Polson awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships

Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation awarded 27 scholarships totaling $39,500 to Polson High School seniors and former Polson High School graduates who are currently attending an accredited two-year, four-year, community college, university or vocational school.

Scholarships are set up through the PSEF with money donated by individuals in memory of loved ones, alumni classes, civic organizations and employees of School District #23 in the amount of $500. Our foundation then matches the $500 with $500 so each high school senior receives a $1,000 scholarship. Two exceptions are the Alumni Class of ’59 and the Montecahto Club, which each provide $1,000 and PSEF provides $500 for each so the students receive a $1,500 scholarship.

High school seniors receiving scholarships are Omar Perel Carrillo, the Alumni Class of 1959 Scholarship and Kylei Big Bow the Montecahto Club Scholarship. The children of Maureen and Ray Theiler provided money for three Theiler/Oberlitner Scholarship in the amount of $650 and PSEF provided funds to bring the amount up to $1,000 for each of the three scholarships. Students receiving these scholarships are Kaiden Forman Webster, Alex Mausshardt, and Russell Smith. Other individuals or organizations that provided $500 scholarships which are matched by funds from PSEF and the students receiving these scholarships are: Geneva desLions the Mildred and Hib Hanson Scholarship, Mailia Seeley the Travis Dolphin Memorial Scholarship, Quinn Motichka and Payton Dupuis, District #23 Employees Scholarships, Jacob Finkbeiner the Trusler Family Vocational Scholarship, Briala Forman the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship, Chad Moore the J.V. Holman Memorial Scholarship, Michael Vergeront the Polson Beta Scholarship, and Caitlyn Farris , the Robert DePoe III Memorial Scholarship.

The following $2,000 scholarships for students currently enrolled in college were provided. Natalie Wheeler was awarded $1,000 dollars from The Women of Rollins Emma Sager Scholarship and a $1,000 from PSEF. The Theiler/Oberlitner Scholarship provided three $650 scholarships with matching funds to provide the $2,000 from PSEF and Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship to Witley Sampson, Andrew Weltz and Mikayla Croft. Emiliano Hernandes was awarded the Ruth Walker Memorial Scholarship, Sarah Rausch the Alumni Class of ’65 Scholarship, Claire Lanier the Merle Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Tanner Wilson the Sue Gregg Lanier Memorial Scholarship, and Mollie Fisher the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship.

Thanks to donations from sponsors for the Lake City Open Golf Tournament that is held in conjunction with Polson Bay Golf Course and PSEF and donations from individuals the following college students received $2,000 scholarships: Mollie Lemm, Lydia Dupuis and Grace Sievert. Linnea Madson was awarded $1,000 as she is scheduled to graduate in December.

Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation, is a local non-profit organization established in 2002 as Polson Dollars for Scholars. The purpose of the organization is to expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Polson High School graduates and assist parents and students with college expenses. Since its inception we have provided 300 PHS students with a $312,00 worth of scholarships. Tax-deductible donations, individuals leaving money in their wills, and fund-raisers provide the funds for scholarships as well as individuals setting up a scholarship fund in memory of a loved one. All donations and monies raised goes towards scholarships. For more information on setting up a scholarship in memory of a loved one or joining our organization please contact board member Chris Strom at stromchris2@gmail.com. “Like” us on our Facebook page at Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation.