Concordia Seniors Bergun Kindel and Paige McWhorter Receive 2023 Voice of the Panthers Scholarships
Concordia High School Seniors Bergun Kindel and Paige McWhorter have been selected as winners of the 2023 Voice of the Panthers Scholarships awarded each year by 1390 KNCK broadcasters Loren Swenson and Toby Nosker.
Bergun is the son of Jeff and Kristina Kindel, while Paige is the daughter of Don and Chelsie Bacon and Ryan Emmel.
The intent of the Voice of the Panthers Scholarships is to recognize those who are not necessarily the top athletes, but who have shown a dedication to the team effort through their consistent hard work and inspiration.
"Being a CHS Panther means that you are willing to do what is asked of you from your teammates and coaches," Kindel wrote in his scholarship essay. "Being a CHS Panther means that you know that when the team succeeds, you also succeed. And that's not to say any of what I did was always to help just the team. I wanted to grow, improve and experience success too."
Bergun has participated in CYO - Catholic Youth Group, Football, Wrestling and Track & Field.
"Bergun is one of the hardest working students that I have ever worked with. While Bergun may not have the natural athleticism that many high school athletes simply ride to success, he instead constantly asked questions and put his best effort into everything he possibly could," CHS Assistant Football Coach Rowe Hinkle said. "This drive to be the best version of himself leads him to work incredibly hard in everything that he does. This drive is something that will continue to serve him well into adulthood."
Paige has participated in Cheerleading, Dance, Gymnastics, Golf, Powerlifting, Debate, Friends of Rachel and National Honor Society.
"In my eyes, being a CHS Panther means to be dedicated and show good school spirit while representing CHS, Concordia, and yourself in a suitable manner," McWhorter wrote in her scholarship essay. "Dedicated athletes show up and work hard at practice. They also show a lot of leadership by listening to coaches when asked to do something and assisting teammates when needed."
Paige plans to attend Cloud County Community College to study Criminal Justice.
"Although some may not see cheer or dance as a sport, or these girls as athletes, I can assure you that Paige has put in just as much time and effort as any other athlete at Concordia," Concordia High School Head Cheer Coach Bobbie McWhorter said. "She was at almost every school sport, function and event supporting her fellow students and Concordia High School. Paige has been a great role model and representation of what a true Concordia Panther student athlete should look like and I am excited to see what her future holds."
The scholarship awards were announced Friday, May 12th during the Senior Awards Assembly at Concordia High School.
Other 2023 Award Winners:
Kansas State Scholars - Reece Knox, Jaida Koester and Cody Letourneau
Kansas ACT Workeys
Gold - Chayton Alquist-Pennell, Belle Chavey, Peyton Johnson, Bergun Kindel, Jaida Koester, Jenna McFadden, Paige McWhorter, Madison Strecker and Alec Wildeman
Platinum - Moyra Barnes, Dakota Brockman and Cody Letourneau
CHS Honor Scholars - Dakota Brockman, Reece Knox, Jaida Koester, Cody Letourneau, Jenna McFadden and Alec Wildeman
Dale M. Dennis Excellence in Education Award - Moyra Barnes and Alec Wildeman
KSHSAA Female Citizenship Award - Jenna McFadden
KSHSAA Male Citizenship Award - Bergun Kindel
US Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award - Jenna McFadden
US Marine Corps Distinguished Male Athlete Award - Michael Ashland
US Marine Corps Distinguished Female Athlete Award - Tiana Jones
US Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence - Belle Chavey
Outstanding Senior Female Athlete Award - Hanna Acree
Ray Culley Award for Outstanding Senior Male Athlete - Michael Ashland
Three-Sport Athlete Recognition - Hanna Acree, Michael Ashland, Kyler Haskett, Bergun Kindel and Alec Wildeman
All League Academic/Athletic Awards - Hanna Acree, Kendalyn Allen, Chayton Alquist-Pennell, Cami Anderson, Moyra Barnes, Dakota Brockman, Shaelin Giersch, Kyler Haskett, Peyton Johnson, Bergun Kindel, Katria Kindscher, Jaida Koester, Cody Letourneau, Paige McWhorter, Madison Starr, Georgia Trost and Alec Wildeman
Golden Mask Award - Belle Chavey and Justice Alexander
Gwen Fletcher Award - Jenna McFadden
Panther Honor Awards - Tiana Jones and Jenna McFadden
Students of the Month - Jenna McFadden, Dakota Brockman, Belle Chavey, Hanna Acree, Moyra Barnes, Alec Wildeman, Bailey Buckley, Cody Letourneau and Chayton Alquist-Pennell
CTE Ambassadors - Hanna Acree, Olivia Beikmann, Sarah Blochlinger, Dakota Brockman, Cianna DeLeon, Caleb Hanson, Cole Hobrock, Wade Kindel, Jaida Koester, Jenna McFadden
Industry Recognized Certificates
CNA - Certification
Cami Anderson
Bailey Buckley
Jenna McFadden
Madison Strecker
Georgia Trost
CPR/AED/First Aid - Certification
Kassidy Bowers
Peyton Elwood
Alan Garcia
Shaelin Giersch
Savanne Gonzales
Gunnar Hale
Keegan Hamel
Jax Hendershott
Cole Hobrock
Lance Howard
Trenton Isaacson
Peyton Johnson
Jaida Koch
Jenna McFadden
Xzavier McManus
Paige McWhorter
Madison Starr
Lindsey Thomas
Daniel Vines
Christian Widen
OSHA-10 General Certification
Kyran Avery
Jaxon Brooks
Hunter Chaput
Alec Francis
Stryker Hake
Gunnar Hale
Cole Hobrock
Kyler Kindel
Bergun Kindel
Kevin Kindel
Torxsten Kindel
Reece Knox
Aden Plymesser
Atreyu Revilla
Ryan Senner
William Shockley
Wyatt Townsdin
Jake Voss
Bradyn Wachsnicht
Theron Wagoner
Alec Wildeman
JAG-K Competencies - Kaiya Dibbel, Lance Howard, Tiana Jones, Xzavier McManus, Ryan Senner, Koda Swisher and Trenton Todd
Military Enlistee - Chayton Alquist-Pennell
Concordia Junior/Senior High School Staff Retirees/Recognition - Nancy Holbert
Local Scholarships
Cheryl Laas Memorial Scholarship - Paige McWhorter and Jenna McFadden
Nicole Barleen Memorial Scholarship - Christian Widen
Jack and Jeanne Metz-Sellers Memorial Scholarship - Belle Chavey and Jenna McFadden
Voice of the Panthers Scholarships - Bergun Kindel and Paige McWhorter
Keith Christensen Memorial Scholarship - Michael Ashland
North Cloud Education Association Scholarship - Tiana Jones
PEO Chapter EV - Jenna McFadden and Paige McWhorter
Orville Henderson Memorial Scholarship - Cianna DeLeon
Ron Cossel Memorial Scholarship - Belle Chavey
Dana Nelson Memorial Scholarship - Moyra Barnes
Jeanne B Henderson Memorial Scholarship - Shaelin Giersch