Scholarships

Linda Gryva Belzowski and her twin sister, Mary, graduated from Central in 1969. While at Central, Linda took several AP classes and was a member of the Future Nurses Club. Linda received a diploma in nursing from Creighton’s St. Joseph’s Hospital and her BSN, with honors, from the Univ. of Michigan’s School of Nursing. Linda often compared Central and the Univ. of Michigan for their diversity and high academic standards. She married and raised two daughters and a son in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The scholarship was established in 2018 by Linda’s family in her memory, following her death from cancer in 2009.

W. Edward Clark was a 1932 graduate and a longtime faculty member at Central who had a profound influence on the lives of students and in the development of Central’s national reputation for academic excellence. Mr. Clark taught at Central for three decades, from 1946 to 1976. A thoughtful, reflective writer, he also produced fifteen plays, three novels and hundreds of poems. His vast knowledge of literature and his clear expectations for academic achievement by all of his students were hallmarks of his teaching. He continues to be recognized as a revered member emeritus of the Central High School Faculty. This scholarship was established in 2001.

Henry Davis established this scholarship fund at the Central High School Foundation because he appreciated the great education that he received at Central High School and wanted to assist students who were pursuing vocational or technical training. Henry Davis graduated from Central in 1969, and is the President and CEO of Greater Omaha Packing Company.

Paul Jepsen was a 1929 graduate. The Jepsen scholarships are given by the Jepsen family in memory of their late father, Paul Jepsen, CHS 1929. This scholarship is unique in that it is renewable for four years. When establishing this scholarship, Paul’s son Ed shared that the family’s goal was to provide something meaningful so that deserving students could get a college education they might not otherwise be able to obtain.

This scholarship was established by Larry’s sister and brother-in-law, Linda K. and Nelson Gordman CHS 1958, in his memory following his death from cancer in 2019. An Omaha businessman for more than four decades, Larry had the rare opportunity to work alongside his father and his children at the family company, now known as All Makes Office Equipment. Larry always strived to “do the right thing.” He was a philanthropist and often mentored the next generation of business leaders in the community. He was passionate about helping others navigate tough times and succeed, and his wife Andi remains a pillar in the Omaha philanthropic community.

John Keenan taught English at Central for more than 39 years. He achieved legendary status for his demanding standards, his lively classroom and his determination to help every serious minded student succeed. Carefully written themes meticulously revised became the absolute standard for his classes, and theme deadline day always drew a large after-school crowd of students spilling outside the classroom as they attempted to complete their theme requirements. He received the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award in 1990 and retired in 1995. This scholarship was established in 2001.

Frank Knapple was a football, basketball, and baseball coach hired in 1926 who taught civics and economics for more than 30 years at Central. The Knapplemen, as they were known, were successful in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Though his teams had much success, his philosophy was NOT to win at any cost. He believed that good sportsmanship and citizenship must always come first. Show-offs were not tolerated. Following retirement, Frank served for many years on the Nebraska High School Activities Association board. This scholarship was established in 2007 by Frank’s son Bob.

Arthur graduated from Central in 1914. Due to World War I, Art enlisted in the Navy but completed his Liberal Arts degree following the war. He married his college sweetheart Genevieve in 1921 and started the securities investment bank Kirkpatrick-Pettis-Loomis Co. in Omaha in 1933. Art’s father died suddenly in 1937 in San Diego. On a flight to California to console his mother, his airplane crashed into a mountain north of Los Angeles in the January fog. According to his son, “We don’t control the challenges we will face in life; we do control how we handle the challenges.” This scholarship was established in 1994.

E. Frank Maycock graduated from Central in 1948. Frank studied accounting at the Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln and served 18 months in Korea, earning the Bronze Star. He served as an accountant at Plastilite for more than 20 years until his death in 1986. His son Tom followed in his footsteps, graduating in 1986. “If establishing yourself as a man of absolute integrity, sterling character, and a sly sense of humor is the measure of a man, then Frank accomplished in his 55 years what it will take most 110 years to accomplish.” This scholarship was established in 1987.

G.E. “Doc” Moller served Central for 32 years, the last twenty-seven as principal. During his tenure, Central’s reputation as one of the most-respected academic institutions in the area flourished as students earned countless awards and scholarships. This included having at least one National Merit Scholar in each of his years at CHS. Believing a teacher’s command of the classroom is essential to learning, he made it a cornerstone of his administration to guarantee a proper learning atmosphere throughout the school. Under his guidance, the CHS Endowment Scholarship Fund and the CHS Foundation were created. This scholarship was established in 1996.

Doris and Allen Oglander believed strongly in the value of education. Allen served in the Navy during World War II and attended Harvard Business School. After the War, Allen ran a mail advertising firm and patented a piece of equipment called “Dispensa-Matic.” Doris had a passion for crafts, operating a yarn store for weaving and knitting. Doris and Allen encouraged their five children as well as their grandchildren to go to college. Eight of their grandchildren from the Rennard family graduated from Central. This scholarship was established in 2010.

Duane Perry was a mathematics teacher and head of the Mathematics Department at Central from 1940-1964, before he left to become Supervisor of Mathematics for the Omaha Public Schools. When he died in 1981, the Perry family established a fund in his memory to be awarded each year to the top graduating senior math student at Central. Doug was a 1966 graduate of Central and attributed much of his personal and professional success to his years at CHS. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the school and was instrumental in establishing the Central High School Foundation.

Ruth Pilling was a 1926 graduate of Central, where she returned in 1936 to join the faculty as a Latin teacher. Also teaching English, French, and Greek, she retired in 1973. She helped set up one of the city’s first language laboratories and established several new courses. Her interests in language and biology served her well in her passion for travel, which led her to every continent (with the exception of Antarctica). This scholarship was established in 2005.

Virginia Lee Pratt was an eminently successful mathematics teacher, counselor, and math department chair at Central. Teaching at her alma mater after graduating in 1937, she was a faculty member for over forty years. Her students regularly won state and regional math contests, making Central’s math department one of the best in the nation during her tenure. This scholarship was established in 2016.

Janice Ross was born and raised in Lexington, Nebraska. During her junior year of high school she was selected to represent her school in the first Girls State in Nebraska. After graduating as Salutatorian, she attended UNL on a regents scholarship and earned a degree in elementary education. When women went to work in factories and other jobs, Janice taught preschool during World War II. After the war, Janice and her husband raised 5 children, all of whom have bachelor and post graduate degrees. Her grandchildren and one great grandson (so far) have college degrees as well. Janice had many volunteer activities including working to support women in their educational pursuits. She also loved history and spent countless hours researching her family history and visiting places her ancestors had lived. Janice died in 2014 at the age of 91. She is buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. This scholarship was established in 2019.

Ramona Byers Sanders graduated from Central in 1965. An active swimmer and runner, she attended colleges in Michigan, Kansas, and Nebraska. Married to her husband Rob and the mother of two girls, Mona lived a life of service to others. She wrote grants to aid the Blind in Florida and was later active as the secretary of her local NAACP chapter. That life of service and helping hand will continue to bless others in her name. This scholarship was established in 2004.

Ned Sariscsany graduated from Central in 2005. Ned was a boy who came into his own during his high school years, participating in activities such as DECA, fishing club, and rugby. He met fantastic friends at Central, and he was very proud to be an Eagle. Unfortunately, his life was tragically cut short. However, his memory lives on in the heart and spirit of this scholarship. This scholarship was established in 2008.

Robert Spire was a distinguished graduate of the class of 1943. During World War II, he was a U.S. Army officer in the South Pacific. He attended the Juilliard School of Music as a pianist before later attending Harvard Law to become an attorney. He served as Nebraska’s attorney general from 1985 to 1990 and implemented Nebraska’s program for attorneys in private practice to provide pro bono legal services to the community. This scholarship was established in 2008.

Hird Stryker Jr. was a 1936 graduate of Central. Hird enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served with distinction in the China-Burma-India theater of war while studying law. Stryker returned to Omaha and practiced law for more than 40 years with the Fraser Stryker law firm. This scholarship was established in 2008.

James Baume Stryker graduated from Central in 1942 and was the brother of Hird Stryker Jr. James enlisted out of Yale in the summer of 1943 and was overseas just a few months later to serve his country in World War II. James was killed in a minefield outside Gut Hazenfeld on Dec. 5, 1944. He was present at Omaha Beach on D-Day. This scholarship was established in 2002.

The Sunderland Scholarship is given by the Backer Family in memory of their grandfather, John E. Sunderland, Class of 1916. At Central, John was the Major of the Second Battalion, Editor-in-Chief of The Register, and a member of the Student Council and Senior Council. Following his graduation from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, he returned to Omaha to work for the family business, Sunderland Brothers, eventually becoming Chief Executive Officer. He met and married his wife Julie and together they had two children, James Sunderland and Marcia Backer.

Jerome Turner graduated from Central in 1953 and attended the Univ. of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance. Jerry was a leading business executive and transformative product innovator in the footwear business as President of Brooks Athletic Shoe Company, also known as Brooks Running Shoes. Turner helped build the company into a household name, rising to one of America’s top three selling brands. Turner remained dedicated to his alma maters and endowed an annual scholarship to be awarded to a Central High School graduate to attend the Univ. of Pennsylvania.

Augusta Turpin was an English teacher at Central from 1937 to 1957. During that time, students would run to the teacher they wanted at the beginning of each semester. According to one of her former students Hugh Williams (‘48), everyone vied for her classes; there were always more kids trying for her room than she could take on. This scholarship was established in 2008 by Hugh Williams (‘48).

Ruth was born and raised in Kendall, Wisconsin, a town whose population is smaller than the size of Central's graduation class. Upon graduation, she attended nurses training in Madison and then worked as a nurse during the last years of World War II and then to support her husband through college. Ruth and her husband raised 4 children all of whom have bachelor degrees and post graduate degrees. The family moved around the country with her husband's work and finally landed in Omaha in 1964 where they stayed. She was the keeper of the family bible with all of the genealogy of the family, which she treasured. She researched and visited her Czechoslovakian roots with her husband, and often went back to Wisconsin to see her family. Ruth died in 1996 at the age of 70. She is buried in Omaha. This scholarship was established in 2019.

The World War II Scholarship is given in honor and memory of the Central High School students who fought defending our country and our honor during World War II. A complete listing of students who died in combat can be found here.