Virginia and Stephen Childress Athletic Scholarship
Anna Saffels
Harrisonville High School senior Anna Saffels 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.

Saffels was the captain of both the varsity softball and basketball teams. She received Academic All-Conference softball and basketball awards all four years. She was 2nd Team All-Conference shortstop in softball.

She has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years, has lettered academically all four years, and received the Academic Excellence Award for being in the top 15% of her class all four years. She is very involved with her church and has volunteered for many organizations including serving meals, working with kids through athletic camps, and refereeing.

She plans to attend Southwest Baptist University with an interest in Intercultural Studies and ESL Teaching after a mission trip to Taiwan to teach English in Taiwanese schools. She is the daughter of Ryan and Wendy Saffels.

Mr. Stephen Childress served thirty years at the 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, endow the scholarship through the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.

William G. and Nettie Z. Deacon Family Scholarships
Samantha Bylina, Mara Davis, Kelsie Donovan, Jessica Kar, Nicholas Laughlin, and Audrey Welhoff
Harrisonville High School seniors Samantha Bylina, Mara Davis, Kelsie Donovan, Jessica Karg, Nicholas Laughlin, and Audrey Welhoff  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.

Bylina has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll, lettered in academics, received the Excellence in Academics Award, lettered in band, color guard, and winter guard, and received the Lamp of Learning Pin all four years. She has taken multiple advanced courses during high school and has done work for Band Boosters and is employed at Crown Care Nursing Home. She plans to attend the University of Central Missouri with a major in psychology.  She is the daughter of Edward and Genie Bylina.

Davis’ activities include Student Council, National Honor Society, youth group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, softball, basketball, soccer, and Campaigners (bible study group). She has taken multiple advanced courses and has volunteered for many programs through the activities she is a part of. Davis plans to attend the University of Saint Maryto major in physical therapy. She is the daughter of Tod and Janelle Davis.

Donovan has been involved in DECA, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, cheerleading, and girls golf. She received the Excellence in Academics Award. She was part of the girls soccer team that  won District Champion in 2015, and has received Academic All-Conference for soccer and golf. She was also the CCC junior of the year. Donovan has been involved in her church and gone on many mission trips, as well as being involved with Bright Futures, KC Harvesters, and tutoring younger students through the school. She plans to attend Southwest Baptist University with a major in biology and is the daughter of Matt and Rhonda Donovan.

Karg’s activities include marching band, concert band, SkillsUSA, and National Technical Honor Society. In the community she has helped Hope Haven through Girl Scouts, and tutored younger students through the A+ program.  She plans to finish getting her Certified Nursing Assistant certification through the Cass Career Center, then will continue to get her LPN and RN. She has already been certified in CPR and AED. She is the daughter of Dewayne Karg Sr. and Julie Bearkheimer-Karg.

Laughlin has taken multiple advanced courses in high school. His accomplishments include Academic All-Conference in football, basketball, and golf, all of which he lettered in;  Student Council where he was executive secretary his senior year and vice president his junior year; and National Honor Society. He is also involved in Eagle Scouts and has been a member of the Mic-O-Say Heart of America Scouting Honor Society. He is involved in his church and volunteers for multiple activities there. Laughlin plans to attend Truman State University with a major in health science/pre-edicine. He is the son of Anthony Joseph and Andrea Ann Laughlin.

Welhoff’s activities include Student Council President, Key Club, varsity tennis, Drama/Theatre, SADD, National Honor Society, show choir, Young Life, and Freshmen Mentor/Peer Helper. She has been on the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years, has lettered in academics, music, drama, and tennis, of which she was Academic All-Conference for tennis in 2014 and 2015. She has volunteered in the community for many different programs some of which are Bright Futures, blood drives, Harvesters, and VBS. She is involved in her church and has gone on several mission trips and volunteered for sunday school, VBS, and bible study. Welhoff plans to attend Missouri State University to major in Speech and Language Pathology and is the daughter of Scott and Paige Welhoff.

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
Nicholas Laughlin
Nicholas Laughlin was also the recipient of the Bob Hodge Achievement Award.  See his bio under the Deacon scholarship. 

This scholarship has the potential to provide Laughlin with up to $8,000 as he 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.

Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Bylina
In addition to the Deacon scholarship, Samantha Bylina was awarded the 2018 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. The Cara Roberts Memorial Scholarship is funded through annual gifts to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation from the Roberts family.

Steve Catron Memorial Scholarship
Bethany Nichols
Bethany Nichols was the recipient of the Steve Catron Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship, in the amount of $300, is awarded to an HHS senior who excels in music and athletics.

This scholarship is given in memory of 1979 HHS graduate Steve Catron and was established through memorial gifts in his honor to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation.

Nichols has been involved in girls tennis and she has received varsity letters for the last three year, as well as Academic All-Conference for tennis for three years. She got second place her junior year at the district tournament, and played #4 singles and #1 doubles and took third place for singles in the MRVC tournament her senior year. She has been in choir throughout her high school career and during her senior year, she was a member of Music Makers. She has also been involved in 4-H, FFA, and A+ tutoring.

Nichols plans on attending Southwest Baptist University with an interest in physical therapy. She is the daughter of Steven and Kimberly Nichols.

Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship
Samantha Bylina
Samantha Bylina has also been awarded the Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship, in the amount of $1,250, is based on academic achievement, school or community involvement, and the recipient’s determination to overcoming a hardship. The Scott T. Morse Memorial Scholarship is funded through an endowment established with the Harrisonville Public School Foundation by the Morse family.