Light It Up Awards: Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Journey

Hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship & Rural Development, the 2026 Light It Up Awards Ceremony was an incredible night of recognizing bold ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and the people who are making a difference at UNK and throughout Greater Nebraska.

Read the story for the Light It Up Awards celebration by Tyler Ellyson with UNK News!

Congratulations to the 2026 award recipients!

Student Entrepreneur Award: Fallon Wells

Emerging Entrepreneur Award: Connor Streit

Excellence In Entrepreneurship Award: Cody Lawson

Entrepreneurship Advocate Award: Caleb Pollard 

Alumni Entrepreneur Award: Noah Young

From launching startups to mentoring others, these individuals are lighting the way for future entrepreneurs.

Nominees

Student Entrepreneur: a UNK student launching or working on the launch of a business

• Kailynn Rodewald: Sweet & Sassy Cakes and Cupcakes
• Kade Schrock and Klayton Pagel: Your Vision
• Fallon Wells: Flourish Floral Company

Emerging Entrepreneur: a startup entrepreneur in Greater Nebraska who is in the first two years of business

• Brooke Fricke: Kearney Dog Bar
• Connor Streit: PolyPath Med

Excellence In Entrepreneurship: a seasoned entrepreneur who is paving the way for small business growth in Greater Nebraska and has been in business for five or more years

• Alexis and Claudia Ayala: AOM Machining, LLC
• Tom Fuller: Carpet Pros, City Plumbing, ShopEZ Kearney
• Cody Lawson: 1to1 Technologies, LLC
• Chais Meyer: Nest:Space, Business Integrations, 24Hr Tees
• Kari Printz: Ktown Cakery
• Kyle Sayler: Sayler Screenprinting, The Knot Shop, The Kyle Sayler Band
• Jared Shaw: Shaw Medium

Entrepreneurship Advocate: a professional service, resource provider, or individual in Greater Nebraska who assists entrepreneurs

• Sandra Barrera: UNL Extension, Small Business Program
• Stephanie Berry: Central Community College Entrepreneurship Center
• John Hamilton: Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC)
• Caleb Pollard: Valley County Economic Development & Ord Area Chamber of Commerce

Alumni Entrepreneur: a UNK graduate who has created success in his/her field through business ownership

• Angie Pavelka: Pavelka Insurance
• Kyle Sayler: Sayler Screenprinting, The Knot Shop, The Kyle Sayler Band
• Joshua and Emma Thompson: One Body Sports Performance and Fitness
• Noah Young: The Shiloh Farm