The Marion Scholarship Committee has applied the final touches to its annual application form that will become available in local high schools before Christmas vacation.
The committee met via Zoom on Monday to discuss any wrinkles and solve any questions except the one anyone would want to know: How many scholarships are available and for how much money?
Unfortunately for all stakeholders, the answer to that question does not emerge until after the committee receives the pool of applicants and pours through each and every one with intense care.
“We are in the situation where we have to wait and see how much money we have,” explained Marthe Soden, the chair of the committee. “We understand about costs, the amounts we give as a scholarship. It might cover one textbook.”
Soden noted that only a couple of years ago the decision was made to award one $750 scholarship. Five scholarships were awarded for 2020-21.
“Everybody looks at them all, and it’s a blind process. The names are removed and the addresses are removed,” she said.
The list of criteria begins with residency in the Town of Marion and includes academic achievement, civic responsibility, community service and involvement, extracurricular activities, personal passion, a vision for post-secondary school, and leadership qualities.
A plan for college attendance during Fall 2022 is a hard prerequisite for eligibility, as students planning any kind of gap between high school graduation and their first semester of college are disqualified from consideration. To be considered, applicants must plan to enroll in fall classes.
The importance of grade-point average was debated during Monday’s meeting by committee member Patty White, who said she would prefer the use of high school transcripts. White noted that some students hold dual enrollment elsewhere and take courses including at local colleges. That work, she said, should also be taken into consideration.
Deliberation is passionate, and some of the group decisions break individual hearts within the committee.
“It was agonizing, there was a good case to be made for each of the applicants,” said Soden of the 2020-21 vote, noting the work that went into the process. “The applications were thoughtfully done.”
One committee member suggested during 2020-21 deliberations that the funds be divided equally so that all the students could get some assistance. “It was really, really hard because they’re all so good, but there isn’t enough money for that,” said Soden.
Applications, available later this month in guidance offices, must be submitted by March 30. Award recipients will be notified by Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson during the first week in May. The committee may advertise in the local newspapers to make students aware.
“People have been very generous,” said Soden. “This is not a good economic time, (but) people have been super, for which we are all extremely grateful.”
If anyone wishes to send a donation, checks can be made out to The Scholarship and Education Fund and mailed to Marion Town House, 2 Spring Street, Marion, MA 02738.
Marion Scholarship Committee
By Mick Colageo