April 12th, 2024
Grand Island Senior High (GISH), in collaboration with the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation and Home Federal Bank, recognized the highest achieving graduating seniors as Academic Aristocrats. The annual GISH Academic Honors Night welcomed a full crowd of family, friends, teachers, and honored students last evening at the Senior High auditorium.
All graduating seniors from Grand Island Senior High who attain the distinction of Summa Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude and have submitted an application for a GIPS Foundation scholarship were celebrated during the event. Scholarships are made possible through the Academic Aristocrat Scholarship Program administered by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, generously funded by donors.
The Academic Aristocrat Scholarship Program, established in memory of Dorothy Maurer by former Superintendent Marv Maurer, supports Grand Island Senior High's distinguished students. In 2024, a total of sixty-seven (67) scholarships will be awarded through this program, ranging from $500 to $3,150, totaling $64,660.
Over time, numerous individuals have contributed to the Academic Aristocrat fund, helping students pursue higher education. Donations can be made annually or through payroll deductions, while others have chosen to create endowed scholarships in honor or memory of loved ones.
“The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation is incredibly proud and honored to be part of the success of our Academic Aristocrat honorees.” Kari Hooker-Leep, GIPS Foundation Executive Director, shared, “By providing students with resources in the form of scholarships, we assist them in making their dreams come true. The Foundation is accomplishing not only our vision but that of the program's founder, Marv Maurer.”
The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, acting as a tax-exempt entity, facilitates the distribution of scholarships on an annual basis, benefiting students and encouraging educational aspirations in the community.
The GISH Seniors who were honored as 2024 Academic Aristocrats are:
- Samuel Acosta Castellanos
- Brayden Adrian
- Bode Albers
- Jacob Albers
- Ren Alvarez
- Yuliana Alvarez
- Adilene Beltran
- Chelsea Betancourt Sanchez
- Braylon Bilslend
- Aidan Blackburn
- Micah Books
- Breeonna Brandt
- Lilly Brennan
- Tyler Brezenski
- Kaleb Brosz
- Easton Brown
- Lauren Brown
- Carly Burrows
- Carter Burtle
- Elijah Cemper
- John Clark
- Mariah Cobler
- Coben Colson
- Anthony Cruz
- Pedro De la Torre, Jr.
- Kevin De Leon Morales
- Dwain Duff
- Trey Engberg
- Finley Evans
- Armani Ewoldt
- Ashlyn Favazza
- Michelle Fuentes
- Eddy Garcia Cajas
- Allyson Gomez Castanon
- Aaliyah Gracia
- Amy Green
- Elizabeth Gruhn
- Jaylen Hansen
- Alex Hernandez Lopez
- Grace Hill
- Haedyn Hoos
- Madelon Hurtado
- Marco Jimenez
- Carson Jonak
- Alexiah Kano
- Reid Kelly
- Magda Kori
- Briannah Kutschkau
- Brenna Lang
- Deisy Lopez
- Sara Lopez
- Macy Loth
- Evan McDonald
- Emiliano Mena Hidalgo
- Breanna Miller
- Jaxson Nesvara
- Emily Olmedo Hernandez
- Caitlyn O’Neill
- Samantha Osborn
- Aaron Pardinas
- Denisse Pena Paxtle
- Hannia Reyes
- Bryan Richardson III
- Audra Rischling
- Ashley Rodriguez
- Karina Rodriguez Rodriguez
- Avery Rogers
- Addison Ross
- Elizabeth Rush
- Colson Sackschewsky
- Annaka Schlachter
- Ivy Severin
- Elizabeth Sikes
- Annika Staab
- Ava Stein
- Nahomi Sunum
- Benjamin Thurston
- Filip Vasilevski
- Emma Villa Lopez
- Daisy Villatoro
- Edee Walker
- Elli Ward
- Elise Warner
- Maguire Westerby
- Lidia Yusif
- Brityn Zelasney
For more information on Academic Aristocrats or to learn how to donate to a scholarship fund may learn more at https://gipsfoundation.org/ or contact the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation directly at khookerleep@gips.org.
Congratulations to the 2024 GISH Academic Honor students!
