Awards of Excellence
The First Responders Foundation is proud to announce the Awards of Excellence 2024 Recipients.
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as recipients of the First Responders Foundation Awards of Excellence 2024.
Caden Bosiljevac – Creighton Prep
Anthony Busch – Saint Albert Catholic
Sophie Caniglia – Missouri Valley
Ellie Cannon – Elkhorn North
Brook Cooke – Douglas County West
Nolan Fitzpatrick – Papillion LaVista South
Lacey Gangwish – Underwood
Ryan Goff – Gretna
Ethan Gray – Millard West
Benjamin Healey – Papillion La Vista
Aidan Herman – Millard North
Morgan Ishii – Fort Calhoun
Isabelle Jeffers – Papillion LaVista South
Madison Jones – Lewis Central
Lauren Jones – Millard West
Padric Keenan – Creighton Preparatory
Caleb Kirby – Fremont
Ellie Lloyd – Douglas County West
Elijah Maas – Cornerstone Christian
Josiah Madson – Westside
Addyson Maxell – Elkhorn North
Emily Mazur – Papillion La Vista
Savannah Meadows – Papillion LaVista South
Harmon Moss – Papillion La-Vista South
Emily Newby – Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
Katelyn O’Brien – Lewis Central
Callie Ott – Millard West
Sarah Perlman – Roncalli Catholic
Madalyn Prescott – Elkhorn South
Elayne Price – Papillion La Vista
Alyson Price – Papillion La Vista
Emily Ridge – Weeping Water
Isabella Ringhoff – Valentine Rural
Ty Ringler – Fort Calhoun
Finley Roberts – Underwood
Abbie Rockwell – Skutt Catholic
Makenna Ruhga – Millard West
Ella Shade – Conestoga Jr/Sr
Sam Shepoka – Gross Catholic
Lauren Spizzirri – Skutt Catholic
Joseph Stolinski – Gretna
Jack Swanson – Skutt Catholic
Koryn Trede – Underwood
Nolan Waterman – Treynor
Aaron Watson – Conestoga Jr/Sr
Avery Wells – Bennington
We thank all of the outstanding students who applied for the award this year. The committee was impressed with the number of exceptional applicants.
The recipients represent families from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Fire Department, Douglas County Corrections, Fort Calhoun Fire Department, Gretna Volunteer Fire Department, Iowa Department of Corrections, Nebraska Department of Corrections, Omaha Police Department, Omaha Fire Department, Papillion Fire Department, Papillion Police Department, Weeping Water Volunteer Fire Department, and Waterloo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.
Awards of Excellence are made possible thanks to the following donors who fully-funded one or more of the 2024 awards:
Rod Rhoden, Acura and Honda of Omaha
Bob & Betsy Nelson
Carl Mammel Foundation
Northwest Rotary Club
Chuck and Karen Sederstrom
Keith and Stephanie Basham
Nelson Murphy Insurance & Investments
Carol Stolp
Jim McGill, McGill Brokerage
Behind the Award
Every spring the Foundation presents Awards of Excellence to students who demonstrate good character, balanced achievement, and outstanding commitment to the community. The recipients of this prestigious award receive $500 and recognition at an annual Awards of Excellence reception.
The First Responders Foundation started the Awards of Excellence in 2017 to acknowledge outstanding high school seniors who are children of first responders. Every year the accomplishments of these exceptional students are remarkable. The award is not given to those with just good grades, but to students who are involved in their school and community, family activities, who volunteer and work with nonprofits, and have impressive work histories. These students have exceeded expectations and give society hope and confidence for the future.
Part of the mission of the First Responders Foundation is to serve and honor all first responders and their families. Most parents don’t wear bullet-proof vests or fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus or take life and death calls when at work.
Children of first responders live a different life not knowing if their loved one will return home at the end of their shift or what emotional stress they may endure. They also learn to live with parents that often miss special events and holidays, because the life of a public servant is 24/7. The Foundation believes it takes a special person to become a first responder and their whole family shares in their service and sacrifice.
Every year the accomplishments of these exceptional students are remarkable. The award is not given to those with just good grades, but to students who are involved in their school and community, family activities, who volunteer and work with nonprofits, and have impressive work histories. These students have exceeded expectations and give society hope and confidence for the future.
Part of the mission of the First Responders Foundation is to serve and honor all first responders and their families. Most parents don’t wear bullet-proof vests or fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus or take life and death calls when at work.
Children of first responders live a different life not knowing if their loved one will return home at the end of their shift or what emotional stress they may endure. They also learn to live with parents that often miss special events and holidays, because the life of a public servant is 24/7. The Foundation believes it takes a special person to become a first responder and their whole family shares in their service and sacrifice.
Eligibility
Students must:
- be graduating high school seniors
- have “C” or higher grade point average
- have a parent who is a first responder, paid or non-paid, that works in Douglas, Sarpy, Pottawattamie, Cass, or Washington Counties in NE and IA
Demonstrate good character, balanced achievement, outstanding commitment to and interest in furthering their success.
The recipients will be selected by the First Responders Foundation Awards of Excellence Selection Committee. If selected they must agree to allow the First Responders Foundation to use their name and photo. There are a limited number of Awards of Excellence awards.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online to the First Responders Foundation.
Students are required to submit an application with supporting documentation detailing:
- High school activities
- Senior Photo (required)
- Achievements and awards
- Community involvement
- Accomplishments
- Personal essay for the selection committee to learn more about the applicant
- Please include future career and/or vocation goals.
Bob & Betsy Nelson
Chuck & Karen Sederstrom
Keith & Stephanie Basham
Carol Stolp
Tim & Jonna Holland
Jim McGill
Art Jetter
Corporate Donors
Rod Rhoden
Nelson Murphy Insurance & Investments
Paul Davis Restoration
Farmers Insurance
Northwest Rotary Club of Omaha
Million Dollar Round Table
NCAA Men’s College World Series
