High-achieving seniors at seven Killeen ISD high schools received welcomed surprise news Monday heading into the final week before their last spring break before graduation.
A total of 81 Class of 2026 seniors learned they received scholarships funded through donors associated with the KISD Education Foundation.
At each school, campus leaders called students to meeting locations for mysterious purposes, where the seniors learned of their good fortune. In all, they received $104,800 in scholarships.
The Education Foundation will host its annual Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Awards Ceremony March 30 at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center where scholars will receive official – and fancier – recognition.
At each separate “reveal,” students opened their envelopes and found information regarding their specific award based on applications and foundation scholarship committee screening.
Foundation staff and board members made stops at Shoemaker, Ellison, Harker Heights, Early College, Chaparral and Killeen High School and the KISD Career Center.
At Early College High School, recipients stood outside the front of the school on the Central Texas College campus as seniors and juniors, along with parents applauded the exciting news. Family members got in on the fun at the Career Center, too.
“It feels good. It feels like the hard work is paying off,” said Carina Pitre, an Early College High School scholarship recipient. She plans to attend Texas State University in pursuit of a medical career.
“It feels a little surreal. I’ve known since freshman year I would be at this point, but it feels different being here.”
“I’m really excited because college is expensive so I’m happy,” said Ricky Brown, a Harker Heights High School scholarship recipient.
“I don’t really know how to feel about graduating. I’m happy and sad. Right now, I’m thinking about how spring break is our last break of senior year. I’m just making sure I’m getting ready for college.” He plans to study finance at Texas State University.
Rayven Adkins, an Ellison High School scholarship recipient is on her way to the University of Texas to study early childhood education.
“It’s very exciting and a little nerve racking, but I think I’ll be OK when I get there,” she said of preparing for college.
“It’s very exciting (to receive a scholarship). Everything counts toward my education. I just want to be able to go to college and enjoy it.”
Shoemaker recipient Brenden Logan said school counselors convinced him to apply for a scholarship.
“That was the goal from the beginning. You think you’re prepared for high school. You really never are. I chose to take rigorous courses and it’s paying off because I’m going to the Air Force Academy,” he said.
“I think high school prepared me. The jump is going to be harder, but I’ve built good habits,” Logan said.
The Shoemaker senior recently signed a letter of intent to play football at the Air Force Academy.
Additional awards will be announced at the distinguished alumni event March 30 and at the Starmakers Academic Recognition Banquet May 14.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720332437971
