Jay Beermann 2003 Hero

When Jay Beermann discovered he would be the recipient of a D.J.’s Hero Award, he knew his dream of attending Washington University in St. Louis could be realized. 

Beermann had struggled with an autoimmune disease called Granulomatosis with Polyangitis (GPA).  The disease resulted in extensive treatments and, eventually, End Stage Renal Disease. In January 2020, he started dialysis while awaiting a kidney donor, but luckily was able to receive a living donation in July that year.

Since earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in managerial economics and strategy, Beermann has worked at a variety of large companies, He has been at Google for the past eight years, and currently leads a Google Hardware sales team.  He lives in the Bay Area of California with his wife and their two sons, ages 5 and 2.

Beermann expressed gratitude for his D.J.’s Hero Award, saying “ It was an important recognition of the adversity I had been facing and the fact that the tremendous efforts I had to put in to overcome that adversity had not gone unnoticed.  That sense of visibility and, especially, connection to other high schoolers going through similar struggles was profound.

Viridiana Duran 2004 Hero

Viridiana Duran discovered she had won an award when was stopped between classes at Schuyler Central High School by her science teacher, who told she had been selected as a D.J.’s Hero. She had, and has, the support of her small Nebraska — teachers helped her find a dress for the ceremony, and surprised her on the day of the event by coming in person. The table that day was full of those who have become lifelong mentors.

Viridiana has faced several challenges in her life, among them being raised primarily by her grandparents. At age 9, she survived a break-in and home fire that left her with third-degree burns on 60% of her body.  Still, she claims her burns are just a part of her — her challenge was the childhood trauma, including recovery.

She attended the University of Nebraska-Kearney and today works as a paralegal with the immigrant community. She is also a mother, and a founding member of “Schuyler is Home,” a community organization that builds pride through volunteerism and inclusive events, and fosters meaningful relationships within the community.

Viridiana thanks the Sokols and other donors for the award, saying “Being honored as a D.J.’s Hero meant that I had been seen, recognized for my heart if you will.  It meant that my efforts were valid and worthy.  Being honored as a hero meant someone else shared my vision and recognized the importance of community.

Nia Karmann 2007 Hero

Being a D.J.’s Hero Award winner has opened a multitude of creative, as well as academic, opportunities for Nia Karmann.

Nia was born with the neural tube birth defect, spina bifida, which has presented lifelong challenges for her. The condition has progressed with age, and Karmann now uses a wheelchair much of the time. Still, Nia perseveres, and thrives, as a college graduate and professional photographer.

Her D.J.’s Hero story almost didn’t happen. A good friend of the family was a school custodian named Lin-da, who one day felt God tell her to pick up a piece of paper that was about to be swept into the trash. That piece of paper was a D.J.’s Hero scholarship application, and together, Linda and Nia’s mom filled it out.

Since participating in art shows in high school and then graduating from Central Community College in Grand Island in 2010, Nia has received many individual awards and has been published in several books and magazines. She moved to Omaha in 2015 where she was asked to display her work at Gallery Eppley in the Omaha airport, where it can be seen currently. She participates in more than a dozen art shows around the Midwest and is the promoter and organizer of the Platte River Art Show at Mahoney State Park.

Janae Pounds-Hofer 2009 Hero

Janae Pounds-Hofer was born with severe cerebral palsy, which impacts her ability to use her arms and legs, along with her ability to speak. Her guidance counselor in high school recommended her for the D.J.’s Hero Award because of Hofer’s unwillingness to give up even in the face of challenges. The award was the first time Hofer received public recognition for her efforts to live life fully, and set her up for success in college by boosting her confidence in her ability to achieve God’s plan for her life.

Hofer graduated summa cum laude from Grace University, receiving her Bachelor of Science for a double major in business administration (marketing emphasis) and Biblical studies. Completing the Accelerated Juris Doctorate at Creighton University School of Law, she graduated cum laude in December 2015. Hofer first worked as a corporate litigation attorney at a large Omaha law firm and then started her own law practice.

In June 2022, Hofer published her first book, “Moments of Grace: Faithfulness When Life Hurts,” which led to her meeting and marrying Lance Pounds, an attorney who also has cerebral palsy. Currently, Hofer focuses on her expanding law practice, which provides expert legal research and drafting to larger firms as well as assists clients with their estate planning and small business needs.

Rosio Granados 2013 Hero

When Rosio Granados was pulled out of class to be told by a high school counselor she was a D.J.’s Hero Award winner, she saw that this caring adult was genuinely happy for her.

Rosio used the award to her full advantage, graduating from UNO with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Science in biology. She went from memorizing information in high school to learning real-world applications. The first-generation college student still had challenges, learning how to ask for help with professors, tutors and her peers.

Still, the scholarship enabled her to participate in college life, attending sports events, becoming a member of the Hispanic honor society Sigma Delta Pi and studying abroad. Today, Rosio co-owns Coffee Alley - Callejon del Café with a good friend, an opportunity that excites her as she has been able to create a space that represents her culture. She is also a claims analyst/specialist at the nonprofit National Rural Electric Co-op of America.

Veronica Alonso 2020 Hero

From the time Veronica Alonso entered elementary school, her parents instilled in her a strong sense of community, an unwavering fascination for science and a goal of going to college. While navigating the complexities of higher education and college applications was no small feat for this first-generation, Mexican-American student, she set her sights high – ultimately being accepted to Stanford University.

Although her dream had come true, she faced the associated challenges of adapting to life away from her family and financing her education. Her AIM Trio mentor, Lucely Salgado — who saw her ambitions, drive and dedication to community service — nominated her for the D.J.’s Hero award. Both the nomination and the award made Veronica feel, “honored, proud, seen and supported by the community.” It meant that someone believed in her and “was betting on her success.” While her college journey was a struggle at times, this gave her the motivation to keep going.

Today, Veronica is a senior at Stanford who will graduate next month with a Bachelor of Science in neurobiology. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience and a career in research, specifically studying the role of myelin plasticity in neurological disorders. She also plans to continue to mentor other first-generation high school and undergraduate students to help make college a little more approachable and to show them that she, too, is betting on their success.