Three high school seniors earn Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has awarded the Presidential Scholarship, the largest scholarship award in the state, to three high school seniors from Kansas and Missouri.
Winners of the $20,000-per-year Presidential Scholarship, worth $80,000 over four years, are Anastacia Mendoza, Lenexa, a senior at St. James Academy; Nathan Hassed, Overland Park, a senior at Blue Valley North High School; and Maria Hazelbaker, Wentzville, Missouri, a senior at St. Dominic High School. Mendoza is the winner of the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship, which is for students who plan to choose a major in the College of Business Administration.
The scholarship competition was Jan. 28 at the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. The university received 229 applications, and a selection committee chose 10 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 career.
"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."
Pat Bosco, vice president for student life, said the selection of the scholarship recipients was extremely difficult but rewarding.
"It is through generous support of our alumni that these scholarships are made possible," Bosco said. "Given what these winners and finalists have already accomplished, the future of K-State and our nation is in very good shape."
Finalists for Kansas State University's Presidential Scholarship program include the following high school seniors:
From Greater Kansas City: Logan George, Olathe, a senior at Olathe South High School; Leyton Rebori, Overland Park, a senior at Rockhurst High School; Adam Sweat, Overland Park, a senior at Olathe East High School; and Gabriel Whitehair, Overland Park, a senior at Blue Valley North High School.
Dominic Victor, Linn Valley, a senior at Prairie View High School; Tess Fairbanks, Onaga, a senior at Onaga High School; William Baker, Topeka, a senior at Washburn Rural High School; and Sara Haggard, Topeka, a senior at Perry-Lecompton High School.
From out-of-state: Delainey Dow, Castle Rock, Colorado, a senior at Castle View High School; Brock Mullen, Parker, Colorado, a senior at Chaparral High School; and Kyle Winter, Flower Mound, Texas, a senior at Flower Mound High School.
The 2018-2019 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; and the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship, funded by members of the Jack Vanier family of Salina, Brookville and Manhattan.
