The Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest celebrates students who recognize the people making a positive difference in their lives and communities. The program invites high school and college students to share stories about how an individual they know, who lives in their community, has inspired them in an extraordinary way.
The following recipients – announced winners for the first and second quarters of 2026 – each received an $8,000 college scholarship after sharing stories about mentors, educators, professionals, public servants, community leaders and family members whose guidance influenced their lives and inspired them in an extraordinary way. Together, their stories show how one person’s impact can create opportunities for generations to come.
Together, their stories show how one person’s impact can create opportunities for generations to come.
First Quarter 2026 Winners
For Kennedy Grace Jones, education is more than a pathway to opportunity. It is a legacy.
Kennedy honored her grandmother, Diane Jones, a Native American educator whose determination helped break barriers in higher education. After facing educational discrimination early in life, Diane pursued advanced degrees and dedicated her career to serving students and communities, ultimately becoming one of the first Native American women to serve as a university vice chancellor on the East Coast.
Inspired by her grandmother’s example, Kennedy launched Paving the Way: A Legacy of Higher Education, an initiative focused on increasing college access and scholarship awareness for Native American students. Diane’s perseverance taught Kennedy that education can be a powerful force for change and that one person’s determination can open doors for future generations.
A teacher’s encouragement can change the course of a student’s life.
Bethany Cranford honored Rick Williams, an educator whose mentorship transformed her interest in photography into a passion and future career aspiration. When Bethany was unexpectedly asked to photograph her brother’s wedding, Williams invested time in coaching her, sharing professional techniques and helping her develop confidence in her abilities.
Beyond teaching technical skills, Williams encouraged Bethany to trust her creativity and move beyond perfectionism. His belief in her potential helped her discover her artistic voice and pursue opportunities in photography, filmmaking and visual storytelling.
Sometimes all it takes is one person believing in you.
For Brady Smith, that person was Mr. Boucher, a digital media teacher who helped him discover a passion for photography. Born with Jacobsen’s Syndrome, Brady often faced academic challenges and struggled to keep pace with his peers.
Through Mr. Boucher’s classes, Brady gained confidence in his creative abilities and developed skills in photography and photo editing. When Mr. Boucher trusted him with camera equipment and encouraged him to practice beyond the classroom, a new future came into focus.
Today, Brady photographs his school’s baseball team, operates his own photography page and plans to continue developing his skills through the Bobcat RISE program at Texas State University.
Brady credits Mr. Boucher’s encouragement and belief in his potential with helping him discover his own goals and a path forward built on creativity, confidence and independence.
Great mentors do more than offer advice. They inspire others to achieve more than they thought possible.
For Jamie Blakely, that inspiration came from Jordan Crawford, an engineering student whose discipline, academic success and commitment to professional growth set a powerful example. As a freshman, Jamie benefited from Jordan’s guidance and encouragement, which motivated him to pursue internships, earn industry certifications and expand his skills beyond the classroom.
Inspired by the impact mentorship had on his own journey, Jamie plans to pursue a career in dentistry and expand access to oral healthcare in underserved communities. His long-term goal is to establish a free mobile dental clinic that provides care and education to those in need.
Jamie credits Jordan with showing how one person’s investment in another can create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Through his example, Jordan helped shape a future rooted in service, leadership and helping others succeed.
Second Quarter 2026 Winners
History is about more than preserving buildings. It is about preserving the stories that define a community.
Avyukth Raghuraman honored Robyn Keefe, an urban planner for the City of Wildwood, Missouri, whose passion for historic preservation inspired him to become more involved in community leadership. Through her mentorship, Avyukth served as a youth commissioner on the Historic Preservation Commission and helped promote the significance of Route 66 to younger generations.
Working alongside Keefe, Avyukth participated in preservation initiatives, presented educational programs in local schools and created digital tools that made local history more accessible.
By encouraging his ideas and treating him as a valued contributor, Keefe gave Avyukth the confidence to lead and create meaningful change. He credits her mentorship with strengthening his commitment to civic engagement and community service.
Resilience can become one of a family’s greatest gifts.
Ava Moore honored her mother, Melissa Moore, whose determination to overcome extraordinary challenges demonstrated the transformative power of perseverance and education. Growing up amid violence, economic hardship and family struggles with addiction, Melissa viewed education as a pathway to opportunity and refused to let difficult circumstances define her future.
Despite financial challenges and periods of housing insecurity while attending Purdue University, she remained committed to earning her degree. Through scholarships, financial aid and hard work, she continued moving forward and creating a better future.
Inspired by her mother’s example, Ava hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology and help individuals and communities affected by trauma. She credits Melissa with teaching her that success is determined not by where someone starts, but by the courage to continue.
Sometimes the right mentor helps a student recognize strengths they cannot yet see themselves.
Benjamin Cochran honored Shelby Allen, his entrepreneurship teacher, whose guidance helped him discover confidence and direction. Although Benjamin excelled in multiple academic disciplines, he struggled to determine which path to pursue after graduation. Allen challenged him to dream boldly and trust his abilities.
Her influence was especially meaningful through Business Professionals of America competition. After an early setback, Benjamin considered stepping away from competition entirely, but Allen encouraged him to persevere and keep striving toward his goals.
That encouragement helped Benjamin earn recognition among the nation’s top student entrepreneurs. He credits Allen’s mentorship with helping him transform uncertainty into opportunity.
Effective leadership begins with listening.
For Mae J. Dapkus, inspiration came from Randall Woodfin, mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, whose people-focused approach to public service transformed her understanding of leadership and civic engagement.
Growing up, Mae often encountered people who believed their voices and votes did not matter. That perspective changed when she met Mayor Woodfin during a discussion with local students. His emphasis on listening, tackling root causes and building practical solutions showed her a different model for leadership.
Inspired by his example, Mae joined Woodfin’s campaign team and witnessed firsthand how he connected with residents and addressed community concerns. She was especially influenced by his commitment to serving people across different backgrounds while remaining focused on meaningful change.
Woodfin’s leadership inspired Mae to co-found In the Running, a podcast that helps voters learn about candidates seeking local office and encourages civic participation. Through those conversations, she hopes to help others recognize the value of their voices.
Mae credits Mayor Woodfin with showing her that leadership is about serving people, building trust and creating opportunities for others to be heard. His example continues to shape her commitment to ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.
About the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship
The Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest gives students an opportunity to honor someone they know personally, who lives in their community and who has inspired them in an extraordinary way. Each contest winner receives an $8,000 scholarship payable to an accredited college or university.
Students can learn more about eligibility requirements, submission guidelines and previous winners by visiting www.regions.com/ridingforward.
If you know a student preparing for college or currently enrolled in higher education, consider sharing this opportunity and encouraging them to tell the story of someone who inspired their journey.
The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest has awarded more than $1.5 million in educational assistance to more than 400 students during the program’s history.