2023 Scholarship Winners
Each year Nebraskans for Peace offers scholarships to graduating high school students. Three $500 scholarships and six $100 scholarships are awarded to seniors who wish to pursue a college education.
The awards, based upon written essays, are evenly divided among the three congressional districts. The recipients will be students who wish to further their education in an area consistent with the mission of Nebraskans for Peace: peace with justice through community building, education and political action. We are able to provide these scholarships because of generous donations from our membership.
If you would like to contribute to this program directly you can mail a check to: Nebraskans for Peace, P.O. Box 83466, Lincoln, NE 68501. Please put “Scholarship” in the memo line.
Braeden Michael Willnerd - $500 - District 1
My essay will focus on the third-listed priority: Environment, Food Security & Conflict Prevention. This issue is one that is very important to me, as it is something I plan to dedicate my future and my life to. Next year I will attend Southern Illinois University and I will be majoring in Ecology/Environmental Science. This issue is also very important because it will affect every single person on Earth, regardless of class, location, religion, race, anything. It is a global issue. There is a need for a major mindset shift in the American people, government, and companies.
Environmental issues are very easy to blame on the American people. Drive less. Carpool. Turn off the lights. Don’t let the water run too long. But how can we drive less when the government has set up a system that is entirely car-dependent with next-to-zero public transportation available? Why must we worry about how much electricity or water we use when there are massive clothing brands and automotive companies using thousands of gallons to produce their products? Why must the blame fall on the average citizen? Because we allow it to. Because for years people have ignored the corporate nightmare we are living in. Because we have not stopped to have the conversation about what these industries mean for our future
In law, restorative justice allows for a conversation to be had between the victim and offender of a crime. Quite frankly, the American people have fallen victim to the government and big businesses. Restorative justice typically allows for a monetary sum to be paid to the victim to make reparations for the crime. What price will we put on the environment? How much money do they have to pay us to keep quiet again? I say none. There isn’t a price. The only way the government and the corporations can start to do the right thing is by changing how they operate. By using their platforms and funds to truly invest in renewable clean sustainable energy. To invest in finding even better renewable energy than what is already available. To make a measurable impact on all of our futures.
Recently, a lot of emphasis has been put onto the purchasing power that we have. About how we should all get electric cars and buy these more expensive but “greener” products. The problem is, these aren’t, yet, accessible. Not everyone can afford a Tesla or $30 shampoo. However, if more companies switched to these sustainable products, prices would most definitely drop and suddenly the average consumer would have the ability to choose sustainable. Protesting is great and can do a lot, but more needs to be done. We need to have truthful, deep, and impactful conversations. Speaking with those who make these decisions is the only way things will get done.
We already see people all over following this approach. In the last few years, sustainability has taken off. However, it is being used as a selling point rather than a standard. There needs to be an intense mindset shift inside the government and these large companies. To that point, when there is government investment, whether in public transportation or clean energy, we need to use them. To show the government that these resources are necessary and beneficial.
There are tons of behavior examples coming from these procedures. Slowly, sustainable products are popping up in American households. One major example is the reusable water bottle industry. Even five years ago there was an exponentially smaller market than there is now. Now, plastic water bottles are, slowly, going extinct. People are now, more than ever, being cautious of which products they use. Behaviors that are necessary, though, stem from independent upbringings. People need to know it’s okay to accept help and use government or public resources. There is such a stigma about using government services, but that’s what they’re there for. Finally, people, corporations, and the government need to keep the Earth in mind. Whether it’s for which product to buy, what material to make something out of, or which policy would help the country the most. The Earth is a priority.
There are a lot of obstacles. The unwillingness for change is the biggest one. The government is divided and compromise is out the window. No one will give and take. We need to change how we view each other. Listen more than we speak. Government funding is another major issue. We can talk about clean energy until we’re out of breath, but without funding to make it available and accessible to the average person, it’s irrelevant. Lobbying is a huge issue in congress. Corporations are running the country and that needs to change. This planet will not survive if we prioritize profits over people. Who will buy their products when half of the country is underwater? Right now we are unphased by what we see when in all reality, we should be horrified. Media in the United States has gotten so negative and harmful that we are desensitized to the horror that we are facing. It’s so easy to push our problems away, but we need to snap out of it.
I think this approach of government and corporate change is very possible. It takes good honest people and a value for human life. Our culture right now is so monetarily focused that it seems impossible. I agree it sounds like a stretch to believe that the government could unify for one issue to help out the American people. However, when you look at other nations of comparable wealth, it’s absolutely achievable. The problem is in the government’s hands, but we need to speak up for ourselves. We need to realize that money is just a system we made up. It isn’t real. The environment. The species we have destroyed. The atmosphere we are ripping to shreds. The ocean that we use as our personal trash can. The statistically impossibly perfect balance. They are real. They are important. We must protect them.
Dee-Dee Djon - $500 - District 2
The changes in global and regional climate patterns, that are largely attributable to increased levels of gases like carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere, have been a large problem for many decades now. The effects of climate change and global warming have been and are felt all around the world in many different ways. Heavier rainfall, the melting of polar ice caps and sea glaciers, rising sea levels, more intense storms, and reduced crop yields being some of the major consequences. Even though here in Omaha we live in an area that is urbanized and not very directly agricultural, our state practices a lot of farming and meat production so how global warming and climate change affect things like weather and crop yields is very impactful to us all.
Humans and the production of greenhouse gases are directly responsible for this period we are now in. That is why people today need to prioritize these concerns and not turn a blind eye to these problems, especially us Midwesterners. Things are being affected in our own backyards. What happens in western Nebraskan farming lands is just as important as what happens here in the cities. That is why the impact that climate has on agriculture and the food supply should matter to us all. Crop cycles can be deeply upended. Crop yields and food supplies can decline. The profession and livelihood that is growing crops not just here in Nebraska and in the Midwest but nationwide could change in ways we are only starting to figure out. Whatever affects and challenges their plants affects and challenges them. The same thing goes for livestock.
Cattle production is essential to our economy, making billions of dollars each year, and affects everyone’s life in our state one way or another. This can be said about many of the states around us and beyond. Farmers choose animals that are best suited for whatever location they are in and the fact that so many cows are raised here and have been raised here for so long means that this is a good environment for them. Over the coming years as conditions shift farmers will have to rethink and rework their choices and how they conduct the business of raising and developing livestock. This will not just be on the cattle front with learning new practices. It will also be on the economic side with dealing with things like learning about evolving markets. This is just one way global warming and climate change can and have been affecting the economy.
Our communities should care the way climate change will impact productivity, human health, energy, and water. The importance of food and water go hand in hand, as does the importance of how global warming and climate change impact water as well as the food availability. Drinking water is affected by increasing temperatures that will start causing evaporation in larger quantities. This will lead to more water vapor in the atmosphere and a negatively impacted water cycle. Add to that the larger chances for floods and major runoff.
So many problems can also occur when you look at how climate change and global warming have and are going to continue to affect energy, more specifically energy needs and energy-generation potential. The water cycle drives hydropower and hydroelectricity, and a change in it is a change in a major clean energy source. Things like warmer winters and cooler summers also mean more energy needs in living spaces and public buildings.
Accepting human involvement is what set these problems in motion and that certain societal practices would have to change to stop perpetuating this harmful cycle we are in is an inconvenient truth, but we may not need everyone to believe in global warming if they are still willing to do things to help the environment and the state of our planet.
There are a wide variety of things that everyone can do to help lessen climate change. Though more difficult, for those who can afford it powering their home with renewable energy like solar or wind power is an amazing choice. So is investing in energy-efficient appliances, purchasing and maintaining a fuel-efficient vehicle, and owning more eco friendly lightbulbs. For everyday, and more reasonable options, there is being more conscious of food waste, unplugging and turning off things in your home when you are not using them, and walking places when possible. Of course, also reducing water waste. The strives being made in Nebraska’s use of windmills and solar panels, promotion of urban agriculture, and advocacy for local food sources should also continue to be strengthened. As should actions like recycling on a daily basis and the development of more recycling plants.
As long as people everywhere, even climate change skeptics, are willing to try to implement more environmentally conscience practices in their daily lives, improvements will happen and be seen in years to come. The bettering of our world is not just for us, but also for future generations who will be led by example and shown how to take care of the things that in the end matter the most. There is beauty in the fact that collective action will be what saves everything there is to come.
Lance David Jones - $500 - District 3
I chose the priority of the Environment, Food Security and Conflict Prevention, specifically food security which I can deeply relate to. Food security is a crucial global concern that refers to the ability of individuals, households, and communities to have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. While food security is a challenge for many countries worldwide, the state of Nebraska has been particularly affected by the issue in recent years. This essay explores the food security situation in Nebraska and the world as a whole, examines the causes of the problem, and suggests potential solutions to prevent this catastrophe from happening.
Nebraska is a state that relies heavily on agriculture, and it is one of the largest producers of corn, soybeans, and beef in the United States. I happen to live on a ranch and I have a part in beef production. However, despite the state’s vast agricultural resources, food insecurity remains a prevalent issue. According to a report by Feeding America, 1 in 8 Nebraskans, or roughly 13.2% of the state’s population, struggles with hunger. Furthermore, approximately 36.6% of Nebraska’s food-insecure population does not qualify for federal nutrition programs, indicating the need for additional support services.
Several factors contribute to food insecurity in Nebraska. Firstly, the state’s agriculture industry, which is responsible for producing the majority of the state’s food, is susceptible to climate change, extreme weather events, and natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events can cause significant damage to crops and livestock, leading to lower yields, decreased income for farmers, and higher food prices for consumers. Secondly, the state’s high poverty rate and low wages make it difficult for many residents to afford healthy and nutritious food. Finally, the lack of access to healthy food options in rural areas, as well as transportation barriers, prevent many Nebraskans from obtaining the food they need.
The problem of food insecurity is not limited to Nebraska, as it is a global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the United Nations, approximately 811 million people suffered from hunger in 2020, up from 690 million in 2019, representing a significant setback in the fight against world hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem, with disruptions to food supply chains, increased poverty rates, and reduced access to food contributing to a rise in hunger and malnutrition globally.
To prevent this catastrophe from happening, several steps can be taken at the local, national, and global levels. Firstly, investing in sustainable agriculture practices, such as regenerative farming techniques, can help reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture, increase yields, and improve food security. For example, precision agriculture which is the use of technology, such as sensors, drones, and GPS mapping, to improve agricultural efficiency and productivity. By using precision agriculture techniques, farmers can optimize water and fertilizer usage, reduce waste, and increase yields, ultimately producing more food. Or vertical farming which involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, using artificial lighting and controlled environments. This method can produce large quantities of food in a small space, with less water and fewer pesticides than traditional farming methods.
Similarly, food waste reduction technologies can help reduce the amount of food that goes to waste. For example, food preservation technologies such as refrigeration and canning can help extend the shelf life of perishable foods, while food recovery technologies can help redistribute excess food to those in need. And finally genetic engineering which can be used to develop crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses such as drought and heat. This can help increase crop yields and improve food security in areas where climate change is affecting agricultural productivity.Secondly, implementing policies that support living wages, affordable housing, and access to healthcare can help alleviate poverty and make it easier for individuals and families to afford healthy food options. Thirdly, investing in food distribution networks, such as food banks and pantries, can provide crucial support to those who need it most.
At the national and global levels, policymakers can take additional steps to combat food insecurity. For example, governments can implement policies that support small-scale farmers, particularly in developing countries, by providing them with access to credit, training, and technology. Additionally, increasing investment in research and development can help improve crop yields, reduce food waste, and promote the development of more nutritious and sustainable food products. Finally, governments can work to reduce food waste, which contributes to food insecurity by diverting resources away from those who need it most. This can be achieved through measures such as incentivizing businesses to donate excess food, improving food labeling and packaging, and implementing composting and recycling programs.
Food security is a pressing issue that affects millions of people in Nebraska and around the world. Addressing this challenge will require a multifaceted approach, with efforts needed at the local, national, and global levels. Implementing sustainable agriculture practices, supporting policy and much more. However at the same time this is a very realistic approach to the issue. There are many people who want change but do not act on it. If enough people band together and work toward a common goal it can be done. By working together and delving into sustainable practices, and working to improve technologically, we can put an end to food security in this rapidly growing world.
The awards, based upon written essays, are evenly divided among the three congressional districts. The recipients will be students who wish to further their education in an area consistent with the mission of Nebraskans for Peace: peace with justice through community building, education and political action. We are able to provide these scholarships because of generous donations from our membership.
If you would like to contribute to this program directly you can mail a check to: Nebraskans for Peace, P.O. Box 83466, Lincoln, NE 68501. Please put “Scholarship” in the memo line.
Braeden Michael Willnerd - $500 - District 1
My essay will focus on the third-listed priority: Environment, Food Security & Conflict Prevention. This issue is one that is very important to me, as it is something I plan to dedicate my future and my life to. Next year I will attend Southern Illinois University and I will be majoring in Ecology/Environmental Science. This issue is also very important because it will affect every single person on Earth, regardless of class, location, religion, race, anything. It is a global issue. There is a need for a major mindset shift in the American people, government, and companies.
Environmental issues are very easy to blame on the American people. Drive less. Carpool. Turn off the lights. Don’t let the water run too long. But how can we drive less when the government has set up a system that is entirely car-dependent with next-to-zero public transportation available? Why must we worry about how much electricity or water we use when there are massive clothing brands and automotive companies using thousands of gallons to produce their products? Why must the blame fall on the average citizen? Because we allow it to. Because for years people have ignored the corporate nightmare we are living in. Because we have not stopped to have the conversation about what these industries mean for our future
In law, restorative justice allows for a conversation to be had between the victim and offender of a crime. Quite frankly, the American people have fallen victim to the government and big businesses. Restorative justice typically allows for a monetary sum to be paid to the victim to make reparations for the crime. What price will we put on the environment? How much money do they have to pay us to keep quiet again? I say none. There isn’t a price. The only way the government and the corporations can start to do the right thing is by changing how they operate. By using their platforms and funds to truly invest in renewable clean sustainable energy. To invest in finding even better renewable energy than what is already available. To make a measurable impact on all of our futures.
Recently, a lot of emphasis has been put onto the purchasing power that we have. About how we should all get electric cars and buy these more expensive but “greener” products. The problem is, these aren’t, yet, accessible. Not everyone can afford a Tesla or $30 shampoo. However, if more companies switched to these sustainable products, prices would most definitely drop and suddenly the average consumer would have the ability to choose sustainable. Protesting is great and can do a lot, but more needs to be done. We need to have truthful, deep, and impactful conversations. Speaking with those who make these decisions is the only way things will get done.
We already see people all over following this approach. In the last few years, sustainability has taken off. However, it is being used as a selling point rather than a standard. There needs to be an intense mindset shift inside the government and these large companies. To that point, when there is government investment, whether in public transportation or clean energy, we need to use them. To show the government that these resources are necessary and beneficial.
There are tons of behavior examples coming from these procedures. Slowly, sustainable products are popping up in American households. One major example is the reusable water bottle industry. Even five years ago there was an exponentially smaller market than there is now. Now, plastic water bottles are, slowly, going extinct. People are now, more than ever, being cautious of which products they use. Behaviors that are necessary, though, stem from independent upbringings. People need to know it’s okay to accept help and use government or public resources. There is such a stigma about using government services, but that’s what they’re there for. Finally, people, corporations, and the government need to keep the Earth in mind. Whether it’s for which product to buy, what material to make something out of, or which policy would help the country the most. The Earth is a priority.
There are a lot of obstacles. The unwillingness for change is the biggest one. The government is divided and compromise is out the window. No one will give and take. We need to change how we view each other. Listen more than we speak. Government funding is another major issue. We can talk about clean energy until we’re out of breath, but without funding to make it available and accessible to the average person, it’s irrelevant. Lobbying is a huge issue in congress. Corporations are running the country and that needs to change. This planet will not survive if we prioritize profits over people. Who will buy their products when half of the country is underwater? Right now we are unphased by what we see when in all reality, we should be horrified. Media in the United States has gotten so negative and harmful that we are desensitized to the horror that we are facing. It’s so easy to push our problems away, but we need to snap out of it.
I think this approach of government and corporate change is very possible. It takes good honest people and a value for human life. Our culture right now is so monetarily focused that it seems impossible. I agree it sounds like a stretch to believe that the government could unify for one issue to help out the American people. However, when you look at other nations of comparable wealth, it’s absolutely achievable. The problem is in the government’s hands, but we need to speak up for ourselves. We need to realize that money is just a system we made up. It isn’t real. The environment. The species we have destroyed. The atmosphere we are ripping to shreds. The ocean that we use as our personal trash can. The statistically impossibly perfect balance. They are real. They are important. We must protect them.
Dee-Dee Djon - $500 - District 2
The changes in global and regional climate patterns, that are largely attributable to increased levels of gases like carbon dioxide and methane in our atmosphere, have been a large problem for many decades now. The effects of climate change and global warming have been and are felt all around the world in many different ways. Heavier rainfall, the melting of polar ice caps and sea glaciers, rising sea levels, more intense storms, and reduced crop yields being some of the major consequences. Even though here in Omaha we live in an area that is urbanized and not very directly agricultural, our state practices a lot of farming and meat production so how global warming and climate change affect things like weather and crop yields is very impactful to us all.
Humans and the production of greenhouse gases are directly responsible for this period we are now in. That is why people today need to prioritize these concerns and not turn a blind eye to these problems, especially us Midwesterners. Things are being affected in our own backyards. What happens in western Nebraskan farming lands is just as important as what happens here in the cities. That is why the impact that climate has on agriculture and the food supply should matter to us all. Crop cycles can be deeply upended. Crop yields and food supplies can decline. The profession and livelihood that is growing crops not just here in Nebraska and in the Midwest but nationwide could change in ways we are only starting to figure out. Whatever affects and challenges their plants affects and challenges them. The same thing goes for livestock.
Cattle production is essential to our economy, making billions of dollars each year, and affects everyone’s life in our state one way or another. This can be said about many of the states around us and beyond. Farmers choose animals that are best suited for whatever location they are in and the fact that so many cows are raised here and have been raised here for so long means that this is a good environment for them. Over the coming years as conditions shift farmers will have to rethink and rework their choices and how they conduct the business of raising and developing livestock. This will not just be on the cattle front with learning new practices. It will also be on the economic side with dealing with things like learning about evolving markets. This is just one way global warming and climate change can and have been affecting the economy.
Our communities should care the way climate change will impact productivity, human health, energy, and water. The importance of food and water go hand in hand, as does the importance of how global warming and climate change impact water as well as the food availability. Drinking water is affected by increasing temperatures that will start causing evaporation in larger quantities. This will lead to more water vapor in the atmosphere and a negatively impacted water cycle. Add to that the larger chances for floods and major runoff.
So many problems can also occur when you look at how climate change and global warming have and are going to continue to affect energy, more specifically energy needs and energy-generation potential. The water cycle drives hydropower and hydroelectricity, and a change in it is a change in a major clean energy source. Things like warmer winters and cooler summers also mean more energy needs in living spaces and public buildings.
Accepting human involvement is what set these problems in motion and that certain societal practices would have to change to stop perpetuating this harmful cycle we are in is an inconvenient truth, but we may not need everyone to believe in global warming if they are still willing to do things to help the environment and the state of our planet.
There are a wide variety of things that everyone can do to help lessen climate change. Though more difficult, for those who can afford it powering their home with renewable energy like solar or wind power is an amazing choice. So is investing in energy-efficient appliances, purchasing and maintaining a fuel-efficient vehicle, and owning more eco friendly lightbulbs. For everyday, and more reasonable options, there is being more conscious of food waste, unplugging and turning off things in your home when you are not using them, and walking places when possible. Of course, also reducing water waste. The strives being made in Nebraska’s use of windmills and solar panels, promotion of urban agriculture, and advocacy for local food sources should also continue to be strengthened. As should actions like recycling on a daily basis and the development of more recycling plants.
As long as people everywhere, even climate change skeptics, are willing to try to implement more environmentally conscience practices in their daily lives, improvements will happen and be seen in years to come. The bettering of our world is not just for us, but also for future generations who will be led by example and shown how to take care of the things that in the end matter the most. There is beauty in the fact that collective action will be what saves everything there is to come.
Lance David Jones - $500 - District 3
I chose the priority of the Environment, Food Security and Conflict Prevention, specifically food security which I can deeply relate to. Food security is a crucial global concern that refers to the ability of individuals, households, and communities to have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and preferences for an active and healthy life. While food security is a challenge for many countries worldwide, the state of Nebraska has been particularly affected by the issue in recent years. This essay explores the food security situation in Nebraska and the world as a whole, examines the causes of the problem, and suggests potential solutions to prevent this catastrophe from happening.
Nebraska is a state that relies heavily on agriculture, and it is one of the largest producers of corn, soybeans, and beef in the United States. I happen to live on a ranch and I have a part in beef production. However, despite the state’s vast agricultural resources, food insecurity remains a prevalent issue. According to a report by Feeding America, 1 in 8 Nebraskans, or roughly 13.2% of the state’s population, struggles with hunger. Furthermore, approximately 36.6% of Nebraska’s food-insecure population does not qualify for federal nutrition programs, indicating the need for additional support services.
Several factors contribute to food insecurity in Nebraska. Firstly, the state’s agriculture industry, which is responsible for producing the majority of the state’s food, is susceptible to climate change, extreme weather events, and natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and wildfires. These events can cause significant damage to crops and livestock, leading to lower yields, decreased income for farmers, and higher food prices for consumers. Secondly, the state’s high poverty rate and low wages make it difficult for many residents to afford healthy and nutritious food. Finally, the lack of access to healthy food options in rural areas, as well as transportation barriers, prevent many Nebraskans from obtaining the food they need.
The problem of food insecurity is not limited to Nebraska, as it is a global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the United Nations, approximately 811 million people suffered from hunger in 2020, up from 690 million in 2019, representing a significant setback in the fight against world hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem, with disruptions to food supply chains, increased poverty rates, and reduced access to food contributing to a rise in hunger and malnutrition globally.
To prevent this catastrophe from happening, several steps can be taken at the local, national, and global levels. Firstly, investing in sustainable agriculture practices, such as regenerative farming techniques, can help reduce the impact of climate change on agriculture, increase yields, and improve food security. For example, precision agriculture which is the use of technology, such as sensors, drones, and GPS mapping, to improve agricultural efficiency and productivity. By using precision agriculture techniques, farmers can optimize water and fertilizer usage, reduce waste, and increase yields, ultimately producing more food. Or vertical farming which involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, using artificial lighting and controlled environments. This method can produce large quantities of food in a small space, with less water and fewer pesticides than traditional farming methods.
Similarly, food waste reduction technologies can help reduce the amount of food that goes to waste. For example, food preservation technologies such as refrigeration and canning can help extend the shelf life of perishable foods, while food recovery technologies can help redistribute excess food to those in need. And finally genetic engineering which can be used to develop crops that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses such as drought and heat. This can help increase crop yields and improve food security in areas where climate change is affecting agricultural productivity.Secondly, implementing policies that support living wages, affordable housing, and access to healthcare can help alleviate poverty and make it easier for individuals and families to afford healthy food options. Thirdly, investing in food distribution networks, such as food banks and pantries, can provide crucial support to those who need it most.
At the national and global levels, policymakers can take additional steps to combat food insecurity. For example, governments can implement policies that support small-scale farmers, particularly in developing countries, by providing them with access to credit, training, and technology. Additionally, increasing investment in research and development can help improve crop yields, reduce food waste, and promote the development of more nutritious and sustainable food products. Finally, governments can work to reduce food waste, which contributes to food insecurity by diverting resources away from those who need it most. This can be achieved through measures such as incentivizing businesses to donate excess food, improving food labeling and packaging, and implementing composting and recycling programs.
Food security is a pressing issue that affects millions of people in Nebraska and around the world. Addressing this challenge will require a multifaceted approach, with efforts needed at the local, national, and global levels. Implementing sustainable agriculture practices, supporting policy and much more. However at the same time this is a very realistic approach to the issue. There are many people who want change but do not act on it. If enough people band together and work toward a common goal it can be done. By working together and delving into sustainable practices, and working to improve technologically, we can put an end to food security in this rapidly growing world.
