The Mineral County Community Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2020 scholarships.

Five graduating seniors from Mineral County high schools were chosen to receive college scholarships.

Selections are made based on five factors; (1) community service, (2) leadership qualities, (3) scholastic achievement, (4) extracurricular activities and (5) overall character.

This year three scholarships of $500 each were awarded to Emmah Baughman of Alberton High School, Ashley Wilson of St. Regis High School, and Emma Hopwood of Superior High School. Two students with exemplary volunteerism in their communities, Jacob Lapinski of Superior High School, and Kylee Thompson of St. Regis High School, each were awarded scholarships of $1,000.

The following are the aspirations of these students, in their own words:

Emma Baughman, Alberton: “I plan to attend the University of Providence to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology Social Services and then attend graduate school so that I may obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I want my career to mean something and this path of work is something that is close to my heart. While attending school I hope to get involved in a program that enables me to work with children and be able to help them as much as I can. With my social work degree I want to mostly work with younger kids who have been in bad homes and have been in bad situations. I also want to get a minor in Criminal Justice so that I am also able to help kids who have strayed from the right path and have found themselves in bad situations legally.”

Ashley Wilson, St. Regis: “As a result of my focus on education, helping others and the desire to make a difference in the world, I decided to become a doctor. Currently, I am still on that path and I cannot wait to accomplish all my goals. I know that it will be a tough journey, but I am ready for every part of it. The personal rewards of helping others outweigh all other factors, including status, money or prestige. I have already grown so much as a person in the short time I have been involved in volunteer opportunities through my school. I cannot imagine the impact saving lives will have on my character. Furthermore, I will truly be helping people. I will be helping the sick, dying, recovering and everyone else in between, which is the greatest gift I could ask for.”

Emma Hopwood, Superior: “Ever since I was a young girl, I was always fascinated with forensic science. Both of my parents influenced my motivation and interest in both science and criminal justice. My father, Hugh Hopwood worked as the Sheriff/Coroner of Mineral County from 2004 to 2010. My mother, Angie Hopwood is a teacher at Superior Elementary School, with a Master’s Degree in science education. Growing up around such intriguing fields, and watching a plethora of crime shows, I knew it was what I was most passionate about and would love to pursue as a lifelong career. As high school comes to a close, I have started thinking about what college would best suit my domain of interest. I was accepted into the University of Montana, in the autumn of 2019, with the intention of earning an Associate’s Degree in forensic studies and later on working towards a Bachelor’s Degree as well as a Masters.”

Jacob Lapinski, Superior: “My future plans are to become a career firefighter as I’ve discovered I enjoy it through my volunteer service with Superior Fire. I plan to attend Missoula College for a degree in paramedicine starting during the fall semester of 2020. Every fire department requires at least an EMT certificate, but paramedics are desired most. Throughout college I plan to become a resident firefighter for Missoula Rural Fire District. This opportunity will allow me to live full time at a fire station during college. While being a resident, I will be able to learn valuable skills that are applicable to the job I desire.”

Kylee Thompson, St. Regis: “I have learned way more than academics in St. Regis and having had exemplary teachers who have inspired me to ‘reach for the moon’ and even if I didn’t make it, I fell among stars. I have been able to be a part of watching students who struggled and, in a bigger school, would have been lost. But, here, they were accepted and succeeded. This has given me aspirations to pursue a career as a teacher and offer hope to the students who need extra encouragement to be able to be a success.”