Sydney Higdon, a senior at Daviess County High School, is one of two students in the state of Kentucky selected to receive a $2,500 First Degree College Scholarship from the Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA).
Sydney was recognized during a special ceremony at the KSBA conference on Saturday, Feb. 23.
KSBA selects one female and one male student in Kentucky for these awards. To be eligible, a student must be the first member of their immediate family (parents/guardians or siblings) to receive a degree from an institution of higher education, and must have earned a minimum score of 20 or higher on the ACT reading assessment.
Students are nominated by their high school guidance departments and endorsed by their district superintendent and Board of Education chairman.
Sydney, the 17-year-old daughter of Dan and Donna Higdon, is a member of the National Honor Society and DCHS Concert Choir. She was involved in competitive gymnastics for several years, and for the past three years, has worked as a gymnastics coach.
Sydney coaches children ages 2-14 at Bejoli Gymnastics in Whitesville.
“Coaching gymnastics is my most favorite thing to do,” Sydney said. “I love kids and I love gymnastics, so combining those two things makes me so happy.”
Sydney also loves to sing and plans to continue participating in vocal music performance throughout college. She currently plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana, majoring in occupational therapy as she works toward her career goal in that field.
“I am very thankful for this scholarship as it will help my funding for college,” Sydney said.
Superintendent Matt Robbins said he was proud that such an outstanding student was representing DCPS.
“Sydney Higdon is an exemplary young lady and a model student at Daviess County High School,” Robbins said. “I am confident this scholarship investment will reap a high return as her future is bright and full of opportunity. Thank you, KSBA, for investing in Sydney Higdon.”
