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LOAA Recognizes Young Leaders with the Goldstein Award
Since 1988, LOAA has awarded the Goldstein Award, a book scholarship, to one or two graduating seniors who have established themselves as emerging leaders in Omaha. This year’s recipient is Todd Alba Jr. from Omaha Central High School. (Do you want to say when and where he received the award?)
“Todd is a very smart, outstanding young man”, says Greg Emmel, principal of Central High School. “He’s an exemplary citizen. And, musically, he is remarkably talented. He plays multiple instruments, and is involved with the marching band and jazz band. Whenever something musical is going on, Todd is there.”
Alba intends to be the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university and aspires to work for the refugee sector of the United Nations.
Eligible candidates for the Goldstein Award must have lived in Omaha Housing Authority housing or Section 8 housing throughout their school careers.
“Applicants write a personal statement, provide two references, demonstrate academic success and list their school and community involvement”, describes Mary Tessin, chairperson for the scholarship. “This year we had seven applicants.”
Leadership Omaha Class 10 established this scholarship, the Outstanding Young Leader Award, as a way to give back to the community. In 1999, the award was renamed for Ann Goldstein, the former director of Leadership Omaha. To ensure its ongoing success, members of the current Leadership Omaha class hold a fundraiser to benefit the scholarship. Since the scholarship was introduced, Leadership Omaha has raised over $30,000.