In 2024, Yelm Dollars for Scholars awarded $154,300 to students
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There is nothing better than helping the future generation achieve their education goals. Yelm Dollars for Scholars does this through annual scholarships awarded to local Yelm High School students. In addition to monetary support, they also help prepare them with college readiness and financial aid services.
In 1978, a small group of community members began to give out scholarships to local kids. In 1991, that group became the Yelm chapter with Scholarship America. Since then, Yelm Dollars for Scholars has been giving students in Yelm the chance for a higher education.
“Dollars for Scholars is an organization that the community rallies around and fully supports the mission, providing funding for students to pursue their future education,” shares Jennie Foglia-Jones, communications consultant for Yelm Dollars for Scholars. “It is really quite amazing that this small town helps to raise over $150,000 annually, between the various fundraisers throughout the year to fund scholarships.”
Yelm Dollars for Scholars has two different scholarships that students can apply to, their General Scholarship and their Preferred Scholarship. The General Dollars for Scholars Scholarship is available to any senior graduating from Yelm Community Schools. There is an application process that includes an interview with a committee. The Preferred Scholarships are funded by citizens and each has their own eligibility specific to that donor, explains Jennie. “The eligibility may include the field of study, the school they are attending, the GPA or participation in school activities,” she adds. “The recipient of these is chosen by who best meets the donor’s criteria along with their general score.”
Applications close at the end of February each year. Students need to submit their GPAs, along with community service, school activities, work experiences, special circumstances, essay on goals and aspirations and an in-person interview.
Nathan and Emily Carlson were both recipients of Yelm Dollars for Scholars. Nathan received a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Eastern Washington five years ago. “I feel like the scholarship symbolized my local community standing behind me and rooting for me to continue my education after high school,” he shares. “We truly would not have made it this far or as fast as we did without our Yelm Dollars for Scholars scholarships. I always knew I wanted to go to college and my parents did everything in their power to make my dream a reality and Yelm Dollars for Scholars helped make that happen.”
Nathan is now the director of personnel and training for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County. Emily also received her bachelor’s degree five years ago and is now a fourth grade teacher with Yelm Community Schools. “In all honesty, we are just two stories who had an impact from Yelm Dollars for Scholars,” Nathan shares. “There are thousands of people who have a similar experience. This is our story, and we want to reiterate how impactful this organization is in helping high school graduates achieve their post-secondary goals.” Emily agrees with Nathan’s sentiments on the impact Yelm Dollars for Scholars has for every student.
In 2024, 117 scholarships totaling $154,300 were given out to Yelm High School students, 23 were Preferred Scholarships and 94 were General Scholarships. Both Nathan and Emily returned to give a speech at this year’s event.
“We are incredibly proud to support our graduating seniors as they embark on their educational journeys,” shares Dan Huttmann, Yelm Dollars for Scholars board president. “The community’s unwavering generosity ensures that these students can achieve their academic goals and build a brighter future.”
Funds for the scholarships are raised through the Yelm Dollars for Scholars events including the Crossroads Pumpkin Patch, Taste of the Prairie event and their annual Dinner and Auction. Of course, donations can be made at any time online or via mail by individuals, estates, businesses and organizations. Item donations for their annual auctions are also always welcome.
Volunteers are also always welcome. You can help with the fundraising events, college fairs and other events throughout the year. For more information, visit the Yelm Dollar for Scholars website.
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