The Joseph Hardin Gwathmey and Laura May Gwathmey Memorial Scholarship Award for Engineering or Business
Isaac Chiodini
One of the Foundation’s new scholarships is the Joseph Hardin Gwathmey and Laura May Gwathmey Memorial Scholarship Award for Engineering or Business which is a $750 scholarship made possible through a gift to the Foundation by the Gwathmey family. The Gwathmeys embodied the ethic of hard work and a strong devotion to their family, faith and community. In spite of many obstacles, they achieved success in business and they enriched this community.  

The first-ever recipient of this award was Isaac Chiodini.  Chiodini plans to attend Missouri S&T to major in computer science.  He participated in marching band, robotics, cross country, Science Club, Key Club, NHS and track. He is the son of Chris and Rachelle Chiodini.

The Linda Dickey Memorial Scholarship 
Presley Zaring
One more new scholarship is the Linda Dickey Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship was established by Mr. Bill Dickey in the memory of his wife - it is for a senior who is planning to pursue a career in teaching.  Linda Dickey taught in Harrisonville for 27 years and was dedicated to mentoring and educating students of all ages throughout her career.  This scholarship is for $2,500 now and is renewable during the recipient’s second year for another $2,500.  

The first-ever recipient of this award was Presley Zaring.  Zaring plans to attend University of Central Missouri and major in art education.  She participated in tennis, Key Club, DECA, and NHS. Zaring is the daughter of Michael and Julie Zaring.

The Weaver & Young Families Memorial Scholarship in Public Service & Governance
Braeden Elifrits
The Weaver and Young Families Memorial Scholarship Award in Public Service and Governance for $1,000 in memory of James Earl and Eldine Atkinson Weaver and John Donald and Virginia Gwathmey Young. It was established to encourage and support a senior who has expressed an interest in pursuing a career in public service or governance (local, state, national or international).  The individuals for whom the award is named worked and served tirelessly in their lives on behalf of their community, their state and their nation.  They embodied the essence of citizenship and public service.  The scholarship was established through an endowment created by the Weaver and Young families with the Foundation.

The 2022 Weaver and Young Families Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Braeden Elifrits.

Elifrits will attend University of Central Missouri to major in criminal justice. He participated in SkillsUSA, wrestling, show choir, Traction, golf, and soccer.  He has volunteered with Shop with a Cop and parade traffic control.  He is the son of Clayton and Lisa Elifrits.

Virginia and Stephen Childress Athletic Scholarship
Jace Reynolds
Harrisonville High School senior Jace Reynolds was awarded the Virginia and Stephen Childress Athletic Scholarship.  This scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, is based on athletic and academic achievements, as well as community and school activities.

Reynolds played football all four years at HHS and earned All-Conference, All-District and All-State honors.  He also earned Academic All-Conference and All-State honors.   Reynolds is attending Truman State University to major in biology and play football. He is the son of Jeremiah and Kelly Reynolds.

Mr. Stephen Childress served thirty years at Harrisonville High School as coach, teacher, and administrator from 1942-1972.  Both he and his wife, Virginia, were avid supporters of the Harrisonville Schools athletic program.  Their children, Dudley Childress and Marianne Rusk, endowed the scholarship through the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.

William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon Family Scholarships
Melaina Beachner, Emily Joseph, Madelyn Wilson
Harrisonville High School seniors Emily Joseph, Melaina Beachner, and Madelyn Wilson have been awarded the William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon Family Scholarships.  These scholarships, in the amount of $2,000, are awarded to HHS seniors based on academic achievement, good citizenship, and financial need.

Joseph is the daughter of Pam Joseph and the late Chuck Joseph. She’s attending Kansas State University University to major in biochemistry (Pre-med) Joseph has been a member of SADD, Key Club, Student Council, NHS and Varsity Show Choir.  She was Student Class President her senior year in Student Council and was a delegate at Missouri Girls State.

Beachner is the daughter of Josh and Melody Beachner. She’s attending Colorado Mesa University to wrestle and major in kinesiology. Beachner was a member of show choir and a varsity wrestler.  She was an Academic All-American in wrestling for three years.  She was a state wrestling qualifier for two years and placed 3rd in state wrestling in 2020.

Wilson is the daughter of KC and Michelle Wilson.  She will attend Maryville University of St. Louis to major in an undecided science field. Wilson was involved in NHS, show choir, cheer squad and debate.  

The William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon Family Scholarship is funded through a gift to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation from the estate of Will Ella Deacon, daughter of William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon.

Bob Hodge Achievement Award
Kylie Meeks
Kylie Meeks was the recipient of the Bob Hodge Achievement Award. This scholarship has the potential to provide Meeks with up to $8,000 as she will receive $2,000 the first year and have the opportunity to renew the scholarship for $2,000 each year for the next three years.  The Bob Hodge Achievement Award is presented annually to an HHS senior in honor of Bob Hodge, a long-time Harrisonville Schools teacher, coach, and administrator.  

This scholarship endowment was established with the Harrisonville Public School Foundation through the bequest of an anonymous Harrisonville High School alumnus. Criteria for the scholarship include academic achievement (ACT score of 25 or higher), acceptance at a Missouri state college or university, excellent citizenship, community involvement, and financial need.  

Meeks is the daughter of Thomas and Kristi Meeks. She was involved in Student Council, SADD, NHS, volleyball, basketball and track. She plans to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship
Kaylee Turner
Harrisonville High School senior Kaylee Turner was awarded the 2022 Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship for $500.  This scholarship is given to an HHS senior who will attend the University of Central Missouri and who demonstrates a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Turner is the daughter of Matt and Kimberly Turner. She will be majoring in psychology and Spanish.  Turner was a member of the marching band, NHS, and  National Art Honor Society. 

The Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship is funded through annual gifts to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation from the Roberts family.

Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship
Greta Maxwell
The 2022 Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship recipient was Greta Maxwell.  This scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, is based on academic achievement, school or community involvement, and the recipient’s determination to overcome hardship. The Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship is funded through an endowment established with the Harrisonville Public School Foundation by the Morse family. 

Maxwell plans to attend Colorado Christian University to major in kinesiology and exercise science. At HHS, she was involved in show choir, FCA, soccer and NHS. She is the daughter of Chris and Rachel Maxwell.

Allison W. Smith Memorial Scholarship
Skyla Thresher
Skyla Thresher was the recipient of the Allison W. Smith Memorial Scholarship for $2,000.  The intent of this scholarship award in memory of Allison Smith is to encourage and support a senior female student athlete who strives for excellence in academics and sportsmanship, a student who demonstrates passion to engage in the world through leadership and/or innovative ideas to make the global and/or local community better for others. 

Thresher  played volleyball for two years and ran track all four years of high school. She was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society. She plans to attend Missouri State University to major in business. She is the daughter of Bambi Young and Stanley Thresher.

The Allison W. Smith Memorial Scholarship is funded through an endowment established with the Harrisonville Public School Foundation from the Smith family.

Samuel A. Sloan, Evelyn Sloan, and Beulah Sloan McCoy Scholarship
Morgan Kampe & Katelyn Gillespie
Harrisonville High School seniors Morgan Kampe (see above) and Katelyn Gillespie have been awarded the Samuel A. Sloan, Evelyn Sloan, and Beulah Sloan McCoy Scholarship.   This scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, is based on leadership in school activities, community service and intent to study an ag-related field.

Gillespie is the daughter of Lisa Bormann.  She plans to attend Crowder College to study to be a veterinarian technician. Gillespie was a member of FFA  She received her Proficiency award for Animal Science (2021) and Green Hand FFA Degree (2019).

These scholarships are funded through an annual gift to the Foundation.

Wendell Yeager Rotary Club Scholarships
Isaiah Bliss, Chloe Shepard, Braeden Elifrits
Harrisonville High School seniors Isaiah Bliss, Chloe Shepard, Braeden Elifrits and Cass Career Center senior Laine Schmalzreid (Ray-Pec) have been awarded the Wendell Yeager Rotary Scholarships in the amount of $500.
Bliss  will attend the University of Arkansas to double major in marketing and advertising/public relations and minor in international business. He has been a member of the show choir, Future Business Leaders of America, NHS, NTHS, Student Council and DECA.  His volunteer work includes Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry and Student Assistant for CYT youth summer camp.  He is the son of Brian and Kari Bliss.

Shepard is attending Pittsburg State University to major in marketing. She’s a member of the Student Council and DECA.  She’s volunteered with Harvesters and Shepherd’s Staff Food Pantry. She is the daughter of Celina Selemaea and Michael Shepard.

 Elifrits will attend University of Central Missouri to major in criminal justice. He participated in SkillsUSA, wrestling, show choir, Traction, golf, and soccer.  He has volunteered with Shop with a Cop and parade traffic control.  He is the son of Clayton and Lisa Elifrits.

The Rotary scholarships are funded through an endowment established by the club with the Foundation.

The G.M. and Kathleen Allen Memorial Scholarship
Chloe Shepard
Another new scholarship is the GM and Kathleen Allen Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.  The Allens dedicated countless hours of their lives to supporting the community of Harrisonville and this scholarship was made possible through a gift from their family.   This year’s recipient is Chloe Shepard. (see above)

Katie Rios Memorial Scholarship
Paige Quinter
The Katie Rios Memorial Scholarship recipient is named as an eighth grader and the scholarship is disbursed upon graduation from high school.  The award is given to a student who exhibits a positive attitude, strong character, thoughtfulness and empathy towards others, and an overall love of life.

The 2022 Katie Rios Memorial Scholarship recipient was Paige Quinter. She is the daughter of Michelle Cox and Peter Quinter.