Minden-Douglas Elks offer scholarships

Staff Reports

Annual scholarship opportunities for high school seniors are offered through the Minden-Douglas Elks Lodge, including the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student scholarships and the Elks Legacy Award which is available to children and grandchildren of Elk members. Applications for these scholarships are available in September from high school counselors or at www.elks.org/enf/scholars

In October the Nevada State Elks Associations hosts the Vocational Grant Program for seniors who plan to pursue eligible vocational/technical courses, above and supplemental to high school or preparatory school level.

Applications available from counselors or at www.nsea-elks.org and are due in January.

The Minden-Douglas Elks scholarship is available in early March with applications due in April.

Applications are available from the high school counselors. Winners are announced in May.

Scholarship winners chosen

Each year the Elks National Foundation sponsors a scholarship competition where high school seniors compete for scholarships of $15,000 per year for four years, with other awards totaling $2,296,000. The number of participants increased this year over previous years.

A judging panel assembled to evaluate the applications of 20 students. The judges selected the best three submissions from male and female students from Douglas and George Whittell high schools.

The winners are Samuel Harris (Whittell), Benjamin Syang (Douglas), and Anthony Elias (Whittell). The female winners are Nicole Duster (Douglas), Gabriella Tracy (Whittell) and Lauren Andrew (Whittell).

The students' applications have been forwarded to the state level, with the possibility that one or more will continue to the national level for final determination.

Last year Clara Ritger of Douglas High School reached the final level and received an award of $1,000 per year for four years.