Ste. Genevieve High School Class of 2026 graduate and valedictorian Gavin Gegg has been awarded first place in the VFW Auxiliary Department of Missouri Past National Presidents Scholarship competition, earning an $1,800 scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded annually by the VFW Auxiliary Department of Missouri in honor of past National Presidents Mabel Tanner, Glenneta Vogelsang and Brenda Bryant. Two Missouri high school seniors are selected each year, with first place receiving a $1,800 scholarship and second place receiving a $1,200 scholarship.
To be considered, applicants must be the sibling, child, grandchild or great-grandchild of a current or deceased member of the Missouri VFW or VFW Auxiliary. Students submit letters of recommendation, a high school transcript and an essay highlighting their community involvement, volunteer service, honors and participation in school and community organizations.
Gegg qualified for the scholarship through his grandmother, Debra Pfaff, a member of Ste. Genevieve VFW Auxiliary Post 2210.
The son of Wes and Stephanie Gegg, Gavin was selected as the top applicant from across the state of Missouri, recognizing his academic excellence, leadership and commitment to serving his school and community.
Ste. Genevieve County R-II congratulates Gavin on this outstanding achievement and wishes him continued success in his future endeavors.
About Gavin:
Gavin’s scholastic honors include: being distinguished as one of the top academic students in the state through the 2026 Missouri Scholars 100 program, being valedictorian of the Class of 2026; being in the Top 10 Percent of his class all four years; earning Summa Cum Laude and being on the A Honor Roll all four years; earning a superscore of 36 on the ACT; and earning the following class awards: English I, Industrial Woods, Engineering Graphics and ACT Prep. Gavin received the Bright Flight Scholarship, a Missouri merit-based scholarship with a current maximum amount of $3000 per year to qualifying graduating seniors who enroll in a Missouri accredited college or university. Gavin was recognized as the Elks Student of the Month for October for SGHS. Gavin received the College Board Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award for 2024 and the CollegeBoard National Recognition Program Award for 2025. He also attended Missouri Scholars Academy at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Gavin has been involved in the following teams, clubs and organizations: SGHS Cross Country and Track teams all four years, SGHS Math Team and French Club.
This fall, Gavin will attend the University of Missouri-Columbia (where his Perfect Score Scholarship will cover his full tuition and fees all four years), and pursue aerospace engineering.
About the VFW Auxiliary Scholarships Program
The VFW Auxiliary Scholarship Program is designed to encourage patriotism, assist students in attaining higher education, and help individuals reach their full potential. By offering these academic opportunities, the program supports local communities and members while raising public awareness of the organization’s mission.
The program features opportunities tailored to both adult learners and high school students. The Continuing Education Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible Auxiliary members, their spouses, and children who are at least 21 years old and demonstrating financial need. For younger generations, the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest invite students in grades 9–12 to express their patriotism through visual arts, with winning entries judged on theme and technique. Additionally, the Missouri Past National Presidents' Scholarship is awarded to two high school seniors who are the sister, brother, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, great-granddaughter, or great-grandson of a current member of the Department of Missouri Auxiliary/VFW.
In addition to its own unique contests, the VFW Auxiliary is proud to be a longtime supporter of the VFW and its extensive lineup of scholarships, contests, programs, and grants. This collaborative support includes promoting the Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition for students in grades 9–12, which dates back to 1947, as well as the Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for students in grades 6–8. The Auxiliary also actively backs the VFW’s "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" program, which has been providing vital financial assistance to qualifying service members and veterans since 2013 to help them complete their educational goals without excessive student loan debt.
Learn more at: vfwauxmo.org.