Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Recipients 2014-Present
TASA established the Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship in 2013-14 to honor and provide financial assistance to outstanding doctoral students pursuing careers in educational leadership, with particular emphasis on the superintendency.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
Kayren Gray and Brandy Stanford were selected as recipients of the 2026 Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship and will be honored at the 2026 TASA Midwinter Conference. Gray, Chief of Access and Opportunity for Round Rock ISD, is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at Lamar University. Stanford, Temple ISD’s Assistant Superintendent of Finance, is pursuing her doctorate in education from Baylor University.
Kayren Gray
Round Rock ISD
Brandy Stanford
Temple ISD
2025 Scholarship Recipients
2024 Scholarship Recipients
2023 Scholarship Recipients
David Lee
Dallas ISD
Valerie Little
Prosper ISD
Jennifer Spears
Del Valle ISD
Lorie Squalls
Richardson ISD
Cassandra Chapa
Tyler ISD
Matthew Neighbors
Galveston ISD
2022 Scholarship Recipients
2021 Scholarship Recipients
2020 Scholarship Recipients
LaTonia Amerson
Aldine ISD
Sharon McKinney
Port Aransas ISD
Cicely Alexander
Lubbock ISD
Michelle Rinehart
Full-time Graduate Student
Carla Amacher
Round Rock ISD
Mike Rockwood
Lamar CISD
2019 Scholarship Recipients
2018 Scholarship Recipients
Marny Doepken
Clear Creek ISD
Courtney Jerkins
Midway (12) ISD
Elmer Avellaneda
Corsicana ISD
Mya Kendrick-Mercer
Round Rock ISD
Tanya Larkin
Pampa ISD
2017 Scholarship Recipients
2016 Scholarship Recipients
Jharrett Bryantt
Houston ISD
Anitra Makoni
Fort Worth ISD
Ramiro Nava
Somerset ISD
Christi Morgan
Sunnyvale ISD
Erich Morris
Magnolia ISD
Kim Tunnell
Mineola ISD
Jeanette Winn
Karnes City ISD
2015 Scholarship Recipients
2014 Scholarship Recipients
Yvonne Hernandez
Edgewood ISD
Aaron Peña
Midway ISD (12)
Cynthia Webber
Northwest ISD
Ashley Stewart
Graham ISD
DesMontes Stewart
Garland ISD
Gilbert Treviño
Floydada ISD