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Justice Kellett’s education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha can be tied to a single life-altering moment.
The Bellevue, Nebraska, native had her sights set on UNO during her senior year of high school but was losing confidence in the prospect of attending the university. At the time, Kellett said she was actively applying for scholarships but kept getting hit with rejections.
“I was kind of losing hope,” she said.
Then, Kellett was surprised with the Maverick in the Making Scholarship during her fifth-period JROTC class. The annual scholarship, partially funded through support to the UNO Fund – Student Scholarships, recognizes high school seniors making a difference in their community.
For Kellett, the scholarship provided the support necessary to fuel her dream of attending UNO.
“This scholarship was enough to get me to go to college,” she said. “It was enough for me to say, ‘Yes, this is a good idea. Let’s go to college.’”
Fast forward four years later, Kellett graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology.
Kellett also completed ROTC training while in college and was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force shortly after graduation.
When looking back at her success at UNO, Kellett can tie it all to the scholarship support she received through the UNO Fund – Student Scholarships.
“I would say this scholarship is the reason that I even went to college,” Kellett said. “It wasn’t until after I received this scholarship that I was confident in applying for other things. It was the door to getting me into college.”
Next, Kellett will depart to California to begin training for her job as a nuclear and missile operations officer in the Air Force. Following her career in the military, Kellett hopes to use her psychology degree to help children.
Looking back on her education at UNO, Kellett is proud to become the first in her family to receive a college degree. That wouldn’t have been possible without the scholarships she received that inspired her to take the leap into higher education.
“I’m proud of my success and everything I’ve worked for,” she said. “Nothing just comes to you easily, so I’m just proud of myself for what I’ve been able to accomplish.”
