Elks scholarships awarded

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Benevolent and Protective Orders of Elks McCook Lodge No. 1434, has announced the winners of the $500 scholarships for 2012-13.

Cole

Allyson Cole, a senior at Hitchcock County High School in Trenton, is planning to attend Wayne State College.

The daughter of William and Kimberly Cole of Trenton, she is ranked third in her class of 17.

Cole has amassed an array of academic honors, including being named on the honor roll with distinction, algebra I and II awards, physical science award, social studies award in world history and many others.

An athlete as well, Cole lettered in volleyball and basketball, receiving honorable mention in both sports at the West Division Conference.

Cole also served as the freshman class president, the sophomore class presdient, FBLA secretary, junior class president, FBLA vice president, senior class president, National Honor Society vice president, student council president and FBLA president.

In addition to holding these offices, Cole also participated on the Academic team, in the one act plays, the Letter Club, music/choir, and was Homecoming Royalty second attendant in 2012.

She is involved in her community, participating in community clean-up, serving as a volunteer during Vacation Bible School, trick or treating for the food pantry, coaching elementary basketball and volunteering on the Save Swanson Lake Clean-Up crew.

She served as a Cornhusker Girls State Citizen for the American Legion Auxiliary.

Johnsen

Brendan L. Johnsen, a senior at Medicine Valley High School in Curtis, has plans to attend Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska.

The son of Scott and Shawna Johnsen of Curtis, Johnsen is ranked first in a class of 14.

Johnsen has maintained a 4.0 grade point average while being active in football, basketball, golf, FFA, FCCLA, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society and Inter-high Day competitions.

He also is active in 4-H, his church youth group, Operation Christmas Child, served as an Epworth Village volunteer, a Farm Safety Day volunteer with FFA, a STAR Theater volunteer, a Frontier County fair volunteer, and as a player, umpire and volunteer coach with American Legion baseball.

He also was nominated for and received recognition as one of the top 48 student/athletes in the NSAA Believers and Achievers recognition program for 2013.

Woitaszewski

Kelsey Woitaszewski, a senior at McCook High School, will attend McCook Community College. The daughter of Randy and Shannon Woitaszewski of McCook, she is ranked first in a class of 103.

Woitaszewski has achieved numerous accomplishments academically, including taking honors courses throughout her high school career, and was numbered in the Academic Top Ten. She also received recognition from the FFA for the highest sophomore and junior GPA.

Woitaszewski is also an outstanding athlete, participating in track and field, swimming and cross country. She was honor in 2011 and 12 with All State Academic Swimming and All State Academic Cross Country.

She is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Art Club, Math Club, Science Club, FFA, WORD Bible Study, Methodist Youth Fellowship, Bison Against Drinking and Driving and 4-H.

Community also is important to Kelsey. She has taken part in highway clean-up, recycling, Trunk or Treat, Read Across America, Trick or Treat for the Pantry, house painting, raking leaves, serves as a peer mentor, supports Family Fun Night, community suppers, the humane society and Make A Wish. She has also prepared packages to be sent to the armed forces, and participated in the Toy Box, bike rodeo and nursing home bingo. She volunteered at Teen Home, a homeless shelter, organized food at the Pantry, and participated in the cancer walk and the Alzheimer's walk. She volunteers at Community Hospital's runs, took part in the homeless campout, and is a First Night volunteer. She also participated in Halloween face painting, PALS, tutors math and is a nursing home volunteer.

German

Justin German, a senior at Chase County High School will attend Chadron State College.

The son of Eric and Brenda German of Imperial, Justin is ranked sixth in a class of 32.

German has been named on the honor roll throughout his high school career and is a member of the National Honor Society. He served as a representative at Cornhusker Boys State, and won distric and state junior Parliamentary procedure in his sophomore year and district senior parliamentary procedure as a junior. Among other honors, he also serves on the Youth Advisory Council for Representative Adrian Smith.

An athlete, he has participated in football, basketball and track. He also has served as the lead in school musicals, participated in show choir and was in FFA throughout his high school career.

German is active in his community working concessions and clean-up at the Imperial Theater; ushering at Imperial Bible Church, where he also helps in the nursery and junion church. A member of the Imperial Bible Church Youth Group, he went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic during his sophomore year and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served on that agency's leadership team; was the junior officer president and the senior officer sentiel for FFA, and is a member of student council where he has served as president during his junior and senior year.