The Killeen ISD Board of Trustees approved 40 scholarships totaling $188,500 for graduating seniors, providing significant financial support to students pursuing college, university and trade school opportunities across the country.
The scholarships, funded through longtime family trusts, memorial funds and philanthropic gifts designated specifically for Killeen ISD students, were awarded to outstanding seniors from campuses across the district.
For many recipients, the scholarship will help reduce financial barriers associated with higher education and create greater access to future opportunities.
“This process is one of the most rewarding things we do each year,” said Leslie Gilmore, director for grants and the KISD Education Foundation. “These students represent excellence across our district, and we are grateful to the families and donors whose generosity continues creating opportunities for KISD graduates.”
Scholarship funding was made possible through gifts from the Ira Cross family, Parrie Haynes family, Emily and Franklin Pratt family, Maude Moore Wood family and the Philanthropic Trust Scholarship funded through philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
The district manages the scholarship funds, while the KISD Education Foundation oversees the application, interview and scholarship distribution process.
This year, more than 138 scholarship applications were submitted districtwide. Campuses conducted student interviews before finalists advanced to district-level interviews.
The following students received scholarships:
PHILANTHROPIC TRUST SCHOLARSHIPS — $6,000 EACH
Alana Green, Chaparral High School
Maxymus Channan, Early College High School
Tony Chen, Early College High School
Aaliyah Vazquez, Early College High School
Callie Walker, Ellison High School
Garland Potvin, Ellison High School
Rayven Adkins, Ellison High School
Yaseera Hamid, Ellison High School
Angelica Contreas DeAza, Ellison High School
Hannah Shin, Harker Heights High School
Rebekah Koh, Harker Heights High School
Alexis Petty, Killeen High School
Joselinee Castelan Angulo, Killeen High School
Lily Nguyen, Shoemaker High School
MAUDE MOORE WOOD SCHOLARSHIPS — $5,000 EACH
Lya Bailey, Chaparral High School
Miranda Organ-Soto, Killeen High School
Jonathan Jaime, Killeen High School
Serenity Carson, Shoemaker High School
IRA CROSS SCHOLARSHIPS — $4,000 EACH
Tyler Smith, Chaparral High School
Zachary Repine, Chaparral High School
Amani Mitchell, Chaparral High School
Avianna Borja, Chaparral High School
Samrah Khan, Chaparral High School
Jeffery Kelly, Early College High School
Erianys Sanchez Ortiz, Early College High School
Jordan Tsiswaka Nkulu, Early College High School
Jadesola Oladipo, Ellison High School
Sarijah Stroh, Harker Heights High School
Destiny Lee, Harker Heights High School
Charli Wozniak, Harker Heights High School
Lane Widacki, Killeen High School
Madeleine Garibay, Killeen High School
J’Mari Westmoreland, Shoemaker High School
Keyleeanis Lopez Vazquez, Shoemaker High School
Gabriella Rivera, Shoemaker High School
Louise Nolasco, Shoemaker High School
A’Niyah Staton, Shoemaker High School
PRATT SCHOLARSHIPS — $3,000 EACH
John Dickerson, Ellison High School
Brittani Griffith, Harker Heights High School
PARRIE HAYNES SCHOLARSHIP — $2,500
Caroline Vanderberg, Harker Heights High School