Youth Volunteer Scholarship

You’re never too young to make a difference. United Way’s Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship recognizes teens in south-central Kansas who are active volunteers, giving back to their community through their time and talents.

The memorial scholarships honor Aaron Joel Smith, along with three of his classmates, who tragically lost their lives in a 1991 car accident. The awards are a tribute to Smith’s spirit of volunteerism and his involvement as a coordinator for the 1991 United Way fundraising campaign at Northeast Magnet School in Wichita. The scholarships have been granted annually to outstanding youth volunteers since 1992.

The program rewards three high school students with scholarships in the amounts of $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000.

I think it can be so valuable to expand your worldview and your cultural awareness. It’s been really fun, and I’ve gained so much out of it.

 – Annabella Shannon, Wichita East High School, Fall 2025 $25,000 Recipient

Congratulations to our fall 2025 recipients.
  • $25,000 Recipient: Annabella Shannon, Wichita East High School
  • $15,000 Recipient: Lauren Wise, Maize South High School
  • $10,000 Recipient: Hunter Steele Heckart, Mulvane High School

APPLICATION

The 2025 fall scholarship application closed at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Recipients will be announced in November. Check back at that time to celebrate this year’s winners!

QUESTIONS?

Contact Logan Bradshaw, Director of Community Impact, at lbradshaw@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321 ext. 4210.