Southern Nebraska Register
In an effort to promote a strong work ethic and financial responsibility among high school students, Tom and Rhonda Peed of Lincoln have partnered with the Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Lincoln for a new grant program, the Work Ethic Grant.
The program encourages students to develop a strong work ethic and to provide them with a valuable opportunity to earn money and gain work experience during their summer break.
To be eligible for the grant, students must be starting their junior or senior year at a Lincoln diocesan high school in the fall of 2023. They can earn $5 in tuition credit for every hour worked during the summer months.
Students can submit up to 200 hours, with a maximum earning potential of $1,000 in tuition credit. The program runs May 1 through Aug. 15. As students complete work hours, they track them on a timecard that is then signed by their parents. When the hours are turned in, their school will give a tuition credit to their account.
In addition to normal summer jobs, qualified types of work also include those where no typical paycheck is received, such as students who work on family farms and those who are self-employed. Hours worked for school service-hour programs do not qualify.
The Peeds have a long history of supporting Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lincoln. As Catholic business owners, they wanted to find a way to support affordable Catholic education as well as promote values that will help students to be successful in life.
They explained their motivation in a statement: “We believe that the keys to success in today’s world are a strong Catholic faith, a good work ethic, and a solid education. By providing this Work Ethic Grant we hope to encourage, recognize, and reward students who work hard to help pay for their Catholic education.”
The grant has already generated significant interest among local high school students, many of whom are eager to take advantage of the opportunity to earn money and gain work experience during the summer months.
Student Jacob Moravec, who will be a senior in the fall at Aquinas in David City, participated in the pilot program last fall.
“Working gives me a purpose during the summer,” he said.” I’d rather be doing something constructive because it makes me feel useful….
Being rewarded further for participating in summer work through the Work Ethic program is a kindness I didn’t expect. That kind of generosity isn’t seen a lot these days, but I was really grateful for the support.”
Moravec said the program has also benefitted him in other ways.
“I think it helps build character and it gives you the chance to help your parents with tuition through your own work,” he said.
Father Lawrence Stoley, the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lincoln, also expressed his gratitude to the Peed family for the Work Ethic Grant.
“The Work Ethic Grant is a great blessing for many families attending our Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Lincoln,” he said. “I am grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Peed for their contribution to this Spiritual Work of Mercy. The work of instructing our children in the Catholic faith is an on-going endeavor that relies heavily on the generosity of many benefactors such as the Peeds. The gift of our Catholic faith has never been more important than in the age we live today. May God reward Mr. and Mrs. Peed and those who continue to support the mission of Catholic education.”
Students interested in participating in the program may contact their school office for forms.
