KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney student organization Blue Gold BriGade and the UNK Alumni Association named five Outstanding Senior Award recipients who were recognized during the Applauding Excellence ceremony Wednesday.
The honor recognizes seniors for excellence in scholarship and leadership, as well as involvement and dedication to UNK and the Kearney community. Students were selected by a panel of UNK alumni.
The Blue Gold BriGade, formerly known as Student Alumni Foundation, has presented Outstanding Senior awards since the group was founded in 1981.
Outstanding Senior Award Recipients
Courtney Hayden, daughter of Scott and Tammy Hayden from Kearney.
Hayden will receive her degree in recreation management with a minor in family studies. After graduation, Hayden will be the youth sports director at the Southwest YMCA in Omaha.
During Hayden’s time at UNK, she served as a student diplomat and Loper Leader, was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Recreation Majors Club, Gold Torch Society and the women’s soccer team for two years. She was on the dean’s list every semester. Hayden was named the Nebraska Recreation Major of the Year in 2016. She worked for the UNK Wellness Center, Kearney Park and Recreation department and completed an internship with the City of Papillion Recreation Department.
Joshua Lallman, son of Wayne and Angela Lallman from Omaha.
He is a biology comprehensive major with a health care management minor and health sciences emphasis. Lallman will pursue a medical degree at University of Nebraska Medical Center this fall.
While at UNK, Lallman was active in Sigma Phi Epsilon and Mortar Board, served as a Chancellor’s Ambassador, new student enrollment leader and student diplomat, and was a member of the men’s basketball team for two years. He completed undergraduate research for the chemistry and biology departments and volunteered for many organizations in and around the Kearney area. Lallman is a member of Phi Eta Sigma honors society.
Haley Placke, daughter of Dan and Leslie Placke from Johnstown, Colo.
Placke will graduate with an elementary education field K-6 endorsement with a minor in special education. She will teach second grade at McDonald Elementary in North Platte this fall. During Placke’s time at UNK, she was a member of the Honors Program, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, Elementary Education Club and Gold Torch Society. She worked for the Kearney Community Learning Center and Thompson Rivers Park & Recreation in Johnstown.
Anastasia (Ana) Summers, daughter of Nancy and Steve Summers, from Winlock, Wash., formerly of Bellvue, Colo.
Summers will graduate with a degree in middle grades education with concentrations in physical education and mathematics and an emphasis in interscholastic coaching. Summers will teach math at Yelm High School in Yelm, Wash., in the fall.
While at UNK, Summers was a member of the women’s golf team, serving this season as an assistant coach. She served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, was named to the MIAA academic honor roll, named a MIAA scholar athlete and received the UNK female sportsmanship award. She was a member of the Bystander Intervention Committee, served as an advocate and counselor for rape/crisis intervention and was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. Summers has worked for Kearney Park and Recreation and Kearney Country Club while in school.
Stefani Perez-Zamarripa, daughter of Jose Manuel Perez and Blanca Estala Perez-Zamarripa from Lexington.
Perez-Zamarripa will earn degrees in political science and Spanish translation and interpretation with a minor in criminal justice. She will attend DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in the fall.
While at UNK, Perez-Zamarripa was a Chancellor’s Ambassador, member of the multicultural Greek council, Lambda Theta Nu sorority, honors program and Hispanic Student Association. She completed two undergraduate research programs and was a member of several honor societies. Perez-Zamarripa was named the Order of Omega’s 2016 Greek Woman of the Year. She volunteered her time to several non-profit organizations and schools throughout Kearney and central Nebraska.
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