2014 UNO Alumni Scholars
The 2014 UNO Alumni Association Scholarships have been awarded to four high school graduates. The four $2,500/year scholarships are awarded to those who have demonstrated leadership and involvement during high school. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years total.
Austin Brown, Bellevue, Neb.
Austin Brown graduated from Bellevue West High School, where his GPA ranked 32nd in a class of 426 seniors. An Eagle Scout, he was a patrol leader, heading a troop of 60 scouts. He also was a debate team captain for three years and was chosen by faculty to attend annual Youth Leadership Summit. Brown was a member of the National Honor Society and was a national qualifier for the National Forensics League and Catholic National Forensics League. He earned four letters in band and debate. He was on the honor roll all four years at Bellevue West. He plans to major in computer science at UNO.
Rose Gensichen, Omaha
Rose Gensichen graduated from Omaha Marian High School where her GPA ranked 33rd in a class of 194 seniors. She was a member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society and was on the honor roll with a GPA of 3.50 or better every semester at Marian. She earned multiple varsity letters competing in track and cross country. She was involved in numerous organizations and has extensive service experience with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Open Door Mission and UNO Aim for the Stars, for which she was a junior counselor volunteer at math and science camp.
Samantha Gochenour, Missouri Valley, Iowa
Samantha Gochenour graduated from Missouri Valley High School in Missouri Valley, Iowa, as the top-ranked senior in her class. She participated in numerous organizations there, including National Honor Society, Key Club, Drama and Quiz Bowl and the Science Club. She also was a varsity cheerleader, played varsity golf and was involved in show choir and student council. Gochenour also was extensively involved in the community, volunteering for organizations including Kiwanis camp, Key Club (Meals on Wheels delivery) and United Methodist Church Camp. She also went on three mission trips for Youth Works Ministry. She intends to pursue a career in dentistry or pharmacy.
Zachary Lucas, Omaha
Zachary Lucas graduated from Millard South High School in Omaha, where he ranked in the top 18 percent of his class of nearly 500 students. Lucas was a member of National Honor Society, the Nebraska Civic Leadership Program, Millard South Leo, 40 Assets and Spanish Clubs and was editor of the Millard South High School Newspaper, which he worked on for three years. He also swam on the junior varsity swimming team and earned a brown belt in Kempo Karate. He also was extensively involved in community service. Lucas plans to join to the UNO Air Force ROTC program and to major in political science. Both his parents are UNO graduates.
Photo, from left: Brown, Lucas, Genischen, Gochenour