Cotter Senior Earns Prestigious Donaghey Scholarship at UALR

Meckenzie Fassett selected for highly competitive program with full funding

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:02pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph showing a student's hands holding a diploma or academic award, surrounded by a warm, hazy glow of blurred lights and colors, conveying a sense of academic achievement and celebration.A Cotter High School senior's academic excellence earns a prestigious scholarship, opening doors to new opportunities.Little Rock Today

Meckenzie Fassett, a senior at Cotter High School, has been named a Donaghey Scholar at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The prestigious Donaghey Scholars Honors Program admits only 25 students annually and provides a comprehensive financial package valued at nearly $100,000, including tuition, fees, a stipend, a laptop, and study abroad funding.

Why it matters

The Donaghey Scholarship is one of Arkansas' most distinguished academic honors, recognizing exceptional high school students who demonstrate strong leadership and critical thinking skills. Fassett's selection highlights the academic excellence fostered at Cotter High and the opportunities available to top-performing students in the state.

The details

In addition to the Donaghey Scholarship, Fassett has also been awarded the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship, Arkansas' premier merit-based award for high-achieving seniors. The Governor's Scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.

  • Fassett was selected as a Donaghey Scholar for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The players

Meckenzie Fassett

A senior at Cotter High School who has been named a Donaghey Scholar at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Donaghey Scholars Honors Program

A highly competitive program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that admits only 25 students each year and provides a comprehensive financial package valued at nearly $100,000.

Governor's Distinguished Scholarship

Arkansas' premier merit-based award for high-achieving high school seniors, which covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board.

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The takeaway

Meckenzie Fassett's selection as a Donaghey Scholar and recipient of the Governor's Distinguished Scholarship demonstrates the exceptional academic talent and leadership skills cultivated at Cotter High School, opening the door to transformative educational opportunities at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.