June 10, 2026—Joseph “JD” Prorok of South Dakota, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship, a $20,000 scholarship awarded to a student whose parent was critically or fatally injured due to a work-related injury. The award was announced June 8 at The MEMIC Group’s Annual Meeting of the Policyholder in Portland, Maine.
This marks the first year that Kids’ Chance of America has administered the Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship on behalf of MEMIC, a longstanding supporter of educational opportunities for families impacted by workplace tragedies.
Prorok, a 2026 graduate who will attend a four-year college this fall, was nominated by Kids’ Chance of South Dakota. He was selected for his academic promise, financial need and perseverance following the death of his father, Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok of the Moody County Sheriff’s Office, who was killed in the line of duty in 2024. The scholarship award will provide Prorok with $5,000 annually for four years, helping ease the financial burden of higher education.
“JD’s father made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting his community,” said Chris Letsos, CEO of Kids’ Chance of America. “Through this scholarship, we have an opportunity to honor that sacrifice while investing in JD’s future.
“MEMIC’s commitment will make a profound and lasting difference in the life of a student who has already endured unimaginable hardship,” he continued. “Kids’ Chance is honored to administer this scholarship on MEMIC’s behalf, helping ensure that hope and opportunity can follow even the most difficult circumstances.”
The Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship was established in 2001 in honor of Harvey Picker, a physicist, educator and philanthropist whose life exemplified service, innovation and a commitment to expanding opportunities for others. For nearly 25 years, MEMIC has independently administered the scholarship, awarding more than $300,000 to more than 50 students whose lives have been impacted by workplace injuries and fatalities.
“We are proud to support the Kids’ Chance mission of providing scholarships and support to children whose lives have been impacted by a work-related injury or fatality,” said Michael Bourque, president and CEO of The MEMIC Group. “Our hope is that this scholarship not only eases the financial burden these families face but also helps empower a young person to achieve their goals, even in the wake of life-altering loss.”
Prorok was selected from among eligible applicants residing in states served by MEMIC and applying through their state Kids’ Chance organizations. Letsos said his nomination highlighted not only the financial challenges faced by families impacted by a workplace fatality but also their commitment to pursue a college education despite extraordinary circumstances.
“JD represents the resilience, determination and promise that the Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship was created to support,” Letsos said. “We look forward to seeing all that he accomplishes in the years ahead.”
About Kids’ Chance of America
Kids’ Chance of America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities and scholarships to the children of workers who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job. Since its inception, Kids’ Chance organizations in all 50 states have together awarded $46 million in scholarships to more than 12,000 students.
About The MEMIC Group
Founded in 1993, The MEMIC Group is a workers’ compensation insurance specialist committed to workplace safety, injury prevention and helping injured workers and their families recover after workplace accidents. Through initiatives such as the Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship, MEMIC helps create opportunities for students whose lives have been impacted by work-related injuries and fatalities.
