Grace Allen - Grace is a graduate of South High School and attends the University of Kansas, majoring in Physical Education. She has a passion for working with elementary students. Grace wants to create an environment for her students that improves their physical and mental health. She believes it’s of the utmost importance to foster an environment of inclusivity that allows every student to participate and reach their full potential.  



Chloe Highsmith - Chloe is a graduate of Central High School and attends Kansas State University, where she is a sophomore majoring in secondary education in Speech/Theater. She says the biggest role models in her life have all been teachers. She wants to do for her students what her teachers did for her - water the seeds of curiosity and nurture their passion for learning. She wants to touch students' hearts and minds, sparking a love for the pursuit of knowledge. 



Kolbe Shafer - Kolbe is a senior at Central High School. He plans to attend Emporia State University and major in Mathematics Education. He is passionate about the process of learning for students. He wants to help them learn and support them in achieving their goals. He believes math helps students with their critical thinking skills and looks forward to helping them improve their skills.




Emily Streeter - Emily, a senior at South High School, looks forward to majoring in Elementary Education. She is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner who wants to foster that love of learning with new generations. Teaching fills her with positive energy, especially with younger children because they are so excited about learning. Her goal is to become a positive influence and role model for the next generation. 



Jessica Toman - Jessica is currently attending Wichita State University while working as a para-educator at Lakewood Middle School. This position opened doors for her as she realized she loves making a difference in students' lives. She dreams of obtaining her teaching license and teaching Reading or English at the middle school level. She wants to bring a student-centered learning experience to an environment where all students feel safe and included.



Alexia Walsh - Alexia is a senior at South High School. She plans to attend Kansas Wesleyan University and major in Elementary Education. She understands the lasting impact teachers have on their students and looks forward to welcoming them to her classroom with open arms. She wants students to know they matter and that someone cares for them. She loves seeing the light bulbs go off when students start to understand the material.
 

Vanessa Arceo- Vanessa is a senior at South High School. She plans to attend Kansas Wesleyan University or Fort Hays State University and major in Music Education. Vanessa is bilingual in English and Spanish. She plays the violin for the Kansas Wesleyan University orchestra and the Salina Youth Symphony. Her hope is to bring people together through music.   



Isaac French- Isaac is a graduate of Central High School and attends Kansas State University, where he is Vice President of West Hall. He is majoring in Secondary Education and plans to teach Social Studies. Isaac wishes to create a safe place for his students to learn and develop through an understanding of the past.



Grace Hilbert-Grace is a graduate of South High School and Hutchinson Community College. She attends Wichita State University while working as an instructional assistant at Heusner Elementary School. Grace is studying Elementary Education. She enjoys working with children with disabilities and volunteers with her mother at “Night to Shine”, an organization that provides a prom for people with disabilities. Grace hopes to show her students that they are special.   


Sara Orr- Sara is a graduate of South High School and attends Fort Hays State University, majoring in Secondary Education. Since 2016 Sara has worked at South High School as a para educator and instructional assistant. Sara says that her co-workers and mentors have been a tremendous help to her. She enjoys advocating for her students’ voices to be heard.




Alaina Yianakopulos-Alaina is a Southeast of Saline High School graduate who attends Emporia State University. She is majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education. Alaina shared that her experience working with a child with Down Syndrome was an incredible experience and helped shape her desire to study special education. Alaina says she believes she can help the world by bettering the lives of those kids who don’t get the same opportunities as the rest of us. 
 

2022 Recipients

Lauren Allen graduated from Southeast of Saline High School and attends Oklahoma Baptist University. She is majoring in Elementary Education and will graduate in 2024.






Diana Geist graduated from Salina South High School. She attends Emporia State University and majors in Elementary Education with an emphasis in science. She will graduate in 2025.  





Megan Householter graduated from Salina South High School. She attends Fort Hays State University and majors in Secondary Education with an emphasis in History. She will graduate in 2026.  





Hannah Kipp is a graduate of Salina South High School. She attends Kansas State University and is majoring in Seconday Education with an emphasis in English & Journalism.  She will graduate in 2024. 




Paige Musselwhite is a graduate of Salina South High School and Kansas State University. She is completing a Masters in Education and will graduate in 2023. She currently teaches Kindergarten at Coronado Elementary.  




Zac Salas graduated from Salina South High School. He attends Bethany College and majors in Music Education. He will graduate in 2026. 

Melissa Gates is a Business teacher at Salina South High School. She completee her teacher education at Fort Hays State University. 






Reagan Stein is a graduate of Salina Central High School. She attends the University of Kansas, majoring in Secondary Education.