The class of 2015 has just wrapped up four years of high school and is moving on to the next stage of their lives. To help them transition into their new lives, the senior class was awarded a total of about $13.2 million in scholarships.
“Most of these scholarships were awarded directly from a university or college to the student and are renewable, covering all four years of college, and usually the student has to maintain a minimum GPA or some other requirement,” College and Career Center Secretary Katie Christensen said.
Most scholarships are awarded on GPA, ACT and SAT scores or a combination of both.
“There are two main types of scholarships: automatic and competitive. Automatic scholarships are usually based solely on grades and test scores, while competitive scholarships consider the student as a whole. Competitive scholarships take into account extracurriculars, leadership, volunteer work, and other criteria,” Christensen said. “Earning a scholarship is a long and difficult process, but it is unique to each student. Everything from academic record to sports, extracurriculars, service projects, financial need and other major components can make someone a candidate to be awarded money.”
Senior Claire Webster earned scholarships from all eleven schools she applied to.
“I worked for scholarships because college is so expensive, especially for me because I looked mainly at private schools,” Webster said. “A lot of times I would be awarded about $20,000, and that would still only cover half of my tuition. I’m relieved that a portion of my cost is covered, but still a little stressed because I know there is so much more to pay for.”
As a student who has gone through the process firsthand, Webster has some advice for students who will be looking for scholarships in the future.
“I would advise everyone to apply for [all scholarships], it will be worth it,” Webster said. “There are so many organizations you don’t even think of, and it’s basically like free money floating out there. In today’s world, at least a bachelor’s is necessary, if not a master’s, so try and get as much paid for so you can continue school as much as you can.”
![Adding a tray of canned corn to the pile, junior Michael Collop assists in transporting donations for the Holiday Food Drive. The event, hosted schoolwide from Dec. 10-17, raised over 5,000 food items to deliver to the Parkway Food Pantry, helping several families in need. "[The drive] is a great thing for us to do because you're giving to those who are less fortunate, and it helps provide for people who can't provide for themselves. [The] competition is always fun, too. It was fun to be in [social studies teacher Jeff] Chazen’s class, because he always gets worked up over [the competition]. He made it exciting, and was always convincing us to turn in cans for the drive,” Collop said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/feature-photo-unsung-2.png)
![Principal John McCabe announces that Jeffrey Chazen has won Teacher of the Year. Chazen was discussing freedom of speech with his AP Government class when the door opened and administrators rushed in. “[I was] extremely happy and humbled, but mostly shock[ed]. I've been here longer than any other teacher, so I know most of the people on the list of Teachers of the Year, and they are amazing teachers themselves,” Chazen said. “It's just nice to be on the list with them, including [social studies teacher Kristen] Collins, who is the only other social studies teacher who has won Teacher of the Year. It was nice to bring something back to the social studies department.”](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_0021-1-2-1200x801.jpg)
![Striking a pose following their group dance, the 2024 Mr. Longhorn contestants welcome their audience to the show. Throughout the night, the nine competitors participated in an occupational section, skits for the talent portion and a fashion attire show before finalists were interviewed. “It's a fun time getting to hang out with my friends and doing [our] acts. I think I'm most excited for my performance with [seniors Bart Connors, Gavin Hamlin and Colin Hughes]. I like that I get to dance a little bit. I don't think I'm very good, but I'm gonna try my best to put on a show,” contestant and senior Henry Wild said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DSC_9759-1200x798.jpg)
![Kicking off dress rehearsal, Mr. Longhorn contestant and senior Carson Hughes goes over the group routine alongside other competitors. With just two days of practice, all participants learned the entirety of their introductory dance, chose an occupation to embody and crafted skits for the show. “The best part of this [whole thing] was learning the dance and just practicing with the guys. We [have to] try not to laugh the whole time, but we're having a lot of fun,” Hughes said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_5112-1-e1732164157549-1200x812.jpg)
![Blending together a concoction for a science experiment, science teacher Joel Anderson scares his students by bringing excitement and thrill into his classroom for his annual Halloween show. It took about six weeks for Anderson to set up his classroom for the show. “It’s pure terror. I came up with this idea a couple decades ago to do something fun for Halloween. So I pretend to be this mad scientist [that creates] a Frankenstein-like creature [with the class], learning a little bit of science along the way and [then ending] with a laser show. It’s just for fun; entertainment value,” Anderson said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0021.JPG_-1200x800.jpg)
![Standing with girls cross country team mascot Pump the pumpkin, senior Sydney Etchason laughs with her teammates. Before the team’s senior night, Etchason undertook an odyssey to recover the pumpkin, which had been stolen by boys cross country. “We went through practice, and then a little birdie told me that it was in [senior] Emmett [Vernon's] car. I [offered Vernon] $50 to give us our pumpkin back, and we got Pump back,” Etchason said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0002-1-1200x800.jpg)
