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2019 First Degree Scholarship

Daviess County senior awarded KSBA Education Foundation Scholarship

Kentucky School Advocate

March 2019

Daviess County High School senior Sydney Higdon and Grayson County High School senior Jonathan Nelson were recipients of the 2019 First Degree Scholarship, awarded by the Kentucky School Boards Association during its Annual Conference Feb. 22-24 in Louisville.

This year’s scholarships were sponsored by Houchens Insurance Group and American Fidelity, both affiliate partners of the KSBA. Contributions to the scholarship program were also made by members of the KSBA Board of Directors.

KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling (left), Houchens Insurance Group Vice President

David Livingston (second from left) and KSBA President David Webster (right) present

a First Degree Scholarship to Sydney Higdon.

The KSBA Board of Directors established the First Degree College Scholarship program eight years ago, with scholarships awarded by the KSBA Education Foundation each year during the association’s annual gathering. The program provides a $2,500 cash scholarship to one male and one female high school senior. The scholarship may be used for any two- or four-year institution of higher education in Kentucky or elsewhere. To be eligible for the award, a student must be the first in his or her family to earn a postsecondary degree, have scored at least 20 on the ACT and be nominated by the local board of education. The selections are made in a blind drawing during a KSBA Board of Directors meeting.

Higdon is a member of the National Honor Society and Concert Choir. Her favorite subjects are English and music. After competing in gymnastics for much of her life, Higdon has spent the past three years coaching children ages 2-14. She enjoys camping and outdoor activities with her family and friends.

Higdon plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana with the intention of majoring in occupational therapy. She also hopes to continue pursuing her love of music in college through vocal music performance. She is the daughter of Dan and Donna Higdon.

American Fidelity representatives Adeana Wiefering (left) and Joel McKenzie (second from left),

KSBA President David Webster (second from right) and KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling (right)

present a First Degree Scholarship to Jonathan Nelson.

Nelson’s favorite subjects are math and science and he plays viola and cello in orchestra. When he is not busy studying or practicing his instruments, Nelson works at his local Taco Bell. Nelson hopes to attend Centre College to pursue biology or chemistry. He aspires to be a doctor, with a possible specialty in cardiology.

Nelson is the son of Paul and Rebecca Nelson.