The Wichita Falls ISD Foundation awarded nearly $88,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors Tuesday night at its annual scholarship ceremony, with 80 awards distributed to students from across the district.
The total exceeded last year's $78,450 in awards, and organizers said they hope to reach $100,000 in annual scholarship funding in future years.
What recipients said
Memorial High School senior Khloe Miller, who received $4,500 in scholarship funding, said the awards reflect years of work. "I grew up in a single parent household, so being able to win as many scholarships I did is very important for not only me, but my family to be able to send me to college," Miller said.
Legacy High School senior Jaydalin Mendoza, who earned six scholarships, said the funds will help support her plans to attend Midwestern State University. "My future plans is to stay here and plan to attend MSU, so I do enjoy it," Mendoza said. She said she plans to study kinesiology or nursing and will participate in a study-abroad program.
Foundation perspective
Executive Director Nikki Davis said the foundation aims to ease the financial pressure facing families. "These kids are excited about going to college, and their mom and dad are as excited about their pocketbooks," Davis said. "It gets more and more expensive every year."
Scholarship donor Diann Taylor described the awards as an investment. "It is important to pursue education because it is our future," Taylor said. "This scholarship is important because if they are going to college or to pursue other avenues after high school, each dollar adds up."
Information on creating or supporting a scholarship through the WFISD Foundation is available on the foundation's website.