BERLIN – Community groups donated more than $700,000 in scholarships to graduating Stephen Decatur High School seniors this week.
With everything from Christmas tree sales to boat show proceeds, local organizations once again showed their support of area students by awarding scholarships during Decatur’s annual community awards night. On Wednesday, 82 seniors received scholarships from local charitable groups.
“This evening we will be awarding over $700,000 in scholarships provided through the generosity of local organizations,” Principal Tom Zimmer said. “To those of you who are here representing the community groups let me be the first to say thank you. Stephen Decatur High School is truly fortunate to have so many community members who work hard to help our students achieve their goals.”
Many of the local organizations that offer scholarships to area students do so year after year. They handle not only the fundraising that enables them to write the scholarship checks but also the selection of recipients.
“These organizations establish their own criteria, make applications available through the guidance office and, independent of school officials, choose recipients that they deem deserving,” Zimmer said.
John O’Brien, representing the Delmarva Irish American Club, said his group had a committee that reviewed applications and read the essays submitted by students each year. The group awarded 24, $1,000 scholarships this year.
“It supports our local families,” he said. “Anyone going to college is under a financial burden.”
O’Brien said the scholarships the club awarded each year were funded through its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean City. While cold temperatures resulted in a less lucrative than average parade this year, the club still awarded two dozen scholarships.
“It’s good for the students and their families,” O’Brien said.
Margaret Mudron, a member of the Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club, said the group funded scholarships the past 20 years through its Christmas tree sales on Route 589.
“This year the 12-member club is able to give eight scholarships, with six of the students from Stephen Decatur,” she said.
Another group long known for its contributions to local youth is the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club. On Wednesday, the group awarded $40,000 in scholarships. Since its scholarship program began in 1988, the club has awarded 300 students with more than $1.5 million in scholarships.
While many scholarships are funded by large civic organizations, others are provided by families interested in honoring a loved one. John Paul and Patsy Adkins award a scholarship each year in memory of their son, John Paul Adkins II, who passed away in 2001. This year’s recipient was Eric Robinson.
“Our son thoroughly enjoyed serving his community and planned to use that special talent to pursue a career in the Maryland Natural Resources Police,” John Paul Adkins said, adding that because of that he and his wife awarded the scholarship each year to a senior interested in a public safety career.
Michael Sise, who presented the Kenneth J. Polk Memorial Scholarship Wednesday, said the annual $1,000 award was a way to remember Polk, who died in a car accident in 2011 at the age of 22. Hailey Brown was presented with the scholarship this week.
“A tragedy like that never really leaves those close to you,” he said. “Our motivation here is to help make sure Kenny’s legacy, which was huge without our help, is not soon forgotten.”
A new memorial scholarship this year was the $5,000 Hunter Hudson Scholarship award, which was presented to Andrew McKahan. The award was presented by Jimmy and Janice Hudson, parents of Hunter, a Decatur graduate who died last March.
In all more than 70 community organizations awarded scholarships to members of Stephen Decatur’s graduating class. Zimmer offered his appreciation for their support.
“As a parent of three, I know how difficult it is to fund a college education,” he said. “Any financial help is truly a blessing.”
