Eureka High Seniors Earn Prestigious Scholarships

Eureka High seniors Linzi McPartlin and Chloe Strecker recently earned prestigious, highly selective scholarships to postsecondary institutions.

McPartlin earned one of five President's Scholarships awarded this year by Southeast Missouri State University, and Strecker was one of three recipients of this year's Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships at Wichita State University.

Representatives from Southeast Missouri State surprised McPartlin with the good news at school Wednesday, Feb. 7. The President's Scholarship is Southeast Missouri State's most prestigious scholarship and is awarded annually to students who represent the top of all applicants to the institution. It is worth a possible total of $43,000 over four undergraduate years.

Wichita State announced Strecker as a Gore Memorial Scholarship recipient on Thursday, Feb. 1. She competed along more than 500 other students in the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational in November, completing an application that included essays and taking part in an on-campus leadership competition. Strecker was one of 13 finalists who came back to the Wichita State campus Jan. 18 for final interviews and, as a recipient, she receives a $64,000 scholarship.

Strecker plans to major in forensic science, has been in HOSA-Future Health Professionals for four years and is the current Eureka chapter president. She is a member of National Honor Society, participated in Missouri Girls State this past summer and was appointed to the state patrol lieutenant position and model city winner. Strecker is a four-year member of the school field hockey team -- she is varsity captain this year -- and spends time outside of school helping with the Sacred Heart Fish Fry, Women’s Club Rummage Sale and community blood drives. 

“The most notable thing about Chloe is her passion and her immense effort level,” Melissa Menchella, Eureka High teacher and field hockey coach, said in a press release. “Chloe walked into every match up with the mindset to give it everything she had. Chloe is a true leader who isn’t afraid to speak up and speak the truth. She holds those around her accountable to high standards and when the team was giving anything less than their best, Chloe wasn’t afraid to address it. She is inclusive of everyone around her and shows so much excitement for her peers and her team. She wears her heart on her sleeve and brings so much joy, passion and enthusiasm to the group.”