Scholarship coordinator announces new fund to further support LPHS graduates
EBS STAFF
On Tuesday morning, March 31 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, 23 Lone Peak High School seniors received scholarships for post-secondary study, funded by the community.
The Friends of Big Sky Education, a nonprofit aimed at enhancing and supporting education in Big Sky, bestowed 47 scholarships to the students, totaling $120,000 in awards. FOBSE began the scholarship program in 2015 and fields applications from students yearly. Local businesses, organizations and families contribute funds for students who plan on attending a post-secondary program.
A FOBSE press release shared LPHS Principal Marlo Mitchem’s support for the program.
“The FOBSE scholarship program is an incredible opportunity for our seniors,” Mitchem stated. “We are so grateful to live in a community that honors hard work and individual pursuits while cultivating a genuine culture of support for our students.”
John Zirkle, LPHS theater and a cappella teacher, and John Hannahs, Big Sky School District athletic director, emceed the event. They shared tidbits and future plans about students recognized, and also welcomed donors to the stage to present their awards.
Melissa McKeithen, FOBSE’s scholarship program coordinator and board member, shared a new development for the nonprofit called the FOBSE General Fund. Grants from this pool of money will support LPHS graduates who need assistance paying tuition and other expenses after their first year at a post-secondary school.
“Most of the FOBSE scholarships that we award today are for the first year of study, with a few that have an option for a second year,” McKeithen stated in the release. “The Scholarship General Fund will make additional support available for students throughout their post-secondary program.”
Lone Peak’s Class of 2026 will graduate on Sunday, May 24.
