This year was the largest in Gravette High School history for scholarship awards, with the Class of 2025 earning more than $2.2 million to pursue higher education. The awards recognized academic excellence, leadership, service, career readiness, athletic achievement, and military commitment.
A significant portion of the total came from institutional scholarships offered by colleges and universities. The University of Arkansas, John Brown University, and the University of Central Arkansas accounted for some of the largest awards, offering a combination of merit-based, program-specific, and leadership scholarships.
Mr. Gravette presenting at the Scholarships Award Ceremony
Military service also played a key role in the total, with Cutter Franks receiving full benefits through the United States Marine Corps and Blake Honchell earning full benefits through the Arkansas Army National Guard. Together, their awards totaled more than $260,000 in education benefits. Twenty-four students accepted the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, and three were awarded the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship worth $10,000 per year. Nine seniors earned athletic scholarships across seven sports.
Blake Honchell earning full benefits through the Arkansas Army National Guard
Beyond institutional funding, Gravette’s local community once again showed up in force. More than $70,000 in scholarships were distributed directly by area businesses, foundations, clubs, and memorial funds. These included recurring awards from groups such as the Gravette Chamber of Commerce, local PTOs, Care & Share, the Malcolm Winters Memorial, and the Friends of the AEC Industry. Each represented not only financial support, but a connection between student goals and community investment.
Community Scholarship Recipients:
Celia Chernota, Kenlee Harris, Naomi Nichols, Brendan Gebhart, Drew Madison, Jaxon Adams, Karley Auffet, Liam McGuire, Carter Flynt, Ryver Deason, Layne Simrell, Caleb Pilgrim, Alexis Green, Aiden Heaton, Sanjana Sehgal, Kelton McDougal, Cadence Holland, Rebekah Hearne, Eric Vogt, Sophia Gillespie, Abigail Kaneaster, Addyson Lawson, Olivia Moyers, Gabriel Carrier, Brooklyn Carte, Tasi Benavente, Ashlynd Allen-Rodriguez, Elyza Por, Payton Gutches, Matt Kindy
Academic Challenge Scholarship Recipients:
Ashlynd Allen-Rodriguez, Celia Chernota, Logan Bell, Shelby Easley, Carter Flynt, McKenna Frazier, Lexi Garcia, Brendan Gebhart, Payton Gutches, Aiden Hagan, Kadence Holland, Abigail Kaneaster, Elijah Keith, Addison Lawson, Cameron Moore, Eliza Por, Hannah Robbins, Carly Robertson-Dotson, Leah Thompson, Erica Vogt
Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship Recipients:
Alexis Green, Jace Keller, Naomi Nichols
Athletic Scholarship Recipients:
Logan Miller (Wrestling), Sydney Kildow (Softball), Bentley Lowden (Baseball), Ella Pinches (Volleyball), Litzy Garcia (Cross Country), Celia Chernota (Cross Country), Kelton McDougal (Wrestling), Cadence Holland (Cheer), Jaxon Hand (Basketball)
Distinguished Honors (4.0 GPA, all A’s):
Carter Flynt, Alexis Green, Rebekah Hearne, Molly Highfill, Elijah Keith, Sydney Kildow, Leah Thompson
High Honors (3.75–3.99 GPA):
Ashlynd Allen-Rodriguez, Trevor Blevins, Logan Dovel, McKenna Frazier, Brendan Gebhart, Kenlee Harris, Aiden Hagan, Molly Highfill, Abigail Kaneaster, Jace Keller, Nora Kinnaman, Addison Lawson, Emily Lopez, Olivia Moyers, Naomi Nichols, Eliza Por, Carson Shepherd, Sanjana Sehgal, Eric Vogt, Lauren White, Kelton McDougal
Honors (3.5–3.74 GPA):
Ava Frizzell, Ethan Johnson, Cameron Moore, Bentley Lowden, Brendan Gebhart