In 2005, Pat and Patty Schmelzle and family established the Kathy L. Schmelzle Academic Scholarship with the Nemaha County STEP Foundation in memory of their daughter. The Kathy L. Schmelzle Academic Scholarship for $500 is awarded to a graduating senior from Nemaha Central High School who plans to enter a degree program with a major in teacher education.

The 2020 recipient of this scholarship is Ainsley Thomas daughter of Jon and Roxanne Thomas. Thomas has dreamed of being a teacher ever since she was a little girl. Both her parents are teachers, so she has spent a lot of time at the school. Thomas has been very involved in her community over the last four years as she volunteered to assist with Vacation Bible School, coach youth basketball, and serve at Camp Good News.

Thomas plans on majoring in Elementary Education at Kansas State University this fall. After getting her degree, she expects to spend most of her time at school, as she did as a child, where she would teach kindergarten, first, or second grade.