UNL to recognize 'Big Red Stars' March 20 in Scottsbluff

Lincoln, Neb., March 8, 2010 ---The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will recognize Western Nebraska eighth-graders for their academic excellence March 20 at the 2010 Big Red Stars Recognition Ceremony.

Big Red Stars is a special recognition program designed to recognize outstanding eighth-grade students in the state of Nebraska. These talented students were nominated by school principals as students who showcase strong leadership skills and academic promise.

The 2010 Big Red Stars nominees will be recognized at an award ceremony sponsored by UNL and EducationQuest March 20 at the Midwest Theatre in Scottsbluff.

Highlights of the event include:

* Individual recognition and awards for the 2010 Big Red Stars nominees
* Remarks from Jaclyn Lebo, KDUH-TV
* University of Nebraska Regent, Bob Phares, representing District 7
* A special guest appearance from UNL's own Lil' Red

Following is a list by school of students honored as Big Red Stars (the student's hometown is included in parenthesis is different from the school):

Ainsworth: Clay Chohon, Courteney Zwiebel.

Alliance St. Agnes: Jaydean Jensen-Monroe, Brianna Ridenour.

Banner County: Amanda Harrison (Harrisburg), Benjamin Hostetler (Kimball).

Bayard: Trenton Applegate (Minatare), David Schuler (Bridgeport).

Bridgeport: Kristen Fellhoelter (Broadwater), Miriam Ramirez.

Cambridge: Justin Dick, Jake Witte (Wilsonville).

Chadron: Kaylee Gaswick, Maria Lame.

Cody-Kilgore: Olyvia Barnes (Cody), Taryn Ostransky (Cody).

Crawford: Brady Absalon, Michael Shimek.

Creek Valley: Dakota Reichman (Chappell), Jerelyn Straber (Chappell).

Eustis-Farnam: Rowan Gruber (Eustis), Melanie Johnson (Farnam).

Gering: Katie O'Boyle, Helana Rivas (Scottsbluff).

Gordon-Rushville: Kyle Anderson (Gordon), Gary Kaplan (Gordon).

Hayes Center: Lizabeth VanCura, Andrea Wach (Wauneta).

Hay Springs: Joey Johnson.

Hershey: Mariah DaMoude, Kelsey Lafferty.

Hyannis: Hannah Haney (Ashby).

Kimball: Brooke Hager, Courtney Hunsaker.

Maxwell: Dawson Fraass (North Platte), Michelle Henry (North Platte).

Maywood: Katelynn Gerlach (Wellfleet), Justine Stone.

McCook: Samantha Kalinski, Mallory Koepke.

McPherson County: Cailyn Bessmer (Tryon), Jesse Paxton (Stapleton).

Merriman: Cody Trump.

North Platte St. Patrick: Jacob Cook.

Ogallala: Jesse Adams, Phoebe Lockhart.

Paxton: Taylor Holzfaster, Karlie Osborne.

Potter-Dix: Tiffany Lewis (Potter), Katelyn Woten (Potter).

Scottsbluff Christian: SteaVen Becker, Kayla Pierce.

Sioux County: Hannah Grote, John Murphy.

South Platte: Adalida Dickmander (Brule), Maria Ochoa (Ogallala).

Southwest: Brooke Ruggles (Indianola), Miranda Wordekemper (Indianola).

Stapleton: Trevor Hanna, Kellie Main.

Sutherland: Collin Fleecs.

Thedford: Sarah Miles (Brownlee).

Valentine: Justin Hartman, Emily Perrett.