A flying start for scholarship mentorship program
Graduating Whitefish High School scholarship winners for this year were honored at a brief ceremony on Monday. (Russel Aldrich/ Swan Lake Studio)
The Whitefish Education Foundation scholarship mentor pilot program is already making a big impact.
To date, WEF Scholarship Mentors estimate they have met with 60 students since the program’s inception in January. They have contributed nearly 200 volunteer hours.
“Searching for scholarships can seem overwhelming at first. It was really helpful to have someone to help me get started and better understand each step I needed to take,” said WHS Senior Maddie Young.
Under the supervision of the Whitefish High School Counselors, volunteer mentors assist Whitefish High School and Whitefish Independent High School students in navigating the scholarship search and application process.
Whether the student is learning about available local scholarships and specific university resources for the first time, or they are needing reviews of their essays and application materials, mentors are able to help with any stage of the process.
“We are available to help in any capacity that supports the students best,” said Scholarship Mentor Chair Caroline Frisbee.
WEF believes that the volunteer efforts will eventually lead to an increase in the overall number of scholarship awards offered by the local community.
“The scholarship volunteers have helped our school so much by meeting with individual seniors, assisting at parent night events, communicating with scholarship donors, and helping to organize our awards ceremony,” said College & Career Counselor Ross Lingle.
The program is set to continue.
“Our intention is that this is an evergreen program, available for the foreseeable future,” said Frisbee.
The program will be meeting with families of current juniors on Wednesday, May 22 from 6 - 7 p.m. in the WHS Cafeteria to jump-start class of 2025 efforts.
Students and families can also always access available scholarships via their Whitefish High School website (see "Counselor" tab) to see what is upcoming. This list of scholarships will be renewed for the upcoming academic year by mid-September as well.
Graduating Whitefish High School scholarship winners for this year – 38 to date, with many still yet to receive awards – were celebrated at a brief ceremony on Monday, May 20.
For more information, contact WEF Executive Director Jesse Kuntz at wefdirector@whitefishschools.org.