Scholarship season has sprung

With the weather warming up and the flowers blossoming outside, spring has finally arrived. For many students, the spring season can be stressful due to factors such as the spring production and the impending finals week. However, for three students the spring conditions were prime time for scholarships, whether it be the esteemed Michael Kennedy scholarship or the more recent Phil McKinley/David Manning scholarship.

Every year, the Michael Kennedy scholarship is awarded to an upcoming first-year or transfer student majoring in theatre at SAU. This year, the recipient is none other than Keegan Harry, who many might remember as Victor in the spring production of Cabaret. Kennedy chose Harry, a current senior at North Scott High School in Eldridge, Iowa, after he submitted an application and essay about why theatre is important and how he's going to get involved in SAU theatre.

"The school's theatre and music programs inspired me, and I felt at home right away," Harry said about choosing SAU. "I am so excited to be able to experience all the different areas of the theatre that will help to prepare me for the future, no matter where I end up because theatre is a good, well-rounded program for any career choice."

"Receiving the Michael Kennedy Scholarship is a reflection of what theatre means to me," Harry said. "I answered why theatre is important in the world, and why I want to be involved. To me, theatre is how I breathe – I have been inspired by theatre and it has taught me so many great things, and I want to be able to deliver the great power of theatre to others, just as it has been delivered to me."

While Harry was awarded the Michael Kennedy Scholarship, two St. Ambrose students were awarded the Phil McKinley/David Manning scholarship: Junior Sarah Goodall and First-Year Luke Peterson.

In order to receive the McKinley/Manning scholarship students must submit an application, a theatre resume, and an essay about how they hope to use their passion for theatre in the world. After submitting the necessary material, students then have an interview with Broadway director Phil McKinley and his husband David Manning.

"I am so honored," said Peterson. "Going into this process, I thought I stood no chance because I am only a First-Year, and every other year the recipients have always been upperclassmen. However, the fact that McKinley and Manning chose me to be one of the recipients of their scholarship means the absolute world to me. I never could have imagined that someone who has directed and worked with Hugh Jackman on Broadway would invest in and support my theatre education, but I will work diligently to make both Mr. McKinley and Mr. Manning proud. But yeah, I'm still in awe."

"This scholarship means so much to me," Goodall said, "because I got the privilege to work with Mr. McKinley last summer and he taught me so much. I am forever grateful to him and David as well for this opportunity."

All in all, we are so proud of Harry for receiving the Michael Kennedy Scholarship and current students Peterson and Goodall for being the recipients of the Phil McKinley/David Manning scholarship. Their hard work has truly paid off, and we as a department could not be more proud of their results.

While Harry was awarded the Michael Kennedy Scholarship, two St. Ambrose students were awarded the Phil McKinley/David Manning scholarship: Junior Sarah Goodall and First-Year Luke Peterson.

In order to receive the McKinley/Manning scholarship students must submit an application, a theatre resume, and an essay about how they hope to use their passion for theatre in the world. After submitting the necessary material, students then have an interview with Broadway director Phil McKinley and his husband David Manning.

"I am so honored," said Peterson. "Going into this process, I thought I stood no chance because I am only a First-Year, and every other year the recipients have always been upperclassmen. However, the fact that McKinley and Manning chose me to be one of the recipients of their scholarship means the absolute world to me. I never could have imagined that someone who has directed and worked with Hugh Jackman on Broadway would invest in and support my theatre education, but I will work diligently to make both Mr. McKinley and Mr. Manning proud. But yeah, I'm still in awe."

"This scholarship means so much to me," Goodall said, "because I got the privilege to work with Mr. McKinley last summer and he taught me so much. I am forever grateful to him and David as well for this opportunity."

All in all, we are so proud of Harry for receiving the Michael Kennedy Scholarship and current students Peterson and Goodall for being the recipients of the Phil McKinley/David Manning scholarship. Their hard work has truly paid off, and we as a department could not be more proud of their results.