Columbus Community Hospital Awards Scholarships to Area Students
Columbus Community Hospital recently announced the winners of its 2026 scholarships. Sixteen local students received $7,800 to further their educations.
Below is a list of the scholarship winners:
CCH Foundation scholarship: Aliya Oceguera of Columbus is the $500 CCH Foundation scholarship winner.
Oceguera is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who also works at Jenda Family Services and Toast in Omaha. She has accomplished several achievements, including dean’s list from fall 2021 through spring 2025 and many other honors. She plans to continue her education at the University of Nebraska Omaha to work toward a master’s degree in social work. Oceguera’s parents are Katie Oceguera and James Dush of Columbus.
CCH high school student scholarship: Bronwyn Prokopec of Columbus is the $300 CCH high school student scholarship winner.
Prokopec is a 2026 Columbus High School graduate who also works at Tropical Smoothie Café and Prokopec Wealth Management in Columbus. She earned a 4.1429 grade point average; received top 10% of class four years in a row; achieved the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association (NCPA) Academic All-State award three years in a row; was on the A-Honor Roll all four years; received the Multi-Activity Student award for four years; received best supporting actress award; received an academic letter four years in a row; received Heartland Athletic Conference award in bowling, tennis and unified bowling; lettered in vocal music, band, tennis, bowling, unified bowling and theater. She plans to enroll at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, this fall to pursue a future in nursing. Prokopec’s parents are Carrie and Aaron Prokopec of Columbus.
Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship: Whitney Wegener of Humphrey is the $500 2026 Dallmont J. and Bernadine Erickson memorial scholarship winner.
Wegener is a 2026 Archangels Catholic High School graduate. She is very active with her work and volunteer experience outside of school; she was a nanny from 2021 through 2023 and currently works as a lifeguard and at-home caregiver. She has also organized little kids’ volleyball and basketball summer camps, assisted with the Archangels Catholic parish bazaar and vacuumed the church. Wegener uses much of her time for activities outside school such as volleyball, basketball and track. She has received the CHI Health scholarship; achieved A-Honor Roll all four years; was in the National Honor Society; lettered in volleyball for three years; received third-team all-conference in volleyball in 2025; was awarded the NCPA Academic All-State award in both volleyball and basketball; lettered in basketball for three years; was named to the Class D2 all-tournament team and second team all-conference in basketball; and she lettered in track for four years, also breaking the school discus record. Wegener plans to continue her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall to obtain her pre-health degree. She is the daughter of Kelli and David Wegener of Humphrey.
The William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship: Juddy Ngatia of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 2026 William and Barbara Gerhold scholarship.
Ngatia works at the hospital as a certified nurse aide for the senior behavioral health unit. She plans to continue her education at Central Community College in Columbus, Nebraska, to receive her Associate of Science in nursing degree. Her parents are Anthony and Regina Ngatia of Columbus.
The George Prochaska scholarships:
Alison Schliep and Camila Carrizales of Columbus are the recipients of the $500 2026 George Prochaska scholarships through the CCH Foundation.
Schielp works at the hospital as a registered nurse for Columbus Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic. She plans to continue her education at Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, to receive her Master of Science in nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner degree. Her husband is Jace Schliep of Columbus.
Carrizales is a 2026 graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School. She is very active with her work and volunteer experience outside of school, currently working at Scooter’s Coffee and The Heritage at Meridian Gardens. She is also active with the CCH VolunTEEN program, Teens for Life, the United Way and Simon House; serves as a junior camp counselor; and is a blood drive volunteer. Carrizales uses much of her time for activities outside of school such as National Honor Society, Campus Ministry, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)-Future Health Professionals, cheerleading, one-act play crew, Spanish club, Shamrock Leadership Club, Teens for Life, book club and youth camp counselor. She has received honors Straight-A Honor Roll, the Academic Excellence Award, is certified in basic life support and is a certified nursing assistant. Carrizales plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney to study pre-medicine. Her parents are Angel and Diana Carrizales of Columbus.
Eagles scholarship awarded: Eva Foreman is the winner of the $1,000 2026 Eagles radiological scholarship.
Foreman is a 2026 graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School. She has been recognized on her school’s honor roll, and also spends her time working at Brookestone Acres and as a nanny for three years. Foreman has volunteered at the Rescue Mission and at Wiggles & Giggles Therapy for Kids for four years. She participates in Camp Ministry, Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA), Godteens and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). She plans to attend Southeast Community College-Lincoln in the pre-radiologic technology program. Her parents are Craig and Michele Foreman of Columbus.
HDR Architecture, Inc. scholarship:
Jocelyn Nickolite of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 2026 HDR Architecture, Inc. scholarship through the CCH Foundation.
Nickolite is a 2026 graduate of Columbus High School and currently works at Brookestone Acres and The Broken Mug in Columbus. She uses her time outside of school to participate in National Honor Society, HOSA, cheerleading and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Nickolite received an individual leadership award from the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) cheer camp; received four varsity letter awards and two academic letter awards; achieved A/B-Honor Roll and A-Honor Roll; received a STAR award; received an invitation to the National Society of High School Scholars; and was in the top 10% of her class. She plans to be a student in the nursing program at Central Community College in Columbus. Nickolite’s parents include her mother Tara Moffitt and stepfather Mike Moffitt, both of Columbus, and father Anthony Nickolite of Holland, Ohio.
HDR Architecture, Inc. Spanish scholarship:
Alejandra Lopez Martinez of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 2026 HDR Architecture, Inc. Spanish scholarship through the CCH Foundation.
Lopez Martinez is a 2026 graduate of Scotus Central Catholic High School and currently works at Emerald Nursing & Rehab and in Hy-Vee’s pharmacy department. She uses her time outside of school to participate in the hospital’s VolunTEEN program. Lopez Martinez was named Academic All-Conference was on the A-Honor Roll and straight A-Honor Roll and received a World Language Distinguished Honor award. She plans to be a student in the nursing program at Central Community College in Columbus. Lopez Martinez’s parents are Ana Martinez Paz and German Lopez Rivas of Columbus.
Deb Kessler memorial scholarship: Abby Ellsworth is the recipient of the $500 Deb Kessler memorial scholarship.
Ellsworth is a 2026 Lakeview High School graduate and currently works at Emerald Nursing & Rehab and as a lifeguard at the Columbus Family YMCA. She has been actively involved in community service through her school, community and church by volunteering for many events, including food drives, youth sporting events and St. Isidore’s parish bazaar. Ellsworth was ranked in the top 10% of her class, was on the Honor Roll for four years and received a Microsoft Associate certification. She also qualified for Future Business Leaders of America nationals after placing third at the state level in the Local Chapter Annual Business Report competition. She also received 41 completed undergraduate college credits toward her goal of beginning University of Nebraska Medical Center’s nursing program in fall 2027. She plans to continue her education at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska, to pursue her nursing degree. Her parents are Dan and Brandy Ellsworth of Columbus.
Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship: Ethan Anderson and Kaylea Brayton of Columbus are both recipients of the $500 Robert and Verdella Emerson scholarship.
Anderson works at the hospital as a certified nursing assistant for the senior behavioral health unit. He plans to continue his education at Collin County Community College in McKinney, Texas, to receive his Associate of Science degree in nursing. His mother is Sarah Ziemba of Columbus.
Brayton is a 2026 graduate of Columbus High School and works at Pet Care Specialists in Columbus. She has been actively involved in the community as a member of Key Club, HOSA, Revolution, Center for Survivors and Youth & Families for Christ. She has also volunteered her time for baseball and softball games at Bradshaw Park, AYSO soccer, Columbus Club Soccer, Taekwondo-Breaking Boards for Domestic Violence, and as a volunteer at Emerson Elementary School. She plans to enroll at University of Nebraska at Kearney to receive her degree in sports medicine. Her parents are Lea and Aaron Brayton of Columbus.
Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship: Jordan Meyer is the recipient of the $500 Charles and Myrna Meyer memorial scholarship endowment.
Meyer is a currently a student at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Nebraska. She plans to continue her education this fall working toward her respiratory therapy degree.
Richard and Judy Temme scholarship: Anette Gomez is the $500 Richard and Judy Temme scholarship winner.
Gomez works at the hospital as a patient accounts associate. She plans to continue her education by attending Clarkson College in Omaha to obtain her Associate of Science degree in radiography.
Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship: Lorissa Hofrichter of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 Joe Barbaglia Memorial scholarship.
Hofrichter works at the hospital as a buyer in the supplies, purchasing and distribution department. She plans to continue her education at Central Community College-Columbus to receive her business administration and supply chain management degree.
Bruce and Susan Odson scholarship: Ean Luebbe of Columbus is the recipient of the $500 Bruce and Susan Odson scholarship
Luebbe is a current student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He works at Grand Central Pharmacy, Younes Hospitality, Kearney Regional Medical Center and New West Orthopedic & Sports Rehabilitation in Kearney. He has been active in community organizations as the new student enrollment leader, chancellor ambassador and Loper Leader for UNK, chapter president for Sigma Phi Epsilon, vice president for Greeks Advocating for Healthy Lifestyles (GAMMA), and a member of The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPSoccer). Luebbe has achieved Mortar Board Honor Society, Order of Omega Honor Society and dean’s list. He plans to continue his education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha to obtain a doctoral degree in pharmacy. His parents are Jeff and Heidi Luebbe.
Cori Fullner, executive director of the CCH Foundation, said she is thankful these opportunities are available for area youth.
“The Columbus Community Hospital Foundation has been fortunate to have generous donors establish scholarships to help those who are furthering their education,” Fullner said. “We are hopeful the scholarship recipients will then consider Columbus Community Hospital as their career choice after college. Our hospital and community are continually growing, so the opportunities are endless.”
The following recipients received Columbus Community Hospital VolunTEEN program scholarships:
$750 scholarship to Allison Cardona Morales of Columbus High School.
$1,000 scholarship to Lillian Lancaster of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
$750 scholarship to Alejandra Lopez Martinez of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
$1,000 scholarship to Elizabeth Stoner of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
$1,000 scholarship to Will Stuthman of Lakeview High School.
“We are thrilled to offer scholarships to graduating VolunTEENs,” said Angie Ramaekers, director of volunteer and guest services. “Since beginning the VolunTEEN scholarship program in 2018, each year we are proud to recognize the achievements of these students.”
The following recipients received Columbus Community Hospital Health Science Pathway program scholarships:
$1,500 scholarship to Maggie Shevlin of Columbus High School.
$1,500 scholarship to Abby Ellsworth of Lakeview High School.
$1,500 scholarship to Alejandra Lopez Martinez of Scotus Central Catholic High School.
For more information on scholarships awarded through the hospital and foundation, visit columbushosp.org.