A local high school student has been named to the McConnell Scholars Program, a prestigious enrichment program awarded to only 10 individuals each year. Daviess County High School student Allison Boarman is the recipient of that award after she had demonstrated outstanding leadership potential.
McConnell Scholars are guaranteed full tuition scholarships to the University of Louisville for up to four years, an allowance for room, board and books and will also receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. as well as an extended study abroad to China.
After completing 13 interviews in a two-day span Boarman received the news this week that she will be one of the ten incoming freshmen accepted.
“I received an email about a week ago that told me congratulations, you are accepted,” Boarman said. “I planned out a way to tell my family but they ruined the surprise as I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. They knew immediately I had something to tell them. It is incredibly exciting for me.”
Allison who will be double majoring in political science and phycology had to maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA to apply for the program. She exceeded expectations with a 4.09 weighted GPA which means she’s taken AP classes that brought her above the 4.0 mark.
“We’re extremely proud of her. She has worked so hard. When she developed this passion for politics and leadership we tried to support her in any way that we could and encouraged her to apply,” said Allison’s mother Misty Boarman. “It’s just amazing to see your child go through those young teenage years to become a young adult. She’s always been really driven. To see her dream coming true at such an early age is really a neat thing.”
Allison will be in the University of Louisville class of 2023. Although last year Owensboro did not have a high school student receive such honor, three local Owensboro residents were named to the program in recent years; Jasmyne Post, Philpot, Ky. Class of 2021, Evan Clark, Owensboro, Ky. Class of 2020, and Georgiana Sook, Owensboro, Ky. Class of 2019.
U. S. Senator Mitch McConnell, a 1964 graduate of the University of Louisville, established the McConnell Center in 1991 in partnership with the University of Louisville as a way to give back and support the university.
“I’m definitely looking forward to the educational opportunities I will have. Not only just the seminars but also the meetings with political leaders from around the world,” Allison said. “I think that will be a fantastic opportunity for me educationally.”
Allison has been drawn to service and been involved in serving the community for the last four years. She is involved in the DCHS Y Club and also serves as the Secretary of both the Young Democrats and Student Government. She had the opportunity to attend the Young Leaders Academy at the McConnell Center last summer.
“We’re extremely proud of her. She became really interested in politics her freshman year of high school because of the Y Club,” said Allison’s father, David Boarman. “Through that, she had heard about the McConnell Scholar Program during her junior year and went to YLA (Young Leaders Academy) which is a 3- or 4-day immersion into what that center is about. Once she went through that, it was her No. 1 option. It was her dream.”
Allison’s parents say to see that dream come to fruition has been tremendous. Allison, still 17 years old, will use her love of politics and servant leadership at the University of Louisville this fall, officially as a McConnell Scholar.
