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Updated: October 29, 2024 @ 11:41 am
Every year board members of Patterson Recognizing Individuals Determined to Excel (PRIDE) award scholarships to Patterson high school students to aid with the ever-growing cost of higher education.
The scholarship foundation is currently in a phase of community outreach, where they reach out to past sponsors who have helped support Patterson youth, and look for new supporters, as well.
“We’re doing a lot of good work and always looking for support,” PRIDE Board President Kathryn Whitney said. “We just want people to know about us so that they understand what we do.”
The foundation provided $180,000 in scholarships to Patterson seniors last year and since its inception in 2001 it has raised over $2 million to benefit local students. Whitney said it’s a pretty big jump from the first awards night in May 2003 where they gave away $31,150 in scholarships.
PRIDE got its start in 2001 after a bond measure was passed by voters to build Creekside Middle School. Whitney said there was money left over in the bond account and the bond committee decided to create a scholarship foundation that would benefit Patterson children—just like the school benefited local children.
Now, students from Patterson High School, Del Puerto High School and Open Valley Independent Study are eligible to apply for PRIDE scholarships every February. Whitney said there are three tiers of scholarships available based on GPA that students are able to apply for.
The students, who remain anonymous during the selection process, are ranked based on three performance-based criteria that include their GPA, an online application process with an essay, and points for activities they have participated in.
The scholarships have helped pay for students’ books, tuition, or other higher-ed related costs.
“We’re not able to fund four years, but we help get kids going,” Whitney said.
Some of the former recipients have gone to schools like Yale and Stanford, while others choose community college. Whitney said they also honor trade schools, as well.
The foundation is hoping to have some small fundraisers soon to help continue benefiting Patterson students.
“We also have some very, very loyal businesses here in town that give scholarships every year so we’ll be sending letters out to them asking if they’re going to continue their amazing commitment to our organization.,” Whitney said. “Patterson is a very small town, but it’s a very generous town.”
Those interested in getting more information about PRIDE scholarships or would like to contact the board can do so by visiting pridescholarships.org.
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