DSC Scholarships Change Lives

OPENING: Donald Ira Pendleton was at his post as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3773rd meeting of SGR. Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a rousing rendition of "Let There Be Peace on Earth." Linda Sappington invited members to follow her in the Pledge of Allegiance and Lee Sheets asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Terance White conducted a energetic Horseplay while Greg Basso collected fines on behalf of the Washington County School District’s Sterling Scholar Program.

Carl Lamar reported on his attempts to get to Haiti, noting there are a lot of politics going on in the recovery process. Rick Schofield indicated there is a great need for wheelchairs and encouraged members of SGR to donate to this cause.

Greg Basso asked for support of the Backpacks for Kids project, now in its 6th year with a history of helping 660 kids. His organization needs volunteers to help with all aspects of the project, but he particularly needs someone to serve as a secretary and the vice president.

President Ken noted the date for the Guatemala trip is set for April 23-30. The estimated cost is $1700-$2600. Club members planning to travel with Dan Strobell must commit by mid-February.

PROGRAM: Linda Baker introduced Dwight Monson who heads up the Dixie State College Scholarship Association, originally formed in 1991 to provide full tuition scholarships to deserving recipients. More than 100 scholarships have been awarded over nearly twenty years based on each students personal vision and goals; life altering challenges; desire to give back to the community and need for a helping hand. Three scholarship recipients shared their personal stories of struggle and success. Michael Lemond dropped out of high school because he "thought I knew it all." Throughout the years, his limited skills have found him going from job to low paying job while moving his family in and out of his parents’ home. With a scholarship from DSC Scholarship Association, he has gone from "homeless to law school."

Jeannette Stratton is a married mother of three who grew up in a home where education was considered "a waste of time." She is the first in her family to attend college and expects to be the first college graduate with a degree in mathematics.

Jarom Foster recalled "the shame I felt growing up with only a 3rd grade education. My father didn’t see the value of school and when my brothers reached the 7th or 8th grade, he would pull them out and put them to work." Because he missed his father and siblings who were working in Moab, he took his mother’s offer to drop out in the 3rd grade and go to work. Although he considered himself "smart and ambitious, I routinely felt embarrassed and scared people would find out." Through a DSC scholarship, Jarom is now on his way to a degree in engineering.

For more information on how to support the DSC Scholarship Association, go to the Dixie College website or call 652-7500.