Fillmore County Scholarship Group Photo

Eight college freshmen from Fillmore County high schools were awarded the Earl H. Wilkins Scholarship. Pictured above: (back row left to right) James Dalton Zelenka, Jan Stoldorf (Vice President / Geneva Branch President), John Wilkins (Chairman / CEO / President), Lindsey Stoldorf, Erica Yound, Megan Swartzendruber, Lucas Swartzendruber (President / Heartland Trust Company), Hugh Wilkins (Board Member), (front row left to right) Andrea Mumm (Universal Banker), Cindy Moyle (Senior Vice President / IT / Operations Director), Audrey Moyle, Miguel Rodriguez, and Logan Rosenquist. Not pictured: Brianna Hafer.

For over 45 years, Heartland Bank has been providing scholarship opportunities through the Earl H. Wilkins Scholarship Fund to high school graduates in Central Nebraska. These scholarships are awarded to high school students seeking post-secondary education who demonstrate certain characteristics. The scholarship funds are divided into two separate scholarship programs.

The first scholarship program is administered by the Heartland Trust Company and is intended for graduates from Fillmore County high schools seeking higher education.

The second scholarship program is administered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen pursuing any degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Eligible counties for the UNL scholarship include: Adams, Buffalo, Fillmore, Garfield, Loup, and Valley.

“It is critical to have the Heartland Bank Scholarship. It recruits students from across the state to UNL to get a good education, and then it helps keep them in the state post-graduation. It is wonderful to see how these students will use their education within their communities and within the state of Nebraska,” said Kaye Jesske, Corporate Relations Director at the University of Nebraska Foundation.



In the last 15 years, the fund has awarded over 175 scholarships to students. Students receive $1,000 per semester to help cover college expenses. The Earl H. Wilkins Scholarship Fund is a great way to help students establish a strong education level and get a good start on life, ultimately aiding their present and long-term successes.

“This is one of our major giving areas; we want to help our communities as much as we can,” said John Wilkins, CEO of Heartland Bank. Heartland Bank hopes to provide these students with the confidence and encouragement to become leaders so they can then give back to the community as well.




Kelton Adair

Kelton Adair - UNL Scholarship Recipient

Kelton Adair is a freshman in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majoring in Agribusiness. Kelton is from Kearney, Nebraska. After completing his undergraduate degree, Kelton plans to pursue a career in Agribusiness.




Jay Kort

Jay Kort - UNL Scholarship Recipient

Jay Kort is a freshman in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majoring in Agribusiness. Jay is from Ayr, Nebraska. Throughout high school he ran cross country and was a coach’s aid for varsity basketball. After completing his undergraduate degree, Jay plans on returning to the family farm and expanding its operation.




Benjamin Pfeiffer

Benjamin Pfeiffer - UNL Scholarship Recipient

Benjamin Pfeiffer is a freshman in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majoring in Agribusiness. Benjamin is from Juniata, Nebraska. After completing his undergraduate degree, Benjamin plans to return to work on his family’s farm.




Blake Stengel

Blake Stengel - UNL Scholarship Recipient

Blake Stengel is a freshman in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources majoring in Agriculture Economics. Blake is from Shickley, Nebraska. After completing his undergraduate degree, Blake plans to work in seed sales through his family's business as well as expand his current cattle operation.




Brianna HaferBrianna Hafer - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Brianna is attending UNO and majoring in Early Education with a focus on Special Needs Education. Brianna’s future plans are to graduate college and to get her certification for teaching in Iowa and Nebraska.




Audrey Moyle

Audrey Moyle - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Audrey is a graduate of Fillmore Central High School. Audrey will be starting her third quarter at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, NE. Audrey is pursuing a degree in Agriculture Business and Management Technology with a focus in Agronomy and Diversified Ag. When Audrey completes her degree she hopes to return to the Fillmore County area and work in the agriculture industry.




Miguel Rodriguez

Miguel Rodriguez - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

This year Miguel started attending Southeast Community College. Currently, Miguel is working towards earning his Associate’s degree in Computer Programming. This is a 2 year program that is designed to teach the skills you need to be successful in today's market. However, Miguel has decided that upon earning his degree, he will return to school in hopes of earning not one, but two more Associate degrees: a degree in Network Management, and Internet Security. Beyond these goals, Miguel plans to continue working on his life goal of making his own business successful, Apt Interactive.




Logan Rosenquist

Logan Rosenquist - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Logan is 18 years old and attending Central Community College in Hastings, NE. Logan has just gotten done with her first semester. Logan is studying to go into Early Childhood Education. Logan is currently working on her Associate's degree, and is thinking about going for a Bachelor's degree. Logan’s plans are to graduate college and work as a preschool teacher or start off as a para professional. Logan is working hard towards this achievement and cannot wait for the outcome she will receive.




Lindsey Stoldorf

Lindsey Stoldorf - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Lindsey graduated from Fillmore Central High School last spring and is currently a student at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Lindsey is pursuing a major in Business Administration with minors in Finance and Mathematics. When Lindsey completes her degree she anticipates finding a fulfilling position in Nebraska within the business field where she can utilize her degrees.




Megan Swartzendruber

Megan Swartzendruber - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Megan Swartzendruber graduated from Shickley High School in May 2015. Her parents are Mark and Donna Swartzendruber. Megan is currently attending Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. After obtaining her BSN, Megan would then like to specialize in neonatal nursing.




Erica Yound

Erica Yound - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

Erica is currently a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Erica will graduate in May of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. After graduation, Erica plans to stay at UNL and get her Masters degree of Public Accountancy. Erica hopes to have a job in Lincoln or the surrounding areas after graduation.




Dalton Zelenka

James Dalton Zelenka - Fillmore County Scholarship Recipient

James Dalton is currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. James Dalton is the first of his family to attend a four year college. When he gets his degree he would like to work for the University of Nebraska to help market their apparel. James Dalton’s dream job would be to move to Eugene Oregon to help market the Oregon Ducks apparel.

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