Polson family offers $1,000 scholarship

The Alexander family is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Harold and Doreen Alexander, two longtime Polson residents who were business owners, vocational workers, and very active in the community. They believed in the importance and value of post-secondary education.

For Doreen, growing up on the plains of northern Saskatchewan in the 1930s and 40s she saw and felt the struggles young women faced in getting additional education. Mom was blessed with some post-secondary education and the assistance of a family that helped support her. Eventually a local businessman offered her an internship where she learned the ins and outs of running a women’s clothing business. After coming to the United States and several years of hard work, she was able to fulfill her dream of owning her own women’s clothing store called Doreen’s Fashions in Polson. In later years, she paid it forward by working with a local group to raise money to finance scholarships for women.

For Harold, the end of World War II meant finding work and starting a family. He did an apprenticeship to become a printer. He also believed in giving back. He helped build the first Little League fields in Polson, belonged to several charitable groups, and was a volunteer fireman. After 5 p.m., and on weekends, he was found working with Doreen in the various businesses they owned. In the 1970s with the advent of computers, Harold noticed women starting to show an interest in the printing trade, and felt it was a shame there hadn’t been more opportunities for women years earlier.

In that spirit, the purpose of this scholarship is to support a 2020 Polson High School female graduate who plans to attend any accredited/licensed post-secondary institution and receive an education that could lead to working in a trade, the business world, and/or someone who dreams of maybe one day owning her own business. This scholarship is not simply merit based. The intent of this scholarship is to provide support to a female graduate considering a wide range of academic and personal criteria.

Applicants must enroll fall 2020 and attend an in-state or out-of-state accredited institution. This includes trade schools, beauty/barber college, a one semester certificate program, or two-year vocational or four-year institution.

Payment will be made directly to the scholarship winner and may be used for anything that will help the applicant be successful at school.

Payment will be made in August/September when the scholarship recipient provides proof of enrollment.

Only the chosen recipient will be notified of the decision.

Applications must be postmarked by April 1,

For application details, email Thomas Alexander at thomas.alexander@northwestern.com, or call 406-490-2471.