Students who are continuing their education after high school face a lot of expenses — whether they be tuition, books or room and board — and scholarships are key for many to realize their ambitions.
Kenyon Municipal Utilities (KMU) is helping local students again this year, bringing back its annual $500 scholarship for high school seniors. The opportunity is open for all seniors whose parents are members of KMU. The city of Kenyon recently announced it’s accepting applications. The deadline for application is April 12, and the winner will be announced later this spring.
To apply, students have to write an essay on the value of municipal utilities, responding to any or all of the prompts “What is the benefit of a city maintaining local control of its utilities?,” “How does your hometown provide reliable, sustainable and affordable utility services?” and “How does your municipal utility make life easier for its customers?”
The money can be used for any kind of educational expenses.
According to Holli Gudknecht, administrative assistant and deputy clerk at city hall, the scholarship is an off-shoot of a tradition started by Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA), which KMU is a member of.
For years, MMUA offered the Tom Bovitz Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of its former president.
“It was statewide, so our kids didn’t have a chance. It was pretty hard to win,” said Gudknecht.
Like other members of MMUA, Kenyon created its own scholarship. Since 2020, the KMU contest has given local high schoolers a fighting chance at a scholarship, rather than having their essays buried in the statewide competition.
In the past, winners of the KMU scholarship were automatically entered into the MMUA contest. MMUA isn’t offering the scholarship this year, although Gudknecht said they may bring it back in some form in the future. Whether or not MMUA decides to offer the statewide scholarship again, KMU is continuing to hold the local contest.
KMU Superintendent Randy Eggert said part of the purpose of the contest is to get people thinking about the value that a municipal utility provides. While many communities are served by larger utility companies, he feels that local service offers unique benefits to consumers. Although people see them working around town, he wants the community to see the difference their work makes. Along with the KMU commissioners, he’s one of the judges who reviews essays every year.
Gudknecht echoed Eggert’s assessment, saying the scholarship is a good way to promote KMU in the community.
As originally envisioned, the scholarship is only open to one student and the city continues to promote it as such. However, in cases of multiple high quality essays, they have awarded a scholarship to two students. KMU handed out two scholarships for the time time in 2022, and both Arin Kyllo and Brigitte Delgado won last year. This year’s recipient — or recipients — will be recognized alongside other students at a scholarship ceremony at the end of the year.
Essays must be 500-700 words, typed and double spaced. Applications can be submitted directly to the city or through the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School office.
Gudknecht stressed that while most applicants come from the school district, the scholarship is open to all high school seniors whose families use KMU service.
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