(LINCOLN, Nebraska, August 2, 2004) - Legally blind, Tyson Thompson doesn't let his disability deter him from his educational goals. The Nebraska City native will attend Peru State College this fall to study Early Childhood Development and Education. "I love working with young children because they are so willing to accept me," he said. It also gives me the opportunity to show them that people with disabilities are just people."

Tyson will attend college with the help of a $3,000 Reaching Your Potential scholarship from EducationQuest Foundation.

EducationQuest, a private, nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, recently disbursed nearly $50,000 in renewable Reaching Your Potential scholarships to 14 Nebraskans who demonstrate a desire to improve their lives, and the lives of others, through higher education.

In addition to Thompson, the recipients are:

Shera Baumel, Omaha, $4,000
Shera plans to earn a Bachelor’s in Studio Art from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Jenna Beyer, Norfolk, $2,000
This young single mom will attend Northeast Community College after overcoming obstacles including her mother's death, her father's disability, emotional abuse, her brother's drug addiction, and the birth of a son. She credits her strong will for keeping her in school, off drugs and on her way to a better life.

Angela Capazo, Omaha, $5,400
Angela left an abusive relationship to pursue a nursing degree at College of St. Mary and to build a better life for her nine-month-old daughter Mikayla. "For the first time in my life, I am doing the right thing," she said. "I have never felt so good about myself."

Jacob Fisher, York, $5,400
A student at York College, Jacob is so determined to overcome an abusive childhood that he has carefully mapped out his life goals. After graduating with a biology degree, Jacob plans a stint in the Peace Corp. He'll then pursue a master's degree in Marine Science and a doctorate in Marine Biology.

Rebekah Frawley, St. Libory, $4,500
Poverty and lack of a stable home life have motivated Rebekah to become the first person in her family to graduate from high school and attend college. This fall she plans on a pre-med curriculum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with aspirations to become a radiologist.

Bol Goach, Wayne, $3,500
Bol endured much suffering in war-torn Sudan including separation from his family and the horrors of a refugee camp. That changed when he immigrated to Omaha where he learned English and finished high school. He now attends Wayne State College with a goal to prevent suffering like his own.

Nepthys Justo, Niobrara, $3,500
Despite a childhood living on the streets and an abusive first marriage, Nepthys has stayed true to her goal of becoming a middle school teacher. A recent graduate of Nebraska Indian Community College while working and raising three sons, she plans to continue her schooling toward a bachelor's degree at Wayne State College.

Jenna Kostman, Cozad, $2,500
Abandoned by her mother at a young age, Jenna has helped care for her father whose battle with brain cancer has left him severely disabled. The experience has inspired Jenna to become a nurse - a path she is pursuing at Southeast Community College.

Jessica Livermont, Mitchell, $2,000
When Jessica graduates from Western Nebraska Community College in December, she will be the first in her family to earn a college degree - and it hasn't been easy. Jessica, who overcame a life of poverty, goes to school full-time, cares for her family, works, and is involved in campus activities.

Kimberly Meyer, Loup City, $4,000
Over the years, Kimberly has dealt with poverty, her father's death, and her siblings' substance abuse. Despite all this, she attends the University of Nebraska at Kearney with ambitions to become a small business manager. She also actively promotes drug and alcohol prevention programs at school.

Lawrence Mom, Lincoln, $2,500
Lawrence attends Southeast Community College with plans to pursue an accounting degree. This is a huge accomplishment for a young man who grew up in a Sudanese refugee camp, learned English as a second language, and now deals with kidney disease. Despite his illness, he finds strength to do well in school and to help fellow Sudanese.

Natalie Murta, Omaha, $3,000
Natalie's early life centered around her parents' mental and drug problems, her father's incarceration, and her mother's abusive boyfriend. After a few years as a rebellious teenager, she turned her life around and is now studying Business Finance at Metro Community College in Omaha.

Sarah Prenosil, Omaha, $4,000
Surviving a childhood of heart problems that culminated in a heart transplant, Sarah is now beginning her college career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a goal to earn a nursing degree. Sarah says she knows first-hand the importance of caring, well-trained professionals in the medical field.

"Each recipient is dealing with circumstances that could greatly hinder their ability to pursue higher education, yet they all demonstrate a tremendous desire to improve their lives," said EducationQuest President Liz Fieselman. "We're pleased to help them along the way."

In total, EducationQuest has disbursed over $530,000 in Reaching Your Potential scholarships to 90 Nebraskans since the program began in 2000. Applicants are referred to the program by statewide community agencies and colleges.

EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Through a permanent endowment, EducationQuest provides free college planning services at its locations in Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha; funds need-based scholarship programs; and supports community organizations that enhance college access. For more information, call EducationQuest Foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, at 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.