2025 John Jay Fetzer Memorial Scholarship Recipient
The Institute is pleased to announce that Brenden Cunningham of Ralston, Nebraska, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of this prestigious $5,000 scholarship. Brenden is a devoted member of his community who has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic responsibility, service, and leadership throughout high school.
“During my four years in high school, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in over 100 hours of community service in a variety of ways,” Brenden wrote in his scholarship application. “One of the experiences I am most proud of is my involvement in my school’s food distribution program. Every month, donations from the Food Bank for the Heartland are organized and loaded into the vehicles of families in need. It is especially fulfilling to hand-deliver a box of food I assembled the week before in the warehouse to a neighbor. It is rewarding seeing them face-to-face and knowing I have played a small part of reducing some of the stress that their family faces.”
Brenden’s service includes over 60 hours with the Boy Scouts of America, where he has led flag retirement ceremonies, taught younger scouts, participated in park cleanups, and more. He has also contributed to Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank for the Heartland, Saint Gerald’s Church, and Rake Ralston, among others.
Brenden will attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he will pursue a double major in Political Science and either Business or Criminal Justice
