Submitted photo

Tayleur Baker (third from left) with the other recipients of the 2023 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, in partnership with GE, recognized this year’s class of GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program recipients. These students were selected for their exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.

Tayleur Baker of Burns was among the 11 high school graduates who received this prestigious award.

Baker believes we all have the power to change the world, and cites her faith as the foundation of her character. She is someone who lights up a space and sparks others to dream big and to love those around them. She brought her infectious leadership to roles with the school newspaper and National Honor Society. Her passion, which she will continue to study in college, is agriculture. Baker already made a large impact in this area as an award-winning president of 4-H, president of Future Farmers of America (for which she was named Most Outstanding Chapter President in the District), representative for the state of Oregon for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour, and a member of the Harney County Cattlewomen’s Association.

Baker will head to Oregon State University in the fall.

The 11 scholarship recipients will receive $10,000 per year for up to four years toward college expenses. To date, the scholarship program, now in its 13th year, has awarded $8.62 million to 216 students from 42 states and attending 120 undergraduate campuses. The 2023 recipients, along with members of the 2020 and 2021 classes, were recognized at an exclusive Scholars Retreat at the Reagan Library, including leadership-development activities, a community service project, and a formal awards program.

To qualify, students must:
• Demonstrate the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within their communities, schools, and workplaces;
• Display strong academic performance;
• Be citizens of the United States of America;
• Be current high school seniors attending school within the United States and graduating in the current academic year;
• Plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic school year.

“Each year, we are proud to recognize some of the nation’s most dynamic young leaders through the GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program,” Janet Tran, chief learning officer for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, said. “The character, leadership, and tenacity of the class of 2023 was particularly inspiring, and we are eager to see them showcase these qualities in college and beyond.”

“As the network of exceptional GE-Reagan Foundation Scholars grows, we are proud to play a role in deploying some of the most promising young leaders on college campuses across the country,” Julie Grzeda, director of early career talent at GE Aerospace, added. “We are confident these extraordinary young people will be a force for good over the next four years and well into their professional careers.”

The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program has been cited by U.S. News and World Report as one of four “huge scholarships worth $10,000 or more” that students should seriously consider. Information and an online application for the 2024 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will be available in the fall. For information, contact scholarships@reaganfoundation.org.

Congratulations to the 2023 recipients, their high schools, and the universities they plan to attend this fall.