Greater Abilene Kiwanis award Ratliff scholarships
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene recently awarded the David Ratliff Scholarships to six students. Pictured from left are Sutton McClain, Clyde High School; Emma Damron, Eula High School; Brieyonna Reed, Abilene High School; Xavier De La Cruz, Abilene High School; Brooks Reese, Abilene High School; and Aamanni Strahan, Abilene High School. (Photo by Lyndel Cook/Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene)
By Gail Jay
The Kiwanis Club of Abilene recently awarded the organization’s 2026 David Ratliff Scholarships.
Ratliff was a Cooper High School graduate in 1967. He was married and had a son, David, Jr., and daughter, Tamie.
Ratliff was an Abilene businessman who supported the Kiwanis Club, Ben Richey Boys Ranch, and other agencies serving youth. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene and served as treasurer for over 10 years.
During his membership as a Kiwanian, Ratliff was awarded the Joe Marshall Kiwanian of the Year Award in 1985-86; Lowell Perry Award in 1993-94; and posthumously awarded the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award in 2017-18.
Ratliff was passionate about helping young people grow into responsible adults and supportive of athletics. He was best known for his positive attitude, politeness and deep compassion for others.
Ratliff lost his battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 1996, at the age of 47. In memory of his interest in the youth of Abilene, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene established the David Ratliff Memorial Scholarship Fund for local high school students in 1999.
The initial investment was $50,000. The first scholarship was awarded in 2000 in the amount of $500 each, and in the past 27 years it has increased to $2,500 each for up to six students.
Through 2026, the club has awarded 89 scholarships to deserving students, making a total of $130,000 in scholarships.
The David Ratliff Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to grant scholarships to seniors who have good academic standing, maintain a GPA of 3.5 or more, are active in high school sports and intend to compete in college level athletics and are not receiving college awarded athletic scholarships.
The scholarships may be applied to tuition, fees, and/or on-campus housing and may be used anytime during their freshman academic year.
The 2026 David Ratliff Scholarship recipients are Sutton McClain, Clyde High School; Emma Damron, Eula High School; Brieyonna Reed, Abilene High School; Xavier De La Cruz, Abilene High School; Brooks Reese, Abilene High School; and Aamanni Strahan, Abilene High School.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene also recently chose Macie Parks of Clyde High School as the club’s Sophomore of the Year. he will receive a $500 scholarship when she graduates.
Kiwanian Ikie Taylor introduced Macie Parks from Clyde High School as the Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene Sophomore of the Year. She will receive a $500 scholarship when she graduates. The SOTY award is named after Walter Hurst, a long time member of the Texas/Oklahoma Foundation. The award is based on leadership qualities. Macie is involved in basketball, track, Key Club and the youth group at Oldham Lane Church of Christ. She mentioned in her application that volunteering as a young individual is crucial not only to society but also to the development of each individual student. (Photo by Lyndel Cook/Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene)
