Kelly’s Heroes is thrilled to announce its first scholarship recipients: Brittany Konen of Middletown Township, Pa., Notre Dame High School, and Luke Schlaifer of Hightstown, N.J., Hightstown High School.

The Kelly’s Heroes scholarship of $500 recognizes good student-citizens who plan to serve others through a career in healthcare.

Konen will study nursing in the fall at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. She is a resident of Levittown’s Twin Oaks neighborhood where Kelly’s Heroes inspiration Steve Kelly grew up.

Schlaifer plans to study exercise science at Montclair State University in New Jersey. He has been an active supporter of Kelly’s Heroes’ efforts against pancreatic cancer and took part in the PurpleStride walk last November.

“Steve was always so appreciative of the nurses and other healthcare professionals who took care of him through his cancer treatment, and I know he would be very, very happy to help these two students get their start in a career of helping others,” said Steve’s wife Kerry McKean Kelly, who presented the awards.