Scholarships and Criteria

The Community Scholarship Program is active from December 1 through June 30 each school year. The information contained on this page is NOT to be considered current at any other time.

The Foundation administers separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families, corporations, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program. Eligibility, criteria, and supplemental requirements are different for each scholarship. To apply for one or more of these scholarships, visit the Apply for a Scholarship page for further instructions.

Dessie Mae (Bruce) Griffith Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Allison Bell, Jodie Dawn Huntsman, and Christina Scales in memory of their mother to benefit graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. Dessie Mae was born the youngest of 10 children in September 1945 and she passed away after losing her battle to lung cancer in March 2001.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) planning to pursue post-secondary education at any accredited college or university. Selection will be based on applicant's demonstration of good citizenship, personal achievement, participation in school and/or community activities, academic achievement, financial need, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements: Written essay (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages) describing the most influential person in applicant's life and how this individual has helped the applicant become the person he or she is today and has helped shape applicant's goals for the future. Letter of recommendation from an individual who is unrelated to the applicant and who is not a Community Foundation board member describing applicant's qualities and attributes. Completion of the "Financial Assistance Questionnaire."

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $250.

Lawrell Hilgeman Memorial Scholarship/Pike Optimists of Petersburg, Indiana
Annual scholar­ship created by the Pike Optimists in memory of their esteemed member.

Criteria: Graduates of Pike Central High School pursuing a degree at any accredited two- or four-year college or university. Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Submission Instructions: If you are not currently attending Pike Central High School, please mail or deliver your application packet (plus one copy) to the Pike County Community Foundation, 714 Main Street, PO Box 587, Petersburg, IN 47567. Otherwise, please submit application documents to your high school guidance counselor.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $550.

Martha and Marion Klipsch Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by Marion and Martha Klipsch.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School planning full-time enrollment at an Indiana college or uni­versity. Selection will be based on academic standing, record of community service, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $570. Renewable provided that the recipient maintains a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) during the first year of education and a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA during subsequent years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.

Pike Central Vocational Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by James S. and Cindy Gaskins.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) planning to pursue post-secondary vocational education. Selection will be based on applicant's family, personal, or financial circumstances as reported in the "Unusual Circumstances" section of the application form; the desire and ability to achieve aspirations and educa­tional goals; career plans and objectives; and on the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: Up to $500. Renewable for a second year. Total awards will not exceed $1,000. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.

Pike County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School planning full-time enrollment at an Indiana college or uni­versity. Selection will be based on academic standing, record of community service, and the required essay.

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $390.

Schafer Pike County Community Foundation Scholarship
Annual renewable scholarship created by Karl and Elizabeth Schafer.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are residents of Pike County. Selection will be based on academic standing, leadership skills, character, record of school and community activities, and on the required essay. May be used for a two- or four-year program.

Supplemental Requirements: Two letters of recommen­dation from individuals who are unrelated to the applicant and who are not a Community Foundation board member -one from a teacher or principal and one from an individual of the applicant's choosing. Statement of Aspi­rations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $2,380. Renewable provided that the recipient maintains a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (4.0 scale) during the first year of education and a 3.0 cumulative GPA during subsequent years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.

Harrell and LaVern Shoultz Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Harrell and LaVern Shoultz.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are planning to pursue a degree in agriculture at any accredited college or university. Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspi­rations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $690.

Dr. and Mrs. William A. Weathers and Betty B. Wyatt Memorial Scholarship
Annual scholarship created by Pike Central High School in memory of its former teacher, counselor and prin­cipal, Dr. William A. Weathers, his wife, and their friend Mrs. Betty B. Wyatt. Dr. William A. Weathers was born in Petersburg on October 14, 1912, and was a 1930 graduate of Petersburg High School and a 1934 graduate of Oakland City College. He spent his entire 42-year career in education at Peters­burg High School and Pike Central High School and was active in civic and community affairs. Dr. Weathers retired from education in 1977 but remained involved with Pike County youth until his death in December 1998. Betty B. Wyatt was a teacher for more than 40 years. She and Dr. Weathers worked together as educators for many years. They were both members of the Petersburg Main Street Presbyterian Church, and they were friends.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have earned a varsity letter in any sport and are planning full-time enrollment in a post-secondary school program (four-year college, two-year college, technical or career college) in the fall immediately following graduation. Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements: Applicants must submit three letters of character reference from individuals who are unrelated to the applicant and who are not a Community Foundation board member-one from a coach, one from a Pike Central High School faculty member, and one from an individual of the applicant's choosing. Statement of Activities Outside School (not to exceed one double-spaced page). Statement of Athletic Participation (not to exceed one typed page) describing positive impact of par­ticipation in athletics.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $1,450.

Winslow High School Alumni Association Scholarship
Annual renewable scholar­ship created by the Winslow High School Alumni Association.

Criteria: Graduating seniors of Pike Central High School pursuing a two-year or four-year degree at any accredited college, university, junior college or vocational school. Selection will be based on all sections of the application form and on the supplemental document(s).

Supplemental Requirements: Statement of Aspirations and Educational Goals (not to exceed two typewritten, double-spaced pages).

Application Deadline: February 1, 2008.

Award Amount: $930. Renewable for consecutive sophomore, junior, and senior years. Renewal award amounts may differ from the original award.