The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) and its affiliate foundations in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard are excited to announce their 2026 scholarship recipients. In 2026, a total of $367,462 was awarded across 44 scholarship opportunities to 148 Southeast Kansas students pursuing higher education. In 2026, 900 applications were submitted! A full description of each scholarship is available at SoutheastKansas.org/Scholarships.
“I think this year was really exciting because of the sheer number of applications we received,” said Kara Mishmash, CFSEK Program Coordinator. “It made it difficult during the evaluation process, but it just makes you see how important scholarships are for students and how great the need is.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Ad Astra Endowed Scholarship
- Kendall Crager – Pittsburg High School – Pittsburg State University
- Alexander Beasley – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
Albright Family Scholarship – Healthcare Related Field of Study
- Briten Wilkinson – Westville High School – Pittsburg State University
- Jennifer Palmer – Stockton High School – Labette Community College
Albright Family Scholarship
- Audrey Hertrich – Pittsburg High School – University of Kansas
- Edin Juarez-Perez – Pittsburg High School – Pittsburg State University
- Maizey Willilams – Southeast High School – Labette Community College
- Michael Smith – Southeast High School – Pittsburg State University
Bill House Agricultural Scholarship
- Aidan Bartholomew – Erie High School – Kansas State University
- Ainsley Viets – Girard High School – Kansas State University
- Alex Scheele – Marysville High School – University of Nebraska
- Allyson Rietcheck – Eudora High School – Kansas State University
- Avarielle Hightower – Prairie View High School – Undecided
- Avery Ziegler – Trego Community High School – Kansas State University
- Blaine King – Crest High School – Kansas State University
- Braden Norwood – Arkansas City High School – Oklahoma State University
- Brayton Brueggen – Louisburg High School – Kansas State University
- Bryce Hoeltzel – USD 384 Blue Valley – Kansas State University
- Calla Higbie – Homeschool – Connors State College
- Cally Miller – Circle High School – Kansas State University
- Clara Gfeller – Chapman High School – Kansas State University
- Conner Hoelting – Mission Valley USD #330 – Highland Community College
- Cooper Newby – Labette County High School – Kansas State University
- Cooper O’Brien – Oswego High School – NEO A&M College
- David Schenker – Parsons High School – Concordia University
- Dustin Denton – Valley Heights High School – Kansas State University
- Elizabet Burciaga – Liberal High School – Kansas State University
- Gail Wright – Chanute High School – Kansas State University
- Jade Peak – Southeast High School – Kansas State University
- Jaiton Bosse – Osage City High School – Kansas State University
- Jewel Endicott – Uniontown High School – Kansas State University
- Joree Bentz – Washington County High School – Oklahoma State University
- Jory Ratzlaff – Canton-Galva High School – Kansas State University
- Josie Kueser – Ellsworth High School – Kansas State University
- Kaylee Lunsford – Homeschool – Oklahoma State University
- Kennedy Holcomb – Dexter High School – Redlands Community College
- Kiser Wiatrak – St. Paul High School – Missouri State University
- Kristin Partlow – Neoga High School – Kansas State University
- Kyndel Randall – Dexter High School – Bethel College
- Lauren Chaney – Grove High School – Oklahoma State University
- Macie Morris – Ballard R-II – Kansas State University
- Maddie Weaber – Wamego High School – Oklahoma State University
- Madelin Beshear – Independence High School – Kansas State University
- Madison McGee – Arkansas City High School – Oklahoma State University
- Maggie McVey – Caney Valley High School – Kansas State University
- Maiya Shelor – Minneola High School – Kansas State University
- Marisa Wasinger – Hays High School – Kansas State University
- Mary Chirpich – St.Pius X Highschool – Kansas State University
- Mary Vajnar – Hays High School – Kansas State University
- Natalia Onelio – Girard High School – Fort Hayes State University
- Owen Murphy – Girard High School – Kansas State University
- Rayleea Russell – Girard High School – Kansas State University
- Ryan Myers – Minneapolis High School – Kansas State University
- Sage Toews – Canton-Galva High School – Kansas State University
- Sydney Heller – Sylvan-Lucas Unified High School – Kansas State University
- Teagan Grady – Derby High School – Kansas State University
- Vanessa Jones – Rock Creek High School – Kansas State University
- Wade Martin – Dexter High School – Kansas State University
- William Adcock – Sedan High School – Clarendon Community College
- Wyatt Martin – Dexter High School – Pratt Community College
Charles & Jane Maxwell Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
- Katelyn Draeger – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Columbus Cares Scholarship
- Jane Doe – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Class of 1986 Friendship Scholarship (CACF)
- Katelyn Draeger – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Commerce Bank Pittsburg Scholarship
- Sydney Ewing – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – University of Kansas
- Leah Caskey – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Kansas State University
Craig Crespino Scholarship
- Maggie Niggemann – Girard High School – Pittsburg State University
- Izabelle Tierney – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – City Pointe Beauty Academy
Dr. Daniel & Jeannette Minnis Oral Health Scholarship
- Noah Freiburger – Verona High School – Pittsburg State University
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation Scholarship
- Abigail Albright – Frontenac High School – Pittsburg State University
- Adessah Reed – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Saint Louis University
- Avery Hipfl – Frontenac High School – Labette Community College
- Caleb Humble – Girard High School – Kansas State University
- Carston Simmons – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Faith Kimzey – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Hayden Turnbull – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – University of Kansas
- Kadence Burns – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Neosho County Community College
- Lauren Crawford – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Madison Coester – Girard High School – Johnson County Community College
- Maleia Sukraw – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Michael Smith – Southeast High School – Pittsburg State University
- Parker Pinamonti – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Seth Wilson – Girard High School – Pittsburg State University
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation – Dragon of the Year
- Cole Hayden – Pittsburg High School – Fort Scott Community College
Dylan Meier “Get Busy Livin’” Foundation – KPREPS Player of the Year
- Ian Premer – Great Bend High School – University of Notre Dame
Gabriel John Ison Memorial Scholarship
- Ava Freimiller – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Faith Kimzey – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
Haberbosch Family Scholarship (FSACF)
- Brevyn Campbell – Marmaton Valley High School – Sterling College
- Sophia Heim – Marmaton Valley High School – Kansas State University
Joe & Margarita Sauer Scholarship
- Caleb Humble – Girard High School – Kansas State University
- Josie Gronau – Girard High School – Pittsburg State University
- Megan Bennett – Girard High School – Pittsburg State University
Joe F. Zakowski and Mary Alice Gilmore Zakowski Scholarship
- Addilyn Streeter – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Southeast Missouri State University
- Addisyn Dewey – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Neosho County Community College
- Alexander Beasley – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Anamarija Kalan – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Brady Badart – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Caleb Garner – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Carston Simmons – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Esvin Mendez – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – University of Kansas
- Eve Brown – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Hayden Turnbull – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – University of Kansas
- Izabelle Tierney – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – City Pointe Beauty Academy
- Janessa Davis – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Jayden Brown – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Josie Kendrick – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Leah Caskey – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Kansas State University
- Maleia Sukraw – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Rebekah Landsteiner – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Sadie Fox – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Izabella Sheldon – Northeast High School – Undecided
- Ania Brown – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Brette Pasteur – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Grayson College, Denison TX
- Cannon Loughmiller – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – University of Kansas
- Grace Rogers – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Mid America Nazarene University
- Grace Wilson – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Labette Community College
- Jace Akins – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – University of Nebraska
- Kadin Navaratnam – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Evangel University
- Kalin Manuel – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Kayanna Emery – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Missouri Southern State University
- Kaylee Patrick – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Kya Galindo – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Makayla De Luna – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- McKenzi Lee – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Washburn University
- Savana Wisdom – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Sophia Hertrich – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – University of Missouri-Kansas City
Larry & Regina Weaver Scholarship
- Angie Morgan – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Janessa Davis – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
M.L. (Lee) & Noretta Caldwell Education Fund Scholarship
- Avarielle Hightower – Prairie View USD 362 – Undecided
- Alexia Ludwig – Parsons High School – Labette Community College
- Avery Hipfl – Frontenac High School – Labette Community College
- Grace Wilson – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Labette Community College
- Gretchen Boyers – Girard High School – Labette Community College
- Katelyn Peterson – Paola High School – Undecided
Marcia Smith Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
- Jacianna Heflin – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
- Jaxson Bailey – Galena High School – University of Missouri
- Kolby Matson – Galena High School – Undecided *
- Piper Hayes – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Maureen H. Paulsen Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
- Jane Doe – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
- Katelyn Draeger – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
- Piper Hayes – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
- Trinity Green – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Mount Carmel Foundation – Helen Kriegsman Memorial Scholarship
- Briten Wilkinson – Westville High School – Pittsburg State University
Mullendore – Butler Endowed Scholarship
- Afifa Purnata – Field Kindley High School – University of Oklahoma
- Aiden Campbell – Cedar Vale High School – Cowley County Community College
- Haiden Edens-Ranes – Caney Valley High School – Mid America Nazarene University
- Madelin Beshear – Independence High School – Kansas State University
- Madelyn Mills – Caney Valley High School – Kansas State University
- Peyton Morris – Sedan High School – University of Arkansas
- Tialyn Vanderpool – Sedan High School – Cowley County Community College
Nancy Evans Community Health Nursing Scholarship
- Malerie Whittley – JMJ Homeschool – Pittsburg State University
Pat Forbes Scholarship
- Rebekah Landsteiner – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
Peggy Gannon Memorial Scholarship
- Stewart Davenport – Fort Scott High School – University of Kansas
Ronald W. Murray Engineering Scholarship
- Christian Pielach – Galena High School – Pittsburg State University
- Dakota Bennett – Galena High School – Emporia State University
- Kamden Martin – Galena High School – Missouri Southern State University
Sandra B. Houser Memorial Scholarship (CACF)
- Morgan Richards – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
- Trinity Green – Columbus Unified High School – Pittsburg State University
Short Fine Arts Scholarship
- Leo Norman – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
Stacy Goedeke Scholarship
- Brayton Brueggen – Louisburg High School – Kansas State University
Thomas J. Restivo Memorial Scholarship
- Laila Davis – Fort Scott High School – Pittsburg State University
Tyler R. Jeck Scholarship
- Carston Simmons – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Janessa Davis – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
- Joseph Lomshek – St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic School – Pittsburg State University
VetLinks.org Brian Kavanagh Scholarship PSU Clin. Psych Grad/Master’s Social Work Programs
- Keatyn O’Dell – Northeast High School – Pittsburg State University
VetLinks.org Brian Kavanagh Scholarship PSU ROTC
- Scott Sloan – Frontenac High School – Pittsburg State University
Vinylplex/Sanderson Pipe Scholarship
- Ania Brown – Pittsburg Community Schools USD 250 – Pittsburg State University
- Elijah McCubbin – Frontenac High School – University of Kansas
- Scott Sloan – Frontenac High School – Pittsburg State University
William H. Zimmer Memorial Scholarship
- Andi Nordt – Erie High School – Allen County Community College
- Grant Reissig – Erie High School – Cowley County Community College
- Jaylee Kramer – Erie High School – Labette Community College
- Raegan Holbert – Erie High School – Labette Community College
William J. Sollner Family Scholarship
- Izabella Sheldon – Northeast High School – Undecided
- Teagan Smith – Northeast High School – Pittsburg State University
The Community Foundation would like to congratulate all the recipients and wish them the best of luck on their next adventure!
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $29 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.