Hastings High School seniors were recognized for their academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, career aspirations, and future plans during the annual Hastings High School Scholarship Awards program for 2026. The event celebrated more than 110 scholarship awards distributed to graduating seniors after more than 220 applications were submitted for consideration.
Principal Scott Doran opened the evening by welcoming families, scholarship donors, students, and community members. He said the event was designed to celebrate “students, their accomplishments, all of their hard work and service to each other and to the community.”
Before the scholarship presentations began, Doran paused the program to recognize one student whose accomplishment stood apart. Senior Ryder Ashcraft received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy’s Class of 2030, an achievement that places him among a select group chosen from a highly competitive applicant pool.
Reading remarks provided by academy representatives, Doran announced, “On behalf of the United States Air Force Academy, I'd like to welcome you to their class of 2030.” He noted that more than 10,000 applicants seek admission each year, while fewer than 1,200 are selected. The appointment represents a full scholarship valued at more than $600,000, along with military training.
Asked to describe the process, Ashcraft explained that it involved “months of work,” beginning with a physical fitness test, followed by interviews with congressional representatives to secure a nomination, and additional interviews with academy officials before being considered for admission.
Doran told the audience that upon graduation from the academy, Ashcraft will earn a bachelor’s degree and receive a commission as an officer in either the United States Air Force or United States Space Force.
The principal also highlighted the role local donors play in making the scholarship program possible. He thanked organizations, businesses, alumni, parents, and community foundations for their continued support of Hastings students. Doran noted that many scholarships honor the memory of loved ones, while others are funded by former scholarship recipients who now wish to help the next generation.
“What makes tonight special is especially meaningful is that so many of the scholarships are personal,” Doran said. He added that donor generosity sends “that powerful message to our students that this community believes in them.”
This year’s scholarship total exceeded $237,900, one of the largest collective awards in the program’s history. Doran called the amount “just incredible” as attendees applauded the donors in attendance.
He also recognized several staff members whose behind-the-scenes efforts helped organize the event, including theater director Kara Anderson and organizers Sue Beskau and Jodi Geib. Doran praised the extensive planning required to coordinate scholarship applications, donor communications, and the awards ceremony.
Following the opening remarks, assistant principals took over as emcees and began announcing scholarship recipients. Students were called to the stage individually to receive recognition for achievements ranging from academics and leadership to community service, healthcare, skilled trades, education, the arts, agriculture, business, and military service aspirations.
The scholarship program showcased the breadth of community support available to Hastings graduates. Awards were sponsored by local service clubs, businesses, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, memorial funds, educational groups, arts organizations, and family foundations, reflecting a community-wide investment in students’ futures.
2026 Hastings High School Scholarship Recipients
The following scholarships were awarded to members of the Hastings High School Class of 2026 during the annual Scholarship Awards program:
HPSF/SCVF Scholarships: Leone Keene Scholarship, Brady Stewart; Richard Larson Scholarship, Jordyn Harris; Miller-Oys Memorial Scholarship, Breanna LaBine.
HHS Staff Scholarship: Landon Miska.
Education Minnesota-Hastings Future Educator Scholarship: Katelyn Wood.
Deb Duea Memorial Scholarships: Haley Friberg and Alexa Garcia Jasso.
Ability 2 Believe, The Brayden & Brooks Foundation Scholarship: Khylee Harris.
Lin and Kathy Warren Scholarship: Kayla Staves.
Communities In Schools Scholarship: Layla Tuin.
AAUW Two-Year College Program Scholarships: Hanah Precious and Charlotte Rupp.
AAUW High Honors Scholarships: Linnea Ronning and Isabella McClellan.
John Gegen Memorial Scholarship: Taylor Dodge.
Greenslit Family Scholarship: Landon Schleusner.
United Hospital-Hastings Regina Campus Scholarship: Sara Siebenaler.
Amy Pribnow Memorial Scholarships: William Bauer, Aiden Reuter and Baily Jansen.
Vermillion State Bank Scholarship: Ethan Hill.
Aimee Leifeld Memorial Scholarship: Claire Caturia.
Hastings Knights of Columbus Scholarships: Lucas Langeslay and Zoe O'Donnell.
Hastings Area Historical Society Scholarship: Weston Chandler.
Hastings Rivertown Lions Club Scholarship: Cheyenne Hiniker.
Penny Pettit Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Johnson.
Wally Pettit Memorial Scholarship: Wyatt Herman.
Hastings Fire Foundation Scholarship: Jordan Leos.
Captain James A. Matsch Scholarship: Blake Weber.
Hastings Prescott Arts Council Scholarship: Rhea Peine.
Dakota Electric Association Scholarships: Reese Groth, Gabriella Rubin, Marian Tripp, Allison Werner, Aiden Vitzthum, Paige Ahlgren, Peyton Thomas, Yasir Abdulkadir, Alyssa Thompson and Charlotte Cavalier.
Patchwork Creative Arts Scholarship: Blossom Mwangi.
Geno Halberg Memorial Arts Scholarship: Kristabelle Burkhart.
Hastings High School Alumni Scholarship: Kendra Reinardy.
Hastings Area Senior Center Advisory Council Scholarship: Reese Keller.
Regina Auxiliary Scholarships: Elena Fasbender and Olivia Schuster.
United Way Scholarship: Lilah Gessner.
Hastings Bus Company Scholarships: Ashley Pavlak, Sebastian Strauss and Danielle Thurmes.
Hastings Veterinary Clinic Scholarship: Ashlyn Bernt.
Hastings Women's Tennis League Scholarship: Brooklyn Keller.
TLC of Hastings Scholarship: Audrey Jensen.
Flint Hills Resources Discovery Scholarships: Amelia Chandler and Elli Levine.
Chase Passauer Memorial Scholarships: Gabriel Peterson and Matthew Maulucci.
Youth Impact Council Scholarship: Delaney Smith.
Hastings Family Service Help and Hope Scholarships: Mara Teter and Nelaiah Monjeau.
Ken Linde Memorial Scholarship: Kaitlyn Boyd.
Hoffman and McNamara Scholarships: Ryder Ashcraft and Landon Johnson.
VFW Scholarships: Arabella Arnold, Lydia Latch, Adam Schmaltz, Mattea Quigley and Gavin Kocherer.
Power Within Chiropractic Scholarship: Norah Thome.
Scott Seleskie Scholarship: Ivyn Hallis.
Joel D. Seleskie Family Scholarships: Sophie Thorkelson and Emily Wormley.
Matthew Maher Memorial Scholarship: Donavin Ward.
John Schutt Memorial Scholarship: Lacey Knutson.
Eagles Auxiliary Scholarships: Trey Beissel and Barrett Boardman.
Lexi Nauer Memorial Scholarship: Kimberly King.
HESA Scholarship: Madeline Elliott.
Merchants Bank Scholarship: Addison Maniak.
Mike Hovgaard Leadership Scholarships: Samuel Dannenberg and Jenevieve Behnke.
Kirk Johnson Memorial Scholarship: Taylor Hudak.
Hertogs Family Foundation Scholarships: Grace Simpson, Teaghan Asher and Carter Herman-O'Brien.
Mitchell Martin Lucas Celebration of Life Scholarships: Gracie Majetich and Brock Bauer.
On Time Service Pros, Building the Future Through Skilled Trades Scholarships: Henry Marthaler and Cadance Von Bargen.
Welshons Family Scholarships: Lucia Haynes and Ashton Arnes.
Premier Bank Minnesota Scholarship: Ella Carlson.
Keene Wealth Management Scholarship: Serena Irrthum.
Randy Roberts Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Judge.
Randy Roberts Trades Scholarship: Brayden Thomsen.
Ricky Berg Memorial Scholarship: Jersey Appert.
Mike Jones Memorial Scholarships: William Savage, Matthew Beyer, Jaidyn Johnson, Alayna Watts and Taylor Bushinski.
Jennifer Wiederholt-Pine Foundation Scholarship: Elliana Magnus.
Island Impact Scholarship: Charlie Reamer.
The Hootenany Living Music Scholarships: Axton Bauer, Josephine Bauer and Kayden Butler.
Peterson Family Scholarship: Maci Dayton.
Nicholas Gunter Memorial Scholarship: Isabel Miller.
Apple Autos Scholarship: Isaac Bushberger.
Bahls Family Scholarship: Matthew Nogle.
Tecla R. Karpen Scholarship: Matthew Foss.
PLG Scholarship: Landon Amer.