An Idaho foundation is awarding $17,000 in scholarships to 14 Idaho student athletes because of their achievements in high school.
The Alice & Charles Taylor Scholar-Athlete LEAD Scholarship, created by the Taylor LEAD Foundation, recognizes Idaho student athletes who demonstrate leadership, educational excellence, athletic achievement and distinguished community service, which are the foundation’s four pillars.
Greg, Gary and Angela Taylor created the scholarship in 2015 to honor their parents, Charles and Alice Taylor.
A community-informed review process helped select the recipients from a pool of 72 applicants.
The scholarship committee included teachers, principals, counselors, coaches and other regional leaders.
Representing 12 Idaho high schools, the recipients will attend an array of colleges in and out of state.
The committee selected nine females and five males, and three of them received a combined $6,000.
“This year’s class of Taylor Scholars is an extraordinary group of young leaders,” Gary Taylor said. “They are thoughtful, service-minded and deeply aligned with the LEAD values.”
The 14 recipients:
- Paisley Beck — Burley High/Brigham Young University of Idaho
- Julianna Donez — Mountain Home High/Walla Walla Community College
- Cylie Fagan — Mountain Home High/The Ohio State University
- Ruthanne Fischer — Nampa High/Wheaton College
- Owen Hatfield — Council High/TBD
- Ellie Helmer — Jerome High/University of Idaho
- Malia Kent — Richfield High/Brigham Young University of Idaho
- Claire Matthews — Weiser High/George Fox University
- Brayden McCullough — Mountain Home High/The College of Idaho
- Heidi McMillan — Boise High/Oregon State University
- Chase Norman — Dietrich High/Brigham Young University
- Paisley Prow — Rimrock Jr./Sr. High/Boise State University
- Christian Waitely — Canyon Ridge High/Spokane Falls Community College
- Yuxuan Wang — Bishop Kelly High/University of California
Claire Matthews, a Weiser High student and attendee of George Fox University, said she credits the scholarship for recognizing years of dedication to her studies and athletics.
“Earning this scholarship means that I showed the LEAD values and portrayed the characteristics Alice and Charles Taylor embodied, which is something that I’m incredibly proud of,” Matthews said.
To view photos of the 14 recipients and their schools, click on this Instagram slideshow from the foundation.
