Kentucky School Advocate
April 2022
For the 11th consecutive year, KSBA recognized from the Annual Conference stage the newest class of First Degree college scholarship recipients. The 2022 First Degree College Scholarship winners included Brandon Montes Gomez of Washington Co., Alexandria Whitman of Green Co., Angel Diaz of Hardin Co. and Danielle Ross of Morgan Co.
(See photos at bottom of page)Each year, four $2,500 scholarship recipients (two female students and two male students) are drawn at random by KSBA’s board of directors from a pool of eligible applicants. In addition to academic criteria, scholarship applicants must be the first members of their immediate families to receive a degree from a postsecondary institution. Each district may nominate one male and one female high school senior.
KSBA also announced its inaugural class of career and technical education (CTE) scholarship winners. In total, 67 students were selected to receive scholarships for the final assessments prior to receiving CTE industry certification. Costs for such assessments can exceed $600.
“Kentucky has long been at the forefront of career and technical education, and demand for a qualified workforce has skyrocketed in many sectors,” KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling said. “Districts have found innovative ways to ensure students can go the distance in fields like computer science, agriculture, pre-nursing, welding, family and consumer sciences, culinary arts, automotive repair, law enforcement – the list goes on.”
In preparation for launch of the CTE scholarships, KSBA collaborated with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education to better understand the state’s CTE offerings and the most effective means of administering financial aid to students. Funding for the scholarships relied heavily on gifts made by association members and affiliated groups.
“These scholarships would not be possible without the continued support of our members, partners and our sponsors,” Schelling said to a ballroom of Kentucky school board members and administrators. “We are grateful for your generosity and for your belief in this important work.”
KSBA thanks the 2022 First Degree college scholarship sponsors: American Fidelity Educational Services and Houchens Insurance Group Education.
For more information about the First Degree Scholarship program and the KSBA Educational Foundation, including instructions for making a donation, visit
KSBAEF.org.
Students awarded CTE scholarships
Last fall, the KSBA Educational Foundation announced an expansion of its scholarship program to include First Degree CTE Scholarships. The scholarships will cover a student’s certification costs.
The Foundation had announced it would award scholarships totalling $1,000 in each of KSBA’s 12 regions. At the 2022 KSBA Annual Conference, it was announced that 67 students – every student whose name was submitted – from 39 districts received a scholarship.
To view a list of students who received a First Degree CTE Scholarship or to make a gift, go to
KSBAEF.org.
First Degree College Scholarship photos
Pictured (from left): Houchens Insurance Group Education Vice Presidents David Brooks and David Livingston, Washington County High School senior Brandon Montes Gomez, KSBA President Davonna Page, KSBA Educational Foundation Board Chair David Turner and KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling.
Pictured (from left): American Fidelity Educational Services State Managers Kate Mathis and Rebecca Combs, John Hardin High School senior Angel Diaz, KSBA Educational Foundation Board Chair David Turner, KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling and KSBA President Davonna Page.
Pictured (from left): Houchens Insurance Group Education Vice Presidents David Brooks and David Livingston, KSBA President Davonna Page, Green County High School senior Alexandria Whitman, KSBA Educational Foundation Board Chair David Turner and KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling.
Pictured (from left): American Fidelity Educational Services State Managers Kate Mathis and Rebecca Combs, Morgan County school board member Mary Alice Oldfield (accepting on behalf of Morgan County High School Senior Danielle Ross), KSBA Educational Foundation Board Chair David Turner, KSBA Executive Director Kerri Schelling and KSBA President Davonna Page.