Every year, approximately 100 Southeast Polk High School students are recognized as Bill Burch Humanitarian Nominees. Each student nominee has shown compassion, dedication, and a willingness to help others while in high school. However, only one senior is chosen by the high school staff as the student who best exemplifies Bill Burch’s personal qualities.

Julher Chosen as 2025 Bill Burch Winner

Sophia Julher was chosen as the 2025 Bill Burch Humanitarian Award Winner for her high character. She’s caring and hard-working, and always looking for ways to include others. In addition to her outstanding academic record, while being involved in many high school activities, including Best Buddies and People PE, she volunteers at Kids Cafe, the local library, elementary schools, and church. She served as the Editor-in-Chief of the High School Student Newspaper and hopes to continue to make an impact through her writing one day. Congratulations, Sophie, on this prestigious award!

About the Bill Burch Award

Bill Burch was a school counselor at Southeast Polk High School from 1974 until 1992. The Bill Burch Scholarship and Recognition Breakfast was named after Mr. Burch in honor of his commitment to the students and adults of the Southeast Polk community. He was known as a man of compassion and integrity who took the time to relate to students and adults alike. The Bill Burch Humanitarian Award represents a long-standing Southeast Polk tradition that dates back to 1993 and is presented to the student who best exemplifies his character, sincerity, and compassion toward others. What makes this award such an honor is that the Southeast Polk High School faculty selects the senior recipient who best represents Bill Burch’s personal qualities.

We were honored that Jean Burch, wife of Bill, was able to attend this year’s event. She continues to play an important part of the award, reaching out to talk with each year’s winner.

2018 Bill Burch Winner Luke Williams

This year’s featured speaker at the Bill Burch award ceremony was Luke Williams. Luke was the 2018 Bill Burch Humanitarian Award Winner and a 2018 Southeast Polk graduate. While at SEP, he was actively involved in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, track, Student Council, SALT, MVP, and FCA. After high school, he pursued a degree in Exercise Science at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he played football and served as Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Luke then continued his education at Drake University, earning his master’s degree last fall.  Luke is currently a Sales Executive at OpenLoop Health, based in Des Moines. His passion for service is evident in his career and through his church, coaching, and advocating for accessible healthcare solutions. Luke credits much of his success to the lessons he learned at SEP: the value of hard work, perseverance, and giving back. He was honored to speak at the event, hoping to inspire the students to embrace opportunities, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact on those around them.

Our high school counselors always put on a wonderful event to honor and recognize these exemplary students.

Congratulations to all of our Bill Burch nominees for leading the way to a better world!

Click here to see the entire program: 2025 Bill Burch Scholarship and Recognition Breakfast

Seniors

 

Juniors

Sophomores

Bill Burch Scholarship and Recognition Breakfast