University of Wisconsin-Stout family and consumer sciences education major Kennedy Navis recently was awarded the Jewell L. Taylor Undergraduate Scholarship from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Navis, of Cedar Grove, who graduates in December, said she was pleased to win the scholarship.
“I feel honored to be looked at as an up-and-coming leader nationally in family and consumer science,” Navis added, noting she had applied for the scholarship the past three years.
“I am also so grateful and humbled to be winning such a huge award for things that I would do even without recognition: facilitating service projects, helping and working with others and the community,” Navis said.
The $5,000 scholarship includes up to $1,000 of support for one year of AAFCS membership and participation in the AAFCS annual conference. Because she is graduating in December, Navis will only receive $2,500 of the scholarship; half is issued each semester.
The scholarship was established through a bequest from Taylor, a dedicated family and consumer sciences professional for more than 50 years. She held positions as a county home demonstration agent and utility home economist, continuing her interest in AAFCS until her death.
Navis plans to attend the annual conference in late June in Atlanta, where she will be recognized for winning the scholarship. “I’ve never been to a national conference,” Navis said, noting she is interested in seeing what other students are studying and to learn the latest developments in her field.
Navis is president of the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences student unit. She also is president of the UW-Stout Tau Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, the honor society for family consumer sciences, and is the region 1 representative for the National Council of Phi Upsilon Omicron, one of four across the nation.
Phi U is an honor society of family and consumer sciences. Students participate in community service work and gain leadership skills while developing connections on and off campus.
Professor Emeritus Carolyn Barnhart, the UW-Stout Tau Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron chapter adviser and a past president of AAFCS, said receiving the scholarship was a great honor for Navis and UW-Stout.
“Kennedy Navis is a leader among leaders,” Barnhart said. “She serves on local, state and international boards in family and consumer sciences. I am Stout proud of Kennedy Navis. She is an excellent student and leader in family and consumer sciences and Phi Upsilon Omicron.”
Navis recently received the Student of the Year Award for her program at UW-Stout and the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic award. The Wood award is given to seniors who have been active in student activities and exhibited an outstanding degree of leadership.
Next fall, Navis will be student teaching at Chippewa Falls middle and high schools. She eventually wants to pursue a master’s degree at UW-Madison in human ecology, which focuses on human development and family studies and nonprofit management. Her long-term goal is to teach in higher education.
This summer Navis is working as a special education aide in the Sheboygan Area School District.
###
Photos
Kennedy Navis
