Available College Scholarships
A total of eight scholarships are available. Selection for scholarships will be determined by PSEF through review of your application. With each scholarship up to $2000 will be awarded to Polson High School graduates attending accredited postsecondary institutions of higher learning with the intent of attaining an associate through advanced degree. We invite you to read each scholarship below for any further eligibility requirements. All scholarship money will be paid directly to the school, college or university indicated in the application. Scholarships will be distributed directly to the school the applicant will be attending by early August. Scholarship awards range up to $2,000. Applicants need to fill out only ONE application for all scholarships. The committee will determine which scholarship best fits each student.
Polson High School Class of 1965 Scholarship
The Class of 1965 provides financial assistance to students who continue their education after graduating from PHS.
Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship
The Polson Community lost one of it’s “good guys” with the passing of Chris Hoyt – a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper. Chris, a PHS graduate, had a desire to help people, and he saw his role of trooper as that of an educator. To honor his memory the family has created the Chris Hoyt Memorial Scholarship for a PHS graduate desiring an education in the areas of Criminal Justice, Law, or Public Service.
Jessie Clemans Memorial Scholarship
Jessie Clemans was an innovative nurse that enjoyed a 25 year career at St. Joseph Hospital. She was also recognized as a talented cardiac nurse. Jessie graduated from Polson High School in 1943 and completed her nurse’s training at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula before entering the Nursing Cadet Training Program in Fort Lewis, Washington. She valued the medical community and wanted others to be able to further their education in the medical field. This scholarship was created in her honor. This scholarship is for students interested in the medical field.
George Mahoney Memorial Scholarship
In 2002 Mr. Mahoney and several community members started the non-profit organization, Polson Dollars for Scholars, later re-named Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation. George was elected Vice President at that time and held the office for seventeen years. He was the main force behind PSEF being the sponsor of the Lake City Open Golf Tournament held the first weekend in May. This event is one of our major fundraising functions to provide money for scholarships. George was a wonderful supporter, board member and devoted to providing scholarships for Polson High School graduates. He was also a very active member of the Polson business community as he owned and operated Polson Bay Grocery for thirty-five years. This scholarship is offered in memory of George Mahoney.
Chris and Odin Strom Scholarship
Both the Strom’s have been involved with education for the majority of their lives either as a student or as a teacher. Chris has taught English and Speech in Kalispell, Kicking Horse Job Corp, Polson Middle School/ Polson High School, and Salish Kootenai College. Odin taught sixth grade in Polson. Providing financial assistance to Polson graduates has always been a goal of the Strom’s.
L.G. Baertsch Scholarship
This scholarship is provided for Polson graduates who plan to attend college and are in need of financial assistance.
The Becky Anderson Friendship Award
This award is to be used to pursue additional educational or training. The applicant must actively demonstrate qualities of friendship and work to promote a positive environment at Polson High School. Becky was fifteen years old when she lost her life in an automobile accident near Ronan. She was a friendly person and her family feels everyone needs a friend.
Ken Avison Scholarship
Ken was a man of many talents. He had a long career and an interest in education as a school administrator both as a principal and a superintendent. He was a business man, who owned the Cove Deli for 17 years, and a magician. He loved to perform magic for kid’s birthday parties at the Cove. Ken was also a valued member of the Polson business
community and a board member of Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation.
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