Over the past four decades, the community has given more than $11.6 million in local scholarships to graduating high school seniors, according to Lisa Harris, retired scholarship program director.
The local scholarship program is unique to Siloam Springs, according to Harris and Superintendent Ken Ramey. The program distributes scholarships from businesses, individuals and organizations in the community. A scholarship committee comprised of school and community leaders works to match students with scholarships.
In 2017 alone, students received $555,000 in local scholarships and $5.7 million in college, military and state financial aid. A total of 578 individual local scholarships were awarded.
Honor and high honor students in Siloam Springs receive unique recognition from the Chamber of Commerce. For the past 40 years, the Chamber has held an Honor Graduate Luncheon each May. This year's program was held at John Brown University's Simmons Great Hall and honored 16 graduates. During the program, Chamber members stand up and introduce each student individually. The meal is served by junior members of the National Honor Society.
"We are really, really honored and really proud of the academic achievements of these young men and women," Ramey said. "And we're thrilled to death that we have such a great partnership with John Brown University, our Chamber and our businesses who have all committed time, energy and effort to be here today and celebrate the success of our students.
General News on 06/28/2017