Supporting local communities is one of Duncan Aviation’s core values. One way the company invests in its communities is through the children of its team members. For the last 20 years, Duncan Aviation has advanced the futures of students through the Karen K. Duncan Scholarship program.
“In honor of my mother’s belief in a strong education, The Karen K. Duncan Scholarship Program was started to help Duncan Aviation team members fund post-secondary education expenses for their kids,” says Todd Duncan, Chairman of Duncan Aviation. In the 20 years since we started this program, 302 scholarships totaling $1,712,000 have been awarded.”
All dependent children of full-time Duncan Aviation team members who are entering a two- or four-year college program or technical school in the fall of 2018 were eligible. Each scholarship winner will receive up to $4,000 for his or her college education—$1,000 a semester for up to two years.
An independent committee reviewed applicants’ essays and assigned point values to them. Students also earned points for academic achievement, leadership, citizenship, career goals and extracurricular activities.
The following students from local communities will receive the 2018 scholarships that together could total up to $80,000.
Ashland, Neb.
Isabelle Van Kirk, daughter of Kristine and William Van Kirk
Isabelle has always wanted to be a health care professional, specifically a doctor. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at a local care facility to learn more about patient care from all aspects. At Ashland-Greenwood High School, she has been involved in Student Ambassadors, Future Business Leaders of America, Speech, Drama, and the National Honors Society. She has volunteered with the Riverview Community Church and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. In the fall, she will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Battle Creek, Mich.
William Henry, son of Darlene and Jason Henry
William wants his actions to have meaning in the world and plans to pursue a career in health care. He plans to attend Western Michigan University in the fall, studying Interdisciplinary Health Services. At Pennfield High School, he played varsity soccer and track and was involved in Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Honors Society. Community activities have included volunteer work with the Red Cross, North Avenue Youth Group, Empty Pew Project, and youth mission trips.
Myles Michael Hoenes, son of Anne and Michael Hoenes
Myles plans to study Graphic Design next fall at the University of Michigan Ann-Arbor Stamps School of Art and Design. In addition to participating in student government, theatre, the Passion Project, and the National Honors Society, he was a student representative for the Lakeview School Board and the Lakeview School Educational Foundation. He has also served the community through the Youth Alliance Committee of Battle Creek, the Glenn Cross Arts and Culture Committee, and the Bad Wolf Theatre Company.
Carson J. Neff, son of Chera and Matthew Neff
Carson enjoys working with numbers and spreadsheets and has therefore chosen to pursue a degree in Accountancy and Finance at Western Michigan University. At Gull Lake High School, he was involved in varsity track, junior varsity soccer, DECA, and the National Honor Society. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and has helped the community through highway clean-up, horse trials event parking, and ringing bells for the Salvation Army.
Bee, Neb.
Autumn Loga, daughter of Tammy and Martin Loga
Autumn plans to study Physical Therapy at Nebraska Wesleyan University this fall. At Malcolm Public Schools, she was involved with Skills USA, Future Business Leaders of America, four years of varsity softball, and the National Honors Society. She was also named to Academic All-State for softball in 2016 and 2017. She has been an active volunteer with Malcolm Field of Dreams, Vacation Bible School, and as a kindergarten classroom helper and teacher’s aide.
Bellevue, Mich.
Melanie McIntyre, daughter of Neissa and Tyler McIntyre
Melanie will study Pre-Medicine next fall at Michigan State University and plans to become a sports physician. At Pennfield High School, she was named to Academic All-Conference for both basketball and volleyball. She has helped with various youth basketball and volleyball camps over the years, and has volunteered in the Soup Kitchen.
Bennet, Neb.
Wesley Steward, daughter of Kristi and Craig Steward
Wesley is looking forward to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she will major in Pre-Health. While attending Palmyra High School, she was involved in varsity cheerleading, varsity volleyball, the National Honors Society, the musical, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has volunteered her time at Little Panther’s Cheer Camp, Boo at the Zoo, Oak Lake Clean-Up, and the Spouse Abuse Sexual Assault Crisis Center.
DeWitt, Neb.
Sydni Kunc, daughter of Tami and Matt Kunc
Sydni plans to study Elementary Education next fall at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. During her time at Wilber-Clatonia High School, she has participated in softball, cheerleading, tennis, the Future Farmers of America, and the senior class play. She was named an All-American Softball Cheerleader and an All-State Softball Honorable Mention. Her varied community activities have included working with Wilber Czech Days, Wilber Care Center, and Wilber-Clatonia Family Fun Night.
Elmwood, Neb.
Alice Richter, daughter of Penny and Troy Richter
With strong love for math and art, Alice is considering a major in Architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln next fall. As a student at Elmwood-Murdock High School, Alice has been active in choir and plays the bari saxophone in band. She also participated in Quiz Bowl and her Student Innovation Challenge team placed first in competition. She has helped with the highway clean-up team from Elmwood Christian Church for the last three years.
Hickman, Neb.
Benjamin Rathjen, son of Amy and Craig Rathjen
Benjamin hopes to one day start his own business and will begin studying Business Administration next fall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During his years at Norris High School, he has been active in the marching band, concert band, and pep band, the Future Business Leaders of America, and was a 2017 State Champion with Quiz Bowl. He attended Cornhusker Boys State and has volunteered with FoodNet, Inc., Adopt-A-Road, and Adopt-A-Family.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Rachel Nichols, daughter of Ruth and Steven Nichols
Rachel will attend Indiana Wesleyan University this fall, majoring in Nursing. She eventually wants to work in a variety of specialities and units, including emergency room and trauma medicine, sexual assault response care, or even disaster care with the military. At East Kentwood High School, Rachel was active in the orchestra, swim team, and the National Honors Society.
Lawrence, Mich.
Daniel Robert Koshar, son of Rebekah and Dustin Koshar
Daniel will study Applied Mathematics and Physics at the Michigan Technological University and plans to eventually conduct extensive laboratory research. Throughout his high school years, he was involved in several theater productions through Homeschool Performing Arts. He also participated in his church choir and spent time volunteering at the Van Buren District Library as a librarian and at the True Vine Equestrian Center.
Lincoln, Neb.
Sara Broad, daughter of Marcie and Michael Broad
Sara looks forward to studying Mechanical Engineering and Theater next fall at South Dakota State University. As a student at Malcolm High School, she has been active in vocal music, student council, one-act play production, and the National Honors Society. She was also a state and national qualifier in speech. Sara has served the community by volunteering as a Brightlights classroom assistant and at the Toyland for Kids event.
Samuel Hupp, son of Candace and Kevin Hupp
As a future Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Samuel plans to study Chemistry. He intends to serve his country as long as possible, making positive impacts on society along the way. Samuel attended the International Baccalaureate program at Lincoln High School, where he was a trumpet section leader in the marching band, played in concert band, and participated in debate. He was also team captain in cross country and an Academic All-American in cross country and track.
Mariah Kitchen, daughter of Dottie and Jim Kitchen
Mariah is interested in pursuing a career in Forensic Science after she earns a degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she has been awarded a Regent’s Scholarship. She participated in Lincoln Southwest Ambassadors, cheerleading and choir during her years at Southwest High School and spent time volunteering at Cavett Elementary School and with The Cat House and Wildlife Rescue.
Logan Stewart Massey, son of Rhonda and Tom Massey
Logan is looking forward to preparing for a career in business and will attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While attending Pius X High School, Logan was involved in marching band, concert band, jazz band, and symphonic band. He helped in the Writing Resource Center and was a private Spanish tutor. In Boy Scouts, he earned his Eagle Scout rank, and he volunteered time with the Pioneer’s Park Nature Center and the Salvation Army.
Joseph Nguyen, son of Quynn and Vu Nguyen
Joseph is enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and plans to study Chemistry with the goal of working in a forensic science lab after graduation. Joseph has been active in Medical Club, Math Club, ACT Club, Boy/Girl Dance, and Strength and Conditioning at Pius High School. He played YMCA High School Basketball throughout his high school years and volunteered with the People’s City Mission, Matt Talbot Kitchen, and the Salvation Army.
Seward, Neb.
Jake Prochaska, son of Vickie and Todd Prochaska
Jake enjoys working and interacting with students in the special education program. Therefore, he plans to major in Secondary Special Education at Hastings College next fall. During his time at Centennial High School, Jake has been active in student council, National Honors Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and Future Farmers of America. He played football, ran track and earned third at state competition for wrestling.
Sarah Brown, daughter of Peggy and Michael Brown
Sarah is looking forward to earning her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Wayne State College. During her time at Seward High School, Sarah participated in Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, Key Club, marching band, and concert band. She played soccer and was team captain and Academic All-State in volleyball.
Tekonsha, Mich.
Anna O’Keefe, daughter of JoEllen and Martin O’Keefe
Anna plans to enroll in Chemical Engineering at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., next fall. While attending Tekonsha High School, Anna has been involved with band, the high school talent show, the National Honor Society and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She was team captain for varsity softball, basketball and volleyball, and was named Academic All-State in volleyball. Her community activities included her church youth group and volunteering for the Special Olympics and the Christmas Basket Drive.
