Scholarship Winners 2019

Supporting College Goals

In recent years, only 50% of Affton graduates attended a two-year college and 25% enrolled in four-year schools, choices often made due to economic realities. The Affton Education Foundation serves to inspire students to attend the college of their first choice where they can achieve their educational goals.

The Foundation awards up to six $2,500 renewable college scholarships to qualifying Affton High graduates each year, funding them from gifts and income from the Foundation endowment fund. Principally through a 5 year matching challenge grant from William (’63) and Nancy (’65) Thompson, the Foundation’s endowment fund has now grown to in excess of $1.7 million. In addition to these scholarships, the Foundation also awards two full tuition, four-year scholarships funded by separate alumni endowments: The Coach Don Kuhn Endowed Scholarship to Westminster College, funded by Kent (’58) and Judy (Laudenslager - '61) Mueller and the Rickli Family Endowed Scholarship to Truman Sate University, funded in honor of Miss Doris Ahrens by Kenneth ('58) and Cathy Rickli.

In 2013, the Jim Hoots Memorial Scholarship was established to provide college scholarship funds to a student who has displayed outstanding leadership, dedication and sportsmanship while participating in an Affton High School sponsored athletic program. Funded by the family and friends of Jim Hoots ('67), the scholarship awards $2,500, renewable for 3 years.

Since the fall of 2010, the Foundation has sponsored a series of overnight college campus visits for AHS students. Attended by Affton juniors and seniors, the trips serve to educate and inform students as to their various post-secondary options, as well as to provide an opportunity that many might not otherwise be able to experience. Meeting with students, professors and college presidents has been truly life-changing for these students.

To donate to any of the scholarship funds listed above, click on the “Donate Now” button on the right hand side. Thank you for your generosity to our Affton students!

Affton Education Foundation Scholarship

2019 AEF Scholarship Winners

For the twelth time, the Affton Education Foundation awarded renewable $2,500 scholarships to be used for attendance at a four-year college or university. The five 2019 AEF scholarship recipients are:

Korey Canada - Truman State University
  • Student Council – 3 years
  • National Honor Society – 2 years; Treasurer in Senior Year
  • Mathletes – 4 years
  • TEAMS Competition – 3 years; Team Captain in Junior Year
  • Varsity Baseball Manager – 2 years
  • Volunteer Second Grade Summer School Tutor
  • Special Olympics Volunteer – 3 years
  • Will attend Truman State University to study Accounting
Juliana Cole
  • National Honor Society – 2 years; Current Secretary
  • Member of Student Council and CATS Crew
  • AP Scholar Award
  • Counselor-in-Training & Leader-in-Training – YMCA Camp Lakewood
  • Volunteer for Animal Protection Agency and Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
  • Will attend Mizzou or University of Arkansas to study Interior Design
Erica Eyerly - University of Missouri
  • AP Scholar, Prestigious Principal Award and Scholar Athlete
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • TEAMS Participant – 2018
  • Mathletes – 2 years
  • Varsity and Junior Varsity Softball
  • Member of FCA and Varsity Sports Club
  • Volunteer ECE Teacher’s Aide and Bible Church Nursery Worker
  • Will attend University of Missouri to study Natural Resources Science and Management
Sophia Hart - Columbia College
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • Speech & Debate – 2 years; Captain in Senior Year
  • Scholar Athlete, Student of the Month and A+ Program
  • Cheerleading – 4 years; Captain in Senior Year
  • Girl Scout since 2006; Program Aide for Camp Events – 3 years
  • Altar Server and Hospitality Service – St. Dominic Savio Church
  • Will attend Columbia College to study Forensic Science
Madeline McDermott - Truman State University
  • Volleyball – 1 year
  • Affton High School Theatre – 4 years
  • National Thespian Society – 3 years
  • Orchestra – 7 years; Chamber Orchestra (Advanced) in Senior Year
  • Health & Wellness District Committee – 1 year
  • Summer Teacher Assistant for AECC and Student Facilitator for Mesnier Cougar Care
  • Will attend Truman State University to study Psychology
Rebecca Murphy - SEMO
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • Student Council – 4 years
  • Missouri Bright Flight and Scholar Athlete
  • Affton High School Theatre – 4 years
  • Thespian Troupe #1734 – Vice-President – 1 year
  • Speech & Debate – 1 year; Received 4th Place for Duo Interpretation
  • Missouri Girls State Delegate – 2018
  • Youth Group Leader and Sophomore Pilgrimage
  • High Score on National French Exam and Seal of Biliteracy
  • Will attend SEMO, Webster University or Millikin University to study Musical Theatre
Rachel Struckhoff - Missouri University of Science & Technology
  • National Honor Society – 1 year
  • A/B Honor Roll, Affton Strong Student Award and Scholar Athlete
  • Mathletes – 3 years
  • Member of Technology Student Association, Key Club and Varsity Sports Club
  • Girls Basketball – 4 years; Varsity Captain in Senior Year
  • 1st Chair Band Student & Section Leader
  • Will attend Missouri University of Science & Technology to study Computer Engineering
Thomas Tran
  • Student Council – 4 years; Executive Committee – 2 years
  • HOSA – 4 years; served as Historian, Co-President, and Current President
  • DAP EXPLORE Bioscience Participant
  • National Honor Society – 2 years; Vice President in Senior Year
  • Varsity Wrestling – 1 year; Varsity Track & Field – 3 years; JV Basketball – 3 years; Varsity Football – 4 years (Team Captain in Senior Year)
  • TEAMS – 3 years
  • Missouri Boys State Delegate – 2018
  • Affton High School Theatre – 3 years
  • Will attend DePaul or Columbia College – Chicago to study Acting

The Rickli Family Endowed Scholarship to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO

This scholarship, funded by Ken ('58) and Cathy Rickli and dedicated to Miss Doris Ahrens, provides a renewable, full-tuition scholarship to Truman State University. The 2019 recipient is: 

Amy Puzniak
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • Class Officer – 4 years
  • Yearbook Editor – 3 years; Recipient of Silver & Gold Cougar Pride Awards
  • Girls Basketball and Track & Field – 4 years; Perseverance & Character Award (2016) and All-Tournament Team: Affton Winter Classic (2018)
  • Missouri Girls State Delegate – 2018
  • Member Students Fighting Hate and CATS Crew
  • Will attend Truman State University to study English – Secondary Education

The Coach Don Kuhn Endowed Scholarship to Westminster College in Fulton, MO

Funded by Kent ('58) and Judy ('61) Mueller. The 2019 recipient is:  

Conner Westermayer

Jim Hoots Memorial Scholarship

Established to provide college scholarship funds to students who have displayed outstanding leadership, dedication and sportsmanship while participating in an Affton High School athletic program - $2,500, renewable up to 4 years.  The 2018 recipient is:

Nicholas Hill - Greenville University
  • Football – 4 Year Letterman (All-Conference 2 Years)
  • Wrestling – 4 Year Letterman
  • Track & Field – 4 Year Letterman
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes – 4 years
  • Youth Leader – 6 years – Camp Motion
  • Children’s Church Leader – 3 years – Christ Community Church
  • Will attend Greenville University to study History

Art Hill Dedication Scholarship

Jesse Au

The Art Hill Dedication Scholarship, which was established in 2019 to honor longtime AHS Coach Art Hill. Each year it will provide a $2,500 renewable scholarship to a deserving Affton scholar athlete.

Jesse Au
  • National Honor Society – 2 years; President in Senior Year
  • Student Council – 4 years; Vice-President in Junior Year
  • HOSA – 3 years; Chapter Vice-President – 2 years
  • Scholar Athlete, AP Scholar with Distinction & Spanish Seal of Biliteracy
  • STARS (Students & Teachers as Research Scientists) Program
  • Missouri Boys State Delegate
  • Saint Louis Arc iSkate Volunteer – physical therapy for disabled children through ice skating
  • AHS Varsity Football and Track – 4 years
  • Saint Louis Priory Varsity Hockey – 4 years – Current Captain
  • Will attend University of Southern California, University of Notre Dame or Saint Louis University to study Psychology

AEF Washington University Scholarship

Michael McDonnell

Funded by Kurt Jaeger & Robert Messey – 1 Awarded

Michael McDonnell
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • Student Council – Class Rep 4 years – Class Officer 2 years
  • National French Honor Society – 2 years
  • Varsity Boys Swim Team – 3 years; Captain in Junior Year
  • Varsity Girls Swim Team Manager – 2 years
  • Track & Field and Volleyball – 1 years
  • St. Louis County Department of Human Services 2018 Outstanding Student Leader
  • Will attend Washington University in Saint Louis to study Animation or Plant Biology

Washington University of Saint Louis High School Summer Scholar Program

Lily Ederer

Funded by Kurt Jaeger & Robert Messey – 1 Awarded

Lillian Ederer – Junior
  • Student Council – President
  • National Honor Society
  • Honor Roll & Student of the Month (Nov 2017)
  • Key Club
  • JV Girls Basketball (2017-2018) & Varsity Girls Basketball (2019)
  • TEAMS Participant – Winner 2018
  • SAGE Volunteer – Missouri Botanical Garden (2017)
  • Camp Invention Leadership Intern – (2017 & 2018)
  • Will attend the 5 week Washington University Summer Scholar Program this July

Affton Education Foundation $2,500 Interest-Free Loan

Samuel Janavicius
  • Scholar Athlete and Seal of Biliteracy
  • Technology Students Association – President 2017-2018
  • Mathletes and TEAMS participant
  • Key Club – 1 year
  • Varsity/JV Football (2015-2016) and Varsity Cross Country (2017-2018)
  • Volunteer Stocker – Affton Christian Food Pantry
  • Will attend University of Missouri or Saint Louis University to study Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering
Kieran Kleinhenz
  • Student Council – 3 years
  • FBLA/DECA
  • Cyberpatriots Team Leader
  • GriffinHack Team Leader at Fontbonne University
  • Camp Invention and 6th Grade Camp Counselor
  • Volunteer for Special Olympics and Zion United Methodist Church Kitchen Staff
  • Will attend University of Tulsa or another institution – study plans undecided
Catherine Minner
  • National Honor Society – 2 years
  • Student Council – 2 years – Executive Committee and Senior Representative
  • A+ Program Scholar and Scholar Athlete – 4 years
  • Track & Field (4 years), Cross Country (2 years) and Soccer (1 year)
  • Girl Scouts – 8 years
  • Affton High School Band – 7 years – Most Improved and Outstanding Awards
  • CATS Crew (1 year) and Mistreatment Leadership Team Leader (1 year)
  • Will attend Lindenwood, Truman State or Southeast Missouri State University to study Music
Kelsey Moore
  • Student Council
  • Honor Roll, A+ Program and National Society of High School Scholars
  • Six-Time Scholar Athlete and Sportswoman of the Year
  • Track & Field, Basketball (Team Captain) and Cheerleading (Cheer Captain)
  • Theatre & Choir
  • Gateway to Change
  • Will attend Columbia College to study Psychology
Eryn Phipps
  • Student Council – 3 years
  • International Club and Model UN – Senior Year
  • Students Fighting Hate and CATS Crew
  • National French Honor Society
  • Volleyball (3 years), Soccer (2 years), Basketball (4 years) and Track Manager (1 year)
  • Yearbook – 2 years
  • Will attend Southern Illinois University – Carbondale to study Interior Design / Architecture
Jessica Schleicher
  • Student Council – 4 years
  • National Technical Honor Society – 1 year
  • Varsity Sports Club – 4 years; President in Senior Year
  • Cheerleading – 4 years; Varsity Captain in Senior Year
  • South Tech Culinary Arts Program, Sp2 Trainee and ServSafe Certification
  • Affton High School Band – 4 years
  • Will attend Missouri State University, Kansas State University or SIUE to study Nutrition & Dietetics

Affton Alumni Association Scholarship

Mathew Sykes

This Scholarship is offered by the Affton Alumni Association and awards a $1,000 scholarship. The 2019 recipient is:

Mathew Sykes
  • chosen by AAA Pres. Denis Knock
  • Student Council (3 years)
  • National Honor Society (1 year)
  • Key Club (3 years – Co-President in Senior Year)
  • CATS Crew (1 year)
  •  A+ Tutor
  • CAPS & PLTW Student
View Scholarship winners: