Kentucky, October 12, 2025
News Summary
Keeneland hosted its semi-annual College Scholarship Day, awarding $40,000 in scholarships to Kentucky college students. The event included ten horse races, complimentary food, and a festive atmosphere, fostering community engagement and academic support among participants.
Kentucky
Keeneland successfully hosted its semi-annual College Scholarship Day on Friday, October 10, awarding a total of $40,000 in scholarships to college students from Kentucky. The event, designed to promote horse racing and provide financial assistance to students, attracted numerous participants eager to seize scholarship opportunities.
All students who pre-registered for the event were granted free admission to Keeneland. Participants enjoyed a festive atmosphere that included complimentary tote bags, T-shirts, hot dogs, and coffee provided by Bad Ass Coffee. Students had the chance to enter a raffle for scholarship prizes and attended ten exciting horse races throughout the day.
During the event, a total of $2,000 scholarships were awarded for each of the ten races, with two significant $10,000 scholarships presented during the fifth race. This initiative not only fosters financial support but encourages students to engage with the local equine community.
Erin Betts, Keeneland’s community relations planner, highlighted the city’s commitment to connecting people from various backgrounds through events like College Scholarship Day. Betts has been in her position for the past three years and has organized the event since the fall of 2022.
Scholarship Recipients
Among the winners, Riley Harper, a senior marketing major at Transylvania University, expressed her astonishment at being awarded one of the $10,000 scholarships. She plans to utilize the funds to pursue graduate programs. Another recipient, Jenna Akers, a senior parks and recreation major at Eastern Kentucky University, noted that her scholarship would support her ambitions to achieve a master’s degree in her field.
Community Engagement
Benjamin Williams, a senior at the University of Kentucky majoring in agricultural economics and business management, spoke of the importance of the event for building community. He has attended College Scholarship Day since his freshman year and values the networking opportunities it offers within the equine industry. Ava Van Schaick, another University of Kentucky senior, studying agricultural and medical biotechnology, remarked on the enjoyable experience of attending Keeneland and the unique scholarship opportunities it provides.
Students enjoyed the event, describing it as both fun and memorable, particularly highlighting the free hot dogs and the chance to connect with friends and peers. The primary goal of College Scholarship Day is to unite college students from diverse backgrounds to share a common passion for horse racing and gain access to valuable scholarship opportunities.
Background of College Scholarship Day
College Scholarship Day at Keeneland is aimed at fostering educational development within the community by providing financial support for college students pursuing their academic goals. Keeneland’s continuing dedication to supporting education in Kentucky through this event exemplifies their commitment to both horse racing culture and academic achievement.
FAQs
What is College Scholarship Day?
College Scholarship Day is a semi-annual event hosted by Keeneland that offers scholarships to college students, alongside activities focusing on horse racing.
How much scholarship money was awarded?
A total of $40,000 in scholarships was awarded during College Scholarship Day.
Who can participate in College Scholarship Day?
The event is open to Kentucky college students who pre-register for the event.
What perks are included for participants?
Participants receive free admission, tote bags, T-shirts, hot dogs, and coffee.
How many races were held during the event?
There were ten races during College Scholarship Day, with scholarships awarded for each race.
Key Features of College Scholarship Day
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Type | Semi-annual college scholarship day |
| Total Scholarships Awarded | $40,000 |
| Number of Races | 10 |
| Scholarship per Race | $2,000 |
| Notable Scholarships | Two $10,000 scholarships awarded |
| Participation Perks | Free admission, tote bags, T-shirts, hot dogs, and coffee |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington Launches Engage Lexington Platform for Public Input
University of Kentucky Under US Department of Education’s Spotlight for DEI Programs
Keeneland’s College Scholarship Day Awards $40,000 to Students
Additional Resources
- KY Kernel: College Scholarship Day
- BloodHorse: Keeneland Fall Meet
- Keeneland: Collegiate Opportunities Program
- Wikipedia: Keeneland
- Google Search: College Scholarship Day Kentucky
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
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