United Way of the Plains announces 2024 scholarship recipients

WICHITA, Kan., April 23, 2024 — Each year, United Way of the Plains’ Aaron Joel Smith Memorial Youth Volunteer Scholarships reward three area high school students who actively volunteer with the organization or other area nonprofits. Scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000.

This year’s award recipients are from three area high schools.
$25,000 scholarship – Lakshmishree Sivakumar – East High School (Wichita USD 259)
$15,000 scholarship – Angela Davis – Eisenhower High School (Goddard USD 265)
$10,000 scholarship – Isaiaz Whitaker – South High School (Wichita USD 259)

Learn more about the 2024 winners here.

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.

Students must meet these eligibility requirements to apply:

• Reside in Sedgwick, Butler, Barber, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Pratt, Sumner or Reno counties.
• Enrolled as a junior or senior in high school.
• Demonstrate that they have volunteered a minimum of 200 hours (outside of school and organizations/societies that require volunteerism).
• Reported volunteer hours reflect volunteer work completed during the applicant’s high school career (freshman – senior)

2025 scholarship applications will open during the last quarter of this year. Follow this link to learn more.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267‑1321, ext. 4105, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.