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The 2025-2026 North Central Missouri College Scholarship Reception was held on Wednesday, October 15 in the Jeanette Hoffman Robison Auditorium at the Ketcham Community Center. Over 500 students were recognized for receiving a NCMC Foundation, Athletic, SSS, Board of Trustees or other institutional scholarships. Dr. Lenny Klaver, NCMC President, welcomed over 350 guests and thanked the NCMC Foundation and the generous scholarship donors. “Without them, this event, and the awards would not be happening.” Dr. Klaver reminded everyone that this year NCMC celebrates 100 years as college, the former Trenton Junior College and as of 1986, NCMC. He also announced that the Neil and Susanne Nuttall Student Center will be opening soon. He introduced Amy Guthrie, English Instructor, and welcomed her to the stage to perform the National Anthem.

Daniel Savage, NCMC alum and current Director of Transportation, was the emcee at the event. He opened by explaining the NCMC Scholarship Reception is not only to recognize student recipients for their hard work and dedication, but to also thank those who have made the decision to invest in NCMC students by creating scholarships. Three NCMC Foundation scholarship recipients shared how NCMC has impacted their lives, on the softball field, through dance wave, and at the Barton Farm campus. “We were blessed once again with incredible student speakers this year who shared their inspiring experiences at NCMC. Dean Kratochvil, an avid NCMC supporter and scholarship donor, humbly encouraged everyone to contribute to NCMC scholarships no matter how big or small. It was a beautiful reception and the energy in the room was positive and electrifying,” commented Kristi Varner, Scholarship Coordinator.

Sophomore, Myla Laws, from Warrensburg was the first student scholarship speaker, “NCMC has given me the ability to grow in the student I am, providing me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge and be supported through my journey; this school has brought me to my closest friends, showing me an atmosphere where I can be myself.” Myla is member of the NCMC Lady Pirate softball team and praised her coaches and teammates for continually pushing her to reach her goals she thought was previously unattainable. “The support I receive from the coaches, athletic staff, and all at NCMC allows me to stay healthy, stay on top of school and perform well in softball. In my two years here at NCMC I have been supported through scholarships, tutors, and coaches.” Myla is the daughter of Casey and Carrie Laws; she is pursuing an associate in arts degree in Early Childhood Development. She is the 2025-2026 recipient of the NCMC Foundation Harry F. Sugg Athletic Scholarship, as well as a recipient of the Board of Trustees, Anchor A, and softball institutional scholarship.

Dean Kratochvil, an endowed NCMC Scholarship donor, and established member of the Savannah community since 1979 was the featured speaker for the reception. Dean owns a veterinary pharmaceutical company in Savannah. He shared how excited he was when NCMC made the decision to add a new campus in Savannah. Dean established the Dean Kratochvil scholarship in 2022 to assist students in financial need who are enrolled in a career technical education program. “I wanted to support them. What a better way than to offer a scholarship to those wanting a trade, or to get the basics to move on to more degrees. Having the means to assist these young students is very important to me.” He also encouraged students who receive scholarships to work hard, “Students, please work hard so all those people that have furnished the funds for the scholarships can see the opportunities that they have provided for you. It makes us proud to see your accomplishments and the joy and the commitments you bring to your community and family.”

Aubrey Schreckhise, daughter of Brooke and Aaron Schreckhise from Meadville, MO, followed by thanking all the scholarship donors for their generosity, and NCMC for giving students an amazing educational experience. She is the 2025-2026 recipient of the Lelan S. Ryan Memorial Agricultural Scholarship. Aubrey is a second-year agriculture student who plans to transfer to Northwest Missouri State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in animal science. With this degree, she plans to be an Embryologist Artificial Insemination Technician. She shared her first experience at the Barton Farm Campus, “I can vividly remember my first day of working cattle with Mr. Jumps in my animal science class. We had just gotten that year’s heifers; we were to catch them in the shoot and give them vaccinations and tag them. I had never run a shoot before, and I missed my first heifer out of the shoot.” She went on to share that Mr. Jumps later tried to demonstrate how to do it and ironically, he missed the heifer as well. This experience showed her that when working with animals, it is hard work and no matter how long you have been doing it, there will always be challenges. “I would not have had these amazing experiences without coming to NCMC and being a part of this amazing school.”

Tori Dunks, the daughter of Mike and Lupe Dunks, is a 2024 graduate of Tri-County High School and a member of the NCMC Dance Wave team. She received the 2025-2026 NCMC Foundation Warren and Nanetta Carter Dance Wave Scholarship, an institutional scholarship for Dance Wave, and the E2 Empower U Scholarship. “Some may say I’m a perfectionist, but I like to say I’m just a very detail-oriented person. I’m the type of person who picks out their clothes, packs their lunch, and sets multiple alarms the night before school to help my morning go smoothly. But this is only a portion of what makes me who I am.” Tori shared how Covid temporarily brought her dance career to an end, but despite taking years off, she is back in the town that started it all. “At NCMC, I’ve been able to continue pursuing that passion 8-year-old me had. Joining the dance team here has allowed me to grow and become a leader; I was chosen to be captain my first year.” She went on to share how the mentors of Upward Bound gave her the boost she needed to feel prepared, and how SSS provides her with the same assistance at NCMC. “All I can do is keep moving forward, one step at a time, making sure I am continuously showing up for myself and staying open to new opportunities. There are doors out there for all of us; we just have to keep searching until we find the right key to open them.” Tori plans to transfer to a four-year university to major in Communications/Public Relations and continue to dance.

The NCMC Foundation took a moment to honor a very special woman who held a deep love for Trenton Junior College—Nanetta “Nan” Carter. Known affectionately as Coach Carter, Nan carried a lifelong passion for softball and women’s sports. Nan’s impact extended far beyond the field. She remained deeply connected to what is now NCMC, serving on the NCMC Foundation Board for many years and championing all programs. Though Nan passed away on December 30, 2023, her and her husband Warren’s legacy continue to inspire. Thanks to their generosity, the Warren and Nannetta Carter Scholarships will empower female student athletes at NCMC for generations.

Allan Seidel, NCMC Foundation President, provided the closing remarks and congratulated speakers on a fantastic job. He thanked everyone for being there and especially the scholarship donors and the NCMC Foundation for all their work and support. “Thanks to the generosity of many donors and the diligent work of the Foundation’s Investment Committee in managing our scholarship endowments, a total of $346,420 was awarded this academic year through the NCMC Foundation to NCMC students. This represents an increase of more than $50,000 from last academic year.” “I also want to take a moment to congratulate NCMC—known as Trenton Junior College when I attended—on reaching the incredible milestone of 100 years! I encourage everyone to take part in the celebration activities.”