The University of Nebraska-Lincoln ( UNL) honored Nebraska eighth graders for their academic excellence and leadership perseverance May 10, 2018 at the Nebraska Union. The ceremony was a part of the Big Red Stars program designed to recognize outstanding eighth grade students. Students were nominated by school principals and guidance counselors for showcasing strong leadership skills and academic promise. Wauneta-Palisade Schools’ Olivia Behrends and Alexa Sandman were recipients of Big Red Star awards. The ceremony was sponsored by the UNL and EducationQuest with Curtis Tomasevicz, former Nebraska football player and Olympic Bobsledder who teaches UNL College of Engineering, as a guest speaker. Sandman is pictured at the ceremony, while Behrends was unable to attend.