NORFOLK, Neb. – Northeast Community College welcomed 26 first-year Scott Pathway Scholars and celebrated its continuing Scholars during the Fall Kick-Off Luncheon Friday, Aug. 21, at the Lifelong Learning Center
The luncheon brought together Scholars, Northeast employees and representatives of the Walter Scott Family Foundation to begin a new academic year and recognize the growing Scott Pathway Scholar community. Guests included Calvin Sisson, CEO of the Walter Scott Family Foundation; Lisa Goodwin, the foundation’s assistant director of education; and members of the foundation’s education team.
“We are excited to welcome our newest Scott Pathway Scholars to Northeast and celebrate the continuing Scholars who are returning for another year,” said Leah Barrett, president of Northeast. “Through the support of the Walter Scott Family Foundation, these students have opportunities to build meaningful connections, strengthen their leadership skills and become more deeply engaged in their college experience.”
Sponsored by the Walter Scott Family Foundation, the Scott Pathway Scholarship Program removes financial barriers and provides a comprehensive support system to help students succeed from college to career. Scholars receive full coverage of tuition, fees, housing and meal costs for up to four consecutive semesters, along with personalized guidance, leadership and career development opportunities, and the opportunity for additional funding for books and tools. Scholars also live and learn alongside a cohort of peers, building connections that support their academic and personal success.
Calvin Sisson of Omaha, president and CEO of the Walter Scott Family Foundation, reflected on the values that guided Walter Scott Jr.'s life and philanthropic vision. Sisson shared how Scott believed deeply in investing in people and creating opportunities that could change lives, particularly through education. He noted that Scott genuinely enjoyed engaging with young adults, learning about their aspirations and encouraging them as they pursued their goals. Sisson emphasized that the Foundation's continued support of programs such as the Scott Pathway Scholarship reflects Scott's belief that when students are given the resources, guidance and opportunity to succeed, they can make a meaningful impact on their communities and the world around them.
Ben Spray, CEO and co-founder of Click Theory Capital, served as the keynote speaker. Spray provided information about his journey as a young entrepreneur and the challenges that he faced and overcame. He encouraged the students to know what they value and fight for that. He shared the hardest moments of his career weren’t about money or pressure. They were when he was grinding for something that didn’t matter to him anymore. He also shared that to be someone worth betting on, character matters far more than what you do.
The Fall Kick-Off Luncheon also provided an opportunity for Scholars to connect with the campus community and foundation partners. These relationships help create a sense of belonging and support student success, leadership, and engagement as Scholars begin the academic year.
Kara Woehler serves as director of the Scott Pathway Scholarship Program at Northeast, now in its third year.
First-year Scott Scholars
Edwin Alarcon, CADD Technology, Norfolk
Aadison Bellamy, Pre-Veterinary Technology, Kearney
Ryder Brabec, Animal Science, Malmo
Georgia Bridger, Animal Science, Fullerton
Claire Christensen, Pre-Engineering, Norfolk
Kayden Crosby, Ag Food and Natural Resources Transfer, Aurora
Kolter Eidson, Automotive Technology, Edison
Cejay Dahlberg, Information Technology, Humphrey
Dillon Fitzgerald, Information Technology, Fullerton
Jacob Garza, Pre-Engineering, Norfolk
Kylie Hackbart, Animal Science, Seward
Samuel Haug, Information Technology, Stromsburg
Paul Johnson, Pre-Engineering, Central City
Owen Kaufman, Diesel Technology, Newman Grove
Reid Koehler, Precision Ag, Wahoo
Clair Krysl, Ag Food and Natural Resources Transfer, Chambers
Kail Miles, Agribusiness, Hemingford
Abigail Nielsen, Ag Food and Natural Resources Transfer, Saint Libory
Owen Plog, Diversified Ag, Hemingford
Evelyn Ramiriz-Garcia, Horticulture, Lexington
Rylee Randel, Agribusiness, Boulder, Montana
Mason Schubauer, Diesel Technology, Newport
Brynn Sloma, Diesel Technology, Columbus
Carl Vogt, Pre-Engineering, Pierce
Hailey Weller, Pre-Veterinary Technology, Palmer
Clay White, Diesel Technology, Pierce
Second-year Scott Scholars
Jackson Boyd, Agronomy, Primrose
Alex DeSive, Agribusiness, O’Neill
Keila Dubas, Animal Science, Fullerton
Adriana Faust, Pre-Engineering, Norfolk
Noah Ferguson-Naranjo, Information Technology, Norfolk
Alexis Frye, Animal Science, Wayne
Aric Hall, Mechanized Ag, Laurel
Allie Howell, Agribusiness, Polk
Emma Jacobs, Vet Tech, Yankton, South Dakota
Kayla Jensen, Agribusiness, Beresford, South Dakota
Corben Kment, Animal Science, Plainview;
Emma Kuhlman, Animal Science, Creighton
Ben Paxton, Agribusiness, Stuart
Justin Ray, Agribusiness, Primrose
Gage Sack, Agribusiness, Saint Paul
Loretta Scofield, Animal Science, O’Neill
Paytin Sickles, Animal Science, Cambridge;
Leah Sukup, Agribusiness, Winnetoon
Mackenzie Vanness, Animal Science, Wausa
McKinley Warnick, Agribusiness, Polk
Camden Winkelman, Ag College Transfer, Utica
