Stacy O’Connell, a Central Lakes College student, has been nominated for one of three $1,000 Minnesota Trio Association scholarships. The scholarships are the Ronald McKinley, the Bruce Vento Memorial, and the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Memorial. She was selected for the competition from 180 CLC Trio participants. Trio is a U.S. Department of Education federally-funded student support services program. O’Connell is an honors graduate from CLC 14 years ago, when she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in accounting. The Crosby native, now a single parent living in Brainerd, worked for 13 years in accounting. She returned to CLC when her youngest child was diagnosed with a learning disability requiring Stacy to educate herself about the extra support she would need. She is in her second year and planning on graduating this May with her Associate in Science degree in Young Child Education. She intends to transfer to St. Cloud State University and work toward a Bachelor of Science degree. Stacy has earned academic honors during her second time as a CLC student, and despite raising her family, working part-time for the college, and participating in organizations such as Women of Today, she currently owns a 3.23 grade-point average.