Christian Leadership Award Presented to Four UMHB Students Yesterday

BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) honored students Grace Gifford, Kade Kubecka, Kennedy Wells, and Vaughn York with the Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award yesterday during the final Chapel service this semester.

The award recognizes the students' extraordinary time and energy devoted to ministry and community service during their years of study at UMHB. The award is named for Mr. and Mrs. Gary Heavin of Waco, who established a generous endowment at UMHB to fund this recognition annually. The honor included a $1,000 cash award for each student, a portion of which could be donated to an organization of their choice.

Dr. Brandon Skaggs, UMHB's Vice President for Student Life, shared his admiration for the group, saying, "We are deeply proud of Grace, Kade, Kennedy, and Vaughn for the way they faithfully and sacrificially serve others both on campus and within the local community. Their passion and the clear calling God has placed on their lives stand as a remarkable example of servant leadership. It is a privilege to honor them with this award, and we are confident that God will continue to use them to change lives and further His kingdom in meaningful ways."

Grace Gifford is a senior majoring in Christian ministries from Comanche, TX. She attends Fellowship Baptist Church in Morgan's Point and is the daughter of Howard and Lou Ann Gifford. She has served as a resident assistant at UMHB and was named to the Dean's Honor Roll in the College of Christian Studies. She also participated in the Easter Pageant as a named role this year. Gifford was an intern with the Belton Hope House and a youth minister at her church. She plans to donate a portion of her cash award to the Belton Hope House.

Kade Kubecka is a junior mechanical engineering major from Inez, TX, who attends First Baptist Belton. He is the son of Wade and Leslie Kubecka. While at UMHB, Kubecka played UMHB football as a tight end and punter, served as an officer in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has been a member of First Year Collective, Cru Ballroom, and Delta Omega Phi. He also participated in the First Baptist Belton worship band and choir as a guitarist and vocalist. Kubecka is giving a portion of his cash award to the American Diabetes Association.

Kennedy Wells is a junior majoring in education from Montgomery, TX, who attends First Baptist Belton. She is the daughter of Robby and Bobbi Jo Wells. While at UMHB, Wells has served as a University Ambassador, Welcome Week Cru Leader, Easter Pageant student outreach committee head, Psalms event small group leader, won the best interview award in the Miss MHB Pageant, and played intramural sports. She will donate a portion of her cash award to the Belton Hope House.

Vaughn York is a junior clinical psychology major from Lago Vista, TX. He attends First Baptist Belton and is the son of Scott and Kristin York. During his time at UMHB, he has served as the Baptist Student Ministry student director, Easter Pageant kids committee head, Welcome Week Cru Leader, Revival small group leader, and as a student worker in the Admissions & Recruiting office. York also participated in Crusader Knights, Student Foundation, the chapel worship band, and First Year Collective. He's giving a portion of his cash award to Feed My Sheep Temple.