2009 News Archive
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Living the theme Changing Lives…A Celebration, the event offered participants special experiences. Students, mentors and parents exuded excitement -- and they weren't disappointed.
The program produced the opportunity to see Coach Tom Osborne; interact with the inspirational keynoter, Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner; and laugh at the master of ceremonies, KOLN/KGIN-TV weather anchor Ken Siemek. The evening celebrated 12 Student Achievement Awards and induction of 17 mentors into the Mentor Hall of Fame. The mentoring team of Karen Case and Domaneak Muhammed received special recognition for their long-standing and successful mentoring match.
The dinner was one of two special events hosted by TeamMates in celebration of Mentoring Month. At a recognition luncheon also held at the Lincoln Station earlier in the day, TeamMates honored Lincoln Benefit Life Company with the Tony and Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award. The corporation has given generously 13 mentors and $96,000 since 2000.
Close to 120 TeamMates supporters attended the luncheon. In a testimony about their mentoring match, retired Nebraska Board of Education Commissioner Doug Christiansen and eighth grader Muhammad Hamdan shared their mentorship experiences. "He barged into my heart before I knew what was happening," Christian said about their nearly two-year mentoring match.
Rulon Gardner, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Olympic gold and bronze metal winner, keynoted both events. His primary message for the mentees was "have a vision and a dream and go for it, no matter what." For mentors, his message reinforced the danger of not being supportive and the miracle of being supportive.
"That just strengthened my resolve to do it," said Gardner, who understood the value of working as an individual but also as a team toward success. This was one of several such opportunities that tested and built his vision. It was his family, advocates, teachers and coaches who said they believed in him that gave sustenance for his life journey. "Mentoring is giving someone the chance to achieve," he said.
His goal had always been to work up to his fullest potential. The road led him to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympic Games in
"My goal wasn't to be famous," a humble
Kevin Coskren, Channel 8 Eyewitness News chief meteorologist, was the luncheon master of ceremonies.
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In addition, a mentoring match is selected from all the nominations for special recognition. This year Karen Case and Domaneak Muhammad were honored.
Student Achievement Awards
- Breanna Bird
- Jucorrie Bush
- Rokey Danekas
- Dina Garafan
- Hali Jacobs
- Chantel Mooren
- Domaneak Muhammad
- Erika Nootz
- Alisha Skoda
- Ronnie Stout
- Robbie Weatherly
- Drew Worster
Mentor Hall of Fame Awards
Each of the mentors was nominated by his/her mentee. To qualify for the Hall of Fame, persons must be a mentor in the program for three years or longer. Inducted at the Recognition Dinner:
- Marilyn Anderson
- Karen Case
- Pru Coccodrilli
- Steven DeLair
- Randy Headley
- Matt Heckman
- Glen Knosp
- John McGovern
- Mike McNair
- Son Nguyen
- Mario Peart
- Joe Roy
- Ron Stetson
- Joanne Stoppel-Meyer
- Chad Vinatieri
- Janet Vollman
- Kelly Winnik
Benefactor creates 13 scholarships for Camp Kitaki
The TeamMates office is proud to announce a generous benefactor has given funds to TeamMates for 13 students to attend Camp Kitaki this summer. The scholarships are open to all TeamMates grades 3-12 and can be used for any of the camps listed in their camp brochure.Students and their mentors will need to complete the scholarship application and will be selected by the TeamMates Staff and the benefactors.
Camp Kitaki is located outside Louisville, NE.
- Camp Registration form available here
Camp Registration Form in PDF - Download Scholarship form here
Application for Camp Kitaki Scholarship in Microsoft Word - Learn more about Camp Kitaki
Camp Kitaki homepage
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