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Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Student wins scholarship from KHEAA
A Murray 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.
Alexandra Horrobin’s essay drew judges in immediately: “Huge, extravagant proms and big, ol’ boy athletic departments do not automatically qualify a high school as the best in Kentucky. Substance, not glitz, is required to earn that title.”
The judges’ unanimous selection of Horrobin’s essay was based on her well-written testimonial to her school that went beyond test scores, clubs and athletics.
Murray High focuses on the “personal development of each student. (It) challenges you to step out of your safety zone,” she continued. Students at Murray have been “prepared to play a big role in this world and motivated to explore the opportunities that life has to offer.”
The essay captivated judges with its straightforward, unpretentious language. “This essay said a lot in 200 words,” one judge said.
The contest, sponsored by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and The Student Loan Peoplesm, gathered dozens of entries statewide. Judges said picking a winner was difficult. All of the entries were strong cheerleaders for their schools, whether academic, personal or athletic successes were cited.
Horrobin will receive her award on Dec. 9 at 1:45 p.m. at Murray High School, from Dr. Joe McCormick, executive director of KHEAA and The Student Loan People. Horrobin and other Murray students will then participate 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 distribution free to all students and are available online at www.kheaa.com.
KHEAA also publishes Affording Higher Education, listing more than 3,600 sources of financial aid for Kentucky students. All of these books can be found online at www.kheaa.com, in high school guidance offices or at public libraries.
KHEAA is the state agency that administers grant, 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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