Awards of Excellence
2025 Awards of Excellence: Applications Now Closed.
These awards are given to students who demonstrate good character, balanced achievement, and outstanding commitment to the community. Eligible students are graduating high school seniors who have a parent who is a first responder, paid or non paid, that works in Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington and Pottawattamie Counties in Nebraska and Iowa. Read below for more details on the program.
Applications must submitted online to the First Responders Foundation on or before March 1, 2025. There is no option for a mailed application. For questions please email: contact@firstrespondersfoundation.org.
Winners will be announced on or around March 31, 2025, here on our website and on social media.
Student recipients will also be notified and all correspondence regarding the Awards of Excellence Reception will be communicated using the email provided on the application.
Awards of Excellence
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as recipients of the First Responders Foundation Awards of Excellence 2025.
Ella Anderson – Bellevue West
Madelyn Anderson – Bellevue West
Kellen Bees – Bellevue West
Lainey Bosiljevac – Marian
Gabrielle Clements – Elkhorn North
Katie Crick – Bellevue West
Victoria Doble – Papillion LaVista South
Ember Hemmer – Conastoga
Luke Johnson – Gretna East
Bradyn Johnson – Millard West
Luke Krause – Creighton Prep
Claire Laney – Plattsmouth
Anna Mallory – Fort Calhoun
Blake Mazur – Papillion LaVista
Briella McLaughlin – Marian
Landon Miller – Millard South
Megan Miller – Gretna
Casey Olson – Millard West
Eva Philippi – Ralston
Zoe Retikis – Papillion LaVista South
Eliza Ricker – Arlington
Lauren Sash – Millard West
Addison Schuka – Gretna
Aiden Smith – Atlantic
Caden Sterling – Papillion LaVista
Jack Stolinski – Skutt Catholic
Lauren Wemhoff – Skutt Catholic
Bridget Whitney – Bishop Neumann
Baily Williams – Abraham Lincoln

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