Erik Moreno, a senior here at South High School, received a Full Ride Scholarship from the Rudd Foundation on February 22nd, 2023. The Rudd Scholarship is a renewable, 4-year program that covers any remaining cost of attendance after all other aid, grants, and scholarships are applied to a student’s account. By this scholarship helping remove financial barriers to any college education, the scholars that have been chosen will be expected to reach a high level of excellence on their school campus in preparing themselves to be leaders in their future professions and communities. In total, there will be 25 full scholarships awarded for winners to either attend Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, or Wichita State University.
Erik plans on attending Wichita State University while majoring in business
Questions with Erik:
Q: How did it feel to be notified that you had won this scholarship?
A: “I felt both a sense of relief and excitement when I first received the Rudd scholarship. Receiving the news felt unreal, and I was genuinely happy that the work I put in paid off”.
Q: What did you have to do to win the Rudd scholarship?
A: “Like most scholarships, I wrote about some life experiences and the things I did to get where I am at today. I also went through an interview process after becoming a finalist, which was fun”.
Q: How will this scholarship help you reach your goals?
A: “With the help of the scholarship, I hope to pursue a career in the business field and eventually start a business”.
“I am immensely greateful for this scholarship and I will relentlessly work to not let this go to waste”
Erik Moreno
Diego Avelar, another senior here at South High School, was selected to receive a Full Ride Gates Scholarship on April 20th, 2023. Diego completed a year-long application process and was chosen as one of 750 out of 51,000 applicants. The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Scholars will receive funding for the full attendance cost not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution. The cost of attendance covered in this award includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs.
Diego will be attending the national conference in Florida this June.
Now Diego plans on attending Wichita State University while majoring in engineering. But now that he has received this scholarship, he plans to look at other schools.
Questions with Diego:
Q: What do you plan on studying in college?
A: “I plan to major in engineering, but I’m still unsure about what branch of engineering I would like to do”.
Q: What did you have to do to win this award?
A: “There were three phases to the scholarship. The first phase was a big survey about your achievements and things like that. The second phase was like a normal scholarship application; I had to write a few essays. The final phase was an interview, the interview was held online and was around 30 minutes”.
“I had my doubts about winning, so I was very surprised when I was notified that I had won the scholarship. My main goal for the future is to graduate college debt-free, and this scholarship helps me achieve that. I will be able to study without the worry of cost. I am very grateful for that”.
Diego Avelar
