WALTER HURST SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR 2023
Sophomore of the Year History
Walter Hurst was a long-time member of the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation Board and financial supporter of the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation.
He proposed and lobbied the Texas-Oklahoma Board for three years to start a scholarship fund for sophomores. Finally, in 1979-80* they agreed to start the “Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year Scholarship.” In recent years, the program has normally been referred to as “Sophomore of the Year or SOTY.”
The Scholarship award is not based on academics, but on leadership qualities. A goal is to seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores, and to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leadership for America's future.
A second goal is to help sophomores gain experience and confidence in following written instructions when applying for scholarships.
A third goal is to educate people in the schools and communities about the Kiwanis organization. The number of scholarships awarded from year to year depends on the amount of money available from the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation. Each club in the District is asked to contribute a minimum of $10 per member as an annual gift to the Foundation. Special recognition is given to District clubs for a gift of $10 per member.
The District SOTY awardees are given a personalized plaque and a congratulatory letter that includes instructions on how to redeem the award after enrolling in a college or university.
In addition to the scholarships given at the district level, many clubs award scholarships from their club fund. The Foundation requests that clubs giving scholarships use a name slightly different as to avoid confusion when the time comes for the students to receive their funds.
*According to the late, Past Governor, Marvin Sapaugh, the first convention where the Sophomore of the Year Scholarship recipients were selected and recognized was the 1980 Texas-Oklahoma District Convention in Oklahoma City.
Walter Hurst was a long-time member of the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation Board and financial supporter of the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation.
He proposed and lobbied the Texas-Oklahoma Board for three years to start a scholarship fund for sophomores. Finally, in 1979-80* they agreed to start the “Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year Scholarship.” In recent years, the program has normally been referred to as “Sophomore of the Year or SOTY.”
The Scholarship award is not based on academics, but on leadership qualities. A goal is to seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores, and to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leadership for America's future.
A second goal is to help sophomores gain experience and confidence in following written instructions when applying for scholarships.
A third goal is to educate people in the schools and communities about the Kiwanis organization. The number of scholarships awarded from year to year depends on the amount of money available from the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation. Each club in the District is asked to contribute a minimum of $10 per member as an annual gift to the Foundation. Special recognition is given to District clubs for a gift of $10 per member.
The District SOTY awardees are given a personalized plaque and a congratulatory letter that includes instructions on how to redeem the award after enrolling in a college or university.
In addition to the scholarships given at the district level, many clubs award scholarships from their club fund. The Foundation requests that clubs giving scholarships use a name slightly different as to avoid confusion when the time comes for the students to receive their funds.
*According to the late, Past Governor, Marvin Sapaugh, the first convention where the Sophomore of the Year Scholarship recipients were selected and recognized was the 1980 Texas-Oklahoma District Convention in Oklahoma City.
The Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. is currently accepting applications for the Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year 2023. The application must be completed and returned to your school counselor on or before March 3, 2023.
Winners will be announced during the Texas-Oklahoma District Convention, in August 2023 at the Foundation Luncheon in Granbury, Texas. The packet includes Student Application and Instructions.
Please be sure to follow the instructions as applications will be disqualified for not doing so.
We wish you the best of luck!
Winners will be announced during the Texas-Oklahoma District Convention, in August 2023 at the Foundation Luncheon in Granbury, Texas. The packet includes Student Application and Instructions.
Please be sure to follow the instructions as applications will be disqualified for not doing so.
We wish you the best of luck!
Previous winners are:
2022 Alanna Robbins, Skyline High School
2021 Britney Ramirez, Skyline High School
2020 Isais De La Rosa, A+ Academy Secondary School
2019 Ivan Rodriguez, Inspired Vision Academy Secondary School
2018 Jennifer Román, H. Grady Spruce High School
2017 Andrea Imelda Olvera, H. Grady Spruce High School
2022 Alanna Robbins, Skyline High School
2021 Britney Ramirez, Skyline High School
2020 Isais De La Rosa, A+ Academy Secondary School
2019 Ivan Rodriguez, Inspired Vision Academy Secondary School
2018 Jennifer Román, H. Grady Spruce High School
2017 Andrea Imelda Olvera, H. Grady Spruce High School