2026 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to the Chris Brown and Don Banker 2026 Scholarship Recipients! They will be honored this, Sunday May 10.

Daphne Lunsford, a graduating homeschool senior, will enter Texas State University this fall majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences. Daphne is especially thankful for how her church experiences, especially mission trips, have helped her determine her career goals and given her a clear purpose on serving and helping others. Daphne has been active in MUMC activities including food pantry, Christmas tree lot, and the Belize Mission Trip. Her busy schedule includes volleyball, choir member solo and ensemble contests and performances, and four years of lifeguarding, with three years as, head life guard. Additionally, she serves as a Student Choir Intern and assists with younger choir groups, helping lead activities and supporting musical instruction.

Abigail Piggott plans to begin classes this fall at Colorado School of Mines, majoring in Chemical Engineering after her graduation from Moe and Gene Johnson High School. Volunteering at MUMC has been part of Abigial’s life since a young age. She has served on Youth Council and been part of youth group since 2022, participating in retreats and mission trips, VBS, Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Tree Lot, Easter Eggstravaganza, Food Pantry, plus served as an usher and Church Council Member. In school, Abigail has earned membership in National Honor Society, participated in numerous theater productions and musicals, and served as a Senior Director and officer. She has been honored as an AP Scholar and received College Board Recognition. Her career goal as an engineer is to better the lives of others like the people she served in Belize.

Emily Sturzl graduates from James Bowie High School and will enter Texas Tech University in the fall majoring in Animal Science Pre-Veterinarian with a career goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian, specializing equines and genetics. Service has always been at the heart of who Emily is and making positive impacts in the lives of others. Her faith has always been a guiding factor in her life that has shaped her actions, goals, and sense of purpose. At MUMC Emily has participated in Ring N’ Sing, Children’s Choir, VBS youth group leader, served as an acolyte, and food pantry volunteer. In school, Emily has earned membership in National Honor Society, been a member and officer in Bowie’s FFA for four years, raising 14 different animals, and winning a variety of ribbons and championships. In addition, she has ridden horses since 2012, and recently was recruited and signed for Texas Tech’s D-1 Equestrian Team.

Lucy Lunsford, a student at Texas A&M University, will begin her senior year this fall continuing her major in Finance. She is inspired by her classes as they narrow in on real-world finance principles and practices. Lucy regularly attends A&M United Methodist Church and volunteers in the Manchaca UMC Food Pantry when home. She also volunteers with the Caldwell and Bryan Boys and Girls Club. She has earned her Aggie Ring and is honored to have been elected to her third leadership position in her sorority. In June, 2025, she won an international award for excellence in the area of finance and housing. Recently, Lucy applied, interviewed, and was selected for a Business Performance Improvement Internship for this summer which will provide her professional experiences in consulting and business. Her long-term goal is to work in finance in a nation-wide company.

Rachel Oates is completing her first year in college at Texas A&M University, majoring in Sociology, a more ”people-centered” calling. She shares that she has always been interested in people and wanted to help them in whatever way that she can. Rachel found her passion for service through her earlier numerous activities at Manchaca UMC. Currently, Rachel attends A&M United Methodist Church and participates in their weekly Monday Night Bible Study, as well as a weekly Freshman Bible Study and Thursday Night Worship. At the Baptist Student Ministry, she attends a weekly Thursday Bible Study. For her mission work, she serves on the Texas A&M Food Pantry Committee and is training for Freshman Bible Study Leadership for next semester. She also meets and facilitates group discussion for Study Group five times a week.

Ava Singhurst who is majoring in Business Management and minoring in Marketing, is a student at Shreiner University. Ava’s career goal is to become a project manager where she can lead with integrity, uplift others, and create meaningful results in projects. She has continued her faith journey with her weekly Bible study, weekly youth group activities, and regular attendance at church. These activities have taught her the importance of discipline, compassion, and service to others with purpose. In addition to her studies, Ava plays on Schreiner’s Women Soccer Team as a D-3 athlete, volunteers as a mentor during Orientation and Welcome Week to help students set up schedules and get to know the university campus, and is a member of the Special Olympics Club, who hosts events for people with special needs. Additionally, she finds time in her busy schedule to work at Lifetime Kids Camp.