22 Aug Recipients of Pyle and Starkey Trade Scholarships Announced
The McPherson County Community Foundation, in partnership with PYLE LAW and Tom & Liz Pyle, is proud to announce the recipients of the Edwin T. Pyle and Max L. Starkey Scholarships.
Augustus Ruddle of McPherson High School will receive the Edwin T. Pyle Scholarship. Ruddle plans on studying at North Central Kansas Technical College, where he plans to become electrical technician.
The Edwin T. Pyle Scholarship was founded in memory of Tom’s paternal grandfather, Edwin T. Pyle, a former local business owner and entrepreneur. The $1,000 dollar scholarship will be awarded to a student who graduated from a McPherson County high school and is pursuing a secondary education at a trade/vocational school.
Linden Pacey of McPherson High School will receive the Max L. Starkey Scholarship. Pacey plans to study Diesel Mechanics at North Central Kansas Technical College.
The Max L. Starkey Scholarship was founded in memory of Tom’s maternal grandfather, Max L. Starkey, a former mechanic and NCRA employee. The $1,000 dollar scholarship will be awarded to a student who graduated from McPherson High School and is pursuing a secondary education at a trade/vocational school.
The two scholarships add to the list of alternative option scholarships in McPherson County. According to McPherson County Community Foundation President and CEO Becky Goss, these types of scholarships are more likely to benefit the community in the future. “When you think of the available jobs in our [McPherson] county, it makes more sense for those who want to stay to seek out a vocational education.” Goss said.
When questioned about the scholarships, Tom Pyle said that “Our community, our state, and our country need more tradesmen and women. I can’t think of a better way to help local students pursue the trades and at the same time honor my two grandfathers.”
“My Granddad Max taught me the value of honest work and if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right. He was a perfectionist. My Grandpa Ed taught me the value of hard work and humility. We are proud to sponsor a scholarship in their names.”