Inspire Award Spotlight: Sam Spethman, Lincoln Southwest

This is the first in a series of four videos, recorded pre-COVID-19, that feature winners of the Inspire Award from the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools.

Recent Lincoln Southwest High School graduate Sam Spethman was very visible during his four years as a Silver Hawk. He served as Student Council vice president as a sophomore and junior, then president his senior year. He was a leader in the Students Together Against Cancer group. He participated in debate.

But for as visible as he was, Spethman believes it’s what a person does when they’re not being seen that matters most.

“It’s the little things you do when people aren’t watching that are the most inspiring things in life because that shows what your true character is,” he said. 

Spethman is the 2020 Inspire Award student winner from Southwest. The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools annually honors students and staff from across LPS, as well as one Inspire School award winner. Award recipients are identified by principals from every school, with the focus on selecting an individual who has made a special contribution to the school and the school community. These individuals regularly go above and beyond, take initiative and are a positive inspiration to others. 

Watch the following video to learn more about Sam and what makes him such an inspiration. 


Published: June 5, 2020, Updated: June 5, 2020