Kansas Business Hall of Fame Student Essay Contest
Hallmark, White Castle, Kroger, Capitol Federal Savings, Cessna, INTRUST Bank, Bechtel Engineering, and Russell Stover’s Candy. Each of these companies have direct ties to a member of the Kansas Business Hall of Fame. The mission of the
Kansas Business Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the outstanding history of business leadership and entrepreneurship by the people of Kansas. Our purpose is to provide inspiration for the business leaders of tomorrow.
One of the reasons we examine and study history is to find inspiration from the past.
The essay contest is open to students in grades 9-12 in the state of Kansas. Each student writes an essay based on research of one Kansas Business Hall of Fame inductee that they are inspired by. Students are encouraged to use their own personal thoughts and views which best pertain to the theme and themselves. Entries are judged by a panel of business professionals. Seven cash prizes are awarded to the top three essays overall and for the top essay in each grade. The prize money is graciously donated by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. For more information, click here.
Winners:
2023
- Molly Brown, senior from Hayden Catholic High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Alexandrea Howell, freshman from Leavenworth High School, inductee Fred Harvey
- Braden Polifka, senior from Quinter High School, inductee Junius George Groves
- Quinten Schafer, junior from Blue Valley North High School, inductee William H. Graves
2022
- Sriram Srinivasa Kalki, freshman from Blue Valley North High School, inductee Philip Anschutz
- Caroline Place, freshman from Blue Valley North High School, inductee Junius George Groves
- Baylee Richard, senior from Olpe High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- William White Walker, freshman from Emporia High School, inductee William Allen White
2021
Top three winners:
- Brianna Barrett, freshman from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Elizabeth Place, sophomore from Blue Valley North High School, inductee Harry Darby
- Brooklyn Farmer, sophomore from Wellington High School, inductee William Allen White
Top winners from each grade:
- Edward Mu, freshman from Blue Valley North High School, inductee W. Frank Barton
- Lenia Crouch, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductee Georgia Neese Gray
- Makaila Karmann, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Maya Bishop, senior from Olpe High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
2020
Top three winners:
- Shea Inlow, sophomore from Sedgwick High School, inductee Fred Harvey
- Emma Elder, senior from Nemaha Central High School, inductees Dan and Frank Carney
- Taylon Ellis, freshman from Wellington High School, inductee William Coleman
Top winners from each grade:
- Madison Paradise, freshman from Sedgwick High School, inductee Fred Harvey
- Faith Finley, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductees Dan and Frank Carney
- Sydnee Hammond, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Bill Kurtis
- Jill Carlson, senior from Lansing High School, inductee Walter Anderson
2019
Top three winners:
- Jordin Mackenzie, freshman from Blue Valley North High School, inductee Gary Burrell
- Melvin Le, sophomore from Liberal High School, inductees Clara & Russell Stover
- Jael Catlett, freshman from Wellington, inductee Clyde Cessna
Top winners from each grade:
- Hannah Henderson, freshman from Emporia High School, inductee Walter Chrysler
- Cheyla Carvantes, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductee Frederick Henry Harvey
- Kaitlyn Sperka, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Codi Kentner, senior from Quinter High School, inductee Georgia Neese Gray
2018
Top three winners:
- Rebekah Kitch, senior from Quinter High School, inductee Jack Goldstein
- Haylee Weiss, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Beech
- Trudy Martens, sophomore from South Gray High School, inductee Walter Chrysler
Top winners from each grade:
- Melvin Le, freshman from Liberal High School, inductee William Allen White
- Ian Hayden, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductee William Lear
- Nicholas Cammarn, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Philip Anschutz
- Isaac McBroom, senior from Emporia High School, inductee Gary Burrell
2017
Top three winners:
- Mary Stanley, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Karla Flores, freshman from Emporia High School, inductee Olive Ann Beech
- Eric Poersch, junior from Emporia High School, inductee Arthur Capper
Top winners from each grade:
- Hannah Cooper, freshman from Emporia High School, inductee Joseph McCoy
- Connor Cheek, sophomore from Emporia High School, inductees Walter Anderson and Edgar Waldo
- Jessica Rodriguez, junior from Emporia High School, inductees Dan and Frank Carney
- Tiarah Holt, senior from Emporia High School, inductee William Allen White
Quinten Schafer
Molly Brown
Braden Polifka
Alexandrea Howell