Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced the winners of its 2021 Scott Mecham Student of Integrity Award Scholarships from The Kansas Plains.
BBB Student of Integrity Awards
These awards were created to promote ethics and integrity among young people so they may be motivated to continue incorporating moral values into every aspect of their lives. Public, private and home-schooled high school seniors from BBB’s service area were invited to apply.
Twelve graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding community service, leadership and personal integrity annually receive $2,000 scholarships from BBB’s Education Foundation for their post-secondary education expenses at any accredited institution. Winners were chosen across BBB’s service area of The Kansas Plains, Omaha/Southwest Iowa; Lincoln/Greater Nebraska; and South Dakota. They were chosen by independent panels of judges based mainly on the content of a required essay about a situation the students were personally involved in that tested their ethical philosophy.
2021 BBB Students of Integrity from The Kansas Plains
Makenna Roths will be graduating from Southeast of Saline High School, Gypsum. She will attend Wichita State University Cohen Honors College and pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree. Makenna said, “I have chosen my intended major to be geology because it has many career opportunities, all of which will allow me to continue to learn, research and discover. My passion for learning new things and discovering the unknown will be my driving force as I work to make a positive impact on my society that will carry on to make a positive impact on the world.”
Audrey Rymer is from Hays and she is graduating from Hays High School. Audrey will be attending the Fort Hays State University, where she plans to begin pursuing a career in medicine. She would like to be an orthopedic or cardiac surgeon. She said, “I am fascinated with the human body and how just a minor fault in the body can have drastic repercussions.” Audrey has come to love being in hospitals through her parents who both work in them as well as the time she has had to spend in them because of injuries she has sustained in her life.
Jaylah Hurley will be a graduate of Inman High School, Inman. At Fort Hays State University she plans to pursue an Associate of Science Degree in radiologic technology and then a Bachelor of Science Degree in medical diagnostic imaging. Along with observation experiences in different radiology departments and clinical experience during college, Jaylah plans to begin a career as a radiologist technologist upon graduating.
“These ‘Students of Integrity’ personify all of the best aspects of ethical behavior and fine character in their personal choices and actions. They serve as role models for others to emulate,” said BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty. “Unlike many other scholarships, grades, financial need and ethnicity are not factors in selecting the recipients. Makenna, Audrey and Jaylah are receiving these scholarships because of their commitment to honesty and accountability inside and outside of the classroom. The Better Business Bureau and its Foundation are proud to honor these amazing young adults with this prestigious award!”
ABOUT BBB: Better Business Bureau has been assisting U.S. consumers and businesses since 1912. It is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Please visit BBB.org for more information.