Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship

Support Future Educators of the Diocese!

Established in 2025, the Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship honors the legacy of Mary Sweet, a dedicated and beloved educator in the Diocese of Wichita who had a profound impact on her students. Her lifelong dedication to faith-filled education and excellence in teaching serves as an inspiration for all who follow in her footsteps. The Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship aims to inspire and support the next generation of Catholic educators for our diocese by providing a near full-tuition, four-year scholarship to exceptional students who are committed to the mission of Catholic education. In return, recipients will dedicate a return of service as teachers in Catholic Diocese of Wichita schools, equal to the number of years of scholarship funding, sharing their faith, knowledge, and passion for future generations.

This Giving Tuesday, our hope is to raise $60,000 to fully cover the cost of one, four-year scholarship ($15,000 per year). Thanks to the generosity of a local family, a $30,000 gift has already been committed, meaning we're already 50% toward reaching our goal!

Your gift today — no matter the size — helps form the next generation of Catholic teachers who will pass on their faith and inspire countless students across our diocese. Together, we can ensure Mary Sweet's legacy continues to shine through the classrooms and hearts of those she inspired. Will you join us?

Give to the Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship!

2025-26 Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship Recipients
Sidney Bird - Bishop Carroll; St. Francis of Assisi; Newman University
Lizzy Kissling - Bishop Carroll; St. Catherine of Siena; Newman University
Katelynn Lance - Bishop Carroll; St. Francis of Assisi; Ft. Hays State University
Bethany Lone - St. Mary’s Colgan; Our Lady of Lourdes; Missouri State University
Gillian Schletzbaum - Trinity; Holy Cross; Hutchinson Community College

Chatting shortly after the inaugural Mary Sweet Teaching Scholarship presentation are, from left, St. Thomas Aquinas Principal Stephanie Warren, scholarship recipient and Bishop Carroll student Sidney Bird, scholarship recipient and Bishop Carroll student Elizabeth Kissling, St. Thomas Aquinas School Assistant Principal Maira Silva and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Janet Eaton. (Advance photo)