Center for Independence awards scholarships to 15 young people

This year marks the 19th year that the Center for Independence has awarded scholarships to assist children of current full time employees in obtaining post-secondary education.  
The program was implemented in 2001 to provide a means for employees to work cooperatively to meet the increasing costs associated with post-secondary education.  
The Center for Independence Board of Directors matches a portion of the employee contributions demonstrating the agency’s commitment to helping the children of our employees further their education.  
Since the inception of the Scholarship Program, 226 students have received $128,300 in scholarships.  This year’s recipients listed below have been awarded scholarships of $550 each.
Recipients include:
• Tracy Albrecht, daughter of Patricia Tompkins, of Huron. Tracy will attend South Dakota State University majoring in Early Childhood Education.
• Cullen Beals, son of Jennifer Beals, of Huron. Cullen will attend Mitchell Technical Institute majoring in Architectural Design and Building Construction.

• Daxton Diede, son of Rhonda Tompkins, of St. Lawrence.  Daxton attends the University of South Dakota, with a major in Finance.
• Deric Diede, son of Rhonda Tompkins, of St. Lawrence.  Deric  attends Lake Area Technical Institute, with a major in Energy Operations.
• Steven Fernholz, son of Shawn and Kelly Fernholz, of Miller.  Steven attends Mitchell Technical Institute with a major in Agricultural Business.
• Austin Gross, son of Nikki and Chris Gross of Huron.  Austin attends Northern State University with a major in History.
• Austin Kemnitz, son of Shauna and Joel Kemnitz, of Wolsey.  Austin attends Dakota Wesleyan University majoring in Athletic Training.
• Madelyn Kline, daughter of Neal and Kristin Kline, of Huron. Madelyn attends South Dakota State University majoring in Business Economics.
• Michelle Johnson, daughter of Cindy Johnson, of Huron.  Michelle attends Dakota Wesleyan University, with a major in Accounting.
• Nick Nelson, son of James Nelson of Huron.  Nick attends South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, with a major in Civil Engineering.
• Alex Nelson, son of James Nelson of Huron.  Alex will be attending Huron Community Campus, with a major in Commercial Economics.
• Christian Schelhaas, son of Shannon and Chad Schelhaas of Huron.  Christian attends Southeast Technical Institute majoring in Computer Programming.
• Ashton Songer, son of Barb Ames of Huron.  Ashton attends Dakota State University with a major in Computer Graphics.
• Kendra Wallace, daughter of Kurt and Carolyn Wallace of Lake Preston.  Kendra  attends Southeast Technical Institute majoring in Nursing.
• Kyann Wallace, daughter of Kurt and Carolyn Wallace of Lake Preston.  Kyann attends South Dakota State University with a major in Human Development and Family Studies.