Foundation for Missouri DECA Scholarships

Missouri DECA offers several scholarships exclusively for Missouri DECA members:

Lester B. Kesterson Scholarship $1,000
This scholarship honors retired Director of Marketing and Cooperative Education and Missouri DECA State Advisor Lester B. Kesterson. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a DESE-approved Marketing or Cooperative Career Education program,be an active DECA member, and must attend the State CDC as a competitive event participant. Funds for this award are provided by interested individuals and organizations, as well as the Foundation for Missouri DECA. A maximum of three students may receive this award annually. The criteria for awarding this scholarship are scholastic ability and demonstrated leadership.

Bud Hartley Memorial Scholarship $1,000
This scholarship is in memory of past Missouri DECA Board President and Waynesville DECA chapter advisor, Mr. Bud Hartley. Eligibility is based upon successfully participating in the internship component of a DESE-approved Marketing or Cooperative Career Education program and being an active DECA member. This scholarship has the following additional requirements: a letter of recommendation from the chapter advisor describing the nominee’s participation in the internship and how it impacted the student and an essay prepared by the student describing how their involvement in DECA and the internship made a difference in their life. Each Missouri DECA chapter is eligible to submit one application.

Kent McDaniel Memorial Scholarship $1,000
This scholarship is in memory of past Missouri DECA Board President and Springfield Parkview DECA chapter advisor, Mr. Kent McDaniel. The nominee should exemplify a student whose life has been positively impacted as a result of their involvement in Marketing or Cooperative Career Education and DECA. This scholarship has the following additional requirements: a letter of recommendation from the chapter advisor describing how the nominee has been impacted by membership in DECA’s program and student organization and an essay prepared by the student about how involvement in DECA and the education program has made a difference in their life. Each Missouri DECA chapter is eligible to submit one application.

Lead a Legacy Scholarship $1,000
Missouri DECA members benefit greatly from the continued commitment and service provided by its alumni. This scholarship honors the tradition of giving back to continue the legacy of excellence. Nominees should exemplify qualities of servant leadership and a spirit of making a positive difference through community service. This scholarship has the following additional requirements: a letter of recommendation describing the nominee’s character and service to others and an essay prepared by the student about their philosophy on giving back and their plans to help future Missouri DECA members.

Gary & Deborah Altrup Scholarship $1,000
Every scholar grows through guidance, support and opportunity. Deborah and the late Gary Altrup gave, and continue to give, their children all the love and guidance they could have asked for, while exposing them to a world of possibilities for the future. This scholarship was founded to continue their legacy by providing one exceptional scholar with the chance to continue their education and seize their own opportunity. This nominee for this scholarship must also meet the following additional requirements:minimum GPA of 3.5; hold or have held a DECA leadership position at the chapter or state level AND/OR have attended a state or national DECA Leadership Conference; have participated and placed in DECA competition at the state AND/OR national level during any year of DECA involvement, excluding 2015.

Jim Shelenhamer Memorial President’s Scholarship $1,000
This memorial scholarship honors past Missouri DECA State President, Jim Shelenhamer. The current Missouri DECA State President is eligible to apply for this scholarship. The criteria are that the applicant completes a successful Program of Activities during their officer term and represents Missouri DECA honorably.

REGION: Missouri – Statewide. Includes all counties: Adair Andrew Atchison Audrain Barry Barton Bates Benton Bollinger Boone Buchanan Butler Caldwell Callaway Camden Cape Girardeau Carroll Carter Cass Cedar Chariton Christian Clark Clay Clinton Cole Cooper Crawford Dade Dallas Daviess DeKalb Dent Douglas Dunklin Franklin Gasconade Gentry Greene Grundy Harrison Henry Hickory Holt Howard Howell Iron Jackson Jasper Jefferson Johnson Knox Laclede Lafayette Lawrence Lewis Lincoln Linn Livingston Macon Madison Maries Marion McDonald Mercer Miller Mississippi Moniteau Monroe Montgomery Morgan New Madrid Newton Nodaway Oregon Osage Ozark Pemiscot Perry Pettis Phelps Pike Platte Polk Pulaski Putnam Ralls Randolph Ray Reynolds Ripley Saint Charles Saint Clair Saint Francois Saint Louis City Saint Louis County Sainte Genevieve Saline Schuyler Scotland Scott Shannon Shelby Stoddard Stone Sullivan Taney Texas Vernon Warren Washington Wayne Webster Worth Wright