WELCOME to the
INTRODUCTION
“Tomorrow’s
diesel mechanics, doctors, radiologists, journalists, architects, office
managers, fruit marketers, computer technicians are in West Valley’s classrooms
today. They have the potential and
motivation. All they need to reach their
goals is your support. They need
financial assistance, and they need to know that you believe in them.” Sheryl
Pace-Opfer, 1984 WV grad
Since
1994, the West Valley Dollars for Scholars Foundation has been dedicated to
raising money with the express purpose of awarding scholarships to graduating
seniors. It is our intent not only to
assist the recipients in furthering their education beyond high school, but it
is also an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication they have
demonstrated in achieving success here at West Valley. Our Dollars for Scholars money comes from
fundraising events, as well as donations from local businesses, non-profit
organizations, professional groups, individuals, and memorial
scholarships. We are affiliated with
both the Washington State Dollars for Scholars and the national Dollars for
Scholars, Scholarship America.
SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications are
available in the high school counseling office.
Applicant must be
a high school senior “on track” to receive a diploma from
Recipients may
choose to attend an accredited public or private two-year or four-year college or a vocational school anywhere in the
Most awards are
given in $500, $750, or $1000 amounts depending on the source of the specific
scholarship.
Scholarships are
paid directly to the school, not the student.
Awards must be
used within two years of high school graduation.
The selection
process is objective and non-discriminatory.
Applications are reviewed “blind” with the student’s name and personal
data unknown to evaluators. Chosen from the community, six different evaluators
each score one specific section of the application independently. The results are tallied for a final
score. Applicants receive points for
class ranking, the teacher appraisal, work, school and community activities,
national test scores, and two short essays.
The total score is based on all the information submitted, so it is in
the student’s best interest to fill out the application completely.
Financial need is
taken into consideration for those students who choose to complete the optional
financial assistance form. It is only one of many factors that determine the
selection of recipients. A third party,
not associated with WVDFS assesses financial need from the completed forms.
Scholarships are
awarded to the students at their Senior Brunch on Graduation Day.
STRUCTURE
The national
Dollars for Scholars, a program of Scholarship America, provides the
organizational methods and materials for our use. This organization was founded in 1958 with
its mission to expand access to educational opportunities by involving and
assisting the private sector in the support of students and in the
encouragement of educational achievement.
Dollars for Scholars has created partnerships with over 500 colleges and
universities. These Collegiate Partners
agree not to reduce their grant aid for students with Dollars for Scholars
scholarships, and some of the colleges may match a qualifying DFS award.
WVDFS Foundation
is a chapter operated by volunteers from the
FUND-RAISING MAIN
EVENTS
The following
activities earn money for the general scholarship fund:
February
Dinner: A gathering of our community-- a sit-down
dinner served by students, and a great raffle.
Annual
Golf Tournament: At Apple Tree Resort in early May. Beautiful venue and a prime
rib dinner. Not to be missed!
Legacy
Bricks: Imprinted with the name and/or year of your
choice. Something that lasts! Previous orders and all incoming orders will
be placed at our new high school.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2009-2010
Dinner Down
Under
Scholarship application deadline
for students Friday,
April 16, 2010
Golf Tournament
Teacher and Staff
Appreciation Lunch
Scholarship Awards
at Senior Brunch
SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to our
own scholarships, many other scholarships are processed through our
organization. Some of these
organizations choose their own recipients and some recipients are selected by
our scholarship committee. Primary
supporters include:
Ahtanum Valley PTA
Mountainview PTA
Elementary PTAs,
Pack Parents and Panther Parents
Physicians in Support
of
Orchard Rite LTD
Outback Espresso
Coffee House
Walker/Leone and Keeble Construction
MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIPS
We extend our
deepest sympathy to those families who have lost a loved one. We are grateful to those who have designated
West Valley Dollars for Scholars for donations. Memorials were received in
2007-2009 in honor of the following individuals:
Diane Beaudry
Leone and Byron
Borton
Mitch and Alva Branam
Leon and Avis Burrill
Frank Carter
William Chard
G.E.Clasen
Gordon and Betty
Jo Dowd
Brent Edwards
Gifford and
Eileen Jones
John Mori
Mitch Perala
Cindy Peterson
Sarah Sauve
Chris Schaub
WAYS OF GIVING
General donation
Named annual
scholarship
Business donation
Personal gift
Endowments
Memorials
HOW TO GIVE
WVDFS
Address:
c/o
Contact any of the
following WVDFS board members for information:
Linda Miller 910-5926
Marla Borton 966-6633
Lou Arend 966-9438
Norm Reid 969-1571
PAST RECORD
West Valley
Dollars for Scholarship Foundation presented their first scholarships in
1995. $13,000 total was distributed to
26 students.
In 2009 WVDFS
awarded $43,300 in scholarships to 56 recipients.
“Talk to people
who received scholarships to help them with their education, and a common story
will form. For most individuals,
scholarships were a financial and emotional support that made a difference in
their careers and their lives.
Scholarship recipients, regardless of
age, can recall when they received the scholarship and who gave it to
them. There is a shared excitement among
scholarship recipients that someone other than family believed in the
possibility of their dreams. It means
more to them than they can express.
Students who receive scholarships know that people in their community
believe in them.” Sheryl Pace-Opfer
Please include
WVDFS in your list of deserving organizations you support each year. Your participation is invaluable, and your gift
makes a difference.