Forever Friends Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Description
The Forever Friend Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to support students from the Shawnee Mission School District who are pursuing careers in teaching, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology. It is intended for graduating high school seniors or former district graduates who are enrolled in specified teacher- or health-related collegiate programs. The Fund is administered through the Community Foundation and guided by an Advisory Committee that oversees award decisions and disbursement conditions.

Key takeaways:
- Annual scholarships for Shawnee Mission district students pursuing specific education and health careers.
- Open to graduating seniors and certain enrolled college students from the district.
- Administered by the Community Foundation with oversight from an Advisory Committee.

Eligibility
The Fund defines three distinct applicant groups who may receive scholarships: current seniors at Shawnee Mission North High School planning specified careers, district graduates enrolled in Emporia State University’s Teachers College, and district graduates in the University of Kansas School of Health Sciences entering their final graduate year in OT, PT, or SLP. Applicants must fit exactly into one of these groups to be considered. Each group has separate enrollment or program-stage requirements that determine eligibility.

Key takeaways:
- Three eligible groups: SM North seniors, Emporia State Teachers College undergraduates, and KU Health Sciences graduate students entering final year in select programs.
- Applicants must be graduates or students of the Shawnee Mission School District.
- Eligibility depends on current enrollment and program status, not on general geographic or financial criteria.

High‑School Senior Requirements
For Shawnee Mission North seniors, the Fund requires demonstration of academic breadth, community involvement, and acceptance to further education. Specifically, seniors should have taken courses in the humanities and/or sciences, participated in school or community service organizations, and hold admission to an accredited public or private college, university, or technical school. These requirements are used to assess commitment to the chosen career path and readiness for postsecondary study.

Key takeaways:
- Seniors must show coursework in humanities and/or sciences.
- Participation in school or community service is required.
- Admission to a postsecondary institution is mandatory for consideration.

Award Value and Disbursement
The scholarship amount is $2,000 per award. Awards to qualifying recipients are split into two equal installments: one half is awarded at high school graduation, and the second half is released at the beginning of the student’s final year in the approved degree or certificate program. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient’s college or university at the time fees are due; if the recipient does not enroll at the approved institution, the funds must be returned to the Community Foundation and the scholarship is forfeited.

Key takeaways:
- Total award: $2,000.
- Disbursed in two equal installments tied to education milestones.
- Payments go directly to the educational institution and can be forfeited if enrollment requirements are not met.

Application Materials and Selection
Applicants must submit supporting documents that demonstrate fit and readiness for the chosen career pathway. Required materials include a response describing a positive impact you’ve made, a college acceptance letter, any financial aid award letters, and two letters of recommendation from school professionals (examples: teacher, counselor, or coach). The Advisory Committee reviews applications and validates that the recipient will complete the applicable degree or certificate before releasing the second installment.

Key takeaways:
- Required items: personal impact statement, college acceptance letter, financial aid letters (if any), and two school-based recommendations.
- Recommendations must come from school professionals.
- The Advisory Committee evaluates documentation and confirms degree completion plans before releasing funds.

Application Timeline
The scholarship is awarded on an annual basis and follows the standard academic cycle for recipients. Decisions and the initial award installment align with high school graduation for senior recipients. The second installment is contingent on documentation showing the recipient will complete their program and is issued at the start of the recipient’s final year in the approved program.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarships are awarded yearly, aligned with the academic calendar.
- First installment coincides with high school graduation.
- Second installment is released at the start of the recipient’s final year after verification of program completion plans.

History of the Award
The Forever Friend Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship Fund was established to honor Diana Lain Hughes and to support students pursuing careers in education and allied health fields. The Fund is managed through the Community Foundation with guidance from an Advisory Committee that establishes disbursement conditions and eligibility interpretations. Its mission centers on sustaining a local pipeline of professionals in teaching, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology.

Key takeaways:
- Created to honor Diana Lain Hughes and promote careers in education and allied health.
- Managed by the Community Foundation with an Advisory Committee.
- Focuses on building a local workforce in specified professional fields.