Eight El Dorado High School seniors, all Summa Cum Laude graduates, were presented Myrrl Houck Memorial Scholarships at a reception Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the El Dorado High School Library. The honorees are: Sophia Beggs, Kareena Bhakta, Mikaela Hall, Peyton Heilman, Kasea Hicks, Brynn Liess, Aysha Nkrumbih, and Steven Porter.
Students received awards amounting to $600 each, producing a total of $213,790 in
Scholarships which have been granted to 675 students since the Houck scholarship program started in 1960.
EHS Principal Erin Nichols and Student Liaison Samantha Morgan opened with a tribute to the students, noting that Summa Cum Laude is the highest academic recognition given at El Dorado High School, requiring that the students complete the school’s most rigorous course work. Morgan noted that all are members of the National Honor Society and all participate in various activities and sports.
On behalf of the Houck Scholarship Committee, Senator Mike Fagg added his praise and
presented highlights from Houck’s life. He explained how the scholarships came about and how they are maintained, and then he introduced other members of the Myrrl Houck Committee who were in attendance: Rod Blackburn, Miles Erpelding, Jan Pippig, and Janice Shaffer.
The Myrrl Houck Memorial Scholarship fund is an endowed fund managed by Partners in Education (PIE), a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are welcome and will help guarantee the future support of the Houck scholarship. For more information, contact PIE Development Director Rod Blackburn at rod.blackburn@pie490.org or by phone at 316-322-4800.
2025 Myrrl Houck Scholarship Winners pose with the former librarian’s portrait.
Front (L-R): Mikaela Hall, Kareena Bhakta, Kasea Hicks, and Brynn Liess
Back (L-R):: Steven Porter, Peyton Heilman, Sophia Beggs, and Aysha Nkrumbih