By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
The Yukon Alumni Association awarded a record number of scholarships during its annual banquet June 3 at Yukon High School.
“We gave out 26 scholarships to graduating Yukon seniors,” Yukon Alumni Board Member Neta Duke said. “That’s the most scholarships ever given by the Yukon Alumni Association.”
The scholarship awards totaled $32,000, which these talented new YHS grads will use to further their education in college.
Several dozen YHS seniors applied for the Yukon Alumni scholarships during the spring semester.
Recipients were selected “based on merit and need,” Duke explained.
Scholarship applicants each wrote an essay to answer the question, “In your years at Yukon High School, who are what has had the most influence in helping you to become who you are today?”
Here is a list of the Yukon Alumni Association’s 2023 scholarship recipients:
- Shanna Varghese
- Sandra Cifuentes-Calderon
- Paola Murillo
- Matthew Werschem
- Christopher Eccard
- Kayla Rollins
- Emma Jeffrey
- Olivia Wright
- Zaelin Secrest
- Lydia Laverty
- Keyleigh Davis
- Chloe Cromwell
- Emily Schneider
- Kaidence Tippens
- Olivia Weems
- Jaycee McKee
- Hayden Cromwell
- Evelyn Hammett
- Coy Pope
- Ethan Horton
- Hayden Griffin
- Ronan Feronti
- Addison Carson
- Arrington Carson
- Garrett Shaver
- Emma McMahon
Proceeds from the annual Yukon Alumni Golf Tournament, along with and donations from YHS alumni supporters, fund the Yukon Alumni Association’s scholarship program.
More than $475,000 in alumni scholarships have been awarded to YHS students over the past 45 years.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING
Thirty teams competed on the morning of June 3 in the Yukon Alumni Golf Tournament at the Surrey Hills Golf Club.
“Most of the money for the scholarships is raised from the golf tournament,” Duke noted.
Yukon Alumni’s evening banquet inside the YHS Food Court featured the presentation of memorial scholarships honoring Joe Rose and Donna (Anderson) Mills, veterans’ tribute, recognition of former teachers and administrators, and a delicious a catered dinner.
Two special memorial scholarships – in honor of Ernest Roy Mach – were presented to Von Paul McWaters and Garrett Shaver.
YHS graduate Kali Grizzle provided entertainment.
Association members also sold special T-shirts with the “original” Miller Man mascot logo at the reunion festivities.
These YHS “honor” classes were recognized during the 2023 YHS alumni weekend:
1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018, and beyond.
Yukon’s James VanHorn started the Yukon Alumni Association and remains active today.
A 1965 YHS graduate, VanHorn organized Yukon’s first alumni golf tournament in 1975. The banquet followed in 1980.
“We’re already looking forward to next year,” he said. “More details to come!”
The Yukon Alumni Association is a 501c3 nonprofit, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Other board members beside Van Horn and Duke are Phil Kastl (president), Johnny Rose, Danny Rose, Sandy Bohannan, Michelle O’Dell, Bill Logan, Glenda Carson-King, Janice Bedell, and Irene McAlister (honorary).
For more information, call (405) 324-2456 or (405) 826-4914.
