Rising Stars achievement banquet to honor Tri Cities students April 22

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recognize the achievements of more than 100 Tri Cities-area students at the Rising Stars Achievement Banquet at 5 p.m. April 22 at the Ramada Inn, 301 Second Ave., Kearney.

This dinner event will be a "celebration of diverse talents," highlighting the accomplishments that students of color have made in the Tri Cities area through academics, leadership or community service. Juan Franco, UNL vice chancellor for student affairs, will be the keynote speaker, and Moises Padilla, a UNL sophomore from Lexington, will speak as a featured student. Each Honored Scholar will be presented with a certificate and memento of special recognition. More than 150 people are expected to attend.

"At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, we value the contributions these honored scholars are making to their community, their family and to their future. We are excited to spend an evening with such an accomplished group of potential UNL students," said Amber Hunter, UNL senior assistant director of admissions and the banquet's master of ceremonies.

The Rising Stars Achievement Banquet is one of several events coordinated by UNL this year as part of student recruitment and retention efforts. Diversity of UNL students increased in 2006, and Office of Admissions officials hope the Achievement Banquet will play a strong role in efforts to continue to increase the diversity of students on campus.

Following is a list by hometown of students invited to attend the banquet.

Amherst: Rhonda Kohel.

Bladen: Cassandra Borja.

Cairo: Mike Mizner.

Doniphan: Nikki Sjuts.

Elm Creek: Melanie Klingelhoefer.

Gibbon: Quincy Ash, Brenda Avina, Richard Chen, Brenda Flores, Norberto Garcia, Brenda Larraga, Jesica Martinez, Pedro Montanez, Laura Nuebauer.

Grand Island: Mayra Arellano, Estid Barrios, Aurelia Bighair, Bryan Cabrera, Cassandra Casares, Pablo Contreras, Abel Covarrubias. Jennifer Cueva, Gabrielle Esquitin, Harris Fajardo, Jazmin Figueroa, Roberto Fraire, Cristina Garcia, Dennis Garcia, Richard Guevara, Diana Gutierrez, Stephanie Hernandez, Astrid Ibarra, Linda Kieselhorst, Jose Landaverde, Sevannah McClain, Manuel Medina, David Mendoza, Fernando Mendoza, Nyssa Nabity, Juan Navarro Guerrero, Jimmy Orellana, America Ornelas, Rolando Perez, Leidy Perez-Santiago, Micaela Puente, Doris Rempe, Rene Romero, Mario Sanchez, Brandon Serrano, Nyadhara Tuom, Larry Uhing, Johnny Venegas, Flor Villa, Banypini Wuol, Jackie Zehendner.

Hastings: Yeny Botello, Vincent Boudreau, Melanie Denney, Christina Einsel, Piriya Hall, Yadira Hernandez, Stephen James, Mike Jones, Allen Jou, Trina Knight, Nhan Nguyen, Nnamdi Uche, Nnenna Uche, Elizabeth Urrutia.

Kearney: Alina Benavides, Barb Casper, Yin-Fu Chen, Daniel Gibbs, Jane Gonzalez-Meyer, Jose Hernandez, Jacob Hild, Tanya Holoubeck, Jonathan Kuecker, Luke Kuecker, Angela Lopez, Kris Pyma, Kearney Shalyn Sheets, John Ward, Wang Zheng, Shianne Zimmerman.

Kenesaw: David Kucera.

Pleasanton: Bob Bednar.

Ravenna: Karen Trambly.

Roseland: Chris Sluka.

Shelton: Dan Brown, Jason Donovan.

Wood River: Jennifer Badura.

CONTACT: Amber Hunter, Sr. Asst. Director, Admissions, (402) 472-0671