Three students attending Southeast Community College have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Nebraska Rod and Custom Association.
Darrin Pecka from Valparaiso, Jennifer Helgoth from Friend and Kaleb Sekutera from Litchfield were selected to receive scholarships by the NRCA Scholarship Committee. The NRCA awarded four scholarships this year.
Pecka is a second-year student in SCC’s Precision Machining and Automation Technology program (formerly known as Machine Tool Technology). The graduate of Raymond Central High School received a memorial scholarship in honor of long-time NRCA Treasurer Dan Graves. Pecka has had the opportunity to work on the last Ridler Award-winner car, a 1940 Ford from Omaha, and help with the custom wheels and other custom engine parts that were made for the car. His hobby is rebuilding flatheads.
Helgoth is a second-year student in SCC’s Auto Collision Repair Technology program. The graduate of Waverly High School has earned a spot on the Dean’s List every quarter while at SCC and is working on restoring a 1969 Camaro.
Sekutera is a second-year student in SCC’s Automotive Technology program. He is a member of SCC’s Engine Build team and has been employed four years at Joe’s Motor Company in Hazard. He plans to return there after graduation.
The NRCA Scholarship Committee received 23 applications this year. According to the NRCA, the quality of the applications was outstanding, which made the committee’s choice more difficult.
“These kids were well-prepared and knew what they wanted to become,” said Brad Kernick, committee member.
The NRCA does not award scholarships based on a paper application alone. The organization believes that the interview is important to ensure that the association’s money will produce good results. It also has a standard grading system, and each of the four committee members independently grades each application. It then is narrowed to those who will be interviewed, and the committee members’ choice usually is a strong consensus. Seven applicants were interviewed on April 6.
The NRCA was organized by special-interest car owners 24 years ago when it appeared legislation introduced in Nebraska would threaten the hobby.