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Morgan L. Birkel
Lincoln, Neb.
Birkel graduated from Lincoln Pius X High School in Lincoln, Neb. There she had a 4.0 grade-point average for six consecutive semesters and was a member of the National Honor Society and Pius X Gold Honor Roll. Birkel attended the 2009 Congressional Student Leadership Conference, received a Certificate of Recognition by LeadAmerica, was named Outstanding High School Senior for Scholastic Achievement, and was an Omaha World-Herald Distinguished Scholar. She was involved in organizations including Student Organization Against Drugs and Alcohol, dance team, Club World Aid, Key Club and Adopt-A-Family. She also was a library volunteer, a tutor and was involved in her church youth group. She will major in in business administration and may pursue a minor in Spanish.
“The University of Nebraska at Omaha will lay the foundation for the rest of my life. It will instill in me the values that I will carry on into the future, and help me in the process of pursuing a career. In this next stage of my life, it will be important for me to give back to my alma mater where they helped me succeed.”
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Jais Ford
Cody, Neb.
Ford is from Cody, Neb., and graduated from Cody-Kilgore Unified High School. He was a National Honor Society member, was on “A” Honor Roll and in the Honor Club, was a Peter Kiewit Holland Academy of Excellence school representative, a State Academic Decathlon Placement and representative, and received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. She received the Sandhills Leadership award and was a Junior Law Cadet representative, a class officer and student council member, a basketball and volleyball team captain, and a National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine nominee. Ford was involved in Future Farmer of America activities and received numerous FFA awards. She was involved in one-act plays, the speech team, Sandhills Conference Persuasive Speaking, American Legion Oratorical Speaking and 4-H. She plans to study engineering and medical fields at UNO with hopes of becoming a biomedical engineer.
“I am interested in the engineering and medical fields and UNO provides excellent opportunities in both of these areas. I will be honored, at the end of four years, to become a UNO alumnus.”
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Jena Gangwish
Hastings, Neb.
Gangwish, from Hastings, Neb., graduated from Adams Central Junior-Senior High School. She was an honor roll student with a 4.0 cumulative GPA and a member of the National Honor Society. She also received several Future Business Leaders of America awards, including: Future Level Business Achievement Award, Who’s Who in Nebraska, State Vice President runner-up, and Adams Central FBLA Member of the Year. Gangwish also was an American Mathematics Competition Competitor, a Presidential Inaugural Parade Participant in Washington D.C., and a Nebraska Leadership Seminar delegate. She received honorable mention in proofreading at the Nebraska State Leadership Conference. Gangwish also held student council positions and was involved in band, National Honor Society, and the Mayor’s Youth Council. She enters UNO as a business major.
“Furthering my education to pursue a successful career is important to me, and I would not want to do so at any university other than the University of Nebraska at Omaha.”
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Taylor Smith
Nebraska City, Neb.
Taylor graduated from Nebraska City High School where he had a 3.66 GPA, was a National Honor Society member and a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout. Smith also was named his high school's Lifter of the Year, EMC Academic All-Conference and district honorable mention (defense) for football and EMC Academic All-Conference for soccer. He lettered in football, soccer and band. Among his leadership positions: co-captain, football; first and second chair/occasional soloist for band; Otoe County 4-H Council; 4-H Junior Leader; FFA Parliamentary Procedures Team; Youth and Adults in Action (YAA) Leader; and BSA assistant patrol and patrol leader. Smith also was involved in the archery, science and varsity clubs, jazz band, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, PRIDE (Pioneers Reaching Into Drug Education), and church seminary class.
“I am confident that a degree from UNO is well-respected by employers and professionals everywhere. Employment opportunities after graduation may be difficult to obtain and I want to be as competitive and prepared as possible to meet those challenges.”
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