2025 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the Chris Brown and Don Banker 2025 Scholarship Recipients! They will be honored this, Sunday May 11.

Caleb Ballinger, a graduating senior at Moe and Gene Johnson High School, plans to attend Austin Community College, this fall to major in Cybersecurity. In high school, Caleb has been a four-year honor roll student who has been active in the Buda/Kyle Young Life, participating in camps and mission trips and sharing his faith message with middle school groups. He has also played tennis for four years, as well as track for four years, participated in Future Farmers of America as an Ambassador, County Livestock Show, and FFA Project Champion. Caleb is a volunteer at the Marbridge Equine Center and is grateful for his experiences helping others there.

Frances Geerts is a senior in the 2025 Graduating Class at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders After graduating with honors, she plans to pursue a degree in Advertising at the University of Texas at Austin. Frances has been a journalist on her school newspaper staff for four years and serves this year as editor-in-chief. She has played four years of varsity volleyball and three years of club volleyball. A MUMC 2019 Confirmation Class member, Frances has also volunteered at the Christmas Tree Lot, Pumpkin Patch, mission work with United Methodist Army, and youth group. She also makes time to work part-time 20 hours per week.

Benjamin Marrs will graduate from James Bowie High School this spring and will enroll in classes at Universal Technical Institute this fall to pursue certification in HVAC. Ben is a captain of the Bowie Varsity Lacrosse Team and has been for three of his four years of participation. He also coaches a Youth Lacrosse Team. At Manchaca UMC, Ben has volunteered with the food pantry, youth group, five week-long mission trips, several weekend mission trips, the Pumpkin Patch, and the Christmas Tree Lot. Ben is most grateful for what he has learned from his youth group and volunteer experiences.

Rachel Oates graduates from Moe and Gene Johnson High School and will enroll in Texas A&M University this fall majoring in Biology and Genetics. In high school, Rachel achieved All-A Honor Roll, loved her work in the Johnson High Theater as Assistant Stage Manager, Set Manager, Script Manager, and Props Coordinator, as well as volunteered over 80 community service hours. Her church activities include member of the 2019 MUMC Confirmation Class, United Methodist Army Mission Trips to San Antonio and San Angelo, MUMC Mission Trips, and MUMC Food Pantry volunteer and co-coordinator.

Ferris Jones will begin his senior year at Texas A&M University this fall and continues to pursue a career with the USDA as an Inspector. Ferris’ passion to protect people and their food supplies has led him to his major in Animal Science Production/Industry Option. He wants to ensure that our agricultural industry produces safe and quality food, and he wants to do his part to make sure that people are eating safe foods. Ferris participates in Wesley Foundation, is also an active member in the Annual Student Bonfire at A&M, and has worked as an assistant for a veterinarian.