Klenk Law Community Leadership Scholarship

At Klenk Law, we believe that community-driven leadership yields a brighter and more just future. We have served many communities for years and seen active and educated citizens improve a community. We want to help a student with a similar passion for achieving their educational goals. Thus, the Klenk Law Community Leadership Scholarship was born.

With that in mind, our law firm offers $3,000.00 in scholarships to help students who exemplify strong community leadership. In the last few years, because of the number of talented people who have applied, we have broken this up into ten $300.00 scholarships. It has been inspiring to hear all of your stories over the years.

You may define your community broadly. Community is not limited to a hometown or where you live; it can be a social group, school, club, or any other community you have helped improve.

Eligibility Criteria

• This scholarship is open to any student currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional program in the United States. This includes accredited community college students, high school seniors, and students with a GED who have been accepted to or are enrolled in an accredited program.
• The scholarship applicant must be dedicated to and exemplify strong community leadership in any community they are part of, as illustrated in their essay response.
• All eligible candidates must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above.

Essay Prompt & Questions

Respond to the following in an essay of 1,000 words or less:

• Describe the situation that influenced or served as a pivot point for your dedication to your community.
• Since then, what have you done to help pave the way toward a more robust and better community?
• How will your education help you continue to be a strong community leader?

Application Materials

• Updated resume
• Essay, 1,000 words maximum. See the essay questions above.
• Current unofficial transcript

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2025

All application materials must be submitted by this date

Award Announcement: April 2025

Scholarship Amount: $3,000.00 to be divided as the committee determines.

Application Instructions

1. Please include your full name in labeling all attached documents.
ex.:
John Smith Resume.pdf, and John Smith Essay.pdf, then John Smith Transcript.pdf

2. Please add your full name at the top of your Scholarship Community Essay.

Scholarship applicants must submit all application materials (see above) by email to:
scholarship@klenklaw.com

Madelyn Gurule

Congrats to Madelyn for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

I am a third-year college student finishing my last semester at Mt. San Jacinto College. I will graduate this winter with an AA in Psychology and transfer to UC Riverside to pursue my BA in psychology. I volunteer at my local youth group, where I help young girls to become better leaders and members of the community through service and outreach projects.

Aryana Mahmud

Congrats to Aryana for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

Aryana grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and is currently a student at the University of Southern California majoring in Accounting and Finance. Her professional interests include sustainable finance and social welfare development, which she pursues in her community leadership endeavors as well. 

Luke UpChurch

Congrats to Luke for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

My name is Luke UpChurch, and I am pursuing a Master’s in Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology. I’m also the CEO and Co-Founder of Rise Up Academics, a nonprofit addressing the ‘homework gap,’ technological waste, and providing leadership opportunities for high school students. My wife and I are passionate about education, and this is where our psychology degree comes into play, as many youth face challenges beyond technology gaps.

Morgan Bisel

Congrats to Morgan for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

I am a student at the University of Montana and plan to transfer to the University of Montana-Western to pursue a degree in elementary education. I grew up in rural Montana and, at age eleven, founded Morgan Bisel’s Helping Hands Project, a nonprofit organization that collects warm winter clothing for the homeless in my community. I look forward to receiving a master’s in elementary education and returning to Montana to teach so I can provide more educational opportunities for students in rural communities. 

Hannah Ohel

Congrats to Hannah for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada, a sophomore at the University of Arizona as a Law Major and Real Estate Minor. I am in several law groups and fraternities on campus, a part of Greek life, and on the Hip Hop team. I am also very happy to say I’m on the University of Arizona Honor Roll and summa cum laude.

Sabrina Castro

Congrats to Sabrina for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

I am in my third year of undergrad at Seattle University, where I am double majoring in Environmental Studies and Public Affairs with a specialization in urban sustainability. I hold the research assistant position for the Central American Initiative Program, where I cover topics surrounding marginalized communities in Central American countries and the US. I am also the President of the Caribbean and Latin American Student Society. These opportunities have motivated me to continue working towards improving marginalized communities.

Richard Lin

Congrats to Richard for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

I’m a sophomore at Amherst studying chemistry. I plan to eventually pursue a career in medicine or research. Although I’m not certain what exactly I want my future to look like, I believe these areas are where I could make the most impact. Outside of classes, I like to play quiz bowl and ultimate frisbee.

Daniela Tais

Congrats to Daniela for earning a Fall 2024 scholarship!

Daniela is a mental health activist pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in social work at Portland State University. Her goal is to help members of her community with mental health issues.  

Alexandra Soltis

Congrats to Alexandra for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

I will be a third-year mechanical engineering student pursuing a bachelor’s degree. I plan on playing club soccer in the fall, intramural soccer in the fall and spring, and a Michigan Tech special, broomball, during the winter. I will also continue being a LEAP leader (teacher assistant) to first-year engineering students in the Engineering Fundamentals Department.

Alireza Golder

Congrats to Alireza for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

Currently, I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, and I am focused on mathematical signal processing methods. My research includes optimizing Quantum measurement design and enhancing localization methods using advanced signal processing. With a perfect GPA and a robust background in courses like Estimation Theory and Numerical Optimization, I bring deep expertise to my doctoral studies. Additionally, I hold a Master’s degree with a focus on signal processing for satellite communication systems.

Alexander Kader

Congrats to Alexander for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

I am a high school senior in the DFW metroplex. For the past several years, I have been attending Collin College almost full-time as a dual credit student. For the past two years, I have competed with and captained Collin’s mock trial team. In the fall, I will continue my electrical engineering studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.

John Denton

Congrats to John for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

John is enrolled at Jessup University in Rocklin, CA. He will focus on earning his Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Worship Arts Specialization Minor: Biblical Studies. Keep up the good work, John!

Lutfi Mauludin

Congrats to Lutfi for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

I am a proud Buckeye pursuing a Ph.D. in Multilingual Language Education in the Teaching and Learning Department at Ohio State University. I am pictured here at Ohio State Stadium in Columbus, watching my campus team win the match against Western Kentucky University.

Mia Kirkwood

Congrats to Mia for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

I will attend Mercer University in Macon and pursue a double major in journalism and marketing. I will continue working in my community by building connections through local journalism, hopefully becoming a head editor for my school newspaper and joining leadership groups such as student government to better listen to my college community and enact change.

Mallory Zumwalt

Congrats to Mallory for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

Hi! My name is Mallory Zumwalt, and I will be attending Texas A&M University next year to study Poultry Science. I hope to become a quality control agent and work to ensure food wholesomeness within my community. I am active within my community, participating in numerous community service ventures and making a conscious effort to make a positive impact in my local community one person at a time. 

Skylee Haramoto

Skylee, a Sky View Utah Bobcat, earned a Spring 2024 scholarship. Keep up the excellent work, Skylee!

Jared Parks

Congrats to Jared for earning a Spring 2024 scholarship!

My name is Jared Parks. I graduated from Wilmington High School, Wilmington, MA. I have contributed to my community by coaching youth basketball, being a summer camp counselor, tutoring a 7th grader in reading, sharing my love for music (various town events and volunteering to teach drums), consistently fundraising for children and adults with disabilities, and more. All of these meaningful experiences have led to my desire to become a teacher.
Music has been my passion since I began playing drums at the age of 9. I have been heavily involved in my high school (playing the drums) and college bands (playing bass and electric guitar). I am a proud member of the UMass Amherst Marching, Pep and Marimba Bands. I am finishing my freshman year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, studying History and Secondary Education. My goal is to become a high school History teacher. I am committed to giving back to my hometown and college community for years to come.

Cooper Rawson

Congratulations to Cooper Rawson for winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships. Cooper is pictured before the Nittany Lion Shrine at Main Campus, pursuing a degree focused on Kinesiology. Among many accomplishments, Cooper is an Eagle Scout. Keep up the excellent work, Cooper!

Amelia Walker

Amelia is a Brigham Young University student studying communications with a minor in global studies. Originally from Washington, she now enjoys the weather in Utah. Keep up the excellent work, Amelia!

Benedicte Mbuyi Mapanda

Congratulations to Benedicte on winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships. Benedicte is our first Mercer University Bear scholarship winner. Benedicte is pursuing her MBA in Finance, and we think she will soon be using those skills successfully.

Devon Woodfine

Our first California State Polytechnic University scholarship winner (go Mustangs!) Devon Woodfine is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Study hard this Fall, Devon, and congratulations on winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships!

Robby Perkins, Jr.

A Senior at the University of Southern California, Robby Perkins, Jr., is pictured here showing off his USC pride. Congratulations on winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships; best of luck, and study hard, Robby! 

Maria Ivchenko

Maria hails from Waco, Texas, and is pictured at Baylor University’s most beautiful buildings. An Economics and Energy Commerce student, study hard, Maria; we expect great things from you!

Beauty Nwanze

Beauty will major in Biomedical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon. We wish her the best of luck, especially in organic chemistry!

Vivian Tran

Vivian, a Biological Sciences Major at the University of California Irvine, is pictured here with Peter the Anteater. Is she one of his Antourage? Congratulations, Vivian, on winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships!

Tracy Gil

Congratulations to Tracey, who continues her studies in nursing at Felician University after graduating from Passaic County Technical Institute. We are sure she will put her 2023 Fall scholarship to good use.

Baylee Yost

Congratulations to Baylee Yost, attending Texas State University school, for winning one of our 2023 Fall scholarships. Baylee has been working hard in her community, and we respect her working with children with medical needs. 

Michaela Ashburner

Congratulations to Michaela Ashburner, who attends Cochise College, for winning one of our scholarships. Michaela is our first Future Farmer of America winner, and we expect great things from her in the future. 

Kathryn Anderson

Kathryn Anderson continues her journey as a community leader at the University of Washington. We expect wherever she lands after graduation, she will benefit from her skills and willingness to help those in need.

Claire Kniss

Congratulations to Claire Kniss, who will be graduating from Lincoln Southwest High School in Lincoln, Nebraska. Claire has been an active leader in her community, and we look forward to her excelling as a community leader in college, medical school, and beyond. 

Kade Trosclair

Kade is graduating from Thibodaux High School and will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette this fall. He demonstrated leadership for his community by helping those in need during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and giving swimming lessons at the Thibodaux Recreation Center. We wish him luck with his goal of someday joining the United States Corp of Engineers. Congratulations Kade!

Joseph McGee

Joseph graduated from East High School in Duluth, Minnesota, and continues his education at Lake Superior College. He has contributed to his community by working with youth as a camp counselor and hockey official and plans to continue being active in his community by working with children. Congratulations Joseph!

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Duong

Lizzie is one of our 2022 scholarship winners. A graduate of Northwood High School and attending the University of California, Irvine, Ms. Duong excels academically, is involved in her community, and is growing into one of our future leaders. Congratulations Lizzie!

Elise Marie Moore

Elise Marie Moore is our 2021 Klenk Law Community Leadership Scholarship recipient. She is a hard-working student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with an impressively long list of community involvement. If her history indicates future involvement, she will be a wellspring of good works wherever she lands after graduation.

Jessie Weeks was a second-place scholarship winner for 2021. She is a law student at the University of Utah S. J. Quinney College of Law, where she continues a long history of community involvement. 

Addie Kenney

The competition was so fierce this year that we decided to award a second-place scholarship. Congratulations to Addie Kenney, who will graduate from Guilford High School in Guilford, CT. Great things are in this young woman’s future!

Natividad Herrera

Natividad Herrera is our December 2020 Klenk Law Community Leadership Scholarship recipient. She is a Sophomore at St. Catherine University who’s passionate about advocacy and social justice in underserved communities. She is an active volunteer in her community and intends to continue to serve others in her career as a Social Worker post-graduation.

Congrats to the Spring 2020 scholarship recipients Sara Barrens, Isabelle Gangadin, and Lamide Ogundeji

She’s the recipient of the original $1,000 award. She attends Carol Martin Gatton Academy in Kentucky and founded and coached a robotics team. She is a passionate environmentalist and intends to pursue environmental engineering.

Lamide Ogundeji
He’s the recipient of a $250 award. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toledo. He is the graduate student advisor of the UT Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

She’s the recipient of a $250 award. She’s a high school student at Kings High School in Ohio and a member of the National Honor Society. She aspires to be a pediatrician.

Congrats to the 2019 scholarship recipient, Jacqueline Casillas, a student at DePaul University, Chicago, IL.

Congrats to the 2018 scholarship recipient, Janae Steggall, a double major in government and international relations at the University of Texas at Austin.