The Yamboree Empowerment Scholarship (YES) for Women was established in 2023 by the East Texas Yamboree Association and two Gilmer natives with strong ties to the Yamboree, Sally Greene and Laura Potter. YES for Women is a needs-based scholarship, with a preference for first-generation college students. This $5,000 award is designed to empower a young Upshur County woman graduating from a public high school with the financial base she needs to make college a reality.
2025-26 Recipient – Kendall Luther
The Yamboree Empowerment Scholarship For Women at East Texas Communities Foundation is awarded to Kendall Luther. Kendall recently graduated from New Diana High School where she was a member of the Yearbook staff and served as Editor her senior year. She was also a member of the Art Club and Student Council. Kendall plans to study Sonography at Tyler Junior College.
“Attending college means everything to me. Neither of my parents had the chance to go, and I want to be the first in my family to earn a degree,” said Miss Luther. “I’ve been working for the last three years to save money to help with college expenses. Receiving this scholarship makes my dream of going to college a reality.”