Forty-seven scholarships were given to Beatrice High School graduating seniors on Sunday afternoon. The Beatrice Educational Foundation awarded $105,100 in scholarships.
Beatrice Educational Foundation board members Kay McKinzie, Sandi Hoffman and Andy Carothers present scholarships and awards on Sunday afternoon at the Beatrice High School.
Melany Brockman stands with Debbie and Mike Goossen as the recipient of the Amber Goossen Schroeder Scholarship. Brockman was one of 33 students receiving 47 scholarships.
The Beatrice Educational Foundation held its scholarship reception Sunday afternoon at Beatrice High School. The foundation awarded a total of $105,100 to graduating seniors.
Andy Carothers welcomed guests to the event, introducing board members and staff.
Kay McKinzie spoke of the scholarship process. She credited Sarah Morris, BHS registrar, with preparing the student’s scholarship applications with a number and relevant information. Morris also prepares the student bios in the program.
Forty-seven scholarships were awarded to 33 students with plans to attend colleges, universities, and vocational education programs. Students expressed interest in education, health care, human services, mechanics and science-related careers.
Stephanie Perkins congratulated students, parents and teachers. She noted that since the inception of the foundation, it has honored 76 alumni in 27 fields.
Three previous graduates of Beatrice High School were recognized as new Hall of Fame members.
Perkins introduced Gary Nickels as the first inductee. Nickels was a 1958 graduate of BHS.
“He had a passion for the arts and his commitment to education and to students is his legacy,” she read. “He loved introducing art to young people. He would never give up on anyone.”
Nickels died in November 2022. His wife, Maureen, accepted the award and spoke briefly.
“I’m overwhelmed with what was shared,” she said. “He left a mark wherever he went. He taught me to look at art in ways that I never saw before, and that’s what we all have to do.”
She read a poem that spoke of life being a journey and passengers on the train of life. Maureen told the students that success requires that we give the very best of our lives.
“We must live in the best way,” she said.
Ben Essam presented Kevin Mar with the Hall of Fame recognition.
Mar graduated from BHS in 1989. Mar is a head referee for the Big 12 football conference and is a “white hat” head referee of Division I college games. He also works in high school and middle school basketball, as well as umpiring high school baseball.
“He always treats the game and the players with respect,” Essam said. “Like they are the most important person in the world. What has never changed is his humbleness. He has represented the community so well.”
Mars accepted the award, noting that it was a privilege.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled to be standing here today,” he said. “This a moment of privilege and reflection of where I started.”
He talked about mentors and family members who had supported him.
“For me it’s about giving back to the game and giving players the experience, the important lessons you can learn from sports,” he said.
He advised students not to be afraid to dream big and continue to work hard.
Lisa Pieper presented the Hall of Fame award to Dr. Mark Vrtiska. He graduated from BHS in 1982.
Pieper noted that what started as a hobby became a lifelong passion. She read a list of accomplishments in his field of wildlife management, including being a professor at the University of Nebraska, writing several published articles and coordinating conservation efforts.
“Mark’s contributions to education are ongoing, and Nebraska is better because of his work,” she said.
Vrtiska accepted the award, saying he was appreciative of all the support he had.
“It takes a lot of work and assistance to get good work done,” he said. “Hunting was a hobby and is still a passion, and I got to turn it into something I do every day.”
Carothers presented the Friend of Education award to Paul Whaley.
“I’ve known Paul for more than 25 years and I never knew some of these things, which speaks to just how humble he was,” Carothers said. “Paul reached out and asked me to consider coming on the board of directors. He had a vision of moving from a volunteer foundation to a paid staff and an organization that did more than give out scholarships to graduating seniors.”
Carothers noted that Whaley was a mentor to him.
“We met regularly and discussed different aspects of moving the foundation forward,” he said.
The foundation’s portfolio was worth $610,899.13 when Whaley joined the board in 1993. When he left in 2022, the portfolio was worth 2.7 million. It currently manages a $3.8 million endowment fund.
Whaley was unable to attend the reception but sent a statement of appreciation for the award.
“It is truly an honor,” he wrote.
Members of the BEF include Carothers, McKenzie, Perkins, Peiper, Ross Bauman, Joyce Blackwell, Nate Clabaugh, Dan Gleason, Fred Heard, Sandi Hoffman, Katie Humble, Ann Luers, Jackie Nielsen, Carol Oltman, Jason Sutter and Steve Timm. The student representatives are Sara Dodge and Carter Mertz.
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The Beatrice Educational Foundation is honoring four new Hall of Fame recipients on Sunday afternoon at the annual scholarship reception.
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Forty-seven scholarships were given to Beatrice High School graduating seniors on Sunday afternoon. The Beatrice Educational Foundation awarded $105,100 in scholarships.
Beatrice Educational Foundation board members Kay McKinzie, Sandi Hoffman and Andy Carothers present scholarships and awards on Sunday afternoon at the Beatrice High School.
Melany Brockman stands with Debbie and Mike Goossen as the recipient of the Amber Goossen Schroeder Scholarship. Brockman was one of 33 students receiving 47 scholarships.
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