News Release: McPherson JAG-K Student Awarded Rudd Scholarship

McPherson High School JAG-K Career Association President Kyra Byrd was announced today as one of 30 recipients of the Rudd Scholarship.

The Rudd Scholarship is a Kansas program for Kansas residents who qualify for a Pell Grant. The 4-year award is designed to pay any remaining costs associated with tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board after accounting for all other grants, scholarships and financial awards. It can be applied only towards studies at Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, or Wichita State University for full-time students in pursuit of an undergraduate degree

The 30 recipients of the scholarship, valued at $88,000, were chosen from approximately 1,300 applicants this year.

(Learn more about the Rudd Scholarship at www.ruddfoundation.org/college-scholarships)

Elected by her classmates to lead the McPherson JAG-K program, the senior credits JAG-K with helping her learn about leadership and community service. The evidence-based program helps students with barriers to success prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities.

“Kyra has worked tremendously hard for this opportunity and is very deserving of this scholarship,” said Katelyn Loecker, JAG-K Career Specialist at McPherson High School. “She has truly paved the way for current and future JAG-K students, as she has taken full advantage of the opportunities that are available within our program.”

Byrd has earned a Nurse Aid certification and plans to use the scholarship to obtain a bachelor of Nursing Science at Wichita State.

“I am excited for the future, and I am thankful for JAG-K and everything they have done for me, constantly putting me on the right track,” Byrd said. “I knew that I really wanted to go to college, but my parents had told me that they do not have the money to pay for my college and that I would be funding most of it myself.”