After working in the community as the construction team for the new $27 million Selma High School building project, Volkert Construction told Selma City School board members during Tuesday’s work session the company plans to invest in more than the new building.

Norman Hill, assistant vice president of marketing for Volkert Construction, said Volkert is proud to be a partner with Selma and they are looking to reinvest back into the community — in the form of scholarships for five bright students at Selma High.

Hill said five $1,000 scholarships to Alabama A&M have been awarded to students from Selma High who exhibit academic excellence.

“I was just blown away at the number of consistent students coming from Selma with a 3.0-plus grade point average and above a 20 on their ACT scores,” Hill said. “I can tell you, we don’t get that kind of student consistently making applications. These students would normally go on to Auburn or the University of Alabama, and on behalf of Alabama A&M, we are proud to have this list (of students), and I am too.”

The $1,000 scholarships from Volkert, which can be used for tuition and books were awarded to Selma High students: D’ Essence Hampton, Allison Moore, Nykeyah Smith, Myles Purifoy and Alexis Edwards.

“All of those students had 3.0 and up,” Hill told the board. “That’s outstanding. Whether you’re from Selma or Birmingham or anywhere in between, you guys ought to be proud of the students that you graduate.”

The board cheered, praising the students and thanking Volkert Construction.

Hill said the money is already at Alabama A&M, just waiting on the names of the students. If for some reason the students awarded decide to go elsewhere, Hill said Volkert has a whole list of outstanding students, and the scholarship would roll to the next candidate.

Board member Brenda Obamanu, who is also a graduate of Alabama A&M, expressed her appreciation for the scholarships and all the company is doing for the community and for Selma’s students.

School board president Henry Hicks Sr. agreed and said the Selma City School System really has something to be proud of.

“Thank you for coming back and giving back to this community. Thank you on behalf of this system and this board for thinking enough of us to come back and help our children,” Hicks told the Volkert representatives. “That’s what it’s all about. When we lock hands together and walk together, rather than pull apart, we can do a whole lot of things for our children, we really can.”