Student Hub

Students are the next generation of leaders. We empower students, of all ages, to make a difference in our community.

Teen holding a paint brush at a volunteer project.

TEEN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

You’re never too young to make a difference. Community service and volunteer hours are important to help your college application and job resume stand out. Our Volunteer Center provides programs aimed at connecting students with local volunteer needs. We even offer a volunteer scholarship!

Looking for volunteer opportunities?

Want to volunteer but aren’t sure where to start? Check out our Volunteer Center! They can help match your interests, talents and schedule with the needs of more than 300 nonprofit organizations in Wichita and south central Kansas. Find a project today and start giving back!

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship

Each year, the Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarship rewards three high school students from Sedgwick, Butler or Sumner County who are active volunteers with United Way of the Plains or nonprofits affiliated with United Way. Scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 and are used during the student’s first year of college.

The Spirit of Skippy Scholarship recognizes one Andover Central High School senior who demonstrates excellence in character, academics and school spirit.
Spirit of Skippy Scholarship

The Spirit of Skippy Scholarship is a $1,000 annual scholarship for one Andover Central High School senior. The recipient demonstrates excellence in character, academics and school spirit. It is named for graduate Matthew Noah, nicknamed Skippy. Through his exuberance, friendliness and school spirit, Noah overcame his cognitive deficiencies to make many friends at the school. If you are a student at Andover Central High School who is interested in this scholarship, contact your school counselor for more information.

The scholarship is administered by United Way of the Plains.

Two girls wearing United Way t-shirts,volunteering at a warehouse.

DWANE WALLACE YOUTH VENTURE GRANT COMMITTEE

The Dwane L. Wallace Youth Venture Grant Committee is focused on experience-based learning for students. It is a student-led committee that receives leadership training, reviews program grant applications and budgets, and allocates funding. The grant is funded by an endowment set up by Velma Lunt Wallace to honor her husband Dwane L. Wallace, former head of Cessna Aircraft Company. See the programs they chose to fund this year. The committee also determines the scholarship recipients for the Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Scholarship through a blind judge process.

QUESTIONS?

Are you a teacher or school staff member who wants to get your students more engaged in the community? Contact Abel Frederic, Vice President of Community Impact, at afrederic@unitedwayplains.org or (316) 267‑1321.