The University of Nebraska and Elkhorn Public Schools hosted a special event on Jan. 26 to celebrate 11 exceptional Elkhorn students who earned a perfect 36 on the ACT and have applied to the University of Nebraska.
Held at the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation, the event recognized students from Elkhorn, Elkhorn South and Elkhorn North High Schools. Each student was formally recognized as qualifying for the University of Nebraska's Presidential Scholars program — an initiative that provides Nebraska’s highest-achieving students with a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room and board and a $5,000 annual stipend at any NU campus.
“What an honor it is for an educator to celebrate the success of their students,” said Dr. Bary Habrock, superintendent of Elkhorn Public Schools. “Their success is our success. We celebrate them, their achievements and wish them the best as they carry forward our culture of learning without limits.”
Launched in 2024, the Presidential Scholars program is part of the University’s broader mission to retain Nebraska’s top talent. It aims to keep top Nebraska students in-state while offering them access to meaningful academic, leadership and research opportunities.
“A perfect score doesn’t just represent a test-taking ability. It represents a family, a school district, teachers, support staff, facilities and a commitment to bring out the best in yourself,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., president of the University of Nebraska. “At the University of Nebraska, we invite you to continue both your academic and community leadership — and to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
The following students were honored during the event and presented with a commemorative plaque by Dr. Gold:
- Carson Deprez, Elkhorn
- Stephen Fisher, Elkhorn
- Alexander Morrison, Elkhorn
- Emerson DePew, Elkhorn North
- Mason Mercer, Elkhorn North
- Will Berryman, Elkhorn South
- Jinyee Huang, Elkhorn South
- Thanishka Inti, Elkhorn South
- Rhana Kang, Elkhorn South
- Sam Stracke, Elkhorn South
- Johnathan Wu, Elkhorn South
“Lincoln and Omaha have great universities, especially for STEM and medicine,” said Carson Deprez, an Elkhorn senior interested in pursuing a career in health care. “With the support and scholarships available [at the University of Nebraska], you don’t have to go far away.”
Alexander Morrison, also a senior at Elkhorn, said he was impressed by the level of support offered at Nebraska.
“There are so many possibilities; from help with internships to summer research opportunities,” he said. “There is also support for customizing your education experience, which is impressive to me.”
Speakers at the event included Bary Habrock, Elkhorn Public Schools superintendent; Dr. Mark Schroeder, Elkhorn principal; Dan Radicia, Elkhorn North principal; Jed Givens, Elkhorn South principal; Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, NU president; and Dr. Harnoor Dhaliwal, NU vice provost for innovative student experiences. A reception followed the program.
Dr. Harnoor Dhaliwal, who leads the Presidential Scholars program, noted that achieving a perfect ACT score is nothing short of extraordinary — and comes from a dedicated environment of support and high expectation fostered by family, teachers, and the community.
“Through its programs, the University of Nebraska is continuing intentional development of whole people and whole leaders, which allows students to thrive,” he said. “We look forward to the incredible success you will have in your careers.”
More information on the Presidential Scholars program is available at: https://nebraska.edu/presidential-scholars