For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Solomon, 202.659.2258
Denver, Colo., August 31, 2007 – Nelnet, a leading education planning and financing company, announced today that Dwaine Schmidt of Skyview High School in Thornton, Colo was the recipient of the inaugural Colorado High School Counselor of the Year Award. Schmidt was nominated by his peers for his outstanding work helping students prepare for their future.
"I am very happy to be receiving this award,” said Schmidt. “It is personally and professionally rewarding to be nominated by your peers and to be recognized for the work that I love doing.”
The Nelnet Colorado High School Counselor of the Year Award was open to all counselors who worked in a Colorado high school, during the 2006-2007 school year.
“We are proud to honor someone who shares Nelnet’s vision: making educational dreams possible,” said David Bottegal, Chief Executive Officer of Nelnet’s Education Services division. “The role of a guidance counselor is essential in preparing our future college students. Dwaine has excelled in his role and we are happy to recognize him with this award.”
Schmidt has been involved in education for more than 30 years. In 2004, he joined the staff of Mapleton Public Schools, a small district of 5,700 students, where he took on the task of reinventing the entire counseling component of all seven secondary schools. Under his guidance, the District created the position of Postsecondary Options coach, a position which focuses on ensuring that each student’s goals and dreams for life after high school are realized.
“In the role of counselor, there can be many stresses when you take the road he (Schmidt) has in getting to know and love each and every student,” said Skyview High School Principal Jim Hamilton in his essay. “His demeanor is one of enthusiasm, joy and the unbridled love of life each and every day.”
Adding to Schmidt’s accomplishments, he assisted and coordinated the process by which every senior had the opportunity to travel to and visit at least two college campuses in Colorado. Some students visited as many as four schools. In addition, Schmidt encouraged members of the senior class to apply for college, resulting in 98 percent of the students applying. An impressive 84 percent of them were accepted.
“Mapleton’s commitment to students is clear: We will let no obstacle impede our students’ success,” said Don Herman, a colleague of Schmidt. “He exemplifies this motto.”
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For 28 years, Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) has been helping education-seeking families plan for their education, pay for their education and prepare for their careers. The company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in products, services and technology improvements for students and the educational institutions they attend. These services include live counseling to help families through all aspects of the financial aid process, benefits for borrowers, including tens of millions of dollars in borrower loan fee discounts and other benefits, and Nelnet sponsored scholarships. Nelnet serves students in 50 states, employs approximately 3,500 associates and has $26.2 billion in net student loan assets.
Additional information is available at www.nelnet.com.