14 High School Seniors Receive Florence L. Stephens
Scholarship
COWLEY COUNTY, KS — Fourteen area high school students receive the Florence L. Stephens
Scholarship.
Due to Stephens’ great love
for education as well as the students of Cowley County, the Florence L.
Stephens Trust was established to administer the scholarship fund for local
high school students. RCB Bank serves as the trustee and is guided by a board
that consists of Peggy Lawrence and representatives from both Winfield High
School and Ark City High School.
Stephens, born in 1917 in
Arkansas City, attended elementary in Ark City. She attended high school in
both Ark City and Wichita. She went on to graduate from Southwestern College in
Winfield.
Stephens returned to Arkansas
City where she served as a school counselor and later as director of guidance
for USD 470. She was involved in many organizations, including Delta Kappa
Gamma, National Retired Teachers Association, Toastmasters International and
Ark City Music Club. She also served as a volunteer chaplain for South Central
Kansas Medical Center.
She passed away in Arkansas
City on January 17, 2012, at the age of 96.
Scholarship selection
is based primarily on academic achievement and awarded to Cowley
County, Kansas high school seniors.
The 2024 Florence L. Stephens Scholarship Recipients
are:
Arkansas City High School
Blake Bucher
plans to attend Coffeyville Community College to study Engineering. Bucher’s extracurricular
activities include: National Honor Society, Football, Baseball and Basketball.
Macy Hodges
will attend the University of Kansas to obtain a degree in Biochemistry. Hodge’s
extracurricular activities include: Tennis, Cheerleading and National Honor
Society.
Ximena Villegas
will be attending the University of Washington to obtain a degree in Biochemistry.
Villegas was involved with Marching & Concert Band, Women’s Glee, Soccer,
Crochet Club, Scholars Bowl, Debate and Forensics.
Haley Wyckoff
will attend Kansas State University to major in Elementary Education. Her
extracurricular activities include: National Honors Society, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes and Cross Country.
Winfield High School
Sophia Goodson
plans to attend St. Edwards University where she will pursue a degree in Chemistry.
Her honors and activities include: Principal Honor Roll, Tennis, HOSA, NHS,
Orchestra & Jazz Band.
Erin Meyer will
attend Concordia University Nebraska to pursue a degree in Chemistry with a
pre-engineering focus. Her honors and activities include AP Scholar with Honar Award,
Cross Country & Track Manager, Link Crew Leader, FCA President, Debate and
National Honors Society.
Abigail Reid
will be attending Kansas State University majoring in Bakery Science and
Management. Reid’s activities and honors include: Tennis, Scholars Bowl, FCCLA,
National Honors Society, 4-H, 2024 Kansas Governor’s Scholar and Principal
Honors Roll.
Aubrey Schmidt
will be attending University of Kansas to obtain a degree in Psychology with a
minor in Spanish. Her high school activities included: Top 10% Kansas Scholar,
Link Crew, Tech Team, National Honors Society, Spirit Squad, Interact Club,
Girls Varsity Soccer and Orchestra.
Central
High School (of Burden)
Kaden Miller plans
to attend Friends University to study Marketing/Business Administration. High
school activities included: Football, Baseball, Wrestling, National Honors
Society and CCC Youth Group.
Jace Wunderlich will be attending Friends University to study Cyber
Security. Wunderlich played Football throughout high school while achieving
academically, participating in summer weight programs and working.
Dexter High School
Joshua Gage
will be attending Fort Hays State University to pursue a degree in Manufacturing.
He attended Fort Hays State University through the Kansas Academy of Math and
Science as a Junior and Senior in high school. Gage was on the FHSU honor roll
and was the National Manufacturing Champion in Spring 2024.
Lorelai Strausberg plans to attend Friends University this coming Fall. Strausberg’s
extracurricular activities include Church Youth Group, FCA, Choir, Theater and
Band.
Udall High School
Jenson Harness
will be attending Cowley College this coming Fall. His high school activities include
Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, Scholars Bowl, FBLA, NHS, Scholars Bowl
and Honors Roll.
Shasta Vesta
plans to attend Cowley College with a pre-veterinary medicine pathway. Vesta’s
honors and activities include Basketball, FFA, Zoo Apprentice Program,
Elementary School Mentor, Art Club and Honors Roll.
