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Promise Scholars Announced at Stevens Middle School
April 25, 2012
Port Angeles, Wash. – Caitlin Balser and Raven Young, Stevens Middle School eighth grade students, were announced as 2012 Gladys Christopher Pollanz Promise Scholars on Monday. Both received the promise of a $32,000 college scholarship - $8,000 per year for four years - providing they meet scholarship criteria and graduate from Port Angeles or Lincoln High Schools on time.
The Promise Scholarship was started in 2005 by the family of Gladys Christopher Pollanz, and is awarded annually by the family and the Port Angeles Education Foundation.
“It’s an extensive process… Students are nominated by their teachers and staff, submit an application with references, and then go through an interview before a group of Foundation and Pollanz family members,” said Foundation volunteer Tina Smith-O’Hara. “The committee was truly inspired by all eight of the students. These young adults participated in a process many adults would have found challenging!”
Finalists, all Stevens eighth grade students, for the 2012 Promise Scholarship were Alyssa Atkinson, Beletv Brandon, Michael Chong, Jacob Franco, Billy Minks and Anika Stephan.
Gladys Christopher Pollanz graduated from Port Angeles’ Roosevelt High School in 1923 as salutatorian of her class. The death of her father necessitated Gladys work as a legal secretary to help support the family rather than attend college. She worked hard through the years, investing in the stock market. When she died in March 2003, Pollanz left one million dollars to establish a scholarship fund for Port Angeles high school graduates to attend college.
For more information, contact:
Tina Smith-O’Hara
Community Relations Specialist
Port Angeles School District
360.565.3703
tsmithohara@portangelesschools.org