Butler Community College Education Association selects 2023 scholarship recipient

The Butler Community College Education Association (BCCEA) selected sophomore Secondary Education major Gracie Leslie of Goddard High School as their 2023 BCCEA scholarship recipient. Leslie has an exceptional history of volunteering and leadership, including working with Bark for Life to raise money for cancer research and Shop with a Cop, a toy drive for low-income children. 

“This scholarship will benefit me in my near future goals because I am able to get a fantastic education without going into enormous student debt,” Leslie said in appreciation. 

Leslie plans to earn her teaching license in Family and Consumer Sciences, possibly from Kansas State University or Pitt State University. She serves as an assistant volleyball coach and a middle school reading para, on top of her schooling and volunteer work. 

“I chose secondary education because I want to help teens find their own passion in life and help encourage them to do their best,” Leslie said. “I also want kids to know that they have someone who believes in them and will always try to help them.” 

BCCEA started the scholarship in 2018 to provide support for students pursuing an education career. The annual scholarship is managed by the Butler Community College Foundation and supported entirely by faculty contributions. 

The association recently reached enough donor contributions for endowment status. “What’s significant is they have been raising money for several years from their members to reach the endowed status, [and] now they have reached that level,” Averie Nelson, Butler Foundation Director of Development & Scholarships, said. 

The association’s goal now includes increasing the number of recipients and amount awarded each year. “As always, the committee received many very good applications but were impressed by Gracie’s service, enthusiasm for education and career plans,” Professor Terry Sader, BCCEA President, said.