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Contact
Justine Anderson
Public Information Manager
405-522-5954, justine.anderson@conservation.ok.gov
 Sayre, OK | The North Fork of Red River Conservation District awarded Austen Lindenfelser of Erick, OK, and Ainsley Partain of Elk City, with the Kenneth Hart Memorial Scholarship on May 12, 2026. This scholarship was formed in memory of Kenneth Hart of Elk City, Oklahoma (October 31, 1940-November 20, 2024).
A longtime member of the North Fork of Red River Conservation District Board, Hart was also a member of the Kiwanis Club, served on the Ag Expo Board, was a member of the Elk City Historical Society, Help Inc., and the Elk City Housing Authority. A principal for much of his career, Kenneth had a lasting impact on his county's youth.
"Kenneth was always a very generous person. He would be very proud to know there was a scholarship in his honor to help further students' education in Beckham County. I remember on one of our trips, Kenneth buying my family's meal and me telling him he didn't need to do that. He told me just to pay it forward and do it for someone else sometime," said North Fork of Red River Conservation District board chairman Mark DeLeon.
After Kenneth passed, the North Fork of Red River Conservation District board wanted to honor him in a meaningful way, recognizing the significant impact he had on the Elk City community. What started as a $1,000 scholarship to one student, awarded to Merritt High School senior Luke Peffer in 2025, has now doubled through a generous $10,000 donation from First National Bank & Trust of Elk City. This donation will help fund two $1,000 scholarships each year to qualifying applicants.
"When I think about Kenneth Hart, I think integrity, kindness, and all the lives he positively impacted. I am one of the lucky ones who got to call him a friend," said Sandy Werner, Chief Executive Officer & President of First National Bank & Trust of Elk City.
Those interested in contributing to the Kenneth Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund in support of the North Fork of Red River Conservation District and its mission to honor Kenneth Hart's legacy while continuing to positively impact students in Beckham County may contact Cassandra Ausher, District Manager, at 580-928-3113, ext. 3019.
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