JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (May 30, 2024) — We are so happy to announce the seven graduating seniors who have been awarded a Missouri Women’s Golf Education Association (MWGEA) scholarship this year!
Of the seven scholarships gifted this year, three recipients received one with special honors. The Mary Jane Landreth Scholarship and Shepherd Scholarships are gifted to three young women who inspire those around them inside the golf community and in their everyday lives.
Mary Jane Landreth was a great character among us during her time with the Missouri Women’s Golf Association. Her great love of education and dedication to making opportunities for women was her hallmark. She provided scholarships within her own family for her nieces and nephews. Perhaps her greatest contribution to women’s golf was her oversight of the incorporation of Missouri Women’s Golf Education Association, Inc. Her genius financial investments and stock market analysis gave MWGEA a strong foundation for the future. Along with her friend, Jane Kelly, they personally funded the incorporation of the scholarship program. Due to their generosity and leadership, they made certain that the scholarship program would be forever a nonprofit organization and would remain solvent for future generations of young ladies needing educational assistance. Today, one of the scholarships given each year to a deserving candidate bears her name as the “Mary Jane Landreth Scholarship.”
Our Mary Jane Landreth Scholarship recipient this year is Avery Chappell. Avery is from Cassville, Missouri and graduated from Cassville High School earlier this month. Throughout her high school career as a varsity golfer, Avery qualified for the Missouri Girls’ Golf State Championship and finished in the top 10 three times. She has also been a member of the Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association since 2021, where she has earned several additional awards, including 2023 16-18-year-old Carthage Junior Champion. Aside from golf, Avery was involved in National Honor Society (NHS), Beta Club, Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Technology Student Association (TSA). Avery plans to attend Drury University in the fall to play college golf and study Business with an emphasis in Marketing and Management. She hopes to eventually work for the LPGA or PGA in planning and marketing.
Mrs. Susan Shepherd was truly a Renaissance woman. She wrote, produced and commentated fashion shows for auxiliary and medical conventions. When her husband died, she began a new career at the age of 50, entering the world of stocks and bonds. Her “can do” attitude resulted in being named the first Vice President of Investments at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc. In 1980, she was chosen by her company as Top Woman Broker of the Year. She hosted a weekly show on Channel 30, interviewing mutual fund managers, corporate presidents and economists. Mrs. Shepherd was an avid golfer. She competed in many Missouri Golf Association tournaments and remained active until 1996.
Our first Shepherd Scholarship recipient this year is Jamie Barnett. Jamie is from Tarkio, Missouri and graduated from Tarkio High School earlier this month. During her high school career on the varsity golf team, Jamie qualified for the Missouri Girls’ Golf State Championship all four years and placed in the top 15 three times. She was also part of the 2022 Class 1 State Championship team. Jamie has participated in a few MGA events, but found success competing in Northwest Missouri Junior Tournaments during the summer. Outside of golf, Jamie was involved in Academic Team, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), musical theater, basketball, band, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), National Honor Society (NHS), Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Rotary Interact and Color Guard. Jamie plans to attend Peru State College in the fall to play college golf and study Secondary Education. She plans to eventually become a high school teacher and golf coach.
Our second Shepherd Scholarship recipient this year is Hanna Maschhoff. Hanna is from Osage Beach, Missouri and graduated from School of the Osage earlier this month. Throughout her high school career as a varsity golfer, Hanna served as a four-year captain, leading her team to two Girls’ Golf Missouri State Championships and earning individual State Champion her senior year. Hanna has played in many MGA events throughout her academic career, most recently earning third place at the 2023 Missouri Junior Amateur and competing on the Missouri Southern Junior Cup Team. Aside from golf, Hanna was part of Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and National Honor Society (NHS). Hanna plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall to study Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing while participating in the PGA Professional Golf Management program. She would eventually like to own a golf course and set up a junior development program.
One of our general MWGEA scholarship recipients this year is Sophie Hinds. Sophie is from Jefferson City, Missouri and graduated from Helias Catholic High School earlier this month. During her high school career on the varsity golf team, Sophie qualified for the Girls’ Golf Missouri State Championship all four years and placed in the top 15 three times. She also served as the team’s captain during her junior and senior year. Sophie frequently played in MGA tournaments over the summer, representing Team Missouri at the 2023 Girls’ Four State Championship and Southern Junior Cup Championship. Outside of golf, Sophie was involved in Student Ambassadors, International Club, Medical Club, Be Kind Club and Campus Ministry. Sophie plans to attend the University of Dayton in the fall and study Exercise and Movement Science. She hopes to eventually become a physical therapist.
Another one of our scholarship recipients this year is Lauren Mallow. Lauren is from Mountain Grove, Missouri and graduated from Mountain Grove High School earlier this month. Throughout her high school career as a varsity golfer, Lauren was part of her school’s first ever girls’ golf team and placed 8th in the 2023 Class 2 Girls’ Golf Missouri State Championship. Lauren also competes in Southwest Missouri Junior Golf Association Events, earning the title of 2023 SMJGA champion last summer. Aside from golf, Lauren was involved in Spirit Club, cheerleading, Women’s Choir, Foreign Cultures Club, National Honor Society (NHS), Yearbook staff, BETA, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Lauren plans to attend Missouri Western State University in the fall to play golf and study Computer Science, Recreation Sports Management or something else. She wants to eventually have a remote job and be a golf coach.
Reece Nimmo also earned a MWGEA scholarship this year. Reece is from Warrensburg, Missouri and graduated from Warrensburg High School earlier this month. During her high school career on the varsity golf team, Reece qualified for the Class 3 Girls’ Golf Missouri State Championship twice and placed in the top 15 both times, breaking a total of 14 school records along the way. Reece played in several MGA events in 22, alongside Central Links and Accelerated Golf Tour events. Aside from golf, Reece was involved in volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society (NHS), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Spanish Club, Prom Committee, Student Council and Future Health Care Professionals (HOSA). Reece plans to attend the University of Central Missouri in the fall to play golf and study Biology with a Pre-Medical concentration. She plans to eventually go to medical school and has an interest in cardiology and working with athletes.
Our final scholarship recipient is Kaylee Umbright. Kaylee is from Branson, Missouri and graduated from Branson High School earlier this month. Throughout her high school career as a varsity golfer, Kaylee qualified for the 2023 Class 3 Girls’ Golf Missouri State Championship individually and with her team. She also played in several Southwest Missouri Junior Tour Golf Association events. Outside of golf, Kaylee was involved in National Honor Society (NHS), track, Students Active in Leadership (SAIL), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Art Club, Speech and Debate and Cox Medical Explorers. Kaylee plans to attend Evangel University and study Intercultural Studies with minors in Biblical Studies and Art Education. She hopes to eventually become a missionary or humanitarian relief worker while teaching art and ESL.
Once again, congratulations to all seven winners of this year’s MWGEA scholarships!
To learn more about the MWGEA and its scholarship efforts and view previous years’ winners, click here.