PSEF awards $63,500 to seniors and former grads

Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation (PSEF) awarded 44 scholarships totaling $63,500 to Polson High School seniors and former graduates who are currently attending an accredited two-year, four-year, community college, university or vocational school.

“PSEF would like to thank the many generous donors who provide funds for these scholarships,” said Chris Strom, a founding member of the organization.

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 scholarships awarded $1,500 to students, with the donor providing $1,000, and PSEF donating $500. These are the Alumni Class of ’59, awarded to Skyla Nielson, and the Trusler Family Vocational Scholarship to Shaedon Perry.  

PSEF also sponsored four $1,000 scholarships for Parker Hendrickson, Truman Sawyer, Madelyn Rogers and Ciri Nice.

Additional high school seniors receiving $1,000 scholarships are: Innocent Arnold, Blue Sky First Strike; Allyson Paul, Montecahto Club; Cruz Lies, Chris Hoyt Memorial; Holden Emerson, Polson Beta Sigma Phi; Teague McElwee, District #23 Employees; Ruger Ellis, George Mahoney Memorial; Brody Kline, Travis Dolphin Memorial; I  eninger HVivian Grainey, a scholarship in memory of Janis Jette, a former PHS English teacher; David DiGillonardo, Roger McClure Memorial, in honor of a former PHS guidance counselor; Emma Boogerd, Becky Anderson Friendship Memorial; Mackinzie Bartel, Alumni Class of 1965; and Brody Bulette, Dick Schultz Memorial Scholarship.  Polson Rotary awarded two $1,500 scholarships through PSEF to Madison Lake and Juliet Boen.

In total, Polson High School seniors received a total of $25,500 in scholarships through many donors and PSEF.

Students who are currently enrolled in college receive either $1,000 or $2,000 depending on funds available. HHHHHThanks to donations from sponsors of the annual Lake City Open Golf Tournament, held in conjunction with Polson Bay Golf Course and PSEF, and donations from individuals and organizations, 21 scholarships were awarded totaling $38,000. 

Recipients are Rylie Dupuis, Mildred and Hib Hanson Memorial Scholarship; Colby Yager, Robert Depoe III Memorial Scholarship; Ashley Maki, LG Baertsch Memorial; Alyssa Orien, Jessie Clemans Memorial; Melinda Owen, Ken Avison Memorial; Scout Wenzel, Chris and Odin Strom Scholarship; and Isabel Seely, Emma Sager Women of Rollins. Three Chadwick Scholarships were awarded to Colter Wilson, Michael Smith and Lucian Sawyer.

PSEF provided the following post-secondary scholarships: Piper Hoxie, Julia Reiners, Madyson Luikart, Carter Smith, Owen McElwee, Katelyn Smith, Garet Wilmar, Torin Ellis, Taegen Gage, Carson Hupka and Caitlyn Ward.

Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation is a local non-profit organization established in 2002 as Polson Dollars for Scholars. Its purpose 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 we have provided 673 Polson High students with $753,500 worth of scholarships,” said Strom. 

Those efforts are fueled by tax-deductible donations, individuals leaving money in their wills, and fundraisers, as well as individuals setting up scholarship funds in memory of loved ones. All donations and monies raised goes directly towards scholarships. 

For more information, contact board member Chris Strom at [email protected]. Visit PSEF at Polson High School web page listed under counselors for a complete list of students who have benefited through PSEF.