Kenli Riney died after her car spun off a Texas highway into a ditch and caught fire, but her parents, Marjohn and Kevin Riney, turned that tragedy into a financial engine for student heroism. The Kenli Foundation, based in Kerrville, has now awarded 67 scholarships totaling $67,000 to students attending colleges, trade schools, and graduate programs. The organization’s reach has expanded dramatically, supporting recipients from 24 states and international regions.
The foundation’s growth mirrors the scale of the rescue that inspired it. When Riney’s vehicle caught fire, Mike Argote and three others ran toward the flames to pull her out. Argote suffered burns during the rescue and began performing CPR. When he became too exhausted to continue, his 14-year-old daughter, Ema Argote, took over. Marjohn Riney told the Good News Network that the couple’s mission is simple: "Strangers ran toward the fire. We exist to find more people like them."
The foundation’s workload has surged over the past five years. It received just four applications in its first year. By 2026, that number hit 451. The organization funds these awards through community events, local business sponsorships, and an annual charity golf tournament in Kerrville. Business support helped increase annual awards from four to 22.
The foundation also maintains specific honors tied to the 2021 crash. Each year, it gives a scholarship to a graduating senior at Tivy High School in Kerrville in Riney’s memory. It also offers the Argote Award Scholarship at San Saba High School to recognize the family members who risked their safety during the rescue. Ema Argote was the first recipient of that award. She is now pursuing a degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Nominations for the next round of student hero scholarships open on January 1, 2027, through the foundation’s online portal.