Betty Joe Conner Memorial Scholarship

Funded by

James Conner

Eligibility Requirements

Education Level:

High school senior

State:

Arkansas

School Name:

Parkview Magnet High School

Education Level:

State:

School Name:

High school senior

Arkansas

Parkview Magnet High School

Betty Joe Conner was a beloved woman who was passionate about helping children, but especially young girls. She was a mentor to many young girls over the years. Affectionately known as Ms. Betty, she was recognized by Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. of the City of Little Rock, AR, with a resolution from the city for her services to the community.

Ms. Betty was a pillar of the John Barrow community for decades, giving back through efforts like the Back to School Bash. With the help of her team, including her son David Conner, she gave free haircuts, styling, backpacks, food, and other aid to hundreds of kids for ten years. She worked as a cosmetologist for more than forty years.

This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Betty Joe Conner by supporting students who are pursuing higher education.

Any high school senior at Parkview Magnet High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, may apply for this scholarship opportunity. However, African American female applicants, those with non-profit or volunteering experience, and applicants who are attending a two or four-year undergraduate school or cosmetology school are preferred.

To apply, write a short essay in response to one of the sets of prompts below.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Drive, Impact

Scholarships for High School Seniors Scholarships for Women Scholarships for Black Students Cosmetology Scholarships Scholarships for Women in STEM Community Service Scholarships High School Scholarships Arkansas Scholarships Need-Based Scholarships Essay Scholarships Free Scholarships Low-Income Scholarships

Published February 23, 2026

Essay Topic

Respond to one of the following sets of prompts.

1. What have you learned from the books you’ve read, and how has this shaped your goals? Please also tell us a bit about yourself and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world through community services.

2. Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you plan to make a positive impact through your career. What are you passionate about? How are you working to address an important social issue?

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

June 2026

Winners

Reagan Jordan

Alcorn State University

Little Rock, AR

Finalists

Madison Morris

Parkview Magnet High School

Little Rock, AR

Winning Application

Reagan Jordan

Alcorn State UniversityLittle Rock, AR

Growing up, I have always believed that success means more than just personal achievement. To me, success is about using your talents, education, and experiences to create opportunities for others and make a lasting impact in your community. Throughout high school, I have worked hard to become someone who leads with integrity, creativity, service, and consistency, and those values continue to shape both my future goals and the way I interact with others every day. One of my biggest passions is creativity and design. I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration while continuing to strengthen my knowledge on interior design. My long-term goal is to eventually open my own interior design and decorating business. I enjoy the idea of transforming spaces into environments that make people feel comfortable, confident, and inspired. I believe creativity has the power to improve people’s lives in ways that people usually ignore. A well-designed space can positively affect someone’s mood, productivity, and self-esteem, and I want my future career to combine both business and creativity in a meaningful way like that. At the same time, I also want my future career to address an important social issue: the lack of accessible and affordable resources for underserved communities. Many families are unable to afford services or environments that support comfort, organization, and positive living conditions. As I continue my education and eventually grow my business, I hope to provide affordable services to families and individuals who may not normally have access to professional design assistance. I want to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional and welcoming for people from all backgrounds. I believe everyone deserves to feel proud of the environment they live in, regardless of their financial situation. Another passion of mine is helping others, and I’ve continuously shown that passion through school and community activities I participated in. Through National Honor Society, volunteering with the Arkansas Foodbank, participating in my church’s youth ministry, and helping at different schools, I have learned how important service and compassion truly are. These experiences taught me that positive change begins when people are willing to consistently show up for others and contribute their time and effort. They have also strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, which I know will help me succeed in both college and my future career. In addition to community involvement, I have challenged myself academically by taking advanced and AP courses throughout high school and graduating with honors. I also used to be a part of the archery and volleyball team, and I continued my choir endeavors until I graduated. These experiences have taught me discipline, responsibility, ambition, and perseverance, because it was not easy pursuing further education while participating in things that are more than just an “elective” or “class.” Overall, I want my future career to be about more than financial success. I want it to reflect the values that matter most to me: integrity, service, creativity, and leadership. By pursuing higher education, building a successful business, and continuing to give back to my community, I hope to inspire others while creating opportunities that positively impact the lives of those around me.