One hundred and fourteen high school senior students are 2022 scholarship winners of Newman University.
Each of the students submitted applications and interviewed for the scholarships in one of the largest and most competitive scholarship competitions in school history.
Five students were awarded a 2022 St. Newman Scholarship, 10 students a Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship, 43 students the ASC Service Award and 56 students an Honors Grant.
Students selected for the awards are listed below.
St. Newman Scholarship recipients
The St. Newman Scholarship is Newman’s highest valued award, providing full tuition for four years to each student. The scholarship is named for St. John Henry Newman, namesake of Newman University.
The scholarship is the most exclusive Newman University award and is given to only five high-achieving students each year. Applicants must have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA to apply. St. Newman scholars must complete 32 hours of community service each semester.
The 2022 St. Newman Scholarship winners are the following:
Travia Smith
Smith is from Life Prep Academy. She plans to be a elementary education major, with an interest in becoming a teacher. She is passionate about education and caring for students.
In her application essay, Smith discussed the importance of caring for students both in and out of the classroom.
“I plan to study hard, and do my best to understand how to become a successful teacher in the classroom, while appreciating the values in becoming a successful teacher,” Smith began, “not for the money that I can earn from my job, but because I do have a passion for caring for my students.”
Smith was president of the Kiwanis Builders Club at Nassau Christian Academy, where she participated in several community service projects. At Life Prep Academy she was was a part of the National Honors Society and a member of Student Government. Through high school, Smith also participated in several sports and earned various awards for her athleticism. Her mother is Lynette Thompson.
Eliana Gaytán
Gaytán is a senior at Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School. She plans to major in art. Gaytán is passionate about the role art plays in connecting communities, provoking thought and sparking meaningful dialogue.
“Studying at Newman, I believe I can be challenged to grow as a whole person through interdisciplinary courses where I can tie both my creative side and problem-solving side into an intellect that is ready to be challenged, to engage in civil discourse and to view every human person as a good,” Gaytán wrote in her application essay.
She continued, “Attending a school where I can flourish in my Catholic identity while being challenged with other beliefs and perspectives will help prepare me to be the kind of wife or religious sister, neighbor, coworker, friend and servant leader that the world needs.”
Gaytán is a member of the National Honor Society, and is active on her high school’s Yearbook, Cross Country team and has represented her school as a Student Ambassador. She is the recipient of Cristo Rey OKC’s Heart of a Royal Award for values of faith, knowledge, purpose and service; the Core Value Award for service; Student Worker of the Year; and was voted most valuable runner on the cross country team. She has volunteered in distributing meals to the homeless in downtown Oklahoma City and works at The Boldt Company as a student worker in contract management. She is ranked first in her class. Her parents are Edgar and Suzanne Gaytán.
Abigail Klausmeyer
Klausmeyer is from Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School and plans to be a biochemistry major at Newman. Klausmeyer is passionate about being a part of a loving, Catholic community in college.
In her application essay, Klausmeyer wrote, “Going to a school with a strong community, as well as one where I can find a Catholic element is so important for my college decisions. Like I said, in the past I’ve been closed off and bad at letting love in, but having a strong belief in God, as well as friends and family who love me relentlessly, has opened me up.”
She added, “At Newman, I’ve seen a community of people who want to be better, but also have developed relationships to push each other and see each other’s potential. When I go to college, I don’t want to close myself off and cut off the love I can give. I want to overflow in that love and share it with those I encounter. Newman’s community and Catholic faith will give me a source of that love, so that I won’t cease to overflow.”
Klausmeyer serves as a student ambassador for her high school and is an active member of the National Honors Society. She is also a member of the Handmaids of Mary, a Catholic women’s group, where she organizes and leads school-wide faith-based activities. She even volunteers for Midwest Catholic Family Conference, where she manages registration packet preparations and prepares together livestreams as well as posts for promotion.
Hayley Stewart
Stewart is from Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School. She plans to major in biochemistry. She is passionate about fulfilling her life’s purpose of helping others with compassion and empathy.
In her application essay, Stewart described how, although it took her a while to realize her call to the healthcare field, “what it really boiled down to was that my purpose resides in helping people.”
“I want to use my strengths to change lives, even in the smallest way,” she wrote. “No, I won’t change the world, but perhaps I can change someone’s world. I’m no Superman, but I can certainly use the compassion in my heart, my intellect, drive and strong faith background to save lives, change lives and transform society as a proud Newman graduate.”
She is an active member of the National Honors Society and serves as a Student Ambassador for her high school. Stewart is also a participant of the St. Gianna Healthcare Academy program. She has served both as President and Family Captain of the Francis Xavier House system at KMC. Stewart has been involved with Theater, Handmaids of Mary, Crochet & Knitting Club and Sign Language Club. She has also volunteered at Wesley Medical Center, Derby Public Library and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her parents are Scott and Michelle Stewart.
Katherine Stewart
Stewart is from Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School. She plans to be a nursing major. Stewart is passionate about advocating for vulnerable populations in a healthcare setting.
Katherine wrote in her application essay that in order to transform society as the Newman mission states, “one must identify something they want to change.”
“I have much compassion for the members of society who are often overlooked, in particular, the young and the old,” Katherine wrote. “I have always loved interacting with others and forming relationships. When someone needs help, whether that be physically or mentally, I feel not just the responsibility but the desire to be that person to help them.”
She added, “I want to be a loving and reliable servant of God that transforms society through my love for others.”
She is part of the St. Gianna Health Academy and is a Certified Nursing Assistant. Stewart is a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society and Student Government. She also serves as a Student Ambassador and has been involved with Sports Medicine, Ecology Club, Kay Club and Theater at Kapaun. Stewart has volunteered for Holy Family Camp, Totus Tuus and as a babysitter for her parish and community. Her parents are Stephen and Elizabeth Stewart.
Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship recipients
The Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship, named for the first president of the university, awards students $20,000 per year for four years. The scholarship requires that recipients have at least a 3.9 cumulative high school GPA. Recipients must complete 32 hours of community service each semester.
The 2022 Monsignor Leon McNeill Scholarship winners are the following:
- Catalina Coronado of Ferris High School in Ferris, Texas. Coronado plans to be a healthcare science major.
- Abigail Klausmeyer, from Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School, plans to major in biochemistry.
- Sydney Le of Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School plans to be a biomedical science major.
- Nora Ley, from St. James Academy in Overland Park, Kansas, plans to major in secondary education with a concentration in English.
- Thomas Munn of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School plans to be an accounting major.
- Claire Nasche is a senior at Sacred Heart High School in Muenster, Texas. She plans to major in biology with a concentration in pre-medicine.
- Travia Smith of Life Prep Academy plans to major in elementary education.
- Rebekah Strickbine is a home school senior who plans to major in art.
- Ariana Sweitzer of Advanced Technologies Academy in Las Vegas plans to be a biology major with a concentration in pre-dentistry.
- Corbin White attends Jayhawk Linn High School in Mound City, Kansas. He plans to major in biology on a pre-physician assistant track.
ASC Service Award recipients
The ASC Service Award scholarship is named for and sponsored by the founders of Newman University, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ or “ASC” sisters. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA to apply. ASC Service Award recipients must complete 45 hours of community service per semester and participate in one semester-long service/leadership class per year.
The 2022 ASC Service Award scholarship winners are the following:
- Madelynn Adams, Maize South High School
- Sabrina Ahmed, Goddard Senior High School
- Amani Alsheikh, Wichita High School South
- Matthew Artea, Wichita High School West
- Prisca Bahati, Wichita High School Southeast
- Maxine Bartnick, Goddard Senior High School
- Trevor Berends, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Magdalen Bielefeld, Clearwater High School
- Catherine Brungardt, Home School
- Teresa Collins, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Aniya Day, Northeast Magnet School
- Makenzie Erxleben, Derby High School
- Cole Farquhar, Derby High School
- Trinity Fensterer, William J. Brennan High School
- Jennifer Fernandez, Wichita High School North
- Isabella Flores, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Tamara Floyd, Washington High School
- Brooklyne Gollhofer, Faustina Academy
- Olivia Greenman, Andover eCademy
- Nicholas Harlin, Smithville R-II High School
- Savannah Hein, Derby High School
- Alysha Keck, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Reagan Kippenberger, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Nathan Landon, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Joseph Lindsted, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Sapphira Lyons, Wichita High School Heights
- Gracie Mackey, Marion High School
- Lindsay Mies, Andale High School
- Kassidy Miller, Augusta High School
- Braxton Muldoon, Gravette High School
- Nathan Nguyen, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Tien Huy Nguyen, Life Prep Academy
- Haleigh Pearson, Beloit Junior-Senior High School
- Luisa Salinas, Wichita High School South
- Macie Schroeder, Eisenhower High School
- Isabella Torres, Northeast Magnet School
- Tiffany Tran, Wichita High School South
- Gabriel Trevino, Wichita High School Southeast
- Arly Vargas, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Jia Wen Wang, Eisenhower High School
- Meya Warren, Wichita High School Southeast
- Alaina Waters, Valley Center High School
- Amelie Zidarita, Eisenhower High School
Honors Grant recipients
The Honors Grant is given to students who apply for and gain acceptance into Newman University’s prestigious Honors Program. Applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.75 to be considered. Honors Grant recipients must complete required Honors curriculum and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
The 2022 Honors Grant scholarship winners are the following:
- Madelynn Adams, Maize South High School
- Sabrina Ahmed, Goddard Senior High School
- Matthew Artea, Wichita High School West
- Reiley Bartel, Trinity Catholic High School
- April Beach, Wichita High School North
- Jordan Belton, Wichita High School East
- Magdalen Bielefeld, Clearwater High School
- Catherine Brungardt, Home School
- Weston Cline, Springfield Catholic High School
- Teresa Collins, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Catalina Coronado, Ferris High School
- Brooke DeAngelis, Olathe North High School
- Makenzie Erxleben, Derby High School
- Cole Farquhar, Derby High School
- Trinity Fensterer, William J. Brennan High School
- Isabella Flores, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Eliana Gaytan, Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School
- Brooklyne Gollhofer, Faustina Academy
- Olivia Greenman, Andover eCademy
- Savannah Hein, Derby High School
- Zephran Jeter, Wichita High School West
- Alysha Keck, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Victoria Kilmer, Goddard Senior High School
- Abigail Klausmeyer, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- David Koller, Winfield High School
- Nora Ley, St. James Academy
- Joseph Lindsted, Sunrise Christian Academy
- Natalia Lopez, Wichita High School West
- Sharon Mabasa, Wichita Collegiate School
- Rosaline Martinez, Wichita High School Southeast
- Reagan Mayo, Eisenhower High School
- Caleb Metzen, Garden City High School
- Braxton Muldoon, Gravette High School
- Thomas Munn, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Claire Nasche, Sacred Heart High School
- Nathan Nguyen, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Tien Huy Nguyen, Life Prep Academy
- Caleb Papsdorf, Home School
- Aniyah Redd, Wichita High School Southeast
- Arely Reyes, Syracuse High School
- Rita Salazar, Wichita High School North
- Luisa Salinas, Wichita High School South
- Macie Schroeder, Eisenhower High School
- Zachary Smullen, Wakeland High School
- Theodore Sponsel, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Hayley Stewart, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Katherine Stewart, Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School
- Rebekah Strickbine, Home School
- Ariana Sweitzer, Advanced Technologies Academy
- Brayan Torres, Wichita High School East
- Isabella Torres, Northeast Magnet School
- Tiffany Tran, Wichita High School South
- Jia Wen Wang, Eisenhower High School
- Alaina Waters, Valley Center High School
- Corbin White, Jayhawk Linn High School
- Amelie Zidarita, Eisenhower High School
Apply for Newman University scholarships
We are a Catholic university named for St. John Henry Newman and founded by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for the purpose of empowering graduates to transform society.
