Area students receive scholarships

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 19, 2025 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Karl Pratt

Executive Director

Sheridan County Community Foundation

785.677.5090

director@growsheridancounty.org

Area students receive scholarships

By Karl Pratt, Executive Director, Sheridan County Community Foundation

Hoxie, Kan. ⸺ The Sheridan County Community Foundation was pleased to present five scholarship awards to area students during the Saturday, May 17, 2025, Commencement Ceremony at Hoxie High School.

The four scholarship funds currently held at the Foundation include the Opal and Adolph Harris Estate Scholarship, the Youth on the Move Scholarship, the Pheasants Forever Memorial Scholarship, and the Kathy Bergin-Schiltz Memorial Scholarship. A fifth scholarship, the Education Empowerment Scholarship, which is held at the Thomas County Community Foundation, was also awarded to a Sheridan County graduate.

The Opal and Adolph Harris Estate Scholarship was established to benefit graduates of Hoxie USD 412 or home-schooled students residing within the district. Each recipient of the 2025 award received $1,750.00. This year’s recipients were Hannah Madden and Nathan Snyder.

The Youth on the Move Scholarship, sponsored by Hoxie Recreation, supports graduates of Hoxie USD 412 who have been actively engaged in community and youth activities throughout high school. Receiving the awards of $250.00 each were Isabella Baier and Harrison Meyer.

The Pheasants Forever Memorial Scholarship, established by the local Pheasants Forever organization, is awarded to a graduate of Hoxie USD 412 who has completed the hunter education certification course. Harrison Meyer was selected to receive the $500.00 award.

The Kathy Bergin-Schiltz Memorial Scholarship was created to honor the memory and legacy of beloved teacher and coach Kathy Bergin-Schiltz. The $500.00 award was presented to Charlie Foote.

The Education Empowerment Scholarship was established by the family of Collin Rous to honor his educational journey and to support the future success of students in western Kansas. The scholarship is open to graduating seniors from Thomas, Sherman, Sheridan, or Decatur counties who demonstrate strong academic achievement and are well-rounded individuals. The inaugural $1,000.00 scholarship was awarded to Kash Schiltz.

“On behalf of the Foundation, I’d like to extend our sincere gratitude to the scholarship funders for their generosity and foresight in establishing these awards, as well as to the individuals on each scholarship review committee for their time, dedication, and care in reviewing applications and making thoughtful funding recommendations,” said Foundation Executive Director Karl Pratt. “We are honored to support these graduates as they embark on their next chapter, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire Hoxie High School Class of 2025.”

Donors interested in creating a scholarship or other grant funds with the Foundation are encouraged to contact Pratt at 785-677-5090 or director@growsheridancounty.org.

SCCF is an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation based in Bird City. The foundation seeks to encourage, prudently manage, and distribute charitable contributions to improve the quality of life of Sheridan County residents, now and in the future. To learn more, contact Pratt at 785-677-5090, director@growsheridancounty.org, or visit www.growsheridancounty.org. Connect with SCCF at www.facebook.com/sheridanccf.