
Ethnicity
Hispanic/Latino
Religion
Christian
Church
Baptist (American)
Hobbies and interests
International Relations
Marketing
Business And Entrepreneurship
Reading
Classics
Romance
I read books multiple times per week
LOW INCOME STUDENT
Yes
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Lianny Aponte Rivas
1x
Finalist
Lianny Aponte Rivas
1x
FinalistBio
I am a first-generation immigrant student from a low-income neighborhood. Today, I have achieved goals that once seemed unattainable and that I thought I could only see in movies. I am a cheerleader, dancer, freshmen mentor, member of the cabinet of the class of 2026, and volunteer in bilingual programs, things that I only saw as impossible dreams when I was in my country and that today I am proud to have achieved.
As a first-generation student and child of an immigrant single mother, I know that I carry my family’s sacrifices and dreams in everything I do. I’m proud of where I come from, and I know that I can achieve big things, grow as a leader, serve my community, and inspire others to fight for their dreams in the future. As Silvia Austerlic said, “I am an immigrant not by accident, but by choice and courage … this moment is not the end of me, but a turning point to rise.”
High School Recognitions:
Student of the Month (January 2025)
Honor Roll (Freshman to Senior year)
Perfect Attendance (First Semester 2023-2024 year and First Semester 2025-2026 year)
Outstanding World Language Student (February 2026)
Activities:
NSHSS Member
Cheer Team - Varsity level
Senior Class Cabinet
High School Fashion Club Member
Mentor of incoming freshman students
Volunteer interpreter at community events
Dual Enrollment Student
Education
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
Minors:
- International Business
GPA:
3.8
South High School
High SchoolGPA:
3.9
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Business/Managerial Economics
- International Business
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Marketing
Career
Dream career field:
Marketing and Advertising
Dream career goals:
Sales Consultant
Club Car Wash2026 – Present6 monthsCashier
Hy-vee2024 – 20251 year
Sports
Cheerleading
Varsity2025 – 20261 year
Kickball
Club2022 – 20231 year
Dancing
Club2016 – Present10 years
Research
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
Omaha South High School — Principal Researcher2025 – Present
Arts
Omaha South High Fashion Design and Construction Class
Design2024 – PresentOmaha South Dance Class and Extracurricular Folclorical Dances Companies
Dance2024 – 2025
Public services
Volunteering
Omaha South Dual Language Volunteering Program — Volunteer and interpreter2025 – PresentVolunteering
Step-Up Omaha — Volunteer2024 – Present