Twelve Nebraskans benefit from renewable, need-based program
EducationQuest, a private, non-profit organization based in Lincoln, recently disbursed $41,500 in renewable Reaching Your Potential scholarships among twelve Nebraskans who have demonstrated a desire to improve their lives, and the lives of others, through higher education.
In addition to Brown, the recipients are:
Diane Acklie, Pierce, $2,500 Ashleigh Ankiputa, Boys Town, $2,500 Nathaniel Banks-Richardson, Boys Town, $3,500 Thomas Carlson, Grand Island, $3,500 Stacey Flowers, Omaha, $5,000 Katie Fuller, Omaha, $3,500 Dennis Jensen, Omaha, $2,500 Stacey Longshore, Omaha, $3,500 Sheri Porter, Omaha, $3,500 Thomas Threlkeld, Boys Town, $3,500 Another recipient, from Wayne, wished to remain anonymous. He received a $2,500 scholarship that will help him continue his studies at Wayne State College.
“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 $339,000 in Reaching Your Potential scholarships to 65 Nebraskans since the program began in 2000. Applicants are referred to the program by statewide community agencies.
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.
$41,500 in “Reaching Your Potential” Scholarships
(LINCOLN Neb. June 30, 2003) - Growing up surrounded by drugs, bad influences and the sound of gunshots, David Brown knew he wanted to be different than many of his peers. This recent Omaha Benson graduate now stands firm in his goal to preach sermons by age 22 and eventually have his own church. That desire led him to Grace University where he will study pastoral ministry with the help of an annual, renewable $5,000 Reaching Your Potential scholarship from EducationQuest Foundation.
On her own after 25 years in an abusive marriage, Diane Acklie is starting a new life. She is enrolled in the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk with a long-term goal to go into nursing or counseling so she can help others as she was helped.
Raised by a single mother, Ashleigh was on her own when her mother died suddenly in 1999. She found a stable, disciplined environment at Boys Town where she became mayor her senior year. She plans to attend Wayne State College this fall with a goal to achieve a bachelor's degree in Education.
School helped Nate escape from problems at home and gave him the desire to excel in education. That desire led him to Boys Town where he excelled in school, athletics and in the jobs he held. He’ll now pursue his dream of achieving a degree in construction management at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Thanks to the influences of music teachers throughout school, Tom has focused on his musical talents and education rather than his tragic and unstable childhood. His goal is to become a music teacher – an endeavor he’ll begin this fall at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Despite growing up in a poverty-stricken household where college was never discussed as an option, Stacey has focused on her dream of going to law school. Her determination and hard work has led this single mother of one to the College of St. Mary with a goal of attending Creighton Law School.
On her own since her senior year of high school, Katie managed to graduate with honors in June 2001. She now supports herself while taking courses at Metropolitan Community College and looks forward to attending the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a goal to become a high school guidance counselor.
A single dad to two young daughters, Dennis is pursuing a degree in accounting so that he can find a full-time, first-shift job that pays well and allows him to be home with his children in the evenings. He’s pursuing that goal at Metropolitan Community College where he currently maintains a 3.76 GPA.
Despite a tragic, turbulent childhood, Stacey has maintained a positive outlook on life thanks, much in part, to a stable foster family she was placed with in sixth grade. Now considered an independent orphan by the state, Stacey is determined to achieve her goal of studying creative design and journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A mother of four and a grandmother, Sheri is an adult learner with a clear vision of her future. Her goal is to receive a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and own her own business.
A traumatic childhood, bad influences and choosing the wrong friends meant trouble for Tom until he arrived at Boys Town. Without any family support, Tom kept good grades, worked part-time and played soccer. He now plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Kearney and get a degree in social work.
