Kate Harthoorn, a Lynnville-Sully senior, is chosen out of 110 applicants to receive the 2026 E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award.
Lynnville-Sully senior Kate Harthoorn, daughter of Nick and Amy Harthoorn of Sully, was selected from 110 applicants as the winner of the 2026 E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award.
Harthoorn is a four-sport standout athlete and a high-achieving scholar at Lynnville-Sully. Additionally, she is involved in multiple extra-curricular activities where she holds leadership roles and is active within her community and church youth group.
On Wednesday morning, Jan. 28, Harthoorn was one of six finalists interviewed by a panel of Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union representatives in West Des Moines. Later that afternoon, she learned she was chosen for the award when two IGHSAU representatives – former local Ben Van Wyk, son of Verlan and Sally Van Wyk, and Elise Boulton of Montezuma – showed up at the Hawks’ basketball practice to present the award.
“This year we had 110 applicants, and Kate was one of our six finalists. It is no small feat to be a finalist – six out of over 100 of some of the best young women the state has to offer. We wanted to congratulate Kate on being a finalist, and we wanted to congratulate Kate on being the winner,” Van Wyk said when paying tribute to Harthoorn at the Hawks’ practice Wednesday afternoon.
Harthoorn will receive a $15,000 scholarship ($3,750 annually) as the sole recipient of this year’s award. She will be presented with the award at the IGHSAU Basketball Championships on Friday, Mar. 6, during halftime of the 8 p.m. game.
The recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award is recognized as being representative of the most elite of the superlative Iowa Girl, not only on the playing field but also in the classroom, in her school, and in her community. Harthoorn’s display of discipline, perseverance, character, citizenship, and leadership personify the life and expectations of the late E. Wayne Cooley, the long-time executive secretary of the IGHSAU from 1954-2002. The scholarship has been given as a tribute to Mr. Cooley since 1993.
