DeBord Scholarships Go to Wood River Duo

Central Community College-Hastings students Nathanial Krolikowski and Braden Wynn, both residents of Wood River, each received the Jim R. DeBord Scholarship on Feb. 21. The $1,000 scholarship is given each year to two students in the heavy equipment operator technology program each year.

HASTINGS, Neb. - A pair of Central Community College-Hastings heavy equipment operator technology (HEOT) students from Wood River have been named recipients of the Jim R. DeBord Scholarship.

Ron and Tammy DeBord established the scholarship in honor of Ron’s father, Jim, who worked in the heavy equipment field for more than three decades.

Nathanial Krolikowski and Braden Wynn each received a $1,000 scholarship to assist them in their educational pursuits. Both Krolikowski and Wynn said the funds will help with commuting expenses as they both still live in Wood River.

“I was really shocked by receiving the scholarship,” said Krolikowski, who wants to work for a firm and progress through the ranks. “I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s just a great opportunity.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity (the DeBords) for all the kids out here,” said Wynn, who works at Green Plains in Wood River.

Before presenting the scholarships, Ron DeBord spoke to the HEOT students and detailed some of the Nebraska roads he helped construct throughout his career. They include Highway 29 near Agate, Highway 18 south of Curtis, Highway 25 south of Trenton and Highway 12 from Valentine to Sparks.

“One of the reasons we sponsor this scholarship to honor my dad is because he was dependable and the virtues he had helped him to be successful in his field,” said DeBord. “I don’t ever recall my dad being late to work in my entire life. He took great pride in what he did.”

This is the fifth year that the DeBord Scholarship has been presented to two students in the HEOT program.