July 20, 2026
Courtesy story and photo submitted
The League of Women Voters of Great Bend, in partnership with the Barton Community College Foundation, invites the community to support the newly established Bev Komarek and Rose Kelly Memorial Scholarship by participating in a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. July 23 at Pizza Hut, 2006 Main St., in Great Bend.
Community members can dine in or order carryout, and when they mention the League of Women Voters fundraiser, Pizza Hut will donate 15 percent of the sale to support the annual scholarship.
The community-funded scholarship honors the lives and legacies of Bev Komarek and Rose Kelly, two women whose dedication to education, history, civic engagement, and public service left a lasting impact on Barton County and beyond.
Rather than being funded by a single donor, the scholarship is being built through contributions from the League and community members who wish to honor Komarek and Kelly. The goal is to create an enduring tribute that helps future generations pursue the same passions these remarkable women championed throughout their lives.
The scholarship will provide $500 awards to Barton Community College students studying History and Anthropology in honor of Komarek, and to students studying Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, or Education in honor of Kelly. The number of scholarships awarded each year will depend on the amount of funding received.
"Bev and Rose dedicated countless hours to strengthening our community through education, historical preservation, civic involvement, and voter engagement," said Janice Walker, president of the League of Women Voters of Great Bend. "Creating a scholarship in their names allows their passion for learning and service to continue making a difference for years to come."
Kelly spent nearly six decades as an educator, inspiring generations of students in Great Bend Public Schools. Beyond the classroom, she was deeply involved in her church, the League of Women Voters, and numerous civic organizations, where she worked tirelessly to educate voters and encourage civic participation. Throughout her life, she believed education was one of the most powerful ways to strengthen a community.
Komarek devoted her life to preserving local history and strengthening civic life. She served as executive director of the Barton County Historical Society for more than three decades and held leadership positions with the League of Women Voters at the local and state levels. Her work helped preserve the region's history while encouraging informed, active participation in democracy and community service.
"This scholarship is a way for our community to continue the work that Bev and Rose cared so deeply about," Walker said. "They believed in education, informed citizenship, and investing in future generations. We hope many people will join us in honoring their memory."
Those unable to attend the fundraiser may also make tax-deductible contributions to the Bev Komarek and Rose Kelly Memorial Scholarship through the Barton Community College Foundation.
For more information about the scholarship or to contribute, contact the Barton Community College Foundation at (620) 786-1136 or visit bartonccfoundation.org.