Students benefit from community generosity

Sisters has been marked as a historically generous community, and its citizens live up to that reputation. More than 53 Sisters businesses, foundations, and inhabitants are donors for Sisters GRO (Graduate Resource Organization) applicants, giving Sisters High School graduates a steady foundation for their bright future.

Last Tuesday evening, May 14, Sisters GRO hosted their annual GRO Scholarship Award Ceremony for graduating seniors that received scholarships via Sisters GRO.

“This year we had a record-breaking amount of students apply and receive scholarships,” said Executive Director Regan Roberts.

In previous years the average application number has been around the mid 50s and 60s; it peaked with 71 this year.

“It feels really good to have received these, I’m so thankful for everyone involved,” said GRO scholarship recipient Ella Bartlett.

Bartlett will be attending Northwest Nazarene University after receiving five scholarships.

Awarded amounts ranged from $500–$40,000 with the latter provided by the Marlene and Bruce Rognlein scholarship given to Ezer Harris.

The event itself began with a speech from SHS principal and member of Sisters GRO Board of Directors, Steve Stancliffe, thanking all of the donors, students, teachers, and GRO facility members.

“Tonight is absolutely a celebration of what’s coming and what we know is an incredibly generous community,” said Stancliffe.

Following this speech, chair of Sisters GRO, Tim Ross, gave thanks to the hard work that was involved throughout the year. Roberts then addressed the audience and announced the names of the students and the scholarships they received.

Every student who applied received a scholarship, each accepting their papers and lanyards with large smiles.

“I applied to 25 different scholarships, so it feels amazing to have received the ones I did. I know they’ll be helpful, especially with high expenses in college,” said Presley Adelt.

Adelt received the Sisters Kiwanis Club, Shirly J. von Kalinowski Memorial, and Sisters Rotary Foundation scholarships. She plans on attending Montana State University.

“The best part of this was finally being able to see all these people I’d communicated with over email for so long. It feels amazing and a little surreal after nine months of preparation…I’m excited to keep improving,” said Roberts.