*This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan*

102.7FM KPGZ presented its annual Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship on Thursday, May 1, during Kearney High School’s scholarship awards ceremony. This year’s recipient is senior Cooper Morgan, who was awarded the $500 scholarship in honor of KPGZ’s late Weather Director Pete Chaston.

KPGZ General Manager Brian Watts presented the scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior pursuing a future in meteorology or broadcast journalism. To be considered, applicants must submit an audio or video recording demonstrating their broadcast work.

“The Board of Directors have chosen Cooper Morgan as the recipient of the Pete Chaston Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations and best wishes for your future success,” said Watts during the presentation.

Morgan shared his future plans with KPGZ News, stating, “I plan to start at Maple Woods Community College and finish at a 4-year university, majoring in Journalism.”

The scholarship honors Pete Chaston, who served as KPGZ’s longtime Weather Director and hosted the station’s Sunday afternoon doo-wop show. Chaston passed away on June 15, 2022, at Liberty Hospital at the age of 78. In response to community members asking how they could contribute to a memorial, the station created the scholarship fund to support aspiring broadcasters in Chaston’s memory.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

The deadline is quickly approaching for Missouri agriculture students interested in applying for a 2025 Missouri Corn Scholarship. High school and college students pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field must submit the necessary forms no later than Feb. 14 to be eligible for one of seven $1,000 scholarships awarded by the Missouri Corn Growers Association, the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, and the Missouri Corn Foundation.

Missouri Corn Scholarship applications are available at www.mocorn.org. Documents, including an application form, official high school or college transcript, and at least one letter of recommendation, must be submitted online by Feb. 14 to be eligible.

High school senior applicants must be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area. They must plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university and major in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the freshman year of college expenses for high school winners.

College applicants must also be Missouri residents from a farm or rural area and currently a junior enrolled in a four-year college or university majoring in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the senior year of expenses for college winners. Upon selection, all recipients must assist in staffing a Missouri Corn event to complete the scholarship requirements.

Applications will be reviewed by the Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee and recipients will be notified by mail before April 15, 2025. To learn more about Missouri Corn programs, please visit www.mocorn.org.

KPGZ News – Missouri Corn Growers Association contributed to this story.