🦩 Midwest Geobash Golden Flamingo Scholarship 

About the Scholarship Awards

The Midwest Geobash Golden Flamingo Scholarship was established in 2021 by longtime MWGB attendee and former Planning Team member Chris Baker (Team Shydog). This scholarship was created to recognize and support MWGB attendees who are pursuing their dreams of continuing education or skilled trades.

Each year, a team of dedicated scholarship trustees carefully reviews applications and selects recipients. Scholarship winners are honored and awarded during the Closing Ceremony at Midwest Geobash.

🗓 Application Deadline: March 1 each year
📧 Winners Notified: By email
🎉 Award Presentation: Closing Ceremony (attendance expected)

When applications are open, the application form will be available at the bottom of this page.

❤️ Support the Scholarship

You can help support the Golden Flamingo Scholarship Fund by purchasing a limited-edition Golden Flamingo Pathtag from the MWGB Event Swag Store.

These pathtags are generously donated, meaning there is no production cost to MWGB. As a result, 100% of proceeds go directly into the scholarship fund.

Our goal is to sell enough pathtags each year to:

• Fund two scholarships annually

• Sustain the scholarship for years to come

🦩 Consider purchasing one—or a few!—to help support future Bashers and their educational goals.

🏆 Scholarship Award History

MWGB 2021
Winners: Allison Largent & Mark Webb

MWGB 2022
Winners: Sara Cararo & Jamie Walton

MWGB 2023
Winners: Suzanne (Suzie) Beck & Matthew Pierson

MWGB 2024
Winners: Carson Pope & Isaiah Soria

MWGB 2025
Winners: Sara Wagar & Mason Johnston

👥 Trustees & Donors

Chris Baker (Team Shydog)

Founder of the Golden Flamingo Scholarship, Chris created this program in 2021 as a way to give back to the MWGB community. A longtime attendee, volunteer, and former Planning Team member, Chris serves as a scholarship trustee and presents the awards at the Closing Ceremony.

Laura Elliott (Ladylights of LightPeople)

Laura manages the scholarship application process, assists with recipient selection, and helps present awards. She is a longtime MWGB volunteer and previously served as Volunteer Coordinator for many years.

🌟 Special Matching Donor: Susan Stoker (TankHounds)

The trustees are thrilled to announce an incredible matching grant from Susan Stoker, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Susan—known to many as Mrs. TankHounds—has generously offered to match this year’s scholarships, effectively doubling their impact.

Before her writing career, Susan was known as Dr. Susan Stoker, PhD, and she understands the life-changing value of education and training. We are deeply grateful for her support of our Bash community.

💻 Learn more about Susan’s work at: stokeraces.com

🎓 2026 Scholarship Details

The MWGB Planning Committee and Committee Emeritus are excited to announce the Golden Flamingo Scholarship’s return for 2026!

This program supports MWGB attendees pursuing:

• College or University

• Community College

• Trade or Skilled Vocational School

📚 Eligibility:
Applicants must be past MWGB attendees who are attending (or planning to attend) an eligible school during the 2026–2027 academic year, either full-time or part-time.

💰 Scholarship Awards:

• Two (2) scholarships of $500 each

• Presented at the 2026 Midwest Geobash Closing Ceremony

• 📍 Wauseon, Ohio

• 📅 July 25, 2026

Funds may be used at the recipient’s discretion to support their educational or training goals.

📧 Questions? Contact the trustees at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

🗓 Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
📣 Winners Announced: On or before March 15, 2026
🎉 Attendance Required: Winners should be present to receive their award
(Extenuating circumstances may be considered)

🔁 Past recipients are not eligible to reapply. Applicants who were not selected in prior years and still meet eligibility are encouraged to apply again.

✍️ How to Apply

When applications open, an announcement will be posted in the Midwest Geobash Community Group on Facebook. We encourage you to join the group to stay informed.

To apply, complete the online application form below:

• The form must be completed in one session (no save-and-return option)

• We recommend drafting your responses in a text document first

• Applications must be your own original work

• ❌ AI-generated responses are not permitted

Selected recipients will be notified by email and are expected to attend the Closing Ceremony to receive their award—and take lots of photos!