Briefly - Schools and students

AAUW scholarships awarded to 2 seniors

The Independence branch of the American Association of University Woman has awarded two $500 scholarships to high school graduating seniors.

The recipients are Truman High School senior Kristen Kootsikas, and William Chrisman High School senior Brittany Wolf.

Kootsikas is the daughter of Dean Kootsikas and Susan Dwyer.

She plans to attend Central Missouri State University and major in marketing.

Wolf is the daughter of Leslie Wolf.

She plans to attend Park University and study psychology.

These young women also received certificates, AAUW T-shirts, and a rose bouquet from AAUW.

Also recognized with awards were three seventh grade students and two eighth grade students.

They were selected by school personnel using the following guidelines provided by AAUW: scholarship, citizenship, and participation in school and community.

The seventh grade recipients are Cheyanne Welch of Bingnam Middle School, Rebecca Crow of Bridger Middle School, and Taylor Williams of Pioneer Ridge Middle School.

The eighth grade recipients are Mariah Wurdenman of Bingnam Middle School and Chelsea Duchene of Bridger Middle School.

The AAUW Student Awards Committee presented these students with T-shirts, balloons with a candy base, and certificates.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize students for their efforts and to encourage their academic and personal growth.

This is the 10th year that AAUW has recognized outstanding women in the Independence School District with these scholarships and awards.

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National debate honor

Tyler Dooley of Independence was on a Washburn University team that advanced to double octa-finalists, tied for 17th in the nation, in the National Parliamentary Debate Association Championships.

The NPDA Championships featured 234 debate teams from 81 squads, making it the largest parliamentary debate tournament of the year.

Seven of Washburn’s eight teams advanced from the eight preliminary rounds to single elimination rounds.

Washburn boasted several speakers in the top 50 in individual speaking events from a field of 468 debaters, where Dooley was ranked 22nd.

Dooley is a sophmore majoring in communication with a legal emphasis.



– Megan Schnabel