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It’s easy to talk about the future in lofty terms. We wax poetic about opportunity, grit, and the limitless potential of our young people.
But in Mitchell, there’s a group of individuals who go beyond words — they act. There is a volunteer organization made up of community members from a wide variety of backgrounds with one thing in common. They are fiercely committed to helping local high school graduates with the cost of education. The Mitchell Community Scholarship Fund, or MCSF, is what happens when a community decides that every high school graduate should have some financial backing to take their next step.
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At its core, the MCSF is a grassroots effort driven by people who understand that investing in students today strengthens Mitchell for generations. The board of directors manages fundraising and oversees finances, but its success belongs to the entire community. With assets now over $960,000, the fund exists because people believe in the power of education.
Since 2002, the MCSF has awarded 3,273 scholarships totaling nearly $1.5 million. These aren’t just numbers on a balance sheet. They represent students given the chance to chase bigger goals. Every senior from Mitchell High School and Mitchell Christian High School who submits a complete application receives a scholarship. For the class of 2024, these awards provided $700 and $650 per student, giving families a little more breathing room as they face tuition, books, and fees.
The biggest annual fundraiser is the MCSF Radiothon, a Feb. 24 event that proves just how much Mitchell stands behind its students. Last year, it raised nearly $59,000, making it possible for every graduate to receive support. Mitchell Technical College and Dakota Wesleyan University take that generosity a step further by matching scholarship funds for students who enroll at their institutions.
These scholarships are sent directly to colleges and technical schools once students show proof of enrollment, making sure the money goes exactly where it’s needed. And because the MCSF is a registered nonprofit, every donation is tax-deductible, and even allows people to contribute both online or through traditional means.
What makes this fund different is its unwavering commitment to every student. There are no hoops to jump through, no long list of eligibility requirements. If a graduate is continuing their education, they receive support. Whether heading to a university, a technical college, or specialized training, every student gets the same encouragement from their hometown.
And here’s something worth considering. That scholarship check — whether $650 or $700 — didn’t appear out of thin air. Someone in this community, maybe a local business owner, a teacher, or a retiree, reached into their pocket and pulled out that money to help with a student’s next step. That’s real sacrifice. That’s money they could have spent on something for themselves because they believe in the future of our graduates more than they believe in whatever else that money could have bought.
With the rising cost of education, the MCSF serves as both a lifeline and a message to students that Mitchell believes in them. The goal is simple. To ensure that every local graduate who wants to keep learning has the chance to do so.
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But this fund is about more than money. It’s about a community choosing to lift up its young people. It’s about fostering a culture of generosity and proving that education has the power to change lives. It’s about making sure Mitchell’s students know they are valued.
For those who have given their time and resources, thank you for making these scholarships possible. And for anyone thinking about getting involved, know that every contribution, no matter the size, helps shape the future.
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