Students receive Elks scholarships

The winners of this year’s Potosi Elks scholarships say they will have no trouble fulfilling the promise they made.

They will keep their grades up first semester in order to receive the second half of their $1,000 scholarships in January.

“We give them the initial $500, then I ask for something that shows their grades,” said Billy Joe Boyer, scholarship chairman for the Potosi Elks. “The judges get back together and decide if the students are deserving of the second $500.”

The Elks presented this year’s $1,000 scholarships to Brandy Page of Kingston K-14 High School, Jamie Coleman of Potosi High School and of Jacob Kearns of Caledonia’s Valley High School. The organization also gave the $500 Monroe Harvey Scholarship to Ciara Kamper of Kingston.

Nearly 100 high school seniors applied for the scholarship this year, much higher than usual.

“This is a pretty big jump. I think a lot of that is because of the economy,” Boyer said. “They’re going to need a little more money to get through college.”

Judges evaluated the applications without knowing the respective names of the applicants. Each was scored on a point system based on criteria including family income, number of children in the family, SAT or ACT scores and extra-curricular activities. The four highest scores received the scholarships.

“They are really intelligent kids,” Boyer said. “I think they are going to do well.”

The recipients recently were honored during an April 23 Scholarship Awards Banquet at the lodge in Potosi.

Jamie Coleman, 17, is the daughter of LaDonna Mason of Potosi. She plans to attend Mineral Area College for two years, then transfer to the University of Central Missouri. She plans to major in business management with an accounting option.

“This is a chance I haven’t been given before,” she said. “I’m really excited that of all the people who applied, I’m the one they picked.”

Jacob Kearns, 18, is the son of Sue and Leonard Lewis of Caledonia. He plans to attend Mineral Area College, and wants to be an engineer. He has not determined what engineering field he would like to enter.

“I’m very appreciative,” he said of the scholarship. “This will be pretty helpful.”

Brandy Page, 18, is the daughter of Bridget Pyatt and Kenneth Page of Cadet. She plans to attend Jefferson County College to become a registered nurse.

“This means a lot to me,” she said. “I wouldn’t have a way to pay for all my schooling without help from people. I worked hard all the way through school so I could get scholarships.”

Ciara Kamper, 18, is the daughter of Cyndi and Jeff Kamper of Cadet. She plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University, where she will major in vocal performance and dance.

“I feel really lucky to get it,” she said of the Monroe Harvey Scholarship. “It makes me feel accomplished. I thank them so much for helping me reach my dreams.”

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.