Forever Friends Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

Forever Friend Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship Fund — Program Summary

Purpose
The Forever Friend Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship Fund awards annual scholarships to graduating seniors or alumni of the Shawnee Mission School District who express an intention to pursue careers in teaching, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech‑language pathology.

Who may apply
Eligible applicants fall into one of the following categories:
- Current graduating seniors of Shawnee Mission North High School who plan to pursue a career in teaching, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech‑language pathology; OR
- Graduates of the Shawnee Mission School District who are enrolled in the Teachers College at Emporia State University (undergraduate); OR
- Graduates of the Shawnee Mission School District who are enrolled in the University of Kansas School of Health Sciences and will be entering the final year of their graduate program in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech‑language pathology.

Additional criteria for Shawnee Mission North graduating seniors
Applicants in this group should:
- Have completed coursework in the humanities and/or sciences;
- Have been active in school and/or community service organizations; and
- Have been accepted to a public or private college, university, or technical school.

Award amount and payment schedule
- Award: $2,000.
- Payment is split into two equal installments. One-half will be disbursed at the time of high school graduation. The remaining one-half will be paid only after the student provides satisfactory proof to the Fund’s Advisory Committee and the Community Foundation that they will complete a post‑secondary degree or certificate in one of the eligible fields. That second installment is paid at the start of the student’s final year of the approved degree or certificate program.
- Scholarship funds are sent directly to the recipient’s college or university at the time fees are due. If the recipient fails to attend the approved institution, the scholarship funds must be returned to the Community Foundation and the recipient forfeits the award.

Deadline
04/01/2026

Required application materials / supplemental questions
Applicants must submit the following:
1. A brief description of a situation in which you made a positive difference in someone’s life.
2. Your official college acceptance letter.
3. Any financial aid award letters you have received.
4. One letter of recommendation from a school professional (for example: a teacher, counselor, or coach).
5. A second letter of recommendation from a school professional.

Notes
All eligibility conditions, disbursement requirements, and deadlines are overseen by the Advisory Committee of the Forever Friend Diana Lain Hughes Scholarship Fund and administered through the Community Foundation.