Burt Street News

THE ONE HUNDRED FORTY THIRD 

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES 

And Honors AT 

DUCHESNE ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART 

OMAHA, NEBRASKA 

MAY 15, 2026 

Semester 2 Highest Honors

Semester 2 High Honors

Semester 2 Honors

  

HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD ALONE! 

PRIZES, DISTINCTIONS AND SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS are awarded to students for accomplishments in the 2025-2026 school year. 

Click here to view Prizes, Distinctions, and Special Recognitions

Seniors receive their Prizes today. We will distribute Prizes to all returning students at Convocation in August. 

Today we recognize the 5 seniors that completed the inaugural year of the Global Certificate Program. Congratulations! 

Audrey Deane 

Delaney Focht 

Ann Mammen 

Yeira Reza Rivera 
 

Campus Ministry Awards 

 The pursuit of a personal and active faith life for some is very private, and for others far more public. Either way, the journey is not a competition, but a gift. In that spirit, the Campus Ministry department would like to extend appreciation to a few students for their sharing of this gift:  

• Eva Kneeland. Eva has been courageous in her advocacy for pro-life issues, sharing her thoughts in a respectful, open manner while also listening to all other’s viewpoints. She used her Senior Service at the Bethlehem House as a catalyst for additional actions in supporting single moms and their children. At school, Eva was also an active participant on the NOLA trip, sharing her joy and love of others. Thank you for your joyful presence in our school and community.  

• Rose Klitz. Rose is a source of faith for her friends, always willing to share her knowledge and experience with others. She is an active participant in class, not just blindly accepting information but questioning and examining her own beliefs. Thank you for radiating Christlike kindness in all of your interactions. 

• Bella Trenhaile. Bella has embraced our school theme of discovering significance within oneself. Bella has used art as a way of enhancing prayer in the classroom and our community. Thank you for sharing your God given gifts.  

• Olivia Pisarik. Throughout the year Olivia has been going to the hospital once a week to give the Eucharist to the homebound who are hospitalized. This act of service and faith is a true ministry and embodiment of living out the corporal works of mercy. Thank you for your ministry and dedication in sharing Christ. 

• Adelyn Losey. Adelyn has a passion for the faith that she's harnessed to fuel her creativity, composing wonderful prayers and even remixing Scripture to directly speak to her context as a Duchesne student. Her interest in the faith is infectious! 

 

Congratulations to Ann Mammen and Anoushka Jacob for being awarded Academic All State Honors for Speech.  

 

Thank you to the following Caring for Africa Core Group Leaders for their work raising money for students at our Sacred Heart Schools in Uganda.  They raised well past their goal.  CFA raised over $2000 which equals almost 3 student scholarships. 
Anne Cooper, Addy Roland, Whitney Dahir, Nora Codr, Maggie Cord, Ava Brownrigg and Molly Wurth. 

  

The music department ended the school year minus one director.  Thanks to five amazing young women, the concerts and contests went on as planned. We are so grateful to the ‘mini Margrafs’ for their leadership. Mad Bean, Nora Barth, Cecilia Rickett, Anyah Samuels and Alleyah Flint. 

 

Athletic Awards

Members of 2026 Omaha World Herald Academic All-State Team.

Honorable Mention:  Marcella Balus, Nora Barth, Lillian Hernandez, Bridget Newman, Gretchen Foss 

 

Members of the Mock Trial team: This team won state and placed 7th in the nation! 

 

Members of the Trap team: This team won more than 100 medals during this season. 

 

Members of the Tennis team: Duchesne’s tennis team is the RCC Champion. They will compete at state next week.—we wish them well! 

 

Members of the Soccer team: This team was District runner up. 

 

Members of the Track team: This team had a successful season and two members of the team will compete at state track next week—we wish them well! 

 

Members of the Lacrosse team: This team ended the season with a 5th place ranking- the highest season ranking in program history. 

 

NCPA Academic All-State – Honors up to two student-athletes from each activity or sport who have contributed at the varsity level and have earned at least a 3.7 GPA. Duchesne has multiple students who fit the criteria, so we select the two students with the highest GPA in each activity or sport. Please stand  

Speech:  Anoushka Jacob & Ann Mammen 

Music:  Marcella Balus & Bridget Neuman 

Soccer:  Caroline DeSantis & Ana Norton-Cisneros 

Tennis:  Maggie Sauer & Elle Weiland 

Track:  Josie Stratman 

  

River Cities All-Conference Tennis Team – determined by event winners at the conference invitational  

Annabel Blake, Maggie Sauer, & Elle Weiland 

 

River Cities All-Conference Track and Field Team- determined by event winners at the conference invitational

Zelie Niehaus 

  

Members of the Academic River Cities All-Conference team-honors student-athletes who have maintained at least a 3.5 GPA while earning a varsity letter:

Soccer:  Anne Cooper, Caroline DeSantis, Emma Horak, Evelyn Jeffreys, Macey Kock, Abby Kohout, Claire Miller, Ana Norton-Cisneros, Brooke Pearson, Gina Pisasale, Emmy Pogranicy, Josie Quattrocchi, Annie Reed, Lanie Salem, Lily Sewell, Eloise Swartz, Caroline Wessel 

  

Tennis:  Annabel Blake, Claire Caskey, Kennedy Creath, Tvisha Rohatgi, Maggie Sauer, Elle Weiland, & Arya Yarlagadda 

  

Track and Field:  Amelia Aspen, Marie Batko, Harper Beller, Annie Carda, Olivia Clayton, Elizabeth Gibson, Emma Heusinkvelt, Cece Kramper, Clare Lickteig, Therese Mammen, Zelie Niehaus, Sophia Ochoa, Eleanor Richard, Harper Ryan, Miriam Samuelson, Josie Stratman, Leilani Thomas 

 

 

The Midwest Girls Lacrosse League All-Conference Team:  honors players nominated and voted on by the coaches in the conference. 

• Receiving 1st Team Honors: Evalena Matthias 

• Receiving 2nd Team Honors: Olu Chvala & Daphne Schroen 

 

Academic Awards 

Congratulations to Duchesne’s National Merit Scholar: Gia Thrasher  

Each year, the American History Award is presented by WoodmenLife to recognize students who demonstrate excellence in the study of American history. Local teachers, counselors, and principals select one deserving student annually. The school also honors the recipient by adding the student’s name to its perpetual plaque, continuing a proud tradition of academic achievement. 

These students exemplify diligence, dedication, and hard work, and they are already taking meaningful steps toward a bright future. Being chosen is especially impressive, as only one student from the entire school is selected each year. 

On behalf of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart and WoodmenLife, we are proud to award Bridget Neuman the American History Award. 

 

The West Omaha Rotary Club of Omaha gives an award each year to an outstanding senior who has accomplished all-around achievement with special emphasis on service to her class, school and community.  This honor has been merited by Madeline Bean

 

The award given to the Outstanding Sophomore by the Exchange Club of Omaha has been merited by Anoushka Jacob

    

Duchesne students competed at the Brain Bee at Creighton University in February. The top competitor went to the National Brain Bee at Rutgers University in April. Maria Bernitsas received 1st place at the regional Brain Bee at Creighton and went on to compete in the National Brain Bee at University of California-Irvine in April.

 

This summer one rising Senior will attend Cornhusker Girls State. This event brings together students from across the state as they learn about state government and how it works. Congratulations Tvisha Rohatgi

 

This summer two rising juniors will represent Duchesne at the Hugh O Brian leadership conference. Congratulations to the Anne Reed and Amelia Dolan.

 

Art Awards 

Duchesne visual artists earned recognition in the 2026 Scholastic Art Awards. Panels of creative professionals have identified these regional award-winning students as the most talented young artists in the state. Congratulations to our Duchesne artists for their dedication and talent.  

• Tessia Crenshaw, Kaitlin Dice, Julia Drickey, Claire Gering, Vivian Griess, Clare Langenfeld, Olivia Macias, Adriana Olvera, Juliet Puccioni, and Lanie Salem

  

The following Duchesne artists were selected to showcase their work in the 2026 Omaha Catholic High School Art Show. These students’ creativity and effort stood out from their peers and were recognized with an exhibition at the Hot Shops Gallery.

• Marie Batko, Anne Combs, Saron Goitom, Hope Hertzel, Cecilia Jetter, Quinn Jones, Camille Kane, Mia Malmstrom, Evalena Matthais, Clara Morine, Willow Munson, Izabella Trenhaile, and Caroline Wessel

 

World Languages 

The Global Seal of Biliteracy recognizes that an individual has attained a certain level of proficiency in two or more languages. Language students that earn this award are those that scored a minimum of 5 in each category (reading, writing, listening and speaking) on the STAMP exam, a proficiency exam taken in the spring. 

Earning the Global Seal of Biliteracy this year are in French 4/5: Madeline Bean, Anna Mlnarik, Marcy Soma  

Spanish 4: Marcella Balus, Nora Barth, Madeline Caldwell, Anne Cooper, Delaney Focht, Gretchen Foss, Elizabeth Gibson, Sarvi Gullapalli, Cate Love, Andrea Maixner, Therese Mammen 

Awaiting results:  Lilly Hernandez, Ainsley Jenkins, Gia Thrasher 

 

Math Awards 

Each year, the Math Department invites a group of students to participate in the American Mathematics Contest, or AMC.  The following students participated in the AMC this year:

• AMC 10:  Emily Armendariz, Ainsley Cushing, Olivia Enenbach, Norah Hornig, Annie McGill, and Emmy Pogranicy 
• First place at Duchesne in the AMC 10 is awarded to Annie McGill. 
• Second place is awarded to Olivia Enenbach.  
• Third place is awarded to Emily Armendariz.
• AMC 12:  Marcella Balus, Anne Cooper, Alleyah Flint, Elizabeth Gibson, Bridget Neuman, and Marie Weist 
• First place at Duchesne in the AMC 12 is awarded to Anne Cooper. 
• Second place is awarded to Elizabeth Gibson. 
• Third place: Marcella Balls, Alleyah Flint, and Bridget Neuman

 

 

Science Awards

The American Chemical Society promotes Chemistry education.  Each year it recognizes and gives an award to the top Chemistry student in AP Chemistry and in Chemistry Honors.  These students have shown a mastery of Chemistry at their level and desire to pursue further education in Chemistry. 

• For AP Chemistry, the American Chemical Society award goes to Miss Marcella Balus
• For Chemistry Honors, the American Chemical Society award goes to Miss Vivian Griess 

 

Dr. Bob Wolff taught statistics, physics, and honors physics at Duchesne from 2001 to 2007. With the philosophy of “why tell a student something she could figure out on her own”, he shared his passion for learning with his students through his sense of humor, his passion for all things scientific and his love of his students. Today we honor a senior who displayed the same love of scientific inquiry through her studies with the annual 

Dr. Wolff Award for Excellence in Math and Science to:  MISS: Martha Mullen 

 

Community Awards

The Class Spirit Award is given to students from each class who have consistently contributed to class activities and the general well-being, morale, and unity of the class throughout the year.  These students are there when needed, and they seek ways to bring the class together.  They are supportive of others and sensitive to their needs.

• In the Freshman Class: MISS: Naazik Bah Traore 

• Sophomore Class: MISS: Amelie Espinoza Ohara 

• In the Junior Class: MISS:   Jada James 

• In the Senior Class: Miss Martha Mullen 

 

PERFECT ATTENDANCE:

Freshmen:  

Lola Ayers 

Molly Barth 

Annabel Blake 

Avery Guy 

Quinn Jones 

Chloe Kock 

Lucy Lauer 

Adelyn Losey 

Isabelle Mammen 

Camila Neri 

Veronica Petro  

Karla Ramirez Hernandez 

Lanie Salem 

 

Sophomores:  

Anoushka Jacob 

Catherine Tran 

Elle Wegner 

 

 

Juniors:  

Jeannette Becker 

Changun Dak 

Cecilia Froelicher 

Lillian Sewell 

 

Seniors: 

Anne Cooper 

Adriana Olvera 

 

Kate Sommer Writing Award

Mrs. Kate Sommer taught English, Creative Writing, Journalism and Slam Poetry at Duchesne from 1996-2015. As a Sacred Heart educator, Kate Sommer cared more deeply about encouraging her girls to be powerful, fearless, and kind leaders than she did about ensuring that they knew where, in a sentence, to place an Oxford comma. That boundless love of and passion for girls is what made her inarguably phenomenal. Today we honor a senior who displayed the same love of the written word.  

The Kate Sommer Writing Award is merited by MISS:  Nora Barth 

 

Jean Broderick Award

The Jean Broderick Award is presented each year to an outstanding musician in the senior class. Jean graduated from Duchesne in 1986 and went on to study anthropology at Macalester College. Seemingly reserved to those who did not know Jean well, she was a gifted pianist who expressed her deep insights, feelings, and passion for life through music and the arts. Jean did not seek public attention or admiration, but those who heard Jean play the piano could not help but be engrossed by the beauty of her performance that indicated the dedication and labor she devoted to her craft. Jean was a cherished friend with a great sense of humor and was dedicated to the flourishing of those often undervalued in society, particularly women. Jean encouraged others, supported their achievements, and enjoyed letting each person shine without engaging in competition.  

We honor Jean’s memory today by recognizing an outstanding musician in the senior class: Mad Bean and Cecilia Rickett

 

The Janet Erskine Stuart Vocal Music Award 

Janet Erskine Stuart wrote many beautiful songs and is fondly remembered in the Society as woman who used God’s gift of song to share her spirituality. Today we honor a senior whose gift of vocal music has elevated our Duchesne community. Please come forward 

Congratulations to the Misses: Anyah Samuels and Nora Barth  

 

Outstanding Characterization Award:  Izabella Trenhaille, Cecilia Rickett 

 

Gordon Cantiello Drama Award:  Elizabeth Gibson and Maggie Kizer 

  

The Artistic Achievement Award:  Hope Hertzel   

Acting Achievement Award:  The Cast of Six: Nora Barth, Mad Bean, Anayah Samuels, Sania Taylor, Maire Weist, Alleyah Flint 

 

Spirit of the Rebecca Award

 In March of 1818, Rose Philippine Duchesne boarded a leaky ship bound for New Orleans, to fulfill her mission to bring the love of the Sacred Heart to the Americas. Despite the rickety ship and high seas, she never wavered in her faith or commitment. The hardships she faced never deterred her. We all have our Rebecca moments – the ones that challenge our courage and test our faith.  

The Spirit of the Rebecca Award honors a student or group of students who show great courage and have a community impact. Gretchen Foss and Willow Munson 

 

Senior Prize Awards

 

The Outstanding Athlete Award honors athletes that demonstrate, among 

other qualities, superior athletic ability and exemplary leadership in and out 

of the sport. 

 

This senior is a four-time team state champion.  She has also earned four individual state medals including the individual title in the fall of 2024.  This senior has won numerous tournaments over her four-year career and finished in the top ten multiple times.  She is one of the most accomplished golfers to ever compete for Duchesne.  Coach Maggie Vazquez shared this about her, “She is incredibly determined, loves the challenge of the game, and dedicates countless hours to perfecting her craft.  Watching her come up to hole 18 at State in 2024, locked in with pure grit and focus, tells you everything you need to know about the kind of athlete she is.” Coach Jeff Nielsen praised her leadership, “Over her four years, she has grown into a strong leader and role model for our younger golfers. She shares her knowledge of the game, offers advice, and helps newer players learn to love and respect golf the way she does. She knows the game inside and out and is well respected not only within our team, but across the Omaha golf community.”  She is the ultimate competitor and has a work ethic that is unmatched. She is the athlete of the year! Congratulations, Whitney Dahir! 

 

 

The Ali Tupper Sportsmanship Award honors athletes that act as an 

example to their teammates, exhibit courtesy and generosity of spirit, and maintain a positive attitude. Named for Alice Fern Tupper, this award recognizes seniors who are universally recognized, by teammates, coaches, referees, and opposing teams, as an embodiment of courtesy, generosity, leadership, positivity, and respect.  

 

This senior has been a member of both the cross-country and soccer team for four years.  She was elected captain by her teammates as both a junior and a senior in both sports.  Coach Morton shared this about her, “She was honored by her teammates with the Holtmann Hype Sticker, an award created to honor Coach Holtmann and his time with the program. It’s given once per season to the individual who best brings energy, positivity, and enthusiasm to the team.  This senior has also shown remarkable commitment to her team by continuing to show up, support, and lead through injury.  Even when she is unable to train or compete at full capacity, she has remained fully engaged at practices and meets, offering encouragement, guidance, and positivity to those around her. She is a true teammate and a kind and loving Child of the Sacred Heart.”  Coach Mueller shared the following, “She has a quiet confidence and leadership style that is very effective. She is a 4-year varsity player and a talented center mid. She is positive, joyful and team first. She brings energy, hype, and support to the team regardless of the situation. She lives the Goals and helps lead the team prayer before games. She builds community by welcoming and including younger players in team activities and always building other players up while holding them accountable. She has made a lasting impact on the soccer program.” Congratulations to the 2026 recipient of the Ali Tupper Sportsmanship Award, Anne Cooper!   

 

 

Success in Studies 

Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ, exhorted Children of the Sacred Heart to ‘cultivate the wish to learn, rather than the wish to be taught.” One of the beautiful parts of our culture at Duchesne is the way that we all challenge each other to be our best academic self; to learn to love learning. We cheer each other on to academic achievement and challenge each other’s ideas and work. 

Maintaining the highest grade point average in this class of talented and driven seniors is no small feat. This senior class has had many incredible scholars. The student that has ended her 4 years at Duchesne with the highest cumulative GPA is Bridget Neuman—Congratulations! 

 

 

 

Stuart Creativity 

Janet Erskine Stuart rscj, poet, author and Sacred Heart educator, believed that the curriculum must encourage students to develop their creative talents. In her honor, the Stuart Creativity Award is given each year to a senior who exhibits a willingness to take risks associated with self-expression, a gift for divergent thinking, a resistance to conform for the sake of conformity, an ability to express herself in a particularly delightful, insightful and aesthetically pleasing way, an ability to imagine another perspective and to recognize and produce quality in creative expression. 

In this class of creative women, we have photographers, musicians, singers, artists, writers, dancers, poets, and plenty of divergent thinking!  

Yet two young women have left a mark on this community. One nominator said about the musicianship of one recipient: My world is richer because of her appreciation for beauty. Another wrote: She never ceases to amaze me. Whether it is giving a well-thought out speech to the entire student body which encompasses all five goals in a meaningful way, acting in the plays and musicals, or designing ways to create better air quality in Omaha,   when she starts playing the violin something happens.  Sometimes I don't know if she is playing or the violin is playing her! 

A teacher said of our second nominee: She oozes creativity and puts her mark on everything she touches, from lead performances on stage to simple classroom prayers. She has the kind of mind that ranges everywhere and brings back treasures to distribute in unexpected places. She is an accomplished actress in every season of performances; she is a poet on our award winning Slam team; she is a vocalist at our masses. And she came to us already a published author at age 14. 

Congratulations to our Co-Stuart Creativity Prize winners, The Misses:  Nora Barth and Mad Bean 

  

Duchesne Prize 

The Duchesne Prize is given each year to a senior whom the students, faculty, and administration feel best exemplifies the values of Sacred Heart schools. This award is given to a young woman whose spiritual life is strong; whose love of learning is apparent to all; whose class spirit and community service have been recognized; and whose life choices have been made wisely. 

Her senior classmates said of this year’s recipient Herfaith guides every aspect of her life. She loves so big and cares for everyone that walks into her life. From a simple “hello” in the morning to helping me on a silly assignment I can’t understand She does everything with love. 

A younger student wrote, She is so welcoming and I can go to her with anything! She is very devout in her faith, makes time for her schoolwork and sports, brings everyone together through service, and has consistently been someone everyone can talk to and rely on! I will miss her dearly when she graduates because she has truly shown me what it’s like to be part of the Sacred Heart. 

The faculty agree, this senior exemplifies the Goals of Sacred Heart every day. 

Congratulations to our Duchesne Prize recipient:  Gretchen Foss 

 

 

FOR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE NETWORK OF SACRED HEART SCHOOLS 

    

For five years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize  

Mrs. Amy Becker 

Mrs. Rachel Bost 

Mrs. LeClara Gilreath 

Mr. Nema Haidari 

 

For ten years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize  

Mrs. Molly Atherton 

Mr. Adam Theel 

 

For fifteen years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize 

Mrs. Bridget Morton 

 

For twenty years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize  

  Mrs. Margy Ford 

Mrs. Heidi Meyer 

 

For thirty years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize 

Mr. Thomas Becker 

 

For thirty-five years of dedicated service to the mission of education in the Sacred Heart, we recognize Dr. Laura Hickman