Grandview High School Student Wins Southeast Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award
04/29/2017

Abriana Record, a Grandview R-II High School student was named the recipient of the 15th annual Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award by Southeast Missouri State University. The award was presented April 28 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Hotel. Dr. Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and dean of students at Southeast, said the University is pleased to continue its partnership with KMOX Radio to offer this award. The award is the result of Southeast’s successful relationship with the radio station over the years in sponsoring the annual KMOX/Southeast Missouri State University Student of Achievement Awards Program in St. Louis. “Southeast Missouri State University is pleased to be a part of this celebration of academic achievement for over a decade and present this award to many outstanding students in the St. Louis area who have excelled in academics, community service and athletics,” Below said. “Today, we are proud to add Abriana Record to this list. She is an amazing young woman who emulates the humility and professionalism of Jack Buck, who was a model of excellence for all who knew him. We are sure Jack Buck would be happy to call Abriana and all of today’s finalists ‘winners.’” Abriana Record Record is the daughter of Jennifer and Daniel Record of Hillsboro, Missouri. Record is a standout student at Grandview High School, where she is very active. Not only does she maintain a stellar grade point average, but she is also very involved in various clubs and organizations. While at Hillsboro, she has focused much of her time on choir where she has been named to the All District Choir for the last three years. She is an active member of Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Among all of these, she still finds time to be active in her church’s youth group as well as volunteering with vacation bible school every year. Record plans to pursue a degree in communication disorders and go on to become a speech pathologist. “Abriana truly exemplifies the leadership and service qualities we hope all students will strive to achieve,” said Lenell Hahn, director of Admissions at Southeast. “We are excited to have her joining Southeast this fall.” In 2003, Southeast teamed up with KMOX Radio in the establishment of the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award. The award, which was the first scholarship to be established in memory of Buck, recognizes a student in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area who has demonstrated outstanding character, academic achievement and the potential to be a leader in the community. The award covers tuition and general fees for the equivalent of up to 30 credit hours per academic year at Southeast and residence hall fees for fall and spring semesters in a standard, double-occupancy room. The award, which is effective with the fall 2017 semester, also provides a 15-meal per week board plan. Students from the St. Louis Metro Area, including St. Louis County and City, St. Charles County, Franklin County, Jefferson County and the Metro East area in Illinois were eligible to apply for the award. High school counselors from the metropolitan area were asked to nominate one deserving applicant from their high school. For nearly 50 years, Buck was the voice of the St. Louis Cardinals to generations of sports fans. He passed away in 2002. He was widely admired by his colleagues in the world of broadcasting and by the players whose feats he announced for fans around the world. Buck worked tirelessly in support of charitable organizations and was committed to his family and his community. Five other finalists for the award also were recognized today. Each finalist receives a Jack Buck Regents’ Scholarship, which covers tuition up to 30 hours per academic year for up to four consecutive years, and a one-time $500 Jack Buck Leadership Award to be applied to housing expenses. Finalists are: Nathan Higgins Higgins is the son of Scott and Kris Higgins of Fenton, Missouri. While Higgins excels in the classroom at Rockwood Summit Senior High School and participates in the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and theater. Higgins has also played a crucial role in the startup of his own radio station which has won a national award. He also has started his own band, which plays at various events throughout St. Louis. In addition, he has been involved in athletics during his time at Rockwood Summit, and has played soccer and ran cross county. He still finds time to work at the Soccer Park, where he previously was named employee of the month. Higgins plans to pursue a degree in either nursing or psychology. Mary Hinnah Hinnah is the daughter of Robin and Larry Hinnah of Augusta, Missouri. Leadership comes naturally to Hinnah, and it is evident in her service to her community, specifically through her work serving as student representative on the Washington School District Board of Education. She was elected by her student peers, participates with the board during their monthly meetings and gives input on important school decisions. She is also involved with many clubs, including concert band, theater guild, school orchestra and National Honor Society. Hinnah plans to pursue a degree in secondary education with an emphasis in science. Christina Leslie  Leslie is the daughter of Ken and Marcy Leslie of Wildwood, Missouri. She shines not only as a student at Lafayette High School but also as a leader among her peers. While at Lafayette, she has been consistently engaged in many academic clubs, all while maintaining a high grade point average. Some of her most notable and largest time commitments have been her work with the Women in STEM, where she is the vice president, and Mock Trail. She has also been a volunteer with the Bike Rehab project, where she worked on bikes to give to children and adults who need transportation to work. She is also a member of National Honor Society, a state Advanced Placement Scholar, student council and a class advisor. Leslie plans to pursue a degree in economics. Sara Meadows Meadows is the daughter of Gary and Mary Meadows of Chesterfield, Missouri. Throughout her time at Villa Duchesne High School, she has excelled in the classroom, earning a 4.13 cumulative grade point average. She also has made a great impact on her school and community. She is a member of countless clubs and organizations, including National Honor Society, Academic Competition Team and yearbook. She is also very involved with the performing arts, including vocal and piano performance at Villa. She has actively volunteered throughout her community at multiple events, including mentoring disabled children. Meadows has also received the Advanced Placement Computer Science Award from Villa. She plans to pursue a degree in cybersecurity. Anthony Shepard  Shepard is the son of Mark and Tracy Shepard of Florissant, Missouri. While Shepard stands out in the classroom at Marquette Catholic High School, he is exceptional in his work with the musical theater program. He has been involved in several productions throughout his time at Marquette Catholic, some of which have even taken him to London. He also has been actively involved in his community, volunteers regularly at his church and is the vice president of the AME Young People’s Division. He has also been involved in several clubs, including Drama and Music Club, Spanish, Book and Cultural Awareness Club and National Honor Society. Shepard plans to pursue a degree in musical theater.   Photo Caption: At right is Abriana Record, recipient of the 2017 Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award. Presenting her the award, at left, is Dr. Deborah Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success and dean of students at Southeast.