News

The Fayette Community Foundation (FCF) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarship program. Following a competitive application and review process, the Foundation awarded 49 scholarships totaling $119,525 to 37 Fayette County students pursuing higher education and career training opportunities.

Through the generosity of donors who established scholarship funds with the Foundation, these awards will help students pursue degrees, certifications, and specialized training while easing the financial burden of higher education for local families.

The 2026 Fayette Community Foundation scholarship recipients are as follows:

Meeks Scholarship: Hayden Steele
The Rogers Family Scholarship: Aidan Helms
Walter L. Reed and Margaret I. Reed Scholarship: Emily Bischoff
Walter L. Reed and Margaret I. Reed Scholarship: Ella Miller
Bill Rose Memorial Scholarship Fund: Sophia Starr
Fayette Community Foundation Scholarship: Isabella Starr
Helen Cooper Luckett Scholarship: Maddi Allen
Dale and Kris Thomas Family Scholarship: Cassie Boggs
George S. and Cornelia D. Tatman Scholarship: Arthur Struewing
R.L. “Dock” Haley Memorial Scholarship: Maggie Spurlock
Winifred Risley Lambert Nursing Scholarship: Lyla Davidson
Gene and Jane Guttman Whitewater Career Center Scholarship: Elise Roberts
Albert and Wilda M. Pearson Scholarship: Hunter Allen
William (Bill) and Phyllis Moran Family Scholarship: Reed Whitaker
Nicole Riggs Simpson Scholarship: Abida Fishburn
John and Harriet Darcy Scholarship: Abigail Keal
Andy Thielking Memorial Golfing Scholarship: Brandt Lykins
Andy Thielking Memorial Swimming Scholarship: Adora Free
First United Methodist Church Joseph Newkirk Scholarship: Serenity Simmons
Chester C. O’Neal Memorial Scholarship: Curtis Whitaker
Harold and Shirley Reihman Registered Nurse Scholarship: Christian LaBoyteaux
Harold and Shirley Reihman Registered Nurse Scholarship: Payton Richards
James T. and Robert E. Price Scholarship: Maddie Harrison
Ken Rowe Memorial Scholarship: Kayelyn Pollitt
James W. Robertson Scholarship: Sophia Starr
Alden and Caroline Rose Scholarship: Addyson Orschell
Fayette County Scholars to Mentors Scholarship: Danica Brown
Fayette County 4-H Scholarship: James Myers
Charles R. Leming Scholarship: Olivia Becker
George and Ruth Kerrigan Memorial Scholarship: Maddox Rees
Matt Howard Outstanding Achievement Award: Hunter Allen
Class of 1962 Scholarship: Allison Badore
Anna Thomson Memorial Scholarship: Gwenyth Tucker
Connersville High School Class of 1952 Scholarship: Grace Kibbey
Fayette County Free Fair 4-H Scholarship: Dylann Edwards
Lucille A. McIntyre Registered Nursing Scholarship: Cordell Escobal
Fayette County Master Gardeners and Friends Scholarship: Hayden Steele
Henry A. and Jean Zumkeller Positive Attitude Scholarship: Abigail Williams
Harold and Shirley Reihman Engineering Scholarship: Perrin Golden
Harold and Shirley Reihman Engineering Scholarship: Curtis Whitaker
Purdue Club Scholarship: Alexandra Sweet
Kellie O’Rourke Memorial Scholarship: Kayelyn Pollitt
Mark Beard Memorial Scholarship: Allison Badore
Midge Metz Scholarship: Emily Bischoff
Robert L. Joy Scholarship: Ella Miller
Merle and Wilma Studt Service Scholarship Fund: Reed Whitaker
Chuck Boulware Tennis Scholarship: Isabella Starr
Marion Hobbs Moore Education Scholarship: Abida Fishburn
Wanda Jeffries Memorial Scholarship: Maddi Allen

The Fayette Community Foundation remains honored to invest in the future of Fayette County students through scholarship opportunities made possible by generous donors and fund founders. These scholarships represent more than financial support — they are investments in future educators, healthcare workers, skilled professionals, business leaders, and community changemakers.

Be sure to follow the Fayette Community Foundation on social media throughout the summer as we highlight individual scholarship recipients, share donor stories, and celebrate the impact these scholarship funds continue to make across Fayette County.