Three high school seniors, including two from the Manhattan area have been awarded Kansas State University’s Presidential Scholarship, the largest scholarship award in the state.
Manhattan High senior Ibrahim Ciftci, Wamego High senior Margaret Benson and Madison Von Minden, of Chesterfield, Missouri earned the prestigious award, worth $20,000 per year and $80,000 over four years. Benson is also the recipient of the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship. The latter is awarded to students choosing a major offered by the College of Business Administration.
The award seeks to recognize students with outstanding academic and leadership skills.
Winners were selected from eight finalists and 152 total applicants.
The following high school seniors were finalists for the Presidential Scholarship, according to information released by the university Wednesday:
Braden Adams, Abilene, a senior at Abilene High School; Lane Musselman, Clifton, senior at Clay Center Community High School.
From Greater Kansas City: Jayden Brethour, Lenexa, a senior who is homeschooled; and Johanna Heinen, a senior at Spring Hill High School, and Jax Marn, a senior St. Thomas Aquinas High School, both from Olathe.
Amala John, Hesston, a senior at Hesston High School; Jude Stafford, Independence, a senior at Independence High School; and Gavin Strunk, a senior at Rock Creek High School, Wamego.
From out of state: Allison Jansen, Florissant, Missouri, a senior at Rosati-Kain High School.
The 2022-2023 Presidential Scholarships are made possible by support from alumni and friends. The awards include the Mike and Becky Goss Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mike and Becky Goss, Westport, Connecticut; the Mary L. Vanier Presidential Scholarship, funded by Mary L. Vanier, Manhattan; and the Vanier Family Business Administration Best of Kansas Presidential Scholarship, funded by members of the Jack Vanier family of Brookville, Manhattan and Salina.
