Christopher King Memorial Scholarship

Oct 30, 2021 | Scholarships

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Purpose:

Christopher King was a 1984 graduate of Benson High School. He was a beloved classmate and friend who was deeply involved in basketball, gymnastics, music and the arts.

Eligible Schools:

Benson High School

Selection:

  1. Must have participated in the Benson Design Academy and the music or arts programs.
  2. Must be pursuing a degree in a field related to the arts.

Amount:

$500 Award

Administered By:

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation

 

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Daniel A. Rico Difference Maker Scholarship

Aug 24, 2021 | Scholarships

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Purpose:

The Daniel A. Rico Difference Maker Scholarship Fund was established in 2020. As a graduate of Omaha Benson High School in 2012, Mr. Rico has dedicated his life to making the world a better place. He graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 2017 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and minor(s) in Energy Science, and International Engineering. Mr. Rico is currently finishing a M.S. degree in Computer Science & Engineering with a minor in Natural Resource Sciences. Upon completion, Mr. Rico will look to pursue another graduate degree but this time in Nuclear Engineering. He then intends to apply this knowledge to solve some of the world’s greatest problems via research and develop of novel solutions.

Eligible Schools:

Benson High School

Selection Criteria:

The expectations for a recipient of this scholarship are to perform well in their academic pursuits, and to apply their knowledge to make a positive difference
in the world.

Selection Process:

The recipient will be chosen based on academic performance and leadership throughout high school.Verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice should be sent to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. Payment will be made directly to the school upon receipt of this verification.

Amount:

$500 per semester, renewable for up to 5 years

Administered By:

Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Toba Cohen-Dunning, Executive Director
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131

 

The Milton “Milt” Lorenz Memorial Scholarship

Aug 23, 2021 | Scholarships

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Purpose:

To provide a scholarship for a graduating Benson High Magnet senior in memory of Milton Lorenz.  Mr. Lorenz was a teacher at Benson for 37 years and passed away on September 16, 2014.  He was a beloved math teacher for many years and at the point of his retirement was serving as the Director of Guidance for the School.  He loved being a teacher at Benson High and took great pride in his profession, the students and the school.

Amount:

$1000.00 payable to an accredited 4-year college or university.   Verification of enrollment should be sent to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, 3861 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE  68131 for the check to be disbursed to the institution.

Eligible Recipients:

One graduating senior from Benson High School who is pursuing a degree in Math and/or Science

Selection Criteria:

  1. Academic achievement
  2. Citizenship/character
  3. Commitment to post-secondary education in the fields of Math and/or Science with the intention of becoming an educator.
  4. Financial need

Selection Process:

Benson High School will send a recommendation to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation. Should you be selected for this award, please send verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. The award will be forwarded to the college of choice upon receipt.

Administered by:

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Toba Cohen Dunning
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131
402.502.3032

Ricki Getzschman Memorial Scholarship

Jan 18, 2018 | Scholarships

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Purpose:

To provide an annual (renewable) scholarship to a graduate of Benson High School in memory of Ricki Getzschman.

Eligible Schools:

Benson High School

Selection Criteria:

  1. The recipient shall have attended Benson High School for at least two years and be a graduating senior from Benson High School.
  2. The recipient shall have demonstrated academic excellence (GPA of at least 3.0) and true positive participation in school as well as in the community.

  3. Applicants shall submit their transcript along with a two page essay on the subject matter requested on page three of the required reading.

  4. Applicants shall provide two letters of reference, one of which must be from a teacher or administrator.
  5. This scholarship may be used for any field of study and may also be used for trade school or community college.

Amount:

One scholarship in the amount of $2500.00 shall be awarded annually payable to the college, university or trade school upon the Omaha Public Schools Foundation’s (OPSF) receipt of verification of enrollment from the institution chosen by the recipient.

In Addition:

This scholarship is renewable in the amount of $2500.00 for each of up to four succeeding years if the recipient meets the following criteria:

  1. Recipient maintains 3.0 GPA and is a student in good standing. Recipient must provide a transcript to OPSF by July 31st of each year.
  2. Recipient shall write a brief, informal letter to the Getzschman Family Scholarship Committee regarding how each year has progressed, struggles and/or successes, any interesting anecdotes, changes in goals, changes in perception of the world, etc. This letter is also due to OPSF by July 31st of each year.
  3. Said award shall be paid to the college, university or trade school as before.
  4. These criteria must be met in consecutive years. If, in any year, the recipient does not meet these criteria, the recipient is no longer eligible to renew this scholarship.

Selection of Recipients By:

The Getzschman Family and Selected Friends of the Family/Ricki.

Administered By:

Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF).

Troy Travis Memorial Scholarship

Jan 5, 2022 | Scholarships

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Purpose and Amount:

One $500 scholarship awarded to a student, to be applied towards books or tuition.

Selection Criteria:

  • Student must be a graduating senior from Omaha Benson Magnet.
  • Student must plan to attend college or technical school the semester following his or her high school graduation.
  • Student must have a minimum of 2.0 G.P.A or higher.
  • Student must have participated in at least one athletic program each year of their 4 years of High School.
  • Student should be able to produce two letters of reference: one from a teacher/staff member and one from a coach of the sport that student participated in. Examples should speak to coach ability, attitude, helping others out and being a role model or a leader.
  • Must have attended Benson all four years unless transferred in from another district.
  • Financial need will be a consideration.

Selection Process:

The family will make the selection. Once a selection is made, the recipient must send a Thank You note and proof of enrollment to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation.

Bruce Dale Memorial Fund

Aug 3, 2020 | Tributes and Memorials

Bruce Dale Memorial

Stewart Bruce Dale, 71, died peacefully in his sleep on July 27, 2020. He was born October 12, 1948 in Omaha, NE. He graduated from Benson High School in 1967 and attended Kearney State College.

Bruce served in the Marine Corps Reserves and was deployed to Vietnam in 1970 for 13 months. After completing his reserve obligations in 1976, he earned his education degree and began teaching special education with OPS. He earned two master’s degrees from UNO in special education and educational administration. He taught at several elementary schools and eventually moved to secondary at North High Magnet. There he taught special education, coached girls’ soccer, became Dean of Students and then became an assistant principal at Morton and King Science Magnet. 

Bruce’s sense of humor, commitment to students of all backgrounds, lover of all things outdoors, his beloved pets and Lisa made him the wonderful human being that he was. He will be missed.

A Memorial Fund has been established at the Omaha Public Schools Foundation. Friends and family wishing to contribute can use the secure payment gateway below.

* Donations are administered by The Omaha Public Schools Foundation which is a 501 (c) 3 organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law and go directly to the intended fund, program, project or scholarship. No administrative fees are deducted from any donation.
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