Over 51 awards and approximately $60,000 in scholarships to 42 students in Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford County will be awarded this year through the Golden Belt Community Foundation.
The foundation administers more than 25 scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors and current college students. It takes about 30 volunteers to carefully review each application against each scholarship’s criteria.
The scholarships and recipients are:
• Allan V. Miller Family Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established by Chari Manry and family, in memory of Allan Miller. Allan was a graduate of Ellinwood High School and attended Kansas State University. As a local farmer and rancher, he profoundly cared about the local agricultural industry.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Cody Wondra – Kansas State University - Agriculture
• Amy C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund
Amy C. Harter’s constant smile had a way of brightening up everybody’s day. Her strength, courage, spirit and love of Christ were the foundation of her in all she did for family and community.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Braeden Corman – Sterling College – History
• Bill J. McKown Memorial Scholarship Fund
Bill J. McKown had a passion for scouting and art. He worked as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, the summer after his freshman year in college at the University of Kansas. His gift for art was nurtured with lessons since the third grade.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Samantha Montelongo – Barton Community College – Graphic Design
• Bob & Rosalee Roth Family Scholarship Fund
Robert and Rosalee Roth lived in Oklahoma City from 1955-1957 while Robert served as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Defense Command. They then moved to Larned to join Roth Equipment Company, a retail farm equipment store and lived there for 51 years where they raised their family. Bob and Rosalee wanted to help Pawnee County students experience life as a Jayhawk.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Leann Peterson – University of Kansas – Journalism
• Cap Proffitt Memorial Scholarship Fund
Formerly of the Alden/Sterling area, Cap Proffitt became an Ellinwood resident in 1989 and was the manager of Barton County Feeders Inc.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received the Purple Heart.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Colton Churchill – Kansas State University – Biological & Agriculture Engineering
• Carla M. Yahne Memorial Scholarship Fund
Carla was lifetime resident of Great Bend. Caring about her community, she was active in numerous organizations including Barton County Desk and Derrick Club, Kansas Oil and Gas Museum, Community Food Bank of Barton County, the Girls’ Home and American Legion Auxiliary.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Ashtin Heath - Wichita State University – Biology
• Chester Crane Memorial Scholarship Fund
A lifetime resident of Pawnee County, Chester Crane was a clerk/maintenance person for Doerr Manufacturing of Larned for 60 years. He was of the Christian faith, Charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Life Member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart.
2017 Scholarship Recipients: Braeden Corman – Sterling College – History; Patrick Doran – Kansas State University – Undecided; Dava Makings – Pratt Community College – Elementary Education; Catherine Orth – Wichita State University - Nursing
• Cinco de Mayo Barton County Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established to acknowledge the efforts of Great Bend High School students that participate in Cinco de Mayo.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Samantha Montelongo – Barton Community College – Graphic Design
• Ethel D. Holmes Scholarship Fund
Ethel Dell (Peppiatt) Holmes was born in August of 1892, on a farm near Ellsworth. She was an early day school teacher in a one-room school house. Aunt Ethel was a woman of profound faith. She passed away in 1995, at age 102.
2017 Scholarship Recipients : Emma Cape – University of Kansas – Education; Dawson Clark – University of Kansas - Human Biology; Quinton Elliott – Kansas State University –Biology; Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology; Allison Regehr – Bethany College – Biology; Darien Sanchez – Fort Hays State University - Nursing
• First American Baptist Church of Larned Scholarship Fund
The First American Baptist Church of Larned established this scholarship fund to support students that are active in their faith.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Braeden Corman – Sterling College - History
• Frank W. Brinkman Memorial Scholarship Fund
Frank W. Brinkman was a Barton County resident deeply rooted in the banking industry. In 1874, his father, established the J.V. Brinkman & Co. bank in Great Bend. The Brinkman family was known for their charitable acts. The scholarship fund was established to forever honor his legacy.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Ashtin Heath – Wichita State University - Biology
• Kansas State University Scholarship Fund
KSU Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by alumni, both businesses and individuals, in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties who wanted to assist local students in obtaining a college education from KSU.
2017 Scholarship Recipients: Olivia Baus – Kansas State University – Graphic Design; Jeremy Crockett – Kansas State University – Mechanical Engineering; Morgan Kaiser – Kansas State University – Business; Colton Massey – Kansas State University – Mechanical Engineering; Tyler Specht – Kansas State University – Pre-Pharmacy
• Mingenback Family Fund
The Mingenback family created this scholarship to honor the legacy of Dr. John Mingenback. He was dedicated to the patient’s understanding of dental health and preventative care. Dr. Mingenback loved his patients, took an interest in their lives, eased their pain, and followed Golden Rule throughout his career.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Allison Regehr – Bethany College – Biology
• Paul J. Urban Memorial Scholarship Fund
Paul Urban graduated from Fort Hays State University and received his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He was also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College of Fort Leavenworth. He served during World War II and was in the active Army and Reserve for 33 years. He taught for St. Joseph’s Military Academy and Great Bend High School for over 20 years. Paul went into real estate in 1973, becoming Realtor of the year, and teaching real estate classes at Barton Community College.
2017 Scholarship Recipients: Carly Dreiling – Fort Hays State University – Nursing; Mollie Hestand – Barton Community College – Nursing; Aaron Miller – Wichita State University – Education; Allison Stocker – Barton Community College - Undecided
• Ralph & Elinor Haneke Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ralph and Elinor Haneke were passionate about education. Ralph, an Ellis High School graduate, who enlisted in the Army during World War II instead of seeking higher education, was a self-taught businessman and certified financial counselor. He was dedicated to helping youth through his work in church, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, and Habitat for Humanity. Elinor, a Great Bend High School and Fort Hays State University graduate, became a 42-year veteran teacher for Great Bend public schools, working at Morrison Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Great Bend High School.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Elsi Miller – Barton Community College – Pre-Pharmacy
• Ray A. Cheely Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ray Cheely graduated from Great Bend High School in 1971, attended Barton Community College and graduated with an accounting degree in 1975 from Fort Hays State University. He went on to become a Certified Public Accountant. His business, Ray A. Cheely Chartered, specialized in small business accounting and consulting as well as personal accounting and tax returns.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Brittnee Barber – Barton Community College – Managerial Accounting
• Ryan Hugh Dunlap Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ryan Dunlap was a graduate of Great Bend High School, Barton Community College, and Southwestern College. His lifework was as an athletic trainer and physical education teacher. He was tirelessly dedicated to his family and students.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Emma Cape – University of Kansas - Education
• Ryan Joseph Bealer Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ryan moved through his life with a uniquely gifted spirit. His computer and engineering abilities were exceptional in that he not only mastered the technology, he also mastered creativity. He loved video games, and was selected as a “beta-tester” for Halo III. He made many movies, which included his friends and classmates.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Dorian Lueth – Barton Community College – Aerospace Engineering
• Samantha C. Harter Memorial Scholarship Fund
Samantha (Sami) C. Harter was a vivacious, happy, fun-loving girl with a huge heart and kind spirit. Her biggest thrill was riding horses. She enjoyed training for English Saddle competitions. Sami played guitar, piano, and loved to sing.
2017 Scholarship Recipient: Dava Makings – Pratt Community College – Elementary Education
• Vida M., Dorothy C., & Vivian M., Archer Scholarship Fund
The Archer sisters were lifelong residents of Ellinwood. They were born in the early 1900s and were the daughters of Charles Quincy & Margaret Ewers Archer. They deeply cared about a student’s ability to attain higher education.
2017 Scholarship Recipients: Brooklyn Burkhart – Fort Hays State University – Nursing; Colton Churchill – Kansas State University – Biological & Agriculture Engineering; Jordin Greer – Sterling College – Biblical Studies; Emma Harmon – Fort Hays State University – Communication Sciences; Maycie Hestand – University of Kansas – Human Biology; Taylor Latham – Kansas State University – Financial Management; Lake Lyman – Fort Hays State University – Chemistry; Gage Miller – University of Kansas – Pre Law; Bradley Reif – Barton Community College – Liberal Studies; Mykela Riedl – Wichita State University – Physical Therapy; Cheyanne Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science; Natalie Sanders – Kansas State University – Life Science; Heather Schneider – University of Kansas – Psychology; Tyann Schremmer – Fort Hays State University – Accounting; Braulio Vargas – Fort Hays State University – Nursing; Madison Werth – Cleveland Chiropractic College – Chiropractic; Emma Williams – University of Kansas - Biochemistry

Establishing a scholarship through GBCF
Endowed scholarships may be established with a donation of $10,000. A simple fund agreement is signed by the donor and foundation that outlines the specific criteria.
“We are continually impressed with the heart in which donors’ approach creating a legacy,” noted Sue Cooper, program officer. “Scholarships can award personal and academic achievements, memorialize a loved one, carry on a family tradition, or rally for your favorite team. We promise to work with you in creating a permanent, yet flexible fund to reach into perpetuity.”
For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call 620-792-3000 or visit the website www.goldenbeltcf.org.