Iola High School’s graduating class of 2022 has endured a more challenging four years than pretty much any class before it, Principal Scott Carson said.
“With the pandemic and everything they’ve gone through to get to this point, these students have proven they can handle any adversity coming their way,” said Carson at Wednesday’s Senior Awards Night ceremonies. “High school is tough enough already, but here they are.”
As the seniors embark on various levels of higher education, many will have the advantage of sizeable scholarships to do so.
Through an unofficial tally of scholarship award amounts — the number is almost impossible to accurately predict because some awards are based on college class loads, etc. — the IHS Class of 2022 brought in more than $360,000 in scholarships and awards to further their education.
Wednesday’s ceremony was filled with emotion, including the announcement of two new scholarships awarded this year.
The James Brett Dawson Memorial Scholarship was presented in honor of the late building trades instructor who died of illness in December.
Dawson’s daughter, Amy Welch, gave an emotional eulogy to her father, borrowing Robert Louis Stevenson’s famed quote: “A man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.”
Welch said her father’s family wanted the $1,000 scholarship to go to a student who plans to continue his education, not necessarily in a traditional sense, but someone who is willing to work in the community “and leave it in a better shape than he found it … who always finds good in other people.”
The inaugural recipient of the $1,000 scholarship is Brett Morrison, who will attend the Missouri Welding Institute.
MEANWHILE, the Collins Ain’t Quitters Scholarship was introduced in memory of Roger Collins, who died in February of complications from COVID-19. The $250 scholarship will go to Dennis Smith.
“The family asked the scholarship go to a member of the senior class attending junior college or trade school who has a never-quit attitude such as Roger did in his battle with COVID,” IHS counselor Kelsey Johnson said.
A LIST OF awards follows.
McFadden Scholars
Jenna Curry, Colin Long, Dennis Smith and TJ Taylor
American Legion Auxilary Scholarship $200/semester for first year
