The Knoxville Police Department awarded two local college students $500 scholarships Wednesday from the Knoxville Panther Scholarship Foundation. Lorin Miller, who attends Simpson College and Janne Kaster who attends the University of Northern Iowa were chosen as recipients of the scholarships as they both are pursuing careers in law enforcement.

Both Miller and Kaster tell KNIA/KRLS News they were both incredibly excited when they received the phone call telling them they were going to receive the scholarships. Both Miller and Kaster said they cried with joy after finding out.

The money for the scholarships was raised with the proceeds from last year’s Knoxville Police Department 4th of July 5k and was the first scholarship handed out with money raised from the event.