AhearnFund.com

The Finney County Catbackers and the Garden City K-State Alumni Club have teamed up to establish a Shalee Lehning Women’s Basketball Scholarship to support Women’s basketball through an annual endowed scholarship.

“For all that Shalee has given us, as fans, and to K-State through her basketball career and the way you have seen her interact with everyone, including young children at our local events, we think it is fitting for us to take on this endeavor and promote, for the long-term, the opportunity for other Southwest Kansas and Kansas young women, to play basketball for K-State,” said Charlie Claar of the Finney County Catbackers. “ We can establish a scholarship that honors Shalee for all her accomplishments and provides a life time means to support the Women’s Basketball program.”

To start an Endowed Scholarship in Lehning’s honor requires a total fund of $25,000.00. A fully funded endowed scholarship requires $375,000, but scholarships can start by achieving the $25,000 level.

“While that is no small task, I think it is completely achievable. K-Stater’s have shown throughout the years that it is not the one big donor that makes a difference, but the multitude of smaller donors all aggregated together that makes many things possible. I would like to think it would be easy to do after the 4 years of fantastic basketball that Shalee has given and is still giving us,” said Claar. “The sooner we get the base funding, the sooner a scholarship gets made and the fund can grow.”

The two groups are looking for individuals who would like to help support this scholarship. Contributions  can be made out to the K-State Foundation with the notation for the “Shalee Lehning Women’s Basketball Scholarship”.  Please mail contributions to Finney County Catbackers, %Charles Claar, Jr, P O Box 1872, Garden City, KS 67846. By making your check to the Foundation, you will get full credit for all giving with the Foundation but are asked that they be sent  to the Club so they can be submitted together since the fund is established by the clubs and will be noted as such in the Scholarship information.

“You can be a big part of something special for a very special Southwest Kansas star who has excelled  as a basketball player, outstanding student, and an example for all young women,” noted Claar.

Questions can be directed to Claar by email at charlesc@lhd.com