By: Rod Blackburn
Partners In Education Foundation, (PIE), is proud to announce Jalen Rice selected us to create the Beyond the Game Legacy Scholarship. Jalen is no stranger to PIE scholarships; he earned the Brock Poe Outstanding Student and the Charles Silver Memorial Athletic scholarships when he graduated El Dorado High School in 2023. Beginning with the EHS Class of 2026, the scholarship will award $250 to a graduating senior who has participated in high school Athletics all four years, maintained strong academic performances, demonstrated a commitment to community and personal growth. This award celebrates student-athletes who understand that sports are more than competition - they are about discipline, teamwork, and leaving a legacy that lasts long after the final whistle.
Jalen Rice was a standout student athlete and leader. A member of the National Honor Society and a Link Crew Leader, Jalen earned placement on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll all four years of high school, reflecting his consistent academic excellence.
Athletically, Jalen was a true competitor, participating in football, basketball, and baseball throughout his time at EHS. He served as a two-year football captain, earned All State Linebacker honors, and was voted 2022 All-County Defensive MVP by the Butler County Times-Gazette. He was also selected to play in the 50th Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl, one of the state’s premier high school football showcases. In recognition of his excellence both on the field and in the classroom, Jalen was awarded the prestigious Bill Snyder National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Honor.
Beyond athletics, Jalen spent his summers working for the City of El Dorado Parks and Recreation Department and giving back to local youth by coaching little league sports teams. His commitment to service and leadership extended far beyond the scoreboard.
Jalen is now continuing his academic and athletic career at Hutchinson Community College, where he plays college football and maintains a 4.0 GPA. His journey is a powerful example of discipline, heart, and hard work — values he hopes to inspire in others through the Beyond the Game Legacy Scholarship. Help Jalen provide this scholarship by donating to this endowed fund at www.pie490.org.
Partners In Education Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1989 to enhance educational opportunities for the students of USD 490. For more information contact Rod Blackburn, Development Director at rod.blackburn@pie490.org, 316.322.4800.
