About
"Helping young immigrants achieve their True Potential through affordable, quality education"
The True Potential Scholarship focuses on creating opportunities for young immigrants who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) and Temporary Protective immigration status (TPS). These individuals are commonly known as ”Dreamers" and are not eligible to receive any public benefits, including federal financial aid and many scholarships. Because of the public funds restriction, True Potential uses 100% private donations and private institutional funds.
The idea for this scholarship was born out of experience. Ross & Karen Pesek, the founders of this program, were able to attend college because of the generosity of others. Ross attended Central Community College, Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska College of Law over seven years always in scholarships. Karen attended Central Community College and Wayne State College also with a scholarship. Ross and Karen often give thanks to the donors whose generosity allowed them to get their education and begin to fulfill their true potential.
Since starting Pesek Law, Ross and Karen have dedicated much of their efforts towards helping others in their community. They opened a free legal clinic in South Omaha at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where Ross gives free legal advice in Spanish every Monday night. He has met with over 2,500 people in eight years at the clinic. Ross has also announced immigration reforms to thousands at local churches and personally helped well over 300 people brought to this country as children obtain DACA. Finally, Ross has a thriving legal practice that is heavily influenced by Spanish speaking immigrants. Karen is the Director of Finance and Community Liaison of the firm and daily, both try to validate those individuals who gave them an opportunity by creating the scholarships that funded their education.
Since 2014, and thanks to the generosity of many donors, over 100 full one year scholarships have been awarded to approximately 75 unique individuals.
Our Team
Ross Pesek
Founder and Program Director
Ross is the founder of True Potential. He is also a bilingual private practice attorney at Pesek Law in Omaha focusing on Personal Injury cases.
email:
Gallery of Past Recipients
Karen Pesek
Founder and Student Liason
Karen is the co-founder of True Potential. She is also the Director of Finance at Pesek Law firm and our main student contact.
email:
Scott Lloyd
Executive Director of
Matters On Tomorrow
Scott is the Executive Director of Matters On Tomorrow, the 501c3 organization under which True Potential is active. Scott works in Lincoln in the financial industry. To learn more about Matters On Tomorrow please visit:
Gallery: Past Scholarship Recipients
 Martha Alicia Gomez AngelesTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Academic Transfer Bussiness Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Greccia Torres ArredondoTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Academic Transfer Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Deyra Jaime RodriguezTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Nursing Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |
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 Dayana HurtadoTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Computer Science Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Carlos Aguilar-RamirezTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Photography Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Brenda Mejia PalmaTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Nursing Metropolitan Community College(MCC) |
 Beatriz A. Gabino MaganaTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Nursing Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Miriam CorenzoTrue Potential Scholar 2019 CPN WIT |  Erendia OrnelasTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Elementary Education South Western Community College |
 Kevin Osiel Boteo-MazoriegosTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Construction Technology and Management Central Community College (CCC) |  Yovanni SanchezTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Paramedic Northeast Community College (NECC) |  Cristina MorenoTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Academic Trannsfer Bussiness Southeast Commuity College (SCC) |
 Hermelinda Escobar TerceroTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Medical Assistant Southeast Community College (SCC) |  Issac Elihu Villa SacedoTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Electro Mechanical and Automation Southeast Community College (SCC) |  Jose Velazqez-LaraTrue Potential Scholar 2019 Diesel Engineering Southeast Community College (SCC) |
 2014: First Round of ScholarshipsIn 2014, we awarded five scholarships to: Fernando Gomez, Lorena Salas, Yessica Aleman and Daisy Beltran. Not pictured: Jackie Lopez. |  2015 Group PictureIn 2015, we awarded 7 scholarships. In the picture, from left to right: Luis Olivas, Ross Pesek, Liliana Martinez, Jackie Lopez, Martin Hernandez, Karen Pesek. |  2016 Group Picture19 scholarships were awarded in the 2016 school year! |
 Brisa Mejia-CrisantoEarth Studies Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Erick Landa-GuerreroCulinary Arts Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  2017 Group PictureIn 2017, we awarded 26 scholarships! 2017 marks our final group pictures due to the amazing growth of participants! |
 Adolfo Diaz-VargasAdv. Manufacturing Design Technology Southeast Community College (SCC) |  Martha Gomez-AngelesReal Estate Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Kenia Hernandez-SantiagoNursing Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |
 Yovani Sanchez-CarreraNursing Northeast Community College (NECC) |  Noelia Ledesma-GonzalezBusiness Northwest Iowa Community College (NWICC) |  Bernardo Morales-RodriguezElectrical Technology Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |
 Grecia Torres-ArredondoAnimal Science Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Carlos Aguilar-RamirezBusiness/Marketing & Cinematography Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Ana LoyaHuman Services Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |
 Calixto LopezConstruction Management & Technology Southeast Community College (SCC) |  Brisa Lara-GonzalezDentistry Southeast Community College (SCC) |  Tomas BritoGeneral Education Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |
 Beatriz Gabino-MagandaNursing Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Kevin Boteo-MazariegosConstruction Technology Central Community College (CCC) |  Hermelinda Escobar-TerceroNursing Southeast Community College (SCC) |
 Jonathan AlvarazWelding/Automotive Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  Susan Sanchez-MedinaMicrobiology & Dentistry Metropolitan Community College (MCC) |  True Potential Scholar 2017 |
 True Potential Scholar 2017 |  True Potential Scholar 2017 |
