Chaffee taps $1.6 million fund for scholarships

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- After more than two years of negotiations and legal proceedings, money from a Chaffee High School benefactor is now reaching students.

Nineteen students will receive a total of $75,000 to attend college this fall. The recipients have been notified of their award but not the amount, which will vary depending mainly on need.

"We're not sure how much we received, but I think we should find out sometime this week," said Kimberlie Hester, who graduated Thursday. She added, "Since this is the first year they've done it, with all the controversy and trying to nail it all down and get it squared away, I think they're trying to work out the details before they let us in on everything."

Hester, who plans to study education at Southeast Missouri State University, said "every little bit helps."

The school's foundation announced in January 2006 it had received $1.6 million from the late Garth Briggs, a 1935 graduate. The donation was a significant boost; prior to the contribution, the foundation had about $35,000 in assets, then-superintendent Dr. Arnold Bell reported in 2006.

For months the money was tied up in litigation. The foundation board's president described the court proceedings as routine, involving the administration of Briggs' multimillion-dollar estate. By October 2007 the foundation had received the money, but board members proceeded cautiously. They debated whether they would require students to reapply for the scholarship. They discussed qualifications, criteria and whether they were following the law to a T. They wrangled with what schools would qualify as vocational or technical, criteria specified by Briggs. Some people, including the superintendent, wondered whether scholarships would be distributed this year.

Eventually, the board agreed on criteria: Students were asked to fill out an application, which asked for GPA, family income, class rank and whether the students had received any other scholarships. Students were also asked to write an essay that outlined their financial need, plans for the future and career goals. A separate committee, consisting partly of community leaders, decided the award recipients.

"Need was the biggest thing," said Joe Rice, a foundation board member.

This year, 19 out of 44 seniors applied, and 19 received scholarships. Students will be asked to reapply for the scholarship each year.

Last year, 45.2 percent of graduating seniors went on to attend a four-year college or university. About 9 percent entered a two-year institution.

"I think it will have a huge impact. This is going to make post-secondary education a possibility for a lot of the students who maybe didn't consider it before," said school counselor Brandi Ritter.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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