Parkway North Offers Creativity Scholarship

Applications for The Friends of Kyle E. Palmer Creativity Award are being accepted through April 24. This memorial award of $500 is open to all students who show outstanding creativity.

“Everyone with a creative bone in their body and a few examples of it should apply,” said Danielle Feinstein, one of the winners from last year.

Established in 1991 by his family, the award honors the memory of Kyle Evan Palmer. Palmer was a student a Parkway North who was involved in all aspects of the arts: visual, theatrical, and musical. However, before he was able to graduate, he died from cancer. The award is given to two deserving seniors every year to honor his memory.

“I think I stood out because of my unique background in opera. Not a genre that most high school students enjoy let alone succeed in,” said Feinstein.

The award doesn’t just go to students involved in traditional arts, but also a wide variety of other things showing creativity, such as stand-up comedy, architectural design, cooking, sciences, math, and writing.

“The great thing about this award is that it doesn’t have to be used for college. Winners can use it to buy their own art supplies to further their own education, or science supplies for an experiment,” said theater teacher Chad Little, who heads the award at North.

While the scholarship has been around for 23 years, it’s one of the lesser known awards at Parkway North. Last year, there were 14 applicants, but there are typically only eight to nine.

“The award gave me much needed scholarship money…arts-only scholarships are few and far between so take the opportunity while you can,” said Feinstein.

The winners of The Friend of Kyle E. Palmer Award are chosen by a panel of six to nine teachers and are announced in the gym after the senior walk before seniors leave.

“They’re looking for someone who shows a serious talent in that area, the financial need, and a dedication to that area,” said Little.

An application for the award requires general information, a description of your creativity, two physical examples with descriptions, a description of future plans, and one recommendation letter. Flyers for the award can be found in the counselor’s office.

By: Chaney Cooper  Sports Editor