MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Alumni Association members gave $1,000 scholarships to 11 Moses Lake High School seniors.

The scholarships help seniors pay for schooling at an accredited school of their choice. Students are chosen based on financial need, activities inside and outside of school and contributions to the community.

“All of us on the association think education is really important and want to help out as many students as we can,” said Cynthia Calbick, by-laws chair for the association’s board. “We want to award a student committed to going on to school to achieve success. We like to hear back from the student on how they are doing and keep in touch with them.”

Scholarship winners are Iris Banks, Linda Beagley, Randi Bechyne, Morgan Fish, Cassandra Keller, Shelby Kenner, Colton Messer, Elizabeth Palmer, Molly Stockman, Eduardo Renteria and Morgan Yearout.

Funds for scholarships are derived from association membership fees and donations, interest on endowments, state Department of Education matching funds and memorial donations.

The association was formed in 2006 by graduates of the Moses Lake School District to help students go on to receive a higher education. Members have awarded around $22,000 in college scholarships to 29 recipients over the past three years.

“Our theme is to unite, honor and celebrate,” Calbick said. “The association serves several purposes. In addition to providing scholarships, we want to honor graduates and bring class members together.”

This year’s luncheon brought together 20 graduates from the class of 1955. The event featured a silent auction and an introduction of alumni, along with the scholarship awards presentation.

“The luncheon was a lot of fun,” Calbick said. “Around 100 people came. It’s always fun to see people come back for a reunion.”

The association hosts luncheons once a year to bring alumni together.

“It’s more than just a school reunion,” Calbick said. “It’s a way for people talk about Moses Lake legacies and the contributions of deceased family members. It gets really emotional sometimes when we start honoring those who have passed away.”

The association serves as an information center for alumni seeking to contact former classmates and find out about class reunions. Association members facilitate contacts and disseminate information, Calbick explained.

“Membership is open to anyone that wants to join,” Calbick said. “Moses Lake School District alumni, friends of alumni and senior students can join,”

Annual dues are $5 and seniors pay $5 for a ten-year membership. Donations beyond the fee are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.

“I’m really proud of how much money we’ve been able to raise for scholarships,” Calbick said. “When we first started, we were hoping to raise $1,000 and we’ve surpassed that amount by far.”

The association opens applications for Moses Lake School District seniors mid-January. Students that have received a scholarship before, can re-apply for another one the next year.

Application forms are available at Moses Lake High School, Columbia Basin Secondary School, Big Bend Community College, Columbia Basin Job Corps and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. Students can also get the form online at www.moseslakeschools.org or by calling Sally McLanahan at 509-765-3366.

To become a Moses Lake Alumni Association member, contact Lapriel McDowell at 509-765-7279 or Lapriel@nctv.com.