CCCHS senior, Isabelle “Izzy” Blackwood was awarded the Horatio Alger Scholarship worth $25,000. More than 50,000 applied and she is one of 105 recipients, and among just 52 national awardees. 

The scholarship is awarded “for promising students who demonstrate integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.” 

After applying to the scholarship, she was required to take nine months of online courses revolving around succeeding in college financially and emotionally. 

Blackwood attended a reception in Washington, D.C., which was also part of the award. 

She met with members of the association, as well as alumni who graduated with the scholarship and now have successful careers.

“The association really values making sure their students are equipped to succeed in college,” she said. “Which is why we have to take online courses and continue to stay in touch all throughout college to stay on the right track.” 

Half of the 105 recipients were state scholars, receiving $10,000. Blackwood was among 51 other National Scholars.

She works with CARES, Inc., An organization that works with individuals with mental or physical disabilities through canine assistance. 

She is also an active member of YlinK, a peer group for suicide prevention. In 2023, she was named Kansas Prevention Counsel Youth Leader of the Year and was selected to serve on the National Advisory Board for the C4 Center for Youth Well-Being, an organization from the University of Oklahoma. 

In addition, Blackwood serves on two national prevention boards and six statewide prevention boards on fentanyl and suicide prevention. 

Previously she was  an FFA officer. Through the latter, she shared her personal story of dealing with her brother’s death by suicide, and used it to become a mental health advocate for farmers and ag professionals. 

She helped create the Farmer-to-Farmer program through Clay Counts Coalition, which held a mental health training event for area professionals. With this effort she also served as the keynote speaker at the Kansas Preventive Collaborative Conference in 2024.

Blackwood will attend the University of Kansas this fall where she will major in applied behavioral science, concentrating in adults with disabilities, and minor in business.

Blackwood said the scholarship provides $5,000 for the first three years of college and $10,000 for the recipient’s senior year. It can also be used toward other college expenses. 

It’s her hope to win additional scholarships and use the Alger award to study abroad in India.