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The Salvation Army is now accepting nominations for the 2020 D.J.'s Hero Awards. THE NOMINATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, MARCH 9 AT 11:59 P.M.
D.J. Sokol faced significant obstacles, but he always focused his energy on his family, friends and community. His passion for life and engaging sense of humor delighted everyone who crossed his path. Although he lost his battle with cancer in 1999, D.J.'s legacy lives on.
The D.J.'s Hero Awards are underwritten by David and Peggy Sokol in loving memory of their son, D.J. A minimum of 14 scholarships will recognize Nebraska high school seniors who exemplify D.J.'s selflessness, leadership and commitment to the community. Award recipients receive a $10,000 scholarship toward their selected university or college.
What's New in 2020
The D.J.'s Hero Creighton University Athletic Department Scholarship
This new $10,000 scholarship will award $2,500 annually (up to four years) to a student attending Creighton University. Recipients will exemplify perseverance and determination and have an interest in an intercollegiate athletics-related field.
The D.J.'s Hero Diesing Family North High Scholarship
This new $10,000 scholarship is underwritten by Terri and Jack Diesing. It will be awarded to a senior at Omaha North High - Mrs. Diesing's alma mater.
D.J.'s Hero Award Partners
TeamMates Mentoring is a school-based one-to-one mentoring program that began in 1991 with the vision of former University of Nebraska—Lincoln Head Football Coach Tom Osborne and his wife, Nancy. It has grown to serve more than 9,500 youth in 3rd through 12th grades through partnerships with local school districts.
TeamMates+ Mentoring pairs college students with community volunteers who serve as champions and advocates for the student. Through monthly visits in a public setting, mentors provide encouragement, accountability, guidance and support. Benefits include a Gallup Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, creative learning strategies and study skills, and advice pertaining to both career and personal development.
Avenue Scholars provides individualized support services to help students from low-income backgrounds identify and ultimately enter financially sustaining careers. Each Avenue Scholar is assigned a Career Coach who provides long-term comprehensive support and guides students' personal and career-related development during their junior and senior years of high school through postsecondary education/training and into a career. Avenue Scholars' expert career coaching is enhanced by best practice-informed case management strategies and frequent engagement with data on student outcomes.
Avenue Scholars is assisting The Salvation Army in tracking data on the benefits of the D.J.'s Hero Awards and mentorship.
Nomination Requirements
Nominator Application Criteria and Instructions:
- Nominator must be an adult, 21 years of age or older, and not related to the nominee. Counselors, teachers, pastors, mentors, employers and community leaders are encouraged to nominate qualified students.
- Nominator may nominate more than one student.
- Nominator must complete and submit the nomination form AND answer the following five questions (submission should not be longer than two single-spaced pages in 12-point font):
1. What adversity has the nominee overcome?
2. How has the nominee demonstrated a positive attitude, a commitment to others, leadership and/or service to his/her community?
3. What are the nominee’s greatest achievements?
4. What school or community activities has the nominee participated in?
5. What is the nominee’s financial need?
Nominee Application Criteria and Instructions:
- Nominee must reside in Nebraska and be enrolled during the 2019-2020 academic year as a high school senior.
- Nominee must submit a short essay of 250 words or fewer explaining his/her short- and long-range plans and goals and how being awarded a D.J.'s Hero Scholarship will help achieve these goals.
- Upon acceptance of the $10,000 scholarship, the award winner will agree to attend the D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 5, in Omaha and will agree to work with a free TeamMates+ mentor.
Submission Information
Nomination forms must be postmarked or received via email by MONDAY, MARCH 9. Please return the 1) completed nomination form, 2) nominator’s responses to the questions, and 3) nominee’s essay.
Please scan and email documents to wstheroapp@usc.salvationarmy.org or mail all required documents to:
Jeff Beckman
The Salvation Army
10755 Burt Street
Omaha, NE 68114
Nominators will be notified the week of April 6, 2020, if their nominee was selected as a D.J.’s Hero scholarship recipient. Only scholarship winners will be required to attend the luncheon.