He walked around campus going from professor to professor, interview to interview. The whole affair was very official. The pressure was on after he met the dean of engineering and senators that came just to talk to him. All of this in hopes of receiving the phone call that would tell him, “You got it.”

Up to only two people are given such a prestigious award and Southwest senior Jack Ayres is one of them.

The Presidential Scholarship is a selective scholarship given to those who have an interest in attending Kansas State University. Those who apply will have to impress a panel of highly qualified people on why they should take the chance on them based on essays, test scores, and GPA. The prize – a full ride scholarship.

Ayres first saw the opportunity on the KSU website in September and by late January he found out he was one of seven finalists and had an interview. Ayres knew that if he could become a finalist with his essays, then the interviews would give him a good chance on the rest.

“Anyone can write an essay, but interviews are different,” Ayres said, “You want them to believe they are making an investment in you- not that you’re in it for the money.”

However Ayres knew that everyone was big competition. After all more than 200 hopeful students applied and only up to two could walk away with what they all were working so hard to accomplish. Of course there has to be something to set the winners apart from the finalists.

“Status doesn’t matter,” Jack said, ”People walk in and see a price and the idea of full scholarship. I don’t think like that.”

Ayres said the sense of instant clarification was one of the best moments of receiving this achievement. One moment he was unsure of what his future had for him, but within seconds he knew exactly where he was going, what he was going to do, and how he was going to do it. Although some things were unclear before that, Ayres always knew he wanted to study medicine in college.

“When my sister was sick, and seeing other [sick] people, I wanted to help.” Ayres said.

Ayres also has spent his time volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Mercy and it showed him, “How much of an impact a [doctor] has.”

Ayres will go onto KSU next year with a Chemical Engineering major and a minor in Spanish. Even though he always had an idea of what he was going to become, K-State wasn’t his only choice. Ayres applied to Texas Christian University and Arkansas as well.

However ending up at KSU was kind of a surprise. Both parents, Mike and Suzy Ayers are University of Kansas alumni. Jack says his parents were still very supportive of him throughout the entire process.

“My dad even went to a college visit decked out in a KSU polo,” Ayres said.

“We’ve always tried to be encouraging of Jack of the activities he enjoyed,” Mike Ayres said, “We tried not to push him into other activities that didn’t motivate him.”

Suzy Ayres said she tried to help also by rereading over his essays. She said even though she knew he had a chance she tried not to get their hopes up, but once it came down to the interview she knew he would do well. According to his dad they were actually still on campus when they got the call. Neither him nor his mom could hear what Jack was being told.

“It wasn’t very long into the call before he got a huge smile on his face and gave us a thumbs up,” he said.

All of the Ayres have a lot to be proud of. The scholarship was a, “wonderful acknowledgement of the hard work and involvement he has had in his four years at BVSW,” Suzy Ayers said. Although they were pleasantly surprised by their good news, they knew there would be a lot of other kids who wouldn’t be so fortunate.

“We were sensitive to not wanting to run into them with our beaming smiles,” she said.

 Jack spent hours on his application by writing essays and preparing for his interviews. Of course this wasn’t the only thing on Jack’s mind. Jack still had to find time to work on debate, practice with the school band, plan student council activities, mentoring, and use any extra time towards community service. Ayres was able to keep up with all of his extracurriculars as well as stay on task with his scholarship. Both parents could agree that when Ayres sets his mind to something he works diligently to make each of his goals happen. Although they try to keep him humbled he still worked extensively to become a finalist.

“When we got the call that he was awarded the scholarship, that pride grew so much that I couldn’t help but cry,” Suzy Ayres said, “Once again, he set his sights on something and worked to make it a reality.”

Not only does Jack thank his parents for what they have done to help, but he said he has a lot to owe to Principal, Scott Roberts.

“He was really supportive and helped me along the way,” Ayres said, “It was like he was giving me homework in his own kind of class.”

Although according to Roberts he never saw it that way. To him he was just giving a few tips here and there. He knew that if Jack was going to get the scholarship he would have to practice and prepare up until there was no time left.

“Jack didn’t receive this award for anything I did,” Roberts said, “He got it for his four years of hard work and he earned it himself.”

Even though Roberts provided him with a few tips and tricks, he believes Jack got where he is today simply because of, “Jack being Jack.”

He said leadership, confidence, intelligence is all great but what sets Jack apart from the rest is his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work for his goals.

“Smartness and personality can easily be lost if you fail to work hard,” Roberts said.

All in all there is a lot to be proud of here at Southwest.

“The staff and administrators have given so many opportunities for his leadership potential to blossom,” Suzy Ayres said, “I can’t thank them enough for making him the leader and scholar he has become, and the motion that they’ve helped to set forward to ensure his future success.”