The Western Kansas Manufacturers Association sponsors a number of scholarships to area technical colleges, vocational colleges and universities annually, and applications are now open to students for the 2018-2019 school year.

Scholarships are available at Barton Community College, Colby Community College, Dodge City Community College, Garden City Community College, NCK Tech (North Central Kansas Technical College), Northwest Kansas Technical College, Seward County Community College/Area Technical School, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas.

Qualifying students are U.S. Citizens residing in Western Kansas who have graduated from a Western Kansas high school. The scholarships are for freshman students, with preference given to those enrolling in agri-business, industrial engineering, pre-engineering or business administration.

Students who earned scholarships for the 2017-2018 school year are: MyKala Burgess, a Hoisington High School graduate who was awarded a $500 scholarship to Barton Community College; Emily Westeman, a Syracuse High School graduate who was awarded a $500 scholarship to Colby Community College; Rodolfo Madrid, a Dodge City High School graduate who was awarded a $500 scholarship at Dodge City Community College; Jacob Meis, a Hays High School graduate who was awarded a $500 scholarship to NCK Tech; John Kuhn, a Trego High School graduate who was awarded $500 to Northwest  Kansas Technical College; Cole Evans, a Liberal High School graduate who was awarded a $500 scholarship at Seward County Community College; Jory Lampe, a Spearville High School graduate who was awarded a $700 scholarship at Fort Hays State University; Brooke Reimer, a Meade High School graduate who was awarded a $700 scholarship at Kansas State University; and Alexyss Lambert, a Victoria High School graduate who was awarded a $700 scholarship at the University of Kansas. 

WKMA scholarships are partially funded each year by the sale of limited-edition belt buckles commemorating the 3i Show, which is sponsored by WKMA.

Buckles will be available for sale March 22-24 at the 64th Annual 3i Show in Dodge City, Kan., at the Western State Bank Expo Center.

Scholarship applications should be made directly through the individual school’s financial aid or scholarship department. Visit 3ishow.com for specific school contact information or for a buckle order form.