LINCOLN – April was Community College Month and Southeast Community College recognized some outstanding students.

Four students representing all three of SCC’s campuses were presented with $400 scholarship awards on Saturday, April 16. The College and Community Service Organization (CCSO) selected the students.

Lisa Cerveny is a Business Administration student from Beatrice. Tinh Doan is an Electrical & Electromechanical Technology student in Milford. Luis Quiroz is an Academic Transfer student in Lincoln, and Sheryl Kenworthy is a Medical Laboratory Technology student in Lincoln.

In order to be selected, the students need a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, complete 24 quarter hours, declare their program of study and be a non-traditional student. They also must submit an essay about their career goals and objectives.

“I was really excited about the scholarship,” said Sheryl Kenworthy, a student in the medical laboratory technician program. “Paying for college is kind of a struggle, I have a son with a chronic illness and any help I can get for school is wonderful.”

Kenworthy said she picked SCC because she wanted a college with smaller classes and more student-instructor interaction. When she finishes her degree next year, she will transfer to a four-year college where she will further her education. She wants to be a medical laboratory scientist.

She would like to ultimately come back to SCC and give back to the college.

“I would like to teach at Southeast Community College in the lab tech department,” Kenworthy added.

Luis Quiroz said it was important to him that his family knows it’s never too late to go back to school and finish your education. He started in college years ago, but never finished.

“I am very grateful,” Quiroz said about the scholarship. “It’s a humbling experience and the teachers here recognize there are everyday students with struggles.”

The brunch and awards ceremony took place at Southeast Community College’s Lincoln campus. SCC’s Jeanette Volker spoke about “Paying it Forward.”