Lincoln Pius X Catholic High School

Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship

Kyle Joseph VerMaas was born October 14, 1993, to Randy and Lisa (Lierz-Pius X ’82) VerMaas. He has one brother, Connor (Pius X ’13). He attended St. Peter’s in Lincoln and graduated from Pius X in 2012. Kyle loved to read and his favorite subjects were math and science. He would challenge himself by taking the advanced classes. His favorite teachers were the ones who would push him to excel. At the time of his death on March 16, 2014, he was a second year Biological Systems Engineering student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was on the Dean’s List. Before he became ill, he had found out that he was going to Toledo, Spain, for a Study Abroad experience where he would have completed his minor in Spanish. Kyle loved the engineering program and dreamed of one day developing new bioprosthetics and traveling the world.

Kyle was mischievous and loved to have a good time. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends—and he had many. He loved to hunt deer (he always got the biggest buck), go fishing with his dad and brother, waterski, wakeboard, play pickup basketball, work out at the gym, and spend time with those who meant most to him.

Kyle was not perfect, but he tried hard to always do better. His Catholic faith kept him grounded. He shared with his mom that he had attended churches of other faiths and knew that he would always be a practicing Catholic—and thanked his parents for sending him to St Peter’s and Pius X. He was a member of the Newman Center at UNL and attended Mass there.

Kyle would have been honored to have a scholarship in his name to help others like him attain a higher education.

The Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a Pius X senior with a GPA of 3.5 or greater, planning to attend a 4-year-college in a STEM field of study. This scholarship is not a financial need based scholarship; however the family would like it to benefit a student who does not otherwise qualify for grants or full ride scholarships.

Excerpts from student thank-you letters

“Thank you for the honor you have bestowed on me by awarding me with the Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship. I am grateful for your generous support as I advance my education and pursue my dreams. You not only helped strengthen my confidence, but also encouraged me to dream big about the future. I hope to use this opportunity to pursue a mechanical engineering degree and design medical equipment. I am very grateful for your investment in me.

High school has provided many opportunities and incredible experiences, but the one that has fed my curiosity the most has been Academic Decathlon. The past four years have led me to engage with amazing scholars in different cultures, subjects, issues and different periods of history across the globe. This competitive, academic program has provided daily occasions to dive into dense material and this year our Pius team placed [in the top 10] nationally.

This morning was our Pius Senior Parent Mass and Breakfast. It was an amazing day. Fr. Bernardo recognized the successes and many diverse accomplishments of Pius seniors during his homily. What was most memorable is that he reminded us of the difficulties, struggle and suffering that have also an integral part of the joy and achievements. The tapestry of life is made up of both, and God’s grade is always near. Please be assured of my commitment to excellence and honoring this sacrificial gift in memory of Kyle. And be assured of my prayers, for your family, in gratitude for your generosity.”

– Recipient of the Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship

“Words cannot express how grateful I am to have been chosen to receive the Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will do so much in helping make college affordable for me and my family. The generosity of your family will never be forgotten, and Kyle as well as the rest of your family will always remain in my prayers.

My family consists of my two younger brothers [and my parents, and we] are all very close. We love to hunt and fish together when time permits and keep busy with all of our activities. I was thrilled to get my first buck this fall with my uncle and love all of the great memories that came with it. I also swim year round and am excited to continue my athletic career at [the college I will be attending]. Throughout my years at Pius I have remained extremely involved. I have been active in Ambassadors leadership team, National Honor Society, Student Council [with a leadership role], SOADA Club, through volunteering as a CCD teacher, and even founded [a Pius X club] with my friends. I am very passionate about everything I do and strive to always do my best.

…I have loved the ways Pius has helped shape me into who I am today. This school truly provided me with so many ways to grow not only academically, but spiritually. Like Kyle, I know that the Catholic faith is something that has been imprinted onto my soul and will always remain a large part of my life. I have a passion for science and have pursued this throughout my high school career. I plan to further nourish this interest by continuing to work at [a local hospital] on a new research project this summer, and throughout my college career take many science courses. I have big dreams where this passion will take me and I, again, thank you so much for supporting these dreams.”

– Recipient of the Kyle VerMaas Memorial Scholarship

kyle vermass scholarship
Fund Purpose/Criteria
Scholarship for student with GPA of 3.5 or greater who plans to attend a 4-year college in STEM field
Established in 2014
Students Supported: 9+

Donate to this scholarship by typing the fund name into the designation box on our donation form.

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