CROFTON, Neb. - Students from a Northeast Nebraska middle school are being recognized with an award and a cash prize.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes is recognizing Claire Marsh and Meredith Wortmann for their performance of Susan La Flesche Picotte: A Trailblazer. Both students at St. Rose of Lima Middle School in Crofton won Best Performance Award in the 2025 international Discovery Award competition. The win gave the students $1,000 dollars along with honors.

Through their work, Claire and Meredith highlight Picotte’s lifelong dedication to improving healthcare for the Omaha people and her achievement in building the first hospital on a reservation.

LMC CEO Norm Conard felt inspired through the students’ work of Picotte who was also the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree in the United States.

“Claire and Meredith’s performance honors the legacy of Susan La Flesche Picotte, whose courage and commitment changed history,” said Conard. “Their project is a reminder of how students can bring Unsung Heroes to life and inspire others to create meaningful change.”

The Discovery Award invites students worldwide in grades four through 12 to research and share the stories of Unsung Heroes through documentaries, performances, and websites. These projects demonstrate how one person’s courage and commitment can influence history and motivate new generations.

Submissions for the next competition season are due July 1, 2026. Project work may begin immediately.