Three high school seniors earn university's Presidential Scholarship, state's largest scholarship award
Friday, March 2, 2018
Finalists for Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship, front row, from left: Anna Weigel, Luann Jung, Ella Bahr, Sierra Staatz, Madison Burch and Athena Tran; back row, from left: Danielle Cross, Colin Williams, Taylr Bahr, Cheyanne Brunner and Jarow Myers; not pictured is Tristan Korff. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has awarded the Presidential Scholarship, the largest scholarship award in Kansas, to three high school seniors.
Winners of the $20,000-per-year Presidential Scholarship — worth $80,000 over four years — are Athena Tran, Leawood, a senior at Blue Valley North High School; Cameron Jones, Lenexa, a senior at Olathe Northwest High School, who is the recipient of the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship for students who plan to choose a major in the College of Business Administration; and Tristan Korff, a senior at Bitburg High School, Bitburg, Germany.
The scholarship competition was Jan. 22 at the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. The university received 282 applications, and a selection committee chose 12 student finalists to interview for a general Presidential Scholarship and five students to interview for the Presidential Scholarship for the College of Business Administration.
As the largest and most selective scholarship award made by Kansas State University, the Presidential Scholarship seeks to recognize students who have been truly outstanding, both academically and as student leaders, during their high school careers.
“Our Presidential Scholarship awardees build upon the K-State tradition of achievement and student success," said Richard Myers, president of Kansas State University. "Their meaningful contributions to the university and society will make them phenomenal additions to the K-State family and we look forward to welcoming them to campus."
"The selection of these incredible students was extremely difficult and rewarding," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "It is through the generous support of our alumni that these scholarships are made possible. Given what these winners and finalists have already accomplished, the future of K-State and our nation is in very good shape."
The following high school seniors were also finalists for Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship program:
Taylr Bahr, Burlington, a senior at Burlington High School.
From Greater Kansas City: Jarow Myers, Olathe, a senior at Olathe North High School; Madison Burch, Overland Park, a senior at Shawnee Mission South High School; Garrett Gunnerson, Overland Park, a senior at Blue Valley High School; Anna Weigel, Overland Park, a senior at Blue Valley Northwest High School; and Jake Willenbring, Overland Park, a senior at Blue Valley Northwest.
Ella Bahr and Luann Jung, both from Manhattan and both seniors at Manhattan High School; Colin Williams, Marion, a senior at Marion High School; Sierra Staatz, Tonganoxie, a senior at Tonganoxie High School; and Cheyanne Brunner, Wamego, a senior at Wamego High School.
From out of state: Danielle Cross, Normal, Illinois, a senior at Normal Community West High School.
The 2017-2018 Presidential Scholarships are made possible by support from alumni and friends. The awards include the Mike and Becky Goss Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mike and Becky Goss, Westport, Connecticut; the Mary L. Vanier Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mary L. Vanier, Manhattan; the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship, funded by members of the Jack Vanier family of Salina, Brookville and Manhattan.
"We seek to provide opportunities for the best and brightest Kansas students interested in business careers through the awarding of the Vanier Family Scholarship,” said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. "Cameron Jones, this year's recipient, certainly exemplifies that objective. We are eager to see the impact that she will have on our college and her peers as she learns, grows and becomes a leader in the College of Business Administration. We are especially grateful to the Vanier family for providing the financial resources that make this award possible."
