Sharon Pelc
Nebraskan Student Union director, 308.865.8523
As part of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Family Day celebration, the 2003 Outstanding Family Award is awarded to Brett Chloupek, a junior from Harvard, and his family.
Chloupek is an Honors student and was the 2003 UNK Student Body Vice-President. He is also a tutor, a Student Ambassador and is active in the Newman Center. His parents are Randall and Shelly Chloupek of Harvard. His father is a Health Inspector for the Department of Agriculture, and his mother is a special education teacher at Harvard High School. Chloupek also has two younger siblings, Eric and Emily.
“My parents are both graduates of KSC, and they encouraged my choice to attend UNK,” said Chloupek. “Everything I have accomplished at UNK and as a person is due to their constant love and support. They have served throughout my life as models of hard work and continuing education, and have pushed me to set high standards for all aspects of my life. My younger brother and sister have also pushed me to continue my academic efforts. My family’s constant support and closeness in everything they do is what I admire most about them.”
Fifteen members of Chloupek’s extended family have attended UNK, including his parents, who are 1980 KSC graduates, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Chloupek will receive several awards including a $100 book scholarship from the Antelope Bookstore and a $100 food service scholarship from Chartwells Dining Service.
A number of other families are being honored this year. The family of Amy Willadsen, daughter of Ellis and Diane Willadsen of Greenwood; Jill Vahrenkamp, daughter of Marc and Judy Vahrenkamp of Hay Springs; Courtney Bradrick, daughter of James and Julie Bradrick of Fremont; Brianne Stevenson, daughter of Richard and Kerri Stevenson of Sutherland; Karen Malmkar, her husband Michael and their daughter Alexis, all originally of Paxton; Janka Hudakova and Sylvia Mihalik of Slovakia. Host parents for Hudakova and Mihalik are Dr. Al and Jan Thompkins of Grand Island.
