Our Mission…

To provide financial assistance and encouragement for our high school students wishing to continue their education and training beyond graduation in the name of the Rim of the World communities.

A short history…

In 1957, Rim of the World High School celebrated its first graduation with a class of fewer than 50 students. It was then that one of the very first Rim Scholarship Council scholarships was awarded to a young man named Jarle Eldevik. Thirty-four years later, Jarle’s son John (Class of 1991) accepted what was sadly to be the last community scholarship.

Gene and Irene Newcombe had worked tirelessly for 27 years to keep the traditions of the Council alive. Through their efforts and with the help of other volunteers, scholarships had been presented to hundreds of Rim High graduates. However , 1991 was different. After making the final presentation, Gene announced the Council was dissolving. Although there had been countless supporters, there was a perception that each community, or group, wanted to provide their own scholarships.

It soon became evident that no one was taking any action to continue this important work. When Dave Wilder, counselor at Rim High, asked the local business round table for help, a subcommittee headed by Bill Chamberlain was formed and the Council revived.

With Gene Newcombe acting as mentor and liaison for the first year, the new Council Board worked hard and was able to present 34 scholarships of $350 and eight of $250 to graduates of the Class of 1992.

The ROWCSC Philosophy…

All seniors of Rim of the World High School and Mountain High School are encouraged to apply for a community scholarship. Equal weight is given to those students planning to attend a 2 or 4-year college, trade, or technical school.

How the Scholarship Program Works…

The Council depends entirely upon donations from all of the mountain communities which lie within the boundaries of Rim of the World Unified School District. Contributions from community organizations have been a primary source of scholarship funding in the past. The Council is appreciative of their continuing support. Each year more local businesses are joining our program by donations toward scholarships to be presented in their name. Individual gifts are also accepted. Anyone giving a $25 donation or more will be acknowledged in the Community Scholarship Program.

The Selection Process…

Personal interviews of each applicant are scheduled in early April. Members of the community are invited to serve as interviewers during those days. The resulting evaluations and applications are then reviewed by the Council’s Executive Board. Because of the small size of our community, this final review is conducted “blind”. The Board does not know the identities of the applicants as they make the final decisions.

Awards Night…

Scholarship Awards Night is scheduled in early June. The Council is there to make the special presentation to seniors receiving a scholarship from the community. Since seniors do not know what kind of award they are receiving, the excitement and anticipation builds as the evening progresses. Contributors of $500 or more are acknowledged as the seniors accept the awards. The Council has heard from many recipients who express their appreciation of the monetary award and also for the “pat on the back” and vote of confidence from the mountain communities. The Certificates of Scholarship Awards are turned in to the bursar by the recipient for funding after they have registered at the school of their choice.