Money, money, money!  For a senior graduating from high school and planning on pursuing additional schooling, they are expected to pay a hefty price tag.  On average, four-year, public institutions will charge approximately $9,000 for in-state students and almost $24,000 for out-of-state students.  It is even pricier for those students who are considering a private college: $32,000. And that’s just for the tuition and fees.  There’s also room, board, meal plans and incidentals.

South Shore students have the benefit and privilege, then, of going to a school where the alumni, community and local businesses place so much pride and emphasis on continuing education.  This year, the graduating class of 2016 received approximately $40,000 in scholarships.  In other words, free money!

On the evening of May 11, 2016, the graduates re-entered the school, this time to attend an awards ceremony, sponsored by the senior class but held in their honor.  The panel of presenters who donated their time to speak to the students and give the scholarships, praised the students for their hard work, time and commitment, commenting that the caliber of the applicants frequently made a tough decision that much more difficult.  Jill Corr, Pat Hall, Joan Anderson and Peggy Hagstrom of the Community Caring group presented every single graduate with a homemade quilt, doing their best to fulfill the students’ favorite colors.  Joe and Russell Bailey, Rock Martell, Shirley Nelson, Mike Jahn, Sherre Collins, Katy Kangas, Ceil Held, Sharon Graham, Willard and Jeri Ogren, Beth and Carri Hoagland, Jodi Truchon and Laurie Perkins were all exceedingly gracious in their accolades of the 2016 senior class and wished them well in all future endeavors.  The seniors, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the financial support and well wishes by providing dinner.  Special thanks also to Linda Moe and Linda Gustafson for putting in extra hours creating the meal, Diana Reijo for her creative skill with the scholarship awards and to Linda Kavajecz, Diane Kavajecz and Darla Lahti for providing technical know-how on the set-up and granting access to decorations.

The following is a break down of who received what scholarship: