Kbf Scholarships

• Citation: Vol. 94 No. 3 Pg. 16
• Year: 2025
• Pages: 16

KBF scholarships No. 94 J. Kan. Bar Assn 3, 16 (2025) Kansas Bar Journal June, 2025

CONGRATULATIONS 2025 KANSAS BAR FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!

The Kansas Bar Foundation (KBF) Scholarship Committee reviewed 45 applications and selected 12 students to recommend to the KBF Board of Trustees. The board thanked the committee for its time and consideration of all applicants and approved its recommendations.

Frank M. Rice Scholarship — $6,000

Sam Crawford, University of Kansas School of Law

Sam Crawford

Sam Crawford is an Ellis native and a first-generation college and law student. Before attending KU Law, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, where she was also a proud tuba and piccolo player in the K-State marching band. At KU Law, Sam is an articles editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. Her article, "Tn the Interests of Justice': The Case for Requiring Kansas Prosecutors to Provide an Appealable, Written Explanation When Denying Defendants Pre-Trial Diversion," will be published in KJLPP Volume XXXIV this year. She also serves as an advocate on KU's Bankruptcy Moot Court Team, reaching the final four out of 50 plus teams in the New York Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition this March. Additionally, she serves as an advocate on KU's Mock Trial Council, placing fifth at Detroit's National Trial Advocacy Competition last October. Her legal work experience includes a judicial internship in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Wichita and criminal defense internships at Addair Law in Manhattan and Kansas Holistic Defenders in Lawrence. After graduation, Sam will return to Wichita as a two-year term law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. From there, she plans to pursue other clerkship opportunities and a career in criminal law within Kansas. She is passionate about advocating for Kansans across the state, both in the courtroom and through legal scholarship.

"It is a great honor to be selected by the Kansas Bar Foundation to receive the Frank M. Rice Scholarship this year. Thank you to the Kansas Bar Foundation for your generosity towards me and other Kansas law students. The Kansas legal community's generosity and mentorship means so much to me as the first in my family to pursue a legal career. I look forward to the day when I can give as much back to it as it has given me."

Judge Patrick D. McAnany Scholarship — $5,000

Catlynn Black, Washburn University School of Law

Catlynn Black

Catlynn Black grew up in Fredonia. She was involved with her community and school, and continues to be involved with the Fredonia Arts Council. She received her undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in sustainability at Pittsburg State University. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, homecoming committee chair, and worked for the University of Kansas Area Health Education Center. She also participated in intermural sports and was active with Lord's Diner. During her IL summer, she clerked for Depew, Gillen, Rathbun, and Mclnteer, LC in Wichita. She worked in a variety of areas, including oil and gas, estate planning, environmental, and business law. She thoroughly enjoyed the firm and the experience she gained. During her second year at Washburn Law, she has been active as an Academic Fellow, the president of Environmental Law Society, and the media manager for Washburn Law's Chess Club. Further, she is involved in Topeka's community through her job at Happy Basset Brewery and her internship with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. This summer, she is excited about interning with McAnany, Van Cleave &Phillips, P.A.

"The Judge Patrick D. McAnany Scholarship means a great deal to me at an extraneous time in my life. Taw school is rewarding but time consuming. The award of this scholarship means alleviating a large amount of stress during this time. My gratitude is immeasurable. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to dedicate myself further to my studies, my community, my work, my family, and my interests. Thank you for this opportunity and I hope to one day give this opportunity to a student like me."

MVP Law Scholarship — $5,000

Helene Slinker, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law

Helene Slinker

Helene Slinker grew up in Raytown, Missouri, and later attended the University of Missouri-Kans as City as a Trustees' Scholar. During her Junior year of her undergraduate program, she worked as a file clerk at MVP Law, where she gained valuable insight into the legal profession by learning from attorney mentors. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Helene served as an adviser for...