retreats, and various other volunteer activities.
Madison Eliker will attend Doane University in Crete this fall, majoring in Elementary Education with a Special Education endorsement. At Waverly High School, Madison has been active in Honors band, track, speech, honor roll and National Honors Society. She has spent time volunteering with Matt Talbot Kitchen, as a teacher’s assistant and as a mentor.
Avary Finch is looking forward to attending the University of Denver, where she will major in Education/Administration or Business. While attending Campus High School, she was a member of the Student Council, Theatre, the National Honors Society and the Mayors Youth Leadership Council. Her volunteer activities have included working with the City of Haysville Bike Path Advisory Committee, the USD 261 Board of Education and Riverfest.
Skye Free plans to study Pre-Law next fall at Peru State College. During her time at Norris High School, she has participated in the Future Farmers of Nebraska, Trap Shooting and Mock Trial. Her community activities have included working with City Impact, Lincoln Beream Church and L5 Youth Ranch.
Michael Gries plans to study biology and attend the pre-radiology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was named Academic All-State for football at Pius X and was also active in track, the Pre-Med Club, Passport to Adventure Cliub, National Honors Society and the honor roll. He also spent time volunteering as a coach during football camp, an altar server and participates in paper, plastic and metal recycling projects.
Alexis Gress is looking forward to attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she will major in exercise science and minor in business. After she earns her bachelor’s degree, she will look at studying physical therapy at a medical university. While attending Waverly High School, she played softball for four years, soccer for two, earned a silver medal at state competition for FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), was involved in student council and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Megan Klenke plans to attend Concordia University in Seward next fall pursuing a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in Social Sciences. At Friend High School, she has been involved in basketball, softball and track, band, choir, One Act and Musicals, Quiz Bowl and the National Honor Society. She has volunteered with various organizations in the community and helped facilitate five Red Cross blood drives.
Katelyn Kohn looks forward to studying environmental science next fall at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. As a student at Lincoln Southeast High School, she was active in the orchestra, pottery club and Young Life Club. Katelyn has served the community by volunteering at the Capitol Humane Society, the Pioneers Park Nature Center and the People’s City Mission.
Kaitlynn Kool plans to study political science next fall at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. In addition to participating in band, choir, Quiz Bowl and Student Council at Friend High School, she has served her community through various volunteer activities, including planting flowers and cleaning at Friend Manor.
David Nguyen will study pre-health at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to follow his lifelong dream of working in the health field. He hopes to be a nurse practitioner after attending graduate school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. During his career at Pius X High School, David participated in weightlifting, Pius X Medical Club, Frisbee Club and Landscaping Club. He has spent time teaching children about religion and the Vietnamese Culture through the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement and he has volunteered for the Peoples City Mission.
Kevin Nguyen enjoys working with technology and plans to major in computer science/programming at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He participated in track and field, Engineering Club, National Honors Society and peer tutoring during his career at Lincoln Northeast High School while volunteering with the youth group at Linh Quang Buddhist Center, Boo at the Zoo and the Salvation Army.
Tate Peterson plans to pursue a four-year degree from the University of Nebraska in either Lincoln or Omaha, but hasn’t yet determined his field of study. Tate participated in track, band, Academic Decathlon, basketball, Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honors Society at Wahoo High School. He served his community through volunteer activities through his church youth group, and at an area animal shelter and a local nursing home.
Amanda Suhr is looking forward to preparing for a career in nursing and will attend Creighton University, Bryan College of Nursing or Nebraska Wesleyan University. While attending Lincoln Northeast High School, Amanda was involved in soccer, Pershing Pals, National Honor Society, Rocket Crew and basketball. She served the community in various ways including United Way Jump Start, Vacation Bible School, Touching Hearts Preschool, and the Salvation Army.
The world of English and literature is beckoning Harriett Swager. She plans to attend Manhattan College in New York next fall and possibly have a career as a college professor as well as an author. At Climax-Scotts High School, she played softball and basketball for four years and has been involved in the Student Council, band and National Honor Society. She has also been active with her church, the youth group and the Catholic Heart Work Camp.
Isabella Trainor has set very specific goals for her future, planning to study biology at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and eventually fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon. At Lakeview High School, she has been involved in student government, Robotics Club, Key Club, Link Crew Mentor, Chinese Exchange Student Mentoring, and National Honors Society. She has also volunteered with the Binder Park Zoo Boo, the Food Bank and taught Sunday School.
Adam Ungvarsky is enrolled at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and plans to study religion and psychology. After his undergraduate experience, he would like to obtain a Master’s of Divinity with the ultimate goal of working with people of all religions. Adam has been active in swimming, marching band, jazz band, pep band, concert band and Students Together Against Cancer at Lincoln Southwest High School. He has also been active with Southwood Lutheran Church’s youth group.
Ashlynn Wilen is looking forward to earning her bachelor’s degree in English from Florida College. During her time at Joyful Journey Christian Homeschool, Ashlynn participated in chorus, volleyball and softball. She has logged volunteer hours wih the local library and the library’s youth advisory board.
Adam Zastrow has a great love for music and computers and plans to study computer science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall. During his time at Pius X High School, Adam has been active in track and field, Show Choir Band, Sotto Voce A Cappella Choir, Pius Players Theatre, and Ambassador Club. He has served the community by volunteering at the Pius X Phone-a-thon, the American Cancer Society and the Pius X Theatre Camp for Kids.

Leave a Reply