January 27, 2020 | By Michael H. Babcock
NOTE: The deadline has been extended to April 17 at 3 p.m.
Opportunities for students from all 12 area high schools
High school seniors interested in continuing their education are invited to apply for scholarship opportunities through Portage Health Foundation. Opportunities are available to students at each of the 12 high schools in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties, studying anything from business to nursing to a skilled trade, and with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for some and 2.5 for others.
“As a non-traditional student, I know the important role education has on a person’s ability to succeed.” Executive Director Kevin Store said. “We also recognize that an important factor in supporting a healthy community is making education more accessible and affordable.”
- This is the fifth year of Portage Health Foundation scholarships for students graduating from local high schools, and it brings with it some notable changes:
- Through a partnership with the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), the foundation has added a scholarship for each school for students entering a skilled trades or career technical education program.
- Horizons Alternative High School in Mohawk has been added as an eligible school.
- Scholarships are now for $1,000 each, up from $500.
- Students will now apply directly through Portage Health Foundation instead of through their school.
“Our restructured scholarship offerings should provide support for a broader audience of students and help create new opportunities for their continued learning,” Store said.
Introducing Kirkish Scholarships
In addition, PHF is excited to be working with Joseph B. Kirkish, Ph.D., to introduce three new scholarships.
“We don’t live alone, and everything we do adds or detracts from our communal lives,” Dr. Kirkish said when asked why he’s making these scholarships a reality. “It is my hope that this will provide opportunities for young people to gain more knowledge that will help them succeed in life.”
One of the scholarships is a general $5,000 educational scholarship two Copper Country students will receive, one is a $5,000 scholarship for a student in Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity at Michigan Tech and the third is a $5,000 scholarship available to students who are congregation members at St. Ignatius Loyola and/or St. Albert the Great Church.
“I hope the recipients of these scholarships share my view on how important knowledge is, and I hope they will share my love for people,” he said. “It’s not just about being a straight ‘A’ student, it’s about using your knowledge to serve others.”
Further information on all Portage Health Foundation’s scholarship opportunities, including applications, can be found under Educational Scholarships on phfgive.org.
