Polson Dollars for Scholars awarded 23 scholarships totaling $32,500 to Polson High School seniors and Polson High School graduates who are currently attending an accredited two-year, four-year, community college, university or vocational school.

Three new scholarships were provided this year. One $500 scholarship was set up in memory or Helen and Wayne Gryde. Dollars for Scholars add to this scholarship to increase it to $2,000. This scholarship was for any Polson graduate who was a student at any university who had completed their freshman year. Riley Kenney was the recipient of this scholarship.

The second new scholarship was in memory of Mildred and Hib Hanson, long time residents of Polson. Two $1,000 Hanson Memorial scholarships were awarded to seniors MeKenna Sampson and Caden Howlett. The third new $500 scholarship, set up by the Hoyt family in memory of highway patrolman Christopher Hoyt was awarded to Monica Cleveland. Polson Dollars for Scholars matched this scholarship to make it a $1,000.

Because of the high cost of post-secondary education, Polson Dollars for Scholars donated money to individual scholarships that have been sponsored by various groups of individuals, so that each $500 scholarship for college students was increased to $2,000. The following $2,000 scholarships were also presented to students who are graduates and currently attending college. Jonah Barta received the Dollars for Scholars Continuing Education Scholarship. Autsin Von Tom was awarded the Polson Bay Grocery-Kienas/Mahoney Scholarship. The Merle Anderson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Breanne Kelley. Joanna Browning received the Polson District No. 23 Employees Scholarship. The Fred Barnowsky Scholarship was awarded to Kayla Duford. Danielle Howlett was awarded the Sue Lanier Memorial Scholarship. The Ruth Walker Scholarship was awarded to Jordan Quinn. Heidi Rausch received the John Obertlitner scholarship sponsored by the Theiler family. Colleen Jacobson was awarded the Alumni Class of ’20-’55 scholarship.

Seniors at Polson High School were awarded the following scholarships. The Class of ’59 selected Keana Cordier and she received a $1,250 scholarship. Cedrick Smith was selected by the Montecahto Club Scholarship for $1,000. A John Oberlitner/Theiler Family scholarship was awarded to Andrew Weltz. Erica Alfiero was awarded the $1,000 Polson District #23 Employees Scholarship. Dylan Moll was awarded the Trusler Family Vocational Scholarship in the amount of $2,000. Polson Dollars for Scholars awarded Jaylin Kenney and Tegan Bauer each a $1,000 scholarship. Lauren Dupuis was awarded a $500 Toby Nelson Scholarship and a $500 John Oberlitner/Theiler Family Scholarship.

Polson Dollars for Scholars is a local non-profit organization established in 2002. The purpose of the organization is to expand access to post-secondary educational opportunities for Polson High School graduates. Since its inception Polson Dollars for Scholars has provided 150 students with a $159,900 worth of scholarships. Tax-deductible donations 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. The board of directors is comprised of local volunteers who would like to encourage anyone interested to furthering the goal to please join the organization. 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 883-4526.