Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation awards scholarships

Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation (PSEF) awarded 37 scholarships totaling $61,500 to Polson High School seniors and former Polson High School graduates who are currently attending an accredited two-year or four-year community college, university or vocational school.

The following 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. PSEF matches the $500 donation with $500 so each high school senior receives a $1,000 scholarship.

Two donors provide $1,000 scholarships, and PSEF provided $500 so the students received a $1,500 scholarship. Those are the Alumni Class of ’59 award, which was given to Carson Hupka, and the Trusler Family Vocational Scholarship, which went to Fiona Rettig.

PSEF sponsored three $1,000 scholarships, presented to Torrin Ellis, Brock Henriksen and Avery Starr.

Additional high school seniors receiving $1,000 scholarships are: Harli Kinney, the Montecahto Club Scholarship; Austin Oberwegner, the Dick Schultz Memorial Scholarship; Ashley Maki, the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship; Kylee Seifert and Adamary Guerrero, who each received the Jessie Clemans Memorial Scholarship; Abbey Howlett, the J.V. Holman Memorial Scholarship; Adison Carlson, the Polson Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship; Maddilyn Huffine, the District #23 Employees Scholarship; August Hertz, the George Mahoney Memorial Scholarship;  Olivia Rogers, the Travis Dolphin Memorial Scholarship; Myranda Heiser, a scholarship given in memory of Janis Jette, a former PHS English teacher; Hannah Simpson, a scholarship in honor of Roger McClure, a former PHS guidance counselor; and Espn Fisher, the Becky Anderson Friendship Memorial Scholarship.

Polson High School seniors received a total of $20,500 in scholarships through many donors and PSEF.

Students who are currently enrolled in college received 18 scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $4,000. PSEF received a very generous $12,000 donation from Ron Maki to fund three $4,000 scholarships to former Polson students. The individuals who received these scholarships were Jarrett Wilson, Caitlyn Ward and Piper Hoxie.

PSEF provides $1,000 and donors give $1,000 so students receive a $2,000 scholarship. The four PSEF Scholarships were awarded to: Michael Smith, Kaylanna DesJarlais, Tristan Clifford and Ellie Thiel. 

Other $2,000 scholarships went to the following students: Taleah Hernandez, Alumni Class of 1965 Scholarship; and Owen McElwee, the Mildred and Hib Hanson Memorial Scholarship; Rylie Dupuis, the Robert Depoe III Memorial Scholarship; Elizabeth Tolley, L. G. Baertsch Memorial Scholarship; Jazlyn Dalbey, the Jessie Clemans Memorial Scholarship; Berkley Ellis, the Ken Avison Memorial Scholarship; and Scout Wenzel, the Chris and Odin Strom Scholarship.

Three Chadwick Scholarships were awarded to Keith Erickson and Samuel Fisher, who each received $2,000, and Colter Wilson, who received $1,500. The Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Trent Wilson.

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 and organizations these college students received a total of $41,000 in scholarships.

The 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 PSEF has provided PHS students with $488,500 worth of scholarships. Tax-deductible donations, individuals leaving money in their wills, and fundraisers 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 go towards scholarships.

For more information on setting up a scholarship in memory of a loved one or joining the organization, contact board member Chris Strom at stromchris2@gmail.com.