Wichita State University has selected the 2026 recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships. Each student will receive a $64,000 scholarship to attend Wichita State University starting in fall 2026.   

• Mackenzie Bucl, McKinney Boyd High School (Texas)
• Kayden Lankford, Valley Center High School (Kansas)
• Samantha McClintock, Central Christian Academy (Wichita)

A total of 528 students competed in the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI) in November. To be invited to compete, students had to have a 27 or higher ACT score, or a 3.5 or higher GPA, or rank in the top 10% of their class. Once invited, students completed an application, essays and competed in an on-campus leadership competition. On Jan. 22, 11 finalists came back to campus for final interviews.  

As with all the Gore Scholars since 1954, the three recipients this year are involved in their schools and communities and plan to do the same at Wichita State University. 

McKinney Boyd High School 
McKinney, Texas 

Bucl is planning to study communication sciences and disorders and American Sign Language. She is the current American Sign Language Club president at McKinney Boyd High School and took part in events like signing the national anthem for the Special Olympics and was the McKinney Boyd liaison for local Deaf Coffee Chat groups. She also serves as the 2025-26 executive board officer for the Broadway Broncos Theatre Troupe and spent more than 53 volunteer hours supporting local food banks in the past year. Bucl is a competitive figure skater with the Dallas Figure Skating Club and is working to qualify for the Showcase Nationals later this year. 

Chancy Smith, AP language and composition teacher at McKinney Boyd High School, wrote: “What strikes me most about Mackenzie is the grace she extends to others. She leads with empathy and intention, creating an environment where classmates feel heard and valued. Whether supporting peers in small group work or offering encouragement during difficult moments, she brings out the best in others without needing to be the center of attention. Her leadership is rooted in service, not status.” 

Smith wrote that Bucl’s compassion and quiet leadership set her apart as a student and a person. "When my students leave my classroom, my greatest hope is that they will go on to make a positive impact on those around them and on the communities they become part of. With Mackenzie, I have no doubt this will be the case. Mackenzie exhibits everything I hope our future leaders will be. I am honored to have had her in my classroom, and I am confident she will continue to make a difference at Wichita State and far beyond."

Valley Center High School 
Wichita, Kansas 

Lankford will major in psychology at Wichita State and has plans to go into marriage and family counseling. At Valley Center High School, he serves as the Student Council senior class vice president, is a student leader and speaker in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a link leader in Link Crew. He is an Eagle Scout, homecoming king nominee and Chick-Fil-A team member. Lankford organized Baskets for Captives, an event that raised more than $2,500 for Project Rescue, which is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and restoring survivors of sexual exploitation, slavery and human trafficking. 

Lankford’s scoutmaster, Adam Dunn, wrote that while the journey to become an Eagle Scout is often demanding: “Kayden embraced every part of that challenge. His dedication never wavered. What impressed me even more was his willingness to lift others up along the way. During his six months as senior patrol leader, he guided our troop with confidence and integrity, serving not just as a leader, but as a mentor to younger scouts pursuing their own goals.” 

Amanda Leighton, Lankford’s language arts teacher at Valley Center High School, wrote: "Kayden’s commitment to service, devotion to his values, and genuine respect for his community will allow him to contribute meaningfully to campus life academically, socially, and ethically. He understands that leadership is not about recognition, but about consistency, humility and modeling uncompromising character. Simply stated, Kayden Lankford is a difference-maker."

Central Christian Academy 
Kechi, Kansas 

McClintock will major in secondary education with an emphasis on English and language arts.  She also plans to minor in Spanish and earn her certification to become an ESOL teacher. McClintock has been heavily involved in activities at her high school, including athletics, art and drama, National Honors Society, and as an ambassador for Heart of America. Outside of school, she has volunteered for Wichita Public Schools, World Vision and at her church. She has also traveled extensively on mission trips to Albania, Kenya and Spain.  

Robyn Jackson, college and career counselor at Central Christian Academy, wrote: “Sam has made such a meaningful impact on our school community. She is a natural leader who leads by example, and her peers often look to her for direction because they respect and trust her judgment. She is mature, responsible, reliable and communicates with thoughtfulness and clarity that reflects wisdom beyond her years.” 

Jackson has no doubt that McClintock will succeed at Wichita State: “Sam is warm, grounded, highly relational and connects easily with others in a way that naturally brings people together. She is motivated by a genuine desire to make a positive impact and to be a strong example to others. Her sense of responsibility and commitment to serving others will allow her to contribute meaningfully to the WSU community and lead with integrity throughout her college experience.” 

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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