BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor honored seniors Emilee Peloquin, Hannah Bryant, and Kaysie Sparks with the Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award today during the final Chapel service this semester.
The award recognizes the extraordinary time and energy the students have devoted to ministry and community service during their years of study at UMHB. The award is named for Mr. and Mrs. Gary Heavin of Waco, who established a generous endowment at UMHB to fund this recognition annually. The honor included a $1,000 cash award for each student, a portion of which could be donated to an organization of her choice.
Peloquin is majoring in health science, with a concentration in pre-physical therapy. She is the daughter of Heath and Jennifer Peloquin of Keithville, La. She was a leader for the Big Event, worked with the makeup crew for the Easter pageant, and is a member of Student Foundation. She works as a teaching assistant for UMHB’s biology department and has worked as a student worker for the development department. She was inducted into the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society. Peloquin is using a portion of her cash award to make a gift to the Andrus Family Mission which helps orphaned children in Kenya.
Bryant is a speech communication major with a 7-12 teaching certification. She is the daughter of Charles and Susan Bryant of Plano. While at UMHB, Bryant has worked on the steering committees for Missions Emphasis Week, the Psalm 139 Event, and Welcome Week. She has volunteered as a small group leader for revival and as a Cru leader during Welcome Week. Bryant also worked on the lead team for the UMHB chapter of Delight Ministries and as a site leader for the Big Event. She has been involved in a number of UMHB traditions, serving as a cast member for both Stunt Night and the Easter pageant.
Bryant was team captain of the UMHB Speech Cru and of the National Christian College Forensics Association, where she was the national champion in the 2020 poetry contest. Bryant was a junior class senator and vice president for the Student Government Association. She worked as a student worker for the development department and also serves as a college ministry leader for DNOW at the First Baptist Church in Plano. She is a member of the Alpha Chi College Honor Society. Bryant is giving a portion of her money to Hope House.
Sparks is a mass communications, public relations major with a minor in marketing. She is the daughter of Jacob and Katherine Sparks of Empire, Colo. While at UMHB, Sparks has served in a number of leadership positions. She has been a Big Event site leader, a SearchCru member, and president of SEPA, the Student Event Planners Association. She has also been closely involved in a number of UMHB traditions. She was host for Crusader Knights and represented Lord Hall in the Miss MHB contest in 2019, winning best interview in the competition. She went on to become the director of the Miss MHB contest in 2020. As a Welcome Week Cru leader for the last three years, Sparks served as a captain in 2020, and as the head captain this past year. Sparks is the host of CruNews, and has served as the social media student worker at the alumni engagement office since 2018. She is donating a portion of her award to the Child Advocacy Center of Central Texas.
