New Funds for 2021 Scholarship Program

A scholarship fund created as a Christmas gift is one of ten new funds which will support Marion area students this spring. The Elgin High School Wider Horizons Scholarship was created by family members of an appreciative Elgin alumna who wants to use this unique Christmas gift to support and encourage the educational pursuits of students with “a natural curiosity about all facets of the world and who desire to educate themselves broadly.”

The Elgin Wider Horizons Scholarship acknowledges the quality education available at Elgin High School and, especially, teachers Eunice Waber, Max Griffith, and Carroll Neidhardt. These faculty members, according to the fund creator who wishes to remain anonymous, taught by example that “education is not only important in preparing and qualifying students to perform interesting work that contributes to our communities, but that an unceasing desire to pursue and integrate knowledge also expands and shades one’s personal understanding of the arts, history, social institutions, and ourselves.” The scholarship supports graduating seniors of Elgin High School with a grade point average of 3.0 or greater and who demonstrate particular or extraordinary financial need.

Marion Community Foundation’s 2021 Scholarship Program is in progress and, in early May, will award in excess of $450,000 to local high school seniors and college students from approximately 130 scholarship funds.  In addition to the Elgin Wider Horizons Scholarship, the following new funds will make awards for the first time this spring:

Altrusa Club of Marion Scholarship Funds I & II

The Altrusa Club of Marion has offered scholarships for years, but recently migrated their funds to Marion Community Foundation for stewardship. The Club created two scholarship funds. Altrusa I is open to lifelong Marion students to attend the college or university of their choice and honors the memory of Lynda L. Williams, Ruth Kramer, and Clara Walters. The Altrusa II scholarship honors the memory of Ferol Mae Burley and supports female students pursuing a degree in business or management.

Civitan Club of Marion Scholarship Fund

The Civitan Club of Marion Scholarship Fund also migrated to the Foundation and is created from the assets of one of the local Civitan Clubs which disbanded. Members of Civitan share a servant’s heart and a desire to create positive change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Accordingly, the Civitan Scholarship supports students who are lifelong Marion residents and intend to pursue a degree in education, especially if working with children or adults with disabilities.

Jerry Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Jerry Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund honors its namesake and his lifelong love of cars. It will support a senior from Tri-Rivers Career Center’s Auto Tech program, which Hamilton served as a beloved, long-time advisor.

Allyson M. Haycox Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Allyson M. Haycox Memorial Scholarship was created following Haycox’s passing after battling cancer. She made a 35-year-career as a pharmacist with OhioHealth and her scholarship will support Marion county students pursuing a degree in that profession or a related field of medicine or health care. Her husband and family generously created this scholarship to preserve her memory.

Tasha Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Tasha Jones Memorial Scholarship was created by Edgefield Animal Care Center, where Jones worked and was a valued team member. Jones passed from cancer shortly after earning her degree in veterinary technology. Her scholarship will support a student pursuing a degree in animal science, veterinary medicine, veterinary technician, or veterinary technology.

Janet Palm Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Janet Palm Memorial Scholarship was created by her husband, Michael Palm, and family to honor Janet’s career in teaching and love for reading. This substantial scholarship will support students of Marion Harding High School pursuing a degree in education.

Brian & Denise Spires Scholarship Fund

The Brian & Denise Spires Scholarship supports students from River Valley High School. Their scholarship is intended to support a graduating senior who participated in varsity sports, attended the local school for their entire high school career, and maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average.

David G. Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship Fund

The David G. Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship honors Wilhelm’s lifelong career dedicated to helping people with mental and behavioral health issues. Wilhelm was part of the staff at Marion Area Counseling Center for 39 years. His scholarship is intended to help continue his life’s work by supporting Marion area students pursuing a degree and career in mental and behavioral health services.

Marion Community Foundation’s Scholarship Program has one application for all of the 130 scholarship funds, making it easy for students to complete. The online application may be found HERE.

The online application requires documentation such as personal recommendations, financial details, and essays to be attached. Students can save the application in progress while they gather the supporting documentation and return to finish the application, including making updates and corrections, before filing.

Applications are available now through February 25 (2021) at Noon.  This deadline is absolute. The review process continues for several weeks, culminating in the Board’s final decisions in early May. 

Additional information and access to the online scholarship application is available on the Scholarships page of this website.