Our Annual Scholarship Luncheon is the largest fundraiser for Phoenix Academy, with all funds directed towards scholarships for struggling students. Scholarship Luncheons feature exciting speakers and award ceremonies honoring literacy champions of our community.

Announcing our 2024 Luncheon Speaker, Xavier Cooper

Xavier Cooper is a former NFL player, investor, and co-founder of the scholarship fund Everyone Learns Differently. As a dyslexic, bi-racial and “at-risk” kid from Tacoma, WA, Xavier felt he was always too big and too different to truly fit in anywhere. However he found an outlet in sports where he could prove his worth on the field.

Xavier played collegiate football and graduated from Washington State University and then went on to play in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49rs and the New York Jets.

In 2019 Xavier founded the Everyone Learns Differently scholarship fund to support students with learning differences, have experienced time in the juvenile justice system, or students who struggle in school due to social, personal or financial challenges.

Xavier inspires others to embrace their differences and lives in their truth, identity and sense of self-worth.

Previous Luncheon Photo Galleries

A Huge Thank You for Your Support at our 2023 Luncheon

Our work at the Phoenix Academy wouldn’t be possible without YOUR unfailing support. Thank you so much for everything you do to help children in our community succeed academically and personally!

Diamond Donors

Dianne Seeman Lozier • Lozier Foundation • Ann and Allan Mactier Charitable Foundation • Mary Robbins Trust Fund

Platinum Donors

Richard Brooke Foundation • George and Sandy Lozier • Methodist Hospital • Methodist Hospital Foundation • William and Ruth Scott Foundation

Gold Donors

American National Bank • Bob Braun & Mary Heng Braun • Jack & Stephanie Koraleski • Nancy & Bill Liebermann • Emily & Tom Lischer • Mike & Nancy McCarthy • Bob & Polina Schlott • Phillip & Terri Schrager Foundation

Silver Donors

Bridges Trust • Vontarrius Cloy • John & Linda Downey • Fraser Stryker, P.C., LLC • Julie & Lance Fritz • Daniel J. Guinan • Holland Basham Architects • Robert & Carole Julian • John & Wende Kotouc • McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman and Lepp • Meridian Mental Health • Promedcare Inc. • Linda Burt Rebrovic • Gary & Linda Rower • Constance Ryan & Streck • Seline Family Foundation • Union Bank and Trust • Union Pacific Railroad • University of Nebraska Omaha

Bronze Donors

Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture • Amanda & Jason Bogner • Sara & James Casler • Jen & Luigi Di Ruocco • Charles & Judy Downey • Lisa & Gary Gotsdiner • Nancy Lischer • Toni Lundak • NewStreet Properties • Nelson Mandela Elementary • Omaha Pediatric Therapy • Lisa & William Roskens • Judy Seeman • Seline Family Foundation • Janis & David Silverberg • Jann & Lawrence Thomas • Valmont Industries • Catie Wynne • Peter & Kristae Zandbergan