PHS class of '59 awards scholarship to Emiliano Hernandez

Congratulations to Emiliano Hernandez, the 2017 recipient of the Polson High School Class of 1959 Scholarship in cooperation with Dollars for Scholars. Emiliano will attend Montana State University in the fall majoring in Microbiology. The PHS Class of ’59 recognizes the dedication and effort Emiliano gave throughout his high school years. Maintaining a high B grade point average, Emiliano was a PHS Link Leader, which is a student centered leadership and mentor program for freshmen. He was the PHS Varsity Assistant Captain. Honors earned by Emiliano include his being a member of the Northwest A Montana Conference Soccer Champions and serving as an American Legion Montana Boys State Delegate. Emiliano was selected to receive the 2016-2017 Polson High School Personal Best Award. Activities for Emiliano include participating in the Salish Kootenai College Upward Bound Program, a college preparatory program, HOSA, (Health Occupations Students of America, PHS Varsity Soccer, HOPA Mountain Indigenous Scholar of Promise (college preparatory program), as well as Spanish, piano, reading, running, travel and skiing. Emiliano participated in the Glacier STARS Native Plant Restoration (Students Taking Action and Responsibility in Stewardship). In addition to the activities and honors, Emiliano found time to work at the Finley Point Grill as a dishwasher, busser and janitor. Goals Emiliano hopes to achieve include obtaining his Emergency Medical Technician certificate during the summer of 2017. He is looking forward to achieving a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with a major or minor in Latin American Studies or Spanish. A long term goal is to attend medical or graduate school. Emiliano’s ultimate goal is to work as a doctor of infectious diseases or a research scientist.

Emiliano is the fourteenth recipient of the scholarship awarded annually by the PHS Class of 1959 in conjunction with Dollars for Scholars. 2005 was the year the first scholarship awarded by the PHS Class of ’59. Fields of study of scholarship recipients have included elementary and secondary education, business, nursing, journalism, physical therapy and interior design.

Dave Swayne, Jane Laraby-Swayne (Farnum) and Clao Milner, with Peggy Milner filling in for Gary Maas, comprised the PHS Class of ’59 Scholarship Selection Committee. A special thank you is extended to these individuals for their dedication and work. Thank you, committee members.