2020 KKD Winners

Alex Andrew’s strong academic success and work ethic will give him a multitude of success for years to come in his personal and professional life. He plans to attend Western Michigan University where he is still unsure of his future studies but is leaning towards Chemical Engineering. He attends Harper Creek High School where he participates in the LINK crew, the Men’s Swim and Dive team, and Harper Creek Swim Club. He’s also volunteered his time for the food bank, adopt-a-highway, school fundraising events, and as a volunteer for various swimming and diving meets.

Tyler Andrew’s success in school and other activities will lead to endless opportunities in the future. He plans to attend Western Michigan University where he plans to study Biology. He’s interested in the medical field but wants to keep his options open. He has a passion for travelling and looks forward to experiencing other cultures. He attends Harper Creek High School where he participates on the swimming and diving team. He is also involved with the Harper Creek school board, LINK crew, Harper Creek Congress, and National Honor Society. He has served in his community through Red Cross blood drives, various swim meets, supervising children during parent-teacher conferences for various schools in the area, and for a police K-9 fundraiser.

Kyra Creamer strives to be a lifelong learner and carry her success into her future career as an educator. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Omaha where she will study elementary education. She attends Dorchester High School in Dorchester, Nebraska, where she participates in volleyball, basketball, track, choir, student council, National Honor Society, speech, and Future Business Leaders of America. She also volunteers her time with the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Lincoln City Mission, her youth group, and helping out at the concession stand at various athletic events.

Emily Dang has a full heart and a gift for success and helping others. She plans to attend Creighton University where she will study Nursing. She attends Lincoln Pius X High School where she participates in student council, ambassadors, Gold Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Medical Club, the Writing Resource Center, and as the student manager for the girls soccer team. She’s also volunteered for the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, as a camp counselor for the Villa Marie Home and School for Exceptional Children, and at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Colton Johnson has a strong passion for technology and for serving others. He has a strong faith, hoping to not only work in the technology field but also someday as a pastor in order to serve his church and community. He plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where he plans to study Computer Engineering. He attends Norris High School in Firth where he participates in marching band, concert band, pep band, speech, football, mock trial and trapshooting. He is an Eagle Scout and has volunteered for Vacation Bible School, Boy Scouts, Adopt-A-Road Program, and various maintenance and renovation projects within his community.

Danielle Klenke has excelled throughout her athletic career and academic career which will lead to continued success. She plans to attend the University of Sioux Falls where she will study biology and play Division two collegiate softball. She attends Seward High School after transferring from Friend High School where she attended for three academic years. While in high school, she has participated in softball, basketball, track and field, student council, class officer, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, One Act Performances, and musicals.

Stephanie Kluthe is a driven person whose goals and dreams are to one day become a forensic scientist. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she will study Forensic Science, Entomology, and Criminology. She attends Lincoln Southwest High School where she participates in archery, key club, and Silverhawks Helping Other Silverhawks. She also enjoys boxing at TJ Sokol Boxing. She’s volunteered in the community with the Capital Humane Society and her boxing gym.

Jaxon Morrow’s hard work and empathy towards others will lead to continued success throughout his life. He plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln where he will study Business Administration.  He attends Lincoln Southwest High School where he participates on the wrestling team. Jaxon also operates his own business reselling shoes. He has volunteered in the Lincoln community for the Lincoln Jr. Hawks wrestling program and other various wrestling tournaments.

McKayla Most will continue to push through in order to be successful in many things throughout her life. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Omaha where she will follow her passion for being a future business leader and study Accounting. She attends Bishop Neumann High School in Wahoo, Nebraska, and participates in National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, track and field, drama, and the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). The FBLA reinforced her passion for business and accounting. She has volunteered at the Ceresco Community Library, Wahoo Community Library, youth volleyball and basketball camps, Relay for Life, and enjoyed a mission trip to Chicago, Illinois.

Vivian Nguyen strives for success in order to pursue her passion of one day becoming a pediatrician. She plans to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, or the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. While in college she plans to study Biology and looks to focus on a pre-med cirriculum. She also plans to volunteer at local hospitals, nursing homes, and/or homeless shelters. While in high school at Pius X she participated in Medical Club, Club World Aid, National Honor Society, and Track and Field. She volunteered for the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital volunteer program, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary fundraisers.

Daniel Nichols’ strong academic performance will lead to great opportunities in the future. Daniel has a big heart and looks up to his father for his strong work ethic. He wants to make he and his family very proud. He plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University where he hopes to use his problem-solving skills and study Computer Science. He attends East Kentwood high school where participated in orchestra, National Honor Society, and Club Lacrosse. He also volunteered in his community for the nursery at his church and various community service projects with National Honor Society.

Harper Odom is full of brilliance and determination. He plans to take his skills as a well-rounded student to Nebraska Wesleyan University in the fall of 2020 with the goal of one day becoming an orthodontist. He attended Lincoln East High School where he participated in DECA as director of finance and then president. He also participated in National Honor Society, Computer Science Honor Society, and was an East High student ambassador. He also volunteered at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Meals on Wheels delivery, and the Leadership Lincoln Youth in Action Center.

Delaney Patocka excelled in sports and in the classroom. She will look to continue that same success into her future as a hopeful pharmacist. She plans to attend Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, where she will study biochemistry and then hopefully will be accepted into medical school. She attends Mead High School in Mead, Nebraska, where she participates in track and field, basketball, volleyball, National Honors Society, Future Farmers of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), drama, and student council. She also volunteers in her community by coaching youth volleyball, roadside cleanup services, at various Mead fire hall events, and as a referee for youth volleyball games.

Paige Peterson has excelled throughout her high school career and looks forward to the challenges of the future. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Omaha where she is undecided on what to focus her studies on, but has an interest in health care. She also has a passion for travelling, enjoys speaking Spanish, and looks forward to studying abroad in college. She attends Wahoo High School in Wahoo and participates in National Honor Society, Dance team, Cheer team, Softball, Track, and unified bowling. She has volunteered at the Red Cross blood drive, Camp Invention, food drives, various youth sports camps, and the Bethlehem Lutheran Youth Group.

Alena Reeve continues to strive for success and help those in need. She plans to attend Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. She will receive her bachelors in Science in Nursing and become a Registered Nurse. She attends Rockwood Summit High School and participates in the Early College Partnership where she has taken college credit courses while still in high school. At Rockwood Summit she has participated on the Falcon Performance team, show choir, Medical Club, and Phi Theta Kappa. She’s volunteered with the Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, Confidence House, the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and Engaging All Students.

Audrey Scully has leadership skills and strengths many people admire. She plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, where she plans to do the 3-to-1 program and obtain a bachelors and masters in Health Care Administration. She attends North Star High School in Lincoln where she participates in volleyball, tennis, Future Business Leaders of America, and National Honors Society. She’s also volunteered within her community with the Special Olympics, North Star Movie Night, and by selling shirts for her school.

Carson Stauffer has a kind heart and a gifted athletic ability. These two characteristics will undoubtedly serve him well throughout his personal and professional life. He plans to attend Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, where he plans to study Special Education and continue his athletic career on the football team. He attends Milford High School in Milford, Nebraska, where participates in football, basketball, track and field, baseball, and the Youth Frontiers Kindness Activities. He has also volunteered his time with the community youth group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Heart Milford Community Service Day, Open Door City Mission in Omaha, Nebraska, the People’s City Mission in Lincoln, Nebraska, and mentoring a classmate with special needs.

Simon Swager has a thirst for knowledge, challenge, and living well past the status quo. He plans to attend Northern Michigan University. Simon has many interests, however for now he plans to study Elementary Education due to his passion for being around children and for the social sciences. Certainly as an educator he would serve those around him well. While at Climax-Scotts high school he participated in the Kalamazoo Mathematics and Science Center, National Honor Society, baseball, drama club, various plays and musicals, student council, marching band, and cross country. Within the community he has been a geometry tutor, mentored musicians in the middle school band, and been involved with various youth group and Bible school groups.

Madelein Woolard has the goal of working in our legal system and her prior success can certainly help make those goals a reality. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and study Criminal Justice or Communications while minoring in Spanish. She looks forward to joining the pre-law program and eventually attending law school. She attends Seward High School in Seward, Nebraska, where she participants in a variety of music activities, including pep band, marching band, symphonic band, choir, select choir, and wind ensemble. She’s spent her time volunteering for Awana Clubs.