Bryan VanGronigen of Sunset Hills is one of two winners of the Volunteer Staff Scholarship at the closing ceremony of the 2007 session of Missouri Boys’ State.

VanGronigen and Brandon Eldridge of Sikeston each were awarded a $1,000 scholarship to provide financial assistance with their college education, according to a news release.

Both winners were chosen based on their achievements and contributions as a member of the Boys’ State staff, their academic accomplishments and other personal financial factors, the release stated.

VanGronigen currently is a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia and is pursuing a degree in secondary school counseling.

He is in his third year as a staff volunteer and currently is serving as a Legislative School counselor.

His teaching abilities demonstrated in the Legislative School and specific work in the Boys’ State Senate providing insight on how a bill becomes a law have been invaluable, according to the release.

His volunteer work outside the week of Boys’ State includes recruiting potential Boys’ State participants and speaking at orientation sessions for prospective participants and their parents.

VanGronigen, a 2005 graduate of Oakville Senior High School, is the son of Chuck and Debbie VanGronigen.

Eldridge currently is a student at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy pursuing a degree in pharmacy.

He has been a member of the Boys’ State staff for two years and currently is serving the Operations Staff.

Eldridge also has been a tireless recruiter and fund-raiser for Boys’ State, spending countless hours contacting high schools and potential sponsors, the news release stated.

The Missouri Boys’ State Volunteer Staff Scholarship is funded by the Missouri Boys’ State Memorial Trust Fund and was established to assist dedicated members of the all-volunteer Boys’ State staff in pursuing their goals in higher education. This is the eighth consecutive year the scholarship has been awarded to staff members.