Californians for Nebraska’s primary mission is raising funds to send deserving Californian scholars to the University of Nebraska each year. We fund the scholarships with our opportunity drawings at our Official Watch Sites, game ticket drawings, CFN merchandise sales and from donations from members. This year we awarded nine $1,000 scholarships and a $2,000 scholarship to the Eloise Heaton Memorial winner.

If you are interested in applying, please download the scholarship rules and complete and submit the online application form. Deadline for applications for 2010 Scholarships is May 1, 2010.

 

Californians for Nebraska Scholarship Winners

 

ALYSON ALVAREZ
Alyson Alvarez of Covina is a third-time recipient of a CFN scholarship and the first to receive the Eloise Heaton Memorial Scholarship. The Heaton scholarship, started in 2009, is awarded to the student that is pursuing a teaching career and best demonstrates Eloise’s dedication to the profession.

Her current GPA is 3.3. She has changed her major from Technical Theater to History. Because of her background in theater, she was invited to be part of a teaching assistant program and has worked at the UNL Writing Assistance Center since last fall. She received awards from the Drama Teachers Association and recognition from California Educational Theater Association for excellence in theater.  Alyson plans to obtain advanced degrees in history upon completion of her undergraduate work and pursue a teaching career.

 

CARSON COLES
Carson Allen Coles of El Segundo  is a second year scholarship recipient. He has achieved a 3.5 GPA in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement/English during his first year at UNL. He feels he had an extraordinary freshman year meeting his goals of getting involved in UNL school activities, getting good grades and making friends. Carson has been very active in Sandoz Hall’s activities including Intramural Sports Coordinator, Sandoz Student Council and was the Sandoz Hall Homecoming Float Coordinator. Carson is also very involved in community service activities for the Lutheran Church on campus.

 

KATELYNN CRUM

Katelynn Crum is a Nursing major from San Diego. Katelynn’s goal is to be commissioned by the United States Navy as a nurse. She has been an active member in NROTC at UNL leading half of the battalion of 60 members as Alpha Company Commander. Along with unit activities, such as football security and field exercises, Katelynn is a member of the Semper Fi Society and is on the Drill and Rifle and Pistol Teams.

Katelynn maintained her ROTC silver stars, a reward earned for a semester GPA above 3.0. She also received the Military Order of World Wars Award for her performance as a military leader and scholastic achievements. Last summer Katelynn volunteered at Veterans Affairs inpatient care in Omaha.

This summer Katelynn plans on attending a Certified Nursing Assistance class to obtain her CNA license. She will also be taking an Anatomy class and hopes to land a job at one of the local hospitals working with elderly patients. In July Katelynn will be traveling to Quantico, Virginia to watch members of her unit graduate from Officers Candidate School.

Katelynn feels that her experiences with the Marines in her unit and her time onboard the USS Nimitz have directed her toward achieving her dream deployment as a triage nurse for Marines in combat.

 

MATTHEW GONZALES

Matthew Gonzalez of Bellflower is a second year scholarship winner. He has maintained a 3.5 GPA in biological sciences. After graduation Matthew plans to go to medical school to fulfill his dream of becoming a doctor. His extracurricular activities include being active in the Academy of National Hispanic Scholars and he will work at Knott’s Berry Farm, over the summer.

 

BEN HEINKE

Ben Heinke is an Architecture major from Orange with a current GPA of 3.2. Ben’s goals are to graduate from UNL with a Master’s Degree in Architecture and work for a smaller, cutting edge firm in Omaha where he can be an innovator of green technologies that are integrated into his designs. Ben is active in Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was a member of the second place All University Intramural Soccer team and the Champion Intramural Football team. Ben also participates in a variety of community service and volunteer activities. After gaining experience and becoming fully licensed, Ben’s goal is to open his own firm with an impact on the national scene.

 

JOSHUA HEINKE

Joshua Heinke is an Architecture major from Orange with a current GPA of 3.175. Joshua is active in Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He enjoys attending architectural lectures through the UNL Hyde Lecture Series and has placed highly in several architectural design competitions including a first place in the MOBA Residential and second place in the MOBA Commercial Design Competitions. Joshua’s goal during his fourth year of his education is to study classic and modern architecture aboard in Germany. After obtaining his Masters Degree, Joshua plans on working for a progressive architecture firm with an eye toward starting his own firm.

 

 

MAURICIO LANG

Mauricio Lang of Rancho Cucamonga is a second year recipient of a CFN scholarship majoring in Physics. His extracurricular activities have been marching band and Academic Decathlon. His awards include District Honor Band and Junior Honor Guard. He has volunteered in a Bell Choir, tutoring and Sierra Service Project.

 

KELSEY LARSON

Kelsey Larson is a freshman from Newport Beach who will be majoring in biology. Kelsey was the Corona del Mar Swim Team Captain in 2009 while maintaining a 4.192 GPA. She was the recipient of the Corona del Mar Sea King Pride Award in 2008 awarded to the student demonstrating the highest levels of citizenship, integrity and enthusiasm.

Kelsey’s swim club is a year round program calling for more than 22 hours of practice during a six day week with only Christmas and two weeks in August off. For the past two years Kelsey was selected to compete at the North American Challenge swim meet representing Southern California Swimming against Canada, Mexico and the Pacific Northwest. She also competed at the Florida NCSA Junior National Championships in both 2007 and 2008. Kelsey was 2008 MVP for both her school’s team and the Pacific Coast League.

Kelsey hopes to contribute to the UNL swim team while becoming an Academic All American. Her swim goal is to achieve an Olympic trial cut in 2012. Kelsey’s ultimate goal is to become a doctor.

 

DANIEL LOMELIN
Daniel Lomelin from Glendora is an Anthropology major with minors in biology and pre-med. Last semester Daniel achieved a 3.176 GPA while remaining very active in both extracurricular and community service activities. Daniel’s honors include an International Baccalaureate Diploma, Golden State Merit Diploma, Presidential Volunteer Service Award and Silver Award from the Presidents Council.

Last summer Daniel took his first full time job with a commercial plumbing contractor working both with his hands as well as developing a system for archiving documents and information requests. He found the work rewarding and gained new insights on professionalism and his own work ethic.

As part of his medical school aspirations Daniel has done hundreds of hours of volunteer work at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital and will continue to do so this summer along with studying for the MCAT exams. This coming semester he will finish course requirements for his major and minors leaving him free to work on the rest of his pre-professional requirements.

Daniel’s long term goals include starting a family and pursuing a professional career that makes a tangible difference for the lives of others using his knowledge of cultures and medical systems.

 

KELSIE SCHUMACHER

Kelsie Schumaker of Riverside is a third year recipient of our CFN scholarship. Her major is Management and carries a 3.8 GPA. She has participated in many activities and played intramural flag football team that placed second at Nationals. Kelsie plans on graduating in August 2010 by taking a heavy schedule and some summer sessions while maintaining or improving her GPA