Ethan Wilcox of Amarillo was recently awarded a $40,000 scholarship to attend Southwestern University by The Sumners Foundation of Irving. According to an announcement, scholarships are awarded by the Foundation based on civic engagement, academic excellence, a capacity for leadership, and a desire to further our democracy.
Wilcox is one of 36 undergraduate students nationally to receive a Sumners scholarship in 2025. In addition to the scholarship funds, scholars are provided with several opportunities to learn about and become involved in programs that further democracy. Involvement includes opportunities to interact with Former Members of Congress, participation in Braver Angels programming, participation in the Texas Tribune Festival, and funded internships.
“The Sumners Scholarship program has been at the core of the Sumners Foundation’s purpose since shortly after its inception in 1949. Our Scholars are selected from the very best students at colleges and universities after a rigorous interview process. To be selected as a Sumners Scholar is an honor that will remain with the Scholar throughout his or her lifetime,” said Board Chairman Scott Higginbotham in the announcement.
Sumners Scholar alumni include dignitaries such as U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, former Senior Deputy Attorney General of Oklahoma Dara Derryberry, Chairman of Matador Resources Joe Foran, former Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court Nathan Hecht, President of the University of Texas at Arlington Jennifer Cowley, and past Chancellor of the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church Charles L. Moore.
“Over the decades Sumners Scholars have made significant contributions to their communities, their states and America,” Higginbotham added. “Following in the footsteps of Congressman Hatton W. Sumners, the Foundation is pleased to support students striving to improve our political system, address societal challenges through crafting public policies based upon the fundamental principles of American democracy, educate all Americans about their civic obligations as citizens, and be active, productive members of our Republic.”
The Amarillo League of Women Voters with Elevate Amarillo will host two Nonpartisan Candidate Forums this month. The April 15 forum will feature the races for Amarillo Mayor and City Council. The April 22 forum will cover the races for the Amarillo College Board of Regents and Amarillo ISD Board of Trustees. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 p.m., with the forums beginning at 6 p.m. at the Virgil Patterson Auditorium inside Happy State Bank, located at 7th and Taylor in Amarillo. Both forums will be streamed on KFDA’s website, newschannel10.com. Attendees will be able to interact with the candidates, hear their responses to questions, and pick up a copy of the League’s 2025 Nonpartisan Voters Guide.
Due to potential inclement weather, the inaugural Walk for Autism has been rescheduled toSaturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Arden Road Park. “With more than 300 supporters ready to walk, we want to ensure this day is nothing short of amazing,” said Spectrum Support Society media executive Jen Smith. “This isn’t just a charity walk – it’s a chance for parents, educators, and supporters to come together, connect, and build a stronger network for individuals with autism. To make that happen, we need great weather! And if there’s one thing we all know about the Panhandle, it’s that the weather is anything but predictable.” Visit SpectrumSupportSociety.com to sign up.
While the City of Amarillo Environmental Health Department is upgrading its software system, online services — including applications, permit renewals, payments and inspection scores — will be unavailable, April 19-27. The new digital platform is scheduled to debut April 28. During the temporary pause, in-person services will be available for applications, renewals, inspection requests and payments, which can be made by cash, credit card or check. Check payments will be held and processed after the system goes live on April 28. The department can be reached at (806) 378-9472 and is located at the Simms Municipal Building, 808 S. Buchanan St.
This week’s Furry Friend from the Amarillo Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is Painter, a Border Collie mix puppy. “A sweet little pup, who is very active and playful. He gets along with the other dogs. His coloring is mostly black, with white on chest, paws and tip of tail.” APSCA adoptions can be made at the shelter, 11901 S. Coulter, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more info, call 806-622-0555, or visit www.amarillospcashelter.com or www.adoptapet.com.
The Amarillo Zoo will offer some Easter Egg-citement during the holiday weekend, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 19. The day include games and crafts, costumed characters and of course Easter eggs. Admission is $10 per person; children 2 and younger get in free. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchse online at https://bit.ly/EasterEggcitement25 .
Shi Lee’s 9th Annual City-Wide Easter Egg Hunt is set for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 20 in Bones Hooks Park. Shi Lee’s BBQ and Soul Food and The Vessel are gearing up to the community Easter festivities for free, thanks to the generosity of their sponsors and supporters. Children will be able to find eggs filled with candy and surprises, during the event, and they will be serving up a free lunch until the food runs out. Follow Tremaine Brown or Shi Lee’s on Facebook for more details, or visit https://www.beblessedbythevessel.org/easter2025 .
Three West Texas A&M University graphic design students took home 15 awards at the recent American Advertising Awards. Hollie Velasquez, a senior from Amarillo, won a special judge’s award, a gold award, two silvers and three honorable mentions. Chris Matthews, a senior from Amarillo, won a special judge’s award, a silver award and an honorable mention. Isaac Galan, a senior from Amarillo, won a special judge’s award, a gold award, a silver, an honorable mention and a professional honorable mention.
Texas Poets’ Corner honored four West Texas A&M University student authors at its annual spring event March 27 at Cornette Library. In the annual Jenny Lind Porter poetry contest, Jada Sewell, a senior marketing student from Brooklyn, N.Y., and Jarred Castaneda, a junior accounting student from Amarillo, earned the top two spots. Joshua Copas, a master’s student in history from Floresville, and Mary Freas, a junior history student from Canyon, earned the top awards in the Jenny Lind Porter history essay competition.
