A record number of high school seniors have filled out local scholarship applications this year, according to scholarship director Lisa Harris.
A total of 195 out of 286 seniors applied for scholarships, the most since the previous record of 181 students was set in 2010. Harris said she is encouraged to see so many students realizing the need to go on to college or technical school and taking advantage of the program.
The scholarship awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. May 14 in the high school theater. In the meantime Harris is working with local businesses, individuals, clubs, alumni clubs, memorial funds and organizations to make sure that each deserving student who applies gets a scholarship.
Siloam Springs scholarship program has given a total of $9.7 million in local scholarships over the past 38 years. Last year the program gave students $617,924 for higher education. The totals do not include military and college scholarships or federal grants.
Harris said the scholarships have a very big impact on students. There have been instances where a $50 scholarship changed the direction of a student's life, she said.
"It gave them that vote of confidence that they were worth it," she said.
There have been many times the community scholarships have enabled a student to go into a particular field or a particular school they could not have afforded otherwise.
"(The scholarship program) is helping students' dreams come true, helping them to reach their goals," Harris said.
All high school seniors attend a formal presentation about the local scholarship program at the beginning of the school year and receive an application packet. The selection of scholarship recipients is made by the donors and by the scholarship committee. Most students don't know they will be receiving a scholarship until the night of the program.
"There are a lot of good candidates - students that have worked hard and I'd like to see rewarded," Harris said.
Harris said there are still a few holes that need to be filled in order for every student to receive a scholarship. She is counting on the community to make the contributions in time for the scholarship program. She encouraged employers of students and their parents to come forward and make donations and said it is a great time for new businesses and organizations to get involved in the program.
The deadline for scholarship donors to appear in the official award ceremony program is May 2 but donations are accepted up to the night of the scholarship award ceremony.
"It's not too late to donate," Harris said.
For more information about donating to the local scholarship program contact Harris at 479-524-5134.
General News on 04/29/2015