A first-year Big Sky student, Manny Leanos will be the first in his family to attend college when he enrolls at Montana State University. He won the Addicks Family Scholarship, the Exton-Brunnemann Family Scholarship, and the Glore Family Fund Scholarship, totaling $4,500. PHOTO BY JACK REANEY
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Twenty-five Lone Peak High School seniors received 55 scholarships totaling more than $125,000 through the nonprofit Friends of Big Sky Education to support further studies and pursuits after graduating this spring.
“This is my favorite time of year,” said Dr. Marlo Mitchem, Lone Peak High School principal, during the FOBSE scholarship awards ceremony on March 31. “… This ceremony is always a reminder of the incredible community we’re all a part of. A community that not only values education and individual pursuits, but also plays a crucial role in the success of our seniors.”
Melissa McKeithen, FOBSE board member and scholarship program coordinator, thanked donors for their generosity in providing a wide variety of scholarships. Emcees John Zirkle and John Hannahs presented each scholarship, recognizing students with a fun fact and a glimpse at their future plans.
The ceremony breezed through dozens of scholarships, some with significant financial awards. Twenty-one students received more than one award.
Eva Mitchell won the Lee Poole Memorial Scholarship from the Moonlight Community Foundation, worth $7,000 in recognition of a student who demonstrates a love for the outdoors and the environment, and who has displayed leadership and integrity at LPHS.
Two students, Anna Masonic and Libby Coltea, earned $10,000 through the Loren Bough Legacy Scholarship for Community Service, recognizing a commitment to excellence in service and leadership through Big Sky-focused volunteerism.
Grady Towle earned a pair of awards: the $3,000 Richard “Dick” Allgood Memorial Scholarship, recognizing a student who embraces national security and civic engagement, and the $1,000 Agency Insurance Division Scholarship, recognizing a student who will study in the trades and has volunteered in the community.
Frieda Fabozzi took home $5,000 from the Gallatin Canyon Women’s Club Scholarship for an academically strong female student with extracurricular involvement and volunteer work, plus $1,000 from the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center Scholarship recognizing a student passionate about live performance, with an understanding that creativity onstage is essential to an interesting life.
Jack Laxson won three: the $1,500 Big Sky Conoco Scholarship for a student demonstrating academic motivation and aptitude; the $3,000 Scott and Martha Johnson Scholarship for entrepreneurial spirit; and the $2,000 Samuels Family Scholarship for a student involved in at least two varsity sports and one club.
Addy Malinowski earned the $3,500 McGuire Family Scholarship, for a student who demonstrates academic excellence, academic achievement and community commitment. She also earned the $3,000 Yellowstone Club Community Foundation Scholarship for academic performance, community service, leadership and commitment to achievement, and the $1,000 Big Sky Thrift Scholarship for volunteerism centered around community or sustainability.
Tanner Slieff also earned three scholarships: the $3,000 Bough Family Scholarship for a varsity athlete who has overcome challenges with “a winning attitude” while remaining enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program; the $1,000 Roxy’s Market Scholarship for disciplined, hardworking student with a GPA over 3.0; and the $1,000 Big Sky Sotheby’s International Realty Scholarship for a highly motivated student.
Maddy Browne won the $2,500 Tina Barton Memorial Scholarship for a student who will continue their studies in the arts, education or culinary pursuits, and the $2,500 Big Sky Vacation Rentals Scholarship for a student interested in pursuing a path in hospitality or community planning, with community involvement and leadership skills.
Many more scholarships were awarded to Walker Bagby, Joe Gale, Finn McRae, Maguire Brooke, Manny Leanos, Shea Reynolds, Arlo Hurlbut, Jose Chairez, Jillian Blakeley, Hazel Buotte, Haley Hodge, Garin Staudt, Cyrus Coleman, Kael Gilbert, Claire Hoadley and Aubrey Farr.
Multiple students are proud to be the first from their family to attend college.
At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Dustin Shipman, Big Sky School District superintendent, asked senior students and their parents to stand, followed by the scholarship sponsors, recognizing the components required for a strong scholarship program.
“The community is going to serve you well when you leave, and we’re always going to be here to support you,” Shipman said.
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