06/10/16 – KHSAA To Award Inaugural Louis Stout Memorial Scholarships Saturday

June 10, 2016 2015-2016 News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2016

The KHSAA will present the first Louis Stout Memorial Scholarships to Buckhorn’s Abigail Abner and Henry County’s Jakob Beckley on Saturday during the quarterfinals of the Rawlings/KHSAA State Baseball Tournament. Each student-athlete will receive a one-time scholarship of $2,000 payable to an institution of higher learning, which will be presented by representatives of the KHSAA and Commissioner Stout’s son, Juan.

Winners were chosen after careful review with high school and college administrators, with selection criteria based on athletic activities, non-athletic activities, non-school activities and an essay on the role a student-athlete should play in the community.

A four-year letterman on the Buckhorn volleyball team with a 4.0 grade point average, Abner was highly involved in her school community during her high school career. In addition to tutoring fellow students, Abner was a member of Buckhorn Against Drugs (BAD), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), Buckhorn High School’s Academic Team, Buckhorn Elementary Cross Country and Cheerleading Support.

She was also a part of Buckhorn High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC), during which time she participated with the Raider Team, Color Guard, Flag Detail, Leadership and Academic Team, Rifle Team, and Adventure Team. In addition, Abner is the captain of Buckhorn High School’s Academic Team and an FBLA Historian. Abner plans to attend the University of Kentucky with hopes of becoming a pediatric neurologist.

Beckley was a seven-year letterwinner on Henry County’s boys’ golf team, while achieving a 3.67 grade point average. Outside of the golf course, Beckley showed his dedication to his school by serving as the sports announcer for several Henry County athletic teams, including soccer, football, boys’ and girls’ basketball and baseball.

Outside of athletics, Beckley was a class officer and was involved in FBLA, Pep Club, National Honors Society, FFA, MOVE Henry County’s Gifted and Talented Program, 4-H, Beta Club and the Y-Club. His leadership was on display with FBLA, where he served as State President for the past two years, leading 12 state officers and over 9,000 members throughout the state. He plans to continue his education at Lindsey Wilson College.

When former Commissioner Louis Stout passed away in 2012, his late widow Anna directed that donations on his behalf go to the Louis Stout Memorial Fund for Students. Mrs. Stout felt this was an opportunity for the KHSAA to honor student-athletes who excel in athletics, academics, school service and community service. Donations continue to be accepted in Commissioner Stout’s honor by sending to the Louis Stout Scholarship Fund for Students in care of KHSAA.

– KHSAA –

About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 277 member schools both public and private. The KHSAA sanctions 43 state championships in 13 sports and 4 sport-activities, licenses and trains over 4,000 officials, provides catastrophic insurance for its more than 70,000 member school student-athletes, as well as overseeing coaching education and sports safety programs.