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As a student at Southern High School in Wymore, Natalie Trauernicht has always been an over-achiever. She’s 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.

“Through 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,” she explained. “By 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.”

“SCC’s SENCAP/Dual Credit classes are a great opportunity for students to get a jump start on their college careers at a reduced cost,” said Southern Junior and Senior Principal Jeff Murphy. “Students 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.”

That’s 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,” said Adam Niederklein, Dual Credit Coordinator at SCC. “She’s driven and has taken advantage of SCC’s SENCAP/Dual Credit programs.”

“When Natalie graduates from high school in May, she will be well on her way to earning that college degree,” Murphy added. “We are very proud of Natalie and what she has accomplished."

As a result, Trauernicht plans to study Agribusiness at Southeast Community College’s Beatrice Campus this fall. She will then transfer to a four-year university, but not exactly sure which career path she will follow.

“I 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,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed business, too, and hope to put that into use in my future career.”

SENCAP is in partnership with 47 school districts in SCC’s 15-county service area and offers numerous academies, including Agriculture, Business, Construction, Criminal Justice, Education, Health, Information Technology, Energy, and Welding.