By Hutchinson Community College
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (March 22, 2024) — Megan Ratzlaff, daughter of Ric and Susie Ratzlaff of Buhler, Kansas, is one of 459 community college students nationwide who were named semi-finalists in the 2024 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship competition. She is the only student listed for the state of Kansas who will advance to the finalist round. In addition to this, she is one of 150 community college students nationwide who were named to the 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team.
Over 1,600 applicants applied this year for the highly competitive Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which can supply up to $55,000 per year for two or three years to help transfer students complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the U.S. This scholarship aims to help students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, and service transfer to top four-year universities and avoid student debt. Finalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will be announced in May.
The Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholarship, for which over 2,200 students applied this year, is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, an international honors organization for two-year colleges. The academic team application is open to non-members in addition to members of Phi Theta Kappa with applicants having been nominated by their college’s designated nominator and having demonstrated outstanding academic achievement as well as significant campus and/or community leadership and service. Each of the 50 winners of the bronze-level designation will receive a $1000 scholarship and will be presented with a medallion at their respective All-State Academic Team ceremonies.
Megan is a sophomore studying Political Science and History. She currently holds leadership positions in Phi Theta Kappa, the Honors Program, and Campus Crusade for Christ as well as plays in the Symphonic Band at HutchCC. Outside of school, Megan works part-time at RCB Bank and serves the Lord with her church family at Medora Community Bible Church. She plans to transfer to Sterling College in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in History with a double minor in Music and English, where she also plans on being involved in Sterling’s Symphonic Band, Piano Program, Choir, Honors Program and Student Government.
“It is such an incredible honor to be able to represent my community, my college, my state, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the national level in this way,” Megan says. “I view these awards as opportunities entrusted to me so that I can point others to Christ and say a special thank you to all the incredible people in my life. I couldn’t have gotten this far without God’s faithfulness or without all of the people He has blessed me with, so thank you all for your incredible support.”
