Tessa Stoner, a senior at Turner High School, has been named one of two recipients of Park University’s Presidential Honors Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year, earning a full-ride package valued at more than $117 thousand. The scholarship is the school’s highest competitive academic award.
The scholarship covers full tuition, fees, and room and board for four years, plus a stipend for study abroad. Stoner, who plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is one of 11 KCK students awarded competitive academic scholarships from Park University this year.
“Tears, tears, and more tears,” said Stefanie Stoner, Tessa’s mother and a teacher at Turner High School, when asked about her reaction to the scholarship news. “This was her dream to attend Park and study nursing. This scholarship proves that working hard really does pay off.”
Tessa has already taken steps toward her nursing career by earning her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through Kansas City Kansas Community College while attending Turner, demonstrating the kind of initiative and dedication that earned her the prestigious scholarship.
Tessa’s connection to Park University began during a sophomore-year visit with her Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) class. “I fell in love with the campus’s beauty and community,” she said. A follow-up visit junior year solidified her decision. “I researched their nursing program since I want to get my BSN, RN. They have a small student to faculty ratio which is what I was looking for.”
Her mother attributes Tessa’s success to her character. “Tessa is very persistent and self-motivated. She knows nothing comes easy and has worked really hard her entire school years in Turner,” Stefanie said. “I have watched Tessa become a confident, outgoing advocate for herself and others.”
Tessa credits her mother, who teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) at the high school, as her greatest inspiration, “due to her sheer determination and empathy for others.” Being at the high school together, Tessa has seen first-hand the impact her mom has on others.
“She makes students feel they have a safe place to come when they have no one else,” the Turner senior said. “I want to use that same caring heart when I get into nursing to make every patient feel welcomed and heard.”
Tessa has also been challenged by the Turner schools to reach her best and prepare her for the future, taking advanced classes starting in middle school. “Turner supports high-achieving students by putting these students into classes they know will challenge their minds and further their education. Turner has not only prepared me with education but how to become an adult and communicate with my teachers or mentors.”
Among her favorite memories at Turner was building and racing boats in Mrs. Bender’s physics class, where her team placed second, with Tessa as the “skipper.” “It was a cool way to see how all of the principles we learned through the year works in real life situations,” she said. “Physics taught me to look more in depth to the world around me.” Tessa has also played soccer for the Lady Golden Bears and enjoys hanging out with the team on road trips.
The scholarship will allow Tessa to focus on her education without financial worry. “College is expensive and this scholarship helps so much,” she said. “It also will give me the opportunity to become the best nurse I can be by the skills taught to me by professors from Park. They partner with many hospitals in the KC Metro area, which allows me to get hands-on experience with patients.”
Looking ahead, Tessa plans to use her study abroad stipend in Italy. “I have traveled there years ago and loved it. The people there are welcoming, and the scenery is beautiful.”
Other KCK recipients
Three additional students from KCK received Park’s McAfee Scholarship, which provides full tuition and fees for four years, valued at $72 thousand:
- Ana Guillen Oliva, Wyandotte
- Victoria Rivas, Harmon
- Sophia Teel, Turner
Seven more local students earned the Park Trustee Scholarship, which provides half-tuition for four years, valued at $34 thousand:
- Brandon Giron, Wyandotte
- Ava Herr, Sumner
- Yazmin Medina, Wyandotte
- Teamari Pruitt, Washington
- Gavis Trusskey, Piper
- Emily Matute Vilchez, Wyandotte
- Irene Watts, Washington
“I am proud to welcome these exceptional students to the Park University family,” said Dr. Kathrine Swanson, Park University interim president. “Their achievements, character and potential distinguish them, and the University is prepared to support them through real-world learning experiences to drive meaningful impact in their professions and communities.”
The scholarships, totaling more than $1.88 million across all recipients, were awarded to current high school seniors expected to enroll at Park starting with the Fall 2026 semester.
