2019 Scholarship Recipient | KADPF

Jasmine Morey

Anthony — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:55 +0000

My name is Jasmine Morey and I will be graduating from Hiawatha High School. Throughout high school, I have been involved in a multitude of activities and have held multiple leadership positions. These include being in cross country, track, forensics, president of Red Hawk Readers, treasurer of International Club, and student council representative for National Honor Society. I love to run, read, and play with my dogs in my free time. I plan to attend Kansas State University and study Pre-Veterinary Medicine this fall. Thank you to the committee for selecting me for your scholarship.

Laura Meyer

Anthony — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:55 +0000

My name is Laura Meyer and I recently graduated from St. John’s Catholic High School. I am the fourth of seven children, and the only thing I care about more than them is my Catholic faith. Throughout high school participated in many activities, including cross country, cheerleading, National Honor Society, and Student Council. In the fall I plan to attend Benedictine College in Atchison and dual major in Secondary Education and Math. I am thrilled to begin this next chapter of my life, and I am extremely grateful to the scholarship committee for their generous support.

Matthew Krainbill

Anthony — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:55 +0000

My name is Matthew Krainbill, I am an active student at my high school and member of my community. I participated on our debate squad for three years and was highly involved with our band program taking part in Marching Band for four years as well as multiple years in Concert, Symphonic and Jazz bands. I also served my community through 4-H for 12 years taking an active leadership role in the Dog Performance project where I worked on the State Action Team and as a Judge for various dog shows. In January I began training as a volunteer firefighter for Shawnee County and plan to use it as a means of civil service into adulthood. I am a senior at Washburn Rural this year and will be graduating from high school and Washburn Tech with my EMT license in May. Next semester I will be attending K-State Polytechnic where I will be completing my Professional Pilot’s Degree by 2023.

Rachel Weis

Anthony — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:55 +0000

My name is Rachel Weis. I am 18 years old, and recently graduated from Smoky Valley High School. During high school, I kept active by participating in National Honors Society, KAY club, STUCO, studio dance, and National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Upon graduating, I received the Highest Honors award at my school and was selected as a Kansas Scholar Designee for completing the Kansas Scholar Curriculum. Next fall, I will be attending the University of Kansas and majoring in Atmospheric Science.

Simon Wiegand

Anthony — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:43:55 +0000

When I was younger I was the go to guy when my family needed a smaller hand or smaller person to work on machinery. For example, my grandpa once needed to get a wrench into a tight spot to get out a bolt, yet his hand was too big. This is when I would be called out to get my small and dexterous hands into that small area. I would finally get back to the house covered in oil and grime, but I loved fixing things so I did not care. Another experience I remember vividly is how I was always needed to grease the skid loader. One grease zerk was infamous for being a pain. It was difficult to get to because it was deep inside the engine and the crankshaft had to be in the perfect position to grease it. I was persistent each time and once I did finally get the zerk in the right position, I used my slender arms to reach it. It took a while and my arm was always black with grease or oil when I was done. These experiences sparked my interest in mechanics, and they made me feel better about myself since no one was able to do the same thing because of my size. The best feeling during my childhood, was when I thought of a way to get past an obstacle that I couldn’t overcome, like the zerk.
I was born in Sabetha, Kansas on March 27, 2001. I was a larger baby, weighing about 8.9 pounds, but since then I have been on the smaller side of life. Now I’m graduating high school a five-foot seven-inch, 120 pound, joyful teenager. Although I am short, I still can compete intellectually with my classmates and was third in my class. Since my time in high school I have expanded my knowledge of auto mechanics. I still find the same enjoyment as I did as a kid when working on a vehicle. Since I liked cars I took automotive classes every year I could and I have shadowed multiple mechanics. Luckily, I landed a job at Durland Auto Parts, your hometown NAPA store. Little did I know that my intelligence would be a setback.
After becoming set on the auto mechanic career, I started to hear a question that made me put deep thought into my decision to pursue this career. “But you’re so smart, why do you want to be a mechanic?”. This question has makes me doubt my choice of career. With research, I found out that mechanics seem to be known for their lack of intelligence. People also said, “Have you ever seen a happy mechanic?”, implying that all mechanics are grumpy, making little money, and in pain. However, following much thinking I realized why I liked mechanics. The auto mechanic trade is very large, yet finding a qualified worker is getting harder. Therefore, if I enter this field, I will have a job. Also, I like to work on my own, which mechanics do all the time. Don’t get me wrong, I like to work with people every so often, but working on a car alone is very calming. The reason that really sends it home is all the cool cars I can work on and the fact that the job is not tedious. Realizing all these reasons is why mechanics is still my primary choice for a future career.
Eventually, I want to make a difference in the mechanic career field. With the proper education, I can go into a few jobs in this career field. For example, I could be a mechanic, shop owner, or if I really want to put the time in, maybe design cars. How I could change the career is by becoming the “first happy mechanic”, or show that intelligent people can be mechanics and still be happy.
I am hoping to start my journey by going to NCK Tech. I plan to get my Associate’s Degree in auto mechanics while working myself though schooling. Once I get that degree, I will decide whether or not I want to continue my education so I can have more credentials to open the possibility of becoming an owner of a dealership. Following my schooling I hope to find a job and begin my adult life. Who knew being forced to help fix a vehicle as a small kid, would create a love for a career?