The KACo Presidential Scholarship is presented to a selected student or students from the home county of the current president of KACo, Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley.

This year's recipients are Claire Sawyers from Harlan County High School and Gracie Shelton from Harlan High School. Both students impressed the scholarship committee with their strong academics, extracurricular activities and community service.

Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must permanently reside and attend school in Harlan County. They must attend an in-state college or university or a two-year technical college in the fall following graduation.  

A scholarship committee composed of KACo board members chooses the recipient or recipients each year. The current president and any board member from the same county are not eligible to serve on the committee.

The 2026 Presidential Scholarship is set to be presented in Union County. 

Contact Susan Riddell at susan.riddell@kaco.org with any questions.

KACo Presidential Scholarship recipients
2025 - Claire Sawyers, Harlan County High School, and Gracie Shelton, Harlan High School
2024 - Bryan Munoz, Great Crossing High School, and Aubrey Roark, Scott County High School 
2023 - Peyton Eversoll, Warren East High School, and Kendle White, Bowling Green High School
2022 - Abigayle Godbey, Boyle County High School, and Anajah Perrin, Danville High School
2021 - Julia Kilgore, Berea Community High School, and Eddie Woolery, Model Laboratory School
2020 – Bryce Chenot, Boone County High School
2019 – Parker Parrent, Caldwell County High School
2018 – Nicholas Gudgel, Ballard High School
2017 – Cara Daniels, Henderson County High School
2016 – Nicolas Wimms, Franklin-Simpson High School
2015 – Olivia Matlin, Shelby County High School
2014 – Hannah Turner, Warren East High School
2013 – Ryan Hornback, LaRue County High School
2012 – Taylor Domidion, Garrard County High School
2011 – Sarah Elizabeth Mullins, Belfry High School
2010 – Michael Brown, George Rogers Clark High School
2009 – Jordan Thomas, Hopkinsville High School
2008 – Joey Bentley, Spencer County High School
2007 – Leigh Ann Sweasy, Shelby County High School
2006 – Hayley Barbato, Boyle County High School, and Julia Peterson, Danville High School
2005 – Whitney Englert and Rebecca Sweeney, Mason County High School
2004 – Alexandrea Higdon and Ashley Whitledge, Webster County High School
2003 – Tritney Beth Griffin, Henderson County High School
2002 – Lori Ann Nethery, Henry County High School
2001 – Andrea Heflin, McLean County High School