2012 Scholarship Winners
Kansas NEA Announces 2012 Scholarship Winners
Four education students in Kansas have won scholarships from the Kansas National Education Association. The scholarships, granted annually by the KNEA, assist promising future educators to complete their training at accredited Kansas colleges.
In announcing the winners, KNEA President Blake West said, “It is with great pride and real enthusiasm that we provide these scholarships to four exceptionally promising Kansans. We all look forward to the day when these four outstanding students take their place beside so many other excellent Kansas educators dedicated to serving the children of this great state.”
Kristine Becker, a student at Emporia State University, has been awarded the Bruce and Diana Goeden Scholarship.
The KNEA Bruce and Diana Goeden Scholarship was established in November 2010. It is a $1000 award designated for a KNEA student member for use during the semester of his/her student teaching.
The award was named for Bruce Goeden who served Kansas National Education Association from 1974 to 2008 in various capacities, including 24 years as Executive Director. Bruce guided KNEA through many challenges and transformations, including developing a culture of collaboration, providing an emphasis on professional advocacy, and implementing a strategic planning process. Diana Goeden, his wife, served KNEA for 27 years as the assistant to the Executive Director.
Kristine is an elementary education student at Emporia State University. She is majoring in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages or ESL. She is a graduate of Shawnee Heights High School. She has been active in Girl Scouts of America.
Ginger Gudenkauf, a student at Kansas State University, has been awarded the Rodney VanZandt Scholarship.
The Rodney VanZandt Scholarship was established in September 1998 in memory of his work at KNEA. This scholarship is a $400 award available for a nontraditional member.
Rodney VanZandt served KNEA as Associate Executive Director for over 20 years. Mr. VanZandt guided KNEA through many challenges and was an advocate for professional educators.
Ginger is an elementary education major at Kansas State University. She lives in Centralia, KS and has worked as a para-professional and substitute teacher in USD 322, Onaga. She also works part time as a certified occupational therapy assistant.
Maria Del Rosario Gomez, a student at Kansas State University, has been awarded the C. O. Wright Scholarship.
The C. O. Wright Scholarship was established in August 1982 to commemorate the work of this very influential Kansas leader for Kansas State Teachers Association. It is a $250 award.
Charles Omega Wright served the Kansas State Teachers Association as its Executive Director for three decades. He wrote the definitive history of the KSTA on its 100th anniversary in 1963. Under C.O.’s leadership the association became a force in education.
Maria is an elementary education student at Kansas State University where she is majoring in English as a Second Language. Her hometown is Garden City, but she spent considerable time as a child in Mexico as well.
Corey Wheeler, a student at Kansas Wesleyan University, has been awarded the George Frey Scholarship.
The George Frey Scholarship was established in November 1981. It is a $200 award.
George Frey served KNEA as the Assistant Secretary for Communications starting in 1960. He guided KNEA through budget development and had an abiding interest in the future of the education profession.
Corey is an elementary education major at Kansas Wesleyan University. Her hometown is Salina, KS. She currently works at St. Mary’s Grade School Extended Day Program.
Contact: Mark Desetti, Kansas NEA for more information:
mark.desetti@knea.org – 785-232-8271
