DJ's Hero Award Recipient
May 01, 2026
Johnson County Central High School Senior Caden McDonald was honored as a recipient of a DJ's Hero Award scholarship for the amount of $12,000 at the 2026 Hero Awards Luncheon at the CHI Center in Omaha on April 28th, 2026.
Caden was one of nineteen Nebraska students to receive a DJ's Hero Award this year.
The Salvation Army DJ’s Hero Awards Program is named in memory of DJ Sokol, who lost his battle with cancer in 1999 at age 18. His parents, David and Peggy Sokol, established the program to honor the achievements of outstanding Nebraska high school seniors who overcome adversity and show outstanding leadership qualities in their communities. More than two decades after the founding of the program, DJ’s legacy lives on in the scholarship recipients—all of whom demonstrate his trademark resilience, kindness, and generosity.
Caden plans to continue his education at Southeast Community College in Beatrice in their utility line program. Caden was nominated for this award by Mrs. Reuter.
