2014 Recipients of the Ashton L. O’Guinn Scholarship Award
(Left to Right) Kamecya Gardner, Leona Anderson, Dewanna O’Guinn, Chrishae Anderson. Note pictured: Sheldon Ledbetter
On April 23, 2012, Ashton L. O’Guinn became Kansas City 32nd homicide. Today, his mother, Dewanna O’Guinn still mourns the loss of her son but she is determined to keep his memory alive through service to others, “He was a great young man, my oldest of three children, a college student, a loving son with a huge heart and big smile. Everybody loved him. We all still miss him.”
To honor his life, O’Guinn launched the Ashton L. O’Guinn Scholarship Fund, “Part of the fund’s mission is to assist youth and adults in their pursuit of a college degree. With the support of our gracious donors, we have been able to present thirteen outstanding students with scholarship awards since our inception.”
Scholarship packets will be available in the Counselor’s Office of most metropolitan area high schools in Kansas and Missouri; as well as, on the Ashton L. O’Guinn Scholarship Facebook page…click here. The closing date for the scholarship submission is March 31, 2015.
Dewanna states, “We truly believe that education plays a vital role in curbing violent crimes. Education provides focus, pride and opportunity. Through our fund, we want to cultivate positive community growth by encouraging high school seniors and continuing education adults to pursue their scholastic dreams of obtaining a degree.”