We are proud to introduce the 2026 recipients of the Randy Stone Scholarship. These exceptional students embody the perseverance, service, and character that defined Randy’s life. While we are not sharing their names to respect their privacy, we are honored to celebrate their achievements, goals, and commitment to making a positive impact.

2026 Scholarship Recipient — Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine

This recipient is a compassionate, determined, and service-driven young person whose goals and character reflect the perseverance, kindness, and dedication that defined Randy Stone’s legacy. They plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian and advocating for animal health and welfare.

From a young age, they have had a deep connection with animals and a passion for caring for them. Their interest in veterinary medicine grew from a love of animals into a larger mission to protect, heal, and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. They hope to one day open an affordable community veterinary clinic that provides compassionate care, education, and support to families and shelters in underserved communities.

One of the experiences that shaped this recipient most was beginning dance at age fifteen, years later than many of their peers. Rather than becoming discouraged, they practiced daily and pushed themselves to improve. Their hard work eventually earned opportunities to perform and, more importantly, taught them the value of perseverance, confidence, and dedication.

This recipient has also distinguished themselves through academic achievement and leadership, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher while taking on meaningful leadership responsibilities. Like Randy Stone, they value compassion, service, and perseverance and hope to use their education to improve the lives of others.

2026 Scholarship Recipient — Psychology & Mental Health

This recipient is a resilient, hardworking, and compassionate young person whose journey reflects the perseverance, leadership, and character that defined Randy Stone’s life. As a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Psychology, they are determined to overcome financial hardship, build a better future for their family, and ultimately help others through a career in mental health.

Growing up in a family facing financial challenges, they learned early the importance of discipline, sacrifice, and perseverance. Despite academic struggles and being underestimated by others, they transformed their mindset and work ethic, raising their GPA to 3.5 while setting a goal of achieving a 4.0 during their senior year.

Athletics also played an important role in shaping their character. After being cut from the basketball team as a freshman, they committed themselves to improving. Their persistence eventually earned them a place on the team and, ultimately, a leadership role as team captain.

Beyond academics and athletics, this recipient has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to service through volunteer work, professional experiences, and community involvement. Inspired by their own experiences overcoming adversity, they plan to become a clinical psychologist and eventually establish a community center providing mental health support and mentorship to young people.

Their belief in hard work, service to others, and creating opportunity from adversity reflects the values Randy Stone lived by.

2026 Scholarship Recipient — Economics, Business & Military Service

This recipient is a disciplined, hardworking, and service-driven young person whose values strongly reflect the legacy of Randy Stone. They plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business and commission into the United States Air Force as an officer, combining their interests in leadership and business with a commitment to serving their country.

Raised by a hardworking single mother and entrepreneur, they learned early the importance of sacrifice, resilience, and responsibility. Watching their mother build and operate her own business inspired a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset.

This recipient has consistently chosen discipline over distraction. While many peers focused on fitting in, they remained committed to studying, athletics, and preparing for the future.

Academically and athletically, this recipient has distinguished themselves through academic honors, leadership, and athletic achievement, maintaining a GPA of 3.9 and demonstrating a strong commitment to continual self-improvement.

The Randy Stone Scholarship recognizes a young person committed to many of the same principles Randy embodied: integrity, perseverance, humility, leadership, and service to others.

2026 Scholarship Recipient — Neuroscience & Medicine

This recipient is a resilient, accomplished, and compassionate young person who has transformed personal adversity into a powerful sense of purpose. They plan to pursue a degree in Neuroscience and Behavior, with the goal of becoming a physician who not only treats illness, but truly listens to, understands, and advocates for every patient.

Their journey toward medicine began through personal experience. After facing a serious illness in high school and struggling to find answers, they became an active participant in their own care. What began as a period of uncertainty ultimately provided clarity and direction, transforming medicine from an academic interest into a calling rooted in firsthand experience and empathy.

Despite significant challenges, this recipient continued to excel academically, maintaining a GPA of 3.7, while pursuing leadership opportunities, serving others, and supporting fellow students.

Their vision is to become the kind of physician who listens carefully, advocates relentlessly, and goes beyond what is expected to bring dignity, comfort, and compassionate care to people who may otherwise feel unseen.

The courage, perseverance, empathy, and commitment to others demonstrated throughout their journey closely reflect the spirit of Randy Stone’s legacy.

2026 Scholarship Recipient — Academics, Athletics & Community Leadership

This recipient embodies many of the qualities that defined Randy Stone’s life: integrity, discipline, resilience, authenticity, a commitment to others, and a genuine love of family and community.

An accomplished student-athlete, this recipient excelled both academically and athletically throughout high school, graduating with a 4.136 GPA, while earning significant academic and athletic recognition and taking on multiple leadership responsibilities.

That commitment to excellence has continued in college, where the recipient is pursuing demanding academics while participating in collegiate athletics and continuing to achieve at a high academic level.

Beyond personal achievement, this student has consistently invested in the community by volunteering with youth athletic and leadership programs, mentoring younger athletes, and encouraging them to grow both on and off the field.

This scholarship also carries a particularly meaningful connection: while applying, the recipient discovered that their grandfather had been a childhood friend and teammate of Randy Stone, making this recognition especially significant.

This recipient’s character, leadership, humility, academic achievement, and commitment to serving others make them an outstanding representative of the Randy Stone Scholarship and the values it was created to honor.