A record number of seniors received local scholarships during the Siloam Springs High School's 39th Annual Scholarship Awards Program on Thursday evening.
More than $5.15 million in scholarship money was awarded to Siloam Springs students during the ceremony, including $652,333 in scholarships from local businesses, individuals and organizations.
A total of 536 local scholarships were given to 200 students -- all 195 that applied plus five more, according to Lisa Harris, scholarship director. The second highest number of students to receive scholarships was 181 in 2011.
"Every person who applied got at least one scholarship," she said. "It always is amazing how it works out."
Since it was founded in 1977, the local scholarship program has distributed $10.3 million to students -- including the money awarded on Thursday evening. Local scholarship funds continued to come in during the program on Thursday and even on Friday morning. Harris said she expected the final numbers to grow even larger. The highest amount of money to be awarded at the program was $673,950 in 2013.
Siloam Springs High School graduates received a total of $3.28 million in scholarships from a list of 20 colleges and technical students, as well as the U.S. Marines. They also received $1.22 million from the Arkansas Academic Challenge.
Eleven honor graduates and 21 high honor graduates were recognized at the Chamber of Commerce Honor Luncheon, held at John Brown University's Simmons Great Hall on Thursday afternoon.
Students must earn a 3.65 grade point average and take 13 honors classes to be considered an honor graduate. To be a high honor graduate, they must earn a 3.90 grade point average and take 13 honors graduates.
Local business representatives sat with the graduates during the luncheon before giving a short speech introducing each graduate and presenting them with an award for their achievements.
Graduation was held after press time on Saturday at the University of Arkansas' Barnhill Arena.
General News on 05/16/2015