Youth Volunteer Scholarship

Aaron Joel Smith Youth Volunteer Memorial 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.

Congratulations to our 2024 recipients.
  • $25,000 Recipient: Lakshmishree Sivakumar, East High School (Wichita USD 259)
  • $15,000 Recipient: Angela Davis, Eisenhower High School (Goddard USD 265)
  • $10,000 Recipient: Isaiaz Whitaker, South High School (Wichita USD 259)

HOW TO APPLY

The 2025 scholarship application is now closed. Recipients will be announced in the spring. Please check back!

QUESTIONS?

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