D.J.'s Hero Award Winner Spotlight - Kyana Hubbard
Over the next month we will be honoring each of this year’s 15 D.J.’s Hero Award winners. The D.J.’s Hero Scholarships are underwritten by David and Peggy Sokol in loving memory of their son, D.J., who lost his battle with cancer in 1999 at age 18. The awards recognize Nebraska high school seniors who exemplify perseverance and selflessness and who are servant-leaders in their communities. A total of 157 D.J.’s Hero Scholarships have been awarded to Nebraska students over the past 22 years.
Kyana Hubbard – Lincoln Northeast High School
“My mother always wanted a stable life for me, and she instilled the importance of education as a way to create that future.”
Growing up, Kyana Hubbard, of Avoca, yearned for a stable home life. Her mother juggled multiple jobs to earn a living, but they were frequently forced to move or stay with friends because money for rent was often short. When she was 16, Kyana tragically witnessed her mother’s murder when their home was broken into. Despite Kyana’s attempts to revive her with CPR, she was unable to save her mother’s life.
Since then Kyana has survived largely on her own. She commuted 45 minutes to and from school each day, strove to keep up her grades up and participated on the swim team and cheerleading squad, all while battling emotional trauma.
“Kyana does not want praise and she does not want pity,” says her school counselor, Michelle Looky. “She has made courageous decisions in the face of adversity, and her ability to remain focused on what she wants for herself and what she needs to do to get there is nothing short of remarkable.”
With no parents or guardian, Kyana is 100% on her own and responsible for her college and living expenses and her future. Yet, as her counselor noted, she has never questioned the possibility of continuing on to earn a four-year degree. Kyana hopes one day to work as a neonatal nurse, a career that will allow her not only to help other families, but will also enable her to provide for her own family and create a stable, secure homelife. She plans to attend UNL in the fall.