2011 Holland Academy of Excellence June 12 - The Peter Kiewit ...

2011 Holland Academy of Excellence June 12 – 15
Omaha - Forty high school students, from across Nebraska, will soon
arrive for The Peter Kiewit Institute’s 13th Annual Holland Academy
of Excellence.
The academy is designed to inspire and motivate the brightest students
throughout the region and introduce them to PKI academic programs
in engineering, information science and technology.
Thanks to a generous gift from Richard Holland and his late wife, Mary, there is no cost to
students to attend the Academy of Excellence.
Based on academic achievements in mathematics and science, students are often nominated by
teachers or guidance counselors at their schools to attend the academy.
During the academy, students spend time engaged in a hands-on, collaborative learning
environment structured around engineering, information science and technology including
Computer and Electronics Engineering, Information Assurance, Bioinformatics and Construction
Systems. During the evening hours, the learning environments are moved off campus as students
enjoy evening activities throughout Omaha, including a visit to the Durham Museum, giving
students a first-hand perspective of how technology was used in the design and construction of
area attractions.
Aside from the hands-on learning fun, students get the opportunity to experience the life of a
college student while spending the days at The Peter Kiewit Institute and the evenings rooming
at UNO’s Scott Residence Hall.
The Holland Academy of Excellence is a unique program that helps retain Nebraska’s best and
brightest.
According to Dr. Mike McGinnis, executive director of The Peter Kiewit Institute: “Educating
young Nebraskans in these fields is essential to the economic growth of Nebraska. Through the
generous gift from Mr. Holland, PKI can offer this opportunity to gifted students from across the
state.”
Attending the 2011 Holland Academy of Excellence are:
Abigail Kirby, Battle Creek
Anna Banks, Lincoln
Anna Bleyhl, Omaha
Astrid Ramsay, Roca
Avi Knecht, Lincoln
Breana Johnson, Minatare

Cailyn Ludwig, Omaha
Caleb Munnell, Hastings
Cecelia Carson, Burwell
Christian Wagner, York
Claire Dull, Lincoln
Connor McCoy, Omaha
Diana Fernandez, Wayne
Garrett Wibbels, Kearney
Gerrit VanEngen, Sterling
Hannah Finnegan, Newcastle
Hannah Pauley, Columbus
Jake Weskamp, York
Jason Holt, Wayne
Jonathon Jahnke, Bancroft
Joseph Brightwell-Kelley, Falls City
Joshua Smrcina, Fremont
Joshua Sugita, Grand Island
Julie Stebbins, Omaha
Kyle Sanchez Bower, Arcadia
Laura Troyer, St. Edward
Lucas Smith, Omaha
Luke Johnson, Potter
Madison Kelley, Omaha
Matthew Pettit, Bellevue
Megan Arens, Lincoln
Michael Roath, Lincoln
Michael Smith, South Sioux City
Nathan Peatrowsky, West Point
Peter Danielson, David City
Robert Achenbach, Springfield
Rose Medill, Lincoln
Ryne Donovan, Greeley
Samuel McCormick, Hooper
Trevor Steinkruger, Bellevue