MWGEA Scholarship
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Scholarship Application
Deadline: The second Saturday in March each year
The Missouri Women’s Golf Education Association (MWGEA) provides college scholarships to female high school seniors in Missouri. Applicants must be United States citizens, and all applications must be submitted by the deadline each year.
Application Information: The scholarship application provides all the details needed to apply. If you experience issues filling out the PDF, handwritten applications are also accepted.
About MWGEA
Established in 1997 by the Missouri Women’s Golf Association (which merged with the Missouri Golf Association in 2017), the Missouri Women’s Golf Education Association, Inc. (MWGEA) is a Missouri not-for-profit organization.
Mission: To grant scholarships to graduating high school women in Missouri, awarded once per recipient.
The MWGEA relies on the participation and contributions of MGA club and individual members to support its fundraising efforts. Scholarships are awarded based on high school performance, community service, and other accomplishments.
- One scholarship is named in honor of Mary Jane Landreth, recognizing her generous contributions to the MWGEA.
- The Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Shepherd Foundation of St. Louis, is also awarded annually in partnership with MWGEA.
Scholarship applications are available on our website and can be downloaded and printed by applicants and Missouri high schools.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must not be receiving a full collegiate scholarship. The total value of the MWGEA award, combined with other financial aid, cannot exceed the value of a full grant-in-aid.
- Scholarships are disbursed directly to the recipient’s college or university to cover educational expenses.
- MWGEA does not restrict the recipient’s choice of institution.
Note: All scholarships are awarded solely by MWGEA, Inc.
If you have questions or need assistance, please call 573.636.8994 or email us at mogolf@mogolf.org.
MWGEA Board Members
Mrs. Debbie Ferguson, Chair
Mrs. Katrina Clarke
Mrs. Julie Monroe
Mrs. Carla Ball
About Susan Shepherd
Susan E. Shepherd exemplified determination and resilience, with her “I can do” spirit driving her many accomplishments.
As an avid golfer, she was a member of the St. Louis Women’s District Golf Association, a club champion, and maintained a single-digit handicap. After being widowed at 50, she began a remarkable business career, earning the title of Missouri’s top woman broker in 1980 and becoming Vice President of Sales at Stifel, Nicolaus and Co., Inc. The company called her their “First Lady,” setting a standard for excellence.
Susan’s legacy lives on through the Shepherd Foundation, which partners with MWGEA to award the Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship each year to a female junior athlete entering college.
2023 MWGEA Scholarship Award Recipients
Tierney Baumstark
Accomplishments:
- Missouri State University Golf Commit
- Conference and District Champion, Girls Golf at Rock Bridge High School
- 2022 MGA Junior Match Play Champion
- Rock Bridge High School Rising Bruin Outstanding Scholarship Award
- MSHSAA Class 4 State Runner-Up
- All-Conference, All-District, and All-State Honors
Elle Copple
Accomplishments:
- Shepherd Scholar
- Qualified for MSHSAA State Golf Championship 3 times
- MSHSAA Class 1 District 3 Champion
- 2023 Class President
- National Honor Society President
- Golf Newcomer of the Year Award
- Lowest Scoring Average Award
Peyton Cusick
Accomplishments:
- Mary Jane Landreth Scholar
- Two-time Conference Player of the Year
- Two-time MSHSAA All-State Medalist
- National Honor Society
- Finished in top 15 at MSHSAA State Championships both junior and senior years
Madalyn Breckenridge
Accomplishments:
- Truman State Golf Commit
- Two-time MSHSAA State Championship Qualifier
- Two-time Team Conference Champions
- National Honor Society
- DECA Vice President
Kennedy Wrisinger
Accomplishments:
- State Fair Community College Golf Commit
- Three-time MSHSAA State Championship Qualifier
- All-Conference Honors Two Years
- All-District Honors
- National Honor Society
- Most Valuable Player, Richmond Girls Golf
Catherine Rhoads
Accomplishments:
- Shepherd Scholar
- Evangel University Golf Commit
- Class 3 MSHSAA State Team Champions
- Three-time Conference Champion
- Two-time District Champion
- National Honor Society
- Legal Studies Pathway Ambassador
Maya Beavers
Accomplishments:
- Academic All-Conference Honors Three Years
- Golf Team Captain Two Years
- Volunteer with Bright Futures Harrisonville
- Honor Roll Three Years
- First Harrisonville Golfer in History to Receive MWGEA Scholarship
2022 MWGEA Scholarship Award Recipients
Kennedy Dickerson
Accomplishments:
- Member of National Honor Society
- Member of Beta Chi Pi, Science Honors Society
- Four-time Academic All-Conference
- Three-time Academic Letter Winner
- Two-time Golf State qualifier
- She plans to attend college at North Central Missouri College to continue her education and golf career.
Lucy Porzenski
Accomplishments:
- Three-time Golf State Qualifier
- Vice President of National Honor Society
- Student Council member
- 4.0 GPA
- She plans on attending the University of Alabama to continue her education.
Caroline Boyette
Accomplishments:
- Member of National Honor Society
- Student Council member
- Two-time State Qualifier
- Top 25 finish at State ’20
- She plans on attending the University of Missouri- Columbia to continue her education.
Hannah Bollinger
Accomplishments:
- Varsity All-Academic Award
- First Team All-District
- First Team All-Conference
- Two-time 2nd place Conference Individual
- Member of National Honor Society
- She plans on attending Saint Louis University to continue her education.
Eden Shipp
Accomplishments:
- Two-time Golf State Qualifier
- Four-time All-Conference Player
- Two-time Individual Conference Champion
- Four year Academic Letter Recipient
- Member of National Honor Society
- She will be attending Faulkner University to continue her education and golf career
Sarah Larkins
Accomplishments:
- Top 5% of her graduating class
- Member of Student Senate & Student Leadership Team
- Lamp of Learning award winner
- Two-time All-Conference, All District
- First place at Districts 2021
- Two-time Golf State Qualifier
- She plans to attend Barton College to continue her education and golf career.
Jenna Clark
Accomplishments:
- Two-time State medalist
- Top Hat Award
- ’19-’20 Statesmen Service Award
- 2021 Golf Conference Player of the Year
- ’20-’21 All-State
- She plans to attend Maryville University to continue her education and golf career.
Kiser Pannier
Accomplishments:
- 2020 Class 3 Golf State Champion
- Two-time All-State
- Holds MSHSAA record for lowest 9-hole score on a par 70 course
- Three-time Golf team captain
- Senior Class Vice President
- DECA Two-time state qualifier
- She plans to attend Missouri State University to continue her education and golf career.
Leah Weaver
Accomplishments:
- Three-time Golf State qualifier
- Three-time All-Conference player
- Two-time All-District player
- Four-time Academic All-Conference/All-State
- Student Council President
- National Honor Society Secretary
- She plans on attending Rockhurst University to continue her education and golf career.
Lilli Eichelberger
Accomplishments:
- Four year Varsity Golfer
- All-Conference ’19
- All-District ’21
- 12th place at the Golf State tournament, All State ’21
- Vice President of National Honor Society
- President of DECA Chapter
- She plans on attending the University of Arkansas Fayetteville to continue her education.
2021 MWGEA Scholarship Award Recipients
Kathryn Craighead
Location: Jefferson City
Accomplishments:
- Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award recipient
- Vice President of High School Jr and Sr Year
- 4-year Scholar athlete award
- She plans to attend Baylor University in Waco, TX
- 4.1 GPA
Drew Nienhaus
Location: St. Albans
Accomplishments:
- STEM State Award Winner
- National Honor Society and Math Honor Society
- Will graduate with 20+ College Credits
- She plans to attend Penn State University in University Park, PA
- 4.0 GPA
- Shepherd Foundation honors
Greta Hinds
Location: Jefferson City
Accomplishments:
- Jane Landreth Scholarship
- National Honor Society
- Perseverance Award Recipient
- 2020 Heart Star Recipient
- She plans to attend Rockhurst University in Kansas City
- 3.9 GPA
Kassidy Hull
Location: Eldon
Accomplishments:
- Shepherd Foundation honors
- Graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors
- Scored a 30 on her ACT
- National Honor Society all four years
- She plans to attend Lindenwood University in St Charles
- 4.0 GPA
Kelsey Hudson
Location: Sedalia
Accomplishments:
- Student Council, Class President
- National Honor Society
- President’s Award of Academic Excellence
- She plans to attend Washington University in St Louis
- 4.1 GPA
Avila (Ava) Suda
Location: St. Louis
Accomplishments:
- Scored a 34 on her ACT
- President of Orchestra Board
- Worked with Wash Univ for a research project for antimalarial drug
- 4.3 GPA
Katherine Schreiner
Location: Fenton
Accomplishments:
- Gold Scholar Athlete
- National Honor Society
- Member of Biodiesel Club
- She plans to attend Valparaiso University in Indiana
- 4.4 GPA
2019 MWGEA Scholarship Award Recipients
Jessalyn Shipp
Location: Kansas City
Accomplishments:
- Class Valedictorian
- Member of VEX robotics team
- 4-year Golf All Conference and All District and two time State Qualifier
- She plans to attend SD School of Mines and Technology (accelerated master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering)
- 4.46 GPA
An excerpt from Jessalyn’s Essay:
“I want to be able to help other people get stronger and healthier so that they can do as they please with their lives.”
Lauren Gallagher
Location: St. Charles
Accomplishments:
- State Champions in Golf Junior-Senior year
- National Honor Society and STEM Scholar
- She plans to attend Univ of Kentucky (major in Nursing and minor in Spanish)
- 4.375 GPA
An excerpt from Lauren’s Essay:
“Winning state each time was the best experience of my golf career”
Olivia Voelker
Location: Frohna, MO
Accomplishments:
- Varsity Golf Team and School Ambassador
- National Honor Society 2017 and 2018
- She plans to attend Univ of Missouri-Kansas City
- 4.0 GPA
An excerpt from Olivia’s Essay:
“The opportunities success I have seen from golf has proven to me that hard work really does yield success”
Werthen Gass
Location: Trenton, MO
Accomplishments:
- Grand River Conference Scholar Athlete and GRC Player of the Week
- March of Dimes Committe Chair and hundreds of hours of community service and fundraising
- She plans to attend Missouri State Univ.
- 3.93 GPA
An excerpt from Werthen’s Essay:
“After passing the exam, I hope to work providing legal counsel for a non-profit company that serves children”
Samantha Cornelius
Location: Hamilton, MO
Accomplishments:
- State Golf Medalist 2016-18, Sectional Champion 2018
- MGA Player of the Year 2017
- Principal’s Honor Roll 2017 and 2018
- She plans to attend Johnson and Wales Univ
- 3.83 GPA
An excerpt from Sam’s Essay:
“The opportunities I have had to play around the Midwest and the friends that I have made thru MGA Junior events are a major part of shaping what I want to do in life.”
Marissa Jensen
Location: Stanberry, MO
Accomplishments:
- Many hours of community service
- Honor Roll all four years
- Active in 4-h, FBLA, FCCLA and FAA
- Student Council President Junior – Senior
- Plans to attend Univ of Missouri – Columbia
- 4.0 GPA
An excerpt from Marissa’s Essay:
“I strive to set an example for the children in our community, in hopes to shape their view of what they want to become”
Olivia Sowers
Location: Columbia, MO
Accomplishments:
- Recipient of Varsity Sportsmanship Bruin Cup Award
- Future member of University of Missouri Golf Team
- She plans to attend Univ of Missouri and major in Agriculture Business Management with a Minor in Geography
- 3.34 GPA
An excerpt from Olivia’s Essay:
“From a young age I enjoyed helping others, which instilled a value of service to others in me.”
2018 MWGEA Scholarship Award Recipients
Lacey Snell
Accomplishments:
- Student Council Member for 3 years
- National Honors Society Member
- Important Person Award Sophomore, Junior and Senior year
- 4-year Golf State Qualifier
- 3.78 GPA
An excerpt from Lacey’s Essay:
“I am dedicated, persistent, and will invest the necessary time and effort to come out on top.”
Anna Iorio
Accomplishments:
- Varsity golf team member for 4 years and captain for 3 of those years
- 4-year Golf State Qualifier
- National Honor Society member from 2015-2017
- 5-time blood driver donor
- 4.04 GPA
An excerpt from Anna’s Essay:
“I have worked hard throughout my entire high school career to get to lead by example and set myself up for a successful future.”
Sarah Lewis
Location: St. Charles
Accomplishments:
- 4-year State Golf Qualifier
- Key Club Member for 3 years
- Gateway PGA Volunteer
- 3.08 GPA
An excerpt from Sarah’s Essay:
“Throughout my years playing golf I have learned a lot of things that apply to golf but also apply to life. The number one thing is patience. I have the best patience on the course and in the classroom. I am never the person who jumps to conclusions or gives up on anything.”
Megan Cox
Accomplishments:
- 2-year State Golf Qualifier
- National Honor Society Member from 2016-2018
- Student Council Class Representative from 2015-2018
- Several hours of volunteering
- 3.86 GPA
An excerpt from Megan’s Essay:
“I have had great success as a golfer in high school and would like to have the same amount of success in my career. I am confident with my ability and leaderships skills to know I can leave my mark on other people’s lives.”
Claire Shadowens
Accomplishments:
- Volunteer at several Special Olympics events
- Executive Vice President of Student Council and Foreign Language Club
- Started her High School’s first ever golf team
- Currently ranked 1st of 105 in her class
- 4.39 GPA
An excerpt from Claire’s Essay:
“My diligence and zeal have enabled me to reach success in both academics and athletics. This has been displayed through my unwavering dedication to the game of golf although my school did not have a girls’ team.”
Payton Babcock
Accomplishments:
- Golf and Softball member for all 4 years of High School
- Leader of the youth group at her church
- A+ Program
- Volunteer for meals on wheels
- 4.0 GPA
An excerpt from Payton’s Essay:
“I believe in being honest and trustworthy. I strive to honor and respect all people and I hold myself to a high moral standard. I want to be the best example I can be to others; not just in golf, or school, but in my everyday life. To me above all else is integrity.”
Paige Sanfelippo
Location: Columbia, MO
Accomplishments:
- 2-year State Golf Qualifier
- Key Club Member
- National Honor Society Member
- Vice President of the Women in STEM Club
- 4.0 GPA
An excerpt from Paige’s Essay:
“I am so thrilled to get to continue to use my passion of golf and apply it to the next level.”
Testimonials
Dear MWGEA,
This scholarship means the world to me. The MGA and the MWGA have been some of my favorite tournaments to play in for the last few years. Being selected for this scholarship is very meaningful to me. I am excited to continue my golf career and schooling for the next four years. I want to thank all of the workers that work very hard to make all the tournaments run efficiently. I can not thank my family enough because without golf I wouldn’t be where I am today! Sarah Lewis
Dear Missouri Golf Education Association,
Life is full of ups and downs, success and failure, no matter what the circumstance rise above and be who you were created to be. Success or failure doesn’t define who you are, your character does. Have good character and you will always be successful. Payton Babcock
Dear Missouri Women’s Golf Association,
I would like to take this opportunity to express thanks torwards the MWGA for their huge amount of generosity. I cannot be more thankful and honored to be a recipient of the Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship. I am beyond appreciative for the award, and it will go a long way in funding my future college golf career at Missouri State University. Getting this scholarship will provide assistance for me as I continue pursuing my education. The MWGA staff members have always been extremely supportive throughout my junior golf career, and this provides yet another example of how their aid has bettered me in a way that will stick with me beyond the high school level. Once again, I would like to extend my thanks to the scholarship committee and the Missouri Women’s Golf Association.
Sincerely, Lindsey Eisenreich
Dear MWGA,
It was a great surprise and honor to learn that I have been awarded the Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship from the MWGA. I would like to personally thank you for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and all that you have done for the youth in Missouri. This is a tremendous honor, and after reading Ms. Shepherd’s biography, I believe her to to be a tremendous role model for all young girls. I sincerely appreciate the opportunities that have been presented to me by the MWGA and this scholarship program.
Golf has not always been a part of my life, and unlike most young golfers, I did not start at a very young age. I received the chance to learn the game through the Junior Golf program at the Columbia Country Club at the age of twelve. I did not have a great amount of time to develop my skills before I started high school, but this presented a great challenge to reach my goals. Once in high school, I played on the varsity squad for four years and was the captain of our team my senior year. I have a great love for the game and am incredibly grateful for the lessons that I have learned through my golfing experiences.
Although I am not playing golf at the collegiate level, the game will always be important to me. Golf is truly a game that I can play for the rest of my life, and I am excited about continuing to work toward the “perfect” game. Thank you again so much for the Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship. I am exremely grateful for your generosity!
Sincerely, Katie Martin
Dear Mr. Shepherd,
I want to personally thank you for the Susan E. Shepherd Memorial Scholarship that I received this past week through the Missouri Women’s Golf Association. I am extremely honored, thrilled, and grateful for being a recipient of this scholarship! I have read the biography note about Susan E. Shepherd – she was an outstanding woman and role model – fashionable, smart, successful and loved the game of golf — I wish I could have met her.
In a couple of weeks, I will be graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy where I have played four years of varsity golf and been a Captain for the last two years. I have been playing golf with my Dad since I was seven years old at Norwood Hills Country Club. Golf has taught me discipline, patience, and integrity — three principles that will continue to guide me on and off the course in the years ahead.
This fall, I will begin a new chapter in my life–studying pre-med at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and playing for the Women’s Golf Team. Please know that the scholarship will be put to good use to cover book fees and tuition. I cannot thank you enough for this generous scholarship!
Sincerely, Rachel J. Thompson