Inaugural J.P. Whitaker Arts Scholarships Awarded

The Davenport Schools Foundation is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the J.P. Whitaker Arts Scholarship, recognizing outstanding student achievement in the arts at Davenport Central High School.

Established in honor of John Parker (J.P.) Whitaker, this scholarship reflects a legacy of creativity, curiosity, and generosity. Whitaker was a true Renaissance individual whose passions spanned engineering, art, sculpture, aviation, and collecting. Above all, he was deeply committed to supporting others, and his philanthropic spirit continues through this investment in students.

The J.P. Whitaker Arts Scholarship celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional talent in artistic fields such as music, theater, dance, visual arts, and other forms of creative expression. Notably, recipients are not required to pursue the arts in college, reinforcing the value of creativity across all career paths.

In its inaugural year, 16 graduating seniors were selected to receive $3,000 each:

• Tobias Augspurger
• Marissa Bradford
• Levi Gordon
• Ellerie Hurley
• Tanishaante Jenkins
• Keiti Medrano-Castenada
• Reese Miller
• Cole Parker
• Carlin Peterson
• Ethan Peterson
• Spencer Powell
• Micah Roldan
• Cameron Shumpert
• Maddox Smith
• Paul Stoffer
• Katharine Stolley

Eligible students met rigorous criteria, including demonstrated excellence in the arts, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and submission of both an essay and a portfolio or example of their work.

This scholarship represents a meaningful investment in student creativity and recognizes the important role the arts play in shaping well-rounded, innovative individuals. The Davenport Schools Foundation is honored to support these students as they take their next steps beyond high school.