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Showers with a possible thunderstorm in the morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with still a chance of showers. High 69F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low around 50F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Updated: May 2, 2024 @ 3:05 am
Emporia High’s Virginia Munoz, center, received a full-ride scholarship to Fort Hays State University.
Emporia High’s Virginia Munoz, center, received a full-ride scholarship to Fort Hays State University.
Virginia Munoz, a senior at Emporia High School recently received a full-ride scholarship to Fort Hays State University as one of five Schmidt Foundation Scholars.
According to FHSU, this is the fourth consecutive year that the Schmidt Foundation will provide full-ride scholarships to five future FHSU students.
“Over the past several weeks, Fort Hays State representatives visited area high schools to surprise each student in person,” the university’s press release said. “These announcements included life-changing news that the Schmidt Foundation would cover a full-ride scholarship for the students to attend FHSU beginning in the fall 2024 semester. The selection committee seeks academically gifted students who demonstrate the leadership skills necessary to contribute significantly to FHSU, the Hays community, and the state of Kansas.”
The scholarship is available to first-generation students, with a preference for students from Kansas planning to major in healthcare, education, business, entrepreneurship, arts or communications.
Munoz said she didn’t believe she had a chance when she first heard about the Schmidt Foundation Scholarship.
“I was like, ‘There’s going to be a thousand people applying for this. I’m definitely not going to get it.’ Then my teacher said, ‘Sit down and write an application. You’d be surprised.’ When they presented it to me, it was really emotional,” Munoz said. “My whole family was there, and I started crying. It was really important because I’m a first generation, so I’m going to be going to school for the first time out of my whole family and it’s on a full ride. That was pretty exciting.”
While also being a high school student, Munoz has been working full-time for years. Now, she plans to get her degree in social work and help children who grew up in similar situations.
“Growing up when you have a rough situation, you have to make the best out of it. I enjoy working, I enjoy my coworkers and I think it’s taught me some responsibility because a lot of people my age don’t work as much or as often as I do and for how long I have,” Munoz said. “I just want to help kids and families better their relationships, because growing up, I didn’t have a great relationship with my entire family. … I think it’s really important for kids to feel the bond between their families and I want to help families and kids strengthen that between each other.”
The five Schmidt Foundation scholars will receive financial support in the form of 30 tuition hours, fees, books and room and board for the academic year, with an option to renew the scholarship for up to three years.
Additional scholarship recipients for Fall 2024 include Khymyah Keywood, Wichita; Katzel Carlin, Osborne; Serena Bhakta, Wichita; and Madyson Bourne, Osage City.
Schmidt Foundation applications for freshmen starting in the fall of 2025 will be open from midnight on September 3, 2024, to midnight on February 15, 2025. For questions regarding the Schmidt Foundation Scholars application process, please contact the FHSU Office of Admissions at 785-628-5666, tigers@fhsu.edu.
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