Scholarships awarded to graduates

• The Flathead Democratic Women award scholarships yearly to encourage Flathead Valley students to reach their academic goals through higher education.

Their 2020 winners are Scott O’Donnell, Flathead High School; Laney Conger, Columbia Falls High School; and Sam Menicke, Whitefish High School. These students have shown academic excellence, have been involved in school and community activities, and have goals of creating this a better world, the organization notes.

• P.E.O. Chapter D, Whitefish has announced that Whitefish High School senior Josephine Vardell has been selected as a recipient of the P.E.O. Chapter D, Whitefish High School Local Scholarship for the 2020 academic year. The $1,070 scholarship is awarded to a high school senior on the following merits: Financial need, school activities, academic performance, educational goal, and community service. Josephine plans on attending Montana State University in the fall to obtain her undergraduate degree and then on to medical school to specialize in psychiatry.

P.E.O. International is a Philanthropic Educational Organization that supports women’s education. There are 10 P.E.O Chapters in the Flathead Valley. Chapter D, Whitefish was the 2nd chapter founded in Montana in 1915. This year’s scholarship is given in memory of Gene Grove and Marilynn Harding, beloved family members of two of Chapter D’s P.E.O. members.