Each year, the Van Alstyne Education Foundation provides scholarships to graduating Van Alstyne High School seniors. In 2026, more than $60,000 in scholarships were awarded to students pursuing their next chapter.
Mrs. Childress graduated from VAHS in 1957. Throughout her life Betty was a mentor, an inspiration and most importantly a faithful Christian. Betty was an active member of her community, school and church. She served as a school board member, and was a member of the Naming Committee for New Campuses for Van Alstyne ISD.
Betty Childress Memorial Scholarship
William graduated from Van Alstyne High School in 2007 and graduated from Texas A & M Commerce with a major in Biology. He taught physics at VAHS before his death in 2014 at the age of 25. The scholarship goes to a student who plans to attend Grayson College or Texas A&M Commerce.
William Gentle Memorial Scholarship
Mr. Jackson lived most of his life in Van Alstyne. He coached, taught and was the high school principal at VAHS for a total of 13 years where he touched the lives of many students. He retired from public education in 1990. Throughout his life, he received many honors and awards. Mr. Jackson passed away in 2015 at the age of 85.
Roy Jackson Memorial Scholarship
Dorothy was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and a precious member of the community. She gave of herself joyfully and without counting the cost. Her life was a testament to what can be accomplished with a determined and generous spirit. Dorothy died in 2016. She was 35 years old.
Dorothy Loftice Memorial Scholarship
Mr. Hynds graduated from VAHS in 1941 then attended Texas A&M University and served his country in the Navy until the end of WWII. He worked for First National Bank and his family ranching business. Mr. Hynds was a pillar of the community and a friend to all who knew him. He was 92 when he died in 2017.
John K Hynds Memorial Scholarship
Mr. Robert Henry Hynds graduated from Van Alsytne High School in 1942, served in the United States Army during WWII then graduated from Texas Tech. He worked for First National Bank in Van Alstyne in some capacity for 78 years. He became President and CEO and later Chairman of the Board. He is best known for his kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. He was courageous, principles and loved the Lord.
Uldine H. Hynds of Van Alstyne, known lovingly to all her family as “Dean”, passed away on February 12, 2015. She treasured her family and they all loved her. She worked along side her husband at the First National Bank in Van Alstyne and was a long tenured employee of the bank.
Robert and Uldine Hynds Memorial Scholarship
Reagan Memorial Scholarship
Reagan Ashley Small was 9 years old and in the fourth grade at Van Alstyne Elementary when she died. She was active in gymnastics, cheerleading and track. Reagan was a free-spirit, fun-loving and a spunky little girl. She had a smile that lit up the room. She was full of joy and made everyone laugh.
Grant David Small, age 8, was in the second grade at Van Alstyne Elementary School. He played football, basketball and track. Grant was also active in gymnastics. He had a positive attitude and was very determined. Grant’s sweet nature won everyone’s heart. He and his sister died tragically in 2015.
Grant Memorial Scholarship
Clifford’s family moved from the cotton fields of West Texas to the ranch lands here in North Texas. He attended school in Van Alstyne where he began to answer his true calling as a cowboy. He became a cowman of the highest degree and the western way of life lived deep in every cell of his body. Clifford was a husband, dad, brother, grandfather and friend that etched his legacy in our hearts and memories. A man not to be forgotten. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
Clifford Braddock Memorial Scholarship
