Texas foundation awards $67,000 in scholarships to honour rescuers of teen
The Kenli Foundation provides financial support to students who demonstrate courage and leadership following a 2021 fatal car crash.
The Kenli Foundation has awarded 67 individual scholarships worth a total of $67,000 to students in colleges, trade schools, and graduate programs, according to a report by the Times of India.
The non-profit was established in Kerrville, Texas, by Marjohn Riney and Kevin Riney after their 18-year-old daughter, Kenli Riney, died following a head-on crash in 2021.
During the accident, Mike Argote and three others attempted to pull Riney from her burning vehicle. Argote suffered burns during the rescue, and his daughter, Ema Argote, performed CPR when he became too tired to continue.
Marjohn Riney told the Good News Network that the foundation exists to find more people like the strangers who ran toward the fire.
The foundation provides awards to those showing outstanding character or helping others during emergencies. It also offers the Argote Award Scholarship at San Saba High School to honour the family members who risked their safety.
Scholarship applications have increased from four in the first year to 451 per year by 2026. Nominations for the next round of scholarships will open on 1 January 2027.