Dr. Gifford Blyton Scholarship

Dr. Gifford Blyton Scholarship

Dr. Gifford Blyton's name is synonymous with the Kentucky High  School Speech League. His expertise in forensics is noted by the phenomenal record he established at the University of Kentucky where he served as debate coach for more than a decade. He holds the record for having won more national championships in debate than any coach since. An avid UK basketball fan, Dr. Blyton would often have his radio headset tuned into the game during KHSSL award ceremonies. He would also announce the scores to anyone interested!

Dr. Blyton co-authored a book with Dr. Randall Capps of Western Kentucky University that is the only book that has been written about the great orators of Kentucky. After his retirement as debate coach at UK, Dr. Blyton took on the task of Executive Director of the Kentucky High School Speech League where he took an almost defunct organization and brought it back as a prospering and significant organization in the Commonwealth. His tireless efforts are the reason that KHSSL still exists today and has played such a significant role in the lives of thousands of junior and senior high students. Dr. Blyton gives money for the scholarship that bears his name as well as the Blyton Book Award.

A resident of Lexington, Dr. Blyton still tends to his rose garden at the age of 100. He enjoys hearing from KHSSL participants and loves to tell stories about his years with the League.

Those who wish personally to honor Dr. Blyton's legacy with KHSSL may donate money to the scholarship fund. Contact KHSSL for more details.

Past $1,000 Scholarship Award Winners:

2009: Carly Lacey (Grant County HS) & Dru Walters (June Buchanon)

2008: Hunter Kendrick (Danville HS) & Lauren Wolfe (North Oldham HS)

2007: Matthew Bunch (Central Hardin HS)

2006:

2005: Mauricus Rayshad Lofton (Danville HS) & Kristan Nicole Poteet (Warren East HS)

2004: Logan Scisco (Danville HS) & Amanda Renee Moore (Warren East HS)

2003: Mark Rouse (Paul L. Dunbar HS) & Russ W. Wallace (Bethlehem HS)

2002:

2001: Jessica Diane Welman (Lafayette HS) & Adam Hayden Reed (Logan Co. HS)

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