Five SCC students among those to be honored during PTK event

Five Southeast Community College students will be honored April 16 as members of the 2014 Phi Theta Kappa All-Nebraska Academic Team.

Shylo R. Buresh, James A. Frerichs, Paige N. Smith, Rachel B. Sinn, and Elizabeth A. Snider are the five SCC students being honored. They are among dozens scheduled to participate in a C4 Rally at the Capitol with Dr. Rod A. Risley, executive director and chief executive officer of PTK. In 2011, PTK, whose purpose is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students, launched the Community College Completion Corps, a student-led, campus-based effort to increase student success by informing all students about the benefits of completing a credential/degree and the consequences of not.

PTK honorees, as well as other PTK members from all six Nebraska community colleges, will bring signed banners to the Capitol. Risley is scheduled to address the group in Legislative Hearing Room 1507 at the Capitol.

A PTK luncheon honoring students, families, guests, and designated staff will be held at the Cornhusker Marriott following the events at the Capitol. A complimentary luncheon for students, college faculty and staff not participating in the event at the Cornhusker will take place at SCC’s Education Square location in downtown Lincoln.

Following is a brief look at SCC’s students:

Beatrice Campus – Paige Noel Smith and Elizabeth Snider.

Smith is a native of Overton and graduated from Overton High School.

She has studied in SCC’s Academic Transfer program, as well as the Radiologic Technology program. She plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska Medical Center or the Mary Lanning Healthcare School of Radiologic Technology in Hastings.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Smith said. “It will help me further my academic career.”

Smith said she was attracted to SCC because of the small class sizes, the environment and the opportunity to play volleyball. She was a member of the Storm volleyball team two years.

Snider is a native of Maywood and graduated from Maywood High School.

She graduated from SCC last December (Academic Transfer) and transferred to Peru State College, where she is in the School of Education.

“I plan to teach middle school math,” Snider said.

Snider, like Smith, played two years on the Storm volleyball team.

“This award represents the hard work and dedication of not only myself, but the people who helped me grow into the person I am today,” Snider said. “I would like to mention my grandmother, Elizabeth Snider. I just really want to thank all of the instructors and staff at SCC for not only pushing me to become better, but for guiding me along the way. I will never forget the fantastic people that I met while I was there.”

Lincoln Campus – Rachel Sinn.

Sinn is a native of Mahaska, Kan., and graduated from North Central Junior-Senior High School.

She is in SCC’s Computer Information Technology program, with a dual focus of Support Specialist and Networking.

“This honor marks how far I’ve come as a person,” Sinn said. “Getting recognition at this level gives me more confidence than ever before. I couldn’t have done it without support from my family, friends and mentors here at Southeast. Going to college now has become exciting and fun thanks to all of them.”

Sinn’s career goal is to work in the medical field as a network support technician. She has worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant for six years.

“That was the most rewarding job ever,” she said. “My residents and coworkers always kept work interesting and fun, but it took a toll on my body. Change was necessary. Choosing SCC was easy. At first it was because of the CIT program, and it is affordable. Being active in Phi Theta Kappa and Student Senate helped me realize I can also help other students and my community. Southeast let me be who I wanted to be, which is very important to me.”

Milford Campus – Shylo Buresh and James Frerichs.

Buresh is a native of Friend and graduated from Friend High School.

She is in SCC’s Business Administration program and plans to transfer to a four-year school and pursue a bachelor’s degree, “but I do not know what school.”

Buresh has been active in Student Senate, has earned spots on the Dean’s List, has been named Student of the Quarter, and is a member of the International Honor Society.

Frerichs is a native of Dunbar and is a graduate of Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School.

He is a 1990 graduate of Peru State College, having earned a degree in accounting/business management. He is in his final quarter in SCC’s Energy Generation Operations program.

“I plan to work for a company in the energy field that uses cutting-edge technologies and efficiencies to make it a leader in the industry,” Frerichs said. “I would like to pursue a master’s degree in energy.”

Frerichs is active in numerous organizations on the Milford Campus, including the CEO’s Advisory Team, Student Senate (president), student representative to the Board of Governors, and is a member of the steering committee for Future Operators of America.

“It is an honor to be selected for the PTK All-Nebraska team,” he said. “I would never have expected to receive this honor, and I am humbled.”

Frerichs said he chose SCC for its location, the program and the affordable tuition.