Katherine Vogan Springer Memorial Scholarship

Funded by

Sean Springer

Eligibility Requirements

Religion:

Christian

Education Level:

High school senior

Background:

Experience with speech or debate and forensics

Religion:

Education Level:

Background:

Christian

High school senior

Experience with speech or debate and forensics

Katherine Vogan Springer was a beloved wife and mother who passed away in 2023, leaving her family and community behind too soon. She was a woman of faith and lived an exemplary life to honor Christ. She homeschooled all of her children, volunteered in the youth and women’s ministries at church, and cared for her parents in their last years. She lived out Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Kathy gave tirelessly to her local forensics club and its parent organization, helping young students build their skills, learn about the world, foster their research abilities, and ultimately become better ambassadors for Christianity. This scholarship seeks to support students who participate in Christian forensics organizations in honor of Kathy Springer’s legacy.

Any Christian high school senior who plans to go to a two or four-year university may apply for this scholarship if they have speech or debate experience as well as experience with a Christian forensics organization.

To apply, tell us how your work with speech and debate has prepared you to share your Christian faith.

Selection Criteria:

Ambition, Drive, Faith

Scholarships for High School Seniors Community Service Scholarships High School Scholarships Essay Scholarships Christian Scholarships Religious Scholarships Memorial Scholarships Scholarships for Homeschoolers Speech Pathology Scholarships

Published September 10, 2025

Essay Topic

Tell us how your work in speech and debate prepared you for sharing your Christian faith.

400–600 words

Apply Now

Winners and Finalists

June 2025

Winners

Kaylen Stafford

Christian Brothers University

Cordova, TN

Finalists

Jamiya Johnson

Houston Baptist University

Smiths Station High School

Smiths Station, AL

carlo valencia

Cross Creek Early College

Hope Mills, NC

Adaxelis Collazo

Piaget Bilingual Academy

Jamaica, NY

Kaylynn McCaffrey

Community College of Baltimore County

The University of Tampa

Burlington, NJ

alessandra centeno

Churchill Fulshear High School

Fulshear, TX

morgan rabel

Thorndale High School

Thorndale, TX

Andre Beckwith

Old Dominion University

Piscataway Township High School

Piscataway, NJ

Winning Application

Kaylen Stafford

Christian Brothers UniversityCordova, TN

Engaging in speech and debate played a significant role in preparing me to share my Christian faith with confidence, clarity, and compassion. Through this experience, I developed skills that have been invaluable in articulating my beliefs, engaging in meaningful conversations, and defending my faith with both logic and grace. One of the most important skills I gained was the ability to think critically and construct well-reasoned arguments. Debate taught me how to analyze different perspectives, anticipate counterarguments, and present my points logically and persuasively. This has been crucial when discussing my faith, as it has helped me answer tough questions and explain biblical truths in a way that makes sense to others. Whether engaging with skeptics or encouraging fellow believers, the ability to communicate ideas has strengthened my witness. Speech and debate also taught me the value of active listening. In competitive debate, understanding an opponent’s argument is just as important as presenting my own. This skill has helped me approach faith-based conversations with empathy, ensuring that I genuinely hear and understand where others are coming from before responding. By listening first, I can address concerns thoughtfully rather than reacting defensively, which fosters deeper and more meaningful discussions about faith. Additionally, debate instilled in me the importance of staying composed under pressure. Whether answering cross-examination questions or delivering impromptu speeches, I learned how to remain calm and articulate my thoughts even in challenging situations. This has helped me share my faith confidently in moments where I might otherwise feel intimidated, such as discussing Christianity in secular settings or responding to difficult theological questions. Perhaps most importantly, my experience in speech and debate reinforced the power of words. I saw firsthand how words can inspire, challenge, and encourage people. As a Christian, I recognize that my words can be used to reflect God’s love and truth. Debate taught me to be intentional with my speech, ensuring that my words build up rather than tear down and that I communicate the gospel message in a way that is both truthful and compassionate. Ultimately, speech and debate prepared me to share my faith not just with logic, but with love. It reminded me that the goal of discussing faith isn’t just to win arguments, but to point people to Christ with humility and grace. Whether through structured debates or everyday conversations, I now feel equipped to share the hope within me with clarity, confidence, and a heart that seeks to understand others.