1/9/1988 - 7/6/2006
Kale’s intense eyes, huge smile, and “never give up” attitude will forever be remembered and missed by those who knew and loved him... Kale Wayne Hennigh Powell was a Bluejay with Mental Toughness that knew how to give that Xtra Effort from the bottom of his soul. Kale was 16 years old on September 17th, 2004 when he was quarterbacking the homecoming football game at GHS that forever changed his life and many others. Kale was doing what he loved, playing Bluejay football, throwing the ball, when a broken collarbone sent him to the emergency room. He literally went from the playing field “The Rock” to the Children’s Cancer Ward in the same night.
Kale Powell
That broken bone x-ray found a mass in his chest that was diagnosed as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer. That diagnosis made Kale’s Junior year at GHS look very different. He held his head up and started radiation treatments that were immediately followed by chemo. While this treatment was difficult, by Christmas, it seemed to have done the job and things looked as if they were in remission. By May of 2005, the cancer was back. Kale’s summer of 2005 was filled with more rounds of chemo and an “Auto” Bone Marrow Transplant. This procedure was extensive and involved isolation. He had some complications, (an infection) but was able to receive some of the IV antibiotics at the end of it, while being at home. We were so thankful that he was home and recuperated enough to be able to start back to school on the first day of his Senior year at GHS. Once again, thinking they had gotten all the cancer. Kale was able to enjoy his Sr homecoming, not from the playing field but from the sidelines with his Bluejay football buddies and fans alike.
He was re-diagnosed for the 3rd time in October of 2005. This time everything was different, more aggressive disease, more aggressive treatment. The next 6 months were some of the most difficult..... mentally, physically and emotionally. A “Donor” bone marrow transplant was his next step. Our family is very proud of how Kale handled the difficulties dealt to him and how he began his journey with his head held high. He taught many of us how to live life. He insisted that his treatments and bone marrow transplant be scheduled around graduation. In May of 2006, Kale walked across the stage for graduation, at “The Rock”, with his Guthrie High School class. Graduation was 4 days before he entered the hospital for the last time..... Kale died at the age of 18 on July 6, 2006. His Donor transplant was a perfect match, the chemo however had done too much damage. Quoting his best friend “Kale never complained or blamed anyone. He faced each day with a smile, but never took life for granted.”
Kale never used the question, “why me?”, actually he wrote at one time that he realized “why not me?” Kale said “to Live for the moment, not tomorrow or next week. Live for this very moment.” Those words are engraved on the plaque that each recipient of the Kale Powell MTXE Memorial Scholarship receives. In the 16 years that Kale has been gone, we have awarded over 35 scholarships. We, his family and friends, are very proud of the fact that his memory and legacy has helped so many. Our family's passion for keeping Kale's memory alive is the drive behind this foundation and the golf tournament is our fundraiser. With your support, we will be able to continue to recognize special young men and women who have shown Mental Toughness and given Xtra Effort to accomplish their goals in life.
Kale Powell MTXE Memorial Scholarship 2022
This scholarship is open to all residents of the Guthrie Public School District that are attending (or will be attending the following school year) any College or Trade School. This is NOT an academic based scholarship. This scholarship is based on life experiences; it is for the student who has overcome hardships, whether that is injuries, a medical diagnosis, or life’s hard knocks.
