Each year the Great Bend High School Class of 1971 gives a scholarship to honor a deceased classmate.

For the 2011 year, this scholarship is in memory of classmate Mona Youtsey. Class of ’71 representative JP Postlethwaite said the final decision for this year’s recipient was a tie, and two scholarships were awarded. The recipients for 2011 are Sean Keenan from Great Bend High School and Samantha Ware from Barton County College. Keenan is related to classmate Margaret Wondra Evers and Ware is related to classmate Sue Harders Ware.