SSHS students receive $5.8 million in scholarships

Local scholarship program contributes $642,685

Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader
K'dora Couch, plant manager at Webb Wheel, presented senior Nathanael Long during the 39th annual Chamber of Commerce Honor Graduate Luncheon on Thursday. A total of 21 high honor graduates and six honor graduates recognized during the event. A business sponsor introduced each senior and told about their achievements.
Janelle Jessen/Herald-Leader K'dora Couch, plant manager at Webb Wheel, presented senior Nathanael Long during the 39th annual Chamber of Commerce Honor Graduate Luncheon on Thursday. A total of 21 high honor graduates and six honor graduates recognized during the event. A business sponsor introduced each senior and told about their achievements.

Siloam Springs High School graduates received 550 local scholarships totaling $642,685 during the 40th annual Scholarship Night on Thursday.

More than 180 students received a total of $5.8 million in scholarships during the event, including local, college and military scholarships, and Arkansas Academic Challenge funds, according to Lisa Harris, scholarship program director.

The scholarship night was part of a week's worth of celebrations for seniors, including the Chamber of Commerce Honor Graduate Luncheon on Thursday morning and the Arkansas Scholars picnic on Friday afternoon. A total of 293 seniors earned their diplomas during the commencement ceremony, held Saturday afternoon after press time in the University of Arkansas' Barnhill Arena.

Including the money given Thursday, the local scholarship program has given $11 million to Siloam Springs High School graduates seeking higher education over its 40-year history, she said. Scholarship donors include local businesses, individuals, and memorials funds.

This year all the students who applied for scholarships received at least one, Harris said. In addition, the scholarship committee decided to award at least 10 students who didn't apply based on their merit.

Harris hopes that giving each student who applies a scholarship will give them a boost of confidence and encouragement that someone believes in them.

At the beginning of the school year, many of the students started the year scared and worried about how they would pay for college, she said. It was rewarding to watch their hard work and commitment pay off during the scholarship program, she said.

Eight donors were recognized on Thursday night for giving to the scholarship program for 25 years, including American Legion Post 29, Arvest Bank, Highland Park Shopping Center, Ward and Colleen Jones, Ward Jones Realtors, SSHS Alumni Class of 1962, M.L. and Nancy Van Poucke and Wasson Funeral Home.

"We really appreciate it," said Harris, "That shows their consistency and dedication to the program."

The class of 2016 had a number of noteworthy academic achievements. Twelve students received a SSHS scholastic achievement award for having a grade point average at or above 4.0 on Thursday evening, Harris said.

Five students, a record number, received the Arkansas Distinguished Governor's Scholarship, she said. The state scholarship is worth $40,000 over a four-year period, and is only awarded to students who receive a 32 or higher on the ACT test and a 4.0 or better GPA. Students who received the scholarship were Savannah Carter, Alyssa Cook, John Lavey, Nathanael Long and Abigail Thurstenson.

On Friday morning, 69 graduates were honored at Chamber of Commerce picnic for Arkansas Scholars. To earn the distinction, students must earn grades of "C" or better in all courses, achieve a 95 percent or better attendance record over four years, complete the core high school courses and finish high school in eight consecutive semesters.

On Thursday morning, 21 high-honor graduates and six honor graduates were recognized during the 39th annual Chamber of Commerce Honor Graduate Luncheon, held at John Brown University's Simmons Great Hall.

In order to graduate with honors, students must have at least a 3.65 GPA and 13 honor credits. To achieve high honors, students must have a 3.9 GPA in addition to the honor credits.

During the program, Superintendent Ken Ramey noted the district had at least 15 seniors with ACT scores higher than 30, and two National Merit Scholars.

"My hat's off to you," he said. "You've done a magnificent job. We couldn't be prouder of you."

General News on 05/22/2016