(Courtesy)
HASTINGS – Hastings College has announced the newest cohort of students selected for the Scott Scholars Program, a premier, four-year, full-ride leadership scholarship supported by the Suzanne AND Walter Scott Foundation.
The program brings together high‑achieving students committed to academic excellence, leadership development and community engagement.
“Scott Scholars at Hastings College are difference makers — they participate in specialized leadership programming, community service initiatives, travel experiences and collaborative projects designed to prepare them for impactful careers and civic leadership,” said Dave Rippe, director of the College’s Scott Scholars program. “The program emphasizes experiential learning, mentorship, networking and engagement with communities across Nebraska and beyond.”
The scholarship is valued at more than $200,000 over four years, with the goal of attracting and retaining top talent in the state. Recipients pursue degrees leading to careers in business or STEM fields.
“Walter Scott, Jr., founded the scholarship because he believed in investing in talented young people who will need to lead others and solve complex problems,” said Dr. Laura Miller, director of education for the Walter Scott Family Foundation. “We can’t wait to welcome the 2026 cohort!”
This year’s cohort of 15 students first had to apply and be selected to participate in a Community Leadership Challenge in Hastings — more than 70 students originally applied.
Students listed below have been selected to join the Scott Scholars Program in the fall of 2026 at Hastings College (additional information on each follows).
- Allison Boettcher of Adams Central High School (Hastings, Nebraska)
- Emily Brhel of Firefly Meadows Academy Homeschool (Fairfield, Nebraska)
- Camry Draeger of Crete High School (Crete, Nebraska)
- Elliot Fischer of Mill Valley High School (Shawnee, Kansas)
- Erin Gegg of Shelton High School (Shelton, Nebraska)
- Zach Greble of O’Gorman High School (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
- Camden Holmes of Riverdale Ridge High School (Thornton, Colorado)
- Jesika Hopkins of Thompson Valley High School (Loveland, Colorado)
- Ryann King of Adams Central High School (Hastings, Nebraska)
- Mackenzie Lee of Frost High School (Frost, Texas)
- Braxton Miller of Kimball High School (Kimball, Nebraska)
- Olivia Reardon of St. Edward High School (St. Edward, Nebraska)
- Daisy Ryan of Overton High School (Overton, Nebraska)
- Sylvia Schneider of Kenesaw High School (Kenesaw, Nebraska)
- Lincoln Treffer of Adams Central High School (Juniata, Nebraska)
Additional information about each student is provided below.
Allison Boettcher is a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society at Adams Central High School. A multi‑sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, swimming and track and field, she is also active in speech, band, theater and choir. Boettcher plans to follow a pre‑dental pathway.
Emily Brhel is an active member of 4‑H and FFA with interests spanning shooting sports, art, fencing, robotics and music at Firefly Meadows Academy Homeschool. Passionate about wildlife and conservation, she participates in birding mentorship programs and hands-on agricultural and environmental projects. Brhel plans to major in wildlife biology.
Camry Draeger is a National Honor Society member and serves as Student Council and senior class president at Crete High School. Active in basketball, softball and tennis, she also participates in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Circle of Friends, rodeo, and is a youth sports camp mentor. Draeger plans to follow a veterinary medicine pathway and compete with the Bronco women’s basketball team.
Elliot Fischer is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society at Mill Valley High School. A multi‑sport athlete in football and baseball he also serves as class vice president and is active in student leadership and community service. Fischer plans to study pre‑med and compete with the Bronco baseball team.
Erin Gegg is an All‑A Honor Roll student and multi‑time NCPA Academic All‑State honoree at Shelton High School. A three‑sport varsity athlete in volleyball, basketball and track and field, she also serves as class president and an FFA officer. Gegg plans to follow a pre‑dental pathway and compete with the Bronco women’s basketball team.
Zach Greble is a National Honor Society member at Bishop O’Gorman High School and a recipient of the Presidential Bilingual Gold Award in German. A multi‑sport athlete in golf and bowling, he is also active in choir, show choir and theater. Greble plans to study math and physics and compete with the Bronco men’s bowling team.
Camden Holmes is a four-year Academic High Honor Roll student, and a member of the National Society for High School Scholars and the National Honor Society at Riverdale Ridge High School. Cam is an Academic All-State First Team selection for women’s soccer and actively participates in HOSA, Women’s Empowerment and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Holmes plans to study nursing and compete with the Bronco women’s soccer team.
Jesika Hopkins is a four‑year Academic All‑State student that has been nominated for both the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society at Thompson Valley High School. A multi‑sport athlete and team captain in basketball, soccer and flag football, she is active in the Athlete Leadership Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Hopkins plans to major in business administration and compete with the inaugural Bronco women’s flag football team.
Ryann King is a member of the National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society and has earned honor roll recognition throughout her academic career at Adams Central High School. She is active in cheer, FBLA, church leadership and dance, and mentors younger students while also working as a program guide at Prairie Loft. King plans to major in finance.
Mackenzie Lee is ranked first in her class at Frost High School and is a member of the National Honor Society. She serves as president of Beta Club, Student Council and her class, and is active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and yearbook. A multi‑sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and tennis, Lee plans to major in business administration and compete with the Bronco women’s volleyball team.
Braxton Miller is a National Honor Society member and serves as class vice president at Kimball High School. Active in basketball, cross country and track, he also participates in 4‑H, church youth group and the Kimball Committed Leadership Club. Miller plans to major in business administration and compete with the Bronco men’s basketball team
Olivia Reardon is an All‑A Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member at St. Edward High School and has earned NSAA Academic All‑State honors and the Nebraska Gold Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish. A varsity athlete in volleyball, she is active in FFA, student council, and quiz bowl. Reardon plans to pursue studies in health systems.
Daisy Ryan is an Honor Roll student at Overton High School, an Academic All‑State honoree in volleyball and basketball, and participates in track. She serves as FFA president and Student Council president and is a member of the National Honor Society. Ryan plans to study biology or nursing and compete with the Bronco women’s volleyball team.
Sylvia Schneider is an A Honor Roll student at Kenesaw High School. She is captain of the Quiz Bowl team and participates in speech and one‑act while also pursuing interests in mural painting, baking, embroidery, reading, and fundraising. Schneider plans to major in business administration.
Lincoln Treffer is a two‑time Academic All‑State honoree and National Honor Society member at Adams Central High School. A captain in both football and wrestling, he is also active in FBLA, serving as chapter president and a two‑time national qualifier. Treffer plans to major in business administration.
