Our scholarship program is focused on giving needy students a real chance to pursue higher education. It began by helping graduating seniors who lacked support or encouragement at home, with many Rotarians personally mentoring students through enrollment and checking in on their progress. Over time, the program expanded beyond first-year awards, thanks in part to Hardy Graham’s “Sophomore Program,” a $35,000 funded scholarship that provides a $2,500 annual award ,and now includes many upperclassmen scholarships as well.
We’ve also broadened our focus to include vocational and technology training, recognizing that our rural area needs skilled trades and technical careers just as much as traditional college paths. Short-term programs (often 9 months to 2–3 years) can lead to strong, stable livelihoods and help meet the growing demand for technical skills in today’s workforce.
