KEARNEY – Three high school seniors will attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney as Omaha World-Herald/Kearney Hub Scholars.
Nathan Althouse of Minden, Owen Luebbe of Phillips and Ava Watts of Kearney are this year’s recipients of the prestigious scholarship, awarded to the top students admitted to the UNK Honors Program.
Offered by the Honors Program and supported by the Omaha World-Herald and Kearney Hub newspapers, this scholarship is one of the premier academic awards at UNK. It covers room and board, tuition and fees and books for up to four years, with a total value of more than $82,000. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.85 and an ACT score of 30 or better to qualify.
A total of 176 students applied for the scholarship, now in its 41st year.
“This year’s scholarship recipients exemplify the academic excellence, leadership and commitment to service that define the UNK Honors Program. They have already shown exceptional promise, and we are confident they will go above and beyond as Lopers,” said professor Angela Hollman, the program’s director.
The Honors Program challenges and inspires students to go above and beyond by putting them in an environment where their learning and development are not limited. Students develop individualized pathways to success through research and creative activity, community service, leadership opportunities and other experiences while building strong ties as part of a close-knit community.
“We are thrilled to welcome the distinguished scholars of the fall 2025 cohort into our campus community. Their dedication and perspectives will undoubtedly enrich the Honors Program and leave a lasting impact on our university,” Hollman said.
Nathan Althouse
Althouse attends Minden High School, where he’s involved in speech, play production, band, Quiz Bowl, student council, Minden Whippets Club, esports and cross country.
He currently serves as president of the National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, and he’s a youth group leader, vocalist and tech team member at Minden Evangelical Free Church. Althouse also volunteers with Calling Adolescents To Serve, Pioneer Village and Minden High School.
A state qualifier in speech and cross country, Althouse has received multiple play production and music awards. He completed an internship at Minden First Bank and Trust and has work experience at Minden Municipal Pool and Pioneer Village.
Owen Luebbe
Luebbe attends Aurora High School, where he’s involved in show choir, FBLA, National Honor Society, cross country and soccer.
Recognized on the President’s Honor Roll all four years, he’s completed numerous advanced placement and honors courses and qualified for the FBLA national competition three times. He’s also an FBLA committee leader and was a state officer candidate as a junior.
Luebbe volunteers as a media team member at his church, and he’s part of the leadership team for the youth ministry program.
He completed an internship at LabStrong in Dubuque, Iowa, where he helped design an experiment to improve the company’s water purification systems.
Ava Watts
Watts attends Kearney Catholic High School, where she’s been involved in cross country, track, marching band, play production, National Honor Society, student council and Key Club.
A recipient of the NCPA Academic All-State Award in 2023, she’s earned a spot on the All A Honor Roll all four years while completing numerous advanced placement and honors courses.
Watts was selected to participate in Youth Leadership Kearney and the Buffalo County Youth Advisory Board. She’s also part of the St. James Catholic Church youth group and Faith Formation program, and she volunteers at CHI Health Good Samaritan and Kearney Catholic High School.
The past two summers, she was a student worker at UNK’s Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center.
