East Texas Communities Foundation is currently accepting applications from East Texas students for scholarships to be awarded for the 2026-27 academic year. The deadline for submission of the online application is March 1, 2026. Detailed eligibility criteria and links to the applications are available on the ETCF website at https://etcf.org/scholarships/available-scholarships/
Eight new scholarships are available this year including:
The Christy and Jeff Moore Scholarship was established in 2025 to benefit students that attend high school in Gregg, Harrison, Rusk, Smith or Upshur Counties and plan to pursue a degree in education or accounting. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to their community through extracurricular/volunteer activities and show a commitment to their Christian faith.
The Edwin and Aurora Buckner Vo/Tech Healthcare Scholarship was established in 2025. The Buckner’s met early one morning through divine intervention on the St. Charles street car in New Orleans. Once married they moved to Longview where Edwin joined a medical practice and Aurora served as a busy wife and mother. This scholarship supports graduating high school students from Gregg County that are wanting to pursue a Vocational/Technical degree in the healthcare industry.
The Every Last Inning (ELI) Scholarship was created by the E.L.I. Foundation which honors the spirit of Rawly Eliazer Sanchez (Eli) who lost his life on July 4, 2024. Eli was a gifted student and baseball player. He was a magnetic soul with a friendly smile, which allowed him to serve as a leader and mentor to those in his circle. He was known for his selflessness, his love for the game of baseball, and giving back to his community. This scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from any public high school in Smith County that plans to attend college in Tyler, TX.
The Gary D. Penkilo Memorial Scholarship was established by Henry & Peters CPA firm in Tyler where Gary was employed for more than 28 years. Gary was a partner at the firm where his co-workers describe him as everyone’s biggest fan and an encourager. Gary was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, an avid golfer and a family man. He served on many nonprofit boards and always left a lasting impression. This scholarship supports a graduating high school senior from one of ETCF’s 32 East Texas counties that plans to major in business with a preference given to accounting majors.
The Kristi Martin Realty Scholarship was established in 2025. This scholarship will support graduating high school seniors in Anderson, Cherokee, Rusk and Smith Counties that are planning to major in business, medical sciences, engineering or architecture. A preference will be given to students that participate in agriculture, athletics, dance and/or are on the fishing team who have demonstrated leadership skills and potential.
The Ted & Dru Glazener Winnsboro Vo/Tech Scholarship was established in 2025.This scholarship will benefit students graduating from Winnsboro High School that are wanting to pursue a Vocational/Technical degree or certification.
The Mexia Alumni Scholarship was established in 2025 by alumni of Mexia High School. This scholarship will benefit students graduating from Mexia High School in Limestone County Texas.
The Kyle Lake Foundation Scholarship was brought to ETCF in 2025. This scholarship was established in memory of Kyle Lake, the 1990 captain of the Robert E. Lee men’s soccer team and the 1995 athletic director of The Brook Hill School Sports Camp. Kyle passed away unexpectedly on October 30, 2005 during a worship service. During his life, he impacted thousands for Christ through his Christ-centered life, contagious personality, and effective communication style—and through this foundation in his honor, his influence continues today. This scholarship will benefit four students: a male and female student who have demonstrated their Christian faith while playing soccer at Tyler Legacy High School, and a male and female student who have demonstrated their Christian faith while participating in athletics at The Brook Hill School. For a complete list of scholarships, log on to our website at https://etcf.org/scholarships/available-scholarships/ or call ETCF Program Officers, Dana Durman or Kathryn Martinez at 903.533.0208
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