Amy Rodeno Scholarship in Memory of Dr. & Mrs. Lynn Sharrar

Dr. Lynn E. Sharrar grew up in Hooper, Neb. and was one of five boys. His family moved to Lincoln and he attended Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Sharrar served in World War II as a Lieutenant Colonel and after returning to Lincoln, he practiced medicine as a general practitioner and surgeon from 1945 until his death in 1976. He was a member of the Lincoln Country Club and enjoyed playing golf, fishing, traveling, watching Nebraska football and spending time with his family.

Mrs. Mary Ellen Sharrar was raised in Shubert, Neb. and was one of two girls. She attended the University of Nebraska and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. Mary Ellen was a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish and was actively involved in the Ave Maria Altar Society, sang in the choir and was president of the Nebraska Women’s Medical Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, painting, collecting antiques, traveling and being with her family.

Amy Lynn Rodeno was born in Lincoln, Neb. to Tom and Mary Jo Rodeno on September 1, 1970. She attended school in Pittsburgh and Denver. At the age of three she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and lost her battle when she was seven. During her short life she raised the awareness of Cystic Fibrosis resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars donated for research and treatment of the disease.

The Amy Rodeno Scholarship in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Lynn Sharrar was established by the parents of Amy Rodeno in memory of Amy’s grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Sharrar.

Excerpts from student thank you letters

Past awardees share how receiving the scholarship made an impact in their lives:

“Thank you so much for choosing me as the recipient of [the Amy Rodeno Scholarship in Memory of Dr. & Mrs. Lynn Sharrar], it will help my family and I tremendously this next school year…it means a lot to my mother to bring me up in a Catholic education….I have enjoyed attending Pius X because it feels like a family….Every teacher I have had has helped me anytime I need something and that is something that I am very thankful for. In my free time I work part-time as a cook at the Valentino’s Restaurant. Also, on Husker game days I sell water and soda throughout Memorial Stadium. After my time at Pius X is over I would like to play football in college and pursue a degree in Criminal Justice, as I want to be a US Marshall one day. Once again I would like to say thank you for this scholarship. I know it eases the stress on my mother’s shoulders knowing school will cost less this year and that makes me really happy.”

“This scholarship has helped me and my family, easing the financial burden, therefore we can spend more money buying medicine for my mom. My favorite subjects in school are PE, strength and performance, and also team sports….My plan for what I’m going to study in college are somewhat unknown. I’m in between wanting to be a basketball coach or some type of carpenter. If I’m not in school, basketball, football, or track and field, I am working part-time at A Street Market….Thank you for [the Amy Rodeno Scholarship in Memory of Dr. & Mrs. Lynn Sharrar] me and my family really appreciate it.”