Omaha Optimist Club Honors MULTIPLE Consortium Students 

The year was 1933–way before cell phones and the internet. Back then, only two of our six Consortium schools, Our Lady of Lourdes and Sts. Peter and Paul, yet existed. It was that year when the Omaha Chapter of the Optimist Club was formed.

Since then, the Omaha Optimist Club has focused on serving youth in our area. Thirty years ago, the club established a “Student of the Month” program. Fun fact: It was Art Neppl, the uncle of current Consortium Executive Director Shannan Brommer, who started the program! 

The name of the award is a bit of a misnomer, as the club hosts awards luncheons four times per year: October, December, February and April versus monthly. No matter the award title, it is a meaningful honor. 

Last Fall, during the 2024-2025 school year, the first Consortium students to earn Optimist Club honors were announced. This December, we will celebrate students from Sts. Peter and Paul who are the latest Consortium honorees. All six Consortium schools have now celebrated Optimist Club award recipients, and we look forward to beginning the cycle again with more honorees. 

The Optimist Club is a voluntary organization of civic-minded men and women who work to improve our community. It’s a mission that lines up closely with what we teach Consortium students: to develop their God-given gifts and talents, then to use them to serve others. We are proud to partner with this club to recognize 12 students per school year. 

How do students earn an Optimist Club Student Award?

Each school does its own selection of students, with no specific criteria from the club. Principals from each school work with teachers to identify students who embody the values of the Optimist Club Creed: Optimism, Respect, Integrity and Global Community.

Jerry Bexten, current member of the Omaha Optimist Club, said this award is a way to recognize students who may not otherwise get recognition.

“It’s not about being number one in the classroom or in athletics or being the star in a school play, this is an opportunity to recognize young people for simply being good people.” – jerry bexten

how are the students honored by the optimist club?

The Omaha Optimist Club invites all student honorees and guests for a luncheon to receive their award. Principals give a brief presentation on each of the students and why they were chosen. 

“I have two daughters, and if I was sitting in the audience hearing leaders from their school describe them in the ways I’ve heard at these luncheons, I would feel proud,” said Bexten.

Each student also receives a certificate and commemorative paperweight with the Optimist Creed engraved.

In April 2025 when St. Thomas More 7th grader Aloyo Benjamin was recognized, Principal Gary Davis said this about her:

“She is a hard worker and is more than willing to help others when they struggle in math. Her teacher Mrs. Fisk said, “I see her in class at the end of the day, and she’s always ready to tackle the day’s lesson. She is often heard saying ‘let’s do this’ when class starts. She is also a great role model for her younger sister in 2nd grade, regularly checking in to see how she is doing and asking her teacher what she can do to help her sister at home.”

Locally, aside from our six Consortium Catholic schools, the club also recognizes students from the following schools:

• Marian High School
• Western Hills Elementary
• Lewis and Clark Middle School

The Omaha Optimist Club also raises money to support other youth-serving organizations, such as Boys & Girls Club, Girls, Inc., the Nebraska Academic Decathlon and more. 

Thank you to all members of the Optimist Club for this meaningful partnership that elevates our students.

The Optimist Creed

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk, health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Congratulations to all of our students who have been selected for this award because of their strong character and community involvement.