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Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Scholarship winner announced
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 21, 2006) — A Trimble County High School junior is the winner of a $500 scholarship essay contest, earning her school a photo shoot for pictures to be used in statewide college planning publications.
Megan Stewart’s essay immediately drew judges in: “Crowded classrooms, limited course offerings and a 48 percent free and reduced lunch student population …These are realities in my school, but they are not the characteristics by which my school is defined.”
The judges’ unanimous selection of Stewart’s essay was based on her well-written testimonial to her school that went beyond test scores, clubs and athletics.
Trimble County High “is a diverse group of people who, regardless of circumstances, continue to engage in learning, leadership development and positive growth,” Stewart wrote. She saluted administrators, teachers, parents and her fellow students for building a community by tutoring students, providing additional classes and raising money to support disease research and fund sports programs.
The heartfelt essay captivated judges and made it stand “head and shoulders” above the other entries. “This essay captures the essence of the school succinctly,” one judge said. “This was an easy choice.”
The contest, sponsored by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) and The Student Loan Peoplesm, gathered over a hundred entries statewide. All of the entries were strong cheerleaders for their schools, whether academic, personal or athletic successes were cited.
Stewart received her award on Dec. 19 at Trimble County High School. Edward Cunningham, executive director of KHEAA and The Student Loan People, presented the award. Stewart and other Trimble County students then participated in a photo shoot at the school. The pictures will be used in free college planning guides for high school students, posters, brochures and other KHEAA publications.
Getting Started, Getting Set, Getting Ready and Getting In are designed to help students prepare for college and find financial assistance, and to provide up-to-date information about Kentucky colleges, universities and trade schools. The colorful, college how-to guidebooks are sent to school counselors for free distribution to all students and are available online at www.kheaa.com. KHEAA also publishes Affording Higher Education, listing more than 4,000 sources of financial aid for Kentucky students. All of these books may be found online at www.kheaa.com, in high school guidance offices or at public libraries.
KHEAA is the state agency that administers grants, Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), work-study and savings programs and guarantees Federal Family Education Loans to help students pay for college or technical training. The books are also sponsored by The Student Loan People, the state’s only public, nonprofit student loan provider, which offers the lowest cost student loans in Kentucky.
To learn how to plan and prepare for higher education, visit www.GoHigherKY.org. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798; or call (800) 928-8926, extension 7381. For more information about student loans, visit www.studentloanpeople.com; write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328, Louisville, KY 40224-0328; or call (888) 678-4625.
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