High school graduates honored with scholarships
From left, BHS Class of 2021 Salutatorian Christian McKnelly and Valedictorian Luke Bitzkie. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
Bandera County Retired Teachers President Connie Young (right) presents Samantha Reyna with a scholarship. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
The Bandera High School Class of 2021 came together on Monday, May 17, to honor scholarship recipients and officially name the valedictorian and salutatorian. The Bandera High School Class of 2021 earned over $120,000 in scholarship money to further their education.
The modest ceremony hosted parents, seniors and community leaders who presented local scholarships.
Luke Bitzkie was named class valedictorian, and Christian McKnelly was named salutatorian for the Bandera High School Class of 2021.
Seniors received their honor cords to wear at graduation for summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude grade averages.
Over twenty local organizations presented scholarships to BHS seniors.
Ben Hevenor from the Bandera County “Aggie” Club awarded a scholarship to Garrett Meier and Ryan Zimmel.
Representing the Bandera County Youth Livestock Show, Russell Hevenor presented the Telvy Robbins Memorial Scholarship to Garrett Meier. Mr. Hevenor also presented the Thomas H. “Bub” Keese Memorial Scholarship to Meier.
Bandera County Attorney Jana Lindig presented a scholarship in honor of her father, long-time county extension agent Werner Max Lindig.
BHS Cheerleading Booster Club President Brittany Timmons presented two scholarships to Natalie Morgan and Alexis Tondre-Cummings, both four-year members of the BHS Cheer team.
New this year, Bandera Brewery presented their first scholarship to Bailey Cox.
BEC District 1 Director Robert Aguirre presented scholarships to Gunnar Winkler, Christian McKnelly and Ryan Zimmel.
The Bandera 4-H Scholarships presented by county extension agents Jessica Faubion and Dakota Kempken went to Lukas Jackson and Garrett Meier.
Six senior Academic Decathlon team members were recognized, and the scholarship amounts they earned through competition totaling $31,950 were announced. Those members were Team Captain Luke Bitzkie, Christian McKnelly, Samuel Nimmrichter, Rebecca Ellingson, Michelle Linson and Cyrus Mendez.
Mike Lloyd and Alan Zimmel presented the Knights of Columbus Council 10258 Scholarships to Samantha Reyna, Elizabeth MacNeil and Ryan Zimmel.
Longtime BHS teacher Brenda Huvar presented the Katie Kid Memorial Scholarship from the Delta Kappa Gamma educator professional organization to Samantha Reyna.
Bandera Masonic Lodge Worshipful Master Robert Webb announced Cami Chesler as the winner of a Masonic Lodge Scholarship. Nancy Webb presented Michelle Linson, Jordyn Carrillo and Makayla Moore each with a Lakehills American Legion Auxiliary scholarship.
Sherri Keese, Worshipful Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 643, presented two scholarships Luke Bitzkie and Lane Hollingsworth.
Connie Young, President of the Bandera County Retired Teachers’ Association, awarded a scholarship to Samantha Reyna, who plans to pursue a career in education.
The Optimist Club of Bandera named their students of the year: Luke Bitzkie and Rebecca Ellingson, awarding them scholarships.
The Bob Shearhart Booster Club Scholarship went to Lukas Jackson and Harvey Guerra.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Scholarship went to Gunnar Winkler.
The Kiwanis Club of Bandera awarded Luke Bitzkie and Christian McKnelly scholarships.
Three Gorder CTE Scholarships were awarded to Kelly Columbia, Ryan Zimmel and Garret Meier.
The Joe E. Langford Scholarships went to seven students: Luke Bitzkie, Ryan Zimmel, Kelly Columbia, Lane Hollingsworth, Samantha Kennedy, Devlyn Cadena and Hallie Rios.
The Doane Memorial Scholarships were presented to four students: Luke Bitzkie, Ryan Zimmel, Lane Hollingsworth and Kelley Columbia.
The Richard E. Gnade Trust provided scholarships to Luke Bitzkie, Lane Hollingsworth, Garrett Meier, Josh Short and Ryan Zimmel.