Neal receives statewide 'Believers & Achievers Award'

Sidney High School senior Megan Neal is a recipient of the 2015-16 Believers & Achievers Award.

To qualify, a student must have a grade-point average of at least 3.75, participate in NSAA-sponsored activities and be involved in school and community service.

According to the NSAA and U.S. Bank, there were 442 nominees from NSAA member schools, the highest participation in program history.

Neal is an active member of the girls' golf team, One Act, Speech, Musical, Sidney Singers, choir, National Honor Society, Science Club and church choir.

Some of her awards and recognition include: straight A honor roll, academic letter winner, academic excellence awards, Chadron State College Scholastic Contest, Outstanding Choir Member Award, Academic All-State, girls' golf state qualifying team and individual, High Plains Honor Choir, District Music Contest Performance awards and Outstanding Speech Team Member Award.

She added that a highlight was when she was selected for All-State Choir her junior year.

According to Sidney High School Activities Director Mike Brockhaus, each year he will meet with the high school guidance councilor to discuss which students are involved in many activities and athletics while maintaining a very high GPA.

"Each school gets to nominate two students," Brockhaus said. "We have been very fortunate to have Sara Von Seggern chosen last year and Megan chosen this year."

Believers & Achievers is a statewide program designed by U.S. Bank and the NSAA to give recognition to Nebraska's future leaders.

Continuing through May 2016, 48 Nebraska high school seniors will be honored as Believers & Achievers. Of the 48 finalists, eight will receive $500 scholarships from U.S. Bank to the college or university of their choice at a scholarship banquet to be held in June.

These students will be recognized at NSAA State Championships throughout the 2015-16 activities year and on bi-monthly posters sent to all NSAA member schools and U.S. Bank branches across the state.

According to Jeff Strauss, NSAA technology specialist, this is the 18th year that NSAA has given the Believers & Achievers Awards to students across the state.

"I did know that I was being nominated," Neal said. "Brockhaus gave me the application form. I filled it out, of course, but I did not seriously thin that I would win. I knew that before Sara Von Seggern, Sidney had never won. Not once. And all of the sudden we have won two years in a row. That just seemed crazy to me."