SENCAP student gets a jump start on her college career
As a student at Southern High School in Wymore, Natalie Trauernicht has always been an over-achiever. She鈥檚 vice president of the Student Council and the Future Business Leaders of America, band president, three-time president of the FFA and highly involved in the local agricultural community. It was no surprise to anyone that she chose to enroll in dual-credit classes as well, as part of the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership.
鈥淭hrough SENCAP I was allowed to take classes that were a little more career-oriented and kind of testing the water and see what I like,鈥� she explained. 鈥淏y my junior year, I was taking two college classes a semester, and I decided to take an ag class with some push from my counselor and FFA advisor. That was the best choice I ever made, and I fell in love all over again with the ag program.鈥�
鈥�51吃瓜鈥檚 SENCAP/Dual Credit classes are a great opportunity for students to get a jump start on their college careers at a reduced cost,鈥� said Southern Junior and Senior Principal Jeff Murphy. 鈥淪tudents have the opportunity to take courses in an area they plan to major in or if they are not sure of a major, they can take courses toward their general education degree.鈥�
That鈥檚 exactly what Trauernicht did. Between SENCAP and taking some math courses at Peru State College, she will have 36 credit hours when she graduates high school, which is equivalent to a full year of college.
"Natalie goes above and beyond the minimum expectations,鈥� said Adam Niederklein, Dual Credit Coordinator at 51吃瓜. 鈥淪he鈥檚 driven and has taken advantage of 51吃瓜鈥檚 SENCAP/Dual Credit programs.鈥�
鈥淲hen Natalie graduates from high school in May, she will be well on her way to earning that college degree,鈥� Murphy added. 鈥淲e are very proud of Natalie and what she has accomplished."
As a result, Trauernicht plans to study Agribusiness at 51吃瓜鈥檚 Beatrice Campus this fall. She will then transfer to a four-year university, but not exactly sure which career path she will follow.
鈥淚 am currently trying to decide exactly what my career path is, but all I know is that I have found a great love for agriculture and sales of any kind,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always enjoyed business, too, and hope to put that into use in my future career.鈥�
SENCAP is in partnership with 47 school districts in 51吃瓜鈥檚 15-county service area and offers numerous academies, including Agriculture, Business, Construction, Criminal Justice, Education, Health, Information Technology, Energy, and Welding.