Scholarships

Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship

The Matthew James Brown Scholarship is in memoriam to Matthew Brown, a 2019 graduate of Melissa High School. While in high school Matthew was a band member, a four-year letterman in golf and an Eagle Scout. Matthew also attended Texas Tech University and was an active member of the Saddle Tramps.

The Melissa Education Foundation wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the Brown Family and Chris Tyner for entrusting us with the honor of establishing the Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship. Contributions can be made directly to the Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship fund using the link below or by mail to Melissa Education Foundation. Checks should be made payable to Melissa Education Foundation. For contributions by check, please indicate Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship in the memo line.

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Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship

We are honored to announce the establishment of a new endowed scholarship in memory of Ms. Libby Schnell, a former teacher at McKillop Elementary School. Ms. Schnell was a passionate educator who deeply valued learning and the impact it could have on young lives. She excelled academically, graduating as the salutatorian of Tualatin High School in Oregon, and went on to earn her degree in education from Brigham Young University. During her nearly 15 years at McKillop Elementary, Ms. Schnell became known as a loving and dedicated teacher. Her commitment to her students and her craft earned her recognition as both campus Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year.

The Melissa Education Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to the Schnell Family, for entrusting us with the honor of establishing the Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship. Contributions may be made directly to the Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship fund using the link below or by mail to Melissa Education Foundation. Please make checks payable to Melissa Education Foundation and include “Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship” in the memo line.

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Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship

The Burt Montgomery Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a student interested in the following courses of study:

General Education, Agriculture Education, Agriculture Business, Agriculture Communications, Wildlife Management, Ranch Management, Animal Science/ Veterinarian, Law Enforcement - specifically Game Warden or Park Ranger, Environmental Science or Culinary Studies

Burt Montgomery was raised north of Lubbock Tx, on his family’s farm and dairy. It was here that he developed a strong work ethic.
He received a Bachelor’s degree from Tarleton State University and a Master’s from Texas Tech in Agriculture Education. He loved everything related to agriculture and education was a priority.
Burt began his long educator career as a Vocational Agriculture teacher and eventually spent 27 years as a school administrator.
His daughter, Julie Armstrong, is the current Assistant Principal at Willow Wood Elementary School.

Love like libby Memorial Scholarship

The Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship is established in memory of Ms. Libby Schnell, a dedicated educator at McKillop Elementary School. Ms. Schnell devoted nearly 15 years to teaching, where she was known for her compassion, commitment to her students, and excellence in the classroom. She was honored as both campus Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year, leaving a lasting impact on her school and community.

However, Ms. Schnell’s life was not without significant challenges. Yet, despite the difficult hardships she faced, Ms. Schnell could often be found doing small acts of kindness for those around her, especially the less fortunate. One of her favorite sayings was “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” She loved children everywhere and taught that young children, though they were small, could make a big difference for good in their families and communities. With her son and daughter she read Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol every holiday season and sought to live by her favorite quote found therein: “Mankind was my business.”

Recipients of the Love Like Libby Scholarship will have exhibited similar efforts and qualities in their own lives such as:

Dedication to excelling academically;
Dedication to blessing others in their families and community;
Demonstrated efforts toward the welfare of children;
An intention to pursue an education degree; and/or
Perseverance through difficult personal hardships.

MEF CLASS OF 2026 SCHOLARSHIP night

Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship

Love Like Libby Memorial Scholarship

Matthew Brown Memorial Scholarship

Love like libby Memorial Scholarship

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