In a celebration of achievement, Kentucky's Circuit Clerks honored 20 students with the Donate Life Scholarships for 2025
In a heartwarming celebration of life and community, the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks has announced the winners of its statewide Donate Life Kentucky scholarship program. A total of twenty students, including two from Northern Kentucky, were awarded $1,000 scholarships this year, amounting to $20,000 in support for their outreach efforts.
Established in 1992 by Kentucky's Circuit Court Clerks, the Donate Life Kentucky Trust leads statewide education, outreach, and registration efforts. The Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to saving and healing lives by growing the Donor Registry and supporting donor families and transplant patients.
The winners' projects span from school-wide awareness campaigns to social media advocacy, public speeches, and advocating in Frankfort. John Middleton, Circuit Clerk of Kenton County, expressed his admiration, stating, "These students are tomorrow's advocates, and it's inspiring to see so many young Kentuckians use their voices for good."
The Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks, a founding organization of Donate Life Kentucky Trust, has been at the heart of donation education since 1992. In 1992, the Association launched a $1 donation program at the driver's license counter, which played a significant role in the growth of Kentucky's organ donor registry.
Over 90% of Kentucky's 2 million+ registered organ donors signed up through the Circuit Clerk's office. Even after driver's license services transitioned to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Circuit Clerks remain passionate champions of the Donate Life mission.
The Trust is funded by contributions through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and generous partners. It works alongside Network for Hope, Donate Life America, and Kosair for Kids to raise awareness, increase registrations, and support families throughout the donation and transplant journey.
The Association has raised more than $20 million for education and awareness. The Donate Life Kentucky Trust's efforts have created a ripple effect of hope throughout Kentucky's communities, one conversation, one story, and one registration at a time.
The 2025 Donate Life Kentucky Scholarship Winners are:
- Miranda Brock from Harlan
- Preslee Cundiff from Lee
- Kaden Elam from Knox
- Shannon Grabowski from Jefferson
- Emily Greenwell from Mason
- Sasha Holbrook from Kenton
- Byron Kirkland-Lundy from Adair
- Jacob Leach from Scott
- Kadence Livers from Nelson
- Ava Macy from Breckinridge
- Rex McKiddy from Whitley
- Marley Spencer from Anderson
- Sarah Cate Thompson from Jefferson
- Jonathan R. Voorhees from Boone
- Maggie Woods from Fayette
- Zayna Yazigi from McCracken
- Gracie Zutterman from Nelson
These winners represent a wide range of communities across Kentucky, and all of them have a personal connection to this lifesaving mission. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to the lifesaving mission of donation and transplantation make them shining examples of what it means to be a leader in their communities.
In the words of John Middleton, "These students are saving lives, one conversation, one story, one registration at a time." Their efforts are creating a ripple effect of hope throughout Kentucky's communities, inspiring others to join the lifesaving mission of organ donation.
