Wichita, USA: Lakshmi Shree Sivakumar, a high school senior of Indian descent from Wichita East High School, has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship.
The Gore Scholarship, valued at $64,000, is awarded annually to three outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic achievement. These students are chosen through the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational and are recognized for their active involvement at Wichita State University.
This year, 12 high school seniors were named finalists for the scholarship, including Sivakumar, who has stood out for her impressive academic record and dedication to community service.
In addition to her academic excellence, Sivakumar is a passionate advocate for social change. She founded No Plate Left Empty Corporation, a nonprofit organization aimed at addressing food insecurity in Kansas. Furthermore, she established the Mayura School of Dance, a branch of her nonprofit, where she teaches Bharatnatyam, a traditional Indian dance form, to young Indian-American girls.
The 12 finalists, including Sivakumar, underwent a rigorous selection process. This involved essay submissions, leadership evaluations, and a competitive on-campus event in November 2024. The finalists were chosen from 551 students who participated in the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational on November 23, 2024.
To be eligible, students must meet high academic standards, such as a minimum ACT score of 27, a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and a ranking in the top 10 percent of their class. This year’s finalists have an average GPA of 3.88 and an ACT score of 27.
On January 23, 2025, the finalists returned to Wichita State University for final interviews, where their leadership qualities and community impact were assessed.
The winners of the 2025 Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship will be announced on January 31 at 11:30 a.m. at the Marcus Welcome Center. All finalists will receive scholarship packages to attend Wichita State University in the fall of 2025.
The Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Harry Gore, a renowned community leader and strong advocate for education.
The other finalists for the Gore Scholarship are:
- Kit Boor – Eisenhower High School
- Tyllor Childers – Wichita Northwest High School
- Elijah DeFore – Wichita Northeast Magnet
- Luke Hoy – Valley Center High School
- Mei-Li Hunt – Wesclin Junior-Senior High School (Illinois)
- Lane Lamping – Basehor-Linwood High School
- Maci Morgan – Wichita Heights High School
- Vy Nguyen – Wichita East High School
- Maddie Sohm – Russell High School
- Beckett Sollars – Park Hill High School (Missouri)
- Aidan Thibodeau – Herington High School
