The Bigfork BH Chapter of P.E.O, an international women’s philanthropy organization focused on supporting education, is now accepting applications for a scholarship aimed at Bigfork women currently enrolled in post-secondary education.

“There are lots of scholarships for gals when they're graduating from high school, but there aren't hardly any out there for the women who are pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s or trade degree. They got their first scholarship when they graduated, but then after that, they're few and far between,” Karol Fonteyne said of the organization’s decision to start the fund. Fonteyne is a member of Bigfork’s BH P.E.O chapter and spearheads scholarship efforts. 

The BH chapter has long sponsored scholarships for high school senior women pursuing further education after graduation, but this is the only second year that the organization has offered a scholarship specifically for women enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate or trade school program.  

Last year, Bigfork’s P.E.O. chapter awarded three scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 from a total fund of $10,000. This year’s scholarship fund is bigger than last year’s, and the scholarship committee will determine how many scholarships to award and the specific amount depending on each applicant’s qualifications.  

There is no age limit to apply for the scholarship, Fonteyne stressed. The aim of the scholarship is to support women who have graduated high school, whether recently or decades ago, since there are relatively few scholarships available for non-high school students.  

The most important criteria, though, is that applicants live in Bigfork.  

“Because we are a Bigfork-based group of women, we want to support young women who have resided in Bigfork,” Fonteyne said. 

Applicants must have graduated from Bigfork High School, resided in the Bigfork School District upon graduation from high school or resided in the Bigfork area for at least three years.  

Further requirements include attending an accredited post-secondary school, whether in-person or remotely, and maintaining a 2.5 GPA.  

“It’s our joy to be able to present these scholarships, so we would love to have a lot of candidates,” Fonteyne said.  

P.E.O., an acronym which stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization, was founded more than 150 years ago at Iowa Wesleyan College by women seeking friendship and to support educational opportunities for fellow women. Since then, the organization has sponsored scholarships for more than 132,000 women totaling $490 million.  

Bigfork’s BH Chapter was founded in 1979 by a group of similarly minded women. Today, there are 49 members in the chapter committed to supporting one another and the next generation of women in the community.  

“It’s not just philanthropy and scholarships,” Fonteyne said. “It’s also a bond. Some of these women have been in P.E.O. for 50 or 60 years because it’s that strong of a sisterhood. It’s down-to-earth women who really enjoy each other’s company.” 

To raise funds for the organization’s scholarships, the BH Chapter hosted a Par and Party for P.E.O. Golf Tournament at Eagle Bend Golf Course, which Fonteyne said was a community success despite a bout of stormy fall weather.  

To request an application or refer a potential applicant, contact Karol Fonteyne at (406) 250-7532 by Oct. 31.  

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.