New SHSAA scholarship helps aspiring teachers

SALEM -- A new scholarship for education majors will be given by the Salem High School Alumni Association (SHSAA) this spring. It is one of 21 named scholarships available to Salem High School graduates to assist with postsecondary education costs in various fields.

SHS graduating seniors and past graduates who are enrolling or who are already enrolled in four-year college or university programs that lead to a bachelor's degree in education and teaching licensure are eligible to apply. Examples of eligible education majors include, but are not limited to, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescent/young adult, physical education, and special education.

The Class of 1968 completed nearly 10 years of fundraising for the scholarship in autumn 2017. The idea of designating the scholarship for aspiring teachers began several years ago when Lauren Arnold, who was then SHSAA executive director, pointed out to the class's leaders that the association did not have a named scholarship for educators.

"We're all about education," said Chuck Straub, one of three 1968 classmates who led the fundraising effort. Rick Berg and B.J. Cooper Abrams were the other two members of the industrious, cheerful triumvirate that led the scholarship fundraising campaign.

Straub, who is also a member of SHSAA's board, said that for most of the past decade classmates were so busy raising money for the new scholarship that they did not focus on the scholarship criteria until a group of about 10 classmates met twice this winter with Marilyn Wilson Ward, SHSAA vice president and chair of the Scholarship Committee, to develop the criteria for Class of 1968 scholarship.

To achieve the significant challenge of raising $100,000 for the named scholarship, members of the Class of 1968 held benefit performances at the Salem Community Theatre, dropped off and picked up flags for the Rotary Club of Salem, held bake sales, and sold shirts and other SHS alumni insignia items.

One hundred and ten members of the class also donated at least $100 for the class to qualify to for the $50,000 matching gift from David and Kathleen Scahill Roberts. David is a 1966 SHS graduate and Kathleen is a 1968 SHS graduate.

The Robertses had stipulated that 100 members of the Class of 1968 had to give at least $100 toward the scholarship.

During a phone interview the couple explained that their challenge was intended to spur broad involvement by classmates. They were pleased that it had the unintended result of classmates becoming closer.

Though they started as ways to rally classmates for fundraising events, the Facebook page created by Berg and the monthly e-newsletter written by Abrams became vehicles for strengthening existing friendships and sparking new ones.

"They were always out there working hard," said Kathleen Scahill Roberts of classmates.

The Class of 1968 scholarship will be given for the first time on May 19 at the Salem High School Alumni Association's 137th Annual Reunion and Banquet where the Class of 1968 will also be honored as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its graduation.

Applicants for the Class of 1968 Scholarships must be Salem High School graduates

-- attending or enrolling in an accredited four-year college or university;

-- pursuing an education program or major;

-- earning a 3.0 GPA or above in college coursework for past graduates or in high school for current-year graduates; and

-- willing to attend or have a representative attend the SHSAA's Annual Reunion Banquet.

An essay that explains the applicant's interest in teaching is required with the application form that is at www.salemohioalumni.org. Financial need is not a requirement, but the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA form that applicants submit will be considered in the selection process by the SHSAA Scholarship Committee.

Applications from current Salem High School students are due at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 15 at the SHS Guidance Counselor's Office.

The application deadline is 12 p.m., Saturday, March 31 for past SHS graduates who are enrolled or enrolling in postsecondary education programs. Those applications should be sent to or dropped off at the SHSAA office at 330 East State Street in Salem.