Psi Iota Xi awards scholarships

The Zeta Mu Chapter of Psi Iota Xi presented its annual Suzanne Jane Kress Memorial Scholarships at the Jasper High School Awards Day on May 15, 2026.

Scholarship Chairman Pam Jarboe presented a $2,000 scholarship to Vanessa Padilla. She plans to study political science at Indiana State University in the fall. Vanessa is the daughter of Jose and Abigail Padilla.

Johnson Dong received an honorable mention scholarship of $1,000. He will attend the University of Chicago to study business and economics. Johnson is the son of Dexum and Aixin Dong.

The scholarships are in memory of a charter member of the chapter killed in an automobile accident while attending Psi Iota Xi’s National Convention. They have been awarded annually for over sixty years.

Psi Iota Xi is a national philanthropic organization for adult women, with the Zeta Mu Chapter founded in 1959. The chapter supports multiple local philanthropic causes, focusing primarily on art, literature, music, speech & hearing, and literacy. In addition to this scholarship, the chapter sponsors a free summer language and literacy camp for children, Art Awards for high school seniors, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Jasper Arts, SWICACC and other local charities. Psi Iota Xi’s main fundraisers are the Art and Wine Fair during Strassenfest and a fall nut-and-candy sale.