Recipient Summaries
Reaching Your Potential Scholarship Program
Summer 2008
Wesley Schrier, Columbus, NE
Referred by Big Pals – Little Pals of Greater Columbus
Even though his father was deceased and his mother was on disability, Wesley played
football, was active in Big Pals-Little Pals, and worked to help pay the bills throughout
high school. He will study business at the University of Nebraska – Kearney.
Francine Brown, Scottsbluff, NE
Referred by Student Support Services – Western Nebraska Community College
Francine “aged out” of the foster care system at 19, having survived an unstable
childhood. Now a mother of two, she excels academically and has made the dean’s and
president’s list at Western Nebraska Community College three times. She is studying to
become a sonographer.
Katie Durfee, Fairbury, NE
Referred by Nebraska Workforce Development
Once told that her goals were unattainable, Katie persevered. Confined to a wheelchair,
she overcame her fear of dogs to get a service dog and now lives independently. Katie is
pursuing a degree in social work at Doane College in Crete.
Jami Ellis, Minden, NE
Referred by Central Plains Center for Services
Summary information not available.
Terry Van Hoosear, Scottsbluff, NE
Referred by Upward Bound - Western Nebraska Community College
Living in poverty, Terry’s family often went without food and utilities, and Terry was often
in trouble with the law. Thanks to positive role models, he chose a better path and plans
to study the arts or juvenile studies at Western Nebraska Community College.
Andrew Dale, Omaha, NE
Referred by Project Achieve - University of Nebraska at Omaha
Despite dealing with Parkinson’s disease, severe arthritis, and constant pain, Andrew
has achieved a 4.0 GPA at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he studies
chemistry (pre-med), and received an award from the American Chemical Society.
Andrew also tutors students, helps a professor, and is active in Project Achieve.
2008 Summer Recipient Summaries - 2
Shantel Thompson, Omaha, NE
Referred by Project Achieve - University of Nebraska at Omaha
Shantel bears much of the responsibility for her family in addition to full-time school and
nearly full-time employment. She also volunteers as a tutor and participates in the Seven
Days of Service Program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A first-generation
college student, she studies criminal justice.
Zenab Rehman, Hastings, NE
Referred by Student Support Services – Central Community College
Zenab and her family came to the U.S. from Pakistan so that she and her siblings could
pursue a better education. Despite language and cultural challenges, she made the
dean’s list for her first semester at Central Community College in Hastings where she is
studying to become a medical laboratory technician.
Khushbu Patel. Omaha, NE
Referred by Project Achieve - University of Nebraska at Omaha
Khusbu takes full responsibility for her family as they cannot speak English or drive. She
came to this country from India to pursue higher education and is fulfilling that goal at the
University of Nebraska at Omaha where she studies Biology while working two jobs to
support the household. She plans to become a doctor.
Tyler Lee, Omaha, NE
Referred by Vocational Rehabilitation
Diagnosed with a brain tumor at 14, surgery left Tyler with multiple disabilities. With
determination, he went from a wheelchair to a walker to playing basketball on a YMCA
basketball team. He will attend Dana College majoring in business management with an
emphasis in sports management.
Mawut El-Awel, Omaha, NE
Referred by Project Achieve - University of Nebraska at Omaha
Mawut was torn from his family in Sudan at age six and then walked to Ethiopia, back to
Sudan, and then to Kenya. At 18, he came to the U.S. through the Lost Boys of Sudan
program. He is now at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he majors in
business administration and is active in ROTC and SORI (Sudan Orphan-Reach
International).
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2008 Summer Recipient Summaries - 3
Denise Rice, Kearney, NE
Referred by Vocational Rehabilitation
Denise grew up in a family that dealt with many obstacles and then married into a similar
situation. Now divorced and the single parent of three, she majors in family studies at the
University of Nebraska - Kearney. She has learned the skills needed for strong families
and wants to share those skills with others.
Michelle Cramer, Gering, NE
Referred by Western Nebraska Community College
When Michelle graduated from high school, she opted not to go to college and
eventually found herself as a single mother working for minimum wage. She is now a
full-time student, works two jobs, and coaches her daughter’s softball team. She is
pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Abdul Mir, Omaha, NE
Referred by Educational Talent Search Program
When he was two, Abdul’s family fled from Afghanistan to Pakistan to escape the
Taliban. There, he promised his dying grandmother he would become a doctor. He will
fulfill that promise beginning this fall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha as a premed student. He also helps care for his large family and volunteers at his church.
DaeJanira Lyncook, Omaha, NE
Referred by Project Achieve – University of Nebraska at Omaha
DaeJanira overcame serious health issues to graduate from high school. Motivated to go
into medicine, she attends the University of Nebraska at Omaha studying pre-nursing
with plans to become a pediatrician. She was also accepted into the Summer Medical
and Dental Education Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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